Falling into place

The day we decided to take this journey was an exciting day and it’s such a fun story to tell people.  One of the first things we did was terminate our contract and offer on the house (even though it was pulled from short-sale our offer and contract still stood), and Jenny emailed her science department’s coordinator informing him of what she was wanting to do, our plans, and asking was this possible.  Unbelievably, we received even more assurance in this decision as he emailed her back within a few days describing how wonderful of a decision it is to do something of this nature, that he himself had done the same thing a few years back, and that no problem he would approve it.  She would have to run it by the principle for the final ok, but with his approval it shouldn’t be a problem.  The icing on the cake was when he asked if she would be coming back?  It’s in their districts policy that teachers are allowed a 1 years leave of absence (every 6 years) with approval and they’re guaranteed their job back upon their return!  Are you kidding me??? 

We couldn’t believe it.  Now only if corporate America was so kind for my decision as well – yeah right!  I knew from the moment we even started discussing the possibility that I would have to resign and risk not ever climbing the corporate ladder and reaching the status of goals formed in college and my first professional years.  I knew I would have to completely start over and earn my stripes again.  It didn’t bother me at all though, after all, I’ve always been strong willed, opinionated, and one of many surprises.  I was actually very happy to turn in my resignation.  Especially since the director of my department wasn’t my ideal type of leader.  I truly had no reservations about leaving a good position and foregoing the possibility that this may change my future and possible success in the corporate world.  I was ready to just go out and live life for a year, discover what it’s all about, learn more about myself, my wife, and our relationship, what’s most important to me, and the desires of my heart.

Ok, time to eliminate bills, find homes for our four dogs, and make preparations for a year away.  First off we needed a date of departure so Jenny took care of that by looking for some great deals price wise (which set the tone for our entire trip) – thanks to her we came in $1.81 under budget for our trip!  She found us flights to Buenos Aires departing from Orlando on 09/09/09 for just over $700 total – that included both of us!  We happened to end up flying LAN which I highly recommend.  The date was just under 2 months out.  Now we had a timeline to work with in accomplishing all our goals for the departure.  Obviously we had some major priorities to take care of first – homes for our 4 doggies and to find a solid renter for the house. 

My parents quickly agreed to take our little rat while we’d be gone; whoops, did I say little rat??  I meant our little Miniature Pincher, Hunie.  She could definitely pass for a rat though with what she gets into and also the size of her brain… No, she’s ok though, she’s just so cute and adorable when she sleeps and cuddles up with you that it makes you want to squeeze out what little brains she has and all the other times bearable.  My Mom wasn’t the happiest (even though she handled it well and played it off great) about taking on Hunie.  Let’s just say she’s probably more excited for our return to have her carpets steam cleaned than to see us.  Not really, but maybe that will create a little more perspective for you.

Dog one taken care of – now on to doggie number two, Kahlua.  This was a difficult one for Jenny as to start out 3 of the 4 dogs were hers in our relationship.  Yes I agree, she’s a bit of a fanatic about these little furry companions!  We really only had one option for Kahlua unless we were going to have some complete strangers take her for the year. That option was to leave her with someone she actually knew – a person from a past relationship of Jen’s.  He agreed to take her, but wanted to keep her for good.  This was a tough decision although it turned out for the best for everyone.  Kahlua got to be with some familiarity and a good home while at the same time we’ll have slimmed down to 3 doggies upon our return (4 is definitely a lot to handle) while I also believe you have to have some type of permit if you have more than three dogs. 

It was a difficult day the day Kahlua left – especially for Jenny.  I was having a yard sale at my house trying to raise extra travel funds and also clean house of all the things I had that I really didn’t need or which I hadn’t used in several years.  The yard sale also aided in the size of storage unit we would end up renting – definitely didn’t want to pay for storing a bunch of things I don’t even care about or need.  While roaming around the front yard positioning things and enjoying the sales side of it Jenny showed up with Kahlua so Rook (my doggie) and I could say our goodbyes.  It’s pretty strange in wondering what a dog goes through in a transition like that.  We’re just happy she knew who she was going to be living with.  Jenny called me later that day after she had dropped her off – she was crying so much she couldn’t even make words – I just sat there and listened to be there for her.  I’m pretty sure I brought her over flowers later when I had wrapped up the yard sale.

Booker, Jenny’s first doggie was going to road trip with us on our way to Florida (where Jenny grew up and parents live).  We had a few stops planned along the way to see some friends and family before the overseas trip and Charleston, where Jen’s brother lives, was the stop for Booker.  So that left me and finding a home for Rook.  Not the easiest task in the world when he’s a purebred German Shorthaired Pointer hunting dog and grew up for the last 2 ½ years on close to two acres.  He was used to getting all the running, exercise, rabbits, squirrels, and birds he could get his paws on along with having a wonderful area to roam. 

Rook definitely needed to be somewhere he could run – I’ve never in my life seen a dog that loved to run so much!  Fast too!  The only dog that I ever saw run faster than him (at all the dog parks I used to take him to) was a Greyhound.  I was proud of him for sure!  If I couldn’t find a home for him that had some space – it would have been bad for the people that took him in and for Rook as well.  Just too much energy!  He definitely needed somewhere to release it.  After a couple trial runs that fell through and with about 3 weeks until we were leaving Denver I got word of some interest from the Outdoor Life professor at the university my Mom works at.  All I could do was pray that this would work out – it sounded great.  He did a lot of hunting, fishing, camping and actually had a hobby of professionally training hunting dogs for several years in the past and now does it for fun with his own dogs. 

I called to set up a time to meet and introduce Rook to him, his family, and his 2 female Chocolate Labs.  On my way to his home for the first time I couldn’t help but ask God to let this be an awesome fit and a good place for Rook.  I prayed all sorts of things as if Rook was my little kid.  I couldn’t help it though – I love Rook like he’s my little kid although I know as soon as I really have a child (4 months away) the thoughts and love will not even compare.  As we arrived in Evergreen I quickly realized his house overlooks a large meadow and pond with all sorts of training space and room for Rook.  Around back he had built two year round kennels outside with shelter from the Colorado cold and snow as well.  One was for his older lab and the other was for his new lab pup.  He had a third up in Estes Park he was going to bring down if things worked out with Rook. 

It couldn’t have been a better match.  We let the dogs run around and get to know each other as we chatted and got to know a little about each other.  Soon thereafter we were showin’ what training we had givin’ our pups in the obedience and hunting arenas.  I was so impressed with how Rook was performing for him and was just Daddy proud.  After about 30 minutes of playin’ fetch and what not with Rook we switched over to his older lab Zoe.  To be honest – I’m not even sure how you begin to train a dog the commands she knew.  I was amazed to say the least.  I couldn’t believe that dogs could really be that well trained – it had to take forever I thought.

I brought Rook out about 2 or 3 more times and left him for a day or 2 to get him a little more comfortable and used to his new temporary home and master.  I tell you what – the first 6 months away from him was very hard.  I had no idea.  I literally had dreams about Rook several times a week.  I knew he was in awesome hands though by the little communication with Steve I had and hearing his (and his families) feelings for Rook.  I was just hoping Rook would still want to come home with me when I returned to pick him up after a year of being away. 

The funny thing was after having all these thoughts I received a Facebook message from him saying, “Quick note:  You might never get Rook back… Send a bag with $5 mil in $5 bills to an address we will send you later from Canada…  He’s doin’ good.”  It made me happy to know my boy was doin’ well!