The Iowa Girls Move

These days my home of Iowa is covered in a relentless cold and snow. I long to feel the sun on my face without a snow shovel in my hand. We are moving in a couple of weeks from this place so close to heaven. This Iowa girl and her pack are moving to a place in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains - Washington.

In anticipation of the move, the rescue girls and I have been sorting out the debris of our life, letting go of the seldom used and miscellaneous memories while holding fast to others - a letter from my brother who I lost over thirty years ago; a stack of hankies from my Mom and letters from my Dad. It is such an emotional time - joy, excitement, adventure sprinkled with the loss. Our friends in Iowa are our family and have loved and accepted us as their own.

Dinah, the elder Golden Retriever in residence, and I are emotional creatures. We are both nesters by nature so we've had a couple of nights where we have lay awake wondering what tomorrow would bring, as if by our wonder and worry we could control it. Darby, her little girl and the resident two year old puppy, are all about embracing the adventure. The other resident two legged pack member is trying to keep all of us focused, day by day, at the task at hand. No small feat.

Yesterday Vegas walked up behind me in the kitchen. I heard the chime of her collar and her nails on the kitchen floor that were always uniquely Vegas. When I turned around, nothing was there. She comes when I need her, when I need to be reminded that I'm not alone and that everything will be okay.

This pack started its life in Iowa. We were rescued by dogs and by each other. It's a grand adventure and blessed life with this pack.