EPISODE 7: BIG CHANGES – You can’t bring your pet(s) on a hospital ship.

A few years ago our long-time dog, Bella, passed away. We were devastated. We decided NO MORE PETS as we never wanted to feel that loss again.

But, as with so many things, that wasn’t how things worked out.

Our daughter-in-law Olivia (a professional dog-trainer) met with Marci and asked her what traits she would like in a dog. After getting the list, she scoured the eastern United States for just the right one. And she nailed it. After hearing about Mac (named for Colorado Avalanche Hockey Star Nathan MacKinnon) we put our fears behind us and jumped in! Olivia then trained him for five months and we were rewarded with an incredibly sweet and highly trained pal.

Mac may look intimidating, but I often tell people that the only way he would kill somone is to lick them to death (although he is quite capable of defending his family if required). He has been an amazing addition. We walk nearly three miles a day (a nice benefit of retirement is having that time).

But God called us to work on a ship. A hospital ship no less. In Africa, you say? Oh, and for two years? Yeah, no dog in that plan…. So, as all of us must do, we had to ask ourselves (with each big change) if this is God’s plan then I can’t do both.

So when things looked like we would be joining Mercy Ships (they are rightly particular on who may join the organization) we began to search for a new home for Mac. Our amazing daughter Jessica (a nationally recognized expert on wellness for 911 call takers and dispatchers) reached out to her network. She explained the circumstances and our desire for not just any home, but the right one. It paid off!

I will be vague to protect privacy, but a disabled Army veteran (who served multiple tours overseas in combat) has been waiting for a service-dog for over a year. He is married with three young sons but is unable to leave his home without help. A perfect match!

After some back and forth both families agreed that Mac would benefit from their loving home and the veteran would benefit from this sweet trained shepherd.

Except… they live in the Denver, Colorado metro area. And we live in Washington. And it’s winter…

Well, I began to watch the radar in the Pacific Ocean (where most snowstorms are born) and when I saw a relatively clear window, I took off with Mac to go to his new home. We traveled 1,100 miles across Washington, Oregon, Wyoming and part of Colorado. It wasn’t too bad (though temps in Laramie, WY were sub-zero the night we slept there in a truck camper).

We took it slow (as only retirees are able) and followed the lead of the pros (semi-truck drivers). Three days of long slow driving (some ice, wind and snow – with one highway closure) and we had made it!

I will save the camper for another post, but things with Mac were both sweet and sad. He took to his new family immediately and they are amazing and kind people. We got a text the next day that said Mac was already changing their lives (the veteran took a walk alone!!!).

God works in amazing ways. We are all blessed.

1-23-2025 / Flying over southern Wyoming / 07:43 MST