Betty, the Adventurer

Betty Gibson (not her real name) stopped by the kennel this morning to see if we had space to board her dog, Molly (not her real name, either!), for the Thanksgiving holiday.  She had decided at the last minute to drive up to Massachusetts to visit her daughter, and planned to be gone about ten days.  She couldn't finalize her plans without knowing we had room for Molly.

The kennel is full, but Betty holds a special place in our hearts, and we told her that yes, we would be happy to keep Molly for her.   With a smile on her face, she said she had to go home to pack, and that she’d be back later in the day.

Promptly at 4:00 pm, we saw Betty’s little Toyota driving up our long driveway.  She pulled in and parked, got out of the driver’s seat, opened the back door, and out bounded Molly, her big German Shepherd.  Molly has been at the kennel so many times, she headed straight for the door to the runs.  Ashley grabbed her leash and escorted her back to her run while Betty approached the reception desk to check in.

 I finished getting Molly’s reservation made, and talked to Betty while I put the final touches on the run card.  Betty told me that she was driving alone to Massachusetts.  This surprised me, because Betty isn’t a spring chicken, she is hard of hearing, and it takes every ounce of her energy to keep up with enthusiastic Molly.  I guess my face gave away my concern about her driving all that distance alone, because she told me that her daughter tried to convince her to fly.  Betty said that she wanted to take the back roads north, and that if she ran into any bad weather, she’d just turn the car around and drive back home.  She said that she enjoyed driving and that she planned to take her time, look at some pretty scenery, and enjoy herself. 

Smiling, I looked her straight in the eye and said, “Betty, I sure do want to be like you when I grow up.”  Her eyes twinkled, and her wrinkled face lit up.  “How old are you?”  She asked me.  I told her my age, and she replied, “I’m 82.  When I was your age, I drove with a friend from San Diego all the way to Alaska.  I can’t do that anymore, but I am looking forward to driving to Massachusetts.” 

We talked for a few minutes longer about some of the things she has done since retiring.  She said her memory is beginning to play tricks on her, and that she is signed up to be a part of a memory study at Emory University when she returns.

As she left, I wished her Godspeed and safe travels on her trip.  I don’t know how much longer Betty will be able to drive alone on her trips, and I hope that God will have some extra angels in the car with her watching over her on this one.  I know Molly will be happy to see her when she returns home, and I will, too!