2. Sassy

2. Sassy


One of Steve’s friend, Sassy, invited us out to visit her and Abbey, her new dog. It was a long drive getting there, Sylmar, but I didn’t care because I wasn’t driving. I think I could if Steve would let me (I have a license) but I get the impression that’s not going to happen.

Sassy and Abbey lived in a nice little house on a long street with a lot of other little houses that all look alike. I mention that now because it becomes an important factor later in my story. Steve and Sassy left Abbey and me on the patio to get acquainted and they went inside the house. Steve had promised to help her fix a computer problem. He’s good at stuff like that. Well, after a few minutes of keeping Abbey company, I got bored and I had developed a bond with Steve. I’m told it’s called “separation anxiety”. It means I don’t like being left alone. My last family left me in the backyard when they moved and it apparently gave me this condition. Steve really had a surprised look on his face when he looked away from the computer and saw me sitting alongside of him. What he didn’t know was that I had pushed a hole in the patio’s screen door with my nose to get to him. I was told that was a no-no as he wagged his finger in front of my face (I just hate when he does that) but I was really feeling nervous and anxious not knowing where he was and had to find him..

I was quickly escorted out of the house and Abbey and I were put in the backyard with a 6-foot tall fence and wooden door. I was not happy and started to say so. I barked for about 5 minutes. I’ll bet everyone was happy when I stopped, but then Steve had another surprise. He got a phone call telling him “his lost dog had been found”.

When I was in foster care at the Cat Connection I do remember getting something injected in my shoulder. I Can’t explain it either but the animal rescue I was rescued by and adopted from was the Cat Connection.

Anyway, after they stuck this microchip under my skin and I got a silver medallion attached to my collar that had my name and a phone number to call in case I got lost.

So when Steve got this call from the microchip lost and found agency, He thought there had to be some mistake. He rushed out of the house, swung open the backyard gate, and all he found was Abbey. I don’t think he had to ask her what happened. Like I said, I get real nervous and anxious when we are separated, so I figured I would jump the fence (I’m a real good jumper) and find him. The only problem was that all the houses looked alike (remember I told you that would be important), so I just started barking and pawing at different front doors until this nice lady opened the door and then called the telephone number on my silver medallion and they called Steve's cellphone.

I only missed by about 6 houses, and when I saw Steve and Sassy walk out their front door I ran as fast as I could to them. I think this was a valuable lesson for both of us but since I’m the one with the problem, Steve is the one that learned not to leave me alone.

Later that evening, we went out to something called a Dinner Theater. The dinner part I understood but the theater part I didn’t. Abbey stayed home – I’m not sure why but I think it was because she didn’t have anything to wear; like a vest like mine. Anyway, I sat under the table and then Steve put a bowl of water beside me. Every once in a while, I would poke my head up from under the tablecloth and someone would either pet my head or give me something to eat. Either way it was great.

Late in the evening, there was a big commotion with lots of applause and all of a sudden we were all standing up and walking out of the building to our car.

On the drive home it seemed like longer than coming, but it was dark and we were both a little tired. When we drive on the highways at fast speeds, Steve doesn’t open a window for me to stick my head out. He says its dangerous because the wind can dry out my eyes and dust and dirt or foreign objects (whatever those are) can hurt them, so I just stretched out on the back seat and must have fallen asleep.

Steve must be a mind reader, because as soon as we pulled Into the garage and parked the car, he took me out for a walk so I could do my business. He always tells me that I have great self-control and can hold it for a really long time, but I’d rather not.

It was a long day with lots of new experiences for everyone.



End of chapter.

1 HIGHWAY GUYS

HIGHWAY GUYS

A TRUE TRAVEL STORY OF A MAN AND HIS DOG             
AS NARRATED BY PETER

Chapter 1
My name is Peter and my father is Steve. Well, he’s not my real father, but he adopted me and I feel like he’s the best father a guy could have. I never knew my biological father, or my mother for that matter. I was taken away from her when I was very young and spent a few years with a couple of families in foster homes before my adoption.

I can’t remember most of my childhood, and that’s probably a good thing, but I can tell you all about my dad’s life because we have spent many hours together as he spoke to me about his past.

In 2003, Steve decided he wanted to buy an RV and travel around the country. He had been retired from his medical practice for about 9 years because he developed some kind of nerve disease that made him disabled. He had trouble walking and balancing, and even needed special equipment on his car so he could drive with hand controls.

His friends were worried that he would have a lot of trouble traveling alone, both mentally and physically.

I was in foster care at the time and when Steve and I met the first time, I knew he would make a good dad.

I was about six years old, but that was just an educated guess by the doctors since I never had a real birth certificate. The agency thought I was too old to be hopeful of being adopted but Steve didn’t seem to care.

Before I knew it, the agency approved his application for adoption and I was on my way home with my new dad. I was one happy guy. That day was April 28th, 2003 – our anniversary.

Since I didn’t have a real birthday – Steve decided it should be January 27 the same as his. He said that would make us both Aquarians. I don’t know what that is but if Steve is one, I wanted to be one too.

We spent every day together, and I got to meet all of his friends. I really liked them and I think they liked me.

After a week of living together, Steve told me that he needed me to help him and he was going to get me a teacher to help me learn how to help him. I certainly wanted to be able to help him and if he thought I was smart enough to learn, I was going to give it a try. I learned how to help him balance and walk better and pulled him up ramps and hills when he needed a little extra energy. I also found that he liked to talk to me a lot and I tried to be a good listener. There were lots of things he talked about that I didn’t understand, but I sat by quietly while he tried to explain or teach me something.

My home schooling went well and my teacher told me that if I was really a good student I could become a professional.

Well I must have done well, because before I knew it, Steve had bought a beautiful vest for me that had the words SERVICE DOG on it. Since I can’t read, I had to take his word for it, but I believed him.

He told me that if my mom could see me now, she would be very proud of my accomplishments.

I had grown up to be a good-looking guy with a professional job in the healthcare industry.

Since then I have learned two valuable lessons.
1. Women love guys in uniforms.
2. If you’re good looking, you can get away with anything.

Like I said before, we went every place together. I liked riding in the car in the back seat with my head out the window. What a great experience having all those odors and scents in the air rushing at my nose. Once in a while I would walk between the car seats and sit in the front passenger seat, but the way Steve drove, I would slide back and forth and had trouble keeping my balance, so I decided to stay in the backseat where is was safer and more comfortable.

With my new vest on, I noticed we were going into lots of places I had never been in before; like restaurants, movie theatres, stores of all kinds. Sometimes people would stop us but I noticed that all Steve had to do was point to my vest and they would step aside and wave us in. I started to believe that my vest had some kind of magical powers and started to feel very important and special. I wanted my new dad to be proud of me.

MY favorite places to go are restaurants. The floors usually have lots of food on them, and even though I’m not supposed to eat off the floor, I manage to scarf up a few morsels when no one is looking. Most of the time Steve will ask me what he should order, and I just smile. He knows what I like. I’m a carnivore at heart, and he usually orders something I can get a taste of that I like. I hate it when he orders salads, but he saves the crotons for me so it’s not a total loss. My other favorite place to go is the movies because people are always spilling popcorn on the floor and I like getting to them before those people with the long brooms and pans get to take them away.

End of chapter

090611 DANNY

11010 - LAST EXIT

LAST EXIT

January 11, 2011

I apologize for not writing sooner. The past few weeks have been very busy and stressful for me.

What started out as an experiment 7 years ago turned into the adventure of my life.

Without meaning to mimic John Steinbeck’s “Travels With Charlie” or become the poster boy for disabled Rvers, I did both.

My blog started as a personal diary to share with friends, but later took on a life if its own as we met more and more people on the road who encouraged me.

What started on September 11, 2003 as a 5 year mission to travel and explore places many others have gone before made me feel like a cross between Charles Kuralt and Captain Kirk..

Peter was actually the driving force and soul of THE HIGHWAY GUYS, and when he died (April-2008) I felt the adventure die with him, but then a miracle happened and Danny entered my life to breath fresh enthusiasm into me for another two years.

I always knew the day would come when we would have to pull off the highway for the last time.

After a medical emergency and a week in the hospital, December 29th, 2010 was that day..

Neil Sedaka said it best and so simply in his hit song “BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO”.

With the assurance that Danny was going to live out his life in a loving family and home with a big back yard to chase squirrels all day, I sold the Beast, and was transported by my nephew Kurt and his girlfriend Tammy to an assisted living facility in Los Angeles.

My immediate future will include doctor visits, chemotherapy sessions and a very regimented schedule that I have avoided successful for the past 7 years. I anticipate internal conflict in the transition period.

To all my friends, both new and old, on road and off, I want to thank you for making my past 7 years the most happiest of my life. Your contributions, encouragement, advice and assistance had enriched my experience and made traveling easier.
Memories will have to replace reality; new friendships made but alas none of them canine.

For many of you, this may be our last contact, but I will try to never forget you.

For those of you who wish to keep in touch, I will look forward to your continued friendship.

101120 -Bumps

November 20, 2010
Lake Cahuilla, La Quinta, California
Bumps

On the road, The Highwayguys are always looking out for and trying to avoid bumps or as they are posted in Mexico - TOPES ..
However, I have found that there are other bumps, although small, just as much trouble as the ones on the road.

About 3 weeks ago, during my morning routine, I was scared witless when I noticed that my urine was bloody and I was spiting blood clots out like a gatling gun.

After an emergency medical visit, followed by a cystoscopy with only topical anesthesia, the doctor found a small tumor on the bladder wall.
The next step was a more invasive out patient procedure under general anesthesia for a biopsy of the bump. The pathology report was not good.,,, A high grade malignant tumor.
The next step is another biopsy to determine the amount of invasion of the tumor into the muscular wall. This procedure is to be done in about 4-8 weeks.
Right now, we are in a holding pattern in the Palm Springs area; trying to enjoy the scenery and life style for as long as we can before the other shoe drops.

I haven’t told Danny what’s going on … don’t want to worry him anymore than necessary, but I think he was getting suspicious as we visited different medical offices. He has developed a fondness for nurses and visa versa. He is a real babe magnet.

101010 Redding, CA Re: Bill

October 10, 2010
Redding, California
Re: Bill

I’m often asked how we chose an RV park to stay at when we are someplace we’ve not been to before.
WE utilize an annual directory, the Internet and when we are really lucky, email from pen pals with suggestions.
AS we approached Redding, we did not have the advantage of valued recommendations.
The directories and Internet listings are like reviewing tourist brochures. They sometimes either glorify or misrepresent or omit certain aspects or conditions.
One condition that I hare a real problem with are parks that are terraced which have inclined roadways. The park we chose in Redding had this layout.

After maneuvering into our space, on exiting the Beast, I realized there was going to be a problem. As I circled around the space, trying to figure the easiest and safest way of overcoming the incline, I heard a voice shouting at me. Bill occupied a space nearby and when he saw me and my walker, decided he was going to assist me. After he hooked up all my support lines, he suggested that I change sites to one near by because it was wider and flatter and had more grass for Danny. The next day, bill knocked on our door to tell me that he had made arrangements with the office for me to switch sites and after relocating; he hooked the Beast up again.
Bill is 62 years old, gray haired and bearded , about 6 feet on a thin frame. He looks older than his stated age, smokes cigarettes and has an occasional cough. He admits to heart disease and respiratory distress and among other meds takes coumadin (a blood thinner), which he is concerned about.

He also revealed that he has a son who is in prison because of drugs and has assumed the responsibility of helping his daughter-in-law care for her 5 children, even though he is legally disabled and on a limited fixed income.

He was well informed and knowledgeable about politics and current events, so we spent some time each day sharing stories and expressing opinions on many topics.

I mentioned the fact that my scooter batteries were almost dead, and had found a scooter store in the next town south that I was going to stop at after leaving this park.

He gave me the name and address of a store nearby that sold all kinds of batteries … I called them and they verified they carried the kind I needed and the price was almost ½ of what the scooter store was charging – even free installation.

Bill is one of many characters I have met and will remember fondly.
A man with a good heart and positive attitude about life, regardless of the circumstances and roadblocks that could bring down and sometimes even destroy weaker people.

The day we left, I wanted to show my appreciation and compassion but knew he would refuse any outright assistance.

I had a baseball cap still in its package that said … DON’T FORGET MY SENIOR DISCOUNT.
I placed it in a plastic bag along with $40 in an envelope tucked inside with a note on the envelope “for your grandchildren”, and hoped he wouldn’t find it till I was miles away. I know he won’t spend a dime of it on himself.

I could not continue to travel without the kindness and assistance of strangers.
It's not often I get to respond with a random act of kindness. This time I did.

100920 - Medford, Oregon -Oregon RV repairs

September 20, 2010
Medford, Oregon -Oregon RV repairs

The past 3 days are none that I would like to repeat anytime soon.

As Friday night came and went, so did the rain, and it was a healthy storm that kept on giving for the entire weekend. It made us stay indoors most of the time and although I could use my computer for entertainment, it gave Danny cabin fever.

Mid Monday morning, Mark, the mechanic, started to test the electrical system. I was sure that his removal of the anti-theft device was the cause of the problem, but he just grunted and continued checking. Things started to go from bad to worse. He declared that he discovered the basic problem.

Somehow, the belt from the air conditioner had sliced thru a plastic conduit that housed several wires and destroyed them. Of course they were wires that led to the dashboard gauges (speedometer, gas, temperature, etc). There were 8 wires in total that were cut and he and Dave declared that they had never seen anything like it before. I was thrilled.

If that wasn’t bad enough, he also pronounced my alternator dead, and needed to be replaced.

The two of them worked on the repairs the rest of the morning, quit for lunch and then into the afternoon. When they were finished and I paid the bill ($473), I was unhappy and tired. There was no point in hitting the road to look for a place to stay so I decided to spend one more night in the parking lot and set out in the morning. At least the rainstorm had passed and the weather had warmed up with a bright sunny day.
By they way … that coolant leak I had mentioned – turns out it was a potentional problem. A small crack at the petcock valve at the bottom of the radiator. However, Mark put in a small bottle of sealer and told me it would stop the leak and keep me safe for about a year or 2 at which time I should plan on replacing the radiator. Cost of the sealant was 2 @ $1.99 each..

tomorrow I still have to go back to Sprint to pick up my replacement phone and stop at Petsmart for lots of dog food and some doggie treats. He deserves it for being a good boy thru this past ordeal.

100916 - Medford, Oregon

September 16, 2010
Medford, Oregon

For the past few weeks, we had been staying at a quiet park in Silverton, Oregon, near Salem. It was friendly, well kept and easy to get around and had a great handicapped shower.

Most of the day we scootered around to give Danny his exercise so he can maintain his svelte figure, and with lots of sunshine we could hang out and read or listen to the radio. There were also a couple of interesting locals that always had some stories to tell or comments on almost any topic.
Tim is a retired truck driver from South Carolina, and Leroy was born and raised in Oregon. Both of them loved dogs and gave Danny all the attention and affection he could drag out of them.
Besides having my side mirror snapped off by the 18 wheeler, I noticed that the rear arm of my awning was detached from the side of the RV, I mentioned it to “the boys” and soon after, they arrived at my RV with tools in hand and had it secured quickly.

Moving southward, we made overnight stops in Springfield, Grants Pass and then here in Medford. Along the way, my cell phone (the smart one) started malfunctioning after it uploaded an update (a bit of irony). I found a Sprint store in Medford that did not do repairs, but promised me a replacement overnight. I was feeling good until I got back into the RV and it wouldn’t start. I tried all the tricks but it just gave this small clicking sound. The Auto Club sent out a battery truck and tow truck and by the time they were finished trying and testing, I had bought a new battery (which I needed anyway) and was on the back of the tow truck heading for an RV repair shop. Of course, the 2nd worse time to break down is Thursday afternoon just after businesses close for the day. That was today.
The tow truck left us there to spend the night.

The next morning, the shop manager told me that he was busy, and a mechanic short, so I might be there thru the weekend. Unfortunately, I had planned to get gas and buy pet food (which I was low on both of) after The Sprint store. The generator runs on gas at about a gallon/90 minutes and Danny goes thru a bag of food in two weeks. I was down to 3 days of dog food.
While walking Danny around the area, I struck up a conversation with another RV customer, Mike, waiting for his rig to be serviced. He lived in the area, and we started talking about dogs. One of his dogs had died recently and he was picking up a new puppy at the pound this afternoon. I mentioned that I hoped we didn’t get stuck for the weekend because I was low on gas and dog food, and he told me that he had lots of dog food in his rig and would be happy to help out. I handed him a plastic bucket and he filled it up. Thank you Mike.

About 2 PM, things started looking good when a mechanic approached us and started testing. The general consensus was a bad starter.
After an hour of testing, he announced my starter was good. An anti-theft device that had accidentally been turned on caused the problem. I knew about the device but had forgotten about it when it came to a possible reason for not starting. I was feeling a bit stupid, but relieved. Then mechanic asked me if I ever use it, I said no, and then he suggested that it be removed to prevent future problems. In hindsight, I should have said no, just leave it. Instead I said OK.
As I was heading for a Costco Gas station, I noticed that my dashboard gauges were acting funny – like in spasm, going haywire.. The gas station had long lines and it was late in the afternoon, so I decided to head back to the shop to report my findings.
I got there just after closing and all the mechanics had gone home, leaving just the manager. I had him look at the problem and he told me that it seemed like the battery wasn’t charging and could be the alternator or some other electrical problem. However, he couldn’t do anything before Monday (it is now Friday evening). I didn’t feel safe driving anywhere, so I told him I would be here all weekend waiting for Monday. He did run a power cord from the shop so I had electricity for my computer. Now I was very glad for Mike’s generosity of the dog food. I hope it agrees with Danny.
To top off this sudden, drastic turn of events, the weather forecast for the weekend was rain, rain and more rain, and just as if it was cued, down it came.
Danny sat on the couch, with his head resting at the window ledge, staring at the rain with his furlong, woe is me look. I knew how he felt.

100824 - Woodburn, Oregon

August 24, 2010
Woodburn, Oregon
On the highway, some hotshot trucker creeps into our lane in heavy traffic just south of Portland and rips off our right front mirror. I tried to run him down but he got away and his license plate was too dirty to read and there were no markings on the side of his truck (18 wheeler). Even if I could have caught up to him it would have been impossible to prove with no witnesses any way. Finding a new mirror is going to be tough.

Later that day, at twilight –a young guy wearing a New Zealand shirt befriended Danny (or visa versa) as we overnighted at a Wal-Mart. He and his friend have been touring the United States for 12 months from coast to coast and were just getting ready to return home this month.
He offered to take Danny for a walk. He seemed OK but after about 20 minutes I was getting a little nervous as the sun was setting. However, 10 minutes later they returned and Danny was tired but apparently happy.

100822 - Gig Harbor, Washington

August 22, 2010
Gig Harbor, Washington
Since our plans had not been well defined, it was on short notice that I told Mort we were heading his way. Mort Altman and I did our surgical residencies together in San Francisco a long time ago. My timing to visit turned out to be bad because he had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer and had undergone Divinci Robotic surgery successfully just a few weeks ago. In addition to that, he had just sold his house and bought another one and was in the process of moving, although he admitted he was actually doing the directing instead of lifting. We spent dinner bringing each other up to date on our lives and events. He took me to this great BBQ rib place.
That was all the time he could spare and I know he was still worn out recovering from the surgery.

While at the RV Park in Gig Harbor, one of our neighbors, Steve, saw us scootering around and offered to wash our RV windows. I thought that was a terrific offer and the next day, bucket and long handled brush in hand, he showed up and scrubbed us clean. He did all of the windows and body in the front and along the sides as well.

I love RV people. Thank you Steve.

100818 - Bellingham, Washington

August 18,2010
Bellingham, Washington
When we get to the Northwest, we love visiting with my old friend Joe. We both practiced in the Los Angeles area and often assisted each other in surgery. He is now retired in Bellingham with his beautiful wife Penelope.
Unfortunately, she had a family emergency that took her out of town so for a week it was just the boys – Joe, Steve and Danny. We conveniently parked The Beast in Joe’s driveway which served as the guest house. Winning over Penelope Danny can do with one paw tied behind his back but Joe is another story. For this Danny went all out. Nuzzling, and begging and insisting on being petted and responding to commands. Joe even tried to teach him to fetch but he failed like so many before him. We hit a few restaurants (seafood, steak and pizza) and even found a dog park for Danny to run free with other dogs for a while. With Penelope gone, we did miss her excellent cooking and great hospitality, but Joe held up well and we all had a wonderful time.

100801 - Yakama Nation, Toppenish, WA

August 1, 2010
Yakama Nation RVP
Toppenish, Washington

After a couple of days and about 60 gallons of gas, stopping at Boise and Pendleton, Oregon, we arrived at a campground we have been to before and enjoyed it. The grounds are grassy and well kept and the interior roadways are paved and scooter friendly. There is also a restaurant on the property. It is not actually in Yakima, Washington and for some reason spelled with an “a” instead of an “i”. It is officially Indian land.
Usually when we check in, besides verifying the rate (which was $30/day or $32 with cable), we ask about the weekly rate. Most times campgrounds will offer 7 days for the price of 6. Initially we were planning on 4 or 5-day stay but when I was told the weekly rate was $75 we were surprised and interested. I asked again to make sure I was not hearing wrong since I expected to hear $175. Nope, $75 it was and that included cable. On top of that, my Good Sam discount of 10% brought it down to $67,50 and there was no tax. We are really going to enjoy our week here.

100729 - Jerome, Idaho

July 29, 2010
Jerome, Idaho>

Our next destination was to be a simple straight interstate drive of about 3 hours.
We slept late, awakened slowly and had a leisurely breakfast. The weather was sunny and clear when we started out a little after noon.

We have noticed quite a bit of stimulus money being spent in the form of highway construction, but mostly in short stretches and signs warning of double fines for speeding in work zones, We rarely had to stop but 45-55 MPH was posted and going slower was a bit relaxing.

As the afternoon dragged on, we had no idea we were heading for the perfect storm. First, we were detoured off the main highway and forced to travel in single file along a partially finished temporary roadway which was defined by orange barrels on our right and red rubber cones on our left, which was all that separated us from oncoming traffic. The space between the cones and barrels might have been spacious for most cars, but for The Beast, it felt a little tight, and traffic was busy on either side.

Soon after being herded to this detour, the sky started to darken prematurely (it was only late afternoon) and soon after that it started to rain. Thunder and lightening were next on the menu, and then the gusty cross winds kicked in.

It was dark as night, with only our headlights for illumination, I could swear that the barrels and cones were getting closer together with each mile as the wind tried to blow us into oncoming traffic. Our windshield wipers were barely keeping up with the storm and sometimes flew across the glass without even touching it. The cars in front of me kept up a brisk pace since the signs suggested 55 mph but I refused to drive more than 45. I was having trouble keeping between the lines and felt like I was running an endless gauntlet. Danny came up front to look out the windshield to see what I was complaining about. He barked once and then retreated to the rear. I thought I heard him mutter something under his breath like “ I wish I knew how these damn seat belts work”.
After about an hour (which felt like 2), an exit appeared and I chose it with glee and relief. There was nothing at the exit, no gas station or fast food place, but I found a spot to pull over onto and just took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Not knowing how much longer the highway construction zone was, I summoned up some courage and forged ahead, back to the highway. The service road was slower and less nerve raking than the highway detour and lasted about 10 miles. I finally had to enter the mainstream gauntlet again and it lasted another 40 miles. As the road became once again a normal 4-lane interstate, the sky lightened and the storm lessened. By the time we arrived at our Wal-Mart de joure, the rain was down to a drizzle and believe it or not (see photo) there was a rainbow over the store. It was a great sight to see and would have made a great commercial.

I turned on the generator, then the air conditioner (it was warm and muggy), and threw dinner into the microwave oven.
I don’t know who ate their dinner faster, Danny or me, but we both stretched out on our beds and took a nap.
I woke up 2 hours later, shut down everything, and went back to sleep. No shopping tonight. Just sleep.

100728 - Afton, Wy

July 28th, 2010
BeLong Pet Rescue
Afton, Wyoming

Deciding to go to Afton Wyoming so Danny could visit his old home and the woman that raised him to be so smart and handsome was a major decision. Afton is not near any major highway or interstate so the driving is scenic, but labor intensive with lots of hills, valleys, and twisty roads. Nevertheless I decided it was something that should be done.
I had emailed Bonnie that we were coming, but unknown to me; she was having Internet problems and never got the message. The morning of the day we planned on going, I tried calling, but only got an answering machine. I could only guess that either they were away on vacation or something had happened.
I did not look forward to driving 3 hours to arrive at an empty house, but if I didn’t try, I might miss the opportunity. Off we went with positive expectation.
When we arrive at the property, a couple of dogs rushed out to greet us which I took as a good sign, since I knew someone had to be around to take care of them. Calling the house still got me the answering machine.
We sat patiently in the RV and after about 30 minutes, Bonnie came around from the back of the house and greeted us. She explained her computer problems and said she had been spending time with the horses for the afternoon.
Danny immediately went crazy when he saw her and I had to let him out before he made a hole in the side of the Beast trying to get to her.

We spent a few hours talking about Danny, animals and events. Unfortunately, the bad economy leaves little to be spared, and She and Buzz are forced to downsize; selling their ranch for a smaller property and were actually in the process of packing up for the move. It may limit her ability to continue her noble commitment to save orphaned animals, but she has done a wonderful job of it so far, so I believe she has earned her place in heaven.

As we drove away, I noticed the:”for sale” sign and sighed.
It was a 2-1/2 hour drive to our Idaho Falls Wal-Mart boondock de joure, and I wanted to make it before nightfall since my cataracts seem to be getting worse.
I know Danny enjoyed the reunion with Bonnie, I just hope he appreciated my efforts. He is such a great dog and companion; I really wanted to surprise him.
At least he didn’t insist on staying.

Afton, Wyoming