Dog Traveling on Motorcycle.

This lady’s no tramp...but she does get around  by Alastair Barnett

Little dogs wearing jackets are not exactly rare, but when the jacket is black leather and the dog is riding a large motorcycle, it captured my attention and warranted investigation.  Soon I discovered that this particular dog, Lady Hillary, is a well seasoned motorcycle traveler and according to owners Linda and Denis Blaise of  Goodland, Fla., the dog loves it.

“We travel 12 weeks every year, and Hillary comes with us wherever we go,” says Linda, “ we can’t bear the thought of leaving her behind with strangers.  This year we decided to include British Columbia in our travel plans and we just love it here.”

Four-year-old Maltese Terrier, Lady Hillary — The Pearl of Goodland, a.k.a. “The Suitcase Dog”— is chauffeured in style, in her own custom-designed Sherpa bag, secure atop the rear seat of Linda’s Yamaha Virago motorcycle.  The bag is reinforced with PVC piping and has a transparent cover which is pulled over the top in inclement weather.  In addition,
one saddlebag is assigned for the exclusive use of Hillary.  This bag contains all her accessories, including, hairbrushes, combs and drier, special shampoos, goggles, changes of clothes and, of course, doggie diapers, for when a stay at an hotel is necessary. “People are amused at our use of doggie-diapers,” says Linda.  “Once, when we flew from our home in Florida to Saint Pierre et Miquelon, the Flight Attendant was dismayed when I took Hillary to the washroom, stating that dogs must remain under the passenger seat.  However when I pointed out that Hillary had to go to the bathroom like everyone else and would use her doggie-diaper, she laughed and relented.”  (Hillary uses a kitty-litter box when at home and a diaper when flying).  Being a ham, she soon charmed the crew and ended up in the cockpit — on the Flight Engineer’s knee — wearing the captain’s hat. Unfortunately the inevitable photos were never published for fear of causing the crew some embarrassment, or worse.  “I’m sure it must be written somewhere that dogs are not allowed to hover over the control panel of an aircraft...especially wearing the captain’s hat.” Linda laughed.

While in the Victoria, the Blaises took in the IMAX film at the Provincial Museum.  Hillary seemed to enjoy the show and true to her impeccable upbringing, remained politely silent in her travel bag.  Similarly at the Splash concert in the Inner Harbor.  “Toward the end of the concert,” it got chilly,” says Denis, “and Hillary shivered a bit, however, a very kind lady noticed, and invited us to her home for hot drinks afterward.  (Hillary loves a spot of tea). Victoria is on of the friendliest cities we’ve ever visited.”

Hillary has made appearances on ESPN, and CBC-TV.  She has traveled a total of some 34,000 miles by motorcycle, which included a 70-day trip to Newfoundland and 52 days through the U.S. Rockies, Toronto and New-Orleans.  She has also spent time in New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Nova Scotia.  Now that the quarantine restrictions are being lifted, a holiday in the U.K. is in the planning stages, along with Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

Enjoying the ocean breeze at Victoria 

I met with the Blaise family relaxing at Fort Victoria RV Park after a day of sightseeing.  “Hillary hates to leave Victoria,” Linda said, “but we have to attend a motorcycle rally south of the border and can only spend three days here.  She dines in restaurants, (mostly under cover — in her bag), and is quite piqued because we didn’t make it to the Empress for tea.  (The Empress Hotel in Victoria’s Inner Harbor, is world famous for its English afternoon tea).  I told her it’s on our ‘must-do’ list for next time.”

I suggested to the Blaises, that if they really want to “put on the dog” at the Empress, they must call ahead and make reservations for tea — under the name, “Lady Hillary” — of course.