Monday, October 18, 2010

In Memory of Lou..the best dog

My dog,Lou is dying tonight. He's 16, not in pain...just old. I actually want him to just stop breathing...it's time. But his story is one of love of a friend, a pet and a traveling companion. Lou has been with me through many incarnations. My life as a marketing person in Atlanta, my life in Florida with Post Haste Travel, and his life as part of my immediate family. But h e has many stories. When Lou was just 8 months old I started taking him with me to clients offices. Including Coca Cola headquarters, in Atlanta, to CNN, to Georgia Pacific...and plenty of advertising agencies...he was so well behaved that every one loved having him there. I brought him everywhere. When we went on road trips, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC,he was more than welcomed. As a matter of fact, and this is kinda funny,whenever we went to NYC, on the trip through the NY thruway and NJ turnpike, any time we entered a tunnel, he "ducked"as we entered the tunnels...We stayed at Gramercy Park...which he loved...we went to restaurants where he knew to hide at my feet so no one could see him..same with bars all over the country...since he's a black dog, he knew to hide at my feet,and the bar never asked him to leave.
In Texas we went to lot's of bars and hotels...and no one knew he was there. What a quiet and simple friend. I can't imagine having another travel partner that knows how to act in any situation.
My loss of my partner may not ever be replaced. I have always been one that includes my dog.
I don't know if Ill ever find another partner like this. Lou didn't get to go to Belize with me...he didn't get to go to Paws Up with me...he hasn't been on a cruise with me...but he's always waited patiently at home for me. He always new when i was packing for a trip, and he didn't like it. But he waited. And whenever I made it home, he was thrilled to see me. What is it about dogs that they understand suitcases? And as I sit , waiting for Lou to take his last breath...all I can do is cry for the memories of the best travel partner I've ever had. I don't know that I will get an other dog. I've always had one. But at 53, and having to travel often, if it fair to leave a beloved partner home alone? I don't know.I still have a 3 legged cat...he can stay home, and doesn't really care if we're here or not...but it's not the same.I Will post a photo of by beloved Lou and hope you understand the pain and fear I have about not having a dog in my life. I haven't made any decision yet...and it's not time to do that. If you have a traveling companion, that you love and have storied about...let me know. It will make me feel better. Thank you.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Places I've been

As a child, and through my young adult years, I was lucky enough to travel to different parts of the US and world with my parents and brothers. When we were very young, my mother would load us up in the station wagon and travel the Southeast, stopping at every single tourist trap there was. It was a lot of fun! Lots of “are we there yet?” arguing in the backseat! As I got older, I spent a month in South America with my parents, visiting Columbia, Brazil, Peru, and Chile, with a brief stop in Argentina. (There was a coup happening, and they wouldn’t let us off the plane!) I spent many years as a professional photographer, so my travels gave me an opportunity to add to my portfolios. I also spent a month in Europe with a business partner/friend, traveling through Bavaria, (Germany, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria) driving the back roads and visiting small towns and the large cities. I’ve been to England a number of times, France, Greece, Turkey, Israel and East Africa. Some of this was business, some pleasure. My most pleasurable trips have always been to the mountains. I just hate heat, don’t ever really get cold, and I love to breath the fresh air of the mountains. I loved the Alps and the Rockies, and I do love to ski, although I have not been in way too long. I love wearing warm clothes and sitting by a fire, and the cold is so energizing to me. Then of course, there is Belize. I love Belize because of the diversity of the country. The mountains, rivers, archeology, the birds and animals really speak to me of a great history. Though not much of a beach person, the island of Ambergris Caye has such character and characters that I thoroughly enjoy every stay there. I do not snorkel, dive or even get in the water (very much) but the beauty of the island and the graciousness of the local people make it a fun, relaxing destination. Since being in the travel business, I have learned to appreciate cruising, and do short cruises quite often. Unfortunately, lately, I am so busy I don’t really get a chance to travel to distant destinations very often, although I do get invited to many places. Maybe next year I’ll have some extra time!