The power of a basenji

[Kipawa]

What an incredible experience this morning!

I usually drive across the Canada/US border for gas. Gas is so much cheaper in Washington state than our prices here. However, over the years I have been grilled with questions that make me feel like the border guards think I am a terrorist. Except today.

I headed down with Kipawa, seat belted in the front passenger seat. We got to the US border, and all the guard did was fawn all over Kipawa. She told me she was looking for a medium sized dog, she was very active, and she liked asking about dogs that come across the border. So I told her everything I could about basenjis. As I was talking to her I noticed/thought of two things:

1: The people in the cars behind me probably thought I was some kind of bad person that the border guards were 'onto', and
2. She had not asked me ANYTHING regarding why I was crossing the border, how long I would be, etc.

I wound up telling her I was going down for gas as we talked about Kipawa. She waved us on. I was laughing as I drove to the gas station, telling Kipawa he was born a charmer.

THEN coming back to the Canadian border, I got the same thing! I was only asked where I lived. Nothing about how long I had been in the US (5 minutes tops) and nothing about if I was bringing anything back. The entire conversation was about Kipawa. The border guard said she was sorry she didn't have any treats for him, how beautiful his coat was, his lovely eyes… it went on and on. It was rather hilarious.

SO.... from now on Kipawa comes with me on my gas trips! Stress free border crossings!

[tlish]

that's great! hope he works his charm for speeding tickets, too!

[Patty]

Basenji charm works wonders!!

[Basenjimamma]

Very nice…Basenji charm works wonders..

[curlytails]

Haha, cute story. And I'm amused by the idea that gas on our side of the border is cheaper!

While it was stress-free this time, I'm sure if you do it often enough, Kipawa is certainly going to make you more "memorable" … When it comes to authority figures, I'm not always sure that's a good thing.

[Kipawa]

@curlytails:

Haha, cute story. And I'm amused by the idea that gas on our side of the border is cheaper!

While it was stress-free this time, I'm sure if you do it often enough, Kipawa is certainly going to make you more "memorable" … When it comes to authority figures, I'm not always sure that's a good thing.

Yes, gas is waaaaay cheaper in Washington state. It's only a 5 minute drive for us to the Point Roberts border crossing. For example, I paid $1.19 for a gallon of premium, and here I would be paying $1.42 for a litre. That difference really adds up.

I've never had a problem wth authority figures of any kind. Sheesh, I am almost 53 and have been driving since I was 18 and I have never gotten a traffic ticket of any kind. Never been involved with the law in any way either. But maybe that clean slate makes them wonder…....?

Forgot to also mention that the grocery store in Point Roberts sells really good microwave pop corn, which is in its own a reason for me to go there. Pop corn is my drug of choice.

[LindaH]

@Kipawa:

For example, I paid $1.19 for a gallon of premium, and here I would be paying $1.42 for a litre.

$1.19??? Are you sure you don't mean $4.19 per gallon?

I don't know what the current exchange rate is, but last time I looked it was close to par. So, assuming the exchange rate IS at par, at $1.42 per litre, that would be equivalent to $5.375 per U.S. gallon ($1.42 x 3.785).

Or maybe you meant $1.19 per litre once you do the conversion from gallons back to litres? In which case, the price of a U.S. gallon would be around $4.50 ($1.19 x 3.785).

[Kipawa]

Ooops! Thanks LindaH. You are correct. The $1.19 IS a litre. I was forgetting that since Point Roberts gas stations get the majority of their business from Canadians, they list prices for litres. So, it's still a good savings - especially when you drive a sports car that doesn't have the best gas consumption.

[LindaH]

@Kipawa:

Point Roberts gas stations get the majority of their business from Canadians, they list prices for litres.

Interesting! Sorta like Hyder in Alaska…it's right next door to Stewart, B.C., and the only way to get to Hyder is through Stewart (by vehicle, anyway). Although Hyder is a U.S. town, everything is done in Canadian money.

[Kipawa]

@LindaH:

Interesting! Sorta like Hyder in Alaska…it's right next door to Stewart, B.C., and the only way to get to Hyder is through Stewart (by vehicle, anyway). Although Hyder is a U.S. town, everything is done in Canadian money.

Yes, that is exactly like Point Roberts, which is on a peninsula. There is a school there for up to grade 3, I believe. Anyone older than that gets bussed out of Point Roberts and through the Canadian border. I'm not sure if they are schooled in the Canadian town of Tsawwassen, or if they go all the way to the next border crossing, which would get them into Blaine or Bellingham in Washington state. In any event, what a huge thing to go through every day just to get to school!

[Scoops]

Bless him !!!!

I wish we could cross a border to get cheaper fuel !!!! It's crippling us over here !!!!! Certainly curtailing our showing activities !!!!

[Kipawa]

@Scoops:

Bless him !!!!

I wish we could cross a border to get cheaper fuel !!!! It's crippling us over here !!!!! Certainly curtailing our showing activities !!!!

I bet! Especially if you are hauling a 5th-wheel or driving a motorhome-type vehicle. In general, the gas prices are crippling many. I shudder knowing that young children are probably hearing "no honey, we can't drive to that park. It's too far away and costs too much for gas".