Our beagle Kirby loves car rides.  I also love to give him rides in the car.  He sort of serves as my little traveling companion.  All happy and ready to go on any adventure that comes to mind.

There is however a major problem, when Kirby sees another dog outside the car, he freaks out.  I mean total and absolute freak out moment.  It’s unpleasant.  It’s actually kind of dangerous, as Kirby runs around the car jumping from seat to seat barking loudly.

The other day, I took Kirby for a ride to run a brief errand.  Sadly, we passed a dog and Kirby began a major freak out event.  Then summoning the fury of a thousand tempests, I turned to my little dog and yelled, “Kirby!  Stop it!”  Startled, Kirby immediately stopped and turned to me with a very sad, “What did I do wrong?” look of innocence and fear.

I felt bad, although Kirby really did deserve it, but on the bright side, it made me realize something.  Something very good.  I could not remember the last time I had yelled.  I mean really yelled.  Yelled out of anger or discipline.  Yelled out of frustration or sadness.  It had been a really long time since I had lost my temper.

[Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not a “yeller,” by any measure.  Just the normal sort of dude getting really upset and getting loud type of moment.  That’s what I am talking about here.  Good, now that we all understand each other, let’s continue.  Remember, this is a safe place to share.]

I think this big gap in yelling is due to one factor, our new home.  One year ago today, I pulled into the garage of our new home, turned to my boys, and with a wry smile said, “Chewie, we’re home.”  Not that we had been through some type of Star Wars saga, but 2015 and been full of lots and lots of drama (click here for easy access to the 2015 drama).  Lots and lots of stress.  Lots and lots of change.  We had finally moved.  Life was starting fresh.  A family reboot of sorts.

So, I’m not saying that I won’t yell again and Kirby cannot run rampant throughout the car with total abandon, but it’s nice.  It’s nice to see a sign.  It’s nice to see tangible proof.  Proof that you have arrived at a more peaceful place.  A place where your body experiences less stress.  A place where you are permitted luxuries, such as forgetting the last time you yelled.