Friday, June 5, 2009

Puppy Memories

As the Baseball Boy's 5th Birthday gets closer...I've been going thru old postings to Gaylans Golden's List, and pictures of Slider's homecoming. And I wanted to share a post that I had done that tells the tale of our travel adventures from Gayle's house to Tampa, Florida.

SLIDER'S HOME - AUGUST 2004

Hi everyone!!!

Sorry I am late in posting!!!! We were all pretty exhausted here in Tampa,
yesterday!!! What a whirlwind weekend! It started for me at 3 am Friday morning
as I got ready to catch the first flight out to New York!
This email is a bit long, but we covered alot of ground as we began our trip
home!!!!!

Here is an account of our travel adventures!!!!

Well, Julie and I had a very "vocal" trip to the station. So that had me a bit
concerned for the trip back to NYC...would all the other passengers get to "enjoy"
Sliders voice? Luckily, he settled down a bit as we waited for the train to arrive.I
knew he was stressing because he would not touch his kong or any treats while we
waited. As he settled down and he would only whimper once and a while. He was
very good on the train and would only start to cry when the train stopped. The
train was crowed so I did not say anything and I just slipped my hand into the
sherpa and placed my hand on him. This settled him down immediately. At the
Yonkers stop I slipped him out a bit and let a couple people pet him, he
responded very well and then he laid down quietly.

Slider did great in the hotel room, did some investigating and followed me
around. He used his piddle pad later in the evening on his own :-). I was
happy, as I wasn't too crazy about going out into the city again after 10:30 pm.
I wasn't quite sure how to let him sleep safely and quietly during the night,
so I put him into the sherpa and placed him on the bed with me, so he could see
and smell me. This worked great!!!! He slept the entire night 11 pm to 6
am!!!! Then it was off for a potty trip in the morning and packing to leave.
We took a short trip to Grand Centeral Station around 7:30 am and took some
pictures of the Train Station for my 4 year old nephew who adores trains. I
wanted to get a picture of me and Slider at the station but it was pretty quiet
- no one to approach and bother for a photo opp!!!!

We were then off to the bus to go to LGA. Slider did alittle fussing on the
bus, but nothing to annoy people. It was a very small shuttle that was
packed!!!! We arrived at LGA at 8:30am. My flight was at 11:00 am. I wanted
to arrrive early since I had a pup and I wanted a smooth check in. I am so glad
that I did!!!! I did curb side check in for my luggage and proceeded inside to
check Slider in. What a nightmare!!!!!! The lines were unbelievable!!!!! I
felt like I was at Disney on a Memorial Day weekend!!!! Slider and I proceeded
thru the "S" shaped lines...felt like we were cattle being herded to the farm. Slider was a DREAM!!!!!!!!!! He was quiet and did not fuss at all during
this whole adventure!!!!!!!!! We were in line from 8:45 am to 10:00 am!!!!!
We finally checked Slider in and proceeded to Security!!! I think Slider going
thru Security is what alot of people needed at this time. Smiles and
ahhhhhhhhhhhh's came across what had previously been some very angry /
frustrated passengers. Security was a breeze for him. Then it was off to
quickly buy 2 "I love NY" shirts for my nephews, a quick Burger King Breakfast
sandwich to go and onto the gate. Made it to the gate in record time, the 2 of
us moved really fast!!! :-) An added bonus: security, stores, food court and
gate all in close range to each other!!!! Great for multi - tasking!!!!!

The attendents at the gate were nice enough to give Slider a seat of his own for
the trip back!!!! Boy, do people love Goldens!!!! He stayed on the seat in
his Sherpa as we waited to taxi and then he had to go under the seat in front of
me when taking off or landing. He was PERFECT!!!!!!!!! He slept the entire
flight - 2 hrs and 45 mins!!!!!!!!! And not one sound!!!!! We were one of the
last to get off the plane since we were seated towards the back and I did
not want to crowd him - as the flight was very full. Before leaving the plane the
entire flight crew asked if I could wait a few minutes so they could see
Slider. So, Slider got to meet all the flight attendents, Pilot and
Co-Pilot!!!!! You can imagine their joy and excitement as his beautiful Golden
face popped out of the Sherpa!!!!!The flight home for us was a great
success!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My boss then picked us up and off to the Hyatt for a water and potty break!!! I
didn't think Diane was going to give him back!!!! Slider got to meet lots of
people as we hung out in the Purchasing / Security office....had to wait for a
thunderstorm to settle down so I could get my car. Slider even played a game of
retrieving with my Food and Beverage Director, John. And he was not afraid at
all!!!! John is about 6'6" tall and built like a Football player. Very
intimidating or you would think!!! But, there's Slider talking to him and
bringing a toy for him to throw!!!! This puppy is very confident!!!!

Then it was off to meet Casey. I picked Casey up from my vet's kennel and my friend,
Christine, took Slider to the park where we were to meet. I choose a park that
Casey had not been to, so it was very neutral. Casey and Slider hit it
off!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Casey even "barked" at him. Casey usually only barks when
extremely excited or if someone is at the door. Otherwise, he is an extremely
quiet Golden. They greeted each other politely and Slider licked Casey on the
lips. We then went for a brief walk, since Slider is not use to a leash, yet.

Casey and Slider have done very well at home!!!! No issues or conserns. Slider has
also done very well with his crate. I put him in his crate with a Kong so I could take Casey to BlockBuster and to pickup some Taco Bell - no cooking tonight for me .
When Casey and I got home, I waited outside my front door for a few minutes and I did not hear any whinning or barking. And much to my delight, Slider slept the entire night - 8:30 to 5:30 am. He has also done extremely well with potty training -first day and no accidents!!! Now that's off to a good start!!!! He has also done very well with going out and going potty immediately. So we have a "party" everytime that happens!!!

So, I'd have to say Day 1 was a great success!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He does like to
talk for attention but when I don't acknowledge him, I've noticed his barking
lets up quicker each time. He is a great boy!!!! Thank You!!!!!

As for our 7 week plan - I think Slider and I have covered alot of ground in
just 24 hours!!!!! Car, train, bus and plan....I think all we have left for
modes of transportation is a boat!!!! If I had an extra day in NYC we could
have taken the Ferry!!!!

Thank You Gayle, Bob and Cathi for a wonderful and confident pup!!!!

Now it's off for a quick nap...getting up at 5:30am on vacation is not permitted, unless one is off to the airport or a doggie event!!!! Have to rest in
preparation for todays adventures!!!!!


Kathy

1 comment:

Deb said...

Happy Birthday Slider!! Devon and Page send licks (and maybe a nip) on the nose!