Qi to Everything

Back the end of February, I was debating about travel with my CPAP, here. https://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t183 ... r-Not.html.

Thought you all would like to know how it came out.

Back in December, my beloved Harper Dachshund was lost at New Years to hemangiosarcoma. HIs breeders offered me his great-nephew. The problem was, between Covid, staff shortages, and flight cancellations, it simply was not safe for a pup to travel by himself the way Harper did nine years ago. So I decided to fetch him myself.

I ended up flying United, because I was going NOLA to SFO, and SFO is a United hub. Thanks to Harper, I had the credit card points to make this a first class flight -- my first time flying first class! Thanks to going online at three ye-ghods ay-em, I was able to get non-stops both ways.

Left the house at 3:55a on Tuesday, 29 March 2022, drove to the new NOLA airport, parked, unloaded my Scoot and my emergency bag. Getting there at 4:15a, I got a handicapped parking space directly opposite the main terminal door!

Checked in and found out the carry on which worked several years ago now had to be checked. I had packed my CPAP in one 2 gallon ziplock bag, and the hose and mask in a second one for ease of getting through Security. So I pulled my CPAP and my food out, put them in my Scoot's caddy, and sent the rest of the case through.

Got through security -- gotta love it -- they take my cane away and then ask if I can stand. I said no, so they had me wheel to one side and then wanted me to stand -- without anything to hang onto. I changed sides and then got up, hanging on to the counter. I was patted down, and they checked by Scoot for residues. They apparently didn't even notice the food and CPAP in the caddy when they were inspecting the Scoot.

Once through security, I zipped down to the gate. (I should note that Security when you are a First Class Passenger is a whole other ball of wax -- shorter lines, amazingly polite agents, you name it!)

I could get used to flying First Class -- this was on credit card points, mostly thanks to Harper. But hey, board first, pull the battery, cover my scoot bars, hand scoot over for gate check. Step in, settle into a well-padded seat with plenty of room. Still dark when we took off.

Breakfast was not SCD (my special lifestyle, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. This is NOT a weight loss diet. It's for my gut issues) . I handed it back to them and said, "I can't eat this. I'm sorry." I had, however, packed SCD-legal homemade Egg McMuffins, and had one of those with some orange juice. Flight uneventful.

Airline wanted to send my Scoot to baggage Claim and send me in a wheel chair. One small hitch: their wheelchair operator was a tiny Asian lady who came up to my shoulder, and couldn't wheel me over the first bump in the jetway. I told them, "Get my Scoot. It weighs 35 pounds WITH the battery, and I have the battery here!"

They brought it up. I think they thought it was a 150 or 200 pound monster. I put the battery back on, put CPAP, hoses, and remaining food into the caddy, and zipped off to Baggage Claim to get my case. Claimed my suitcase, and called my hosts.

They came and got me.

And I met little boy Blue for the first time. Sweet and wiggly and silly.

We spent a good day with lots of Dachshunds. I met Harper's mom, and thanked her for the gift of her wonderful son. And then, Boy went into a Sturdibag carrier and we headed for the airport. Maggie went in with me -- she's flown with dogs before so the check in was no problem.

The Sturdibag fit exactly crosswise on my Travel Scoot and I could sit down with him right under me. Went through Security -- the SFO folks were very helpful, even if they, too, took my cane away before I could stand up.

Had to take Boy out of his carrier so the carrier could be scanned. He was a bit scared of all the noise and commotion and wanted me to pull my mask down so he could wash my face. So I did. No one objected. Washing my face made him feel better.

We finished with Security, and had a minute or two persuading him back into the carrier. He was strongly of the opinion that his proper place was in my arms.

I headed for the gate... then needed to make a pit stop. No full handicapped stalls were open -- they were all "out of order." Try getting self, a scooter, a dog crate, a cane and the battery bag into a regular stall AND get the door closed. I did it. Can't say I recommend it. Reversing the order to get back out again was even more interesting.

On to the gate, with a full two hours to wait -- but I'd rather be there early than late.

I definitely recommend First Class if traveling with a pup. For that matter, if I can figure out how to afford it, I could definitely go for First Class again!

I set up my Scoot for gate check, the folks at the door helped me tuck the Boy in front of me, and put the other items in the overhead for me. Nope, couldn't eat the dinner provided, but they had some good, dry champagne! And I had a roast beef sandwich I brought, on a pecan flour bun.

Flight back was fine. Boy was perfectly behaved, although he whined at little during the descent and landing which was somewhat rough due to t-storms in the area. Once down, I got things repacked on the scoot, collected my other case and headed for the car.

26 hours of Parking was right at half what Uber would have charged for one way to the airport.

Inbound traffic was much heavier at 6a. I talked to the Boy the whole way home, explaining what he was passing and what it meant. Did he understand? Dunno, but he apparently liked hearing my voice because when I paused, he whined a little.

Pulled into the driveway right at 26.5 hours after I left. Good thing Tom and Maggie had plenty of strong tea for me!

Took cases, etc. in, and came back for the Boy. Brought him in, took him out back, then escorted him to the back to meet his Beagle and his Harry.

Babette said, "Missy, you're back... a PUPPY? You brought me a PUPPY?" (Wag, wag)

Boy said, "Grrr. Who are you? You are like no Dachshund I ever met! Your legs are too long. Your tail is funny. You are the wrong SHAPE!"

However, they were shortly romping on the bed, and creating chaos. Babette is now the one who says "Grrr !" because That Puppy just has No Manners! I mean, really, getting between a Beagle and her food. Bouncing on a Beagle's ribs when she's sleeping. He is learning the Beagle word for NO.

Then to bed for a few hours. And somewhere in there, he told me which of the names I was waffling about was his. (His was the Q litter, so his AKC name had to begin with Q. I had half a dozen names.)

Please welcome Pramada Koradox Qi To Everything SL, call name Qi or Key. He is Harper's great nephew. And he wouldn't be here if not for my Travel Scoot!

https://imgur.com/a/zkjo8XW

Congratulations!
I imagine doggy lovers at the airport were touched by your puppy kisses.
Music trivia: Qui are a rock group formed in 2000 in Los Angeles by Paul Christensen and Matt Cronk. A combination of punk, noise and experimental rock (dog party, if there ever was one), they released their first full-length album Baby Kisses in 2003.

What a handsome lad! Qi means life force--you have just added so much to yours. Enjoy!

You did it--with aplomb. Good job.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 18, 2022 12:07 pm

Congratulations!
I imagine doggy lovers at the airport were touched by your puppy kisses.
Music trivia: Qui are a rock group formed in 2000 in Los Angeles by Paul Christensen and Matt Cronk. A combination of punk, noise and experimental rock (dog party, if there ever was one), they released their first full-length album Baby Kisses in 2003.

Well, no one complained about my mask. And I did put it back up after he was done. Interesting about the band. Except their name is pronounced "Kwee."

Deborah K. wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 18, 2022 3:58 pm

He's a cutie!

He is that! Will post a quick video in the next mesage.

Janknitz wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 19, 2022 6:36 pm

What a handsome lad! Qi means life force--you have just added so much to yours. Enjoy!

You did it--with aplomb. Good job.

Yes, I know Qi means life force... after losing my heart, my Harper, I needed it. Qi is not Harper, and I wouldn't ask him to be. But wow does he have the energy!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n8sic5ypi1drh ... 2.mp4?dl=0

My bro. had one of those yrs ago and I remember him wandering all over Montreal trying to find good giveaway homes for the puppies - didn't believe in selling his 'kids'! They're special doggies alright!

My sister used to have the cutest little black miniature dachshund. He was adorable and had the sweetest way about him. They missed him a lot when he died at a good old age.

Julie wrote: ↑

Sun May 01, 2022 11:40 pm

My bro. had one of those yrs ago and I remember him wandering all over Montreal trying to find good giveaway homes for the puppies - didn't believe in selling his 'kids'! They're special doggies alright!

Beyond special.

Deborah K. wrote: ↑

Mon May 02, 2022 12:09 am

My sister used to have the cutest little black miniature dachshund. He was adorable and had the sweetest way about him. They missed him a lot when he died at a good old age.

I have had Dachshunds for 52 years. All except my heart, my Harper, lived their full lives. Harper was stolen from me by hemangiosarcoma -- and we didn't even know he was ill.

Qi is a darling. He's not Harper, and I wouldn't ask him to be. But oh, how I miss my Heart. Lord Willing, Qi will grow into the role.

And...oh, yeah. Long time folks here will remember my Adventure with Babette the Findling Beagle, here. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47215&p=425691&hili ... le#p425691

Master Qi has decided to follow in her footsteps.

Only it's more fun because BOTH Harry and I have CPAPs now, and... I love my husband, but he will NOT remember to put his mask up. Will not. He's somehow convinced that if he leaves it on the night stand where he always has, Qi will somehow magically figure out he shouldn't touch it. Fortunately, I ordered several replacements from our hosts for him, but that doesn't mean I want to be buying two or three masks every week until the little wretch has finished teething. (Mind, Qi has multiple toys, multiple kongs, multiple beef rib bones, and a Beagle to chew on, but it's apparently the Forbidden Fruit syndrome.)

Qi is SURE I should NOT wear a mask -- after all, it keeps him from washing my face!