Where's Margo!

Margo’s first ride on my Honda Valkyrie took place when she was one year
old. One year seems like an appropriate age as the puppy has had a year to
mature and learn to trust it’s owner, but in this case it was when I found
the proper riding gear for her. A leather crafter in Maryland made Margo’s
seat, harness and goggles for her. We measured Margo and allowed room for
her to fill-out as she finished growing. The day the riding equipment came,
Margo watched as I fitted the seat to the motorcycle. Then I placed the
harness on her. She seemed to know what was happening as she tried to get
on the motorcycle herself after the harness was properly adjusted. I then
picked her up and set her in the seat, attached the clips from the seat to
the harness and made the proper adjustments. The first ride I felt it was
better to leave the goggles off as she adjusted to the bike, seat and wind
in her face. About 1 kilometer into her first ride you would think she had
been riding forever. After about 10 kilometers I stopped and placed the
goggles on her. No problem there, I believe she appreciated the eye
protection from the wind. Since this day Margo has ridden over 40,000
kilometers. She has endured long trips, bad weather, hot days and honking
horns. She has had her picture taken countless times, been in magazines,
newspapers and on television. She is a hit every where and is always
welcome places pets usually do not frequent. Margo has never attempted to
jump from the bike. Even on the most extreme curves and lean, she stays on
the same plan as the bike. She is so comfortable riding she will fall
asleep with her head over the back of my shoulder or curled up in her seat.
One problem I had not anticipated when I came up with the riding idea for
Margo was my wife being displaced from her seat of many years. The hands on
my waist were now replaced by a cold nose at my ear. This problem was
easily taken care of by some riding lessons and a bike for my wife. The
three of us have ridden many kilometers together. Margo is now approaching 11
years old and her riding days, especially long rides, is probably nearing
the end. Whenever she hears the rumble of a bike engines she always looks
and you can see she wishes to be in the wind as well. I have a second
standard poodle now riding. While she has taken to the ride as well as
Margo, it will never be the same as the first bonding of man and beast in
the wind.