My apologies for not getting this post up earlier. As I mentioned in Sunday’s post, my vacation was spent with my grandchildren and my great niece.
My niece flew back last night. I took her to the airport with plenty of time for her flight, just about an hour and a half. We got her checked in, and went to security. The wait time was 15 minutes. We managed to move about 20 feet, when the line stopped completely. She started getting nervous, because the line just wasn’t moving. As the hands of the clock crept closer and closer to her boarding time, with still no movement, I myself began to feel anxious.
Thankfully, once the line started moving, it went rather quickly, and we made it to her gate with time to spare.
We’d no sooner settled in, when they made the announcement the flight would be delayed, due to delay of the incoming plane.
Since my niece was an unaccompanied minor (she’s 8), the adult who is dropping her off needs to stay at the gate until the flight is in the air. This is precautionary, in case the plane needs to remain on the ground, has mechanical issues or is delayed or cancelled for any reason.
The flight finally got in the air about an hour late, and I headed home. Hubby had gotten everyone’s dinner ready, so I fed the dogs and then we ate.
Hubby doesn’t walk the dogs, and we debated walking them together, but I don’t feel like it’s fair to either one, so I decided to take them one at a time.
There was lots of lightening in the air, with some rumbles of thunder, so I knew the walk would be quick. When I’m really pressed for time, I follow the poop rule. Once they poop, it’s safe to turn around. 🙂
As we were walking into the driveway, one of the young boys from next door saw us. Their grandmother lives next to us, and for about three or four years they lived with her. Then their Mom bought a house in town, and they moved away. While they lived next door, they developed a love affair with the dogs, specifically Sampson. Any time they see him outside, they run over to pet him.
It was after 8:00, and due to the thunder and lightening, it was on the darker side. The oldest boy saw us walking in the drive, and yelled “Sampson!”, then he came running. Sampson turned and got a huge smile on his face when he saw him.
He lay down in the driveway, and waited for some petting. After a few minutes of petting, the boy called to his mom to get his younger brother, and he came running as well.
We really didn’t talk much, we just sat there in the driveway, surround by the heat of summer, with thunder rumbling in our ears, lightening flashing in our eyes, sharing the love of a dog.
Taryn says
I LOVE your last sentence! It is just so evocative!
Jodi Stone says
Thank you! It was one of those moments that just stand out at you!
Emma says
What a sweet story. We dogs don’t forget!
Monika & Sam 🐾 says
Aww, what a sweet image your post created for me in my mind. 😍
Shadow's & Ducky's Mom says
Awwww, how sweet!!
caren gittleman says
oh how I LOVED this!!! Your photo from 3 years ago is precious too
Jan K says
I agree with Taryn….your words painted such a beautiful and poignant picture!
Genevieve says
Sometimes it’s nice to just be.
Jan says
I loved this post and I’m also glad someone else observes the poop rule when the occasion calls for it.
Meagan & Merlin says
Aww super cute. Merlin likes to spread his love around too, just not for the dogs next-door lol.
Beth says
What a sweet, sweet story. We all run when we see kids coming towards us, so that wouldn’t happen here 😉