DENVER -- June 11, 2009

Imagine my surprise last week when John and Marianne loaded me into the car after work WITHOUT DINNER.

"HEY!" I protested, "You forgot to feed me!"

"No, we didn't," said Marianne. "You're going on a trip with John and we don't think it would be a good idea for you to eat before you get on the plane."

"But WHY?" I whined.

Marianne sighed. "Look, Ross, there's no place for you to "hurry" on the airplane. It's better if your system is empty to prevent any embarrassing accidents, OK? You'll just have to trust us on this."

"Ross, I promise to feed you the minute we land," said John.

HARUMPH. No food makes me grumpy.

We arrived at the airport along with half the population of Denver, or so it seemed. It was crowded, but John kept a tight hold on my leash. After checking in we walked over to a long line. Every once in a while the line would move forward.

"What's this for?" I asked.

"This is the security line," said John. "Now pay attention. When we get to the front of the line I'm going to take off your collar and leash, which will go through the X-ray machine with my shoes and carry-on bag. When it's our turn to go through the metal detector I'm going to tell you "SIT STAY." I will walk through the arch and then call you. I want you to walk directly to me and sit in front of me. Can you do that?"

I rolled my eyes. 'Yes, I can do that. What do you take me for, a 5-month old puppy?" I was still feeling annoyed about missing dinner.

John patted my head. "I'm sorry about your dinner, but try not to dwell on it. I'll give you your fleece bone once we settle on the plane, OK?"

When we got to the front of the line John grabbed a gray plastic bin and put his jacket, cell phone and carryon bag in it. Then he took off his shoes. Then he took off his belt. Then he emptied his pockets.

"Jeez, no wonder this line took so long!" I said.

"Yes, well, nothing we can do about it," John said as he removed my collar and leash. "SIT," he said firmly, and I did. The fellow by the arch motioned for John to walk forward. I heard several people say "Wow, look at that good dog," which made me feel proud. I sat a little straighter. Then John said "Ross, HERE!" and I walked very quickly through the arch and sat in front of him. "Good boy!" John said as he put my collar back on. The security people patted my head and said I did really well. I smiled at them.

As we walked to the gate I asked, "Where are we going anyhow? And why isn't Marianne coming with us?"

"We're going to Indianapolis to visit my sister Linda, her husband Ron and their kids," said John. "Their youngest, Sabbath, is graduating from high school this weekend, and it's Linda's birthday. Marianne isn't coming because one of us needs to stick around for the home remodel."

Ah.

Several people came over to admire me and ask John questions about CCI while we were waiting to board the plane. This happens all the time, but John and Marianne never seem to get tired of talking about me and CCI.

Finally we walked into the plane. John stepped into a row of seats and sat down in the one by the window. He said, "Ross, UNDER," and pointed to the tiny space under the seat.

"Huh? You have to be joking," I said. "Look, there's a seat next to you." I started to climb into the seat, but John shook his head. "NO. You don't get to sit on the furniture at home, and it's the same here. You need to lie down under the seat. Go on, you'll see, it will be fine."

With a little effort I managed to curl up under the seat. John gave me my fleece bone, and I drifted off to sleep. Take off was a little odd and I had to yawn a couple of times to clear my ears. I slept most of the flight, but woke up when we landed. John told me to be patient just a little longer, but I EVENTUALLY got my dinner while we waited for his checked bag. We waited in another line to get our rental car. "Don't shed," joked John as we got in. HA HA. Human humor.

It was late when we finally crawled into bed, which turned out to be an air mattress on the floor. I was amused that John had to sleep on the floor but he didn't seem to mind at all. I curled up next to him. Air mattresses are squishy.

The next morning I met lots of new people and some I’d met before, like John's sister Kathy, and his Dad and stepmom and their two cocker spaniels, Cocoa and Honey, who don't like to play Labrador games. Go figure.

We went for a long walk and hung around the house just visiting. That night there was a combined celebration and EVERYONE got presents except the dogs. Unfair!

On Saturday we went to an Indiana Speed football game. It turns out John's niece, Moriah, plays for them. We had a picnic first, and much to my disappointment John wouldn't let anyone share their burgers with me. Moriah promised to introduce me to the players at halftime, but a thunderstorm started with lots of lightning. They made us go inside, and the game delay turned into a suspension. I was sad that I didn't get my photo taken with the team.

On Sunday we went to Sabbath's graduation ceremony and sat close to the LOUD band. We sat in hard bleachers, with hardly enough space, but it was dark enough that I could take a nice long nap. Afterwards we mingled with the graduates and their families. I posed for pictures with Sabbath and her friends. I could tell they thought I was cute and I got lots of hugs.

On Monday John told me we were off on another adventure. We drove to Clifty Falls State Park. We hiked through some beautiful woods and saw waterfalls from a distance. I waded in a shallow stream that barely got my toes wet; it wasn't even deep enough to put my head in and blow bubbles. We climbed an observation tower where we could see the Ohio River. It was beautiful.

Back at our campsite John set up a flexible kennel and a bed for me just before another big rain storm came. We sat under a nearby picnic shelter while it rained. When it was time for bed, I got in the kennel like usual, but to my astonishment John crawled in behind me. "What are you doing in my kennel?" I exclaimed. John burst out laughing. "Ross, this isn't a kennel, it's a tent. When humans go camping we sleep in tents. And look, this isn't a dog bed, it's a sleeping bag." John unzipped one side and lay down. He zipped it back up and I curled up next to him and listened to the night noises as we drifted off to sleep. I decided I liked camping.

Tuesday we walked around nearby "historic" Madison, but I liked the park better and I was glad when we went back to our campsite.

On Wednesday we drove back to Indianapolis and visited with family for awhile before we had to go to the airport. This time I knew what to expect, including no dinner and the tiny space under the seat. *sigh* But when we landed and walked outside Marianne was waiting for us. I was so excited to see her and tell her all about our trip.

On the road again.....just can't wait to get on the road again...

Chow for now!

Ross

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