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Has Bennetts Gone Barkers with Competition Idea?: The dog: man (or woman's) best friend has become inseparable from us. Even their "titles" have been upgraded, from "pet" to "animal companion" (for the politically correct). Now, real dog lovers scarcely leave them at home all day or evening anymore while they hang about with other humans. Instead, it's become commonplace to bring one's furry pal along to shop, work, or on holiday.

Dogs have also long enjoyed car rides whilst we on two legs have had endless debates as to why dogs stick their heads out of car windows. Dogs on bikes have been another matter entirely - much trickier in fact, because of the highly limited space on motorbikes and the need for the rider to balance. With special boxes or other contraptions on the rear, however, it has become feasible for bikers to have their, (groan-worthily-named), "barkers" right along with them on rides. The title is given to the little creatures sitting in compartments behind helmeted bike riders on city roads or country lanes - snouts pressed forward or yapping furiously against the wind.

Catching hold of this trend, top UK motorbike insurer Bennetts has launched a nationwide effort to select the top canine on two wheels all part of a larger campaign to find the UK's most outlandish motorbike enthusiasts.

Mark Fells, Bennetts Marketing Director, said that company's goal was to collect the most unusual stories available about the United Kingdom's bikers. The collection would serve not only as a bright commemoration of the motorbike rider, but also as an information-sharing forum. That certainly did the trick! Swamped with entries, Bennetts finally chose five as Bennetts Biking Barkers:

◊ Ronnie, aged 2 (Terrier, Warrington)
◊ Rocket, aged 9 (Jack Russell , Grimsby)
◊ Slobber, aged 8 (Boxer, Salisbury)
◊ Pepper, aged 10 (Terrier, Cheltenham)
◊ Minnie, aged 9 (Border Terrier, the New Forest)
(photos available on Bennetts website)

All the dogs have their unique qualities. "Minnie" has an edge in the area of miles logged though having travelled over 27,000 of them in her lifetime (or 3,000 miles per year). Owner (or, in modern terms "caregiver") Peter Garner spoke at length about his long journeys with her, emphasizing that he rarely goes anywhere without his canine companion (wearing Doggles to protect her eyes) on the back of his Honda 500. He also revealed that the two get plenty of stares as they cruise about Britain's roads.

The website has caused something of a small sensation among that unique subset of bikers who love barkers and are willing to go mobile with them. This is a chance for them to shine in an area long-dominated by the more usual canines in cars. To get a close-up look at Minnie and the other finalists, visit www.bennetts.co.uk. †

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