What a Day!

Really?
I can't even begin to tell you how long this day felt. I SWORE I was going to sleep in, and I meant it. As luck would have it, Brandon woke me up at 7:30 a.m. and I couldn't get back to sleep. Oh, but he did!
I re-packed clothes, did some UL work, and made a cup of coffee. Have I mentioned that my coffee intake has been LOW this trip? Well, it has been and it has been tough.
We went over to IHOP as we were leaving, after checking out. I figured, eat, get to Austin by 4. Fate had a different plan? Luck? I don't know what it was, but we saw this little stray dog that we had seen the night before.
The kids were really upset that it was still wandering around the parking lot of the hotel and IHOP, and the manager said that they had called the vet on the dog's tag, but no one had come looking for the dog just yet. I told the kids that they could go and say goodbye to it, and they did. Well this little dog was just so sweet and gentle, and she came up and put her head on my knee. So, I told the kids to go and get the manager and I asked her where this vet was and that I would drop her off there.
She told me, and either she was lying, she was drunk, or she had NO idea what in the hell she was talking about because no vet's office ever appeared on the damn right-hand-side of the highway. So, I am starting to panic, and I call Heidi, where I am headed and tell her that I now have a stray dog in my car. She starts looking for a shelter that I can drop the dog off at.
She finds one in Longview, and I head there.
I walk in, after having talked to the people already, as did Heidi, and they were totally acting unwilling to take in the dog. First they made sure to tell me it was going to cost me $36 whole dollars. I told them that was fine, and asked what might happen to her. I said then that I didn't want her to be put down and they said, "WE DON'T BOARD ANIMALS" like this was my dog that I was trying to dump off and return for later. I explained that I had picked her up on the side of the road, and didn't know what to do with her as I was on vacation, and on my way to Austin, and on my way to the beach after that. They then said that she might last a week. I felt so awful that I stormed out and got in the car crying and called Heidi.
She said to go ahead and bring the dog to Austin, and she got on the phone to find out about shelters or animal hospitals that might be able to help out.
Now, I have to point out that this has taken about 45 minutes, all in all, to find the evil HUMANE society, to go in and talk and then to leave again. I am feeling pressured and stressed and LATE and I am on vacation!
The dog was so sweet, gentle, friendly, and let FOUR kids pet it all over the place. We all fell in love with her. I said, "Oh, you are just an angel straight from heaven" and Brandon said, "I am going to name her 'Angel' because you said that.
So, I am driving along, trying to figure out how to explain what has just happened to Brad. He wouldn't want a doggy to be on the side of the road or in a parking lot off of a big highway either, but he also has made it clear he isn't in the market for a dog right now, so I was feeling a little rebelious and a little frustrated. Why couldn't an adorable little dog show up in NH that I could adopt?
Anyway, we took her to a little vet near Heidi's house after we arrived. (Oh, and after Heidi and I had a beer) Due to some miscommunication, we were not able to get her in to see anyone at the office, nor were we allowed to board her for the night.
A very nice vet's assistant came out and took a look and took her in the back for a minute.
She came back out and said that she had taken two big ticks out of her ears. I started to cry all over again. This poor dog must have been on the lam for a while.
After talking it over with the people at the office and with Heidi, I decided we had to go and drop her off at another shelter near downtown Austin. I just couldn't ask Heidi to stick a flea and tick-ridden dog in her garage for the night while I figure out what I need to do. Heidi has two dogs, and they DON'T have fleas or ticks. It was the right thing to do, but it didn't make me happy at all.
Now the kids know that she will be cleaned up and made to feel better, but they still want to know if we can get her if no one adopts her or claims her.
I told her that I am game, but it really is up to Daddy. I have the heart, he has the logic.
The dog was just so perfect for our family, so gentle and sweet, but why couldn't this happen closer to home?
I don't see how she could NOT get adopted.
We came back to Heidi's and the kids had eaten.
Natalie had made onion rings, and sloppy JOES! She is such a big girl now. She is gorgeous and all growd up!
Erica came home from cheer practice and was all smiles. She immediately found Brandon and they took off to play.
Danielle has been taking good care of Ellie for me. She helped her with her pjs and tried to brush her hair.
Chance has shown us his great swimming ability, and has been very smiley!

I have to close. I want to try to post pics but I am not sure I can tonight. I am BEAT!