I’m glad things seem to be looking up. 
How is Mort doing?
Status Quo. He’s eating well. I’ve found a few solid poops in his litter box (it’s possible Bob picks out all the really primo ones). He’s still not cleaning himself very well. I’m thinking of giving him a bath. That would be pretty fun. Here he is with his face stuck in his kibble.
I’m glad he’s doing so well!
We’re down to the short strokes on home ownership. I pick up the check tomorrow and by the end of the day I’ll be living in a motel (temporarily) - which brings up the issue with Mort. First of all I have a line on a couple of different places in the city, one of which seems promising - so much so that I may be in by next week. It is available immediately and I applied about an hour after it was listed on Craigslist. In the meantime, as I said the plan is for a pet friendly motel in the short term. I’ve found out, however, that most pet friendly places are only friendly toward dogs and not cats.
I just talked to my sister and she’s adamant that she can’t take care of Mort as she’s deathly allergic, but she found a place a couple towns away that do rescues and fosters and other cat type services, so that will be a thing I have to take care of tomorrow too.
Holy shit. The new owner will be here on Wednesday. I have the majority of my stuff in storage right now but I will still have to pack up a ton of shit tomorrow while taking care of all that other shit. Yay.
I’m in a pretty good place right now despite the chaos. I think the freedom of the money I’m about to have available to me and my new motto: “Steer into it,” is helping me tons right now. Lexipro too.
Wishing you, Bob, and Morty a smooth transition tomorrow.
Best wishes to all of you. I really like that picture of Mort. 
My bestest little buddy Mort is gone. I’m feeling much better about it today - I was a goddamned blubbering wreck yesterday - but Bob and I will carry on.
This thread shall now act as my Travelog, temporarily. Plans have been put in place. In the morning, I’m hitting the road. Everything I own is either in a storage unit or sitting right next to me in this motel room. I have developed a half-assed plan. Mike Tyson once said, “everybody has plan until they get punched in the mouth,” a saying I try to remember whenever I try to make plans. That said, in the morning I will be checking out of the motel and hitting the road, on the way to see my parents in the People’s Democratic Republic of Florida. I’m going to take my time and probably spend a little more money than I should, but fuck it. My first stop is going to be somewhere north of DC - I’m thinking a quaint little spot in Delaware or something.
The next day, weather, traffic, world events and parking permitting, I’d like spend some time in the nation’s capital. That may mean just driving around and oohing and aahing, or getting out and walking around with Bob for a little while.
At the end of the day, I’ll drive to Fredericksburg and stay over night. The next day I could very easily make it down to Florida but I think I’ll hit the coast and make stop somewhere near Myrtle Beach. Then on to The Villages.
I had a really good conversation with my mom last night after a testy one earlier in the day; I had called before I had to bring Mort in but she couldn’t talk at the moment and I got upset. But - one of the best conversations with mom I’ve had in a long time. I can’t wait to get down and see my parents - I missed them completely for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
So … if you’re an open-minded, free-wheeling, live by the seat of your pants Doper along the route, I may be convinced to stop in for a visit.
I’m sorry to hear about Mort. Did you place him somewhere or did his health fail?
It sounds like you’ve got some exciting times ahead. I wish I was along the route. I would definitely like to say hi and meet you and Bob. Maybe on your West Coast tour. I’ll keep an eye out for further updates to your travelogue. 
Look over here: Pet pictures! - #1049 by Jack_Batty
My deepest condolences about Mort. I’m glad your last days together were good ones.
i’m sorry. i hope you and bob can find comfort together and remember the good times with mort.
Well, I’m sorry to hear about Mort. Enjoy the trip. I always said I wanted to do exactly what you’re doing, ie: road trip, see the Capitol, etc.
I hope it goes as well for you as I always hoped it would for me.
Be safe. Hug Bob.
First day of road trip is done. I’m in Bear, DE. Bob was excellent in the car - a true road dog. And he’s a fine motel guest as well. I’ve got a room with two queen beds - one for me one for Bob.
I got a little lost around NYC, as usual. I had this idea that I want to go across the Tappan Zee bridge (or whatever it’s called now) and half-way there I thought I should have just drove through Manhattan for the hell of it. I had another chance to hit the city when I saw a “last exit before GW Bridge” as I drove around lost in New Jersey, but I just headed south. Probably a good thing. There’s the anxiety of kicking off this road trip and spending a good eight hours on the road; I’m glad I’m at the hotel early. Tomorrow, I see what I want to do about visiting DC. I’ll for sure drive around for a little bit - we’ll see if it’s a walking around day.
Hey, thanks for posting, and best of luck to you and Bob. Very sorry to hear about Mort, I did see your tribute in the other thread but was at a loss for words.
Please keep us informed about your progress and remember: pictures, pictures, pictures! Pictures are everything in keeping us in sync with your travels!
Thanks, I’ve been trying to remain Zen about Mort. I think I’m still on the first D in DABDA. I was looking at pictures of him a little while ago and I was feeling a little down. He was such a good cat. I was never a cat person until I got him.
I think Bob and I are going to hit the National Mall tomorrow if the weather is nice enough for a brisk walk around. I promise pics.
Just FYI, if you’re heading down to The Villages via US 301, beware the towns of Lawtey and Waldo – huge speed trap towns.
I would have included Starke in that list but they built a nice by-pass around it.
Thanks for the tip. I’ve driven from there going north once and didn’t run into any problems.
So far I’m not quite dialing into this trip. I still feel like I’m on an agenda and not freewheeling like I planned. Here it is 6:30 in the morning and I’m up, fed, and ready to go, like I have be somewhere or I’ll get fired. Plans for the day are to find a pet store nearby and load up with supplies (I especially need some portable bowls for water) and then head in to DC, find a parking garage near the National Mall and make a day of it - at least until I get tired.
Bobby Motel Dog
You have my deepest sympathies for Mort. Just know you gave him a great life. And have wonderful travels with Bob.
I look forward to seeing more pics of your journey.
You’ve had some pretty big stresses in a short period of time, and you’re trying something completely new. It may take a little while to settle into it.