Paradise Found, LA Cabdrivers Redeemed

Made myself sick on Wednesday plotting our departure. Woke up at 4am Thursday, walked the dog in the dodgy neighborhood without getting mugged. Loaded the luggage on the cart, parked Dash, Chuck and the luggage in the lobby while I went back for the dog crate. The cabby the hotel had called arrived early and was very helpful loading the luggage and dog cart. The only English he spoke was street names. "Aviation to Imperial, turn right just before Douglas." By this time I new the ropes. He also understood "Wait, " which I was terrified would cost $100 while I signed all the paperwork, paid the $1200, and got Chuck loaded without looking back. He thought the dog crate was going back in the cab after it was assembled with the dog in it. He had unloaded all the luggage. After much head shaking and gesticulating, we loaded it back in, and $29 on the meter later he dropped us at Delta. I was so grateful to have had such a great experience I gave him $50.


We landed in Honolulu at 10:30am, Dean was waiting for us. Dash attacked him as planned. Lots of hugging and kissing and we headed off to Animal Quarantine Services to pick up Chuck. Here's the great part of the story. Dean met a neighbor who licenses Service Animals. Dean had paid the fee and met us with a blue vest embroidered with "Service Dog, " and a laminated card that goes in the pocket of the vest. We lugged the 108 pound crate, still carrying Chuck, a half block away and pulled her out, got the vest on her, and threw the crate in front of an office of the Hawaiian Humane Society. I was terrified we were going to get arrested for taking the dog out of the crate while still on Airport property.

We were standing under an overpass, sound of jet engines whining all around, wind blowing, luggage falling of the cart (Dash had to push it since we were carrying the dog crate)--it was surreal. Chuck seemed to understand that good behavior was required and she gave an Academy Award performance. She walked calmly at my side, right through Interisland security.
A security guard came up to me and said, "Is that a working dog?" I stepped back and pointed at her vest. "Okay." And that was that.

The Interisland terminal has a beautiful outdoor garden with grass so Chuck got to walk around and drink about a liter of water. I bought her a hot dog and then she conked out while we waited for our flight. Everybody wanted to ask about her, and we made lots of friends. A local couple from the Hamakua side of the Big Island invited us to their farm.

Finally (after an hour delay) our flight boarded and Chuck walked serenely down the jetway. Our tickets were marked "Preboard" and we got bulkhead seats. Everyone wanted to know what kind of service dog she was since clearly none of us was blind. We said she was a therapy dog (technically for other people-not us), but I didn't want to go into too many details. Chuck was very trembly and panting almost the whole flight, but she did fine.

Once we landed, got our luggage, and drove up the mountain, all of us were completely exhausted and in a state of euphoria. What started out so difficult ended in a way I never would have expected.

Chuck has been for many walks in neighborhood that has no bulldozers ripping down forests, no cars driving more than 25 mph, no trash compactor constantly running, and no more stairs! She has a big grassy backyard which she has run all over, and sunny spots to nap in. I wish you could see her. It was all worth it. It took all of my courage in the last few days not to shrink back from this.