I'm going to jump away from the tale of

and I for a moment, and to the tale of Max, Mom, and Dad. Dogs have been a part of our family since I was born. Our lab mix crossed the rainbow bridge in, I think, 1995. Not too long after I graduated from college, and moved to Pa from NY. They've met Max several times over the summer, and absolutely love him.
When Mom and Dad asked what we'd do with Max during the cruise, I told them that we were researching kennels here. A co-worker I fully trust shared her experiences with a promising one. A few days after I told them this, Mom and Dad volunteered to host Max while we were away. They'd devised a plan to use some vacation days for Dad at work, and come get him. Then, they'd return to upstate NY. Well, Dad is now enjoying the benefits of retirement, thanks to the economy. (at this point, I shall refrain from expressing my complete disgust at the ample blame that so many should share for the state of our economy at this time) OK, I feel better... Thus, we offered them the chance to host Max at our house, if they so desired. They agreed to take care of him, and play the location choice by ear.
As mentioned earlier, Friday and Saturday reports were glowing. He was eating, playing with stuffy sheep, and crazy running around their backyard. During the following week, Max pretty much went where they went. And they all loved it. "Find it" (throw a treat for him, and watch him race to it) in the backyard regularly. A walk on the rails-to-trails project. Long walks on the quiet streets behind where they live, as the street they're on is far too busy to walk on itself. Extended trip to the local PetSmart where, we're told, Max personally selected his Christmas present.
They returned to Pa on Friday, to find things ok at home, except the non-functioning hot water heater. Max met us in the back yard upon our return home Saturday. I'd called Mom and Dad from Key West (remember, I've jumped ahead), and they asked to stay in Pa until Monday, to attend the monthly Keystone Greyhounds City Island Strut. Of course, we agreed. Next thing I know, its late afternoon Saturday, we're home, and Christine is showing Keystone's web site to Mom and Dad. At this point, I'm sick (more on that later), and don't really notice this at first. A little while later, I find out that by Max day 3, Mom has said to Dad, "I think a greyhound would work for us". Keystone's leader often says that greyhounds sell themselves, and Max sure did. We reviewed the dogs on the site again Sunday morning, before driving to Harrisburg for the Strut. There, they met some of the foster dogs, even getting to walk one of them a little. His adoption was pending, and was sealed that day.
When Mom and Dad returned home on Monday, they took an adoption form with them. Now begins the search for "the one". And that, along with work, along with the return of some aspects of my
DCL cold, is why updates are slow in coming. DW and I have had extensive phone conversations with Mom and Dad over the course of the last week about greyhound adoption. Yesterday, they mailed their completed adoption form. They even travelled to Northern Pa last Sunday to meet one of the foster dogs. Since they don't have email/the internet, DW and I are the email conduit for conversations with Keystone. And the middlepersons for questions. Along with trying to answer as many questions ourselves as we can.
I've finally decided to go to the Doctor tomorrow about this 3+ week old cold. Off Friday, I'll try to return to normal trip report programming then. I predicted that Max would lead to another dog for Mom and Dad, and Christine agreed. We just didn't think it would be a greyhound; we predicted they'd return to a breed they'd had before: Lab, Collie.
I'd hoped to post this info closer to the end, but now seems more appropriate. A good reason for the delay in updates, I think.
