Globetrotting with a Canine Companion
For most riders, the idea of taking a dog on a motorcycle trip sounds stressful, challenging, or maybe even impossible. Yet for Jess Stone, it’s simply her daily life. The founder of GoRUFFLY, Stone travels the world by motorcycle with her White Swiss Shepherd Whimsy.
Her fluffy, four-legged companion watches the world unfold before them each day from her custom K9 motorcycle carrier, ears perked up at every new smell, sound and destination. Together, they are proving that adventure does not have to mean leaving your best friend behind.
Learning to Ride
Stone’s journey into motorcycling began unexpectedly in Liberia after meeting her now-husband, Greg, while working in South Sudan. When Greg proposed an ambitious ride through the Americas, he told her she could join—but first she had to learn to ride. The couple bought two small 160 cc motorcycles in Liberia, where Greg taught her how to ride on quieter side streets.
The Dog That Changed Everything
While motorcycles quickly became central to Stone’s identity, dogs initially felt incompatible with the lifestyle she and Greg had created. That changed in 2016 when they relocated to Guatemala and realized they would finally be staying put long enough to consider bringing a dog into their lives.
Enter Moxie. Stone had always dreamed of having a large dog, and Moxie, a German Shepherd, fit the bill perfectly. What Stone did not expect, however, was how much she would struggle with leaving Moxie behind.
After a weekend trip without her, something shifted. Stone could not stop thinking about how much more meaningful their experiences would be if Moxie could share them. The couple explored every possible option for bringing Moxie along, researching trailers, sidecars and existing transportation solutions for their furry companion. Instead, the answer arrived in a much more unlikely place.
How the K9 Moto Cockpit Came to Life
While living in Guatemala, they noticed something practical that soon became inspirational: delivery riders navigating city streets with mounted cargo boxes attached to the backs of their motorcycles. The concept sparked an idea: what if something similar could safely carry a dog?
What began as curiosity soon became experimentation. Working alongside a local metalworker, Greg helped design what would eventually become the GoRUFFLY K9 Moto Cockpit, a secure motorcycle dog carrier intended specifically for riders who wanted to travel with their dogs without sacrificing their riding experience.
The prototype was developed in 2018. At first, the project existed solely for Moxie, but soon, people started flooding their inboxes with the same question: “How can I get one?”
Initially, the couple resisted turning the idea into a business, but the response became overwhelming. They developed a personalized ordering process where rider’s upload photos of their motorcycle, submit measurements and work with the team to ensure the carrier is handcrafted specifically for their bike. Every build is custom-made, allowing riders around the world to safely bring their own four-legged copilots along.
Moxie’s Legacy
For years, Moxie traveled beside Stone, becoming an integral part of the adventure itself. The pair tackled dirt roads, camped beside the Arctic Ocean and turned heads around the world.
But in 2023, tragedy struck. Less than two weeks after Greg got into a life-threatening collision on the Pan-American highway, complications from a routine knee surgery unexpectedly took Moxie’s life. The grief was immense. GoRUFFLY and the global journey had been built around Moxie.
Stone’s advice to grieving dog owners? “Give yourself time and honor what helps you heal.” For her, revisiting old memories became part of the healing process. Watching videos of Moxie allowed Stone to relive the joy of their adventures rather than focusing on the loss. Stone still smiles when thinking about strangers over the years who have photos of Moxie saved on their phones.
And when it comes to getting another dog, she believes there is no universal timeline. After some time passed, Jess and Greg welcomed welcomed Whimsy into their lives.
Riding with Whimsy
Today, Whimsy and Jess are on a mission far greater than sightseeing. The pair is currently traveling around the world on her Triumph Tiger 800 to raise $100,000 for Girl Up, an organization focused on helping girls advocate for the issues that matter most in their communities.
For Stone, the mission felt deeply personal. Having spent years stepping outside her own comfort zone, she sees something powerful in young girls learning to trust their voices early. Currently, the GoRuffly Around the World fundraiser for the nonprofit has just surpassed $24,000.
Training a Dog for Adventure Riding
Inspired to take your dog on the road? The biggest factor to doing so may surprise you. According to Stone, “It has to do with you. You are the only roadblock to your dog riding.”
Many riders worry whether their dog will enjoy motorcycling, but Stone believes dogs take emotional cues directly from their humans. If you’re anxious, hesitant or unsure, your dog will likely mirror that energy.
To get your pup on the bike, she recommends staying calm and upbeat, making the process exciting with high-value treats and positive reinforcement. For puppies especially, patience matters. Whimsy began riding at only four months old, which meant adjusting schedules around naps, training, and even puppy separation anxiety. Consistency, Stone says, eventually helped Whimsy settle into life on the road.
Where to Next?
Neither Stone or Whimsy plan on slowing down anytime soon. She and Greg recently completed the manuscript for their book, My Heart Is Home with You, chronicling Stone’s obstacles and adventures. The couple, and Whimsy, attended the Americade Rally before continuing the pet-friendly journey across America filled with scenic rides and dog-friendly stops. And after that? Africa is calling. Later this year, Stone hopes to continue their global ride across the continent.
If there are any lessons Stone hopes riders take from her story, it’s that growth happens outside of your comfort zone, and that experiences are more meaningful when shared with a loving companion.
Aysia Jackson
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