Post by Brooke on Jul 29, 2004 23:08:10 GMT -5
Dogs on hogs raise awareness for PAWS
Sunday, July 25, 2004
By Jean Gallup
The Grand Rapids Press
MOLINE -- Blaine and Janet Parks founded U.S. Hogs for Dogs, and are touring the United States on their Harley Davidson motorcycles, raising awareness and funds for assistance and guide dog organizations.
The impressive big bikes do attract attention, and the Parks will tell you the benefits of assistance dogs, but everyone agrees the real stars of this show are a pair of dark golden retrievers, Max and Bailey, especially when they are riding in the Harley's sidecars.
The Parks visited PAWS National Headquarters in Moline on Saturday; PAWS is a majority partner for this year's ride.
Max and Bailey, with their permanent smiles, wagging tails and friendly attitudes are experts at bringing attention to the Parks' cause.
While in the sidecars, the dogs stay very quiet, looking almost bored, posing for photos. But once let out, they become regular bouncy, people-loving dogs. And they enjoy riding the sidecar. When the Parks start to outfit the bikes, the dogs park themselves directly in front of the wheels, so they won't be left behind, Blaine Parks said.
For the dogs, life on the road is pretty easy. The Parks never travel more than an hour or hour and a half without taking a break for refreshments or so everyone, including canines, can stretch their legs. They ride no more than 100 to 150 miles a day.
The sidecars have a 1 1/2-inch thick foam pad covered with sheepskin for the dogs, with chilled gel pads put under the foam. Safety harnesses installed as part of the sidecars are on the dogs at all times and both wear goggles to protect their eyes. Sun covers are there if it gets too hot, and rain covers to keep the rain off them. "It's all about the dog's comfort," Janet Parks said.
Some restaurants let them bring Max and Bailey in, but if they don't, a "cafe," complete with umbrella for shade, is set up for the dogs to eat outside.
So far, they have traveled 9,000 miles in 85 days. Earlier this year, they stopped at schools and hospitals to talk about assistance and guide dogs. "I've talked to 14,000 kids so far; when school starts up, we'll do it again," Blaine Parks said. "The dogs are like magnets, and the kids always have lot and lots of questions after his talk, he added.
From May to December, Max, 11, and Bailey, 9, will ride along with their human chauffeurs for more than 25,000 miles in the lower 48 states. Michigan is the 26th state the Parks have visited.
The duo's visit coincided with the L-2 Gun Lake Gold Wing Chapter's annual picnic held at PAWS.
The Gold Wing members greeted and led the Parks to headquarters and after the get-together there, escorted them to Three Rivers for an evening reception with city officials.
Funds are raised through donations and merchandise sales.
For more information about assistance dogs, visit www.paws-
withacause.org or www.hogsfordogs.org.
Sunday, July 25, 2004
By Jean Gallup
The Grand Rapids Press
MOLINE -- Blaine and Janet Parks founded U.S. Hogs for Dogs, and are touring the United States on their Harley Davidson motorcycles, raising awareness and funds for assistance and guide dog organizations.
The impressive big bikes do attract attention, and the Parks will tell you the benefits of assistance dogs, but everyone agrees the real stars of this show are a pair of dark golden retrievers, Max and Bailey, especially when they are riding in the Harley's sidecars.
The Parks visited PAWS National Headquarters in Moline on Saturday; PAWS is a majority partner for this year's ride.
Max and Bailey, with their permanent smiles, wagging tails and friendly attitudes are experts at bringing attention to the Parks' cause.
While in the sidecars, the dogs stay very quiet, looking almost bored, posing for photos. But once let out, they become regular bouncy, people-loving dogs. And they enjoy riding the sidecar. When the Parks start to outfit the bikes, the dogs park themselves directly in front of the wheels, so they won't be left behind, Blaine Parks said.
For the dogs, life on the road is pretty easy. The Parks never travel more than an hour or hour and a half without taking a break for refreshments or so everyone, including canines, can stretch their legs. They ride no more than 100 to 150 miles a day.
The sidecars have a 1 1/2-inch thick foam pad covered with sheepskin for the dogs, with chilled gel pads put under the foam. Safety harnesses installed as part of the sidecars are on the dogs at all times and both wear goggles to protect their eyes. Sun covers are there if it gets too hot, and rain covers to keep the rain off them. "It's all about the dog's comfort," Janet Parks said.
Some restaurants let them bring Max and Bailey in, but if they don't, a "cafe," complete with umbrella for shade, is set up for the dogs to eat outside.
So far, they have traveled 9,000 miles in 85 days. Earlier this year, they stopped at schools and hospitals to talk about assistance and guide dogs. "I've talked to 14,000 kids so far; when school starts up, we'll do it again," Blaine Parks said. "The dogs are like magnets, and the kids always have lot and lots of questions after his talk, he added.
From May to December, Max, 11, and Bailey, 9, will ride along with their human chauffeurs for more than 25,000 miles in the lower 48 states. Michigan is the 26th state the Parks have visited.
The duo's visit coincided with the L-2 Gun Lake Gold Wing Chapter's annual picnic held at PAWS.
The Gold Wing members greeted and led the Parks to headquarters and after the get-together there, escorted them to Three Rivers for an evening reception with city officials.
Funds are raised through donations and merchandise sales.
For more information about assistance dogs, visit www.paws-
withacause.org or www.hogsfordogs.org.