We had the fortune of living in North Carolina with Kiraly and Kyzer for about a year. The experience was amazing, mostly because North Carolina boasts many trails and outdoor experiences across the entire state. You can start with beaches and the shoreline and end up by the evening in the mountains. My parents lived in Durham/ Chapel Hill area which meant that you could get to either side of the state in a couple hours since it was so central.

North Carolinian’s do love their dogs, so a big plus living in the state was the ability to take your beloved with you out on a long walk, to one of their many dog parks, or out for lunch at a local restaurant. Where my parents lived was even further into the North Carolina country of Cedar Grove, where both dogs were able to roam with their cousins Pookah (my dog I got at 16!) and Rusty, my brothers dog growing up. Both of them were cared for by my parents as my brother and I went to college and traveled. It was a great day when we were able to visit – and even better bringing Kyzer and Kiraly!

Kiraly loved chasing Rusty in the yard. She listened much better than he did to us and as a natural herder, would keep him close when we were in the front yard during a bonfire or walking the front field. The area is full of beautiful rolling hills – and if you want to venture further into the state, mountains! Many parks have wonderful trails, but be aware that ticks and fleas are real and abundant. Make sure to take your dog to the vet at least annually and keep up to date with their heartworm, flea, and tick regiments. Don’t assume it will only be the dogs that get ticks, either! We would wear long sleeves and tuck in our pants into boots to avoid ticks crawling up into shorts. No one wants to deal with ticks – trust us!

It was very hot and humid during the summer months in North Carolina, like a lot of the south, so make sure to brush out your dog if they have longer hair and if appropriate, shave it off! Pookah was a Jack Russell Terrier and had very rough long hair that I would shave off late Spring. It allowed him to feel cooler when running around the backyard and he would grow it slowly back by winter when it would help keep him insulated when he burrowed out in the snow!

Both of our dogs enjoy the snow, though no dog nearly as much as Kyzer. Kiraly did appreciate it but would come inside after a while; meanwhile Kyzer is lying in the snow while it continues to snow. To each their own! The best part of North Carolina was you could enjoy all four seasons with many different parks and outdoor opportunities as I’ve ever seen in one state.