Florida EcoSafaris

Photo by Donna Hailson.

In Episode 8, we visit St. Cloud’s 4,700-acre eco-ranch and wildlife conservation area Forever Florida, home of Florida EcoSafaris, where – in two and half hours and via seven ziplines and nine towers -- folks soar through the treetops and sky-bridge over Pine Flatwoods and forested wetlands. This site boasts nine distinct Florida eco-systems and is home to alligators, black bears, nearly two hundred species of birds and the endangered Florida panther.

Photo by Donna Hailson.

Joining us in this episode is Florida EcoSafari’s Matt Duda, whose background in marketing, tourism, ecotourism, and conservation makes him just the right person to introduce us to the history of the property, the flora and fauna one finds here and the adventures (along with ziplining, coach safaris, horseback safaris and rawhide round-ups) in which one can engage here. From him, we learn about the efforts being made to preserve the natural beauty and natural ecological balance at Forever Florida. The property is located at 4755 N. Kenansville Road, which is about an hour southeast of Orlando. Reservations are required. Phone 407.957.9794. extension 1, or 1.866.85.4EVER. extension 1. Or check them out online at www.FloridaEcoSafaris.com.

Sparky the Fire Dog’s 60th Birthday and the Fire Museum of Texas, Home of the World’s Largest Working Fire Hydrant

Sparky the Fire Dog Today

This year marks the 60^th birthday of Sparky the Fire Dog, the cartoon Dalmatian mascot of the National Fire Protection Association. Celebrations have been and will be held this year not only in the United States but also in at least one location on the other side of the world.

Sparky in the 1950s

In the first half of Episode 7, we’ll hear about some of these events and we’ll learn more about Sparky. Like many of the advertising icons that were introduced in the 1950s (from Tony the Tiger to Speedy Alka Seltzer) Sparky’s looks have changed considerably over the years. In recent days, he’s bulked up a bit and he’s become much more colorful. 

Today, he hosts his own website, has a Facebook page, and makes personal appearances. His likeness is seen in Sparky costumes, Sparky Valentines Day cards, Sparky birthday kits and Sparky robots. Sparky is also finding himself the recipient of some pretty remarkable honors. One great example: a few months back -- on Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, Japan -- Sparky was named a non-commissioned officer, a staff sergeant. This recognition was given to celebrate Sparky’s 23 years of service to the air base.

Filling us in on Sparky’s life and the work of the organization he represents will be Massachusetts-based Lorraine Carli, Vice President of Communications for the NFPA. 

The Fire Museum of Texas in Beaumont.
Photo by Donna Hailson.

The world's largest working
fire hydrant. Photo by
Donna Hailson.

In the second half of the program, we’ll visit the city of Beaumont, site of the Fire Museum of Texas. In the plaza, adjacent to the museum, sits the world’s largest working fire hydrant. From Carol Gary, the museum’s Executive Director, we’ll hear how that multi-story fire hydrant came to sit where it does. A hint: Disney, Dalmatians and Cruella de Vil had something to do with it.

From Carol we’ll also hear about what’s on offer especially for children at the museum and we’ll learn how dogs have worked side by side with firefighters pretty much since fire companies were formed.

Sparky images provided by the National Fire Protection Association. 

Our Digs

Thought it might be time to post some pics of the not-attached-to-the-land home we are now calling home: it's a 37-foot 2011 Carriage Cameo. The dogs and we dig our new digs. (All photos by Donna Hailson.)

Kitschy Kissimmee

The four of us took a tour of kitschy Kissimmee this week. We just drove along looking for the cheesiest and campiest and, when it appeared, I leapt out and captured it. All of these photos, save for the one of the dogs, were taken along Route 192. Our vehicle is a 2011 Dodge Ram 3500 with dual rear wheels and a mega cab. With the rear seats completely folded down and a blanket in place, both dogs easily have enough room in their section of the cab -- about 24 square feet -- to stretch out to their hearts' content. They can also stand comfortably back there as they have about three feet from the platform to the ceiling. That does nothing, of course, to discourage them from taking over the front of the cab as well. Incidentally, we didn't pose Mac and Molly; every time we get out of the truck, Mac moves into the driver's seat. (All photos by Donna Hailson.)

Dog Mountain

The Dog Chapel. Photo by
Donna Hailson.

In Episode 6 of ON THE ROAD WITH MAC AND MOLLY, we visit Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

On this site, artist and author Stephen Huneck built his Dog Chapel, styled in the manner of a 19th century village church. In the book, The Dog Chapel, Stephen noted that he intended the building and the property on which it sits, to be a place for the celebration of the "spiritual bond" folks have with their dogs. His vision was to create "a place that would be open to all dogs and to people of any faith or belief system."

At the entrance to Dog Mountain.
Photo by Donna Hailson.

Though I'm not in agreement with all that was his theology, I resonate with Stephen's desire to honor the human-pet bond and I appreciate his whimsical renderings of life with canine friends.

I'm sad to note that Stephen, despairing over the downturn in the economy and fearing the impact it might have on Dog Mountain, took his own life about a year ago. The entrance to the chapel is now a hall of remembrance for him. The walls of the inner chapel are covered with appreciations of and memorials to human-pet relationships.

Stephen's artwork is everywhere in the chapel: in the stained glass windows, in the hooked rugs and in the pews, the ends of which boast delightful carvings of dogs. Dogs and their humans are invited to enjoy the space and can then run free on the surrounding trails or in the dog ponds or on the agility course.

On the day of our visit, at least a dozen dogs (including our own Mac and Molly) romped - with what looked like something exceeding joy - as the snow was lightly falling on the already snow-covered, very steep incline. It was a bit of tough going for bipeds but the quadrupeds managed it all with ease.

A gallery, featuring Stephen's books, woodcut prints, sculptures, furniture and other Huneck-designed items (from dog neckerchiefs to bowls, notecards, mugs and rugs) sits a few yards from the chapel.

Happy Tails and Dog-E-Harmony

“SeaWorld’s Happy Tails” is a new animal adoption program that will provide pet lovers two free single-day admissions to SeaWorld when they adopt a dog or cat from a participating animal shelter. Tickets are valid for a single-day admission to the park any time within one year of purchase. Tickets will be printed onsite at participating shelters. Details, including participating shelters, can be found on www.seaworldcares.com.

The program launched Feb. 10 at the SPCA of Central Florida shelters in Orlando and Sanford, and the Orange County Animal Services shelter also in Orlando.

“We are pleased to partner with SeaWorld Orlando to show our gratitude for families who adopt from our shelters,” stated Barbara Wetzler, President of the SPCA of Central Florida. “We promote life-long companionships for our pets and this program demonstrates our appreciation for the families that open their lives for these homeless pets.”

And just in time for Valentines’ Day, there was a Dog-E-Harmony event last night at a wine shop here in Orlando. The invitation read: “Come meet Orlando’s most eligible canine bachelors and bachelorettes as they put their best paw forward in the hopes of finding love.” Hosted by A New Beginning, a “no - kill” rescue, Dog-E-Harmony was organized to give prospective dog parents the chance to meet some available pooches in a fun and festive atmosphere.

Modeled after speed-dating events, participants spent a few minutes getting to know each dog over some complimentary wine, appetizers and entertainment. Then it was time to decide if the match was right.

Living Nomadically with Canine Companions

Episode 5 of ON THE ROAD WITH MAC AND MOLLY focuses on the initial challenges faced by those who decide to take their dogs with them when they move from living in an attached-to-the-land home to living nomadically, in a not-attached-to-the-land home.

In this episode, we consider why folks may pay far more for their pet's grooming than they do for their own haircuts. Here are some of those reasons:
#10. Your hairdresser doesn’t wash and clean your rear end.
#9. You don’t go for four weeks or longer without washing or brushing your hair.
#8. Your hairdresser doesn’t give you a sanitary trim.
#7. Your hairdresser doesn’t clean your ears.
#6. Your hairdresser doesn’t clean boogies from your eyes.
#5. You sit still for your hairdresser.
#4. Your haircut doesn’t include a pedicure.
#3. Your hairdresser only washes and cuts the hair on your head.
#2. You don’t bite or scratch your hairdresser.
And the #1 reason your dog’s grooming costs more than your haircut? The likelihood of you pooping or peeing while having your haircut is extremely slim!

I address the challenge of finding wide open spaces where big galumphing canines can run at full tilt off leash and offer suggestions on staving off dog motion sickness. I’ll tell you what you need from your veterinarian before you hit the road, what should be included in a dog first aid kit, what you’ll need at border crossings between the United States and Canada and what resources online and in print are especially helpful in locating dog parks and dog-friendly campgrounds.

More than 30 million families take their dogs camping each year — and that’s a lot of canines out there in RVs and in the campgrounds mingling with humans, other dogs, strange plants and even creatures of the wild and unfriendly kind. My goal in this episode is to help you plan for the unplanned as you head out On the Road!