White Dog and Steve went out early this morning and sat in our old car. It had been stripped of all our imprints and seemed very empty. They thanked the SUV for the miles and adventures it had carried us safely to and from. Steve reminded White Dog that this was the car she came home in when she arrived to us. They remembered trips to Los Angeles where White Dog became famous for "speaking" during Hamlet; carrying Steve's bike to hundreds of Sunday morning Bosque rides; driving to Phoenix to bring Quinn home to live with us; taking Hansel's mom and dad for their first horse back ride; driving to our Recommitment Ceremony last year; bringing me home from Rehab when I could barely climb into the seat. White Dog rode "copilot" on the console for one last trip to the Park and left a golden leaf on the seat as a goodbye.
At lunchtime, Steve and I drove the 320 to his mechanic who has promised to give our MB a loving home. Then we headed to to the dealer to claim "Pumpkin," the minivan which will meet the new challenges in our lives...especially those of our growing family size. None of us is crazy in love with it yet although we do admit we like the way it's spirit feels...but it doesn't quite smell right...and we haven't found our favorite spots...and the noises are different...but we know in a very short time it, too, will be truly a part of the family.