The Trouble Is That You Think You Have Time

Wednesday, September 12, 2009.

4:30 a.m.

It was time to leave for the airport.

In two weeks we were going to cram in a visit with relatives, three days in Yosemite, and a drive along the Pacific Coast.

As I headed out the door for the airport I stopped once more to say goodbye to Buddy, my 14 year-old Border Collie Spaniel. This was the first time I would be away for this long so he got extra assurance I would return.

Little did I know that I would only have about 72 hours with him when I got back.
Who knew?
You never do. That's why you never take goodbyes for granted.

We were supposed to have 45 minutes to catch our flight in Phoenix. Instead we found ourselves racing full throttle to catch the flight through no fault of our own.

This is why the Zen saying "The trouble is you think you have time" is so...um, timely.

You can't "Have" time. You may think you do, but when it comes to dogs and airplanes time has a way of running out on you.