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This story started a movement to assist travelers with pets.
On a
very cold night in January 2008, I watched TV's "The Tonight Show." I was
shocked to see my own locale get national attention with the story of an abandoned dog. I
went to sleep very bothered by the sad end to the story...and awoke with the whole Hiway
Dog concept in my head. I jumped out of bed and wrote everything down...even the
image of the logo was in my mind. I went right to work on the new symbol for pet
hospitality. I have been feverishly working on it ever since!
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WHAT WE HAVE DONE THUS FAR:
We have created an instantly recognizable symbol, registered the logo,
bought a web domain name, and designed fliers, a web presence, and met
with various chamber of commerces and businesses with the idea.
We offer a priceless opportunity to build a new image for
businesses; that of a pet friendly stop or destination to travelers. This concept opens
the door to creative promotions, new methods of advertising, and will hopefully encourage
people to support local animal shelters and rescue operations.
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As reported on Television Station, WEAU, Eau Claire WI
Rice Lake’s Highway Dog
Jan 7, 2009
A feisty dog out of Rice Lake makes headlines,
"The Tonight Show's "Headlines" Monday night. Here's the transcript from
the show:
Jay Leno says, "this is a big one. you gotta follow me here. What town is this? Rice
Lake police log. 7:58: dog that caller tried to catch earlier this week on highway 53 but
bolted is now resting on the northbound ramp. 8:58 another call about the dog. officer
response. 10:04 yet another call about the highway 53 dog which is now in the middle of a
second highway, a roundabout. Officers advised to check it out. 11:15, dog has left the
roundabout, is now back on highway 53. Officers heading over to highway 53. 2:01, Highway
53, dog is running on highway 53, almost got hit. Officer responded, found suspect by the
mall. Unable to apprehend the dog. 8:16, highway 53. Dog was hit by a car, lying on the
highway. Officers responded unsuccessful at catching the dog. The dog is very much alive.
9:05. Another call. Dog is in the median on highway 53, near highway "O" exit.
Caller hopes officers who didn't catch the dog are happy now, because the dog is lying
dead under the overpass. Officers said the dog likes to lie there like it'd dead, but when
they try to catch it, it lifts its head and runs away. 2:40. Caller says no, dog is dead,
you need to check it out. 2:45, officers checked on highway, dog miraculously spring to
life and ran off." Leno quote ends.
The story of the dog that liked to play dead and then run from officers in Rice Lake
started in the summer of 2007. Police Chief John Sommerfeld tells us the dog prompted
several calls from concerned people because it loved to hang out near the highway.
Sommerfeld says the stray lived under an overpass and officers tried to catch it numerous
times, but the golden-colored mutt's time on the road sadly caught up to him. A car
eventually hit it and an officer had to put him down. After getting so many calls the
dispatchers nicknamed him the "freeway dog." And the chief says he was popular
enough during his time under the overpass that people would bring him food and water.
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WHAT MEMBERS DO FOR TRAVELERS:
Its simple: Businesses become paying members and receive use
of our symbol on in-house flyers, advertising and promotions. They buy from Hiway Dog the
size and number of exterior metal signs they need on their premises, and make the
accommodations for travelers with pets.
The basic needs of a safe “potty stop” and shade will earn
the business a “bone” on their sign. If the company can provide more, such as a
roomy fenced exercise pen, or walking trail, they earn a second “bone”.
The third bone is for creative businesses who want to stand out, be recognized as a model
for other businesses to emulate. Think of creative ways to use the program and promote
your business! This program offers flexibility to each member to utilize in the best way
possible.
WHAT WE
DO FOR OUR MEMBERS:
We work with various tourism boards and local chambers
across the country, to include Hiway Dog members in advertising, maps and special events.
We work to make the symbol nationally recognized and appreciated by travelers, and promote
member's businesses on the internet. By networking between members, we can supply
travelers with specific stops along their routes. Pet owners as a group, have exceptional
monetary clout, and they should be offered the customer service they deserve.
PLUS - It's a GREEN program; producing no pollution, creating new jobs, and extending a
promise of hospitality.
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