Yay Boston!
So, we went to the
NDSC Boston conference, along with a zillion other people. It was great, but unfortunately, I didn't get to hook up with
Georgia's mom, probably because I didn't call until Sunday afternoon. I KNOW. Bad etiquette, right?
But while the reason we even went in the first place was the convention, the trip was really just a never-been-to-Boston-before vacation. We were there for a week, from Tuesday to Tuesday. We went to the children's museum, which was very cool, with a non-walker's area where Noel had a blast.
We went to the Public Garden to find the ducklings:
Darrah found her feet in Boston!
The day we were at the Frog Pond it was closed for cleaning or something, so we just played with the statues:
And we went to the shore, too:
We had a great time, but Noel wasn't the only one who missed daddy:
A week with my mom had me a little ragged by the time we were on our way home and it was a long last day, with our return flight at 9pm.
Here's what I learned from this trip:
1) when in Boston, try to stay at the InterContinental- it's gorgeous.(secret hint: Priceline)
2) the transit system is easily maneuvered, even with a stroller and an occasionally vacant gramma
3) Mike's Pastry is really yummy
4) if you're flying with a 2+ toddler, get the
Amsafe Cares. It will make the airport easier.
Back from Boston
We went to the NDSC national convention over the weekend, and it was great. First though, I'd like to go back to my dog. 'Cause I can.
I got him when I was in college. I had no business being in charge of another living creature at the time, of course. Like most college students, I was barely keeping myself in one piece. So off I went to the animal shelter, and picked out the only dog there with a cast up to his shoulder. Poor guy- he had a broken toe, but the shelter didn't have the money for an xray machine. He had a limp, so they casted him from toes to belly, practically. Covered all the bases. He was 10 weeks old, at best guess. He was found all alone, no littermates or mama dog. He never really got the hang of dog behavior.
Anyway, I managed to keep both of us alive, thanks in part to the gas station charge card that magically got paid by my mom (bill was sent to her address. it was like free gas and snacks. and dog food).
And time went on. He got big, I got more responsible. I went through boyfriends, my dog still slept with me. Met my husband, picked up another dog along the way, had babies, etc.
I knew my boy was getting old. He had hip dysplasia, arthritis, a grey muzzle. I didn't expect it to be so fast. He started turning down food on the Fourth of July. Mosha didn't turn down food, or anything that looked like food, ever. Ever.
By Sunday it was all over. He was struggling, but not in pain. There was a wheeze in his breathing that wasn't there before (although he always wheezed, something that was just a mosha thing). I helped him outside, down the stairs to the yard. He couldn't make it back up the steps, so I carried him, all of his fifty pounds. We got inside, to the kitchen, where I laid him down, and his breathing slowed, and I sat with him. I petted his head and cried into his neck, and told him he was a good dog, and that we loved him. And he stopped breathing, and then he was gone.
On the plus side, we were here when he went. He wasn't alone. I was not out of town yet- we left the very next day for Boston. It was so very fast.
On the other hand, I still expect him to bark when the mailman stomps up the front porch. I expect to have to boot him from the couch so I can sit down. I expect to have two dogs come when I open the back door.
And on a much happier note, as soon as I retrieve my camera, we'll see how much fun Noel had in Boston.
He was a good dog
Sleep well, Mosha. You were a very loved dog, even if you thought you were a people. We will miss you so very, very much.
