Channeling Spirit – Do I Have a Sidecar Dog?

Unless you’re a free and single bachelorette (…or bachelor, I’ve heard they let guys ride motorcycles now) the idea that you need to balance your motorcycle ridin’ with spending time with the important people in your life isn’t an alien concept. It can be challenging.

monkey chicken ural

One of the reasons that I bought the Ural was so that I could easily bum around with my daughter in tow. When she was smaller, she would have a tendency to get sleepy and wobbly on the back of my Tiger. The Ural was able to put those concerns to rest for me.

When the Ural first came home, a common thread that ran through conversations about it was that people would love to take their dogs along on rides. I too was one of those people. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

ural by the beach

My dog Luna was suspicious of peoples motives and in some ways was aloof and cat-like. The idea of her ever hopping into the sidecar and going for a ride was just as probable as seeing Bigfoot riding a unicorn through Times Square.

“Hey! Luna! D’ya wanna go for a ride in the sidecar?!?!?!”

“No.”
::walks away rolling her eyes at your idiocy::

Over the years I have read posts on ADV, read blogs with sidecar dogs in them – most notably The Oasis of My Soul with Ara and Spirit. There is no shortage of pictures floating around social media of smiling sidecar dogs with the wind in their fur. On the surface, these people seem to have it all. Motorcyclists who manage to not have to balance their loved ones separately from their motorcycles.

Last Saturday, we stopped in to one of the local dog rescues. Amidst the chaos of 50 barking, leaping, pacing dogs I spotted a quiet, sweet girl who sat quietly on a bed in the corner. I knelt down next to the her pen and she walked towards me and leaned in as I stuck my fingers through the fence. Her big brown eyes said, “Please get me out of here.”

This is Lilo.

my sweet lilo

Lilo came from a kill shelter in Georgia to the local rescue org with a litter of puppies. They were just weened and adopted away, leaving Lilo behind.

She’d been in that pen at the rescue for 2 1/2 months. She’s on the skinny side, is missing a toe, has a broken incisor and was clearly in some type of altercation based on the scarring on her muzzle. Lilo appears to be some type of pitbull and maybe hound mix. As an underdog, Lilo was of those adult dogs it was easy for people to walk past as they bee-line for the puppies.

This sweet baby was starving for love. With the Luna shaped hole left in my heart, I have plenty of it to give.

Over the last week while getting to know our new pup, Lilo has become my shadow. Since she wants to be with me always, out of curiosity I brought her outside to see how she would handle getting into the sidecar.

Well, that was easy! Do I have myself a new sidecar dog? It would appear that with little effort, she would be a willing monkey.

Given her size she would probably benefit from popping the seat cushion out. I’ll also need a harness and some doggles for her. But, just seeing her in there is encouraging.

Is this a new chapter in my motorcycle life?

 

Fuzzygalore

Rachael is the whimsical writer behind the 20+ year old Girlie Motorcycle Blog. As a freelance blogger, she is on a mission to inspire laughter, self-examination, curiosity, and human connection. Girlie Motorcycle Blog can be found on several Best Motorcycle Blog lists.

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9 Responses

  1. Kathy says:

    I believe it might be.

  2. GLantern says:

    I’m glad to see the pup is settling in so well, it seems she was meant for your family!

  3. canuk_guy says:

    If you didn’t, next time start up the bike while you’re sitting on it. Call her over and see of she hops in. ~ Cheers, Guy

  4. RichardM says:

    Looks like you have a Spirit in training! Time to re-mount the GoPro to include her in the shot. BTW, “Lilo” as in the animated movie character?

  5. Sandi Roush says:

    You get two gold stars in my book for adopting an adult dog!

  6. Andrew says:

    Too cool! I’d love to take my dog with me (he hates my bikes because it always means he’s being left at home). but I’m not ready for the third wheel…yet.

  7. Raindog says:

    Congrats on the new family member! It sounds like you have a real sweetheart on your hands.

    Oh, and tell your kiddo that that’s one kickass lookin’ helmet she’s got.

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