Worldwide Book Tour for Travelin' Jack Dog-Author!

Well, maybe I'm dog-xaggerating just a bit, but it sure SEEMED like a whirlwind world tour!  Why my paws were criss-crossing all over the state with so many book signings for our just released book,

PET FRIENDS. It was published by Rio Grande Books.

My very good bud, 770 KKOB Radio's very own Terrie Q.....(Queen of the Air Waves in my dog-pinion) and I have been autographing (Terrie Q) and Pawdigraphing (ME-Travelin' Jack) just anywhere important to be for such things. 

                                      
Like our first official roll-out of the book at Treasure House Books and Gifts in Albuquerque Old Town.  Here we are posin' for a candid (?) shot.  HMMMM....lookin' doggone snazzy if I do say so myself!  And my Terrie is one hottie too, don't you dogree!?!
                                             
We followed that one up with a little trip down Old Route 66 to Grants....where I pawticipated in the fabulous La Fiesta de los Colores festival.  It was doggone interestin'.....lots of cool Hispanic artwork and such to check out in addition to BOOKS!  Grants is a pretty interesting place to visit.  It runs right along Rt. 66 west of Albuquerque, they have a great mining museum and other things too!

But no dog-lolligagging around right now...I'm on my world tour, let's not furr-get! 

How-dog-ever, the calendar being as it is, I had to stop my whirlwind tour for another very important happening....especially for this travelin' dog....the 2013 New Mexico Goveror's Conference on Tourism! 
                                                
You can bet your bones...THIS dawg will be there!  Why anyone who is anything in the Tourism industry was there....INCLUDING our fabulous Governor Susana Martinez along with Albuquerque Mayor RJ Berry.  HEY....speaking of PET FRIENDS book!  BOTH of these important New Mexicans are in the book too!  They are posing with their dogs of course!

 But.hey....back to the subject at paw....the Conference. 

First of all....I'm the only dog there!  YUP-PUP...gotta represent my canine and feline travelin' friends at this here very important event!
2nd....I'm not just hangin' out....I'm WORKING!  I have been invited to be on the very prestigious Travel Writer Panel..

Here I am schmoozing up with part of the Travel Writer Panel....Glenn Abbot (he's a HOG!) well not really....he's a people. but he writes about those Harley motorcycle hogs...so he's mighty fine in my books!  And then our Moderator was none other than the bee-u-tiful Megan from ABQ CVB!  She is one fine gal...after all she understands the importance of pet travel and invited me to participate.

So I'm now ready!  Why I might just have to bark to hundreds...or maybe even thousands of folks about how doggone important PET TRAVEL is!  And who better to bark about this  topic than Travelin' Jack...New Mexico's pre-eminent Pet Travel Reporter!

Here we go....give me a Question!  I'll doggone answer it by dog-golly! Shiny eyes and all! BOL!

WHEW....made it thru the Travel Writer Panel with flying colors....time for a little break along with a picnic lunch on the PETio at Hotel Albuquerque-host hotel for the conference!  And they did a mighty fine job of takin' care of everyone...me included! 

And now...end of the day and the FUN really starts!  It's time for the very important HALL OF FAME Banquet.  I've got my tux tie on....workin' my way down the red carpet....when WHAT do I see?????

WHO is that masked  man? 

 I think he's someone famous!  Like maybe the.......

LONE RANGER! 

You know they just finished filming that flick here in New Mexico...guess he's still hangin' around our great state....don't blame him!

BUT...I'm getting my pic with him no-dog-doubt-about-it! 

Take a Look at ALL those PUParazzie snappin' our photo together! 

What's that you say Lone Ranger?  You want a bulldog sidekick for your next Block buster movie?  YEP......I'm your dog-man!  I'll make a bully of a fine dog sidekick!  Just talk to my Manager wouldja please? 

But now it's time to get serious.  There's a rumor around the Hall of Fame banquet that my very special friend, George Brooks just MIGHT be added to the prestigious list of HoFamers!  He's got MY vote for sure!  Why not only is he Executive Director of Ski New Mexico.....where he invites a dog-zillion people each year to comve visit and ski our snow!

BUT also......

He's the former Ski Coach for UNM...and took their Ski Team to a national championship no less! 

He's a CHAMP in my books furr sure! 

Why he's so important that I just had to get my pic snapped with him. 

CONGRATS George!  You are the BEST!  

And now it is time to get back to that whirlwind world book tour!  NOW I'm heading out to the South West Book Fiesta!    And check this out!  I've even earned my very own EXHIBITOR Badge....But of dog-course!  That only makes sense to me...being New Mexico's ONLY award winning Dog-Author! (why I might even be the world's ONLY award winning dog-author! not sure but wouldn't surprise me one kibble bit!)

 OK....I've got Book Signings everywhere at the Fiesta!  First at the LithExcel booth.  After all, they are the fine folks who put my award winning book together for me....

Pretty doggone cool, eh?  Here's a link to it, if you just hafta get one for yourself!

OH...and of course proceeds from the book support New Mexico Animal Welfare too!   

And after THAT book signing, I'm heading back over to...

....pawdigraph the other book PET FRIENDS with my cover-girl gal Terrie Q...again!  LUV her...she's just too cool, eh?  Yup...we signed away...and if YOU-yep YOU need to get your own copy of our book...which of course helps pets at the shelter too!.....click on the link above!

Thanks a dog-zillion!

But the fun wasn't over after the book signing.  Why did you know that I-Travelin' Jack, Dog-Author Extraordinaire-- am also a POET?

YUP-PUP it is true!

I penned this little poem for Mother's Day...

P-E-T M-O-M

                            An Ode to My People-Mom by Your Loving Dog-Son, Jack la Lane

P is for the Pats on my head I get a thousand times a day.

E is for Encouragement you give me in every human way!

T is for our Time together….every minute, every hour, every day!

M is for the Many ways we spend our time in work, in rest, and play.

O is for the way I always seem to hear you say “Okay”

M is for the MOSTest-Bestest Mom who could have ever come my way!

Put them all together….they Spell PET MOM—words that bark out loud and clear to ME!

Thank you Mom…for adopting me and raising me to be a proud dog-son! You’re TOP DAWG!

and what do you know...but the New Mexico State Poetry Society was there.....and they heard about my poem....

...and next thing you know.....I'm up on THEIR stage presenting too! 

Why you just never know.....MAYBE.....Just MAYBE....I'll be New Mexico's 1st Ever PoET-LAUREATE!  Me-thinks it is befitting!

So WoW....that was MY week....
.....Why I've pawdigraphed SO many books,
.....I've Schmoozed SO many people,
.....I've doled out So many Jack kisses and hugs...

                                                        I'm just doggone worn out.  

Think I'll take a little dog-nap now, thank you very much! 

 DOGGIE HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES! 

 

HAPPY Hot Diggity Dawg Days!

You know there is nuthin' that makes this pup happier than Event Hopping! And I can sure do that job hot-diggity dawg in grand style!

                                 

Why what's NOT to like.....hob-nobbing with cutie pie kids, Pawdi-graphing my book (award winning you might just recall---I DO! dog-grins)....and just hangin' with LOTS of fun folks at all different types of events.  Why just last weekend, I had 3...yes I barked that right THREE events in one weekend! 
Whoo-doggies...now that'll make this dog happy! 
                                                   
First Stop---MORIARTY Civic Center for the Literacy Event.  I was the ONLY dog there....and it was one good-ol' time let me tell ya! I got to bark about my newest book PET FRIENDS...where I am on the Cover with Miss Terrie Q.....of 770 KKOB radio.  Ya know this books helps the 4-footed kids at the shelter!  Good thing yes siree doggie! 

 Next stop....TRAVELIN' JACK ON THE JOB!  It was my DOG-FICIAL duty to welcome folks at the brand new COMCAST INFINITY store in Albuquerque. 

And dog-o-dog....was that some RUFF duty or what! 

Why....I had to luv on folks...like this li'l cutie!

                                            

But have NO FEAR.....Travelin' Jack is here! 

All decked out in my dog-personalized Comcast T-shirt! 

I'm ready for the crowds! 

 And HERE THEY COME! 

All hundreds of dog-zillions of them!  And so...my work begins.  Gotta pose for that photo......

And gotta snuggle with the kids
YUP-PUP That is a very dog-portant part of my job!

And of course.....if yer any kinda celebrity dog...ya GOTTA hang with the TV stars...especially when you are at a fine establishment connected to TV like Comcast is! Why doggone it...I just gotta pose with these two TV stars from Mad Men.  You can catch it on Comcast Infinity!

But WHOA doggies! 

 I've been workin' hard with all this dog-posing. 

I NEED A BREAK! 

Like a Coffee Break....Yup-Pup.....it's time for my Union Break!

SLURP...now that's better! 

Time to get back to work! 

Here are the Comcast Infinity Gals!

GOTTA get a pic with these gorgeous girls!

And talk about cuties! 

Now let me see...who's cuter...her or me? 

ANSWER----BOTH! 

Yup...this Comcast Infitity Store Grand Opening was one doggone big deal! 

Thanks Comcast for including me!   

                                      

After a night's rest.....I'm off to the next happening scene....at one of my favorite places....

 Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. 

One pretty dog-dandy place wouldn't you agree! 

And here's a dog-fact for you!  

Did you know that Admission is Free on Sundays for New Mexico Residents? 

TRUE FACT! 

Leave it to Travelin' Jack to sniff out these great tips!

YER WELCOME!    

                                
But now it's time to get to work.  More cute kids to visit with....wow...there's lots of great stuff to see and do at this special event Dia De Los Ninos and Libros.
  (HINT-that means Day of the Kids and the Books....I DO know my Spanish!  Ya know I'm tri-lingual.  I bark English, Spanish and Dog!) 

And here's another JACK FACT....did you know that New Mexico has TWO official state languages?  Yup....it's true-nuf.  Both English and Spanish are the official languages of New Mexico!.

Why....I'm waitin' for them to name me OFFICIAL DOG OF NEW MEXICO  here pretty soon!  Thinkin' I'm gonna get a call from the Governor any day now. 
(If you agree with me....maybe you should call your favorite Legislator and put a bark in their ear! I'd be most dog-preciative-WOOF!)

 
            But I dogress.....back to the Balloon Museum! 
Here are some more little cuties...We're havin' a good ol' HUG-FEST! 
And they are takin' my advice about learning about New Mexico!  They have the official KIDS PASSPORT TO NEW MEXICO...ready to explore the state! That was my little gift to them! 

And now it's STORY TIME! 

I think I'll listen with the kids while Jill reads my book....Travelin' Jack's Story..From Shelter To Star!  And happy dog-days!  It has a happy ending!

Oh..and here's another JACK FACT....did you know that 50% percent of each book sale goes to support the puppies and the kitties at the Shelter? 

Yup--TRUE! 

I make doggone sure that those little cousins of mine get their dog-wheaties every day...TILL they get adopted into their forever home!

Today I'm raising dollars for LUCKY PAWS at Coronado Mall.

And YAH! 

Here's a customer! Not only is she happy about getting her very own PAW-digraphed book, but she also knows she is helping out the pups and cats too! 

Now THAT is what I call a doggone successful weekend, don't you?  More adventures to come soon too!  Like Book Signings at Treasure House Book Store, The Southwest Book Fiesta and more!  So stay tuned....and follow me on Facebook too....Travelin' Jack, Roving Bulldog Reporter!

Have a GRRRRReat Day!

DOGGIE HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!



ROCKS TREES AND GOLD! Where O Where did Travelin' Jack GO?

Recently I, Travelin' Jack, along with my gal pal crew Jill and fab photographer Christena, made a quick Springtime trek to southwestern New Mexico to explore this pet-friendly area.  First stop: City of Rocks State Park. 

(Jack Trivia Fact: 33 of 34 of New Mexico's State Parks are pet friendly.....and the only one that is not is Living Desert Zoo State Park in Carlsbad....'cuz it's a ZOO!) 

This day....a warm spring sunshiny day...we drove south through the southwestern desert landscape.... and I was just soooooo dog-anxious to get my eyes on the sight of this unique park....when Lo and Behold!

...there she popped up right in front of our eyes.......City of Rocks State Park .
(here's another JACK FACT n case you are a-wonderin'.... incredible volcanic rock formations gave this park its name...true 'nuff!)




                                 
At City of Rocks State Park and Desert Botanic Garden, we discovered this 'city of rocks' dog-literally! And if ya ask this dog...it was more like a city of BIG rocks...or Boulders or Pillars of Stone.....you get my dog-drift here, I am sure.  To sum it up....LOTS OF gi-normous rocks.....
 I couldn't wait to get my paws trackin'...climbing through those mighty big rocks along those windee paths.......some dog-dandy fun! 
Why I even climbed to the TOP O' THE WORLD....I'm pretty doggone sure!

And I explored desert cacti  (WARNING) Don't get your Paws or your Behind too doggone close to those prickly things....OUCH! 
Break time!

Whew!  This dogercise can wear a pup out...if ya know what I mean! 
But there sure are lots o' cool things to explore here in City of Rocks State Park. Visitors can camp, hike and explore the rocks. They can even enjoy the amazing night sky at New Mexico State Parks’ first astronomical observatory.


If ya wanna explore properly...here's my idea of just how to do City of Rocks State Park! 

Tip # 1 Drive the loop.  PupScript here---I'm NOT drivin'.....I'm LOOKIN'!


Tip #2 Choose where you wanna hike....and JUST DO IT!

                                                Tip # 3 Pose for a picture...or two!

                                                  Tip #4  Camp amongst these giant rocks.....

Tip #5....(if yer brave enough) Climb to the top of the tallest boulder! 

Those are Travelin' Jack's TIPS! 
Yep take it from me....Travelin' Jack.  City of Rocks State Park is one cool place in southwestern New Mexico.  You better add this spot to your MUST DO explore list!  Located between Deming and Silver City......City of Rocks State Park  is sure worth the drive!

After I was too doggone tired to hike, explore or (dog-forbid) have MORE photos taken of me!......we  rolled on down the highway to the tiny historic ghost town of Pinos Altos .  It sits conveniently between Silver City and the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Pinos Altos (which means Tall Pines...yes I am a bilingual dog!) was a gold mining town in its day. All sorts of folks wandered these parts......includin' Billy the Kid????? now those were some dangerous times! Glad I live NOW!  It's a grand place to visit in today's world!



So to get into the ol west spirit....we put on our boots and spurs and cowboy hat (so to bark!) and headed down Main Street to check out the sites.

   We found old forts with turrets,

               historic adobe structures

...the old post office
(HINT-It's turned ice cream parlor too now--double dog YUM!)
...why we even found the site of Judge Roy Bean's Store tucked right there on Main Street of Pinos Altos.
And as we wandered down Main Street.....needin' our thirst quenched and our tummies filled....we spied that popular eatery and drinkery called BUCKHORN SALOON. 

I took a break in the cool of the evening in the car...while Jill and Christene and our good buddy Lola chowed down on yummy steaks and cold brew.


NO pets allowed here in the saloon (dang!) but I know for a dog-fact that the steak is yummy because Jill saved me some tasty morsels....
YIPPEE-I-O-KAYAY...as the cowpokes say! 
The Buckhorn Saloon is known as the best restaurant in 3 counties....and we do agree!


After dinner...the gals took a swing through the saloon doors......and oh-dog-oh-my-oh-dog....what did they find?
 But an ol' Injun playin' some ILLEGAL slots (me-thinks). 
OH whew...it's just a make-believe teaser...but looks pretty real to me, don't you agree? 

They also wandered into the ol' Opera House....an authentic piece of local history to be sure!  Look at these ceiling-high balcony seats.  THAT's where I wanna sit to see the BAD GUY taken out by the Sheriff in the WHITE STETSON!  Let me know when the show starts....I'll be there!!!

But hey now...this has been one long...and dog-xhausting day...I'm ready to find my bed!     

 

So we mosied on over to the famous Bear Creek Motel and Cabins. We were absolutely THRILLED with the accommodations at this pet-friendly, family-friendly people-friendly Lodge!

First stop.....friendly welcome from Daniel at the Office. He filled us in on the local area as well as pet friendly advice. No wonder this place is so PUPular!

We thoroughly LOVED our cabin that looked like a fairy tale tree-top chalet! 
It's steeply sloped roofs complimented the 2-story wood/stone cabin. Very dreamy mountain cabin!

Leading up to the cabin were winding stone paths with hand-cut, bent-wood rails along the steps. Each cabin is set slope-side in this beautiful mountain-y setting where you hear the wind rustling the pine trees and watch birds cabin side at one of the numerous bird houses scattered throughout the property.

 We entered the cabin proper through the covered but open-air porch...complete with picnic table, grill, Adirondack lounging chairs..old-timey screen door and even a wood bin filled with firewood for the fireplace---PAWFECT on a cool eve in the mountains.


Yup-pup...this dog knows those hidden gems tucked around our state.

The cabin interior was just as charming as the outside. We entered into the open living/dining room/kitchen where there was a stone fireplace center stage in the sitting area.
 
 A tiny kitchen complete with everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink...even a microwave was there. We just needed to bring the food to make our stay complete.

 The bathroom was nicely set up with a double sink and a shower/bath combo. Making our way upstairs (again along a bent wood bannister) we found two very cozy bedrooms each with a Queen bed.










We even had our own private balcony off one of the bedrooms...with a view right into the treetops.

We got the feel of being in a treehouse cabin....too fun! Big windows throughout the cabin let in the sunlight as well as glimpses of the greenery of the pine trees standing tall around our cabin. Cute decor throughout added a homey touch. We LOVED this cabin! Why we even had internet access tucked up here in the treetops...and we felt a thousand miles away from civilization. Total peace and comfort!
Cabin #3

After a cozy night's sleep in our fairy tale cabin, we decided to explore the grounds in the morning light. VERY nice setting, I must BARK! The cabins are scattered around the property giving a sense of privacy...

....with lots of fun photo op spots scattered throughout. Birds twittered in the treetops, squirrels and chipmunks skittered around us.. And at the edge of the property we discovered a lovely wooded area to hike in.

Now THAT is what I-Travelin' Jack call a pet-friendly natural touch! Over 5 acres to roam about! HINT: It is very important in my dog's mind that when booking a room, you also check out the grounds around to see if it is pet-friendly too! I want places to roam and things to sniff....and Bear Creek Motel and Cabins fills this rule of paw pretty doggone fabulously! Bear Creek Motel and Cabins gets MY prestigious 5-PAW rating for comfort and setting!

                                           
Alas, our trip came to an end too quickly. I wanted to stay a week, but Jill-my chauffeur had other plans, so we took off after a wonderful but brief stay. BUT you can be sure---I. Travelin' Jack WILL be BACK!
I LUV Bear Creek Motel and Cabins in quaint Pinos Altos! And I dog-guarantee you will too!
It's both Pet AND People friendly!

So when YOU get a hankering to take your dog on a fab-tab-ulous dog-venture....head to City of Rocks State Park, head to the historic gold mining town of Pinos Altos...and make sure to head right to the pet-friendly Bear Creek Motel and Cabins!  You won't be disappointed...I dog-gurantee! 

Doggie Hugs and Slurpy Kisses!