vacation with a puppy

 Koda did very well on the plane ride to Florida and back to Hartford.  Better than his mama.  I came so close to a meltdown each way that i think next time i will self medicate. Airports stress me out.  Racing from one place to another dragging luggage stresses me out.  Trying to manage my carry on, a puppy and my personal item at lightening speed on the airplane.......stresses me out.

Basically, Air travel stressed me out.  Probably because i'm already ramped up about putting my life in the hands of a faceless stranger.  And turbulance.  Lets say i'm not one to applaud the pilot for landing us safely........that seems like the bare minimum.

I do NOT recommend going on vacation with a 12 week old puppy.  He doesn't have control over his bladder yet, and he thinks everything is a chew toy, including people.  He doesn't understand that darkness means go to sleep and that 3am is not an acceptable time to rise and shine for the day.

It was hard because he was peeing and pooping and chewing every single time i closed my eyes for a minute, or got involved with anything that took my eyes off him.  I felt bad, like i was the one peeing and chewing.  Like i was in trouble.  Obviously i wasn't but no one gets real happy over stepping in surprise piddles or having  their furniture and rugs  gnawed on.  I had a little melt down when the men let him out the front door with no leash, considering he still doesn't answer to his name all the time and there is a main road closer than any of us can run to get him if he decided "fuck you, i'm not listening" which is about 90 percent of the time.

Was the first time any of them saw me get really mad, and yell and then end up crying and yelling because the men weren't taking me seriously telling me to "let him be a dog".  When they realized i was serious they were both mortified.  

Everything turned out fine, Koda got to run free "like a dog" in the back yard where it was safer.  I had to womansplain that He does not have that freedom at home in his own yard and getting him used to being on leash is extremely important.

So......my advise is don't bring an untrained puppy.  It was the only choice i had and good thing it was Jen that i got him from so they couldn't really complain. :)

We had a lot of fun and did work to the house, shopped, went to the beach, went out for dinners, went to St. Augustine for the day and visited the torture museum.......went out on a boat twice, once just the four of us and the next time with Ed's friends, who are now our friends.  We went out drinking the day before we left and it was so much fun, then back to their house for dinner and more drinks.  What a day.  It's nice to know good people down there and when they come up to CT in November we are all going to get together again.

I actually got a little homesick and it felt SO good to walk into my apartment after almost two weeks away.  Of  course, now i'm wishing i was back in florida.  

The man i was talking to wouldn't tell me his full name and tried to make me feel like i was being unreasonable by asking for it before we met last night.  So, block.  I don't have time or inclination for this childish behavior from men.  Go tell your wife.

After sharing one bathroom with 2 men i can tell you that the idea of having to share a bathroom with a man ever again  gives me the ick. No Thank You.  

If i'm invited to go down again next year i don't want to share my bedroom either.  I love Ed but he's a man with man ways and there is nothing more irritating than a drunk man in bed with me.  Or under my feet when i'm trying to pack, or sleep or exist.  And he's a GOOD man.  Imagine.  

Several times he said to me "i don't understand how you think" and i finally told him "you don't need to" and that shut him up.  Explaining myself to anyone at this point in life feels like something i have no interest in doing.  So i don't.  

Honestly it was a relief to let the no last name man go.  I don't have space in my life at the moment.  Maybe never.  I have no capacity for tolerance.  So why should i.  

My grandson was due yesterday and has not yet made his appearance.  I am anxiously awaiting his arrival.  I am going to ask my daughter again, if she would come visit with my granddaughter.....bringing the puppy to her place would be a hot mess at this point.  

I went to Amies Wednesday night for a girls gathering and next Thursday i'm going to lunch with Cindy and then to dinner at the elks club with Cathy.  Next weekend is the pool with Sarah.  I am grateful for the wonderful group of females that i call my family.  Through thick and thin, hell or high water, always there for each other.

Jen is going to need a rester from me for a little while after 2 weeks together, but not too long.  I won't allow it. :)

Thats the update.  Wahoo! back to work.