For Harold Palmquist, home is wherever he and his dog, Daisy, lay their heads at night. After serving in the Air Force during the Gulf War, Harold found himself on a slippery slope toward homelessness. He knew a shelter was his only option, but after making inquiries, he learned Daisy wouldn’t be able to join him. That’s when he heard about Vets & Their Pets. This nonprofit organization provides military veterans with the support they need to take care of their furry family members. Whenever a service member is deployed, or as in Harold’s case, stuck in an impossible situation, Vets & Their Pets steps in to take care of the dogs, cats, birds, and other animals that would otherwise be left behind.
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When Harold contacted Vets & Their Pets, he needed a place for Daisy to go while he lived at the homeless shelter. He signed paperwork releasing his beloved dog into their care, and Vets & Their Pets found her a loving foster family. They kept the dog current with her shots and vaccinations, and most importantly, they gave her a home when Harold couldn’t.
Harold eventually left the homeless shelter to care for his ailing father, and thanks to Vets & Their Pets, Daisy was there waiting for him. After standing by his father’s side as he passed away, Harold was left with the difficult question of, “What am I going to do now?” Looking back on his time at the homeless shelter and then down at his dog, Harold knew he wanted to help. Vets & Their Pets gave him hope when he and Daisy needed it most, and it was time to return the favor.
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In April 2015, he bought a small trailer for his bike. He stocked up on camping supplies and planned a general route. And with zero dollars left in his pocket, he strapped Daisy into the trailer and took off. He was riding across the country to raise money for Vets & Their Pets, and making a positive difference was his only real goal.
“I’m more of a Forrest Gump,” Harold told iHeartdogs during a phone interview. “I’ve always been a distance runner.” But running with camping supplies and a dog wasn’t feasible.
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Harold wasn’t a biker to begin with, but with one 5,000-mile tour completed and a second underway, he’s now an experienced cross-country traveler. The first time Harold set out on his mission, he started on the west coast, ended in St. Simon Isle, GA, and raised about $3,500 in donations for Vets & Their Pets. His current and second tour will take him back across the country, and he won’t rest until he sees the Pacific Ocean in approximately 10 months.
Harold and Daisy are about 1,000 miles into their second journey, and thanks to lessons learned from his first trip, they’ve already raised $2,000. Harold hopes an increased media presence will help him make a $20,000 donation to the organization that kept him and his dog together.
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Harold first met Daisy when he was teaching ESL in Mesa, AZ. The lonely-looking dog wandered near his classroom, and after asking his students whose dog that was, Harold promptly said, “That’s my dog.” Harold and Daisy have been together through all of life’s struggles. As Harold puts it,
“I’m more her human that she is my dog.”
When Vets & Their Pets stepped in, he was willing to live on the street if it meant staying together. Vets & Their Pets gave him the opportunity to do what was best for Daisy, and the adventure-loving dog has never been happier. Harold said,
“She [Daisy] loves it. She never wants to be left behind, and when we’re moving, she’s totally ready to ride.”
The pair bikes as far as they can during the day and stops at camp sites and American Legion posts during the night. They meet people interested in their cause and spread the word about what Vets & Their Pets does. And no cross-country trip would be complete without a good amount of sight-seeing along the way.
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While born in Phoenix, Harold says Arizona isn’t his home anymore. Home doesn’t have a permanent address for the wandering man and his dog, but as long as they’re together, they can do great things. To learn more about Harold and Daisy’s quest, join their group on Facebook. You can also help them reach their goal by donating.
Featured Image Source: Facebook/ Tour de PACLANTIC
