Cynthia D’Amour on Leadership and Life

Twins, no.
We have two dogs.

Raindrop who is almost seven years old.
GiGi who is almost nine months.
Both are chugs - chihuahua/pugs.

Lately something strange has been going on.

If I call GiGi, Raindrop comes running.
If I call Raindrop, GiGi comes.
It’s sort of amusing.

Are they trying to play the identical twin game?

Switching names.
Faking people out.
As if we can’t tell [...]

Filed under: Adventures of GiGi, Adventures of Raindrop, Getting More Members Involved | No Comments »

   Or is it?
Raindrop is a cool dog.

She’s a people dog.
Would rather hang with us than play with dogs.
It’s just the way she is - or is it?

Today we dropped Raindrop and GiGi at a doggy daycare.

We want GiGi (our puppy) more socialized.
And better trained.
Raindrop could use some refreshers.

The girls did the qualifying visit earlier [...]

Filed under: Adventures of GiGi, Adventures of Raindrop, Board challenges | 1 Comment »

   Out of GiGi’s mouth - literally.
Raindrop is my 6.5 year old dog.

Her favorite toy is a Gatorade bottle filled with kibble.
She twists the tops off.
And loves the extra treats.

Enter GiGi the puppy.

Who does things differently than Raindrop.
GiGi does not twist tops off.
She chews through them until they release!

At first Raindrop was territorial.

Raindrop would not let GiGi near [...]

Filed under: Adventures of GiGi, Adventures of Raindrop, Getting More Members Involved, Volunteers | No Comments »

   Raindrop here.
I had a good life.

Parents who spoiled me.
A big yard.
Neighbors who adored me.

I don’t understand why GiGi the puppy showed up.

She is a pest.
Wants to be part of everything.
She’s ruining my perfect life!

I like how we used to do things.

Now we have to worry about the young dog.
What will GiGi like?
Who cares!

Mom and Dad [...]

Filed under: Adventures of Raindrop, Board challenges | 4 Comments »

   Meet GiGi.
For the last few months, Raindrop seemed sort of numb.

Happy enough.
But not really stimulated.
Going through the motions.

About a month ago, I took a peek at PetFinder.com

Just to see what was out there.
Maybe Raindrop needed a friend?
Or a job as a boss?

To my delight I found a chug who needed a home.

Chihuahua + pug [...]

Filed under: Adventures of GiGi, Adventures of Raindrop, Keeping members | 2 Comments »

Raindrop won.
I just finished fixing lunch.

Scrambled eggs.
Looking yummy.
I scooped up to serve to plates.

Splat!

I dropped a chunk of scrambled eggs on the floor.
Maybe a quarter cup.
Drats!

In a flash, a black and white figure sprang to my feet.

Grabbed those eggs in her mouth.
And shook her head viciously.
Breaking the eggs’ “neck” - and spraying them everywhere.

Raindrop’s [...]

Filed under: Adventures of Raindrop, Board challenges | No Comments »

Raindrop here.
Mom has flu.

She brought it back from PCMA.
Tried to scare if off by dressing up yesterday.
It didn’t work.

Today it’s hitting hard.

She doesn’t look good.
Complains a lot.
She even rescheduled some appointments.

I’m trying to get her to go back to bed.

She laid down a while ago.
I hopped on her feet.
Tried to anchor her there.

She got [...]

Filed under: Adventures of Raindrop, Savvy Leadership | No Comments »

   My sweet Raindrop
It was a lazy Sunday.

I was tired from a week in LA.
Spent Thursday and Friday digging out.
Yesterday road-tripping to see in-laws.

Today was my day.

I slept in late.
Spent the morning chatting on the porch.
Made a scrumptious brunch with Chez James.

By afternoon I was ready for a nap.

James was running an errand.
The room was cool.
The couch [...]

Filed under: Adventures of Raindrop, Savvy Leadership | No Comments »