Snowbird Lifestyle, Cuisine, Entertainment and Travel
Seville Quarter, downtown Pensacola, Florida Creative Vehicle Options for Snowbirds Car sharing and multi-month leases As snowbirds age, transportation to and from their winter communities is increasingly a concern. Perhaps a solo or snowbird couple want to fly to their destination, but aren’t aware of …
From Snowflake to Snowbird A Mini Report from a Former Snowflake I wasn’t familiar with “snowflakes,” which are a variation of snowbirds, until a reader contacted me about it. Online Artificial intelligence (AI) defines the primary difference between snowbirds and snowflakes as the former have …
This is the fourth of a multi-part series. The first was Florida vs. Arizona, the second is Florida vs. Texas and third is Florida vs. Hawaii. Florida is such a huge, 450 mile long, state that there's major differences within the North, Central and South regions. I already stated in my original post of Florida compared with Arizona and other popular snowbird destinations as follows:
"Let's begin by addressing the obvious. It makes the most sense that if your primary home is on the West Coast that you choose a snowbird community that is also on the West Coast. Right? Investing yourself in an area will be a long term pursuit if you choose wisely and getting there is a huge consideration of where to go. If unsure, then try out different options and see what works best. I highly doubt most snowbirds will repeat a trip from say, Indiana, Michigan or Ohio to Arizona more than once or twice. It's a long, multi-day drive. I'm not a gambler, but if I was, I would put high odds on what I refer to as the big slide. Most snowbirds slide south to their winter destinations.
My region in Northwest Florida primarily attracts people from the Northern Midwest states with a sprinkling of other areas mixed in. Most of my friends and acquaintances drive south on Interstate 65 all the way to our panhandle community. The last thing I want to do is spend more time on the road trip than absolutely necessary, especially with a dog on board.
If an individual or couple does not have pets or a lot of absolutely necessary belongings, flying is a possibility. But, there's more than meets the eye with that and unless you have no other option, such as a medical condition or choosing Hawaii for your winter destination, a road trip makes the most sense for all of the snowbirds I've ever encountered.
Traveling to your snowbird community is a major factor, but the cost of living and weather are also significant. More than one conversation with future snowbirds has taken place about "Which is better?" types of scenarios. This post is the second of several that will discuss "Which is better?" of two regions within the State of Florida. Florida is the long recognized gold standard of snowbird destinations. It is the king of the country for popularity attracting seasonal residents such as snowbirds and many consider South Florida the premier choice for snowbirds. However, South Florida is not the only option and for many, it's not the best option for their own personal circumstances and needs.
Within Florida, there's quite a difference of weather, travel and costs. Keep in mind, the further south you venture in the winter the rates go up because it is peak season. North Florida's peak season is summer and rates are highest at that time, especially around the Fourth of July holiday.
Here I will briefly provide the facts of three topics: weather, costs and ease of travel comparing North Florida with Southern Florida. Examples of Northern communities include Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Panama City, Destin and Pensacola. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama are popular with snowbirds and are included here as a western extension of North Florida. South Florida communities include Key West and the Keys, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Naples, Fort Myers and Sarasota. Central communities such as Tampa, Daytona Beach, Ocala, Melbourne and Orlando fall somewhere in-between for weather and travel. As always, weigh everything carefully and do your own research. The general information provided here is for a basic overview of what to expect and not intended to be specific for my readers.
To review, Florida is the number one hottest state in the US with an average temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit in 2024. Winters in Florida are mild and summers are hot and humid. July is the hottest month of the year in Florida, averaging 90 to 92 degrees and frequently exceeding 100 degrees.
I selected two coastal areas to compare data based on snowbird popularity and available data. There is no quick method to compare the entire Northern vs. Southern regions, so two communities were chosen. Of course Miami Beach has a much larger snowbird and general population, but it also provides a fair representation of South Florida's weather. Of the Northern snowbird communities, Destin-Fort Walton provides a fair representation of the weather and snowbird population.
The charts below show the maximum, minimum and average temperatures by month for Miami Beach and Destin-Fort Walton. In December, the average temperature in Destin-Fort Walton is 57.6 (°F) vs. 71.9 (°F) for Miami Beach for a difference of 14.3 degrees. The average temperature in Destin-Fort Walton in January is 54.2 (°F) vs. 68.6 (°F) for Miami Beach, a difference of 14.4 degrees. For February, the average temperature in Destin-Fort Walton is 56.8 (°F) vs. 70.2 (°F) for Miami Beach, a difference of 13.4 degrees.
A popular snowbird destination, Destin-Fort Walton is located on the Gulf Coast in Northern Florida and the chart below shows the mean temperatures from 2006 to 2020, which is the most recent information available from the source.
| Month | MAX TEMP (°F) | MIN TEMP (°F) | AVG TEMP (°F) | PRECIP (IN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62.4 | 45.9 | 54.2 | 4.07 |
| Feb | 64.8 | 48.9 | 56.8 | 5.35 |
| Mar | 70.3 | 55.2 | 62.8 | 3.64 |
| Apr | 76.3 | 61.9 | 69.1 | 5.05 |
| May | 83.0 | 69.1 | 76.1 | 3.73 |
| Jun | 88.5 | 75.7 | 82.1 | 4.85 |
| Jul | 89.9 | 77.3 | 83.6 | 6.06 |
| Aug | 89.8 | 77.3 | 83.6 | 6.38 |
| Sep | 87.6 | 74.0 | 80.8 | 5.07 |
| Oct | 80.8 | 64.5 | 72.7 | 3.11 |
| Nov | 71.3 | 53.3 | 62.3 | 3.36 |
| Dec | 65.5 | 49.6 | 57.6 | 5.69 |
Miami Beach on the Atlantic Coast is most populated in South Florida and the chart below shows the mean temperatures from 2006 to 2020, which is the most recent information available from the source.
| Month | MAX TEMP (°F) | MIN TEMP (°F) | AVG TEMP (°F) | PRECIP (IN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 75.3 | 61.9 | 68.6 | 2.05 |
| Feb | 76.2 | 64.2 | 70.2 | 2.70 |
| Mar | 77.3 | 65.9 | 71.6 | 2.18 |
| Apr | 81.1 | 71.1 | 76.1 | 3.93 |
| May | 83.6 | 74.4 | 79.0 | 6.38 |
| Jun | 86.7 | 76.7 | 81.7 | 6.91 |
| Jul | 88.5 | 78.2 | 83.3 | 7.46 |
| Aug | 88.6 | 78.7 | 83.6 | 8.19 |
| Sep | 87.5 | 77.7 | 82.6 | 8.04 |
| Oct | 84.8 | 75.1 | 79.9 | 7.53 |
| Nov | 80.1 | 68.9 | 74.5 | 3.65 |
| Dec | 77.4 | 66.3 | 71.9 | 2.70 |
Source: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/
Miami Beach in the Southeast Atlantic Coast area of Florida boasts an average of 252 sunny days per year. This makes it a fantastic choice for year-round outdoor activities, especially in the mild winters. Miami Beach averages 127 days per year of some sort of precipitation and summers are typically very hot and humid with temperatures in the 70's, 80's and 90's. The average number of rainy days is 59 inches compared to the US average of 38 inches. There is an average of zero inches of snow.
Source: https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/fl/miami_beach
By contrast, Destin, Florida in the Northwest Gulf Coast area of the state has 226 sunny days per year compared with the US average of 205 days. Destin receives an average of 66 inches of rain per year compared with the average in the US of 38 inches. Destin is also hot and humid in the summer with temperatures in the 70s and 80's. There is an average of zero inches of snow.
Source: https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/fl/destin
Florida is known as the "Sunshine State," and has an average of 66% sunny days per year and an average of 101 clear days and 2,927 sunny hours, making it ninth of the states in the US. Data was measured in Tampa, Florida located on the Western Peninsular side of Central Florida. For comparison, Arizona is by far the top state in the US for sun exposure and has the highest percentage of sunny days at 85% and an average of 193 clear days per year. Arizona's average number of 3,806 sunny hours per year is followed by Nevada and New Mexico respectively with 79% and 76% to round out the top three. Data was measured in Tucson, Arizona located on the southern border.
States with the highest percentage of sunny days in descending order are: Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Hawaii, California, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Florida, Georgia, Utah, Kansas, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota and Virginia. Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Nebraska each have an average of 61% sunny days per year. Alaska has the least percentage of measured sunny days at 41%.
Sources: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/sunniest-states
A popular snowbird destination, Destin-Fort Walton is located on the Gulf Coast in Northern Florida and the chart below shows the precipitation in inches from 2006 to 2020, which is the most recent information available from the source. For December, January and February, Destin-Fort Walton Beach has 15.11 inches, which is about twice as much as Miami Beach with an average of 7.45 inches for the three months.
| Month | MAX TEMP (°F) | MIN TEMP (°F) | AVG TEMP (°F) | PRECIP (IN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62.4 | 45.9 | 54.2 | 4.07 |
| Feb | 64.8 | 48.9 | 56.8 | 5.35 |
| Mar | 70.3 | 55.2 | 62.8 | 3.64 |
| Apr | 76.3 | 61.9 | 69.1 | 5.05 |
| May | 83.0 | 69.1 | 76.1 | 3.73 |
| Jun | 88.5 | 75.7 | 82.1 | 4.85 |
| Jul | 89.9 | 77.3 | 83.6 | 6.06 |
| Aug | 89.8 | 77.3 | 83.6 | 6.38 |
| Sep | 87.6 | 74.0 | 80.8 | 5.07 |
| Oct | 80.8 | 64.5 | 72.7 | 3.11 |
| Nov | 71.3 | 53.3 | 62.3 | 3.36 |
| Dec | 65.5 | 49.6 | 57.6 | 5.69 |
Miami Beach on the Atlantic Coast is most populated in South Florida and the chart below shows the precipitation in inches from 2006 to 2020, which is the most recent information available from the source. For December, January and February, Miami has 7.45 inches.
| Month | MAX TEMP (°F) | MIN TEMP (°F) | AVG TEMP (°F) | PRECIP (IN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 75.3 | 61.9 | 68.6 | 2.05 |
| Feb | 76.2 | 64.2 | 70.2 | 2.70 |
| Mar | 77.3 | 65.9 | 71.6 | 2.18 |
| Apr | 81.1 | 71.1 | 76.1 | 3.93 |
| May | 83.6 | 74.4 | 79.0 | 6.38 |
| Jun | 86.7 | 76.7 | 81.7 | 6.91 |
| Jul | 88.5 | 78.2 | 83.3 | 7.46 |
| Aug | 88.6 | 78.7 | 83.6 | 8.19 |
| Sep | 87.5 | 77.7 | 82.6 | 8.04 |
| Oct | 84.8 | 75.1 | 79.9 | 7.53 |
| Nov | 80.1 | 68.9 | 74.5 | 3.65 |
| Dec | 77.4 | 66.3 | 71.9 | 2.70 |
Source: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/
The Cost of Living Index indicates North Florida is much more affordable than South Florida for housing and groceries. Miami Beach on the Atlantic Coast specifically is 39% higher than the national average; 140% higher for housing, 11% higher for groceries and 5% higher for utilities than the national average. Transportation is just 1% higher than the national average. The median home price in Miami Beach is 1,244,151 US dollars.
Source: https://www.payscale.com/cost-of-living-calculator/Florida-Miami-Beach
By contrast, the Pensacola area of North Florida located on the Gulf Coast is below the national average for housing and groceries. Pensacola is a coastal city located in the Northwest area of the state and overall it is 13% lower than the national average; 25% lower for housing, 14% lower for groceries and 11% higher for utilities. Transportation is just 2% higher than the national average. The median home price in Pensacola is 391,297 US dollars.
Source: https://www.payscale.com/cost-of-living-calculator/Florida-Pensacola
For an overall comparison by state, Florida is slightly more expensive than the national average with a Cost of Living Index of 102.8. The State of Hawaii is by far the most expensive state due to the whopping cost of living index of 186.9. For comparison, the state with the lowest score for 2024 is West Virginia at 84.1.
Source: https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series
Florida has a distance of about 450 miles north to south with about 400 miles in the East/West upper portion of the state. No other state in the continental US can come close to Florida's 1,146 miles of shoreline. The peninsula of Florida is surrounded by the Gulf of America and Atlantic Ocean. Florida is almost 66,000 square miles and does not have any international border.
Because of North Florida's geographical proximity to the remaining states in the Continental US, it is the easiest to reach by vehicle. Traveling to the southern regions of Florida by vehicle can add an extra day of travel to and from your destination. If physical mobility for you and/or your passengers and pets is an issue, it's a consideration when determining where to spend your time as a snowbird.
Florida has three major North/South interstate highways that will take you where you want to be.
Interstate 95: Carolinas and Eastern Peninsular Florida
Interstate 75: Georgia, Central and Western Peninsular Florida
Interstate 65: Northwest Florida and Alabama
--M. Scott Peck, American Psychiatrist
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Drone view of gorgeous coastal waters of Miramar Beach in Northwest Florida. Both Florida and Hawaii are known for miles of scenic coastline and colorful hues Florida Vs. Hawaii A Comparison of Weather, Cost of Living Index and Ease of Travel by Vehicle This is …
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Let's begin by addressing the obvious. It makes the most sense that if your primary home is on the West Coast that you choose a snowbird community that is also on the West Coast. Right? Investing yourself in an area will be a long term pursuit if you choose wisely and getting there is a huge consideration of where to go. If unsure, then try out different options and see what works best. I highly doubt most snowbirds will repeat a trip from say, Indiana, Michigan or Ohio to Arizona more than once or twice. It's a long, multi-day drive. I'm not a gambler, but if I was, I would put high odds on what I refer to as the big slide. Most snowbirds slide south to their winter destinations.
My region in Northwest Florida primarily attracts people from the Northern Midwest states with a sprinkling of other areas mixed in. Most of my friends and acquaintances drive south on Interstate 65 all the way to our panhandle community. The last thing I want to do is spend more time on the road trip than absolutely necessary, especially with a dog on board.
If an individual or couple does not have pets or a lot of absolutely necessary belongings, flying is a possibility. But, there's more than meets the eye with that and unless you have no other option, such as a medical condition or choosing Hawaii for your winter destination, a road trip makes the most sense for all of the snowbirds I've ever encountered.
Traveling to your snowbird community is a major factor, but the cost of living and weather are also significant. More than one conversation with future snowbirds has taken place about "Which is better?" types of scenarios. This post is the first of several that will discuss "Which is better?" of two states. Florida is the long recognized gold standard of snowbird destinations. It is the king of the country for popularity attracting seasonal residents such as snowbirds. However, it is not the only option and for many, it's not the best option for their own personal circumstances and needs.
Here I will briefly provide the facts of three topics: weather, costs and ease of travel comparing Florida with Arizona. As always, weigh everything carefully and do your own research. The general information provided here is for a basic overview of what to expect and not intended to be specific for my readers.
Florida is the number one hottest state in the US with an average temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit in 2024. Arizona is ranked number eleven at 62.5 degrees Fahrenheit in 2024. In-between are Louisiana, Texas, Hawaii, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Alaska is the least hot with an average temperature of 27.8. Winters in Florida are mild and summers are hot and humid. July is the hottest month of the year in Florida. Temperatures in Arizona in June, July and August average 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Phoenix, but are more mild in other parts of the state. Some parts of Arizona have snow in the winter.
Sources: Climate at a Glance, StateWide Mapping - National Centers for Environmental Information
Annual Weather Averages: Hawaii - Holiday Weather
Humid heat always makes temperatures feel hotter and more stifling because the high moisture in the air makes it difficult for sweat to evaporate from human skin. However, humid temperatures are generally better for sinuses and can decrease symptoms of asthma and allergies. In a dry climate, you may sweat more than in humid heat, but may not notice because the moisture evaporates from skin more quickly. It is easier to become dehydrated in dry climates.
Although Florida is known as the "Sunshine State," Arizona is by far the top state in the US for sun exposure and has the highest percentage of sunny days at 85% and an average of 193 clear days per year. Arizona's average number of 3,806 sunny hours per year is followed by Nevada and New Mexico respectively with 79% and 76% to round out the top three. Data was measured in Tucson, Arizona located on the southern border.
Florida has an average of 66% sunny days per year and an average of 101 clear days and 2,927 sunny hours, making it ninth of the states in the US. Data was measured in Tampa, Florida located on the Western Peninsular side of Central Florida. In-between Arizona and Florida for sunny days in descending order are: Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Hawaii, California, Oklahoma and Wyoming. Alaska has the least number of measured sunny days at 41%.
Sources: Average Annual Sunshine by State - Current ResultsSunniest States in the U.S. - Stacker
The UV index is a measure of the strength of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Arizona and Florida both have very high UV rays and are each rated as a "ten," however, Arizona edges out Florida for highest with 3,728 vs. 3,636 average daily UV Irradiance 2015. Other states with a ten rating for UV rays are California and Nevada. With the highest score of 11, Hawaii is the state closest to the Equator and thus has the most intense UV rays. Alaska is the lowest with a score of one.
Skin cancer, premature aging and other health problems are all linked to prolonged UV exposure of the sun. Precautions such as using sunblock and avoiding sun and UV exposure should be taken to lower the risk of sun-related health issues.
Source: EPH Tracking
Although the states of Arizona and Florida are slightly more expensive than the national average, Florida's cost of living index edged out Arizona. Arizona's Cost of Living Index is 111.5 and Florida's score is lower at 102.8. Information included here is the most current "Composite Cost of Living Index 2024 Annual Average" published by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.
For comparison, the State of Hawaii has the highest cost of living index with a whopping 186.9 and the state with the lowest score for 2024 is West Virginia at 84.1. My home state of Indiana is a reasonable 90.5 which is similar to Michigan's 90.4 and Iowa at 89.7. Other cold weather Midwestern states have scores as follows: Wisconsin, 97.0; Minnesota, 95.1; Illinois, 94.4; Ohio, 94.2 and Missouri, 88.7.
Northeastern states are all very high cost of living scores as follows: Massachusetts, 145.9; Washington D.C., 141.9; New York, 123.3; Maryland, 115.3; New Jersey, 114.6; Vermont, 114.4; New Hampshire, 112.6; Connecticut, 112.3; Rhode Island, 112.2; Maine, 112.1; Delaware, 100.8 and Pennsylvania, 95.1.
Northwestern states range from a high of California, 144.8; Alaska, 123.8; Washington, 114.2; Oregon, 112.0, Utah, 104.9; Colorado, 102.0; Idaho, 102.0; Nevada, 101.3; Wyoming, 95.5; Montana, 94.9; Nebraska, 93.1; South Dakota, 92.2; North Dakota, 91.9 and Kansas, 87.0.
Source: https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series
The short answer is what major North/Southbound artery can you access without too much trouble? If you are located in the Western half of the US and Canada, Arizona is most logical for your road trip destination. If you are coming from the Eastern half of the US and Canada, Florida is better. The population in the middle US and Canada have the biggest decision to make and it will likely be based on your own personal circumstances.
From East to West, this is the rundown of the major North/South arteries and where you'll end up. Note: There is no direct North/South interstate that travels directly to the heart of Arizona! To get to Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona, greater Phoenix, Tucson and other popular destinations, take Interstates 25 or 15 and then cut over to where you want to be in Arizona. Because of the lack of a direct North/South interstate to Arizona, Florida takes the win.
Interstate 95: Carolinas and Eastern Peninsular Florida
Interstate 75: Georgia, Central and Western Peninsular Florida
Interstate 65: Northwest Florida and Alabama
Interstate 55: Louisiana and Mississippi
Interstate 45: Eastern Texas
Interstate 35: Middle Texas
Interstate 25: Western Texas and New Mexico
Interstate 15: Northwest Arizona, Nevada and Southern California
Interstate 5: Southern California
--Cyd Charisse, American dancer and actress
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
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Eight years ago we excitedly brought our strong, stubborn, energetic male Golden Retriever puppy, Bodie, to the beach for his very first experience as a snowbird dog. At the time we were leasing a gorgeous condo and I was nervous about our puppy chewing up the furniture and anything else he shouldn't be doing. He did great and confidently navigated life in his new home. His nickname is "Balcony Bodie" due to his love then and now watching the activity on the beach, street and sidewalk below. Heartbreakingly, this season will be Bodie's last. I'm grateful for the time to be with my boy in the sunset of his life, but it just isn't enough no matter how it plays out. I'm not ready to let go.
I recently came across photos from our time in Northwest Florida in late Autumn of this year when Bodie was so strong, stubborn, vibrant. He was seemingly so healthy, happy and playful. Nothing seemed anything but ordinary. In June Bo had a knee replacement and was finally rehabbed to the point where he could take longer walks again and traverse the access ramp to walk in the sand along the shore. In August Bodie passed his annual wellness exam. I had no idea there would be such a dramatic, insidious change around the corner.
We returned from the beach to our primary home in mid November and noticed Bodie was drinking more water than usual. Then it became a lot more thirst over the next couple of weeks to the point of excess. Not too alarmed, we recognized the weather was changing to winter and there were no other indicators of environmental factors, so we brought Bo to his lifelong vet.
Bodie's experienced team ran tests such as blood work, urinalysis and an ultrasound. His doctor wanted to rule out several diseases, of which there were many possibilities. Unfortunately, Bodie became increasingly lethargic with each passing day. He no longer sat up to eat the homecooked special diet of rice and protein that we fed him out of necessity. Instead he leaned over his bowl while lying down. Bodie was weak, listless and slept constantly. We kept him covered all the time with a large warm beach towel. When the body has fewer functions such as digestion of standard food and generating heat, it can redirect energy to survival.
Bodie was spiraling downhill very quickly and we felt so helpless. He slept endlessly and was totally withdrawn. Zero interest in food, socializing or anything else that a healthy dog enjoys. He just lay there, at times we weren't sure he was still breathing. It was scary and depressing. Bodie began vocalizing in the night and we (mistakenly) thought he was in pain. So he began an anti-inflammatory medication that also reduces pain. Nothing seemed to help our boy and we were stressing out and upset that our baby was in such bad condition.
Finally, our doctor scheduled a specialized ultrasound that was performed by a Doctor of Radiology who also aspirated Bodie's spleen and liver. Bodie's vet said spleen cases such as his often improve if the spleen is removed. Except we learned Bodie was far too ill to qualify for any surgery. Based on the tests and ultrasound we received the devastating news that Bodie has cancer. An aggressive lymphoma of the liver and spleen that is inoperable because it had already spread. The silver lining was that Bo would be spared the trauma of surgery and recovery.
Our local team recommended taking Bodie to a specialty hospital 100+ miles away for an oncology appointment. Bodie was scheduled right away and the day of his evaluation he was so unwell he didn't pass the pre-treatment bloodwork. Bo didn't even lift his head, he just lay there under his beach towel on the floor of the exam room. His blood counts were indicating jaundice and liver issues and his new doctor had no other option than to inject him with an expensive medicine to try to get him into a state where he could receive chemotherapy. Bodie also began daily steroids. Our new doctor advised us the most ill patients have the worst survival rates. Not what I was hoping to hear.
The first injection was enough that the following week Bodie was able to complete his first chemotherapy treatment. He began to show improvement at home with the help of the steroids, anti-nausea meds and appetite stimulants. However, other complications such as diarrhea, incontinence and high blood pressure marred our victory. After trying probiotics and fiber to no avail, Bodie began a medication to treat the diarrhea. If his bp doesn't subside, he will also be on meds for that.
We've now completed Bodie's second chemo treatment. It has not been easy, but there is a small ray of hope that we can get a few more days, weeks or months with our baby. Our goal is for Bodie to not only feel better, but to be able to travel to the beach one last time. With Bo's chemo schedule, upon arrival in our southern community we will immediately meet with his southern oncology team, which is located about 60+ miles from our beach condo. Traveling with a dog that isn't ill is challenging enough, so this is unchartered territory, but we want to try for Bodie's sake and ours.
Fear of the unknown, the financial commitment, time commitment and much more are concerning, but we aren't ready to let go and Bodie has rallied enough that we hope for some warm weather so our boy can live out his last days in the sun and with the love of his snowbird community. Bodie has many human and dog friends and we want and need to be with them. Support for Dan and I is so important as we do our best to deal with the stress of a terminally ill family member. Our message is not that there is hope Bodie will be cured or that there will be some miracle. There won't be, it isn't medically possible. Perseverance and patience is what we hope for and grace that God will grant us some good days with our boy.
Many snowbirds like us have beloved pets that become very ill before and during the snowbird season. To those who are dealing with the illness and loss of their pets, we are so sorry. It is the hardest goodbye.
-- Winnie the Pooh: A fictional teddy bear created by English author A. A. Milne and English illustrator E. H. Shepard in 1925
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
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