Unleashing Boundless Adventures: This Adventurous Woman Travels the Globe with Her Adorable Puppy

In the beginning of the year, Jess Stone, a content creator, embarked on an incredible motorcycle adventure across the globe, accompanied by her cherished dog riding on the back of her bike, and her husband Greg following closely behind.

However, their lives took a drastic turn within a few months. In March, Greg was struck by a bus while cruising along the Pan-American Highway, resulting in the destruction of his motorcycle and leaving him with multiple fractures.

Around two weeks later, Stone's German Shepherd named Moxie tragically lost her life as a result of complications stemming from a routine operation that had taken place just five days before.

"She passed away unexpectedly," Stone discloses to CNN Travel. "What makes it even harder is that we weren't by her side during her final moments. The overwhelming guilt and grief that engulfed me shattered my entire world."

Special bond

Jess Stone had been riding around the world with her husband Greg and dog Moxie. However, the German Shephard passed away in March.

Greg Stone

Stone felt completely lost, and had no idea what to do next.

"Greg still had months of recovery left," she explains. "His bike was totaled. And I didnt have a dog."

Until then, they had embarked on an extensive multi-year journey called GoRUFFLY Around the World, exploring various continents including Central America, North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. This expedition was undertaken in collaboration with the international nonprofit organization Girl Up, which aims to empower and develop leadership skills among girls. Moxie, Stone's beloved companion of six and a half years, had accompanied them throughout this extraordinary adventure, making it even more meaningful. However, Moxie was no longer by Stone's side, and her absence was deeply felt.

Driven by sorrow, she made the choice to arrange a pilgrimage spanning from Seattle to San Diego. This journey aimed to connect with individuals engaging in various activities with their canine companions, granting her the opportunity to explore and comprehend the unique connection they shared.

"Riding alongside Moxie was an utterly remarkable experience," Stone recalls. "We forged an exceptional bond, and I became aware that there were others who, in their own distinct ways, fostered a similar bond [with their dogs]."

"So I thought, wouldnt this be a good way to celebrate Moxie and to sort of work through my own grief."

View this post on InstagramA post shared by GoRUFFLY Around the World (@goruffly)

Triumph, the motorcycle manufacturer, furnished Stone and her spouse with a pair of Tiger 900 adventure motorcycles before they embarked on their journey in July. Throughout the GoRUFFLY Pilgrimage, which spanned slightly less than a month, they indulged in an array of activities and encountered a diverse range of animals. These included attending a dog show, observing search and rescue dogs in action, witnessing dog diving, and even participating in puppy yoga sessions.

Once it was over and they started to come to terms with losing Moxie, Stone was keen to get back on the road again.

And she wanted a new canine companion along with her for the ride.

"I am someone who loves dogs," she clarifies. "Running a dog business and having a car designed for dogs, I thoroughly enjoy going on rides with my furry companion. Therefore, it was inevitable for me to get a dog. There was an undeniable need."

Initially, she faced difficulties in finding a suitable pet, as none of the dogs she encountered matched Moxie's uniqueness.

She and Greg ultimately selected a White Swiss Shepherd and acquired a nine-week-old puppy named Whimsy from Los Angeles in June. The couple, who run Ruffly, a company in Guatemala that produces motorcycle dog carriers and various outdoor dog accessories, had a customized carrier designed for their new puppy. They then began training Whimsy for a life on the road.

Starting over

Stone restarted the journey with here new White Swiss Shepherd puppy Whimsy in August.

Greg Stone

Stone explains that getting a dog used to wearing goggles is one of the hardest parts of the process.

Thankfully, Whimsy was able to get the hang of things relatively quickly and "did not fuss."

They also did a few practice rides with her to see if she could handle being on a bike for long periods of time.

"She did so well," says Stone. "It was like she was born for this."

After completing approximately a month of training, the three individuals embarked on their journey from California, where they had been residing during Moxie's training. Their destination: Nevada.

"I am now riding alongside Whimsy," she announces. "Our journey continues."

We will continue our journey southward, tracing the path of Moxie's paw prints, all the way to the Antarctic. Despite acknowledging the challenges of starting anew with another dog while still grieving the loss of her previous one, Stone finds great joy in riding her bike alongside a furry companion.

"As we continue to heal our hearts, this presents a fresh opportunity to rekindle our love and rediscover the joy of embarking on such adventures," she expresses.

Stone, being slightly older when he started traveling with Moxie, finds riding with a puppy to be a novel adventure. Moxie shares that they have established a routine where they ride for four consecutive days and then halt for three days to work, which has proven to be the ideal balance.

When Whimsy is working, they often prefer to relax and take naps before continuing their journey on the bikes.

According to her, there is a distinction between riding with a puppy and riding with an adult dog.

Moxie was eighteen months old when we began. She had already completed teething and had developed better endurance. Whimsy, on the other hand, is similar to a playful and fluffy puppy. With her, they have had to adopt a slower approach, opting for shorter intervals of riding, to grant her the freedom to relax or take short naps.

"Its taught Greg and I to slow down ourselves," she says.

Continuing cautiously

Stone says that riding with a puppy has been a different experience, and they've been going at a slower pace.

Greg Stone

Having resided in Liberia more than a decade ago, Stone acquired the skill of motorbike riding on the obscure lanes of the locality. In preparation for their upcoming journey in March 2022 with Moxie, she also underwent specialized off-road training sessions.

After Greg's accident, she became apprehensive about the more challenging parts of the route. This incident not only impacted her husband but also slightly eroded her own confidence. "When I resumed biking after Greg's accident, I exercised extra caution," she recalls.

Whenever I encountered a chicken bus (a form of economical public transportation in Guatemala) during my travels in the country, I made sure to keep my distance.

However, it took some time for me to regain my confidence. Eventually, I came to the realization that such incidents are rare and unlikely to occur to me at present. This allowed me to overcome my apprehensions.

After going on a road trip for their initial date, this couple has embarked on a global journey together. Stone acknowledges that the loss of Moxie and her husband's accident have taught them the importance of living in the present moment.

"Recalling Moxie's sudden passing was truly unexpected," she recalls. "It serves as a reminder that unfortunate events can occur. Consequently, it motivates us to cherish each day we spend together even more as we now understand the transient nature of life."

When traveling with a dog, one limitation is that they are primarily restricted to dog-friendly locations, often opting for wild camping or staying in Airbnbs.

According to Stone, wild camping is an excellent option. They have been actively involved in crate training Whimsy at various campsites, getting ready for their upcoming flight from Panama to Colombia.

"She enjoys complete freedom in our company, with no one else present."

"In Nevada at the moment, they are gradually progressing towards Mexico, with plans to continue through Central and South America. Their journey will take them to the southernmost point of Argentina, followed by a flight to South Africa."

"At that point, shell [Whimsy] be over a year old. And shell probably be able to do longer distances and longer times," adds Stone.

New joy

"It was like she was born for this," Stone says of Whimsy, who has adapted quickly to life on the road.

Greg Stone

From South Africa, theyll travel up to East Africa, before "looping around Europe" and riding through Asia.

At this stage, theyll ship their motorcycles, and return to Guatemala by plane with Whimsy.

Stone estimates that theyll be on the road for another three years or so.

She has been sharing her journey on Instagram and in a weekly YouTube series. Both she and Greg are delighted with the support they have received since they introduced Whimsy to their followers earlier this month.

"It's incredible how everyone has come together to support Whimsy," she expresses.

"We were all filled with immense delight as we managed to rejuvenate our lives with such newfound joy and carry on our journey alongside her."

Stone acknowledges her lingering cautiousness towards riding off road and now comprehends that having Moxie positioned on her bike served as a motivation to persist even during moments of apprehension.

"I still feel anxious when riding downhill," she expresses. "I worry about damaging my bike. The unpredictable nature of what could happen is something we have definitely experienced before.

"I'm starting to understand that Moxie may have made me slightly more courageous. She was the driving force behind encouraging me to stay composed during off-road adventures. If I didn't remain calm, she would become agitated."

I find Whimsy to be equally similar in that regard. However, with these new bikes, I now feel much braver and slightly more competent. Despite the trip not meeting her initial expectations, Stone is immensely thankful for being able to persevere with the journey. She remains resolute in reaching her $100,000 fundraising goal for Girl Up's global empowerment projects.

Despite the unexpected outcome, she expresses immense gratitude for having Whimsy by her side throughout the journey. Furthermore, she derives joy from witnessing Whimsy embrace novel experiences, learn how to ride, and join them on their extraordinary escapades.

"Having my dog accompany me on rides has become an integral part of our lives," she remarks. "The sheer delight we derive from this activity is immeasurable."

"As I watch Whimsy, I feel like my heart is light. It just makes me happy to share this again.

"Even if its not with Moxie, Im glad that Ive got this new co-pilot. I feel renewed."