Many of you may have noticed several references from past guests to “Jack”. He is our favorite pet, company mascot, and honorary “Co-Pilot.” The following few paragraphs will better introduce you to him! After going to the animal shelter looking for a Jack Russell Terrier, we were told they had adopted one out that very morning but were rare to the shelters and that we could get on a waiting list. After 6 to 8 months with no call from the shelter, we mentioned to some friends who bread dogs that we were looking for one. They told us they had a “Mix” that we should meet.

The mom was a Miniature Pinscher and the dad was a Wire-Haired Jack Russell (a product of the Jack Russell’s ability to jump high fences.) In July of 2001 we brought “Jack” home with us. He chewed every piece of furniture he could get his little puppy mouth around. We wondered if he would tolerate balloons better than most dogs if he were raised around them. We figured the only way to find out was to bring him out ballooning!

We attached his leash to the trailer hitch during inflation so he would not run off, yet he was close to the balloon, and safely out of anyone's way. He barked the whole time the fan was on, but after the balloon stood up, he stopped barking!

He went for his first little puppy balloon ride when he was about 4 months old. He did fine, and has been up a twelve to fifteen times in his little puppy ballooning career. Although he will only be seven here in 2008, we have decided not to take him on any more commercial flights, as he has developed a little fear of heights!

His last flight was in October of 2007. He backed himself into the center of the basket and shook like a leaf in the breeze, so we let him keep his little puppy paws on the ground -or should we say “in the chase vehicle!”

Thank you for taking the time to visit our web site and to consider Private Balloon Flights for all of your ballooning needs! We are the commercial balloon ride operator, with the more personal touch.

Jack after a hard morning of supervising.