28 March 2007

Honey, We Lost the Dog


They were not the words I wanted to hear.

I left Monday morning for a quick trip to Vegas, leaving Luca in the capable hands of my parents. He had his morning walk, was penned up in the bathroom, and I set on my merry way. I landed in Vegas and was greeted by the beautiful, warm sunshine. I headed over to the hotel, the Wynn, and was in awe of it and the view from my room.

Soon after, I called my mom to check in on my pooch, and to tell her about the hotel. She hung up on me several times before finally answering. Innocently I asked what was up, and was told, "well, we have some bad news." Upon asking what, thinking it was perhaps my grandpa, she said, "honey, we lost the dog."

I didn't really understand what she was saying. How could they lose my dog? It didn't make any sense to me. Apparently, somehow Luca got away from my dad at the end of the walk. When he realized he was free, he made like Forrest Gump and just started running.

There I sat, on the warm Vegas Strip, freaking out and totally helpless. My poor Luca was tearing around town, still wearing his harness and leash, in the cold rain. What if I never saw him again? I was convinced he was going to get himself caught in a fence, never to be found, or hit by a car. Or, maybe, taken by someone who thought he was just too cute.

These thoughts were running through my mind as I walked down the Strip, crying, trying to get my errand done. They were on my mind as I willed my phone to ring with someone on the other end telling me they had my little monster in their hands. They were on my mind as I waited and shook and cried.

Finally, at around 6pm, almost 6 hours after he took off, I got the call. A gentleman on the other end asked me if I was looking for a dog. My heart jumped; he was safe.

As it turns out, he was only two blocks from my parents' house. He had been spotted all over town, which means he made almost a complete circle. This amazed me. Several people tried to stop him, and he just ran. He ran into the street, people slammed on their brakes and swerved not to hit him, and he ran. The only thing that stopped him was his leash getting caught on a shopping cart, and the cart overturning. Only then could someone grab him, wrap him up, and keep him warm.

I am very thankful to the good Samaritan who grabbed my Luca and called me. And to my parents, brother, aunt and uncle who were all out in the freezing rain looking for him. He is home safe with me, now, thankfully.

12 March 2007

The Very Short Weekend.

While this weekend was a normal 2 days, it sure seemed a lot shorter. Poor Luca and I are just pooped!

We started the weekend right after work on Friday, when we had to load up the car and head up to Sacramento. First, we made a stop at my aunt's to drop of Luca. He was so good in the car and is really starting to get over his timidness. After he was settled, we continued on our journey. About 3 hours later, we were there! (luckily, we hit very little traffic)

Then, I had to get up early on Saturday morning after a late night of partying to head back down south for my volunteer project. I left the hotel at about 7.15am, after a report from my aunt saying Luca had done very well at her house. Relieved at that fact, I drove sleepily along down to the site. I arrived about 2.5 hours later.

I worked from about 10-3, which while I love the volunteer project, I wish I could have snuck a little nap in there! I then headed over to my parents to see them and my pooch. The poor little guy was a little stressed about not having seen me in a day, but he seemed to be doing alright.

We went to dinner, and I had to hit the sack. Daylight savings started on Sunday morning, so when I woke up, it was an hour later than it should have been, and I felt like I could have slept a few hours more. We went for a nice long walk, then mom & I headed out to do some errands.

To wrap up the day, we had a 88th birthday party for my Grandpapa. By this point I was so tired I could barely speak, and little Luca was starting to wear out. Finally, at about 7.30pm, we got to get in the car and head home....all to start the day again at 6 this morning!

While I love the daylight savings period, the first few days are always tough!

It's a Sunshine Day!

We are having some unseasonably warm weather right now, and I am totally loving it. This weekend it was well over 80 degrees (it is March, don't forget), and even today it was over 70. It is just asolutely lovely. I am currently sitting here, 9.45pm, and it is warm enough to have my window open.

Add to that the fact that I could walk at 7.30 tonight and it was still light outside...LOVE IT!

01 March 2007

Whole Lotta Shakin'

As I was sitting here working on my posts, we had an earthquake! It was a 4.2, which isn't huge, but is bigger than the other ones we've been having lately. Apparently, it was followed by at least one aftershock.

My whole life they have said we were going to have the big one. I wonder if these smaller ones do the work that "the big one" would do, just with less damage?