THE LUCY PET FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER JUNE 2015 From The Driver's Seat DAVID HIDALGO, EDITOR “You thinkin' of maybe sharing some of those chips, son?..” Jack Road Trips fall into several categories. There are those that are months in planning, where the itinerary is set down with military precision and each person knows what's expected of them. Kind of like the Invasion of Sicily, but with fewer casualties. Then there are the ones that have a means to an end, but are spur of the moment adventures. The following trip across the Country with a dog named Jack, is one of the latter. Initially, the plan to showcase the new Lucy Pet Product line of organic shampoos and conditioners, was to drive our Freightliner bus the 2000 miles to the Blog Paws 2015 Convention in Nashville, where we would park it, give tours, hand out samples, and literature to the 500 attending internet Bloggers and friends. In the months preceding the event, the price to park the bus outside the Sheraton see- sawed up and down, and in the end, it was just not feasible to use it. Fast forward six days before the event. Jack, our spokesdog, who was rescued from a kill-shelter, proving that any dog regardless of background or lineage can be trained, with a little love and treats, to excel, was not going to be able to fly unless imprisoned in the baggage compartment. That was not an option and it was decided that I was going to drive Jack and the boxes for the booth to Nashville. The challenge was to to rent a mini-van for the 4000 mile round trip, but on a Holiday weekend all that was available was a one year old Dodge Caravan, with 40k miles and two worn front tires. Plus, the rental agency would cheerfully overcharge me handsomely as I was taking the van out of state. I decided to use my own vehicle, a new Honda Fit to make the trip. One of the reasons that this model continually outsells the competition in its' class, is the ability to swallow a large amount of stuff and passengers. I was able to pack eight boxes of various sizes, a large bag of dog food, as well as a computer, camera, large, duffle bag, and fabric crate. This still left space for Jack to enjoy the trip. A late night run to Smart&Final for Road Food and drinks, and we were ready. I picked Jack up early Sunday, 5/24 and we were on the road. Because the event started on Thursday, I decided to take three to four days for the trip out. It was cool and overcast as we traveled east on the 210 going north on the 15 and picking up the I-40 as the sun broke through the clouds. Interstate 40, the main artery that crosses the country from Barstow in California to Raleigh, North Carolina, tied together a number of smaller interstate routes. The most famous of these, Route 66, which started in Chicago and became part of the National Interstate System in Oklahoma City. As we drove east over the next several days, Jack and I would see the remnants of that Mother Road, in abandoned motels, restaurants and service stations that were still visible fifty years after the last traveler checked in or fueled up. QUESTIONS? (855) 499-5829 U Southeast California blended seamlessly into western Arizona, as we crossed the Colorado River beyond Needles. The drought is very apparent, but recent rains produced a sea of wildflowers blooming on the highway median. Jack, a golden retriever mix, turns out to be a perfect driving companion, as there are no arguments regarding radio or music selection and any treat is a good treat. We gain elevation as we drive into Flagstaff and pass through Holbrook and cross into New Mexico. Volcanic cones and red rock buttes dot the horizon and ancient lava fields follow the highway for a hundred miles. It should be noted that Pet Friendly Hotels are uncommon, but the La Quinta Chain seems to be one of the few that go out of their way to make you and your furry friends feel welcome. We pulled into Gallup at seven local time as the sun was setting. A fast food drive thru for dinner and we were both ready for bed. It's 7am and we're up and gone. The second day saw us making our way through Albuquerque, and on into Texas. With the exception of stopping at the occasional rest area for Jack, the time constraints for this trip meant we probably weren't going to be able to stop at the world famous Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo. The parking lot was jammed with holiday diners, so we filled up at the nearby Flying J and drove on. Rolling grasslands as far as the eye can see and we stop for the night in Yukon, Oklahoma, just outside OKC. The last day of our trip east, had us travel through Arkansas and on into Tennessee. Passing over 'creeks' that in SoCal would qualify as major rivers. When we do cross the Mississippi over the Hernando De Soto Bridge in Memphis, you realize how immense and wide it is. I was a little startled to see a large, stainless steel pyramid adjacent to the Interstate, that unlike the one near that 'other' Memphis, this one houses a Bass Pro Shop. Only in America! Three days and 2000 miles later, we roll into Music City, Nashville, Tenn. We're booked into the Embassy Suites, which is also very pet friendly. Jack and I were able to sit in the lobby the next morning and enjoy a very nice complementary breakfast, below the soaring atrium as families and travelers came up and petted her. Time and time again I was reminded how folks miss their animals when they travel and Jack was WWW.LUCYPETFOUNDATION.ORG very forgiving, allowing small hands and hugs around the neck without any drama. degree heat, warm by anyone's standards it was nice to get back onto the road. The show started on Thursday at the Sheraton, an older hotel that has that grand quality of dark woods, acres of marble and granite. Rick Rockhill, a Lucy Pet Products VP, our own Doc Halligan, and I ran the booth, answering questions, passing out literature and samples. The business model that Joey Herrick, our founder, wants to market a line of effective, environmentally conscious pet products that help support our Spay/Neuter Clinics. Jack, who is depicted on the products, posed with show goers as our trainer, Doree Sitterlee, stood nearby and put her through her routine. Overall, it was a worthwhile two days and we had some very positive feedback for the shampoos and leave-in, spray on conditioners. The BlogPaws folks should be commended for hosting a great show. In the late afternoon heat, Jack and I slowly make our way through the traffic outside Victorville. I'm reminded that eighty years ago, this was the road that Steinbeck's Okies, old cars piled high with all their worldly belonging made the trek from the Dust Bowl of the Depression, to the promise of a better life out West. As we pull off the freeway and drive up into the Foothills, open the gate and drive down the driveway, it's nice to be home. Saturday morning and Jack and I are on the road again. It's raining as we cross over into Arkansas and continues for the next ten hours until we stop for the night in Oklahoma. Though the flooding isn't as sever as further south in Texas, you could see strands of trees half submerged in large lakes that just a few weeks before were dry land. The rain makes sightseeing a little less interesting, as the cloudy, gray sky stretches to the horizon. June 8th Baldwin Park The next morning, we're off for New Mexico, the suns shining and we're making good time. Gas mileage in the little Honda varied from a low of 36 mpg to a high of a remarkable 50.2 mpg. Mile after mile of fields of corn, corn....and more corn. The gas in these parts has 10% ethanol, which is why the aforementioned crop is so popular in these parts. Of all the dozen or so dogs I've traveled with, Jack has to be one of the best. She would sleep with her head perched on the center counsel or if she wanted to see out the windshield, she'd rest her head on my shoulder. Birds seemed to be the only item that would get her attention, whether they were flying near us in motion or on the ground at a rest stop. The final leg of our trip takes us from the same Gallup La Quinta hotel, retracing our route back through the pine forests outside Flagstaff, and across the desert. We stopped for a break at a curious silver, geodesic building near Yucca Flats. A small store sold curios and beer, but in the 108 June Schedule June 2nd Baldwin Park: 4100 Baldwin Park Blvd, Baldwin Park June 5th Peter Zippi Cats: Home Depot 2115 Gaffey St. San Pedro June 9th Baldwin Park June 10th Inland Valley Chino June 11th Baldwin Park June 13th Baldwin Park June 14th SEAACA Pet Fair 4900 Southern Ave, South Gate June 15th Baldwin Park June 16th Baldwin Park June 17th Inland Valley Montclair June 18th Baldwin Park June 19th OC Shelter, LoveBugRescue June 22nd Baldwin Park June 23rd Baldwin Park June 24th Inland Valley Pomona All Material/Photos Copyright 2015, Lucy Pet Foundation QUESTIONS? (855) 499-5829 U WWW.LUCYPETFOUNDATION.ORG
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