LEAVING ASHLEY

     Yesterday was not a good day for us.  We had to leave a member of our family behind.  In order to get to Ft Lauderdale on Saturday we decided to drive to Atlanta and fly from there.  If we were to fly from Panama City we would have to change planes in Atlanta and that was one chance to lose our luggage which we didn’t need besides it's extra air fare.  So we decided to drive to Atlanta on Wednesday as Tom had several things he needed to do there. 

     So, it was time to say goodbye to Ashley, our red standard poodle, who we are leaving with our good friends, Jim and Martha Rumbough. The Rumboughs have two older dogs and Ashley stayed with them two years ago when we took a 27 day cruise to Russia, Korea, and China. After she settled in she was fine and did well during our absence. 

  When we arrived with her, Rumbough’s daughter, Jennifer, was visiting for the holidays and she had an eight month old Schnauzer puppy also visiting.  Ashlely was scared to death of the puppy.  The puppy didn’t know to be scared of this tall big dog that backed up as it ran toward her and it was fierce.  Poor Ashley just wanted a corner to hide in.  We tried to make our parting short so Rumboughs could calm the group down and get Ashley settled in.  Four months is a long time to leave a member of the family but we could not be doing this trip if it wasn’t for the loving home we know Ashley will be in.  

     When we started on our trip to Atlanta about ½ mile down the road there was a thump thump from the tire.  Tom had run over a huge bolt and it had punctured the tire.  No one was open since it was New Year’s Day to buy a new tire so we drove slowly back to the house since the tire was still inflated.  We parked the Volvo in the driveway and took the Toyota and took off.  So much for Plan B. 

 

     We got to Atlanta safely.  Tom is spending the day with his Godchild, Amanda, and tomorrow he has a dentist appointment to check his implanted teeth.  Then Saturday it is off to the plane and ship