It's DOGtoberFest! Let the celebratin' Begin!

I know...this is just too ridogulous!  But they said if I wanted any awards in October...I HAD to wear this silly get up!  Good thing the beer is close at paw....

if ya know what I mean.  Yup...gimme some o' that good ol' Monk's Ale from the Monastary in the Desert.  (OK...I didn't really get to drink the beer....you know that is NOT good for dogs...no sirreee!)  But it's all in the name of a crazy photo right?

And in New Mexico....October means one VERY important thing........BALLOON FIESTA!So....I'm getting my balloon stuff out...ready to hit the one and only (and my very favoriet of ALL museums) the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum.... for some doggone serious stuff! 

Like Book Signings.........to help raise money for the 4-footed shelter kids ya know!

that is IF they don't put me to work in the Gift Shop!!!!!! DOG FORBID!!!  But I do have to admit they have some mighty fine stuff there in the gift shop....

....Like my new Little Teddy T-Bear from Albuquerque!

And my snazzy new Balloon Bandanna!  This one is special made to fit right OVER the dog collar...pretty doggone cool idea if ya ask Mr. Travelin' Jack!  And I do so love my little Teddy T....ain't he cute?  You can get both these items there....and lots more too!  But I DOGRESS........

...back to the subject at paw. In addition to book signings and working in the gift shop.....there are Awards And Recognitions.  Yup..it really IS all about ME!  You see...this week I got a whole slew of cool awards.  Now I 'm NOT gonna brag here (well....maybe a little.....OK....A Lot!)....but I am sure proud of my most recent awards.

Like.....the fact that Terrie Q and My PET FRIENDS book (published by Rio Grande Press) was named a FINALIST in the 2013 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards! Pretty Doggone exciting eh?  And if that wasn't enough book awards.....

 

 I surprised everyone (and I was surprised myself) by the latest award....the EIPPY award that I received at the Balloon Museum last Friday night. I...the one and only...Travelin' Jack am THE 1ST EVER CANINE TO RECIEVE THIS AWARD....in the whole world!   And NOT ONLY did I RECEIVE this award from the organization's founder, Viki Winterton (Thanks a dog-zillion Miss Viki!)....honored as a best-selling, award-winning book...but HEY

Don't I just look doggone HANDSOME wearin' my new EIPPY award?  Yup-Pup..the awards keep on rollin' in.....and that wasn't all either for this WINNING Week!......why I got ANOTHER award at the Furry Friends Fiesta Day on Saturday!  Whoo-Doggies!  Take a look at this award!

 

Pretty cool eh?  This is the Plaque from the NM Tourism Department...but the BESTEST part of the award was the $1000 prize.  And we got to help give it to TWO outstanding Animal Welfare Groups.  SAVE LUCKY PAWS right here in Albuquerque and CHAMA VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY...right there in Chama.  Here we all are with Jordan Guenther from the New Mexico Tourism Department.  (photo courtesy of winstonfoto.com)

Of course the BEST part of all these awards is that they help out the furry kids at the shelters.  You know that is my "PET cause" after all.......so I would be totally dog-remiss if I didn't mention our latest TV segment on 2 KASA Style with Chad Brummett.  You see, I along with all the good sponsors (who included my favorite local companies.....GROOMINGDALES Grooming Spa,  Three Dog Bakery, Long Leash on Life, and Sandia Pet Products.....who are all wonderful local companies that do MUCH to support shelter kids too!) put on the 3rd annual FOUR FOOTED FASHION SHOW with six adorable adoptable pups from the Albuquerque City Shelter.......if you want to check it out....here you go
http://www.kasa.com/nm-style/travelin-jacks-furry-fiesta    just click on that link!  And you'll see all of us pups in action (I'm in the background just in case you don't see me!)

Yup...it's been an award winning dog-stellar week for Travelin' Jack.  But don't get doggone lazy now...'cause next week I'll be reporting on the WHOLE dogtastic Balloon Fiesta!   
                                      
   

Stay tuned....more good info and pics from yer favorite travelin' canine reporter,,,,,Travelin' Jack..who else!

DOGGY HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!

Taos....Well it's Just TAOS-RRIFIC and pet-friendly to the ULTIMATE!

It's time to visit TAOS again....one of my favorite Pet Friendly Destinations....but we have a lot on the dog-genda today...so let's get trackin'! 
First stop......Palacio de Marquesa B&B....my lovalee home-away-from home vacation getaway! Lovely courtyards at this pet-friendly boutique B&B.  AWWWW....just check out this setting.
Isn't it pretty? Aren't I posing just right?

Why I even have my very own courtyard...complete with this cute little guy  that is watering the pool.....hmmmmm..........NAAAAH! Won't do it.....just' barkin'

Here's my bedroom....pretty doggone southwest snazzy if ya ask me! 
and what did I dog-scover?  Right in our very own courtyard?  A peeping hole made JUST for ME...I'm a thinkin'  I can really check things out now!And after a snoozy night of sleep in my comfy cozy room.....it's breakfast time!  And what do I find when we enter the Dining area?  My very own Table reserved just for me!  WoW...now that is what I call PET-FRIENDLY!  Thank you Palacio de Marquesa!  You are just the dog-dandiest B&B ever! And the even better news was....they weren't just serving the people...but Mr. Chad...the GM fixed me my VERY OWN breakfast.....Eggs Benedict?  YUP-PUP...that suits me just fine.....thank you very much!But it's a day filled with action...so off we go. First stop...Taos Plaza.  Nice setting for both people and their pets.  And there are many pet friendly shops all around the plaza.And of course....good folks to visit with...and regale them with all my dog-knowledge about New Mexico!  This couple was VERY dogpreciative of my wealth of knowledge on our state.  Thanks for visitin' us in New Mexico!  We LUV all our tourists!And we strolled through the Bent Street area, down Kit Carson Road, and meandered all around Taos....then popped by the Kit Carson Park, which has lots of great walking and play areas for pups and people too!  BUT you just can't visit Taos without visiting the most recognized and photographed church....the Church at Rancho de Taos.  Now THIS is one grrrrreat photo if I do bark so myself!And I even found the original Bell from the Church's bell tower.  They brought it down and put it in the churchyard....I'm thinkin' they did this just for my convenience....don't you agree?
And while we were there.....we got into a LONG conversation with one of the local artists.  Mr. Romero is a dog-fabulous FOLK ART specialist....Christena is getting the whole history on his work and the church's history.....see his folk art sign in the background?Well, we just had to visit the Church's gift shop then...and isn't this cool!  The Church Gift Shoppe is PET-FRIENDLY too!  Now that is one big deal in my books.  Got to get a close up look of this great artist's work...right there on the spot! Thanks Mr. Romero...you sure are special!And LOOK....he even made ME a special little hand-painted rock of St. Francis!  Now that really is doggone special!  I love my little St. Francis rock!  I'm keepin' it close to my paws...NO ONE is getting this away from me!

But I've been working pretty doggone hard touring around Taos...and I'm HUNGRY!  And .........LISTEN UP GOOD HERE all you 4-footed friends out there!  I made an absolutely over the top dog-scovery!  GRAHAM'S GRILLE is not only PET-FRIENDLY...but they even have a DOG MENU!
 That's right...here it is!  Too cool eh?  HMMMMMM....do I want the Grilled Angus Burger or the Grilled Free Range Chicken Breast!  Now THAT'S easy...I'll have BOTH...thank you very much Graham's Grille!Here's the first plate....the chicken breast with that tasty (and pretty) side of Fresh Veggies.  I'm gonna eat it ALL!And now onto the BEEF plate.  Come here...you tasty beef patty...I'm ready for you!DONE!  And it was Doggone Delicious too!  You get a 5-PAW rating from this culinary pup, Graham's Grille!  I'm gonna brag about you to the world!  And I'll be Baaaack to....you can be doggone sure!
Dinner is over...time to get back to work...and I hear through the bark-vine that there is a big dog-deal going on at Kit Carson Park.  It's none other than the MUTT STRUT...put on by the good folks at Stray Hearts Animal Shelter...I am SOOOOOO There!  Hi....let's see what all the mutt-fuss is about now!It all started with a Dog-Walk...hmmm musta missed that while I was dog-dining.  But there's plenty of action at the Park.  Dogs havin' a good time with their people on a beautiful Taos day at the park....
Why there are even some fancy-dancy dogs there doin' all sorts of high-flyin' antics. They are none other than the DISC DOGS OF NEW MEXICO! and here's a tip....they are gonna come down to Albuquerque for my FURRY FRIENDS FIESTA DAY on Saturday too!  YIPPEE .....they are some talented pups!  Can't wait to welcome you to my home! And I love to support great animal welfare groups too...Why look at this...I got my very own Mutt Strut T-Shirt!  Thanks a dog-zillion, Stray Hearts...you do good work for all us pups!  We LUV ya!
But...whoo-doggies......all this graet TAOS-RIFIC action has doggone worn me out!  I think I'm gonna make my T-shirt transform into a Night Shirt!  YAWWWWWWWNNNN.  Outta here for now for that cat...er dog-nap....but I'll be back next week with more doggone good info for all you pet fans and people fans too!

DOGGIE HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!







 

TV Time, Travel Time and Time for Tears

Well it's that time again...back on the set at "New Mexico Style"  with my gal-pal Nikki Stanzione! We decided to set the segment up with one of our famous photo ops.....lookin' good as always, don't you agree?  And pretty quick it was time for the actual live segment. 

And while the script said one thing....I-Travelin' Jack  decided to switch it up a bit this go-round.  You know that's a show-biz dog's perogative......if I bark so myself!!!

Anyway, I digress....we must get back to the segment...and just in case you didn't catch it LIVE...never fear...I have it here  (I am such a great dog poet, am I not?)

But this pawticular show required some pre-show research by yours truly Travelin' Jack!  I wouldn't even dog-dare to go on the show unprepared (or un-pupared as I like to say!)...so I kicked it off with that important research bit.

First I trotted off to Rio Grande Travel to check out what they had to tell me about pet travel on AIR TRAVEL trips, around the world trips etc.  You see, I normally travel by car, so this is a new world for me....so off I went to meet with the good folks and BEST Travel Experts around. 

WoW...would you look at that?!?  A safari? With wild animals?  NOPE....not for this pup...don't want to be lunch for any ol' lions, no sirree....I'll stick with the good ol' U.S.of A. for now!  Got plenty to explore right here at home!  But....even though I turned down a trip to Africa...I did get well taken care of 'cause they sure do know how to pamper ALL their customers Top Paw style!  If YOU need some expert travel advice...take it from Travelin' Jack...head to Rio Grande Travel!  They're the BEST!

OK...so I have the travel stuff down pat for the TV show...but it's also doggone important that a dog be prepared....safety and otherwise when he's at home or on the road....

So there's only one company I turn to to take care of my dog-personal needs.  Like making sure I don't meet up with any pesky fleas and ticks.  I'll use my VetGuard Plus thank you very much.  Just the best thing to control those fleas, ticks and mosquitos. 

And then there's that other little matter too.  It's specially  important for this kissin' dog.  I want to make sure at ALL times that my breath is minty fresh...so I always travel (home and away) with my all time favorite health treat...MINTIES.  Why they have Triple Action power....CLEANS teeth, FRESHENS the breath, and REMOVES plaque and tartar...but that's NOT ALL....no sirreee Pups!  What I like best is the TASTE of MINTIES....it's doggone YUMMY!  Now that's what I call a winner of a combination.

So in dog-clusion.....I, Travelin' Jack wouldn't go anywhere without my pawsonal VetIQ personal dog-items.  I always have them packed for my trips on the road or just about town.

  

OK...so we've done the research...now let's get ON WITH THE SHOW!  Here's the link for this segment.....
http://www.kasa.com/dpp/nm_style/travelin-jack-preps-you-for-next-trip
     

 I sorta got excited about the MINTIES and got side-tracked (just a little bit) and turned the whole segment upside down...etc.  But being the PRO that Nikki is (and Jill too) they adapted to my little discretion on LIVE TV and just went ahead and winged it.  I was a bit worried, but.......................

Nikki assured me all was good! 

But then alas.....after the show was over, as we snuggled down for another famous Nikki-Jack photo.....my world fell apart!  I'll be doggone if Nikki didn't whisper something in my ear...and this time it wasn't sweet nothings....but it was some very sad news.  And as you can see by this pic...I am NOT a happy dog-camper!

I didn't want to have to tell the world this news, so I just kept mum on the whole thing till today when Nikki anounced it. What's the big news anyway...you ask?  Well, seems we are losing our shining Jersey star gal who came to bless us here in New Mexico with her great personality both ON and OFF the camera. Let me tell you---I am one sad pupster!  I'll miss my special gal-pal, Nikki.  She brought out the best in this pup on the Tube after all!

So...before you slip away from my paw-grasp...here's a little secret for you doll-face.  I DO love you, my NIKKI gal!!!!  You just make sure you keep me in your heart FURR-ever, OKay?

Why...I'm So Sad, I'm gonna hafta go to my room and drown my sorrows in sweet doggie dreams of my NIKKI gal.....

Here's to ya NIKKI!  Thanks for the good times.  MWAAAAAHHHH! 

Your BDFF  (Best Dog Friend FURR-ever!) 

DOGGY HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!   

Balloons to Heaven.

Balloons to Heaven




Today we said adieu to a dear and special Friend

Known throughout the Balloon world, her name-- Jen.

She loved life to the fullest--both people and 4-legged friends

She was always prepared for fun around a hot air balloon ascent.



She welcomed me with open arms and hugs and kisses too.

I loved to visit her in her Balloon world with all her fabulous crew.

We did great things together out on the Balloon Museum lawn

I launched my Dog-Gubernatorial Race as she and many others looked on

She and I joined paws and arms to help our furry friends not so blessed

It was our goal to give love and support and aid…that was our joint pup test.



As Hundreds of Balloons released tonight into the dark Night Sky

There were tears…and smiles…and peace as each balloon sailed up on high.

We know you arrived safely in a heaven bound gondola ride

And Angels welcome you gladly while we kiss you our final Good-Bye.



Jen Taylor…you are a sPecial Lady. It’s a doggone fact you’ll be missed.

But one thing fer sure….you’ll continue to receive this dog’s daily kiss.

Rest in Peace My dear Friend.



Doggie Hugs And Slurpy Kisses!

WINNER!

I'm a DOUBLE DOG winner this week!  First stop.....KASA Fox TV.  I once again appeared on my favorite TV show, New Mexico Style...with my FAV TV Queen, Nikki Stanzione!  Tops on MY dog-personal lists of FAVORITE THINGS IN THE WHOLE WORLD.  What did we talk about this month?  Great dog-days-of-summer getaway to the COOL mountains of Ruidoso.  Check out the link here
http://www.kasa.com/dpp/nm_style/features/beat-dog-days-of-summer-in-ruidoso

and if this has you hankering for a quick trip to Ruidoso, check out their websites right here! www.ruidosonow.com

...and if you are just doggone curious about my recommendation for a great Pet-Friendly place to rest your weary paws in Ruidoso.....you better book a pet friendly room at The Lodge at Sierra Blana.  Here's their link  http://www.thelodgeatsierrablanca.com/

And so after our TV segment was over, I had to share a TOAST to the DOG DAYS OF SUMMER with both Nikki and Kristen.  Here's to ya, Gals!

BUT......that wasn't the End of this busy week!  Why, nossirreebob........I was just SO doggone proud to learn that Jill and I are WINNERS in the New Mexico TRUE STORIES contest!  YUP-PUP.....true as a dog lovin' a good tasty chew-bone!

WE WON!

We won with our special story about....WHAT ELSE....Pet-Friendly New Mexico....of dog-course!

Here's what we had to say!  http://www.nmtruestories.com/entry/3218762

And.......what did we WIN?  Now here's the really really really triple dog deal of the year......WE WON $1000 FOR our 4-footed furry friends in need.  We get to help them out....Now ain't that just the dog's meow-'er bark!  We'll let you know when that big deal of an event occurs.  We can't wait.....

BUT....in the meantime, I'm headin' down the dusty trail to one of my favorite places, Red River for the BUCKAROO BALL tonight!  Some rootin' tootin' fun......

                                                           See Ya there PAWdner! 

DOGGY HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!