Amelia...7 months old

The little puppy is growing up. She is starting to look more and more like a Golden Retriever. It has been a few months now that the dog and I have been at my mom's in this senior community. Still some adjustments and not tons of privacy. There are probably more distractions than I expected. Not much peace and quiet to get things done that I need to get done. It is a quiet neighborhood, but with the puppy and my mom it seems as though there is only brief moments of privacy. My mother and I get along alright, but it can feel a little strained to be around the same person day after day, especially when one feels tired or worried about something. I am still job searching, and I definitely will need a job not just for the obvious reasons, but to get out of the house now and then. It does help to take the dog on walks. The puppy is a far more social creature than me. She wants to say hello to everyone, and I would rather have my walks to be quiet and think. Amelia will see someone on our walks, and she will stop, sit and wait to greet the individual. I will stand there and think really dog, can we just go. I realize when the dog and I go for walks at the park that people and children will want to see the dog, but outside my home I am not expecting a greeting when I take her out to go to the bathroom. I often feel like I need to mentally prepare myself before greeting others. With the puppy I can't hide and avoid people. I just have to expect visits with others. Sometimes I get frustrated with the puppy because she has so much energy and can easily get into things at home. So, there are a lot of walks outside. More time spent away from the computer and job searching. I walk around with the dog to get her exercise, and I try to relax when she wants to go in the opposite direction. But, the walk ends up different than I expect. The puppy and I will always run into a few people. Sometimes it will be the same people and sometimes there will be a new person that she meets. Everyone usually wants to meet the puppy and visit with her. Did I mention that this is a senior community? So the puppy and I come across older people, and I am trying to get her not to jump on them. They are happy to see her, and she is happy to visit with them. She gets attention and they get a little happiness. Funny that I will get a little frustrated with the puppy's stopping and waiting for people, then I will see the joy she brings to the older people. The puppy gets excited and attached to the older folks around here. She tries to lick their faces and jump on their laps. An older lady in the neighborhood likes to give the puppy slices of banana. Amelia will sometimes stare at the neighbor's door and bark as if she is trying to call the lady outside. I feel like all I can do is walk along and watch the puppy so she behaves herself. Perhaps seeing the puppy gives these older people something to look forward to. Now it is getting late. The puppy is sleeping, and my mom has gone to bed. Now I can watch what I want on tv and be alone to relax.