Leaving Normal Behind

It’s been over a week since my last post and all for good reason. (Anything else would be unacceptable!)

Houston
Last Thursday I was able to fly to Houston to spend a couple days with my college roommate, Maria, and her family. I hadn’t seen the children in almost three years so it was pretty cool to hang out with them and learn their personalities. Maria’s husband, Paul, provided us a night away at Hotel Galvez. We found a great place to eat on the sea wall and for the rest of the evening just hung out, watched a movie, and talked.

It was sometime after midnight that I had the thought …

“This feels so much like college. And yet it doesn’t.
So much has changed or happened to both of us.
Wow.
How cool to have a friendship that can withstand all of it.”

It was an interesting moment.

I absolutely loved the weekend … making new (and current) memories with Maria … seeing her parents again … being able to talk Webkinz with the kids (thank you Sophie!) … hearing the kids call Maria and Paul “Mommie and Daddy”. Pretty darn cool.

Longview
Earlier this month I was able to keep the (adorable) dog of a new friend for a couple weekends. It didn’t take long to fall in love with her. In fact, I think everyone does. (Ask my mother!) But I also realized that I really valued her companionship and simply enjoyed the time I got to spend with the puppy. I also explained to Dianne that I thought it was a pretty integral part of progress I made that week in “expanding my emotional range”.

After talking with Mom, Dianne, and my roommate I began to seriously consider adopting a dog and began reading and doing research on rescued dogs, breeds, and various organizations.

After some time I saw the profile for “Stocky” on the website for Partnership for Pets. Stocky is a rescued dog with a mix of Poodle, Westie, and Schnauzer. I knew almost immediately that he was “the one” from his photos and the bio. (ha! That was funny to write. After hearing me comment on various pet photos over a couple days my roommate noted, “This sounds like internet dating.” … I guess it sorta was. Except it was for a dog. Weird.)

Anyway, on Sunday afternoon I decided to take a two hour (one-way) trip to Longview, TX to meet Stocky. Good music, a beautiful afternoon, countryside, and I love to drive … there was nothing to lose.

And what a fun afternoon it was!

Wouldn’t you know that by the time I left Longview I had Stocky in the car with me!

All the details for the adoption had worked themselves out and PFP offered the opportunity to take him home rather than drive back another time. Wow! After meeting Stocky I couldn’t refuse!!

He immediately endeared himself to me and was a wonderful companion for the trip home. I knew I had picked a good dog when he went after my Dairy Queen Blizzard (Heath Bar with chocolate).

There is something about passing through small towns in Texas on a road trip that compels me to stop for a Blizzard! It seems almost un-American to not take the opportunity. (But just to clarify … only once … not in every town!)

Stocky was soon renamed “Charlie MacTavish”.

In some capacity, I knew i wanted to call him Mac. I only needed a first name and something to follow Mac. Whew! I now have some idea what it’s like for parents to name a child. The pressure!!!!

During my research for dog names (did you expect anything else?), I learned that “Tavish” means “twin”. That seemed appropriate since I am a twin. I went through all of my family names but nothing fit MacTavish and his personality until my roommate mentioned her Dad’s name, Charles.

Bingo!

“Charlie MacTavish” it would be.
We call him Charlie.
But the option exists for:
Mac
CMac
Mr. MacTavish