September 19, 2014
How our sweet Lab, Bosco, brought us to Woodville

Bosco is our loveable black Lab, now 12 years old.

He weathered Katrina in MGB’s house in New Orleans, rising water and airborn tree limbs all around. MGB and I holed up in a New Orleans hotel, thinking at first that evacuation was unnecessary.

On the Tuesday following that Katrina Monday, we came to our senses. MGB (aka Robinson Crusoe) decided it would be a good idea if we left New Orleans. I think the children calling to say, “have you lost your mind” helped moved it along. MGB waded in to get Bosco, who swam, tethered, to safety at the edge of the French Quarter. And get out we did- with Bosco in the back of the car- we took the only way out- barrelling down Canal Street with the water coming in behind us- we went over the MS river bridge to Houston-the city was going under.

We drove through the night and ended up at a very distant relative’s house who wouldn’t let us keep Bosco with us- having no choice, we boarded him for 6 weeks.
Eventually, we returned home, but way before anything was approaching normal, no birds, no children’s laughter, National Guard trucks rolling down the streets. I said to MGB we need a tiny apt somewhere, so we can keep Bosco with us if this ever happens again.

MGD said he didn’t want a “second home,” but maybe a new renovation project. So in April, 2006 we bought the former Woodville Hotel. Well, I did get the apartment- but in the middle of the demolition, sheet rock dust and plumbing of this 14,000 sq ft building that had holes in the ceilings, floors and windows.
And that’s how I ended up in Woodville, MS. (Well the shortened version).
Bosco has the sweetest heart and it turns out, a wonderful sense of direction, he led us to our new life.