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!

[Frannie & Callie]

Banjo is just too cute!

[Camilla and Darwin]

That is an adorable photo!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

From the looks of your pictures Banjo had a wonderful time!!!  Gracie is a perfect traveler too.  We have done quite a few 8 hour drives and she does perfectly.  I love being able to take her with us..it is the best ever!

[Bonnie and Kona]

What a cute photo!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Glad all was well and you are safe and sound. Banjo is a trooper.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I HATE that trip to the beach. There is always a huge traffic jam and bumper to bumper traffic. I don't think there is a way to avoid it and on top of that, sounds like you had incredibly bad weather to travel in. Glad you made it safely to your destination. Of course, Banjo won the heart of your MIL. How could he not? Good Banjo.

[Dori & Rua]

I just love when DMIL's come around.  How could she note, with how darn cute and well behaved Banjo is.

 

My DH has a sister and another brother, so after years of being the only couple that didn't have a dog, we are now the only couple that does have a dog.  I tolerated having BIG, shedding dogs and anti-cat dogs stay with me for holidays.  The other couples always brought their dogs up for visits when we lived in Northern MN and they would stay with my DMIL.  So, when we fly out to FL for a visit in February where all of the couples would be there, we brought Rua.  There were 3 couples, DMIL and the adult child of one couple and Rua in a small little townhouse.

 

Rua is welcome back!

[Carol and Banjo]

Ahhhh Quincy......looks like you have a "convert"!    Donna....I was afraid of the salt and sand mess...but was surprised at how easily he seemed to shed the sand.  The house we stayed in had a nice enclosed deck and once we got off the beach we'd sit out there to "dry" and Banjo would give a good shake or two....I ran the brush thru him and he was clean!   Much better than I imagined!

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

Talk about trial by fire (and wind, and rain, and non-believers!)...You are a champ, Banjo!  Good show for your entire family and doodle -buds!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

What a good doodle you are, Banjo! Thanks for helping to improve your Grandma's feelings about dogs!