Explore Asheville, North Carolina with Beverly Mahone and me!

A couple of years ago, Mom "met" a woman named Beverly Mahone. I say "met" because I don't think they have ever actually seen each other face-to-face. They have only gotten to know each other through Mom's computer. And yet, Mom says meeting Miss Bev was one of the turning points in her life and business. Bev is the founder of Boomer Diva Nation . She invited Mom to be part of something she called the Baby Boomer Diva Web of Fame. Mom says that is where she met other women like Miss Bev - all trying to make a difference in the world. She says they are the women who inspired and encouraged her to make some of the choices she has made lately that have helped her have a business that let's her stay home with me. I LOVE Miss Bev for helping my Mom be able to spend more time with me. I know that once you get to know her, you'll love her too.

I told Miss Bev that I wanted to feature her home in North Carolina in my blog, but she told me that her favorite place is Asheville. That's where she and her husband went for their first wedding anniversary. She sent me something she wrote about it and I want to share it with you.

"I was born and raised in Ohio and North Carolina was not on my career map after college. But I ended up here and have lived in North Carolina long enough to be called a "southern fried yankee." North Carolina is nothing like I thought it would be. As someone who grew up in the midwest, I expected a "separate but equal" mentality but that's not the case at all.

As a news reporter, I've had the privilege of visiting many cities and towns in North Carolina but my favorite has to be a little town in the mountains called Asheville.

"Quaint" "friendly" and "artsy" are a few words I would use to describe Asheville, NC. That's where my husband and I decided to spend our first year wedding anniversary. Asheville is one of the best kept secrets for tourism in a state known for tobacco and basketball. Asheville is nestled in the mountains of Western NC. The one thing that impressed me the most about Asheville is the fact that it has a rural, small town feeling and tourists blend in to the community. Every place we went we felt welcome and easily struck up conversations with many of the locals. It was really difficult to tell who the tourists were.

The mountain air was refreshing and the landscape is breathtaking. Asheville is also the home of the Biltmore House,which has 250 rooms and each one has an interesting story behind it. The gardens are absolutely exquisite!

I love living in a place where I get plenty of Carolina blue skies and an opportunity to experience the very best the entire state has to offer. "

Doesn't Asheville sound like a fabulous place? I think so! And there are lots of things to do with your pet. So let's take a look at dog-friendly Asheville, NC!

When Mom and I looked for a pet-friendly place to stay, we found the perfect spot. The Residences at Biltmore sets the precedent for luxury accommodations in the Asheville area. This concierge condo hotel is nestled on top of a hill cradled by old-growth hardwood trees, just outside the gates of the Biltmore Estate in South Asheville. Doesn't sound like the kind of place that would have a room for me, does it. Well surprise! You can request a pet-friendly room! It all looked great online, but Mom called just to get a better feel for the place. Mom spoke to a woman named Leah who was very helpful and knew a lot about Asheville. After talking to her for a few minutes, she said that Leah had just confirmed her feeling that The Residences would be the place to stay on our visit to Asheville.

Now that we know where to stay, what is there to do for little dogs like me? Well, the first place you have to visit, of course, is the Biltmore Estate. This opulent estate of George Vanderbilt is America's largest home covering 4 acres with 250 rooms on 8000 acres. A variety of sites and activities include an interpretive 1890's working farm, an award winning winery, extraordinary formal gardens, a one-of-a-kind shopping center, several eateries, and they also provide a variety of festivals and special events throughout the year, and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities. Dogs of all sizes are allowed throughout the grounds; they are not allowed in buildings. It is up to individual stores whether a dog is permitted inside. Dogs must be under their owner's control, leashed, and cleaned up after at all times.

Another great place to visit is the North Carolina Arboretum. The 434-acre site is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the United States. Mountain peaks bound the property's visual perimeters and 1.8 miles of the Bent Creek stream run through the center of the Arboretum. Dogs are allowed throughout the park and on the trails. They are not allowed in any buildings or in the Bonsai garden. Dogs must be under their owner's control, leashed, and cleaned up after.

One more stop on our tour of Asheville, NC - the Asheville Urban Trail. Learn about Asheville's architecture and historic past on this unique 1.7-mile walking tour, which includes delightful sculptures along the way, including Thomas Wolfe's size 13 bronzed shoes. Tour leaders or audiotapes are available to guide you. Dogs are welcome on the trail. They must be under their owner's control at all times and be leashed and cleaned up after.

Along with great places to visit, there are events just for us! If you happen to be in Asheville in April, check out Chimney Rock Park's Bark in the Park on the 18th. Chimney Rock goes to the dogs for this special event dedicated to our canine companions. Agility demonstrations, rescue organizations, contests and lots more will keep you and your pup busy.

If you can't make it in April, then go in September and take your canine companion to The Dog's Camp. It's September 20-25, 2009 in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is a week devoted to the joy of training and competing in canine sports. They've brought together top instructors to coach you in all aspects of working with your dog. Learn the skills that will help draw you and your dog together as a winning team; develop the know how to train, communicate, and compete effectively.

After a full day of outdoor fun, you know I'm going to be hungry. Mom checked for some places that would allow me to come and eat with her. As I'm sure you have learned by now, only outdoor restaurants allow little dogs like me. But Mom found a couple that sounded pretty good. I don't know about the food, but I sure do like the names. They just sound fun and friendly. The first place she found is The Laughing Seed Cafe. Mom said it's vegetarian. I think that means green stuff. But some of that is okay. Dogs are allowed at the outer tables. They must be under their owner's control, and leashed or crated at all times.

The other place Mom found is called Sunny Pointe Cafe (see what I mean about fun names?). This eatery and bakery specializes in using local, organic ingredients with dinner and daily specials, and indoor and outdoor dining options. Dogs are allowed at the outer tables. Dogs must be under their owner's control, and leashed and cleaned up after at all times.

I see now why Miss Bev loves Asheville, NC so much. What a great place to visit! And while you're there, be sure to call Miss Bev and tell her Traveling Bob sent you. While you're at it, check out the Divas of Boomer Diva Nation. Who knows? Maybe Miss Bev has room for one more Diva and maybe it could be you!

Touring with the Divas!

My Mom is a member of a great group of women - The Baby Boomer Divas of Boomer Diva Nation (http://www.boomerdivanation.org). They live all over the country. There are even Divas in Canada and Australia!

Now that you have learned all about dog-friendly Arkansas, my home state, I thought if would be fun if Mom and I introduced to you the homes of the other Divas. So I am going to do a series of posts on each of the cities where the Divas live. I'll tell you all about the great pet-friendly places to go and things to see. And you'll get to meet the resident Diva. Many of them have pets of their own so you'll get to meet them too! Aspen, Copper, and lots of others!

To give you an idea of what's in store, here's a partial list of where we'll go and who you'll meet!

Raleigh, North Carolina - Diva Beverly Mahone
Grande Ronde, Oregon - Diva Angie Baker
Marietta, Georgia - Diva Debra Stokes
Melbourne, Australia - Diva Kathie Thomas

And that's just the first month! Lots of places to visit and Divas to meet.

First up - A visit to dog-friendly Raleigh, NC, home of the founder of Boomer Diva Nation, Beverly Mahone.

Little Rock, Arkansas Dogs and Cats Who Need a Home

My campaign to help 1000 dogs and cats find homes this year continues. This time we focus on Little Rock, Arkansas and the pets available through CARE - Central Arkansas Rescue Effort for Animals.

CARE was established in 1998 for the dual purpose of rescuing abandoned dogs and cats facing euthanasia as well as to provide programs to help people get their pets sterilized. From a group of 4 initial volunteers, CARE has grown to the point where hundreds of volunteers devote thousands of hours to our rescue and spay-neuter operations. Since CARE does not have a shelter facility, they use their website as a virtual shelter where you can view pets available for adoption and submit an adoption application on line.

The animals pictured on this page are homeless, and in immediate need of a foster or permanent home. Who are they? These are animals that have been identified by CARE as adoptable pets. Where are they? These animals are currently housed at the animal shelter of one of central Arkansas’s municipal or county animal-services departments OR have been otherwise abandoned OR are living in some other situation where the animal cannot or should not remain.

If CARE can locate a volunteer foster home for these animals, then CARE plans to take them into its rescue program and proceed to search for a permanent (“adoptive”) home for each of them. The first step in that process is to place the animal in a foster home. CARE has no kennel or boarding facility of its own, but relies upon volunteers to provide temporary (“foster”) homes for the animals that are in its rescue program. For this reason, without volunteer foster homes, CARE's rescue program could NOT operate.

With respect to animals in the municipal or county animal-services shelters, each animal is assigned an “available date” that is based upon the date when the animal is admitted into the shelter. The “available date” is the date when the animal becomes available either to be adopted from the shelter or to be euthanized there. Each of these shelters is required to accept all animals within its jurisdiction that are surrendered to the shelter or are collected by the shelter in the course of its duties. Thus, unless an animal in the shelter is timely rescued by its owner or adopted directly from the shelter, the animal must be euthanized at some point after its ”available date” in order to make room in that shelter for more animals.

If you can open your heart and your home to save one of these lives, please contact CARE at telephone: 501-603-2273 or telephone: 501-804-2273 or email CARE at care@careforanimals.org.

Read their Foster Family Agreement & Fill Out a Foster Application On-Line

Sweetie Petey is a wonderful cat, who truly fits his name. He comes to CARE from Little Rock Animal Village where he was picked up as a stray. Sweetie Petey has a great disposition -- very affectionate with a calm, laid-back personality. He gets on well with other cats and seems to be okay with dogs as well. Sweetie Petey loves to be petted, and rolls back and forth on his back when he wants a belly rub. He also rides well in a car. Sweetey Petey is neutered and vaccinated; he will be microchipped. [01-23-09]

Jessie comes to CARE from the Mayflower Animal Control where she was found walking down a busy road. Jessie is a beautiful dog with a sweet personality. She is very smart and quickly learns commands. Jessie loves to cuddle and be close to you. She loves to play frisbee and will be happiest in a home with a yard. Jessie is being treated for heartworms; she will be vaccinated, spayed and microchipped. [2-12-09]

Marcy is a happy, active two-year-old yellow Labrador retriever. She is getting along well in her foster home and plays happily with the foster's two dogs and six-year-old daughter. Marcy loves playing with toys and playing chase with them. She loves to eat and happily sits for treats. In keeping with her Labrador-retriever genes, Marcy loves water. She does well with other dogs and children. Marcy has been spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped. She was a rescue from Benton Animal Control. Marcy is doing well with housetraining and walking on a leash. [12-28-08]

Buck comes to CARE from Mayflower Animal Control where he was picked up as a stray. Buck is a very strong, happy dog and is eager to learn. He knows basic commands like "sit" and "stay," and Buck loves his treats. He will be vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped.

Save a life today! Sometimes just a few extra days can mean the difference between life and death for a dog or a cat on "death row" at animal shelters. CARE is often asked to rescue gentle, well-mannered, healthy dogs and cats from animal control shelters and emergency situations. Their ability to help these animals is limited to the availability of foster homes. If you love animals, please consider opening your heart and home to one that might otherwise die.

I was lucky. I have a Mom and Dad who love me and I have lived with them for a very long time. Please help me give other cats and dogs the same opportunity. A foster pet may stay at your home for as short a time as two or three days. Sometimes, it takes a couple of weeks before he or she finds a permanent home. Fostering an animal, whether for a day or a week, is an incredibly rewarding experience.

Are your a Person who thinks "Gee, I'd love to foster, but I won't be able to let them go to another home." -- everyone at CARE has gone through that stage. One thought helps the most - if you let this one go to a great home (maybe not as great as yours, but still a very good one... ), that opens up your house to save another cat or dog.

Click here to find out more information about becoming a CARE foster home.

Save a life. Call today and foster or adopt a pet! Tell them Traveling Bob sent you!

501-603-CARE

Have You Fed The Birds Today?

Mom just came home from shopping. I saw the bag from the pet store and thought it was a treat for me. No such luck. All she bought was a bunch of bird seed! BIRD SEED!? I don't eat bird seed. I was a little upset - alright I was a lot upset. But then Mom reminded me how much I enjoy chasing birds. And she told me that in the winter, birds have a hard time finding food. She told me that it's so hard for them that people all over are joining together to remind others that they need to feed the birds. After listening to her, I felt bad that I had been mad. I like the birds. I can chase them. And when I'm tired and I'm just sitting in the sun, I can listen to them sing. It helps me sleep. I would not like a world without birds. So I've decided to do my part by sharing some information Mom got from the Wild Bird Center.

Consider that: - A typical backyard bird doesn't weigh as much as two nickels. - Birds spend most of their waking hours searching for food -- without the help of "hands" and "fingers". - They may consume 15% of their body weight overnight just keeping warm enough to survive. - Like mail carriers, they're outside in sleet, snow, wind and cold.

One-third of the adult population feeds wild birds in their backyards. Providing food, water and shelter helps birds survive, benefits the environment and supplements wild birds' natural diet of weed seeds and harmful insects.

Backyard bird feeding is an entertaining, educational and inexpensive pastime that can be enjoyed by children and adults. It provides a needed break from today's frantic lifestyles that helps keep families together. Young children are drawn naturally to the activities involved in feeding wild birds. Chickadees, for example, fly back and forth between a feeder and a nearby tree. On each trip, they take a single seed and fly to a perch. While holding the seed with their feet, they peck it open and eat the kernel. This can capture a youngster's imagination.

Adults enjoy the relaxation and peacefulness afforded by watching birds. Nature serves to relieve the stress and can get one's day going on a tranquil note. For example, the Northern cardinal is a common visitor to many feeding stations. A beautiful bird, the bright red male and his more camouflaged mate often will be the first at the feeder in the morning and last to leave at night. Mated for life, they can be observed sharing morsels of sunflower and safflower seeds during the nesting season.

Feeding wild birds in the backyard is an easy hobby to start, and it need not overtax the family budget. It can be as simple as mounting a single feeder outside a window and filling it with good-quality birdseed or oil sunflower seeds. This feeder can be a hopper, platform or tubular variety or one that sticks to the window.

Parents can challenge an inquisitive child's mind as they explore together these factors to encourage visits by their favorite birds. It also makes excellent material for school projects and reports. In fact, bird feeding is an excellent teaching tool. Children can assume daily responsibility for cleaning and filling the feeders. Different species of birds can be identified with a field guide. And the activity can be expanded form that point, depending on the interest of the family.

For example, suet products often are put out in wire baskets to attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and others. Another variation of feeding is to provide sugar water in special red-colored feeders to attract hummingbirds in the summer. These little wonders of nature will hover right in front of you to drink, and present an entire bird study all by themselves.

If you offer water, particularly if it's dripping or running, you may attract birds that do not visit your feeders. Many interesting and eye-catching species are not seedeaters, preferring insects or berries instead. Adding a birdbath warmer to keep water from freezing in northern states during winter creates an oasis for bird watching. To round out the family's backyard birding program, birdhouses can be purchased to provide shelter in winter and breeding sanctuaries during spring for cavity-nesting birds.

Feeding backyard songbirds is an extremely popular wildlife-related recreational activity around the home. A stress-free and inexpensive activity, backyard birding brings a welcome flash of color and dash of motion and splash of sound into everyone's daily life.

Mom and I will fill our bird feeders tomorrow. She has lots of them all over our yard. We have a big yard so she needs them all. I hope you will feed them too.

Little Rock, Arkansas - A Great Destination

I decided to continue our tour of my home state, Arkansas, with a visit to the state capital. Little Rock offers lots of exciting things for you and your parents to do. Made famous by "Bill and Hil", Little Rock has become a favorite destination for travelers.

Where do you stay when visiting Little Rock? Like all good pet-friendly cities, there is a wide range of choices. But as usual, I have my favorite. It's where Mom and I stay whenever we're in town. The Comfort Inn and Suites Downtown is a nice hotel with a very friendly staff. The fact that they are also smoke-free is a huge plus. Cigarette smoke makes me sneeze and Mom cough. The beds are so comfy - plush, plush, plush! And they have microwaves and refrigerators, so Mom and I can have breakfast together. Some of the rooms even have recliners, so Mom and I can relax just like we do at home.

In Little Rock, the first place everyone wants to see is the Clinton Presidential Center and Library. The Center has numerous exhibits and Mom says it houses the largest archival collection in American presidential history. I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds important. Mom only goes when Dad or someone else is in Little Rock with her because she likes to look at the exhibits and I'm not allowed inside. But I am allowed on the grounds and trails by the river. Since Dad wasn't a fan of Bill's, he doesn't mind keeping me company on our walks while Mom satisfies her historical and political cravings. I do have to be on my leash while we walk, but it's so nice here, I don't mind a bit. I love being near the river!

History buff that she is, Mom also likes to visit the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. She says General MacArthur was born right here (in the museum?) and that it honors Arkansas men and women who served in the Armed Forces, just like Dad and she did. I'm not that much of a history fan, so it doesn't bother me that I am not allowed in the buildings. I am allowed throughout the park and, just as when we visit the Clinton Center, Dad usually keeps me company while Mom goes inside. I sure have a great Dad!

After abandoning me to Dad all day, Mom usually feels guilty enough that she tries to make it up to me by taking me to the River Market District! It's always great, whenever we go. As long as I'm on my leash, I can go with Mom through all the streets of the district and even some of the open air restaurants. She always lets me have some BBQ - even though it's not all that good for me. I do only get a few bites. And sometimes, if I've been especially good, she lets me have a bite of her caramel cheesecake. It's yummy! I don't get as many treats as I used to though. I'm still on that diet.

After caramel cheesecake and BBQ, we go to Paws Park at Murray Park for some exercise. Paws Park is a fenced, OFF-LEASH, dog park. It has fences so the big dogs are kept away from little dogs like me. And there are water troughs so I can drink whenever I'm thirsty. Mom and I will play for a while and then she and I will sit on one of the benches and rest before dinner.

MY favorite place to eat is the Arkansas Burger Company. They have the best burgers in town - and you know how I love burgers! I like to sit at the outside tables and share a "Hog" with Mom and Dad. (For you non-burger lovers, a "Hog" is the world's best bacon cheeseburger!).

I just love it when Mom says lets go to Little Rock for the weekend. It has everything needed for the perfect dog-friendly getaway.

February is Adopt a Rabbit Month

You know I'm on a campaign with my Mom this year to help as many homeless animals - 1000 is my goal - to find the same type of happy home as I have. And while I do spend most of my time promoting dog and cat adoption, there are those Moms and Dads who just aren't cat or dog people. Hard to imagine, I know, but it's true. But I have a solution for them. How about a rabbit?

February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month. The House Rabbit Society and the ASPCA are encouraging rabbit adoption with the theme for this year's celebration - "Warm Your Heart, Warm Your Home - Adopt a Rescued Rabbit."

Marinell Harriman, founder and president of HRS, explains that the timing of this educational effort couldn't be better. "As we move into the months preceding Easter, it is critical that we get the word out. There are thousands of rabbits in shelters around the country waiting for homes; many of these rabbits were babies purchased as a whim during last year's Easter season by families who didn't know how to care for and interact with them. Now the kids have grown tired of them, and parents have dropped them off at already-crowded shelters."

HRS's mission is twofold - to educate the public about these often-misunderstood companion animals, and to help rescue and "re-home" domestic rabbits. However, Ms. Harriman cautions, rabbits are not for everyone, and therefore House Rabbit Society volunteers work hard to educate the public about what rabbits are, and what they are not.

I don't know much about pet rabbits. All the rabbits at my house are not pets. I see them hopping around in the field sometimes and I think it might be great fun to chase them but Mom won't let me. But Ms. Harriman knows all about rabbits. She told me that rabbits can be wonderful indoor companions, get along with many other companion animals (including cats and dogs), are intelligent, affectionate and inquisitive, and can readily be trained to use a litter box. That's pretty smart. Even I don't know how to use the litter box! However, they can also be destructive. The ideal "rabbit person", in addition to being gentle, patient and eager to get to know a rabbit on his or her terms, must be willing to rabbit-proof their home to prevent destructive chewing. (See Mom - I'm not the only one who chews on things they're not supposed to).

Like the ASPCA, HRS says rabbits can and should be spayed and neutered - both for health reasons and also to help put an end to the animal overpopulation problem.

HRS also tries to teach people that rabbits are not always a good pet, especially for children. Even baby bunnies tend to be willful and independent, and do not enjoy being picked up and carried. HRS also cautions against buying or adopting a rabbit as a gift, or on impulse, as the novelty of having a new pet usually wears off. When a family realizes how much day-to-day work is involved, the rabbit is, unfortunately, often turned loose or surrendered to a shelter.

I have a bunny right here in Arkansas that needs a loving family. Her name is Maggie Mae and she is beautiful! And she sure would love to have a home of her very own. She lives in Little Rock, AR with a foster mom right now but waits for the day, just like I did in the shelter, when her Mom and/or Dad will come to take her home to stay. If you decide a rabbit is the right addition to your household, make adoption your first option. If you would like to adopt Maggie Mae, contact the Arkansas Pet Rabbit Network. Or contact your nearest House Rabbit Society Chapter or local shelter or rescue group to meet the rabbits who are waiting for homes in your area. Remember - tell the Bob sent you. And let me know when you bring your new bunny friend home so I can see how I'm doing towards my goal.

Also, this month, in honor of Adopt a Rabbit Month, for each purchase from the Travels with Bob shop (http://www.cafepress.com/travelwithbob), not only will Mom make a donation to the Petfinder Foundation, she will also make a donation to the House Rabbit Society.

Mom and Bob and Boomer Living - What Fun!

There's a great new resource for baby boomers available. Boomer-Living.com just went "live" recently and it's wonderful. My Mom is a baby boomer (and a Diva!) and she says it's already been valuable to her.

You might some familar faces when you visit! Most of you know my Mom, Melodieann Whiteley, is a meeting planner and site selection specialist. That means she travels - a lot! Thanks to a partnership between the Divas of Boomer Diva Nation and the editors of Boomer-Living.com, she shares those experiences with everyone through the Boomer Adventure column. She writes about the different places that make great trips for boomers and offers suggestions on where to stay, what to visit, and even where and what to eat. Mom has traveled widely for many years and she knows how to do so inexpensively and comfortably. Look for her recommendations at http://boomer-living.com/travel

There are a few other faces you might recognize - there's quite an assortment of Divas sharing their wisdom and experiences with the readers of Boomer-Living.com. BDN founder Beverly Mahone blogs about "Making Your Mess Your Message." I'm not sure what that means exactly. Mom doesn't like it when I make messes. I need to read Bev's blog so I can learn to make it my message. Then maybe Mom won't be so upset!

And Mom's friend and fellow Diva Rhea Becker shares her thoughts on all things 'boomer' with her blog "Boomers with a View." Mom just read me her story about the boomer pilot that saved the lives of his passengers by safely landing his plane in the Hudson river after it hit a flock of birds. Who knew a flock of birds could bring down a plane? (One more reason why I prefer to drive when we travel. I am not a bird-dog!) You can catch up with Bev and Rhea in the Coffee House http://boomer-living.com/coffeehouse/.

What's that? You say you see one more familiar face in the Coffee House? Yes, you're correct. That's me! I also have a blog on Boomer-Living.com. I am a boomer too, after all. And each week I'll be talking about my adventures traveling with my Mom, and offering advice on training your people to travel well and suggestion on how to take the best care of your Mom and Dad. I'm very excited that Mr. Doug (that's the guy who runs this whole thing) thought my blog was interesting enough to include. Ms. Bev, does this make me a Diva too? Oh...Mom just told me that only girls can be Divas. I guess I'll just have to settle for being Bob.

Please stop by http://boomer-living.com and check us all out. And let us know that you did - tell Mom, and Bev, and Rhea, and Mr. Doug that you heard about them here at The Adventures of Traveling Bob!