270 Happy Hauling

Happy Hauling

It all began in 1968. And it hasn’t let up. We have hauled more items than we care to count up and down the highways.

Our first big experience took place with a rented trailer for the move from our home state to a new place of residence in Virginia. We hooked the device to our Pontiac GTO and headed north. That was relatively painless since we had very little in the way of possessions. But that was definitely the beginning of this trail of carting

That evolved into moving furniture finds from Virginia to family members in North Carolina and on and on from emptying our parents houses to helping our children move and settle.

A few highlights of those trips include strapping a 30-foot ladder that folded in half atop a Buick Skylark. It was tied to the front bumper on top of the windshield and nose of the car. My husband just had to bring it from his parents’ house to ours which was about a seven-hour drive through mountains. Luckily, we were not stopped because I can’t imagine that was legal. We did start driving a station wagon that would hold more but the ladder would never have fit! 

As we progressed to a truck--Ford F150, I often thought of the Beverly Hillbillies as we piled many items on top. 

A dog house that was made for a very large Rottweiler was positioned in the middle with straps holding each side. This was when we needed to move the house for the dog who was going back to live with our son. We also rented a cab for the back of the truck on one occasion when the dog was sick, and we had to deliver him to our son. 

We never hesitate to accommodate our families on what we could deliver or pick up. Once our daughter was due to come home for spring break when one of those massive three-foot March snowstorms so famous in Virginia hit. My husband didn’t hesitate and loaded up the bed of the truck with snow and a shovel. As our daughter waited on the campus, several friends told her that her dad would never make it and she replied, “You don’t know my dad!” And of course, he made it. Took the shovel out of the back, refilled the bed of the truck with snow, and continued on his merry way with daughter in tow.

Dressers, desks, tools, cradles, and many, many other items made the trips from one destination to another. Sometimes rental options are used especially when emptying out parental homes. This was avoided when possible because we didn’t want to spend the extra money. We not only are highway haulers, but we are also thrifty movers as well. 

Our latest purchase has been the best when it comes to hauling. We have a truck with a full back seat, and a bed. We never thought this type of vehicle would suit but we love it, especially certain times of the year such as the holidays and beach trips.

Usually, the back seat of the truck, as well as the bed, are completely crammed for holiday hauling. Same goes for the beach trips that have become more frequent with retirement.

I

In addition, biking has become second nature with my husband so add a massive bike rack and bicycle to the load. Backing up can be a challenge, especially when we sometimes forget it is there. 

And of course, I can’t forget the return trip from New York City with a full table saw strapped in the back of a pickup truck. Those streets were a little tricky to navigate, but my determined husband will never miss a chance for a challenge even when vision is obscured by the enormous load in the back.

I wish I had photos of all of those escapades, but I ask you to imagine a truck filled to the top with various valuable items. Sometimes it feels as if it is a miracle when we make in unscathed. Please don’t be too critical when you see these loaded vehicles on the road.

I often wonder what other families do. Hopefully, they are as crazy as we are and bring whatever it is to a new destination when requested. Maybe not. Could be they all stay put and don’t have to haul anything! I can only imagine.

                                               Savvy Frances

269 Senior citizen of a different breed

A Senior Citizen of a Different Breed

By Teri Merrill

I gave him a tender touch, gently awakening him before the sun had risen. "Remember, no food or water before your procedure. Doctor's orders." Mornings aren't his favorite, but breakfast is, so it was if I had delivered a double negative in one short sentence. He was not a happy camper!

Following his surgery, he was groggy and a bit grumpy. He took immediately to his bed, grunting at me along the way. This was his second bladder procedure in three years, and I had been worried since scheduling it. He’s on the golden side of life now, so the risks of anesthesia have increased. I had a long list of post-op instructions and medications to keep him comfortable. That evening he managed to eat a small dinner with enthusiasm, so I knew Scooter would be okay.

This isn’t my husband I’m talking about. Scooter is my 14-year-old Bichon mix, who joined our family four years ago. The oversight, worry and care required for an aging pup may eclipse that of many humans. And the costs associated with his care likely equal or rival that of many aging adults.

Scooter is on a special diet that requires a prescription. He only drinks distilled water. He takes heart medications daily. We keep a steady supply of ear drops for his regular ear infections. He has his anal glands cleaned out about every six weeks. He requires regular allergy shots. We keep special cough medicine on hand. And this doesn’t even include the regular shots, check-ups, and heartworm and flea medications required to keep him healthy.

But we wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, we wanted to adopt a senior dog and welcomed Scooter into our home when he was 10. His primary caretaker had died and no one in his immediate family wanted him because he was "too old." He was given up to a foster mother just when he needed a “real” family the most. Heartbreaking as that is, I have come to learn that this is a common reason why older canines are surrendered to animal shelters--and most don't make it out. Imagine abandoning your Grandfather because he was a senior citizen! One look at Scooter's downcast eyes and depleted demeanor when we met him, and we knew we had to bring him home.

Confusion seemed to rule his first few days with us. He didn't know us, and we didn't know him. And suddenly, he had a baby sister, Dixie, our five-year-old, seven-pound charismatic Chihuahua. For every inch of the room Dixie's charming personality-filled, Scooter's reticence overshadowed it. He moved with extreme caution, not sure to trust us or his newly minted future. That first week, we started to wonder if that adage, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" was really true. But soon, as if a light switch was turned on, the "real" Scooter began to unfurl.

Week two, as we put our pups to bed, Dixie jumped into his crate to cuddle with her new brother. Until then, he had given her barely a passing sniff. But that night, Scooter gave a grunt and snuggled up next to her. He was finally home.

Over the past four years, we've watched in awe as Scooter has taught us how to age with grace, dignity and acceptance, something we never 

expected the day we laid eyes on his frosted face. Yes, we wanted to adopt a more seasoned pup, but we had no idea that we would be the "old dogs learning new tricks." Every day, Scooter shows us how to navigate the world by living in the moment, finding happiness in the smallest things, and perhaps most importantly, championing unconditional love!

Scooter may have a few more healthy years left, but it’s just as likely he may have a few difficult ones, filled with frequent visits to the vet. We don't care. We'll love and support Scooter no matter what time brings him--or us for that matter.

Scooter today is healthy, happy, and ready for his afternoon walk. We will take it slowly, letting him sniff to his heart’s content, turning around for home when he gives us the signal. And as I watch my little pup move through the seasons, my hope is that as my husband and I turn more grey and start to slow down, others will give us the same amount of respect, compassion, and support that we abundantly give to our sweet old man.

                                                                          Teri