Last week we took a short getaway to Williamsburg, VA. We wanted to see how our dog, Cyrus, did on a longer trip. We just didn’t want to leave him behind again, and were more or less testing the waters of traveling with Cyrus. So we found a pet friendly hotel that would accept him and we were off. Cyrus did well on the trip down (about 4 ½ hours). He rested in his bed, observed the passing scenery, and every once in a while checked in with us. Everything was going fairly well until the first night.
I woke to a small whimper near my side of the bed. With one eye open I could just barely see him in the dark – furry, black head, open panting mouth, wagging tail. It was his usual signal that it was time to get up. Figuring it was about 6:30 (his customary waking hour), I complied. As I was feeling my way to the bathroom, my one open eye caught a glimpse of the digital clock. 4:43 it reported in big red numbers! Oh, well, we were up! I slipped on my shoes, grabbed my jacket, hooked the leash, and we were out the door leaving my sleeping husband behind.
Sights and sounds and smells are so different in an unfamiliar environment. At first I wasn’t sure which way to go, so I let Cyrus take the lead. We walked over to a small wooded area where there must have been delicious ground smells, and I just looked and listened. A gentle rain was falling, making the bushes and trees glisten in the lamplight. A delivery truck sounded in the distance. It seemed peaceful. Within a few minutes we were back in bed, settling in for a few more hours of sleep.
I thought about the many times I have woken up in a strange place and wasn’t quite sure where I was. I think it was the same for Cyrus. He knew it wasn’t home and needed a little reassurance. I would have to say it was a successful trip and we were glad we brought him along, but he was definitely ready when it was finally time to go home.
I woke to a small whimper near my side of the bed. With one eye open I could just barely see him in the dark – furry, black head, open panting mouth, wagging tail. It was his usual signal that it was time to get up. Figuring it was about 6:30 (his customary waking hour), I complied. As I was feeling my way to the bathroom, my one open eye caught a glimpse of the digital clock. 4:43 it reported in big red numbers! Oh, well, we were up! I slipped on my shoes, grabbed my jacket, hooked the leash, and we were out the door leaving my sleeping husband behind.
Sights and sounds and smells are so different in an unfamiliar environment. At first I wasn’t sure which way to go, so I let Cyrus take the lead. We walked over to a small wooded area where there must have been delicious ground smells, and I just looked and listened. A gentle rain was falling, making the bushes and trees glisten in the lamplight. A delivery truck sounded in the distance. It seemed peaceful. Within a few minutes we were back in bed, settling in for a few more hours of sleep.
I thought about the many times I have woken up in a strange place and wasn’t quite sure where I was. I think it was the same for Cyrus. He knew it wasn’t home and needed a little reassurance. I would have to say it was a successful trip and we were glad we brought him along, but he was definitely ready when it was finally time to go home.
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