Last Post

I never did finish this blog.  Probably because I was too sad.  :(  Zoli flew back to his daddy back in December.  It was SUCH an ordeal.  It is not easy to get a dog from Cincinnati all the way to Botswana!  Stephen did a great job organizing it, but there was a lot to do on my side.  I was SO worried I would screw something up, but everything went smoothly.  For about a month leading up to his departure I would cry every time I even thought about it.  It was sooooo sad (and pathetic!).  On the day that he left, Mom and Meg and I drove him to the airport.  Long story short...I stood in the Delta Air Cargo terminal and cried when they rolled him away!  Of course, the workers were standing there watching me.  I asked if people often cried and they were like, "uh, no!"  Whatever!  I was way too sad and upset to care. 

Then it was a waiting game to hear when he arrived.  He went to DC first and had an overnight there,  then off to Amsterdam for another overnight in the airport kennel, then Nairobi (not sure how long he was there!) and finally into Botswana.  I think overall it took over 4 days for the trip.  Stephen said that Zoli was happy to see him and has settled in quite well.  He has said that Z does much more lazing around that he used to...go figure!  I still miss him a lot and know that when I settle down after the Peace Corps that I'll get a pooch of my own.

So, my one (plus) year with Zoli was an overall success.  I found out that I love dogs...or at least that I love Zoli!  We got some doggy training, took lots of walks, I lost my job (which sucked!), but then got to spent a lot of time on the couch with Zoli (which was nice!), decided to join the Peace Corps and managed to get Z back to his dad in one piece. Not bad!!  :)

I still miss him...sometimes I turn to say something to him and forget he's gone, or I'll expect him at the front door when I come home.  I can totally understand how people who have had pets for years and years become so attached to them.  Who knew?!

Well...time to end this blog.  Thanks to those of you who read and enjoyed it.  It was fun to do.  Actually, it was a godsend initially when I was having such a rough time...then it just became fun!

I've started a new blog for my Peace Corps adventure, so check it out at www.barbara-peacefulreflections@blogspot.com