My first attempt here at a trip report so bear with me...

This trip came about because of Sam the yellow dog and Tori the weiner. Spiritually, they represented a transitional time for myself and +1 and the beginning of our relationship. I was leaving an emotionally abusive relationship and Tori came with me after the breakup. After +1 and I started dating, he had a lead on a lab. Hesitant to make the commitment, he asked me for advice. I told him, "The mutt can be such a subborn little pain in the arse, but I couldn't imagine my life without her." Sammy came home with +1 and met his new best friend and boss lady, the weiner dog. Many tug of war matches ensued between the two.

The dating years passed then came marriage and two babies in a baby carriage. Fast forward to July 2012. We thought Sammy picked up a bug from the river. A trip to the vet said diabetes and other potentially major issues. Disscussions we had in preparation for this day was that they needed to go together. Every single day those dogs spooned. It only seemed right to send them to the earth that way.

We made the decision then to make it back to Negril. It was a call for our spiritual place to say goodbye and remember how lucky life is.

OY OY. Time to change the subject.

Fast forward to October 19. Check the weather - no hurricanes. Passports? $? Yup. Kiss the kids goodbye and its off to Denver. Typically we fly the red eye to Charlotte. This time it's a 6am through Atlanta. We thought we could get a room at the airport and have a nice relaxing evening until the wake up call at 3am. That was until I had to work until 7pm. By the time we re-group, drive over the hill, get checked in, have dinner and beves we are going to bed at 1am. Seriously??!! Shoulda grabbed a red eye...

+1 is typically the nervous flyer. This time it's me. Anyone have xanax they wanna share?!

We make our way through the Atlanta airport anxiously awaiting to board the flight to MoBay. We are giggling at Shakes, the drug dog wandering around the international terminal. Then suddenly, there he is... A pup in training. A yellow lab. A young Sam dog look alike. I think we both stopped breathing for a minute. Swallow that lump in my throat. Grab the sunglasses as the waterworks flow. Spent the time remembering as we board the plane.

Whoo hooo! There is the rock! We are here! Seas look like glass! Rush to immigration! Its empty! With no checked bags we are gonna breeze through this! +1 opens the side pocket of his luggage for passport and customs card, "F-bomb! I left my ipad on the plane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I freeze with our bags as he sprints off. I am thinking there is NO way he comes back with that iPad. International flight for one. And they never let you back on the plane. Once the cleaning crew is there, forget it. The seconds drag by. Tick Tick tick...it feels like an hour. Sure enough he rounds the corner with the iPad. No freaking way!?! Praise Jah and give thanks.

We make our way through customs, immigration, and the taxi haven. Step outside, whoa, it's HOT! Instantly my skin soaks up the moisture and i've got a thin layer of water covering me from head to toe that doesn't ever go away for 8 days. There's Chicken. High five for +1. Hug for me. Ahhhhh, welcome home.