Sat 04 Aug 2007 10:52AM PDT by mirajberry | 89 views | 1 barks

The FInal Countdown

The metal arch, painted by the colored lights of the Saint Louis skyline, was at my back. Before me lay the asphault vanishing where the horizon meets the cerulean sky.

It would be another hour before the soft glow of dawn appeared. I sit up as straight as I can, which I wouldn't have to do if only I'd worked a little harder on my posture during childhood, but I didn't, so there I was...sitting up a little straighter so that I could see the glowing eyes in my rearview mirror. They'd been staring at me non-stop. Afraid? Not  likely. Confused? Perhaps a little. I'd say anxious. Or curious. Probably asking the same question all of you are at this point: "What are we doing in this car and where are we going?"

Let me answer that question by painting a little bit of a flashback for you. Those of you who've been following my blogs know that my dog Maxx and I have been separated for about a year and a half now and that he'd been living with my brother in St. Louis since February, after my mother died. I'd left my apartment and we bought a home...with a yard, near a park, and all that was missing was someone happy to see us when we come through the door and the unconditional love and companionship that Maxx gives day in and day out. So I was going to fly, get him and fly back...so I thought.

I've never been nervous about flying, but a few Novembers ago, on the way to Washington DC from Providence, RI, the plane honestly almost crashed. I'm not talking bad turbulance, I mean, people were screaming and I almost turned my cellphone on, thinking I could tell my mother that I loved her before we hit the ground...so I've been kinda nervous, but I wanted my boy home and this was a sacrifice I had to make, and not a bad fear to overcome anyway. The flight was smooth, a little plane, two seats on each side...one of those that you had to walk out on the tarmac and take the steps up to like Jackie Kennedy. Once I get to St. Louis (I flew on Delta)I went to the Continental desk (I booked through Expedia and they had me coming back Continental) to reserve a spot for Maxx in Cargo.

Nope. The planes that go from St. Louis to Providence are almost ALL the little tarmac, Jackie Kennedy planes. And definately too small for a 100-lb shepherd and his kennel. American? Nope. Too big. Delta? Same gig, although they did have one normal sized plane, but they already had a dog on that flight...um...it's not like they're gonna be playing poker down there, they're in kennels! Why can't two dogs be on the same flight? Whatever. My brother and I make calls...To ship himwould be $1600...I could by a whole row for him on the airplane forthat much money. So my brother decides to rent a car for me (I'm 24) and we pack up the burgundy Jeep Comander, fold the seats down and summon Maxx into his new home for the next 18 and a half hours.

It was about a 1200 mile drive, from Missouri into Illinois...then that ticket I got in Indiana...I should really slow down, but the impromtu roadtrip and hard motel beds had me antsy and eager to be back home and on my own comfortable mattress with sheets with a thred count higher than 16. From Illinois, we treked across Ohio, stopping for gas, pee breaks, cold water and Slim Jims about every two hours or so. Once we entered Pennsylvania, I figured we should pull over. We stop in a town called Barkeyville, coincidently enough, and check into a Super 8 Motel at about 3 pm. I was so tired, but amped up on Coffee and Red Bulls that I couldn't fall asleep until about 7...I bounced up a little after 2 am, and Maxx and I checked out and hopped back into our chariot. I had to pull over a few moretimes to take naps, maybe for 20 minutes or so, but for the most part we were homeward bound.

We arrived at about noon yesterday, he pretty much stared at me or looked bored the whole time, until we pulled in the driveway. I took him for a quick walk before giving him the grand tour of his new home. After the walk, we let him off the leash once we're on our property and he B-lines to the car.

You cannot be serious. He looks at me, then the car, then at me, sneezes and dances around on his front legs anxiously. I guess he wasn't bored after all!