I've been working on taming my raw emotions, not letting things that are minor overwhelm me to the point of rage and tears.
However, I put that practice on hold today when the American Airlines Check In Lady Person told me that Katniss's crate was not going to be accepted for flight. I purchased it because it is IAHA certified... supposedly. She informed me in her hostile english accent that it needed to have a different latching system. I usually greet situations like this with anger, but all that I could produce was a muted sob, though it didn't stay muted for long. I rolled Katniss and my carry-on baggage over to the waiting area, filling out the sticker the woman gave me in a feeble attempt to provide me with hope ("for when you buy a new crate, fill it out now so you're ready").
Luckily, the morning's events allowed for just such a solution. My sister was supposed to ride with me to the airport and take my car for the weekend. I was going to pick her up at 8 am, but I texted her and changed it to 8:30 because I was running behind. When I arrived at her dorm at 8:20 I called a few times. Nothing. I texted. Nothing. I creepily paced up and down the outside of her dormitory hallway. Stalkerish. I asked a girl to let me in. She uncomfortably told me she didn't have access to that dorm. I didn't want to be too late to the airport, so I called Tyler who of course saved my day. He took me to the airport and dropped me off with a smile and a wave. Bye Tyler!
Just kidding. Not bye Tyler. More like "HI TYLER THEY WONT TAKE KATNISSESS CRATE I NEED A NEW CRATE BUT I DONT HAVE ANY :HICCUP: MONEY :HICCUP: SHE SAID YOU CAN GO TO WALMART..." And thus began Tyler's search for the crate. I directed him to Petsmart, where a very friendly salesperson helped him purchase and assemble the crate. This was not her first rodeo with distressed airline patrons. They recently changed the policy about crates. Joyous.
So like a white knight, Tyler delivered a masterfully assembled bolted crate and Katniss, like a chocolate knight, hopped in and happily panted. That's my girl!
I now rest in the terminal, waiting for a flight that is scheduled to board at 2:10. I have all the entertainment I could ever want: Computer, Kindle, Phone, Book, Notebook.
I met a few nice people while I was sobbing earlier. Two small children fearlessly stuck their hands in Katniss's crate (one of them was in kindergarten :)) and they informed me that they had never seen a more beautiful dog and that "they would never forget Corey" (because they misunderstood me when I said I was going to SEE a person named Corey, not bringing Corey). It's probably for the best that the name Katniss prompted blank stares from the children... they are too young for Hunger Games. Most of the staff I encountered was friendly, and people wanted to help me. It was a very pleasant morning, other then the absolute chaos.
I hope that was the most exciting part of the departure. I cannot wait to be greeted by the love of my life in just a few hours.
Peace and Blessings.
