So it's Saturday morning -- 1 AM -- and I'm up blogging. I can't sleep. I have to get up in 2 hours anyway to catch a flight to see my roommate from college and her husband. The problem: I had to leave behind my baby. No, not my boyfriend -- he's coming. But my baby: Nittany.
My life has really changed since August 19th. For one, I no longer sleep in. 8 AM is norm. * That's going to bed at 2 AM, mind you. My schedule really revolves around Nittany and well, her movements (if you know what I mean). I can no longer run errands all day, etc. or take day trips to visit friends without planning ahead. But you know what, I would have it no other way. Nittany is the BEST. Despite her ability to grab tissues from who knows where and eat them in 3.4 seconds or her need to put teeth marks in my favorite pair of shoes, she always give you that cute look and greets you with a bunch of kisses. Nittany is a lover... she will sit on your lap for hours. Belly rubs are her favorite. In fact, she'll get in position and pretty much demand them. One of my favorite parts of the day is when after a long day at work, I come home, open up the crate door and am greeted by this little creature that just wants to play and jump and lick you. She loves me no matter what I say or what I do. It's unconditional.
Here's the problem. I'm leaving her behind on this trip. I'm not sure she's up for a 5-hour plane trip. And the people we are visiting just got a dog too... so not a great idea to bring ours. Fortunately, I left her with the photographer I shoot with on a regular basis. I'm not sure he's going to talk to me after this arrangement. I typed up a one-page list of Nittany's routine/schedule/quirks, etc. That went over well -- NOT. He has a dog so hopefully Nittany will make a friend. Truthfully, if the sports video is a little shaky or blue in the coming days, please understand. He's probably sleep deprived. He's already said I can't call to check in -- he knows I'm a worry wart. In fact, I'm worried as I type this. What if she cries all night, what if she stops eating, what if she has an accident on their carpet? I provided them with some over-21 beverages to help get them through. I'm beginning to think I need some to get through myself.
I'm really going to miss her. I actually cried a little tonight. I'm leaving my baby behind. I know, barf. But she's my little gift. She's taught me a lot in the past almost 4 months... patience, mostly. That and if it's important to me, it needs to be up high -- i.e. -- bills on countertops, shoes in closed closets. In fact, I don't think I'm so uptight about a clean house. Trust me, I'd love an ultra clean house, but if I have to step over a toy or two, that's OK too.
What makes me most sad about leaving her for 4 days-- is I can't tell her we'll be back. She doesn't understand. I don't want her to be scared or sad. I promise, Nitt-ners (one of her million nicknames), I'll be back. And you can eat cookies all night long (her treat are her cookies). And if you see a minature schnauzer near the station, it's probably her -- just make sure she's on a leash.
Dogs truly can be a man's (or woman's) best friend.
