Heading East

Anne and I traveled together for 4 months and it seemed odd when she didn't pull in and park near me the first night. I don't know what Scruffy thought about this. He had gotten very used to playing with his "Auntie Anne" every day, and stopped by her trailer at the end of his morning walk. (She is Auntie Anne because strangers always refer to Scruffy as Toto.)  It was a sad day when we went our separate ways.

I think my trip east to see family is a good transition. And Scruffy too is meeting lots of folks and having new adventures.

He did really well on our long travel day. It involved flying from Albuquerque to Los Angeles, then on to Philadelphia and finally West Chester County airport.  I was glad flights were early which gave us time for potty breaks for both of us. Fortunately, airports provide dog areas. Unfortunately, you have to go outside and then come back through the security check again. Even the security folks like Scuffy.

I frightened my sister Deb by sending her a video of Scruffy racing around my trailer and she and Rich (her husband) were much relived to meet the other Scruffy, the quiet one. Scruffy had no trouble adjusting to being a house dog. He likes beds, and couches and rooms to explore.

Luckily, the next two legs of our journey only involved one flight each. It was easier on both of us. The next stop was Orange City Florida where we spent a week with my father.

My Dad and Scruffy grew fond of each other. Every day when we got back from our morning walk, Scruffy slept outside of my father’s door until my dad emerged.  They were often found right next to each other. I think Scruffy would make a good therapy dog and I will look into that.

The day before we left my dad’s house, he told Scruffy he was really going to miss him. Then he looked at me and said, “and just as an aside, I am really going to miss you too.”

I’m lucky to have a father with a great sense of humor and glad that he passed it on to me.