By Pamela Dozois
Contributing Writer
A bestselling British author will be signing her new book “Bodie on the Road: Travels with a Rescue Pup in the Dogged Pursuit of Happiness” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 15, at the Wandering Dog Wine Bar, 1539 Mission Drive in Solvang.
Belinda Jones is also a magazine journalist, an award-winning “dog blogger” and the bestselling author of 11 romantic comedy novels as well as two books about real-life road trip romps.
In her new book, “Bodie on the Road,” she writes of the many adventures she and her dog had together on a 2,000-mile road trip from Los Angeles to Portland. One of their adventures includes their stay in the Santa Ynez Valley, where they met up with Bo Derek on her bicycle in Los Olivos. The book also includes a fairy tale ending that is aptly set in Solvang.
Bodie is a rescue dog. He had been picked up by Animal Control, in really bad shape, having been abandoned by his owner in South Central Los Angeles. He was scheduled to be euthanized at just 3 years old.
After a series of foster families, he met Jones at a street adoption in Studio City. Jones said she had just been dumped by the man of her dreams and was looking for a new friend, so they were two lost souls ready to find a new life.
“I was looking for something big and fluffy, but when he planted his furry bottom on my bare flip-flopped feet, that was it – love at first sit,” said Jones. “That was in 2010.”
“We have since crossed the United States three times and have visited 30 states. Traveling with Bodie has been a life-enhancing game-changer, and my website details our ongoing adventures along with an abundance of dog travel tips, many learned the hard way,” said Jones. “We hope it will inspire you to travel in style with your furry friends.”
For more information, visit www.bodieontheroad.com/bodie-book/, on Instagram @bodieontheroad, or see her blog at www.bodieontheroad.com.
