[Sookie]

Well, I flew out of Philadelphia to Indianapolis on Tuesday morning. My flight was delayed for 1 1/2 hrs. but I wasn't concerned, because I knew that the four hours between flights would be long enough to get Kalina, talk to the breeder, go back through security and settle in to wait for my flight at 2PM with a fresh bottle of water for the puppy. I found the breeder and she was wonderful - she couldn't have been nicer. She opened the crate and there she was, finally - the most adorable puppy. Just a sight to behold for me after waiting so many years until I had the time to devote to a new "baby". I was thrilled with her. She's everything I wanted and more.

After I got Kalina, the lady who checked me in for the return flight (she just loved my Bichon and wanted to know how much I paid for her) decided that the crate she was in was 1" too tall to go under the seat of the 50-seater plane I was going on. They made me take my puppy downstairs to a woman who works in whatever department deals with luggage and such things. She was totally annoyed I was there and told me to "get back upstairs" and she led the way back to the first woman into whose face she literally THREW the new crate. They made me buy this new crate, which was a hunk of junk, for $50. Later on I realized that there was plenty of room under the seat for the first crate. But at this point I didn't care about anything...I was just happy to have this little bundle of fur and anxious to get back home with her.

So my return flight was delayed a half hour; then a half hour more; then a half hour more. Finally we boarded and commenced to sit on the runway for four hours. Kalina was being an angel, but I noticed that the cold air under the seats was freezing my feet. I wound up taking her out of the crate and holding her on my lap for the last two hours. She peed on me, but she was still being an angel. At about 7:30 PM we were told to get off the plane because the weather in Philadelphia was bad. I called my husband and he said it was hot and sunny.

Next I stood in a long, long line with a bunch of other people to try to get a return flight. I was told that the next available flight was the next day at 8:45AM. I was given no hotel voucher or discount, no food voucher, nothing. I called every hotel I could find and none of them would take me with a puppy. The airport personnel decided that they would set up a cot for me in the airport, but I was nervous about that. What if I fell asleep and woke up and the puppy was gone. Also, I had a puppy to feed and water and there was nowhere in the airport to walk her or take her to pee. Did you know that there is no grass outside of the Indianapolis airport? Trust me, there isn't. I finally got the owner of the Sleep Inn on the phone and convinced him that I wouldn't let my puppy destroy anything. He told me to come on over and sent a shuttle for me. I found a small motorcycle-type bar near the restaurant and they were nice enough to let me come in with the puppy while they made me a take out sandwich.

I woke up the next morning with a migraine headache so bad but managed to get myself and Kalina together (back into the teeny little crate, poor thing) and on to the shuttle back to the airport. There were two young, handsome UK guys in the back seat of the shuttle who were very interested in my Yorkshire Terrier and asking a lot a pleasant questions when I felt this gurgling in my stomach and commenced to puke all over myself and the van. I was humiliated. It hit me so fast and I had nothing to grab - not even a tissue. The van driver was really nice and took me to the airport and tried to wipe me off with his hanky. At security I was chosen (lucky me) for the extended security check where both Kalina and I had to go into a little chamber and have some special air blown on us. Then my backpack was thoroughly checked and I passed inspection. At the waiting gate I was reunited with the rest of the disgruntled passengers. We were all thrilled (especially me) when we finally took off - ON TIME YAY!! - and made it home to Philadelphia by 10:30AM.

But, she was worth it. She's just adorable. I'll try to post some pictures Monday - right now I'm still recovering!