A new Thursday. A new adoption.

It was a sunny, mild San Diego Thursday, November 3, 2005. Ed drove up to Orange County and adopted our first golden boy, Nick. I remember being at work that day and just being so anxious about his arrival, excited and nervous at the same time. Was he going to like me? What was his personality like? What did he like to eat? What did he smell like? I heard he ate an apple a day, was that true?

I couldn’t wait to get home to meet Nick. I had asked for the day off, but my boss at the time was a total prick and only gave me a half-day. His version of a “half-day” was letting me go at 3:45 pm. Grrrr! I was so pissed off. He’s lucky I didn’t smack him.

I remember running into the house and seeing Nick for the very first time in person. I fell so hard and so fast in love, faster than for my boyfriend or anything else in my life. Nick was the light of my life for the rest of his days. God, I miss him.

Well, today is Thursday and guess what? Another golden adoption day in our home. Except for this time it is DOUBLE golden adoption day! Achilles and Milo, on their way.

And, guess what again? I’m at work!!!! Aaarrghhhh!!!! We are so swamped at work with multiple trials that I think my boss would have passed out cold if I had asked for another day off after just being on vacation. I’ve been with my new firm for a year now and my boss is a great guy, but going to trial on 4 cases makes for a chaotic firm environment. I don’t dare rock the boat.

Ed left this morning to pick up Achilles from Laguna Niguel. His foster mom is a vet, so she is waiting at her clinic with Achilles for Ed to arrive. He’ll pick up Achilles and bring him back down to San Diego and straight to the groomer’s for a summer haircut and a bath with all the extras.

While Achilles is with Pat the Groomer, Ed will pick up Milo from his foster mommy, Peggy, who has fallen in love with Milo over these past weeks that she has fostered him. Peggy is one of those humans you meet in life who just oozes kindness and gentleness from every pore of her being. I can talk to her and Carole (the rescue director for our region) for HOURS. They’re so wonderful and outstanding role models for the treatment of animals. If only Michael Vick had known a Carole or Peggy in his lifetime, right?

Milo is going to the groomer’s also. Then they coming home! Once again, I won’t be there. :-( Last night I spent a couple of hours cleaning and vacuuming their eating area, setting out their new food stations, organizing their food and treats, and arranging all their towels, poop bags, leashes, etc... Ed filtered Brita water for them. We got Achilles’ Chicago Cubs leash set in the mail yesterday. I hope he likes it. Milo will sport the Naval Academy leash set.

I just talked to Ed. He’s got Achilles in the back seat and they’re stuck in traffic. Achilles has been looking out the window the entire time. I wonder what he’s thinking. I hope he's not upset or sad. I so want him to be happy with us.

I can’t believe tomorrow will be one month that my Nick went to his truly forever home. It really feels like it was just the other day. I haven’t washed the t-shirt I wore the day he left me. It still smells like him.

Hey Nick, I hope you’re looking down from heaven. Do you see Achilles coming home with daddy on the I-5 at this very moment? He's going to use your food dishes since he's a senior citizen puppy like you were when you came home with us. I hope you keep Achilles and Milo company in spirit while they adjust to their new home.

I miss your sweet face, Nick-o-rus. You set up your favorite dog bed in that secret, hidden chamber of my heart. You’ll always live there, safe and warm. Thanks for sending your mommy Achilles and Milo to love. You did good picking out new golden brothers for us to love. You did real good.