It’s been quiet on the Pets Blog for the last few days because I took my first trip back to the East Coast in more than a year. I moved west with my two dogs in May 2007 — I managed to get home to visit twice in that first year, but hadn’t been home again since January 2008.
I was a little worried that it had been too long, and the furry family members back in New Jersey wouldn’t remember me. It’s not like I can chat with them on the phone too often (some pets will sit and listen to a voice on the phone but others don’t seem interested).
As it turns out, I didn’t have to worry.
When I walked in the door, the girls were there to greet me: my parents’ fluffy chow mix Becca and my brother’s dogs Lily (an American Staffordshire Terrier) and Kuma (a pitbull/boxer/lab mix). It was exactly the same greeting I used to get when I lived just a mile away and came over almost daily — the joyful barking from Becca, the headbutt and kisses from Lily, and bossy Kuma pushing the others out of her way to get to me.
Lily was my snuggle buddy for the visit, especially at bedtime. She’s developed a strange but adorable habit of sleeping with her nose covered. From my first night there, she jammed her head under my pillow or into my armpit and snored away all night. Kuma would join us in the morning after my parents got up — I’d hear her get a galloping start before the flying leap into bed.
I’d almost forgotten how nice it is to be able to just open the back door and let the dogs out into a securely fenced yard. Most of the time, I went out anyway to watch Lily and Kuma romp — but it was such a treat to not have to leash everybody up and go for a walk. (Many thanks to my roommates, who took great care of my pups while I was away, too!)
In case you’re wondering, I had a nice time visiting my human family, too!