"My little dog--a heartbeat at my feet"
- Edith Wharton
No matter how ready you are for a trip, you are just never prepared to lose your dog nine hours before your flight to Italy. Yes, our beloved Roxy ran away today. She had been staying with friends for two weeks without incident, but for some reason today she decided to hit the road. Maybe it was all too confusing to her--the move, the chaos, the new home. Did her little dog brain sense we were leaving and need to find us? Who knows. We got the call around 7 tonight, sadly informing us that she was missing. Several friends jumped in to help search the area, calling, whistling, driving, walking and worrying, but we couldn't find her. The animal shelters and Humane Society were called. It began to get dark and we began to lose hope. Then we found an ad on Craigslist: a lost dog that matched Roxy's description. We quickly called and spoke to someone, but we still weren't sure if the dog was Roxy. We raced to the address. Jenna and I ran to the door, rang the bell, the door opened and there, in a stranger's living room, was our waggly-tailed Roxy, looking happy-as-you-please. We fell upon her crying. A kind, lovely woman had found her and placed the ad. An angel, and I don't even know her name. Thank you, angel.
Jenna said afterward that it was the first time she'd ever cried from happiness.
I guess I'll finish packing now. The flight leaves soon.
Next up: hopefully nothing until we land in Italy.
- Edith Wharton
No matter how ready you are for a trip, you are just never prepared to lose your dog nine hours before your flight to Italy. Yes, our beloved Roxy ran away today. She had been staying with friends for two weeks without incident, but for some reason today she decided to hit the road. Maybe it was all too confusing to her--the move, the chaos, the new home. Did her little dog brain sense we were leaving and need to find us? Who knows. We got the call around 7 tonight, sadly informing us that she was missing. Several friends jumped in to help search the area, calling, whistling, driving, walking and worrying, but we couldn't find her. The animal shelters and Humane Society were called. It began to get dark and we began to lose hope. Then we found an ad on Craigslist: a lost dog that matched Roxy's description. We quickly called and spoke to someone, but we still weren't sure if the dog was Roxy. We raced to the address. Jenna and I ran to the door, rang the bell, the door opened and there, in a stranger's living room, was our waggly-tailed Roxy, looking happy-as-you-please. We fell upon her crying. A kind, lovely woman had found her and placed the ad. An angel, and I don't even know her name. Thank you, angel.
Jenna said afterward that it was the first time she'd ever cried from happiness.
I guess I'll finish packing now. The flight leaves soon.
Next up: hopefully nothing until we land in Italy.
So glad that this tale has a happy ending! Astoundingly bad timing, but this incident will become the spellbinding introduction to your yet-to-be-written Italy story.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels, happy adventures. Write often!
Roxie Roxie Roxie. What a night!
ReplyDeleteHappy travels my friend.
Oh my gosh! What an emotional roller coaster before the flight. Thank God for the angel that found Roxy. xox
ReplyDeleteThis had me crying for joy too!
ReplyDeleteAll the best wishes for a wonderful journey. Eagerly await more of the travelogue and for our paths to cross in il bel paese!
Made the mistake of reading this at work and totally choked up! What an incredible blessing that you found her and got to hug her goodbye one last time :)
ReplyDeleteThe Roxy hugs were beyond heartfelt. I was there. Hoping she settles into her new life, staying with Summer now. We'll do a walk in the park soon.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you TJ on your first day in Italy, and can't wait to hear how it's all unfolding.
Lots of Love from back home!
was quite a night indeed. roxy and i have been enjoying a schedule of coffee with friends and frisbee, park with friends and frisbee, porch break to people watch, an evening walk or ride, and more porch time followed by some bed cuddling. but she rarely stops hoping you guys will pop up in our adventures :(
ReplyDelete