Do you think Scout is happy her daddy is home?
Or that her daddy is happy to see her again?
Ah, what a reunion! Scout was so happy to see him that she never let him out of her sight. She was exhausted at the end of the day from all the excitement.
It was a dark and rainy day but the minute I saw Don at the train station, it was all sunshine for me. So, so happy to see him again – so happy to have our little pack together once more. This particular separation was the hardest yet for us. We’ve been through many of them over the years and we seem to handle them pretty well. But this one was another story. Of course, the dreadful winter we suffered out here had a lot to do with it. But also, the older we get, the less we seem to be able to tolerate being away from each other. There’s just been too much of it in our history.
But the work we do as artists requires that of us. Work often takes one of us to another city or another part of the country and it takes us there for six weeks or two months or six months. In an ideal world, we’d be able to visit each other for a big chunk of that time, but we haven’t been able to do that for a long while. Our commitment to our dogs required one of us to be at home with them. Riley needed constant care that only we could provide. Scout is older now and she also needs one of us with her. Don’s apartment in Boston was a third floor walk-up with too many stairs for her to navigate. We stayed here.
So we do our best.
If another offer of work came for either of us, we’d take it. We need the work. We need the money. But we are a wee bit jealous of all of you who live and work in the same general area. The thought of going off to work and being able to come home every night is a little glimpse of heaven for us.
Now, we’ll go through a little re-entry period where we adjust to life together in our little cottage. But it won’t take long.
And Don cooked dinner last night! Hallelujah!
By the way, I loved, loved the stories you shared on yesterday’s post. I laughed out loud when I was reading them. Thank you.
Happy Tuesday.
Cindy says
Hooray!!!!
Claudia says
Agreed!
Debra says
How can I be so happy that your husband is home? But I am. For you. Enjoy your time together!
Claudia says
Thank you, Debra!
Liz says
Happiness! Thank you for sharing. The look on Scout’s face says everything!!
Claudia says
I know – she’s beside herself with happiness!
Tammy says
Welcome home, Don. I bet Scout was beside herself. Enjoy your family time and have a great week. Tammy
Claudia says
We will, Tammy – thank you!
Vera says
Happy, happy, happy! Great pictures Claudia…Scout’s look is priceless. So glad Don is back and the three ofyou are together again. Enjoy!
Claudia says
Scout is one happy camper, Vera!
Mary says
I feel warm all over now knowing the “little pack is together again”. He looks well and Scout is obviously smiling now dad is homeβ¦β¦β¦as for you dear, I know you are over the moon!
Hugs to you all – Mary
Claudia says
Thank you, sweet Mary!
Melanie says
I agree that separation from a spouse, especially as you get older is really hard. I’m thankful that Brian’s job doesn’t take him out of town except for once in a blue moon. I hated last year when he was on a business trip for a few days. I know, I know…that’s nothing for you guys. I really feel for you. It’s also hard when you have pets at home that can’t be left alone. Brian and I are going on a little weekend getaway soon (just one overnight), but my best friend who lives nearby will come over several times to feed the kitties and play with them a bit. I don’t know what we’ll do when she moves. She just accepted a new job and will be moving an hour away soon. Maybe Tim can come home on weekends once in awhile so he can stay here and take care of the cats. Happy reunion to all of you!
Claudia says
Thanks, Melanie!
Susie says
Oh happy day Claudia….. Makes me smile thinking of all of you together again. Blessings to all of you, xoxo,Susie
Claudia says
Thank you, Susie!
Carol Ann says
Welcome home Don . May you both enjoy each other all the more you have each other in your arms.
May you both have a few months or more to be together.
Liked the pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Claudia says
Thank you, Carol Ann!
Deb says
I can hear the joy and happiness in your writing. ENJOY Claudia, Don and Scout! You all deserve it!
Claudia says
Thank you, Deb!
Judy Ainsworth says
Welcome Home to Don! We all missed you,because our good friend was struggling so were we!
-Judy A-
Claudia says
Thanks, Judy!
Donnamae says
The gang’s back! I am thrilled for all of you! Enjoy your whole day together! ;)
Claudia says
Thank you, Donna!
Janet in Rochester says
Very happy that you’re all together again. Winter has got to be the hardest time for a long [or short, for that matter] separation. Scoutie looks like she’s saying, “Look, Mom – it’s Dad! Dad’s back! Isn’t that the best?”
Claudia says
She did that a lot yesterday, Janet!
Marsha Lash says
Can’t tell who is happier…Don or Scout? Looks like a tie!! Glad you guys are all together again!
Claudia says
It may be a tie, Marsha!
Susan says
David and I lived through six weeks of separation last summer when he was down here working in Texas and I was back up in Idaho selling property and getting ready for our move south. It was terrible. Like you and Don, David and I have a very close relationship and like Scout ~ Bentley missed his daddy. I am happy that your pack is back together once again. The look on those two happy faces says it all. Enjoy!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Claudia says
Here’s to the pack being together again, Susan!
Linda @ A La Carte says
So Happy Together! Enjoy!
Claudia says
Thank you, Linda!
Chris k in Wisconsin says
Oh, Claudia! Thanks so much for sharing the pictures. Just as I envisioned!! So very very happy for you, and Don, and Scout. Life is best when we are together. I bet this morning she was anxious to see if her Dad was truly still home or if it was just a dream! This was, indeed, a long harsh winter, and everyone is so happy that spring has sprung! I hope the weather is sunny there so a walk might be in the near future. Scout will just dance with joy!!
Claudia says
She did do that, Chris, She was waiting for him to come downstairs – still a bit unsure if it was real!
Nancy Blue Moon says
Welcome Home Don..I missed seeing you on here..I believe Scout has a smile on her face in that second picture Claudia!!..The only thing good about being apart are the reunions..Hugs!
Claudia says
She does have a smile on her face – (The group that rescued her called her Smiley)
Denise says
Thank you for sharing the photos Claudia. I am so happy that the three of you are together again! The look of joy on Scout’s face is priceless.
Claudia says
She’s a very happy girl!
tracy says
YAY!!!!
So happy for all three of you!
Enjoy <3
Claudia says
Thank you, Tracy!
Betsy says
All I can say is Yippee!!!! Don is home!!! So happy for all of you.
Blessings,
Betsy
Claudia says
Thanks so much, Betsy!
Debby Messner says
I smiled out loud when I saw that first picture. So glad that you are all back under the same roof. It has to be hard. Your times away are for so long, it has to be hard. we are the same about our dogs. They need someone in the house while we are gone. That’s hard to find. Enjoy your little family.
Claudia says
Very hard to find, especially when they are older and more frail than they used to be. I don’t think anyone could take care of Scout like I can – I guess that’s what all moms think!
Haworth says
Being with our pack is so important, Claudia. A lot of people really don’t get that. Wishing happy days to the three of you!! xx
Claudia says
Thanks so much, Haworth!
meredith says
Welcome home to my wonderful BIL! Don, even I missed you way down here in Florida.
Mere
Claudia says
I will pass on your welcome, sister!
Pat says
Me too, Claudia!
I’m so happy for y’all and that your family is back together under one roof again.
Enjoy your time together. :)
Claudia says
Thank you, Pat. We will!
Laura says
So happy that the three of you are back together again. xo Laura
Claudia says
Thank you, Laura!
Dawn says
Congrats to being a three-some a gain.
Claudia says
Thanks, Dawn!
Nancy in PA says
There is a wonderful song from “Schoolhouse Rock,” called “Three is the Magic Number.”
So there you go!
I’ll bet Her Fluffiness is still wagging her entire body!
Claudia says
She is – she’s very happy, Nancy.
Regena Fickes says
Welcome, Don. So glad he arrived safely and is back with his loved ones. Parting is always so hard, Thank goodness that there is sweet homecoming. Have a group hug on me.
Claudia says
We will, Regena!
Sherry Grove says
So glad your husband is home safe and sound. Love your blog, Claudia. I am a day late, but have to share my “underwear” story. Being 60+ years old, I always carry in my purse a white handkerchief and a pair of white underwear. I was checking out at grocery store, suddenly had a sneezing/runny nose attack. Quickly grabbed what I thought was my hanky, but it was my underwear I was blowing my nose in. Being that nothing phases me at this age, I wanted so badly to channel Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation and say “Boy, it’s getting nippley in here.”, but I didn’t think the elderly lady behind me would appreciate the humor…. or maybe she would have. I love to tell this story. Thank you for your blog.
Claudia says
Oh goodness – love this story! I bet there are a lot of ‘underwear’ stories out there!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Sherry.
Cheryl says
So glad Don is home safe and sound! My hubby has been in Florida this past week and is on his way home today. I enjoy him being gone for a week! I don’t think I’d enjoy it if he was gone for 6 weeks though.
Just wondering if you got my comment the other day about the “Naked Socks” for Scout? My friend has a 14 year old dog that wears them and he can get up and move around like a much younger guy while wearing them.
Claudia says
I did get that comment, Cheryl and I’m going to check them out – thank you so much for the tip! xo
Linda Petersen says
What a happy day! Love the look on Scout’s cute face~~~and the two of them is priceless :0).
XO,
Linda
Claudia says
I know – it’s as if she’s saying, “Mom, he’s home!!!
Debbie says
They look very happy to see each other :) Welcome home Don – your girl’s missed you!
Claudia says
His girls are very happy to see him, Debbie!
annette says
Welcome home Don! I just saw you on Law and Order SVU. I screamed it’s Don really loud and it scared my poor dog Zoe. You don’t know me but I feel like I know you and Claudia. I am a fan of her blog.
Claudia says
Aw, thank you so much, Annette! I just read your comment to Don and he got a big smile on his face!
Usha says
So wonderful that the three of you are together again. I feel the same about my girls.. No one can take care of them like their parents.. Love your blog!
Claudia says
Thank you so much, Usha!
Tina says
The pack in basck in town! Hip, hip, hooray! Huzzah! Yippee! Let the games begin!
Jane Price says
The picture of Dame Scout with her daddy is frame-worthy!!! Soooo glad ya’ll are together agian and Scout is feeling better.
jane in texas