As most of you know, Max crossed the Rainbow Bridge a couple of months ago. He loved traveling with us but he was old and couldn’t get around very well. Finally congestive heart failure took him. He was wonderful and will always be loved and missed.
Kate and I lasted about a week and a half and then realized that we needed a dog in our life. I lobbied for another Basset Hound and she had to admit that she was smitten with Max and the fun nature of the breed so we started looking. Being that we live in a home that travels we were able to look in a large geographic area and found a wonderful family just outside of Cedar Rapids Iowa that had a litter for families.
We checked them out and looked at pictures and sent them an email. At first they told us that they were all spoken for but one family was waffling. A few days later they emailed us the “Orange” was available – who happened to be our favorite in the litter! We named her Daphne and the family started calling her by that name.
On July 13th we headed out on our 800 mile sojourn to add to our family. On the way Kate asked, rhetorically, are we a little nuts to drive this far for a pet dog? I would say only a little nuts!
Here is where we collected our new family member. Lisbon, Iowa
We pulled into the driveway of the home and immediately we are greeted by 40 little feet and 10 little sets of teeth. Also vying for our attention was Bo, the golden retriever who felt left out. We called out “Daphne” and she came scurrying to the front of the pack!
Kate had spent a couple of weeks planning for any and all contingencies and that meant that we were very prepared for Daphne. We are spending a couple of days just 30 miles from her past home at a Corps of Engineers campground so that she can get to know us and her new home before we head back to Spearfish. She has adapted very well! She claimed her spot on the bed for night, she cries to go out (I’m not at all deluded to think she is potty trained but I think it will be pretty easy). She has great toys picked out by Kate. Today she has been exploring and having a wonderful time.
We look forward to many years of traveling adventure with Daphne and welcome her joyously into our family.
Nothing beats the recliner
Already she can occupy a large percentage of the bed
