Liam Lounges with the Ladies

We were invited to a lovely lunch on the North Shore. The "we" would be Liam and I traveling out to the "Spa in the Woods" joining the host and three other ladies. So five women and one boy dog. Good odds, Liam liked it. I thought I had my timing perfect. I needed to allow 50 minutes for the drive, although it takes less, because I had to make sure I was not the last one. A first born quirk, maybe? Did not want the party starting without me or deeper.

I started to put items together; sunscreen, (very optimistic since June 2009 was vying for the wettest June on record with 4 days to go.) I packed some toys for Liam, his water, my water, a sweatshirt for me, a sunhat, water pistols to squirt Liam if he went near food or did inappropriate licking and leaping, plus the usual, cell, camera, etc. I lathered up with sunscreen so I would be ready upon arrival to hang in the pool area.

As we started the drive, I realized time had slipped away a bit, something that has happened in my retirement. I only had 40 minutes. Yikes, I might possibly be last to arrive. We set out and Liam sat in the copilot seat, which is the control area between the driver's seat and the right front seat. I meant to stick a pillow between the seats, so the weight of his body would not affect the controls. He began stepping on each button, sort of like a dance. Sausage dog's feet were pushing the window controls so as I drove all four windows were going up and down. Also the side mirrors were moving back and forth, as he alternately stepped on those controls. Then Liam began licking my arms, neck and face to enjoy the yummy sunscreen. I tried to cover the controls with my hand but found driving with one arm on a fast moving highway to be quite unnerving.

I had seen the movie Marley and Me. During a drive Marley leaps out the open window into traffic. If I was not vigilant, this could happen on this drive.

We made great time, flowing traffic, no accidents, no rain. As I turned onto my friend's lovely block,, the car clock clicked to 12:30 PM. That was the absolute latest time I could arrive before being declared late. I pulled into the driveway and saw the cars of the other guests. Oh no, I am the last to arrive. I felt a sense of shame and failure.
I rolled up the windows that Liam had inadvertently opened. I heard a yelping, choking sound. Liam's head was stuck in the window. I might have broken his esophagus. I quickly unrolled the window and he started coughing and sneezing. I hugged him and apologized profusely.

I burst into my friend's house with a leashed Liam and announced our arrival.

I might have feared those solemn words from the TV show Amazing Race-"Carol, you are the last to arrive, I am sorry, but you have been eliminated." I am the last one to arrive. I am not pleased, but I have not been eliminated. I get to stay.

I got settled, and started noshing and chatting. Liam was roaming about looking at all the rooms- see him by the door on the right, tail up I am thinking, how sweet; he is showing how interested he is in the decor. Our host will be so flattered by this attention. What a social animal!

After about 20 minutes, I looked towards the dining area and there was Liam, pooping . I had ignored the basic rule of a long car ride with a dog. "The dog must be given an opportunity to relieve himself upon arrival. He/she needs to adjust to the surroundings."
I had been too concerned with not being last to notice Liam's behavior. I should report myself to North Shore Animal League. Our host was very understanding about the accident.

We were inside because of the storm threat. This was fine as Liam had licked off all my sunscreen. After relieving himself, Liam rejoined us for the appetizers-licked a few nuts, tried to eat some shrimp and then plopped himself in the host's seat when she left the room to get lunch ready.

We ate lunch in the dining room, with Liam circling the table. Liam is just tall enough to reach an item on the edge of the table. I had only brought two water pistols and should have brought one for each person.. The place settings could have been fork on left, knife and spoon on right and pistol on top.

We all settled in, as did Liam.

The day became sunny and after lunch we went outside to the serene spa-like setting.
I brought my water guns

Liam had a blast chasing rabbits
gazing at the pool
looking around the yard lounging with the ladies.

He loves the women and started up a chat with a woman from a two housing project background
Liam- Hi, heard you are from the projects. I lived at North Shore Animal League for a bit, like the projects for doggies
Project lady- I lived in two projects, Brooklyn then Queens
Liam- I am from Tennessee

The day flew as it does with friends. As we gathered around to leave about 6PM, the sky became ominously dark

We headed home on the cusp of a dangerous storm that exploded around us as we drove. Liam went to the back seat, put his head down, while I held onto the steering wheel with all my strength. The blackness enveloped the car and I was not sure if I was in a lane. Cars were pulling over to the side. Lightning, thunder, blackness. I just kept going forward, hoping no one was stuck in front of me. I kept reaching back to comfort Liam with one hand, while I held on to the steering wheel with the other. Was this as bad as texting while driving? Hope not, I was going so slow that it seemed to be okay. Where was the dog co-pilot of this morning who would not leave my side? Waves started rolling by; seemed there was a tide and it was high I was in the middle of a monstrous storm that might possibly put us over the top and break the all time rain record for the month of June. The radio stated that dangerous storms were in the area and listed all the problem roads-seems I was in a problem. I wanted to be home by 7 PM as we had our standing Friday night reservation at Crabtree's. At 6:50 PM, I pulled into the driveway of our home in New Hyde Park. The storm was over almost precisely at that moment, with the sun shining through raindrops.

Paul was waiting. His first words "We don't have to go out if you don't want to."
The idea of going out was what kept me focused and determined all the way home.
That, and breaking the June record for rain.

We went out to Crabtree's.

No record-second rainiest June in history. Not the first :(

Woof, woof