You have to understand that when I left my East Coast life style six years ago, I broke up with a boyfriend, and I sold my classic, red, convertible Karmann Ghia. I cried harder when the new owner drove away in the Ghia, then when I told the boyfriend good-bye. So I have a history of loving my cars. And I don’t think I’ve ever loved and respected a car as much as I do CAR.
Yet at this moment, Beauty, Smiles and I have hitched a ride on a Vegas-bound bus, where we’re going to pick up our new car – a 1997 Honda Odyssey Van. I’ve never seen it. I’ve never driven it. But it’s going to be our new car – CAR2.
Before I left I slipped behind the wheel of CAR. And I just sat.
Red dust, torn plastic, worn seats, cracked windshield surrounded me as overwhelming sadness engulfed me. CAR had never let me or the greyhounds down. He never broke down once, he never refused to go, he was always ready and willing to rescue and chauffeur.
I sat there, just slumped in the seat because I couldn’t even bring myself to start stripping car of the trappings I’d need for CAR2. The license plates, key chain, sunglasses, terra cotta aromatherapy holder, Jezebel and Eli pewter figurines that had traveled cross country with me, the insurance…to take from CAR these representative items that brought him to life. I felt like a traitor.
I got out of CAR, thinking I would just take the plates off first. I walked slowly around to the back, my hand trailing along his dusty side. I couldn’t even get the plates off, CAR was holding on so tight. I moved to the front, and knelt in the gravel driveway in homage to CAR, and he let me remove the front. I had not noticed how the road and the journeys we had taken had reshaped the plates. They were rusted, bent and cracked, and my heart lurched with renewed respect for all the journeys CAR had allowed me and the greyhounds to make safely.
Believe me I know this sounds stupid, it’s bad enough to amorphosize dogs, but cars?? However, the tears are all true, and undeniable. Without CAR’s steadfastness and trueness, greyhounds would not have been rescued so well. I never had to think about whether CAR would make it. He just always did.
The ride back from Vegas in CAR2 was quick, easy and light. There is more room for the greyhounds, they are much older now, and don’t have to jump as high to get into CAR2 and it’s better gas mileage. But this first trip was not an adventure, like it used to be with CAR, it was just a drive.
Currently, CAR has been completely detailed, and is feeling spiffy. He’s living under the carport, as I just can’t decide where he will go. I envision him living out his life in my pasture, with green grass, fresh water and blue skies. I envision him going to someone who will care for him and love him as we do. The reality is I have to sell him to pay bills, and CAR, even by his leaving, will still be there for us.
ADDENDUM: CAR went to his new home today. Landon (yes, named for Little Joe) Loveland, and his wife Erica met CAR, and drove him to his new home that day. We watched CAR drive up the driveway for the last time. Bye CAR, we will miss you…