Thankfully, Loren was in a snuggly mood on our last night.

I held her close to me and whispered softly, “I am not going to cry tomorrow. It is going to be a happy day. You are meeting your new mom and you’re going to have a wonderful life. No one deserves it more than you.”

The tears started spilling down my face and onto Loren’s fur.  “Thank you for coming with me. I couldn’t have had a better friend on this trip.”

Loren snored contentedly, but I didn’t sleep much, worried about not waking up on time to deliver her to Cindy at 3 p.m. in Valencia.  The 6:30 a.m. wake up call was a little startling. I wasn’t used to being on deadline anymore. We made our final Starbucks run before hitting the highway.

It was foggy and cold out in Petaluma.  I covered Loren up with a black shawl I bought in NYC for $5 and braced myself for the 387 miles ahead.

"It's never too early for a nap."

Though it was the 4^th of July, traffic was light and the sun soon came out with a vengeance. This stretch of the 5 freeway reminded me a bit of the Great Plains – flat, dry, seemingly never-ending, with a few gas stations, hotels, and chain restaurants every 30 to 50 miles to remind you that you were still in civilization.

We pulled up in Valencia a little early – at 2:20 p.m. I gave Loren a final kiss on the forehead and looked her deep in the eyes.  “Don’t say I never took you anywhere.”

My heart pounded as I walked up the driveway and to the front door. Loren was excited, too – she was probably as sick of driving as I was and ready for a change of pace.

“This is it,” I said to her with a nervous grin.

Cindy opened the door and welcomed Loren.

“Hi pretty girl,” she said. “Come on in.”

Loren walked in as if she owned the place, soon running about and sniffing the rooms with carefree abandon, her tail whipping around at 60 MPH. 

Cindy’s friend Chris was there to meet Loren, too, and we all went outside briefly to look at the backyard and give Loren some cool water.

"I've got it made in the shade..."

She sniffed the concrete patio and its parameter, especially intent on the rose bushes.  Cindy sat in a chair and Loren soon came to her side, tongue hanging out from the heat and excitement, but still all too happy to get some affection from her new mama.


"I could get used to this..."

When we went inside, Loren ran from the couch to the ground, snuggling up with Chris for a few minutes for a proper introduction, then hopping back on the couch with Cindy.

“Wow, she really is a sweetie. I thought my dog was sweet, but she’s even more so. Wanna trade?,” Chris asked jokingly.

“No way,” Cindy said, holding Loren tight.

Cindy showed me the rest of the house. Most of it was tiled, which she said her former dogs loved to lay on. There were pictures of them – a beautiful Rottweiler and a striking black pit/Lab mix. Both girls. She also pulled out a beautiful, round tapestry dog bed and a huge woobie she had bought for Loren.

The doorbell rang. It was Nancy from the Brittany Foundation, who was picking Loren up for a few days so she could have her bathed and get her paperwork in order before being delivered to Cindy on Tuesday.

Loren was jumped on Nancy and hugged her legs for more than a few seconds.

“Lo, Lo, Lorenzo,” Nancy hugged her back.

People tell me how “amazing” I am for taking this trip, but Nancy is the one who is really incredible. She saved Loren from the shelter two and a half years ago and has taken care of her ever since, along with 90 other dogs. Loren owes her life to Nancy and it seems she knows it.

Soon, she was back on the couch with Cindy.

“Thank you for adopting her,” I said.

Once in the truck, I let out a deep breath, but no tears. This was the ending I had hoped for.

 As for Loren, I remember something Stacey at the Animal Farm Foundation had said to me.  “I like to make sure the dogs get out and play and walk and sniff around. I want them to have something good to dream about.”

 Hopefully, some of our experiences will find their way into Loren’s dreams as she makes new memories with Cindy.

I unplugged Gidget with a flourish. Home. I knew the route.

Along the way, scenes flashed through my head.

Punky the pit bull jumping rope at the Animal Farm Foundation. Susie at Western Pennsylvania Humane Society and her “Wall of Shame.”  Eating fried chicken with Ken Foster in New Orleans. Loren tasting frozen custard,  her tongue sticking out. Walking the streets of New York City, scared, feeling alone amongst thousands of people. Loren getting her belly rubbed as if she were a fragile baby by a big, tattoed male volunteer. The wonder of seeing the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls for the first time.  The beauty of a Midwestern sunset. Walking the gorgeous Oregon coast. Laughing with family and friends and bonding with like-minded souls who are doing their best to save the homeless pets in this country.

Most of all, I remember the shelter dogs and cats, looking up from their stark kennels and reaching out to me with their eyes, their paws, their barks, their meows, hoping to make a connection and find their own way back home.

I will never forget their faces. I will never stop trying to tell their stories.

I would like to thank:

Wayde - for taking care of Buster and Sam, for the beautiful remodel work you did in my absence, and for encouraging me to stay on the road, to stick it out, when I wanted to come home early. Your daily phone calls kept me going. I love you.

Nancy Anderson for letting me take Loren on this crazy trip and for the hard work you do each day on behalf of the dogs. You are a true hero.

Michele Buttelman and The Signal - for giving me the time off and running our blogs every Sunday.

My mountain sisters – Liz, Gail, Ronni, and Caren – for your support and encouragement throughout this whole process, as well as for raising funds for the trip and the welcome home dinner. You may be “cuckoolala” but you’re also the best friends a girl could have.

Mom & Dad for the GPS. I would have been lost without it. Your phone calls and TLC while camping were much appreciated, too.

The Brittany Chicks - Rene, Amber, Heather, April, Angela, et. al. - you are an inspiration to me every day and I hope I did you proud. Loren is the beautiful soul she is because of your love and attention. You rock!

Our sponsors – DogOScopes, Margo’s Bark and Ashes to Art. Loren and I were honored that you spent your hard-earned money to help us make our way.

All my friends and family who contributed to our expenses – I smiled every time I looked at the paw print magnets on the truck. You were with us the whole time. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Steve Gruber – A supporter from the start…thank you for setting up the event at Animal Haven and showing us a bright spot in NYC! I really respect the work you are doing.

Stacey, Courtney, Bernice, Ashley and Caitlin – staying at Animal Farm Foundation was the highlight of our trip. You are amazing women and I’ll never forget what you taught me. You made us feel like family after our traumatic time in the city – it meant a lot to us.

Abby, Gretchen, Susie, and Laurie of Western PA Humane Society – another highlight of our trip. Loren loved the frozen custard and I loved your spirit and dedication to helping homeless pets. I know it’s hard work, but I hope you never give up. ..and bless you Susie for creating the Super Seven program. Many pits in Pittsburgh owe their lives to you!

Rebecca Courtad for putting me in touch with WPHS. Though we didn't meet in person, I feel like I've made a friend. Thank you for your sponsorship and for all that you do.

Daisy and Amy of Hello  Bully – for waiting for us to get across that maddening Penguins traffic and the lovely lunch. I love your logo, creativity, and outreach programs. Hope you don’t mind if I steal a few ideas from you…

Christine, Tristan, Nina and Lisa of Indy Humane and Indy Pit Crew – Thank you for showing me your incredible facility and sharing your hard-earned wisdom. The homeless pets of Indy are lucky to have you in their corner!  I will use what you taught me as I move forward in this field.

Michelle & Randy – your hospitality, friendship, and tasty home-cooking are always a comfort. We had a great time with you!

The Amicks in Flower Mound – Stacey, you are one cool cousin and Leslie, you are one great Girl Scout! Thanks for organizing Troop 1604’s donation drive to Operation Kindness. Y’all made a huge difference to the animals there! The dinner and overnight stay was fantastic, too.

Eddy Maxwell – for putting your dogs outside to let Loren hang in the kitchen and the delicious dinner.

Mark & Julie – for the decadent lunch at Uncle Bubba’s and for having us over and sharing your gorgeous home. You almost make me want to move to Georgia…almost.

Ken Foster – for taking time to meet a stranger and sharing your city and insight with her. I hope to see my book alongside yours someday. Best of luck with the Sula Foundation!

Stef & David – for making our first leg of the trip so memorable and for setting up camp! I hope we can do it again soon. (Stef, Loren sends kisses for the big donation, too!)

Anita - for the beautiful Texas sunset and taking the time to catch up with an old friend.

Tammy Townsend - for the great T-shirt and your nice emails.

Last but not least, I’d like to thank Loren for putting up with me for 50 days and for showing me how to always be in the moment.  Your journey is only beginning, my friend. I miss you already.