Wednesday, June 26, 2013

PAWSOME Road Trip! Santa Fe and Chama!

All in a week's work for this travelin' dog!  But WHEW are my paws tired or what!?!

It all started with a quick trip to Santa Fe....to check in at the pet-friendly Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe.
 Wanted to see if this cultural icon of a hotel named after the town of Chimayo is up to the true Heritage Hotel standard.  Love that most of their properties around NM and beyond ARE pet friendly!  Check-IN.....yup passes the pup-test.  Now this is what I call a friendly welcome!  Here's Jason handing me their brochure with their Pet Friendly Local Guide so I can explore Santa Fe in Travelin' Jack Style.  It includes pet friendly restaurants, shops, parks, walking areas dog-cetera! Thanks Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe for thinkin' of us dogs!
And bark about comfy digs!  Our boutique style suite had this neat banco seating....I'm thinking they planned it JUST for me!...with the bedroom connected right by the sitting area. 
NOTE:  PET TRAVEL TIP.  I am a bit of a prima-dogga and  I LIKE to sit on furniture, so we ALWAYS pack my blanket to cover the furniture to keep everything doggone spotless!  You know it's JUST the right thing to do!   

 Hotel Chimayo also has a rockin' cool drinkery.  It's called the Low 'N Slow Lowrider Bar. I think I add just the right touch to this comfy spot to while away the evening...don't you agree? I really like that they have captured the cultural specialties of Chimayo and brought them to the hotel for all us travelers to experience first paw! It's the real thing!

While we were in Santa Fe we did some strolling, shopping, eating dog-cetera around the pet friendly plaza scene....and then we made our way up to our next "BUSINESS" event.....the 6th Annual North Central Region Tourism Mixer.  Since I AM the official Spokes-dog for our board, I MUST BE THERE!
Why ALL my tourism People buddies were there!  Red River,  Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Chama,  Abiquiu, Ojo Caliente, Taos...and even those tourism travelers LIKE ME...who wander All over our state! We were ALL there talkin' about neat things happenin' in our state....like the current tourism contest called "New Mexico True Stories!" where you can win great things like gas cards and even $5000! Wow!  All you have to do is write a story..with pictures...about your fabulous New Mexico TRUE vacation!  Check out this link for the details.....HMMMM I better get MY story crackin' now.....I wanna win a prize too!

 And speakin' of prizes...they were givin' 'em out like dog-candy.  Did I win a great prize? 
 Yup....there was DEElicious food (and don't tell Buffalo Thunder Resort but I snuck some!) They were the Doggone BEST hosts for this event
   ...Why they even had a special food tasting....here's one sample of their gourmet tasty treats.  DARN....I can't quite reach it...or it would be dog-history for sure! Thanks Hilton Buffalo Thunder Resort!  You DUN good---very very good!

Back to Albuquerque to repack for the NEXT road trip....but WHOA-doggies...what is THAT I spy on the wall of my house?
 Why it's New Mexico's OFFICIAL STATE BIRD...that fun, fast-paced ROADRUNNER! Hi Mr. Roadrunner...thanks for stoppin' by to say hi to me! I LIKE you LOTS!
 But the surprises don't stop here!  Why LOOK what came special delivery to me in the mail.....a super-dooper DOGGIE GIFT PACK filled with tasty treats.  Better check it out good!  YAH! It's the one-the only...BePawsitive gift pack.....Delivering happiness to dogs in need.

This box is filled with The Original Flavor Dog Treats...you can subscribe to 1 of  3 monthly subscription options for as low as $18 per month.  Just click on the BEPAWSITIVE link here and start YOUR pup's treat program now. Each month's box comes with different organic dog treats.....which means I don't get tired of them EVER!  Also in the box are fun dog goodies or a gift card/discount code for other awesome dog products.  And here's the part I like the Best!   It's their ONE FOR ONE program where pet lovers can treat their pups AND shelter dogs with their "Buy One, Give One" Monthly Treats Box.  For each box purchased, BePawsitive donates another box to an animal shelter or rescue organization. PURTY DOGGONE cool eh?  I'm happy AND those shelter puppies get a treat too! Now that's what I call a WIN-WIN.  Better sign up FAST and get started on this grrrrrreat progam NOW!  That's MY bark of advice...and we all know I AM the Dog-In-The-Know!  Travelin' Jack dog-definitely ENDORSES this doggy subscription program.

2nd DOG TRAVEL TIP. When you are packing for that road trip....DON'T FORGET THE DOG TREATS! Always nice to have a tasty tidbit along the ride route...and what better way than with a healthy, easy-to-pack dog treat like these BePawsitive biscuits! Double Dog YUM!

But it's time to hit the road Jack  (so to bark)..so on we continue to Chama for the weekend!  There's BIG TIME happenings at the Elkhorn Lodge, host to the 10th Annual CHAMA  PICKIN' FEST...that's a musical festival for those of you not in the know. 
 Lots of good music....and some stars too....like Grace Askew of THE VOICE fame this year!  I dog-personally think she shudda won the whole doggone match...she can sure strum that fancy guitar and whale out a tune that makes a dog think he's gone to heaven! 
                                                      She sings BLUNTRY!

 Don't know what that means?  It's Grace Askew Special....BLues and coUNTRY!  Yup...that's a dog fact!  I aughta know....I WAS THERE!  Luv Ya Grace!  Thanks for posing for a special photo with me! 
And speakin' of Chama....here's the next happening...Chama Territorial Days.  A fun time for the whole family....well maybe NOT so fun for the bad guys roamin' around town!  Watch out for those serious lawmen...they'll take care of the bad guys in high-hangin' fashion! This weekend....I'm goin///but I swear Sheriff...I've been a VERY good dog!



And here's a FACT...the Elkhorn Lodge HAS GONE TO THE DOGS!  The Australian kind that is!  What?  There is a one-of-a-kind event occurring this weekend with a DOG REUNION ---hot-dog-dandy!  I hear there are gonna be LOTS of Australian Shepherds taking over the Elkhorn Lodge at their 1st ever reunion!  There will be LOTS of high-flying dog action on Saturday afternoon on the Elkhorn Lawn.  Come by from 1-4pm to see what all the Barkin' is about!  Here's a link to this big dog-deal.  Can't wait to meet my furry Aussie friends.  I may be English (Olde English Bulldogge if ya remember rightly), but that doesn't mean I can't party down with those Aussie pups too!  Gotta go get ready for those pups.....

see you down the road soon!

DOGGIE HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!

Monday, June 17, 2013

Pet Laureate, International Ambassadog, Dog-Author, Junior Ranger, Golf Pro-PuP ....WHAT ELSE WILL TRAVELIN' JACK ADD TO HIS RESUME?

HA....I'm rockin' and a-rollin now.  We all know I am a canine TV star, Radio Pupsonality, Top-Dog Model, Adventure Travel Hound and Smoocher Extra-ordinaire...but this new list? 
What dog-o-dog could this mean pray tell?

Well....they are ALL true!  Here's just what I mean by this dognormous list!

PET LAUREATE

I know...you're thinking  He means POET LAUREATE!  NOPE.....I DO mean PET LAUREATE! As in New Mexico's first (and only)  Pet Laureate. 
 I was duly introduced to the World (well at least a lot of poets who converged on New Mexico for a national poetry convention) by none other than Joanne Boden, theVice President of the New Mexico State Poetry Society.  How did she introduce me?  And WHY?  Well, you see, Joanne recently heard my poem "Ode to Pet Moms" that I penned...er pawed for Mother's Day.  She LUVed it....and decided I needed to be Named PET LAUREATE of New Mexico.  VOILA!  I now can add that to my resume. Thanks Joanne....I might just hafta write a poem about you!
And while at the Poetry Convention, I got to meet some OTHER poets (moi included!) called the UNIDOS poets from New Mexico!  Let me just say,  "I'm DOGspired by the poetry geniuses in our state (moi included!).

INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOG

Number Two on my List of New Titles

  No I am NOT an international spy (not yet at least!)...but I am the newest member---er maybe it's spokesdog for THE ALBUQUERQUE COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS. You see, their new.....and DAHLING Executive Directior, Micaela Brown.......decided that since I am an OLDE ENGLISH BULLDOGGE, that I would make the pawfect canine ambassador for this worldly group!  Of course that is 100% aPUPros, wouldn't you say?  Can't wait to bark in a welcome to the next high ranking international visitor with ACIV! Oh and welcome to New Mexico Miss Micaela....so doggone glad to have ya!

DOG AUTHOR  

Well you all know I am an award winning dog author of my children's book, TRAVELIN' JACK'S STORY...FROM SHELTER TO STAR....but now I am a Cover Model along with my bestest radio gal in the whole wide world...Miss Terrie Q of 770KKOB, along with ours and many other pets' stories and pics in the fab new book PET FRIENDS.  AND we got to sign.....er I mean PAWDIGRAPH the book at the local bookstore, BOOKWORKS along with the Store Manager, Mr. Ollie.  Thanks for the SUPER-DAWG-DUPER reception.  Why he had water, treats a comfy chair to sign in...and just everything  a dog could want for at a big book signing!  You're DA MAN!  Oh...and you can pick up YOUR copy of the book at Bookworks too!

JUNIOR RANGER

Yup-PuP...it's dog-ficial.  I was signed on as a DOGFICIAL JUNIOR RANGER at Coronado State Monument.....soon to be renamed Coronado Historic Site...by Park Rangers Annie and John!  My Radio Queen Terrie Q of 770KKOB radio was there to help with the official ceremony.  Now admit it!  How often does a dog become a Junior Ranger at a State Monument...er Historic Site! Purty dog-special if ya ask me! 

I think I'm lookin' pretty KOOL KAT in my Junior Ranger badge....
                                                                   don't you dog-ree?

GOLF PRO-PUP

Now any dog that can wear a Scottish Tam like this has just GOTTA be a Golf Pro Pup, eh?
                                                   
Well, while I might just hafta hone my golfing skills a bit yet, I got to be the DOGFICIAL Dog Pro at the 3rd annual Animal Welfare Fundraiser Golf Tournament  IN THE RUFF!  Congrats to Miss Cindy Scott-Hummel....the Event Coordinator Extraordinaire!  YOU DOGGONE DUN GOOD Miss Cindy...helpin' out all those needy pups and kitties!  We luv ya!
 My first official duty....to help at the morn's opening call....the National Anthem....gotta wear my red, white and blue for this important occasion! Everyone SERIOUS now!  OKay...that's right!
 Now....onto the green.  Where I am ready and waiting for my first group of golfers! Gotta raise some $BONES for the 4-footed kids ya know! 
 And here they come!  First drop a bill in the box...take a pic with me Golf Dog Travelin' Jack....THEN you can golf!  After all, we gotta get the priorities straight, right?

 And yes....now that all the golfers have played the hole.....it's mighty high time for ME to hit the course!  Gotta Go....see ya round the next bend!  FORE!!!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned for more adventrues coming soon from Travelin' Jack!

DOGGY HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!



Sunday, June 9, 2013

DOG TRAVELER TIPS AND TRIPS!

WoW o-dog WOW! It's June already...and that means it is
TIME TO HIT THE ROAD JACK!
Of course that would mean THIS Jack....none other than New Mexico's TOP DOG Travel Expert!

So let's get down to business....time to plan that summer PET-cation.  And I'm gonna give you some handy dog-dandy pet travel tips! So hang on....here we go!
 
1) Plan a trip exploring scenic trails and hiking areas.  New Mexico is FILLED with great hiking areas.  And there's a DOUBLE benefit here!  Your dog will LUV the hike and you will get some great exercise and see some dog-fabulous sites as well!  So include hiking areas in your vacation plans.  YUP...just another doggone grand idea from this travelin' pup! 
2) Perhaps you're the pool type!  Why some places even allow the well-mannered pet into the pool area....like Bishop's Lodge in Santa Fe.  YUP, I'll be extra good here 'cause I LUV layin' out by the pool!
3) And speakin' of being well-mannered!  Why we PUPS are sure lucky to have so many pet-friendly places to stay here in New Mexico....but a word to the dog-wise! 
MIND THE RULES! 
Yep...it's a dog-Privilege to stay at a nice hotel, resort or lodge.  So make sure you clean up after your pup, follow the leash rules, stay in designated areas...and just be good in general....like ME-Travelin' Jack! 
 I believe in followin' the rules! 
Don't want to ruin a good thing for other travelin' pups, ya know!

 
4) And don't forget the CAMERA!  Why there are just SOOOOO many Pawsome Photo Ops for your pooch!  Like this one here! I'm posin' (somethin' I do MIGHTY well if ya ask me!).....here at Salinas Mission Ruins! 

5) And here's a Jack-Fact  for you! New Mexico has 34 state parks...33 of which are pet friendly (Living Desert Zoo & State Park in Carlsbad is the exception...cuz it's a zoo!). 

Also, we have 7 state monuments....soon to be renamed HISTORIC SITES that are ALL pet-friendly.  Here I am checking out the KIVA at Coronado State Monument...oops I mean Coronado Historic Site!  I'm dog-termined to get to the top!  Yup...you'd be surprised at the grand things and places you can go to visit WITH your pup! 
And in addition to state parks, monuments and trails...why there are dog-glorious places like SARGENTS' WILDLIFE REFUGE to explore!  Here I am at the head of the elk viewing trail with the bee-U-tiful San Juan Mountains behind me!  There are 20,000 acres in this refuge to roam....now THAT should be one dog-heck of a hike, eh?  BTW, this spot is near Chama in case yer wonderin'!  Just ask JACK...I know 'em all!

And those are just a couple PET TRAVEL TIPS to whet your appetite...did someone say appetite?  That must mean FOOD!
I do believe I'm HUNGRY!  Time to eat!  So while I chow down on this tasty New Mexican meal...why don't you...... 
  take a couple minutes to see my latest TV spot on the very pupular "New Mexico Style" television show where I join Nikki and Kristen every month for the best pet tips around!  Just click on this New Mexico Style link

 And there you have it.....MORE handy tips for you to chew on!  But if you want to tune in LIVE to my segment, I'm on every 1st Wednesday of the Month!  Of course it is KASA Fox 2....Channel 2 in Albuquerque!  Check it out!  Good stuff...I dog-guarantee!














                                               But now it's time to  HIT THE ROAD JACK
 and as you can see...I'm Packed
 and Ready to Roll! 
See you around soon! 
I'll be BACK!

DOGGY HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!