Okay, so let's talk about Chettie Bews. Yesterday was her birthday; she turned 6-years old. She seemed unfazed by the whole event, though Mike and I did sing Happy Birthday to her all day and she got an extra pig's ear, her favorite treat.

Chettie is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. We bought her as a pup from some folks in Buena Vista, CO. Her dad was owned by one of my friend's mom, so I'd been hearing all about the puppies. Of course when we went to 'look' at the puppies, we knew we'd be coming home with one. At six, we finally feel like she is not a puppy any more. This is an active breed and I now understand people who drive their car on dirt roads and let the dog run along side. She needs a lot of exercise.

Other traits of the breed that are true to form for Missy Chetty are loyalty, stubborness and protection. We think these traits will be useful on our trip. Well, maybe not the stubborness, but the loyalty and protection will come in handy. It's ironic that Mike and I would have a stubborn dog. It's a trait we both have. Me: Taurus the Bull; Mike: Aries the Ram. So all three of us know how to dig our heels in. 

Initial conversations about this trip included talk of leaving Chet behind. More than one friend offered to take care of her while we travel. But the more we planned the less we thought we could leave her. 

She knows something's up and we keep telling her she's coming, but we're not sure she really gets what's going on. She'll find out soon enough.

We are still planning a November 1 departure. (This was written a few days before we left, but in the final frenzy to get out of town it never got posted. So here it is now.)