The Puppy Bus Alaska
Mo Mountain Mutts – Founded 2021
Also known as; The Puppy Bus Alaska
Apologies to those of you who already follow the adventures of the passengers on the Puppy Bus but there are millions of people who have no idea of what’s going on and will welcome being introduced to the antics aboard one of the most unique bus services of all time.
As we evolve as humans, our ambitions change. In my youth, there were no mobile phones, no internet and definitely no social media. Our fantasies about our job prospects revolved around becoming firemen and train drivers for boys and secretaries and nurses for girls. So, the idea of a career walking dogs was never an option. Can you imagine being asked by the careers master at school what you want to do when you leave school and replying, “I want to walk dogs?” I know from personal experience when asked that question and I answered, “I want to work with animals.” The careers master looked at me over the top of his spectacles and sneered, “ANIMALS!” Like it was the most shocking reply he had ever heard.
Well, this is now an option now as so many people employ a dog walker; add this to the advent of “doggy day-care,” and a brand new industry awaits those with an entrepreneurial spirit.
So welcome to the world of Mo and Lee Thompson, dog walkers extraordinaire. It started simply enough with Mo taking friends and neighbours’ pets for a walk during her lunch break.
As time went by, what was an enjoyable pastime became a serious business, and now the dogs are collected by a fourteen-seater bus. The canine passengers are collected daily from their designated spot and board the bus as soon as the doors open. Each dog has a designated seat, restraints are provided, and complimentary treats are part of the experience. This service runs several times a day with passengers kept to around twelve for each journey. Senior dogs are seated in the front of the bus, and puppies and youngsters are in the rear, therefore keeping the geriatrics away from the more exuberant element. When the bus arrives at the destination they all alight and go for their walk off the lead, mostly along the Skagway River. The whole business went viral on social media when a video was posted and has expanded to include training, grooming and gifts. Instagram and TikTok users are able to follow the antics of the individual dogs, who all have their own fans. The experience is made more fun as the canine passengers are introduced using the vehicle’s public address system.
Jake, Otis, Slade, Bama, Yarrow, Gumbo and Murray are just a few of the characters who have devoted followers. Plus, of course, the inimitable Amaru, who waits for the bus to arrive on his own, boards, shakes off the snow and then trots off to his allocated seat.
Ironically, the postings on Instagram and TikTok were never intended to create a worldwide audience, just to show the dog owners what was happening to their pets while they were being exercised by Mo and Lee.
Most of us are required to work for a living during our lifetime, but unfortunately, many have a job that provides little stimulation or enjoyment, so is wonderful to be involved in an enterprise that is so enjoyable that it doesn’t even appear to be work. I was fortunate with a career as a dog trainer/behaviourist and, like Mo and Lee looked forward to going to work and counted my blessings every day.
Be aware!
Now, before the budding entrepreneurs amongst you get too excited and are thinking of copying the idea, a word of warning. This is an enterprise that works because Lee and Mo live in an environment that lends itself to their business model. This is not going to work in the vast majority of places, particularly urban areas. Even in the countryside, there are farms that have livestock which have to be avoided. Finding a suitable setting where this sort of project can be replicated won’t be easy.
Letting up to twelve dogs at a time off the lead can lead to a pack instinct developing, it can be dangerous and requires exceptional dog handling skills along with supreme confidence. The animals that are in Lee and Mo’s charge will pick up on this and behave accordingly. This ability either comes naturally or is the result of years of experience, but it should be noted that when working with animals over overconfidence can be disastrous. When you observe someone at the top of their profession doing something that is so difficult and making it look effortless, it is so easy to assume that it is easy to replicate. Lee and Mo make the whole undertaking look so easy because they are so very good at it.
Don’t forget to arrange liability insurance!!
“They say the smart dog obeys but a smarter dog knows when to disobey.”
Amy Hempel