Honoring Hero Dogs and Cats at the Rose Parade

If you didn't see the 2018 Rose Parade on January 1st, you missed seeing the Lucy Pet Paws for Life float that honors hero dogs and hero cats.  The float featured brave animals that have saved and protected human lives. From Tara the Cat who fought off a stray dog who attacked the family toddler, to Sirius, the military working dog who served bravely alongside his handler, 22-year-old Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua Ashley, who was killed fighting in Afghanistan. Also featured was Jax the K9 officer in the Oxnard Police Department, rocket the Search and Rescue dog, to Surfin Jack a therapy dog. Here is a clip of the TV coverage about our Lucy Pet float:
Lucy Pet Paws for Life Rose Parade 2018 KTLA5 Coverage from Lucy Pet on Vimeo.
As a side note, Lucy Pet is proud to honor these hero pets. It is part of the mission to help animals through their Lucy Pet Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) charity. Lucy Pet also has really great dog and cat food where proceeds go to help support the Lucy Pet Foundation. Check out Lucy Pet Formulas for Life dog and cat foods, at local pet stores or online too. Lucy Pet also has Cats Incredible litter, an awesome litter that actually stops ammonia from forming in the litter box.

Honoring Pet Heroes Who Have Saved Human Lives

On January 1st, 

Lucy Pet

​ will be participating the annual Tournament of Rose​

’s 

​parade, in Pasadena, CA. This will be Lucy Pet's ​

third Rose Parade, and we couldn’t be more excited

​! The Rose Parade is an opportunity for us to share our message about helping animals, and raising awareness of the Lucy Pet Foundation.​

We're especially proud of this year's float. 

The Rose Parade theme this year is “Making A Difference,” and our float, “Paws for Life,” honors animal heroes who, all together, have saved over 200 human lives! Look for us during the second half of the parade; we are float number 79. Tune in to the Rose Parade on January 1st starting at 8 am PST, or watch it live on Amazon Prime.

Paws for Life Lucy Pet Rose Parade 2018
Visit https://www.lucypetproducts.com/rose-parade/2018-pawsforlife/ for more info

We worked with Fiesta Parade Floats—the most award-winning float builder in Rose Parade history to create an amazing float, fit for our animal heroes! Thousands of volunteers worked hundreds of hours to create our spectacular float, using organic plant materials including flowers, seeds, petals, bark, leaves, and more. 

Watch the Rose Parade on Monday, January 1st, to see the brave animals that have saved and protected human lives on our incredible Lucy Pet “Paws for Life” float. From search and rescue dogs to a fearless feline, we salute these courageous animals for putting themselves in the line of danger to rescue and defend humans in need.

To read more about our float, visit the Lucy Pet website.

The Amazing Lucy Pet Rose Parade Float!

Wow, what an awesome day it was today at the 2017 Tournament of Roses Parade. I was so proud of our Lucy Pet Gnarly Crankin' K9 Wavemaker float. Yes, it was huge. So huge that Guinness World Records certified it as having set two new records- the world's longest and heaviest in history! We created this float to help raise awareness of pet overpopulation through our Lucy Pet Foundation. Our float featured a number of rescue pets who surf for fun. I took this video from my iPhone. I hope you enjoy it!

To learn more, go to Lucy Pet Products and Lucy Pet Foundation websites. Look for our pet products, including Lucy Pet dog and cat shampoos/conditioners and also our Cats Incredible litter. Net proceeds go to the Lucy Pet Foundation.

ABC News: ROSE PARADE FLOAT FEATURING SURFING DOGS SETS WORLD RECORD

ABC news covered this story with a cool video on our Lucy Pet Rose Parade float. 

Unique Tournament of Roses Parade float featuring surfing dogs and other talented animals set a new Guinness World Record.  Watch on ABC site here: 
http://abc7.com/1679611/ 

A Rose by any other name....

Roses for Lucy Pet's Rose Parade float have arrived!

Unless you live in Southern California, chances are you have not experienced the Tournament of Roses parade in person. Even if you do live in So Cal, chances are small that you have helped to decorate the magnificent floats that make up the annual Rose Parade. It is truly a memorable experience. I have been blessed to have this opportunity several times, and this year is no exception. We are down to the wire decorating the Lucy Pet Gnarly Crankin K9 Wave Maker Rose Parade float, now certified as breaking two Guinness World Records, the Longest and Heaviest in the world. Too bad they don't have an award for most beautiful float. 

At any rate...the basic float design theme is a tropical paradise with fish and flowers, all decorated from plant, flower and organic materials. Many types of plants and seeds, etc are used to create the stunning designs, but the name sake of the parade and football game "Rose Parade" and "Rose Bowl" is because of the beautiful roses. 

Pails of fresh long stem roses arrive in buckets

So it may come as no surprise that the level of excitement goes up to a whole new level when the roses arrive at the float barn for decorating. Each fresh rose is carefully hand snipped to the appropriate length, then placed into its own vial filled with water. It is a remarkable sight to see. I hope you enjoy seeing these photos..I can tell you that the Fiesta Float Barn smells so wonderfully fragrant right now!

Rows and Rows of Roses and Roses...

Workers and volunteers organize their flowers

Roses are all hand snipped for water vials

Lucy Pet Roses ready for the float decorating!

Officially Certified by Guinness World Records: Longest & Heaviest Float in History!

Joey Herrick (L), Carolyn Hennesy (C) and Rick Rockhill (R)

Today was a cool day. The Lucy Pet Rose Parade float was officially certified by Guinness World Records as the Longest and Heaviest parade float in the world. The Guinness folks sent an adjudicator to measure and weigh our float. The inspection included a team of California Highway Patrol officers who used their technical equipment to weigh the float, similar to how trucks are weight on the highway. Our official length and weight for Guinness is 126 ft long and a whopping 148,200 pounds, or 74.1 tons! On hand today was Carolyn Hennesy  the Emmy-nominated soap opera actress, New York Times Best-Selling author, and animal advocate. Ms Hennesy is a friend to the Lucy Pet Foundation and was with us to celebrate the Guinness World Record certification.

Be sure to watch the Rose Parade Monday Jan 2nd, 2017 to see our massive float. The Rose Parade is televised on ABC, NBC, HGTV, Hallmark Channel, KTLA, Univision (in Spanish) and Sky Link TV (in Mandarin and Cantonese) and RFD TV.

Rose Parade Ready: Race to Finish!

For all of you who enjoy the Rose Parade, here is yet another behind the scenes video on how we're getting the Lucy Pet float ready for the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 2nd. KTLA, the #1 TV channel in Los Angeles has been covering the process of getting the Lucy Pet Products Rose Parade float to become a reality. This is the 4th video in a series of 4 segments, and covers the final steps...its right down to the wire... Enjoy!

Rose Parade Ready: Lucy Pet Performers

If you are interested in the Rose Parade, then you will be interested in seeing more of what happens behind the scenes in getting the Lucy Pet float ready for January 2nd. KTLA, the #1 TV channel in Los Angeles has been covering the process of getting the Lucy Pet Products Rose Parade float to become a reality. This is the 3rd video in a series of 4 segments, and covers the canine performers.

Rose Parade Ready Test Run

Here is another behind the scenes peek at creation of the Lucy Pet Rose Parade float. KTLA, the #1 TV station in Los Angeles has been covering the progress of the Lucy Pet Rose Parade Float. This is the 2nd video in a series of 4...check out this video from KTLA:

Building a Rose Parade Float

KTLA the #1 TV station in Los Angeles came to check out the Lucy Pet Rose Parade Float that is under construction. If you ever wanted to see some behind the scenes details on what it takes to build a Rose Parade Float, check out this video from KTLA:

Breaking Guinness World Records

One of the things I enjoy most about being part of the Lucy Pet organization are some of the unique and interesting ways we raise awareness of animal welfare issues. The big event is just about to happen-- the Lucy Pet Rose Parade float.

You see, Lucy Pet Products is about to debut what we expect will be certified by Guinness World Records as the longest and heaviest single chassis float in Rose Parade history. We call it the "Lucy Pet’s Gnarly Crankin’ K9 Wave Maker". The float is a monster, with a fun  beach-paradise design theme. Our float will measure over 125-feet long and weigh over 136,000 pounds when filled with the 8,000 gallons of water. During the parade a super cool wave machine will generate waves upon a team of eight dogs will surf the length of the 90-foot tank. You may recall that earlier this year we had a national tour of our mobile wave machine. That national tour went across the country to find the most talented surf dogs. The wave machine crossed 35 states and auctioned over 1,000 dogs, which led to our amazing team of surf dogs for the January 2nd 2017 Rose Parade float. We have some really awesome surprises in store for fans and viewers...so more to come. 

I'm also happy to share that Lucy Pet has had an incredible year-- we introduced our first two product new lines for pets, shampoos and conditioners and also Cats Incredible litter. Our pet supplies are all "Products With A Cause", which go to support of the Lucy Pet Foundation, our 501 (c) (3) animal charity.  You can find Lucy Pet Products in your local independent pet store and Petco stores nationwide, as well as pet specialty retailers across Canada. If you have a dog or cat, ask for Lucy Pet products at your local store; we are committed to helping reduce the pet overpopulation.

WIN a Seat on a Tournament of Roses Parade Float plus a trip to Pasadena for Family of Four!

The Lucy Pet Rose Parade float is a fun way to raise awareness of animal related causes. Check out this fun contest. Enter to win, and share with your friends.

Lucy Pet Products Announces Contest To Win A Seat

On Its Double Guinness World Record Breaking

125-Foot Gnarly Crankin’ K9 Wave Maker

2017 Tournament Of Roses® Parade Float

THOUSAND OAKS, CA (Nov. 16, 2016) - Lucy Pet Products has just announced an exciting new contest where the winner will ride on its 2017 Tournament of Roses parade float on Jan. 2, 2017 in Pasadena, Calif. The sweepstakes prize includes a trip for four with airfare and a four night stay at the beautiful Pasadena Sheraton. One lucky winner from this family of four will get to ride on the Lucy Pet float during the 128th annual Rose Parade while the remaining three family members watch from the VIP section of the viewing stands.

“Our float this year is going to be the longest and heaviest float to ever appear in the parade,” said Joey Herrick, President and founder of Lucy Pet Products. “It depicts a beachside paradise complete with a 5,000 gallon 125-foot wave machine and gnarly surfin’ doggies ridin’ the waves. The float also helps raise awareness for our Lucy Pet "Products with a Cause" including Cats Incredible Litter and grooming shampoos which help fund the Lucy Pet Foundation. These products are available at pet specialty retailers nationwide.”

Contest participants must visit the Lucy Pet Products website and fill out the entry form no later than midnight on Nov. 30, 2016. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing to take place on or before Dec. 3, 2016. The winning family will receive four round-trip airline tickets, a four night stay at the Pasadena Sheraton, three VIP viewing stand seats and one lucky family member will ride on the Lucy Pet Products parade float.

“We are really looking forward to this year’s Rose Parade,” added Herrick. We’ll be setting a double Guinness World Record for the longest and heaviest float to ever be in the parade and our Surfin’ Dogs will be a sight to behold.  We think it will be one of the most fun floats in parade history, and everyone on it including our grand prize winner is going to have the experience of a lifetime.”

Enter from this link: https://www.lucypetproducts.com/win-a-seat/

Video of Military Family Reunion at Natural Balance Rose Parade Float

Here is the full video clip from the 2013 Rose Parade, when a military family was reunited on the Natural Balance Pet Foods float on New Year's Day in Pasadena, CA. This is Army Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pazz and his son and wife. Pretty awesome, huh?

Natural Balance Canines With Courage Rose Parade Float

Rick at the Natural Balance Rose Parade Float

Once again I had the distinct honor and privilege of attending the Rose Parade, along with my company Natural Balance Pet Foods. This was our fifth year of having a float in the famous Rose Parade, and it was one of the best! We didn't set out to break any new Guinness World Records for the longest, or heaviest or biggest, but instead, we wanted to honor Military Working Dog teams. We have teamed up with Petco to help fund a new National Monument to Military Working Dog teams, so our float's theme for this year was a floral replica of the monument.

Natural Balance Rose Parade float 2013

I love this view of the Natural Balance Rose Parade float as it passed by our stands. You can see how beautiful it was with all the flowers and stars. 

Tillman is now an honorary Marine

There were several military working dog teams on the float, as well as Tillman, the world's fastest skateboarding bulldog who is now an honorary Marine. Tillman set aside his skateboard this Rose Parade to help honor and raise awareness for these true canine heroes, Military Working Dogs.

side view of Natural Balance float

 Here is a great side view photo of the Natural Balance Rose Parade float from 2013. You can see the floral replica of the bronze statues of the dog handler/soldier and the four dogs typically used in the military. I love the way the float looks in this photo against the blue sky, it makes me feel extra patriotic for some reason...and it isn't even the actual monument.

Natural Balance Rose Parade float reunion family

If you watched the Rose Parade, you might have seen the awesome surprise on live TV. It was a reunion between an active duty Army Sargeant and his family. His wife thought she had won a trip to the Rose Parade, and brought her son. When the float stopped, Army Sgt. First Class Eric Pazz came out of the stands, and the little boy, 4-year-old son Eric Pazz II went running to see his father. It was a real tear-jerker for sure. Later, at the post-parade event, I took this photo of the dad and his son on our float itself. Pretty cool, huh?

Natural Balance Rose Parade Float

There are some really incredible photos and moments from today's Rose Parade. Here is another view of our float. I have to say I am so proud of my company for this year's float. Below is an awesome photo of Tillman with Lucca, with her handler, Corporal Juan Rodriguez, stand in front of the Military War Dog Monument.

Lucca and Tillman at the bronze statues of the monument

It was an incredible day in Pasadena at the Rose Parade. I hope you enjoyed my photos!

Gearing Up for Another Rose Parade

Rick at Fiesta Floats in Irwindale, CA

As we approach New Year's Day, workers and volunteers at Fiesta Floats in Irwindale, CA are busy decorating floats for the 124th Annual Rose Parade.  Among those is the Natural Balance Pet float! This year, the theme of our float is "Canines With Courage", as we salute and give recognition to the brave canine members of America’s armed forces that so gallantly serve our nation with this patriotic salute honoring their loyal service and heroism.

The float will feature a floral replica of a new bronze and granite National Monument to Military Working Dog Teams, which will be dedicated in 2013 at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. This is the first time in the history of the United States military that an animal, a dog, has been elevated to National Monument status by U.S. Congressional Law, and Natural Balance is proud to make this the feature of our float.

Our floats have become famous for the incredible record-breaking designs, floral beauty and of course the fun with Tillman the skateboarding bulldog, and his canine friends. This year's float isn't intended to break any Guinness World records as heaviest or longest, but it will be big on pride for our Military Working Dog Heroes. Tillman will be on the float this year, as an honorary Marine, but he wont be performing. Instead he will be helping raise awareness about these incredible Canine Heroes.

As you can see from this photo at right, the float is still being decorated. Remember that as part of the Rose Parade regulations, the decorations covering the floats need to be floral or plant material. All the colors and textures will be derived from flowers, seeds, petals, etc. For example, the round wood circle at the front is waiting for the decorative panel that will be applied. While I was there, that panel was being decorated by a volunteer. It is painstaking work, with incredible detail that isn't immediately obvious when viewing the floats from afar or on television.

At left is that front panel I mentioned above. It will be applied to the front of our float. Notice the incredible vivid colors....those are all from flowers or seeds, not paint!

The workers use an adhesive glue and place the seeds or flower petals by hand. This artistic design on the emblem models the emblem that corresponds to the actual monument.
To give you an idea of the detail click on this photo to enlarge it. Here is another photo below of some roses with an off white border...which I believe was rice (I could be wrong), but look at the photo for yourself to see.s

 You can watch the Rose Parade on TV January 1st, check local listings for times. If you participate in social media, follow along on Twitter searching for the hashtags #RosePets and #RoseParade, or on Facebook with Natural Balance or Petco or me!

Dogs Surf the World's Longest & Heaviest Parade Float with Natural Balance

photo credit: Betsy Martin

If you missed seeing the Natural Balance Pet Foods Rose Parade Float during the Rose Parade, I took a brief video of our float. The float was certified by Guinness World Records as the World's Longest and Heaviest. The float measures 116 feet from end-to-end, and will weigh more than 100,000 pounds thanks to 6600 gallons of water.

It took a Ford 6.8-liter three-valve V-10 engine, normally used in its F-Series Super Duty trucks to power such a massive float. Thanks to the folks at Ford Motor Company for getting the float going! 

Now here is the video I took with my iPhone. If you watch closely you can see Rose surf.

Here is a link to the same video on YouTube.

I thought I'd also share a bunch of awesome photos of our float. Most of these photos below were provided to me by Betsy Martin, who works with me at Natural Balance. 

We were very excited to be awarded the 'Extraordinaire Trophy' for our float.

 

photo: Betsy Martin, Natural Balance

Above: here are Dick Van Patten, Jimmy Van Patten and NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, at the front of our float! 

Greg Biffle photo: Betsy Martin Natural Balance

Here's a great photo with famed NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, who rode on our float, along with Tillman! He is a really great guy who loves animals too. The Greg Biffle Foundation raises awareness for animal advocacy, so check it out.

photo: Betsy Martin, Natural Balance

Check out Tillman surfing! Tillman is certified by Guinness Records as the fastest skateboarding bulldog in the World. He loves to surf too! Check out these two photos. He is really having a blast here. He surfs with his dad at local beaches near LA all the time, so he is a real pro, as you can see from these pics.

photo: Betsy Martin, Natural Balance

photo: Betsy Martin, Natural Balance

photo: Betsy Martin Natural Balance

Here is Stanley an amazing Chesapeak Bay Retriever and friend of Natural Balance. He is one of the So Cal Surf Dogs who surf with their dogs. They promote safe dog surfing and having fun surfing for the mental and physical health for both you and your dog. Pretty cool group, huh?

Here at left is Norman, better known as "Scooter Dog" He is also a friend of Tillman and Natural Balance, read more here.

photo: Betsy Martin, Natural Balance

Here is Newman, an English Bulldog and one of the winners of the open casting call we had at Natural Balance for dogs to surf on our float. Newman is surfing backwards in this photo, pretty amazing trick!

Stealth Bomber photo: Rick Rockhil

Photo: Rick Rockhill

At the start of the Rose Parade, a US Stealth Bomber completed its fly-by, which is always a crowd pleaser. It is one amazing piece of military technology. 

A Skywriting airplane for Geico insurance wrote 'Happy New Year' over the parade route, which was fun. The 2012 Rose Parade was really awesome. I'm proud of the Natural Balance Pet Foods float, I think we really stole the show. I hope you enjoyed these photos.