Day 94: Packing in Secret

All of you dog people out there know that it's not a good idea to get the suitcase out too soon.  For spring break, I've been packing in secret.  When I do laundry, I leave some things folded on the table in the laundry room and yesterday, I hauled the red suitcase out of its hidey-hole and set it up there as well.  Zoe would never think to look here.  She avoids the laundry room.  It smells like soap, and bleach.  And when the machines rumble, they remind her of storms.

The next step is to gather the books and audio-books and electronic devices in a relaxed way, as though we're just cleaning up, and to set them on the dining room table without bagging them up.  Any container arouses suspicion.

While I was walking Zoe, my husband bagged up some road snacks and wine for our trip.  It was a good stealthy move.  He's a master at this.

While he does the morning walk in his car, I'll put our luggage in mine. 

Pillows and dog blankets, her bowls and food, they won't hit the car until she's in it and knows for sure she won't be left behind.

And once that happens, she has on her eager road trip face.  We will listen to mysteries, snack, watch winter morph into full-on intoxicating spring in a measly few hours, smell spring flowers, and we'll arrive at the beach, Zoe's favorite human-friendly dog hotel in the whole world.  

All the secrecy, the borderline lying will be worth it.