U.S. Hogs For Dogs

Janet's book about our ride is available for pre-order!

Paperback - Two Hogs, Two Dogs, and a Country to Cross Autographed Copy Pre-Order Today! Autographed PAPERBACK copy of Two Hogs, Two Dogs, And A Country To Cross by Janet Charbonneau. Ships mid-September.

In honor of those who were part of the search and rescue teams after 9/11...one of my favorite memories of our Hogs for Dogs ride...and this still sits on my dresser to this day. Here is the story behind it...

It was during lunch that we received what may be one of the most unique, thoughtful and touching gifts we've ever received. Bob, Karen's fiancé, works with canine search and rescue. In that capacity, he was one of the many who helped search through the World Trade Center debris after 9/11. Bob shared with us just how grueling and emotionally-draining it was to be there during that time. Children would often hold up photos of their loved ones as he made his way to work, pleading for Bob and his dog to help find them among the rubble. Bob was in tears as he recounted the story and we were in tears listening to it. Then, he shared the gift.

He said that he had returned back to their hotel room after an extremely difficult day and found a small package lying on his bed. When he opened the box, he found it full of dog bo**ies made to protect the dogs' feet while they searched the rubble. And on each bo**ie, school children from a school in Michigan had colored inspirational pictures or messages. Bob picked up each bo**ie, one at a time, to examine their messages. By the time he was finished, his spirits were markedly lifted. These students from Michigan had sent him just the support he needed. The bo**ies, however, were too slippery to use on the dogs' feet - but they were just what the teams needed to keep them focused on the difficult job in front of them.

Well, Bob saved those bo**ies and continues to use them for inspiration every time he and his dogs get called to a scene. His gift to us was two of those highly-treasured bo**ies to help remind us that we're not out here alone - that people around the country care about our welfare, are supportive of our goals and are quietly cheering for us to push on - regardless of the difficulties we face. Those bo**ies, sent to Bob nearly three years ago, are still inspiring people around the country. Thank you, Bob, for sharing such a meaningful gift with us. We consider them priceless.

So sorry to hear of our loss of an awesome man! He and his dealership was a sponsor of our Hogs for Dogs ride in 2004 and his dealership hosted our "Get out of Town" ride and our Welcome Home party. We were so honored to have his support for our ride. He will be missed!!

Community activist Ray Price dead at age 78 :: WRAL.com Community activist Ray Price of Ray Price Harley-Davidson died in his sleep Wednesday night, according to spokesperson David Chatham.

This was one of our inspirations while we road in 2004. Such a great story!!!

From our Hogs for Dogs journal.....

Yesterday, at the North Carolina Azalea Festival Parade, I met a man that I could really look up to. That may seem unusual, however, because I had to look down to speak with him since he was unable to rise from his wheelchair. He has no use of his legs due to Multiple Sclerosis and is dependent on a motorized wheelchair for his mobility. His name is Edmond Kent.

I was immediately drawn to Edmond in the early morning hours as we waited to ride in the Azalea Festival Parade. He arrived almost unnoticed at the designated parade gathering spot, where Carolina Canines - one of our charity partners - was assembling for the parade, and he simply sat off to one side of the sidewalk, out of the way of passerby traffic. Yet, his quiet confidence, bright spirit and silent determination left a palpable feeling in the air from the first time he smiled and said hello. He had come to march in the parade with his wife Brenda and Gideon, his Assistance Dog that was trained and provided by Carolina Canines.

Edmond told Janet and me how he and Gideon first met. Carolina Canines had worked with Gideon for his initial training for several months before he and Gideon were introduced. At the introduction, there were four clients in the room. Gideon walked into the room and immediately walked up to Edmond. And although Carolina Canines had already decided that Gideon would be placed with Edmond, nobody had told either of them. Gideon just seemed to 'know'. Their partnership continues to have that unique bond that is sometimes unexplainable by simple logic and understanding.

But it wasn't until Gideon's trainer Cynthia Mackie joined the conversation that we learned how this partnership of man and dog had changed Edmond's life. I'll admit to you that I was wondering just what Edmond was doing with a service dog because he had great use of his upper body and hands. What could Gideon really do for him? Well, my ignorance was rewarded with a story of how prior to Gideon's placement it would take Edmond almost two full hours to get back into his wheelchair when he would fall. Two hours of dragging himself to the nearest wall, pushing himself back into a sitting position and then struggling to pull himself into his chair. Without the use of his legs, Edmond would be exhausted after such a fall. Enter Gideon.

During their first training session, Cynthia asked Edmond what was his most difficult task. Edmond mentioned the long struggles after a fall. Cynthia then said, "let's see it" and put Edmond on the ground with Gideon. Gideon spent a while trying to figure out how to help Edmond back into his chair, but eventually they worked it out together - in much less than two hours. With great joy and satisfaction, Edmond rewarded Gideon by praising him with the words, "You're the man, Gideon. You're the man."

I feel very fortunate to have met Edmond. Having learned the depth of his daily challenges, I was impressed with how his perseverance keeps him going with a positive outlook on life and a smile for all those around him. And though I think Gideon is an amazing dog, I'd like to say something to Edmond in this journal - "Thank you for your inspiration and for reminding me that this ride is about helping people reclaim their independence." And lastly, "You're the man, Edmond. You're the man."

An inspirational video highlighting our 2004 ride!!

Hogs For Dogs - Anything is Possible Short video highlighting the 2004 Hogs for Dogs trip across America.