I wasn't very worried about leaving Henry at camp for eleven days. He'd been there in December and had a great time. I like their staff. He has a nice space, upgraded to one with furniture (though I don't know what kind of furniture. Could be a stool for all they've shown me). There are dogs. Henry loves to play with dogs! I purchased time with them. All good?
Then why did I wake early and go over the plan for the day a million times in my head? When he came to greet me, I was fully awake.
(brace for the elevator)
Cold today, but it is going to be even colder in the coming days! I'm not going to look for comparables, but I will throw out the possibility that the North Pole and us wont be that far apart. Way below 0F. Like maybe -20F/-30C.
But this morning, it's just your regular January Wisconsin cold. With some flurries to add spice to the day.
I had tried to leave nothing unusual for the morning. Nothing that would raise concern in Henry. We ate our breakfasts...
We snuggled, perhaps extra hard on my part...
I had his bags in the car already. My navigator pooch did notice that we were going in a different direction, but still, he trusts me. Maybe a park?
Not a park. Camp K9. My anxiety level, though not as high as his, is definitely on the upswing. We get out of the car. I have treats, I have sweet words. Henry looks at me, at his surroundings, sits down. Wont budge. He is shaking so much that I swear he looks like he's possessed.
My heart breaks. Really, it just splits and shatters.
After very many minutes, he responds to coaxing. Someone else goes in with their dog. That reassures him. He goes in, hugging the wall all the time.
The staff person (she has such a gentle manner!) and I try to coax him to his "room." She resorts to tugging, but I know that wont work: when he sits, he will not be moved. You'd have to drag him on his butt. He wont follow me. He wont go without me.
My heart is racing.
She asks -- is it okay if I pick him up? Can you? He is a big guy! I can do it.
Henry does not protest. He's terrified, but he wont aggress. He's a gentle spirit through and through. My beloved Henry! Carried away.
She tells me he relaxed instantly once inside. I left plenty of instructions, blankets, toys, food, treats. I know he'll be okay. And yet, there were the tears.
At home, I finish packing, watering plants, feeding birds, tidying everything. I noted that my first flight is delayed. The weather is bad across most of the United States, but it's January -- I have never left without weather issues. I expect all will go okay. Maybe.
I drive to the farmette, Ed takes me to the airport.
So much on my mind right now! All the questions of yesterday just got pushed forward to today. My friend wished me a happy trip. I wrote back -- right now, I just want to stay home, read my book and snuggle with my dog. But I guess I can read my book in France and my dog seems to be doing okay. So I'm off.
I'll write tomorrow. From France, if all goes well.
with SO much love!
