Banjo's Spring Break is Over : (

[Carol and Banjo]

 

We've spent the past few weeks on the road with Banjo.  Beginning with a stop on Long Island to visit DH's family.   DMIL reluctantly agreed to have Banjo stay at her home while we visited.   I know it was a HUGE deal for her to agree to have a dog in her house.....she is NOT a "dog lover" and has, for years, openly stated "NO dogs allowed".    We brought Banjo's crate (as much for him as for her) and he slept in our room at night.   During the day I kept him on leash and while we visited he'd lay at my feet.    I was a bit stressed out about how he might be and was very pleasantly surprised at how well behaved he was.   When the grandchildren came he was marvelous.....he had as much fun with them as they had with him. The boys are 3 and 5 and had a great time "training"  Banjo to "sit" or "down" on command.  The best part was my mother in law eventually came around.....as we were leaving she said "He's really a pretty good dog".   This was a BIGGIE!!!!   

We'd packed the car full for our trip and Banjo was left with just a small space on the backseat.  He's always been great in the car....but this was the longest trip to date....the ride to Long Island was almost 8 hours....we stopped twice for potty breaks for us and him.    He was the perfect passenger....I had to keep looking back to make sure he was still there!    This was a relief as from Long Island we were continuing on down to the coast of North Carolina.     We left at 5am and drove thru the worst traffic jam either of us had ever seen (this was in Virginia of Rt 95)  things only got worse....this was the Saturday that 60 something tornadoes hit NC.....we saw 2 tornadoes actually take shape and come down.....we drove through the heaviest rains you can imagine.....passed through an area a tornado had just gone through and later learned we had must missed one that crossed the road we traveled just 45 minutes before.    By the time we arrived to our rental house all power had been lost so we had to enter the house by the light of a tiny flashlight I keep in my pocketbook.    Fifteen hours on the road........and Banjo acted as though it was just another day in the life of a dog.  We were exhausted and Banjo.....well he was just ready for the next event!

Well, we're home now....safe and sound....missing the beach but happy to be back....and thrilled that Banjo has proven to be the BEST traveling doodle we could have ever hoped for!

[Gena, Wookie and baby boy coming]

Hi Carol,

So happy you are all three, home safe and sound.   Great progress with your DMIL.    It doesnt take long, I have a DMIL also and she looks forward to our visits now, but only if Wookiee is coming too!  lol!  The photo I uploaded today and made the profile picture was taken on the way.  He rides like a champ... but it's only an hour.   I can't imagine 8 hours..  Banjo is truly a peach!  We are having so much fun with Wookiee, and he's growing so darn fast.... I almost wish he stayed smaller for longer.   He loves to be in our laps, does great with his training, although as he has gotten stronger, it's definitely more interesting.  He walks wonderfully on the gentle leader, but on the collar... he's on the edge of too much for me.  He listens well, most of the tijme... he has his toddler moments.. barking at me before he does what i am asking for when i give him a command...  my kids havent hit the teen years yet, so I cannot compare it to that, but I think this may just be preparing me..  Glad you are all safe and sound, what a trip...   not alot of time lately for DK, but I think of you very often.   take care and chat soon.. Gena

[Ozzy Bob and Leanna]

That's undoubtedly the sweetest slide show I've ever seen!  Banjo is one lucky pup to have a loving owner!  Loved the song too....perfect about the way we feel about our Doodle boys!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Wow Banjo is living it up! LOVE the picture! Glad you are all safe fro the storms and a naughty doodle! Congrats Banjo!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Oh my I love this photo!!!  What a lucky dood!

[Carol and Banjo]

Joanne- The good days have to come soon!!!   Last year's spring/summer and fall spoiled us I think.  We can only hope!!!!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Enjoying all  the pictures coming through who would have known you were all going through this bad weather.  For me, it was just perfect. Picture perfect.  Loved all the beach/Banjo photos showing up each day.

As for taking a vacation after this long and stressful winter .... well it looks as though 'We Can Run, But We Can't Hide' and there is no rest for the weary.  No one in the East is getting a break, but seems as though what little breaks that are out there you were able to take advantage of.

Banjo, I am proud of you.  Oh and MIL--you've done good too!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

So glad you had a SAFE trip!! And Banjo you are such a good boy!! Who couldn't just LOVE you!

[ERIC A. NATER]

I like the Southport area also, and Wimington probably has more of life's conveniences than some of those other areas.  You are right about things like state income tax, and insurance.  I moved up here from Florida, and enjoyed the lack of state tax, although because of Hurricanes being prevalent in the area I lived, the insurance rates were also high.  I know every time I have been to the Coast the people have always been very friendly, and the Seafood excellent.  I hope things work out for you because the Winters are definitely more mild than where you live, and Banjo sure does look good on the Beach!!!

 

[Carol and Banjo]

Thanks guys.  Eric - We looked at Edenton, Beaufort, New Bern, Oriental and Wilmington & Southport.  So many nice areas...we came away liking Wilmington and the Southport area most.  We're planning another trip down later in the year to do more looking around.  NH has no state income tax and our homeowner insurance costs are minimal as compared to coastal areas in NC so we have that to consider.  We do want to be somewhere down south in the near future.  We met so many friendly, wonderful people on our trip!

Except for the Saturday we arrived the weather was magnificent!   It heartbreaking to hear of so many lives affected by the crazy storms down there.  Our hearts go out to all.

[ERIC A. NATER]

I love Banjo's picture!!!  I am sorry to hear that you got there during the worse weather in 40 years.  You did not mention if you found an area along the Coast that you thought you might want to move to.  I know that was one of the things you wanted to do on this trip.  If so, which area did you like the most, and are you still considering a move there?  Banjo looks like a happy Beach Dog, and I bet he got a lot of attention, and I am sure he made a good impression on all of them as well.