Last Of the Irish Rovers (in the U.S.)

Dear Cubby,
It was a fun little trip to San Diego this past weekend, wasn't it?  You certainly had your work cut out for you, though, as the city seemingly doesn't believe in level ground anywhere.  Honestly, I bet we hiked a total of at least five miles!  Many times over the weekend I gave abundant thanks that you're practically an expert in getting me up and down hills and slopes.
Thursday night we got there a little late to do anything, so we ate supper, then went back to the hotel and crashed for the rest of the night.
Friday we took you to the San Diego Zoo where you were greeted by administration and given a pretty green bandanna to wear so the zoo staff would know we went through the little orientation talk.  We were asked to stay out of free-flying aviaries and petting paddocks; otherwise, we were good to go.  This time you showed a little interest in an animal here and there, instead of ignoring them completely.  But mostly it was more fun watching the animals watching you.   There was a rather startling incident involving a large troop of baboons which involved a stampede through their enclosure and loud screeching, maybe even fighting.  We didn't see what it was all about because we had already gone by ... probably a good thing, otherwise I'd have worried that you caused it.  It seemed like most of the other animals were napping all afternoon, some in plain sight and some not.  The Tasmanian devil was tucked away in a hole and I mentioned I was really bummed because I had never seen one before.  Well, the little guy trotted out, showed off for a few seconds, and returned to his nap; guess he didn't want me to go away disappointed.  After the zoo, we at supper at a little seafood place out on the marina.
Saturday we drove out to Point Loma and hiked around up there awhile before the concert.  It was a beautiful, relaxing day, breezy enough to fill the harbor with sailboats!  It was so pretty.
Then after an early supper we headed to the Balboa Theater for the Irish Rovers concert.  I won't say our paths won't  cross again but, if they do, it won't 

be in the U.S.  They're done touring here now, so we were at their last stop.  As we sat waiting for the concert, who should happen along and sit next to us but a nice couple with a Golden Retriever!  That's the first time that's ever happened!  You said hello to Rhea, sniffed a bit, she sniffed a bit, and the two of you laid down and behaved beautifully.  People were amazed!  Rhea is seven years old and just as sweet as sugar, and her handler Elizabeth and her husband Steven were as nice folks as anyone would want to meet.  We got acquainted and compared notes on the service dog programs we went through and what our dogs did for us, and then it was time for the concert.  Their shows are always so much fun!  Afterward, Anne came looking for us and we got to visit for quite a while, while the band was signing autographs.  She confirmed that, yes, they're not going to come back and tour the U.S. anymore (we've heard that before ;) but they'll be performing here and there in Canada.  Hey, I can handle that!  You got your usual hugs and pets from George and then you just had to go and greet Ian and Morris and Fred and Gerry and Sean and Davy.  Sadly, Geoffrey wasn't there ... he had taken ill and gone home from the tour.  Surely did miss him and his whistles.

After the concert and all the visiting, we returned to the parking garage and took about a half-hour hike up and down ramps in search of our van.  I hope you weren't as sore as I was; if you were, you didn't show it.  You just kicked into your up-and downhill mode and got me through it!  You were just amazing!
And Sunday was our travel day ... home at last.  Boy were Daddy and I done in!  But not you ... nope ... you headed right for the back door to go outside and play ball.  Too funny!  Thanks for your extra-hard work, Cubby.  You really came through when things got dodgy, and it was appreciated more than you know.  I love you!

Photo Descriptions:  Mike, Wendy, & Cubby at the San Diego Zoo sign; Cubby meets a ring-tailed lemur; Cubby takes a break; San Diego Harbor and sailboats; Cubby's new friend Rhea; Cubby gets cuddles from George; Cubby loves the Irish Rovers.