I tried to avoid Christmas. I was leaving a few hours into December 27. I had a million things to do and far too many people to say goodbye to.
This had been my home for 15 years. I wasn't at all sure that leaving was what I wanted.
But Christmas has its own plans. December was even more beautiful than usual in Anchorage. Someone started hanging ornaments on the trees in the University Lake dog park. Many others were inspired to add to them.
Linda, Marge, and I started watching "A Christmas Carol" on television. The 1934 version, and the Muppets, and Bill Murray, and the great Patrick Stewart. Then Doreen contributed perhaps the greatest version - Mr. Magoo. It was a wonderful Christmas.
The next night at the airport was hard. Rocky cried as we handed him over in his crate. Sookie screamed and panted until I was sure she would die. I clung to Linda and sobbed all the way through security. The TSA people handed me tissues.
It seemed only a few hours, then I was in Orlando and Bonnie and Jim were there to meet me. I picked up the dogs within minutes. They were calm and mildly happy to see me.
Florida
