Doodles in Hawaii

[Bonnie and Kona]

We have been in Hawaii since July 3 and 4. Moving to Hawaii with dogs is incredibly complicated and stressful. For four months I fretted and worried that I would not cross every t and dot every i and my precious doodles would be quarantined! I worried so much I could not actually talk about it. My DD and I would begin a conversation regarding all that needed to be done to get them there and I would have to stop and take a break. Hawaii has no rabies so in order to keep it that way dog owners have many hoops to jump through. 

I flew with my DD and her doodle Owen on July 3. We could not figure out how to manage two airlines and two airports on one day so my DH flew with Kona on July 4. Kona was too heavy to fly on Alaska Airlines for $100. He had to fly United Cargo at over quadruple the price. Of course we don't know how the dogs did on the flight, but the joy of having them released into our waiting arms was obviously great for all of us. Kona didn't know it but my DH almost missed the fight due to computer delays at the cargo area! He ran full-out sprint with belt in hand and shoes untied to make the flight. He was the last person to board the plane.  Phew... Glad I didn't know what was happening until it was all safely concluded. 

The dogs still have not fully adjusted to being here. We try not to leave them in the house alone very often, but when we do they bark and howl. We have made friends with the teenaged girl behind our house. She will come over to pet and comfort them if we are gone more than an hour. This does not happen often, but some things just take time... like dealing with car repairs or the DMV. Need I say more? We think they are calming down with the arrival of our goods and the unpacking of boxes. 

Both Kona and Owen love, love, L.O.V.E the beach! They never stop smiling and they fetch the water toys we bought here over and over. We have to make them stop and they remind us over and over where the toys are waiting for us to throw them into the surf again. Owen swims like an otter. Kona loves to fetch more but his swimming style is a little less sleek. They come home covered in sand and have to get washed off including shampoo to get the sand off. If any of you have suggestions about how to best get sand off a doodle, I would love to hear it! My DH is still running with them every morning and at least four-five days a week they have been swimming at the beach.

Thank you for all the good wishes and questions about the move. Our DD has been immensely better since arriving. She has only had to be down two days and one of those was only half a day. After five years of Chronic Daily Migraines leaving her incapacitated all but perhaps two days a month, this is an incredible blessing. My head has been just great. It is almost alarming how much energy I have and how much I can accomplish without the constant companion of pain. 

My DH will be working two weeks here and then two in CA for the rest of this year. We are hoping he will end up here most of the time soon there after. 

Kona loves to fetch!

Owen and me loving the beach:

DH playing fetch with the doodles:

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I am so happy things are going well.  I hope your family's help continues to improve!  Beautiful photos.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I'm so happy the move went smoothly. I totally understand how stressed you must have been. I'm also happy that you and your DD are feeling  better. Here's to happy days in Hawaii!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Bonnie, It looks like you moved to Paradise! I am so happy that all of you and the dogs arrived safely.  Also, it is good to hear that your DD's health is improved, as is yours. Have fun and enjoy!!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Oh what great pictures, keep them coming! So glad you all made it safe and sound and it is great to hear that your daughter is much better! I hope Kona and Owen continue to adjust. How far are you from the beach?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Awesome. I didn't want to look at this at first because I knew I'd be jealous. And I am! Good for you for following you heart. Hawaii is clearly the place to be!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Wow, only two words ... paradise and jealous!  Hope you all our enjoying it. 

[Camilla and Darwin]

Paradise! Glad the move is done and now you can enjoy adjusting to your new home. :-) 

[Wendy and Myla]

So glad everything is working out!  I would love to live in Hawaii!!!  Are you in Kona??  How did Kona and Owen react to the salt water?  Myla loves swimming so much in fresh water and we are spending three weeks at the ocean this summer and I'm curious to see what her reaction will be to the salt water.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Ok Bonnie you have convinced me we need to move to Hawaii!  I am so happy for you, your family and Doodles that everything is going so nicely and especially your daughter and her migraines!  Your pictures are fantastic and make me a tad bit jealous, ok I will be honest, a LOT jealous!  Enjoy your new home and surroundings!  Hugs and love to you:)

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Wonderful!

When DH and I got married in Maui last Summer, we kept saying to each other "Luna would love it here".  Glad to see the doodles (and you) are loving it!