They always know.

So Chris just left for the field this morning. We will be going for two straight weeks without him, then we will at least get to see him on weekends for the subsequent four weeks. Grace and Pete knew something was up last night. They moped around the house, napped more than usual, poutted. Grace has an incredible sad face, by the way. Pete has a pretty good confused face. All I have to do is pick up my iPod and the dogs think they're going for a run. Running shoes, same thing. Running watch, same thing. If I pick up my keys and purse though, they seem to know I'm leaving and they are staying.

This weekend was not a very eventful one. Chris finished his first class in his Master's program. I got a TON of housework done. The dog we are sitting for ate half a television remote, so that was fun. We picked up more firewood and had a nice little bonfire Saturday night. We stopped by the Humane Society and played with some of the dogs for awhile. Chris spent a couple hours packing for the field. We watched football, talked to family, played with the pups. I made of list of potential projects to keep me busy around the house for the next couple weeks (buying pumpkins to carve is on the list). Most of the following blogs will be a way for Pete, Grace, Jake, Lil' Lou and I to chronicle our adventures in Chris' absense. The dog park may be in order.

I found this poem in one of the recesses of the internet, and it brings me to tears every time I read it:

RESCUE POEMOnce I was a lonely dog,
Just looking for a home.
I had no place to go,
No one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets,
in rain in heat and snow.
I ate what ever I could find,
I was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore,
My body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat
Or a gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance,
I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me
was really lots of fun.
And then one day I heard a voice
So gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me
And took me off my feet.
"No one again will hurt you"
Was whispered in my ear.
"You'll have a home to call your own
where you will know no fear,"
"You will be dry, you will be warm,
you'll have enough to eat"
"And rest assured that when you sleep,
your dreams will all be sweet."
I was afraid I must admit,
I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when I let
A human come so near.