Four Dogs and A Brunette
Moving with 5 Dogs: From Southeastern NC to Florida’s Gulf Coast
If there’s one thing I could tell you about having multiple dogs, it’s this: Life is rarely boring. My partner is a Marine whose active duty contract ended in 2024. This meant we had to move, and not only did we have to move but his terminal leave was denied which meant, you guessed it, I had to move our entire life by myself (with the help of my dad). Given all of the circumstances, I knew this wouldn’t be an average road trip.
Let’s be honest, my little Jeep Patriot was not the most ideal to move our 5 dogs and a bunch of boxes, so we divided the load. By that, I definitely mean my dad loaded a 26-foot moving truck to the brim and then took 2 of the dogs; Phoebe (the Shepherd/Husky/Malinois mix) and Albus (the Sheltie), in the cab of the truck with him. I was left with the last 3; Millie (the Great Dane), Azzie (the Pit/Lab) and Marley (the Labrador Retriever). We made it work, but that’s not without a minor incident.
The Burger King Incident
It was just after dawn when we made our first stop, a very average Burger King parking lot, where coffee and breakfast sandwiches called our names. As I was taking a sip of my coffee, I caught out of the corner of my eye, a giant blur escaping out of the Jeep window. Millie, in all her lanky, curious glory, was jumping out of the partially rolled-down window.
The moment was pure chaos. I ran out of the dining area and outside, screaming at Millie; who instead of waiting for me to open the car door jumped back inside through the window. A quick headcount confirmed my fear, another dog was missing. I’m sure I looked absolutely psychotic running around the parking lot, and honestly, the Burger King employee that was less than helpful. I finally found Azzie and had to bribe him with a sausage biscuit to get back into the car. Let me tell you, the windows stayed up for the rest of the trip, lesson learned.
The Drive South
The rest of the journey was smoother, though “smooth” is relative when road-tripping with the pack of dogs. The pack took turns snuggling in the back of the Jeep and rotating between the passenger seat. We also were traveling without A/C so the windows stayed down and we received several looks with dog heads out the window.
Each stop along the way was a production: Leashes, water bowls, and plenty of curious stares from other travelers. I get it though, it’s not every day you see someone traveling with a mini zoo.
Hotel Life With Four Dogs
We spent a night in a hotel in Auburn, Alabama. As if our trip hadn’t been exciting enough with the Burger King escape. Picture this: a tiny room, five dogs, and two very tired humans.
Marley immediately laid claim to one of the beds, which let’s be honest, I didn’t argue about. Phoebe decided the couch was the coziest spot to sleep, while Millie found the smallest corner to cram her giant body into. And the boys? They didn’t really get along so they slept in separate quarters, Albus in a kennel for safety and Azzie in the bathroom so he didn’t try to bite anyone (we’ll have another blog about the dog aggression but for now, know it was the best choice).
Despite cramped quarters, it was a surprisingly peaceful night. Dogs have a way of making anywhere feel like home, and their presence was a comforting constant amidst the upheaval.
Getting To The Florabama
The rest of the trip was as uneventful as I had dreamed it could be. When we finally rolled into the Gulf Coast, it was like a breath of fresh air. Warm breezes, and the promise of a new chapter awaited us. The dogs explored their new yard with wagging tails, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for their companionship throughout the move.
Moving is never easy, but with my five dogs by my side, every challenge came with a little bit of humor, a lot of love, and a reminder that life’s best adventures are often the messiest.
Here’s to new beginnings, and maybe fewer parking lot escapes in the future.
Let’s make this place home,
The Brunette