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.

Friday and its time for a break

It's Friday and I haven't written in my blog all week. That's because we have been very busy at work, which is a good thing. People are starting to book vacations again. Many tours right now, to Europe, and the US West and Alaska. Tours are a great way to get alot of bang for your buck. Seeing so much of many places in a reasonable amount of time, usually 2 weeks. Being able to taste the local foods, meet the local people and see the famous sights up close with plenty of time to visit is very rewarding. The slow pace of some tours allows you to get enough rest and relaxation, withought the hurry up of doing one port every day that cruises require. And you can take the whole family to any part of the world for a wonderful experience. An Africa safari with the whole family creates a lifetime of memories. Adventures by Disney has great tours to many parts of the world. Both Tauck and Travcoa have various types of tours available for spring and summer. I would like to do a pub crawl and garden route tour in Ireland in the Spring. Or maybe a river cruise for the Tulips in Holland. River cruises are a type of tour that you don't have to unpack every day. The boat is your hotel and you still get to see the small towns and mingle with the local people. Consider your mental health and make time for a tour of this country or others. It will add to your Return on Life.