A boy and his dog

One of my biggest worries about the plane ride was Mia, Michael's dog.  

I have never traveled with a dog, but have seen people at the airport with them many times.  Waiting in line, just like us - with their dog peeking out of a crate. 

The arrangements had been made on the Guam side to pick Mia up from the airport and take her home.  We had crossed all our "t's" and dotted all our "i's"

Shots (check)

Health certificate (check)

Microchip number (check)

Airline approved dog crate (check)

(the list is longer,  I will spare you)

So we get to the airport, unload ......and drag bags, children, crate and dog inside.

A man comes over and says, "you can't bring a dog in here!"

I had a moment of panic, but replied, "She is traveling with us"

"But you have to check her over at CARGO, NOT HERE!"

Cargo? 

Where is that?

Could someone have mentioned it before?

The panic rose up inside me........larger than life.

I told Michael to run outside and catch my friend Tricia. 

He did, barely, as she was pulling away from the curb. 

We loaded back up........kids, luggage, dog crate.........dog

I asked for a map. 

There wasn't one available, but directions were given.  (*poorly) 

Once by a security guard and once by a airline employee. 

They didn't seem to match. 

Please let us find this place!

It was not easy. 

I made several EARLY Sunday morning phone calls to the east coast trying to find someone who could GOOGLE the address I was given. 

(*good thing everyone was at church, the address was wrong anyway)

We basically just drove around until we found it........turning here and there and checking this street and that.

The people there were very nice.   But dropping Mia off was the straw that broke the camel's back.

I do cry.......  but usually take the high road in public and save the tears for the shower.

That tough plan didn't work out for me this time.

I lost it.

It was real - we are moving to Guam and I have to leave our dog at this warehouse full of strangers.

Mia was giving me the TRUE puppy dog face..........it's was terrible!!

By the time I got back to the van after dropping her off, I was a wreck.  And I still had 14+ hours of travel time to go. 

We did make it to the gate in time to watch them put her on the plane.  It helped some knowing that, at least, she was traveling with us.........even though we couldn't reassure her that we hadn't completely abandoned her.

To add to my stress - Mia had to spend the night in Hawaii due to some travel requirements for pets.

And another night on the Guam side - because our flight got in after the vet was off work for the day.

And then another, because it was Guam's Liberation Day, and the vet had taken the day off work.

We finally got her at 5pm on Thursday, and we were all happy to see that dog!

Especially Michael.

When we got back to the beach house, it was low tide. 

The boys walked way out,

and Mia, even though she HATES water, stayed with her boy.

I think she was happy to see us too!