Empty Nesters--Not Really

Day 2: Fort Smith, AR to Dickson, TN. We are happy to find that Holiday Inn Express offers pet friendly rooms, fluffy pillows, hearty breakfasts, and big clean bathrooms. Our groggy morning is electrified by Simba's romp through the bedroom as Chelly perches in bed with me watching Simba repeatedly fling himself against the box spring mattress like some inglorious Tarzan or George of the Jungle cartoon character, thrown splat on his back. Chelly rolls her eyes at us, "What is he anyway?" Part monkey, part lion cub, part mule. After umpteenth trips up and down steps to the second floor with luggage, bags, dog crates, and toys, a 1:00 a.m. false fire alarm that evacuated us on the empty streets of Fort Smith in our PJs, and the constant puppy wimpers throughout the night, I think Ross and Chelly are losing their sense of humor. As we pass by Toad Suck Pond, AR, I hear myself lobbing the all-too-familiar-lament, "Keep your paws to yourselves" toward the backseat. Fortunately, a puppy's adorable-ness outweighs his annoyance.