How do I like to spend my Saturdays? Driving in the car all day half across the state of Virginia thats how.
I have just been yearning for a little weaner dog; ever since my sister had them when we last came to visit, Bryan and I both fell in love with the dachshund. We searched all pounds, rescue homes, and yes, even craigslist which is where I found our little Folly.
Blakely and I got packed for the day and started our little road trip as early as possible. She had her TV set up in the car so it was a smooth four and a half hours on the way up.
The area was breathtaking and the pictures I snapped through my car window doesn't do the area justice.
Pulling into New Castle was quite an adventure and putting myself in the most awkward positions isn't new for me.
Let me set the scene:
Twists and turns up an entire mountain covered with trees and "watch for sliding rocks" and "wildlife/bear crossing" signs, about 12 miles outside of New castle my phone loses service since its out in the middle of nowhere and I begin to start thinking the worst, like the Hills have Eyes type of worst. Does this guy even have dogs? If he tries to drag me into the house what am I going to do? We're in the middle of nowhere, no one would find my body. I had blakely with me as well so what was I going to do about her?? I text Bryan the address just incase we didn't return in a joking manner but I was really being serious. Finally my phone gets service about 2 miles away from the house and I pull into this trailer park area. Ironically the area was extremely pretty and not what you would normally expect given the circumstances. The man is standing outside with his 9 year old daughter and 17 year old son when I drove up. Thankfully I dogged the bullet of not having to walk up to the front door. We headed to the back yard and there were the puppies frolicking in the dirt like little dirt balls. Blakely had a field day and was chasing them all over the place.
Remember I said I get myself into weird situations... well turns out this poor mans wife said screw it, packed her stuff up and just bounced three days prior to me picking the puppy up. Left the kids and the 9 dogs with the gentleman. All of this conversation, I might add was in front of the two kids and I just was dumbfounded and and like most of the situations, I did not know what to say. All I kept thinking during the extent of this conversation was 1) why is this man telling me about this and 2) how badly I wanted to be like you know what, forget the dog, let me take the 9 year old and raise her for myself.
Sweetest little family who I will never forget their kindness and hospitality.
After what seemed to be like forever, we took our little Folly and headed out. I had to fill up and went down the street to the 'town' which was explained by the boy that only had 1 gas station, 1 subway, 2 diners, and a grocery mart. Anything else needed, they had to travel 60 miles out. (wtf just kept repeating in my head) The town is so small that the school is combined with all grades and has a total of 200 students. Everyone knows everyones business which reminded me of my last duty station. Of course with this town being so small it had to have been at least 10 times worse. I finally find the gas station which I might add is the old fashioned kind. I pulled up got out and had no clue what the hell to do. A gentleman whose house was next to the station walked out in ripped up overalls and filled my car for me, I had to thank him and said I had no clue what I was doing. He said "I noticed, that's why I came out here to help ya sweetheart," after paying for the gas we headed back home to Norfolk. Blakely didn't do so well on the drive back, she kept on screaming for the puppy but I could't trust her since she chucked one of the other puppies back at the house in a dirt hole.
We pulled into home a little after 7:30 and I can't tell you how happy I was to be out of that damn car.
Bryan instantaneously fell in love with Little Folly when we walked through the door. Harley is happy that he has another sister, and Blakely is learning to be gentle because it's not a stuffed animal.
Since the puppy is 8 weeks old and not 10 (surprise babe!) we have the advantage of training her from the start. Bryan went out and bought her a crate, which she fell asleep in when we were moving around but when we went to bed she woke up and cried throughout the night. Long story short she ended up in our bed wrapped in a blanket. This is exactly how blakely started and now we can't get her to sleep in her own room. Something to continually work on for the both of them.
This Morning Folly was playing with Harley and Blakely and seeing her little tail wag was the cutest little thing. She currently is snuggled up in her crate sleeping while blakely is watching cartoons. I better utilize this time to get the chores done with.
Xo
M.
