Day 50: Loch Garten - Edinburgh

In the morning the weather was good, but in the camper we weren't in the mood for celebrations. Tito Joan called, and his voice didn't bring exactly treats. He said that his sister, Auntie Rosa, is very, very sick in the hospital... and that she probably doesn't have much time left. I don't quite understand what "going away forever" is, but I do know that Auntie Rosa was one of the good humans: she petted me without rubbing my ears, she talked to me as if she understood me and always had a smile that smelled of affection. Since Tito Joan said it, Daddy Edu fell silent. And me too.

And of course, Edu wanted to go to Barcelona as soon as possible to be with Tito Joan. But I couldn't go with him, because I'm not exactly a keychain. When I was young I traveled twice by plane, in the hold. And don't look at me like that: one thing is being a dog, and another is traveling as if you were a suitcase with legs. Besides, now I weigh ten kilos (although it's just fur, eh?) and the companies allow eight with a bag included. Where am I going in a 25x35x45 cm bag? Not even folded like an omelet!

Edu started calling dog pensions all over Edinburgh. I was already trembling thinking that they were going to lock me in a cage with a screaming beagle as a neighbor. But it turned out that they were all full. Or they demanded the kennel cough vaccine, which I don't have because I never get into those environments.

When we were about to throw in the towel (and share the mattress again in a dramatic way), the magic solution appeared: a friend of a friend of Tito Joan (this sounds like a soap opera plot, but keep reading) knew a certain Fabi, who lives in Edinburgh and... he loves dogs! He says he'd like to take care of one for a few days. Really? Like that, without knowing me or anything? Well, he doesn't know what he's getting into.

Edu called him, they got along well, they arranged to meet this afternoon. Bingo! And come on, now to look for flights, parking and the whole last minute pack. Very expensive one-way ticket (more than 200 euros, that's a lot), the return cheap. Parking at the airport: so expensive that Edu almost asked if it included a massage and a welcome drink.

We went to Edinburgh. We only stopped near Perth to refuel and eat something quick. Fabi lives just outside the LEZ, that area where you can't enter with an old car even if it smells clean. We parked with the emergency lights and the soul also a little in emergency. Edu went up with me and my luggage to Fabi's apartment, left the bag with my blanket, my duck, my ball, my food, my papers and a couple of kisses. We said goodbye at the door. Edu ran down to the car, which was still badly parked, crossing his fingers that there wouldn't be a fine... and I stayed with Fabi.

The truth is, he seems nice. He sniffed me with respect, the apartment is warm and I've already tried three different sofas. I think we're going to get along. But if he dares to serve me food without me showing him the duck... we're going to have to have a very serious talk.