IF anyone ever dares to tell you that dogs don't appreciate fine art....well....doggone it.....tell them to think again! Here is one dog that loves great artwork. But it is important to get up close to appreciate the fine workmanship.

Caught up with this art and artist, Luke Renberg at the Lighter Than Air Fair festival during...you guessed it...The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta! Uh, did the balloons in the picture give it away, maybe?

Anyway, I give this painting a 5-paws rating....and that's pretty doggone good...comin' from this persnickety bulldogge!

Hope you enjoy some art in your day!

From your good canine buddy, travelin' jack signing off for n ow....

doggie hugs and slurpy kisses!

Greetings again from Dog-ville! Continuing on about my great experience at 'Lighter Than Air Fair' I just HAFTA tell you about a super discovery I made at the Anderson Abruzzo Balloon Museum during Balloon Fiesta. I discovered some of my long-lost canine cousins! That's right! Amazing as that may sound, the city of Albuquerque sent over their traveling animal adoption unit to the festival on the lawn. Remember I told you last time how PET FRIENDLY the festival was? Well here's further proof! Lo and behold this great van arrived on the grounds, and the nice ladies working and driving the van set up these portable pens...and LO and BEHOLD!!!! out come some of the cutest of my long lost canine cousins you could imagine. Now when I say, long lost, that is not entirely true...I had never met these canine cousins before now...but they ARE my cousins none-the-less. And poor things....I could relate to this as my beginnings were at a shelter as well....they are looking for their forever families....someone wonderful and kind to adopt them.
What could I do but get up close and personal with them and share my happy ending story of adoption! Let me tell you...were they glad to hear that there are good people out there looking to adopt! And they are now more hopeful since I relayed my success story with them!!! As a matter of fact, Lucky Paws adopted over 20 animals during 'Lighter Than Air Fair'.....and I'd call that a barking success! Now we just need to find good homes for all my other canine cousins. They deserve a wonderful family too! And I also heard through the dog-vine that there are similar animal adoption organizations everywhere! So if you are not in Albuquerque reading this blog...just check out your town's animal shelter and you are sure to find some cute, cuddly little critter waiting just for you!

signing off for now and as always with.....

....doggie hugs and slurpy kisses!

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Happenings!

Travelin' Jack here....back from assignment that was full of hot air.......LITERALLY! Jill put me on a writing assignment at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque Balloon Museum for 9 whole days during Balloon Fiesta! Whew. Tough assignment, those early hours...even for an adventurer like me! And since then I have been absorbing all the great things I did.....most especially at "Lighter Than Air Fair". Why there you ask? Great question. See...this is the latest new addition to Albuquerque's balloon world and the most happenin' new event connected to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta! And I am especially partial to it because it is "DOG FRIENDLY!" A great grassy meadow filled with Arts and Crafts Vendors, fabulous live entertainment and added attractions. And NOT just dog friendly I might add......we had some extremely beautiful colorful birds there daily from High Desert Bird Club, Hatch's Parrot Place, Wildlife West and even the Albuquerque Zoo....who came in their wonderful ZooMobile! See how intrigued I am by our fair feathered friends.....attached photo!

Aahh yes the festival was a grand success......and there are many more details to share...but I need to take a little dog-nap now.....we all know how important beauty rest is for bulldogs....so for now...here's to Lighter Than Air Fair and my bird buddies....and more to share later.

as always....Doggie hugs and slurpy kisses!

Travelin' Jack here to fill you in on my latest adventure at Buffalo Thunder Resort. One snazzy place for this top-dog! Jill and I checked in for a quick getaway, and wow did we have a good time! They had a goodie bag with some man-sized doggie milk-bones...just for me! And the handsome bellhop loaded up my crate, Jill's bags, my dog food and other doggie travel necessities and off we went up the elevator. Buffalo Thunder is pretty cool...they make it easy for dogs..when you come up to the entrance the door opens magically! and then we went up the elevator...where the door again opens and closes upon command....haven't quite figured this trick out yet, but it sure is top notch! Our room was great! They gave us a dog-friendly room with a door that opened right onto the patio with the big back yard......actually HUGE back yard that we could take walks and explorations in. Wow. Talk about nice!

Evening time Jill took off for a dinner and I relaxed in my cozy cage that we brought from home. Hint.....always good to have your own belongings and toys and favorite foods when you travel away from home. Makes it less intimidating for the canine travelers to snuggle down with their favorite blanket and toy! And speaking of great food! Seems Jill hit the jackpot at this posh dinner at Buffalo Thunder. They served up a sumptuous "buffalo filet" along with all the trimmings. How do I know, you ask? Well, just so happens that I got a specially created doggie bag of this gourmet entree....and yep, it was indeed sumptuous! Didn't last long though, I guarantee you that tidbit of info! So yes, I give Buffalo Thunder Resort dining a "5-PAWS" rating!

But just maybe the best part of Buffalo Thunder for this travelin' bulldogge was hanging out in the Lobby. Talk about attention! Seems everyone loves a Bulldog! I made dog-zillions of friends in that lobby! Coulda spent a couple days there alone with all the petting, swooning and camera action coming my way.....don't believe me? Well here is the proof in the pudding! See what one of my admirers has to say about me!

Dog Friendly Travel Abounds in Northern New Mexico

Thursday October 1, 2009

When I was on the road in northern New Mexico, I noticed how much people loved their dogs. It wasn't until I stayed at Buffalo Thunder Resort that I realized that dogs might just be competing with me in the travel writing biz. I ran into a huge one year old bulldog named Jack that is a travel writer! Yep, Jack has his own travel blog. He was at the Buffalo Thunder Resort checking out the dog-friendly staff and accommodations. More on traveling with your dog.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth R. Rose

Yep..... that Liz Rose journalist is something. She caught me here in the lobby waiting with Jill for my next admirer to happen by. aaaahhhhh....it's a dog's life for sure!

Stay tuned for more action. We're heading to Albuquerque for Balloon Fiesta and fun at the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum and the all-new "LIGHTER THAN AIR FAIR!" Think I'll check this high-flying action next....but for now....

.....doggie hugs and slurpy kisses!