Summary: When USAID worker Jess Stone fell in love with her fellow international aid worker now-husband Greg, she knew she would spend a lifetime on two wheels. Greg was an inveterate, unrepentantly passionate motorcycle enthusiast, and Jess was a city girl who didn’t even drive stick. But they loved each other, so they bought motorcycles in Liberia so Greg could teach her to ride. He turned out to be a less-than-patient teacher – but a great road partner. Back in the states, they rode all over the continent and down to South America, stopping in Guatemala along the way and falling in love with the highlands, the people, and the culture. Years later, Greg got a job with a Guatemalan nonprofit that provides microfinances for indigenous women. Once settled in Panajachel on a lake surrounded by three volcanoes, Jess finally realized her lifelong dream and got a dog. Visiting a litter of German Shepherd pups, Jess took Greg’s sage advice to “pick the dog who picks you,” and Moxie joined their family. Moxie’s high energy told Jess she would be up for their epic motorcycle adventures … but her weight eliminated any of the current options for riding with them. To keep her bike and their rides lightweight and supple, Jess and Greg created a new type of motorcycle dog carrier: a frame that is custom-made to fit the bike and dog in question, is lightweight, and totally secure. It’s called the K9 Moto Cockpit. Creating the cockpit led to creating a company to make them for other moto folks, and pretty soon, GoRuffly.com was born. The company makes everything locally, including the cockpit, but also high quality, finely crafted adventuring dog gear. Jess and Greg built their company to make sure employees are well paid and safe. Most work from home, so they can also care for their families. Meanwhile Jess, Greg, and Moxie continue to come up with new ideas and new ways to make a difference. What’s next? Raising funds for Girl Up, a nonprofit that helps girls all around the world become leaders in their local community. The goal: raise $100,000 with a motorcycle trip around the world that will be chronicled on their YouTube channel. Along the way they will visit Girl Up clubs and 10% of all gear purchases from GoRuffly will go to their fundraiser. About Jess Stone Jess Stone has spent years helping people in the developing world, whether by working overseas with USAID, starting an ethically made outdoor dog gear company, or riding around the world to raise funds and awareness for Girl Up, a nonprofit that develops leadership skills in girls in all 50 states and 130 countries. Along with her husband and fellow aid worker, Greg, Stone is creator of the K9 Moto Cockpit, a unique way to carry your dog on your motorcycle. https://goruffly.com/world-adventure https://www.goruffly.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/Ruffly https://www.instagram.com/goruffly/ https://www.facebook.com/goruffly https://girlup.org/ About The Long Leash Thank you for joining us. If you have enjoyed listening, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows. Follow us in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
