Herro dere.
My people just came back from a three-week adventure in Europe! They visited London, Paris, Barcelona, and Rome for Cat's volleyball. I'm so proud of that little one... She was recruited (but the term in the email was "invited") by the head coaches at a university in Washington to go play for an international team in some tournaments abroad. Sadly, this meant that I was sent away to a boarding service place... area... thing. Don't freak out guys. I wasn't even really boarded. Most of the time I hung out in the house with Jose, one of the staff members. When I wasn't all snuggled up I was playing outside with the four litters of golden retriever puppies the owners of the boarding place were raising. It was so awesome. They thought I was just the best thing since sliced bread.
When my family came to pick me up, I was wearing a little onesie because I had just been given a bath and I smelled awesome. I have to admit, I was really mad. My family had just left me alone, at a strange place, with strange dogs, and strangers. It wasn't until they started talking to the staff that I realized that my people had actually been gone and I would have been home alone had they not brought me to this place.
I apologize! I never described it! The boarding clinic... kennel place was a farm home set on about half an acre of land. The owners breed purebred golden retrievers, so there were little groupings of puppies hanging out with their mothers up near the main house. The house itself didn't look big from the outside because of it's low ceilings, but it seemed to stretch forever. It was an actual house though, and I think that's what surprised me the most. I guess I figured being boarded meant sitting in a kennel all day except for your daily walk. Every night I would go into Jose's room and sleep with him and the other two hounders he shared his room with. It really was quite a pleasurable stay.
Nonetheless I was angry because I didn't understand why I had been abandoned until midway through their conversation. My anger didn't last. I was so eager to see them and so overwhelmingly happy that they hadn't left me forever that I sat in Cat's arms and was ready to go home. (Even though I would have been happy with Jose.) I said my goodbyes and as my family was talking with Jose about how much I act like a puppy, he asked, "How old is he?"
"Thirteen."
Then followed the loudest gasp I think I have ever heard in my life. Jose and the other staff members were shocked. They knew I was older, but none of them realized I was such an old fart. Yep. Obviously though, in light of earlier events I still have my puppy charms.
But honestly, after my family's trip, and my subsequent trip to the boarding place, I feel like I've gotten younger and aged indefinitely at the same time. Playing and running around constantly every day for almost a whole month brings youth back into my body and I feel like I'm really a puppy again. On the other hand, every day stressing, waiting, hoping my family will be there to pick me up and take me home... That must have aged me at least a decade.
It feels so good to be back behind the keys, in a familiar place. Surrounded by my family, and the things I have grown to know and love... One thing's for sure. I'm never letting them leave again without me coming with them.
My people just came back from a three-week adventure in Europe! They visited London, Paris, Barcelona, and Rome for Cat's volleyball. I'm so proud of that little one... She was recruited (but the term in the email was "invited") by the head coaches at a university in Washington to go play for an international team in some tournaments abroad. Sadly, this meant that I was sent away to a boarding service place... area... thing. Don't freak out guys. I wasn't even really boarded. Most of the time I hung out in the house with Jose, one of the staff members. When I wasn't all snuggled up I was playing outside with the four litters of golden retriever puppies the owners of the boarding place were raising. It was so awesome. They thought I was just the best thing since sliced bread.
When my family came to pick me up, I was wearing a little onesie because I had just been given a bath and I smelled awesome. I have to admit, I was really mad. My family had just left me alone, at a strange place, with strange dogs, and strangers. It wasn't until they started talking to the staff that I realized that my people had actually been gone and I would have been home alone had they not brought me to this place.
I apologize! I never described it! The boarding clinic... kennel place was a farm home set on about half an acre of land. The owners breed purebred golden retrievers, so there were little groupings of puppies hanging out with their mothers up near the main house. The house itself didn't look big from the outside because of it's low ceilings, but it seemed to stretch forever. It was an actual house though, and I think that's what surprised me the most. I guess I figured being boarded meant sitting in a kennel all day except for your daily walk. Every night I would go into Jose's room and sleep with him and the other two hounders he shared his room with. It really was quite a pleasurable stay.
Nonetheless I was angry because I didn't understand why I had been abandoned until midway through their conversation. My anger didn't last. I was so eager to see them and so overwhelmingly happy that they hadn't left me forever that I sat in Cat's arms and was ready to go home. (Even though I would have been happy with Jose.) I said my goodbyes and as my family was talking with Jose about how much I act like a puppy, he asked, "How old is he?"
"Thirteen."
Then followed the loudest gasp I think I have ever heard in my life. Jose and the other staff members were shocked. They knew I was older, but none of them realized I was such an old fart. Yep. Obviously though, in light of earlier events I still have my puppy charms.
But honestly, after my family's trip, and my subsequent trip to the boarding place, I feel like I've gotten younger and aged indefinitely at the same time. Playing and running around constantly every day for almost a whole month brings youth back into my body and I feel like I'm really a puppy again. On the other hand, every day stressing, waiting, hoping my family will be there to pick me up and take me home... That must have aged me at least a decade.
It feels so good to be back behind the keys, in a familiar place. Surrounded by my family, and the things I have grown to know and love... One thing's for sure. I'm never letting them leave again without me coming with them.
Love you guys. Thank you for your continued support.
Have a great summer!
- Charlie
Have a great summer!
- Charlie