When it comes to raising money for charity, Moxie always has her mom’s back.
About 10 months ago, Jess Stone of Canada embarked on an epic journey with her husband and her best friend, a 75-pound German shepherd named Moxie. The couple’s preferred transportation method doesn’t usually lend itself to traveling with pets, but somehow they make it work!
Jess aims to travel through 90 countries throughout North, South, and Central America, Africa, Europe, and Asia, all with Moxie riding in the seat directly behind hers. Not in a trailer or sidecar, mind you – right there on the seat. Wherever they go, the pair makes quite a sight for curious travelers.
“Every car that rides up beside us, they [the people inside] take out their phones, almost causing accidents because they’re trying to get the shot,” she told CNN. “It’s hilarious.”
Jess’ husband Greg follows behind the duo on his own motorcycle. They previously completed a long motorcycle trip from North to South America. After Jess found Moxie in a litter of puppies in Guatemala, she knew she had to find a way to include the dog in their travels. Through their company “Ruffly,” Greg and Jess designed and manufactured a motorcycle dog carrier they call the K9 Moto Cockpit.
“Everybody always asks how long it takes to teach your dog how to ride,” Jess said. “Honestly, it took Moxie the weekend.”
Jess’ goal to travel the world with a large dog on her back provided an opportunity to raise money for charity. She reached out to global non-profit Girl Up, a program that helps girls develop leadership skills, and created a fundraiser called GoRUFFLY Around the World. She hopes to raise $100,000 for the charity’s global empowerment efforts!
As the miles pass beneath their wheels, Jess loves seeing the world through her dog’s eyes.
“I see her [Moxie] in my mirror all the time,” she said. “Her head is right up against my side. Sometimes she even rests her big snout on my shoulder with her chin up there. It makes me feel so happy that she’s really experiencing everything. It’s always new sights, sounds, and smells that she’s looking at and experiencing.”
Along the way, Jess has stopped off at Girl Up clubs, camped on the shore of the Arctic Ocean, and spotted wildlife like grizzly bears and moose in remote locations. While Moxie loves spotting wildlife, she seems to love the attention she gets from humans even more. Jess says every rest stop they visit turns into a “selfie palooza.”
“It brings a smile to everyone’s face,” said Jess. “And that’s what I love. She just makes everybody have a good day.”
We can’t think of a cuter traveling companion! We wish this dynamic duo the best of luck as they continue their epic adventure to raise money for a worthy cause.
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