If you have spotted a brightly wrapped bus covered in giant green paws cruising through Fuquay-Varina, yes – it really is a bus for dogs. Groovy Dogs is a new local dog adventure service offering door-to-door pickup, carefully matched Packs, outdoor exploration, enrichment, social time and the kind of post-adventure nap dog parents dream about. But the story behind the bus is even better than the bus itself. We spoke with founder and owner Stephanie Squires about the family, dogs and wonderfully weird ideas that brought Groovy Dogs to life; what families can expect from an Adventure Day; and the serious safety promise underneath all that color. Her answers were too thoughtful – and honestly, too funny – to water down. So, just like the dogs, we are letting this story roam.

THE STORY BEHIND GROOVY DOGS

1. First, please introduce yourself! Who is behind Groovy Dogs, and what should our readers know about you?

I’m Stephanie Squires, the founder and owner of Groovy Dogs. I’m the heart behind the vision, the customer experience, the creative details and – let’s be honest – the very detailed lists. My husband, Cary, is the hippie soul and my greatest supporter. I call him “Mr. Wonderful,” a title I believe in so strongly that I even have it tattooed on my shoulder. Our friends and family have long referred to Cary as “the dog whisperer” because he has a truly special connection with dogs. He instinctively meets them at their level and has a remarkable ability to make almost any dog feel safe, understood and loved within moments of meeting him. The Groovy Dogs name has actually been part of our lives for a long time. Cary owned and operated the Groovy Dogs hot dog carts in downtown Raleigh for 15 years – so the name has been around for quite a while, and so has Cary! Today, we share our approximately 100-pound Goldendoodle, Chewbacca – our beloved dog and the official Groovy Dogs Spirit Guide. When we found ourselves spending a small fortune on natural sweet potato treats for Chewbacca, Cary said, “We can make these ourselves.” So we did. What began as something made in our kitchen for our own dog eventually inspired me to turn those treats into a business, and Groovy Dogs found an entirely new life. We created the colorful logo and bright branding together, while my wonderfully hippie, dog-loving husband dreamed up the unusual product names and wrote the messages on the back of every treat bag. I also created Blaze, our tiny fictional Chihuahua character. She was inspired by the unforgettable personality of the Taco Bell Chihuahua – and by Chewbacca’s very real soft spot for small dogs. If you read the back of our treat bags, I think they will make you feel something. I cannot promise exactly what – but something, for sure. When unexpected health challenges took me away from the 18-year career I had known, I found myself searching for a way to feel like myself again – but on my own terms and within the life I have now. With the unwavering support of Cary, my Mr. Wonderful, I decided to take a leap of faith and put this wild dream of ours into motion. Because I cannot physically perform the work myself, I have been extremely intentional about designing Groovy Dogs with clear systems, detailed procedures and thoughtful safety processes. My role is to remain at the heart of the business as its owner, designer and support system, while our trained employees operate the bus, care for the Pack and bring the Adventure Days I envisioned to life. Our Lead Adventure Specialist, Bryan “Cubbie” Smith, will be behind the wheel of the Adventure Bus and helping guide the Pack through their days. Together, we are creating a family-owned local business built on a love of dogs, a renewed sense of purpose and Cary’s and my shared desire to give back to the community we love – all while proving that life is still allowed to be colorful, joyful and a little bit weird.

2. We saw that Groovy Dogs originally began with homemade dog treats. How did that business eventually grow into the idea for an entire dog adventure bus?

It was not a straight line or a carefully calculated business expansion. Groovy Dogs has always grown from the things Cary and I genuinely love, mixed with ideas that are just unusual enough to make us say, “Wait – could we actually do that?” The dog-treat business began very simply. We were already growing sweet potatoes in our garden while spending a lot of money on natural sweet potato treats for Chewbacca. Cary finally said, “We can make these ourselves.” So we started making treats in our kitchen just for him. While we waited for the sweet potatoes in our garden to be ready for harvest, we purchased them in bulk from our local Needmore Farms stand. Eventually, I thought, “If Chewbacca loves them this much, maybe other dogs will too,” and I had the idea to turn them into a business. The honest truth is that the treats never really took off. We sold some, but not nearly enough to build the kind of business I imagined. There is a lot of competition in the dog-treat market, and at the end of the day, we were selling sweet potatoes – either plain or covered in bacon, but still sweet potatoes. Apparently, even bacon can only carry a sweet potato so far! That became an important realization point for me. It did not mean Groovy Dogs was the wrong idea; it meant I had not yet found the right way to bring it fully to life. The idea of the Adventure Bus immediately resonated with me because I understood the family it could serve. During my career, I worked long hours from home and moved from meeting to meeting while Chewbacca lay nearby, waiting for attention I simply did not have enough time to give him during the workday. I loved him tremendously, but there were many days when work consumed my time and energy. Even traditional doggy daycare was not a practical solution because I did not have time between meetings to drop him off and pick him up. That is why the door-to-door part of the Adventure Bus felt so tremendous to me. I began imagining a service for families in that exact situation – people who deeply love their dogs but cannot always provide the exercise, socialization and new experiences they want them to have, and who may not have time to add two more trips to an already demanding day. Their dog could be picked up safely from home, climb aboard a colorful bus, spend the day exploring, socializing and simply getting to be a dog, then be brought safely back home. Eventually, the idea became too meaningful – and too persistent – to ignore. The treats gave dogs something special to enjoy for a few minutes. The Adventure Bus gives them an entire day. To us, it feels less like Groovy Dogs became a completely different business and more like we finally discovered what Groovy Dogs was always meant to become.

3. Was there one specific “lightbulb moment” when you realized Fuquay-Varina needed something like this?

I do not know that there was one dramatic lightbulb moment. It was more of a realization that the exact service I had needed for Chewbacca did not exist here – and I could not possibly be the only person who needed it. I had worked long hours from home, watching him wait patiently beside me while I moved from one meeting to the next. I did not have enough time to give him the kind of day I wanted him to have, but I also did not have time to drive him to daycare in the morning and pick him up again later. When I began imagining a service that would come directly to the family’s home, safely pick up their dog and give that dog an entire day of exercise, socialization and new experiences, everything clicked. I was not designing the service around an imaginary customer. I had been that customer. Fuquay-Varina and the surrounding communities are filled with people who work long hours, work from home, manage busy families or have physical limitations that make traditional options difficult. They love their dogs deeply and want them to have full, interesting lives. Once I understood that the Adventure Bus could remove the transportation barrier while giving dogs something genuinely different, the idea would not leave me alone.

4. Were there any special dogs who inspired Groovy Dogs? We would love to hear about them and the role they played in bringing this idea to life.

Chewbacca is at the heart of Groovy Dogs. He is our approximately 100-pound Goldendoodle, our beloved family dog and the official Groovy Dogs Spirit Guide. He inspired the homemade treats, helped me recognize the need for the Adventure Bus and continues to influence the way I think about every part of the experience. Chewbacca loves people and other dogs, but he has an especially sweet fondness for small dogs. That part of his personality helped inspire Blaze, the tiny fictional Chihuahua character I created for the Groovy Dogs brand. She has a very large personality in a very small package and was also inspired by the unforgettable spirit of the Taco Bell Chihuahua. Cary has shared his life with several very special dogs over the years, and each one helped shape the natural connection he has with them today. Our friends and family call him “the dog whisperer” because he does not simply like dogs – he understands them. That lifelong bond with dogs is part of the soul behind Groovy Dogs. Chewbacca may never understand how much of this began with him lying beside my desk, patiently waiting for me to finish one more meeting. But this business exists because I wanted more for his days, and I knew other families wanted the same for the dogs they love.

5. How did you choose the name “Groovy Dogs,” the colorful retro branding and the tagline, “They’ll Make Your Dog Do Stuff”?

The Groovy Dogs name came with us from Cary’s hot dog cart business, which he operated in downtown Raleigh for 15 years. When we began the dog-treat business, the name suddenly worked in an entirely new way. It already had history, personality and a connection to Cary, but now it was actually about dogs! The bright colors and retro style are a reflection of both of us. I love creative details and building a brand that feels memorable and intentional, while Cary brings the true hippie soul. We wanted Groovy Dogs to feel joyful, welcoming and just a little unexpected – the kind of brand that makes people smile before they even know exactly what we do. People connected with the name, the colors and the personality of the brand because it was fun, playful and unforgettable. That helped me realize that Groovy Dogs had the potential to become something much bigger than one product. That same personality inspired the treat names, the messages on the bags, Blaze and eventually the Adventure Bus itself. We never wanted to look like every other dog business. We wanted color, humor, heart and enough weirdness to make it unmistakably ours. “They’ll Make Your Dog Do Stuff” has been a topic of conversation since we first launched the sweet potato treats. The question people always asked was, “What will they make my dog do?” My answer was always, “You tell me.” It was playful, mysterious and deliberately open-ended – because every dog’s reaction to a really good treat is different. One might sit beautifully, another might suddenly remember every trick they have ever learned, and another might simply stare into your soul until you hand over another piece. What makes the tagline even more special now is that it grew with us. It began with the treats, but it fits the Adventure Bus as though that had been the plan all along. Today, “doing stuff” can mean exploring, socializing, gaining confidence, splashing in a pool, sniffing something fascinating or simply getting out of the house for a new experience. The tagline makes people laugh, but it also captures the entire purpose of Groovy Dogs: helping dogs live fuller, more interesting and more joyful lives – whatever “doing stuff” looks like for them.

ALL ABOARD THE DOG BUS

6. Tell us about the bus! Where did you find it, what went into preparing it for four-legged passengers, and are there any special features inside designed specifically for the dogs?

We found the bus in June 2026, and the moment we saw it, we could picture what it could become. Of course, picturing a colorful bus filled with happy dogs was the easy part. Transforming an ordinary vehicle into the Groovy Dogs Adventure Bus required imagination, careful planning and a whole lot of hippie ingenuity. The exterior was transformed with our bright custom Groovy Dogs wrap, complete with colorful branding, giant paws and a QR code. It is playful, slightly outrageous and almost impossible to miss – which is exactly what we wanted. The interior is where Cary’s creativity, craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail truly took over. He is the kind of thoughtful, inventive problem-solver who sees possibilities where other people see an empty bus. He researches every detail, anticipates how something will actually be used and finds practical solutions that most people would never think of. He designed the interior differently from other dog buses people may have seen online, with the comfort and safety of the dogs – and the practical needs of the operating team – guiding every decision. We are keeping the exact details tucked beneath the tie-dye curtain for now. Every groovy operation needs a little secret sauce, and we are not quite ready to hand out the recipe! What we can share is that the dogs will be properly fitted in their Groovy Dogs Adventure Harnesses, individually secured before the bus moves and carefully monitored throughout the route. The interior is also designed to support controlled loading and unloading, thorough daily cleaning and sanitation, and the safe storage of everything needed for the day’s adventure. It was never meant to be a kennel on wheels. It was designed to be a safe, comfortable and genuinely fun part of the experience. The colorful wrap may be the first thing people notice, but the thoughtful surprises Cary created inside are what make this bus unmistakably Groovy Dogs.

7. What has been the funniest or most memorable reaction you’ve received while driving the Groovy Dogs bus around town?

The bus has a way of interrupting people’s day – in the best possible way. We have watched people point, wave, smile, turn around for another look and immediately pull out their phones. Grown adults react to it with the same excitement most people reserve for an ice-cream truck! One of the funniest moments happened as the bus passed the IHOP parking lot. Children were pointing through the windows and absolutely losing their minds with excitement. Watching them react as though they had just spotted the greatest vehicle ever created made it impossible not to laugh – and honestly, they may have been right. One of my favorite messages came from someone who spotted the bus in her Ballentine neighborhood and said she had stopped in the middle of a conversation when she saw it. She immediately thought about how much her dog would love the concept. That reaction meant so much to me because she understood the entire idea before anyone had to explain it – the bus looked like something her dog needed to be part of. Another unforgettable moment happened when the Fuquay-Varina Fire Marshal flagged Cary down. For a moment, he thought something might actually be wrong. Instead, she told him, “No – I need to take pictures!” When the Fire Marshal performs a roadside stop simply because she needs photographic evidence of your dog bus, you know the wrap is doing its job. The question we hear most often is some version of, “Wait – is that really a bus for dogs?” The answer is yes. Yes, it absolutely is – and judging by the reactions around town, the dogs are not the only ones excited about it.

8. Walk us through a typical Adventure Day – from the moment the bus arrives for pickup until a tired and happy pup is dropped back off at home.

An Adventure Day begins right at the family’s home. The bus arrives during the dog’s scheduled pickup window, and our team follows the family’s approved access and pickup instructions. The dog receives a quick visual wellness check, is fitted or checked in their Groovy Dogs Adventure Harness and is safely secured in their assigned place before the bus moves to the next stop. As each dog joins the route, the Pack begins to take shape – and the bus ride becomes part of the experience. There are new friends to greet, neighborhoods to watch through the windows and the growing suspicion that something very fun is about to happen. Once the full Pack is aboard, the bus heads to the day’s selected adventure location. Depending on the dogs, destination and weather, the day may include exploring trails or open spaces, group walks, enrichment games, sniffing adventures, social time, water activities, approved treats and plenty of hydration and rest breaks. The goal is not to keep every dog moving until they collapse. A successful Adventure Day should engage the dog’s mind and body while respecting age, energy level, confidence and individual needs. Some dogs may spend the day making friends and leading the expedition. Others may prefer a slower sniff, a quiet break and the company of one calm buddy. Both are doing Groovy Dogs correctly. At the end of the adventure, every dog is checked, loaded and secured again before the bus begins the trip home. We follow each family’s approved drop-off instructions and make sure the dog is safely returned where they belong. Families will receive photos, video highlights and a brief Groovy Dogs Report Card sharing what their dog did, their energy and social vibe, and a favorite moment from the day. The entire experience generally lasts six to eight hours, depending on the route and adventure. The final sign of a successful day usually happens after we leave: one very happy dog, one very quiet house and a nap of historic proportions.

9. What types of destinations, activities and adventures can members of the Pack expect?

Variety is a big part of the Groovy Dogs experience. Pack members may visit carefully selected parks, farms, private properties, light wooded areas and other approved outdoor spaces where the dogs can safely explore and enjoy a genuine change of scenery. Activities may include group walks, sniffing adventures, enrichment games, supervised social time, open-space exploration and water activities such as sprinklers or dog pools when the weather is right. There will also be plenty of fresh water, rest breaks and approved treats – because even professional adventurers require snacks. We also hope to include occasional stops and experiences with local, dog-friendly businesses. A surprise pup cup may mysteriously appear from time to time, but we cannot reveal the full itinerary. The dogs are terrible at keeping secrets. Not every Pack will visit the same destination or participate in the same activities. We choose each Adventure Day based on the dogs scheduled, their energy and comfort levels, the weather and the conditions at the location. Some days may involve more movement and exploration, while others may focus on enrichment, socialization and a slower opportunity to sniff absolutely everything. The destination may change, but the purpose remains the same: give dogs a safe, interesting and joyful day filled with experiences they would not ordinarily have at home.

10. How do you choose each destination and adjust the day based on weather, energy levels and the individual dogs in your care?

Every Adventure Day begins with the dogs who are scheduled – not with a destination we are determined to use no matter what. We consider the Pack’s ages, sizes, confidence levels, physical abilities, social styles and energy before choosing the setting and activities that make the most sense for that particular group. That is one of the greatest advantages of owning and operating a mobile Adventure Bus: we can pivot. We are not tied to one outdoor location or one predetermined plan. We monitor the forecast, temperature and ground conditions, along with the availability of shade, water and appropriate places to rest. If one destination is too hot, muddy, crowded or otherwise unsuitable, we can choose another place or create an entirely different kind of Adventure Day. A cool morning may be perfect for a longer exploration, while a warmer day may call for shorter activity periods, extra hydration, water play, shaded enrichment and considerably more lounging. Mother Nature has never shown much respect for a carefully organized schedule, so flexibility is built into the Groovy Dogs experience from the beginning. We also watch the dogs throughout the day. A plan that looked perfect in the morning may need to change if a dog becomes tired, overwhelmed or simply tells us – in the very clear language dogs use – that they have done enough adventuring for one afternoon. Groovy Dogs is not about forcing every Pack through an identical itinerary. We design the day around the dogs in front of us. The adventure should fit the Pack, not the other way around.

11. What makes a Groovy Dogs adventure different from traditional doggy daycare, pet sitting or a standard dog walk?

Doggy daycare, pet sitting and dog walking all serve important purposes. We are not here to tell anyone their dog walker is boring. Groovy Dogs simply offers a completely different kind of experience – one with wheels, changing destinations and considerably more nose activity. Traditional daycare generally asks the family to transport their dog to one facility, where the dog spends the day in the same environment. Pet sitting keeps a dog comfortable and cared for at home, while a standard walk provides valuable exercise within the dog’s familiar neighborhood. Groovy Dogs combines door-to-door transportation, carefully matched social interaction, enrichment and outdoor exploration into one six-to-eight-hour experience. The bus is not the whole adventure, but it is absolutely part of it. The dogs begin socializing as the Pack comes aboard, watching the world roll past with noses working overtime, ears catching the breeze and tongues happily hanging out. Just getting there becomes an experience – the kind of ride that makes you look at them and think, “What a trip!” We are also not trying to keep dogs continuously active or toss every personality into one enormous playgroup and hope everyone makes excellent choices. Each Adventure Day is adjusted around the particular Pack’s energy, confidence, comfort and social style. Dogs have opportunities to move, sniff, explore, make friends, rest and occasionally investigate something with an intensity usually reserved for criminal forensics. The biggest difference is intention. A Groovy Dogs member is not simply being supervised while the hours pass. The day is designed to engage the body, stimulate the mind and provide a genuine change of scenery. We want dogs to come home with happy hearts, interesting smells and the kind of deeply satisfied nap that tells the family, “Yes, I did stuff today.”

MEETING AND PROTECTING THE PACK

12. What type of dog is the best fit for Groovy Dogs? Can older dogs, shy dogs or dogs with different energy levels participate?

The best fit for Groovy Dogs is not one particular breed, size or energy level. We are not holding auditions for the Canine Olympics, and nobody needs to arrive with a résumé. Pack members must be at least six months old, spayed or neutered, current on required vaccinations and comfortable enough around people and other dogs to participate safely in a group experience. Every dog must also complete and be approved through our Meet & Greet process before enrolling. Dogs with a known history of escaping or jumping fences are not eligible for the Adventure Bus. Our destinations vary, and we cannot guarantee that every approved adventure location will be surrounded by a six-foot fence. We love an ambitious dog with big dreams, but we cannot welcome a pup whose primary dream is launching an independent expedition over the nearest boundary. Beyond those requirements, we welcome different personalities and energy levels. Older dogs may enjoy a slower exploration with plenty of sniffing and rest. Shy dogs may benefit from gentle new experiences and carefully chosen companions, provided they can feel safe and recover comfortably when something is unfamiliar. High-energy dogs may need more movement and physical challenges, while another dog may consider investigating one extremely compelling patch of grass to be a full afternoon’s work. We consider each dog’s age, health, confidence, play style, physical ability and comfort level when building the Pack and planning the day. Our Adventure Levels – Explorer, Trail and High-Energy – help us think about the pace and type of experience that may suit each dog best. Not every dog will be comfortable on an Adventure Bus, and that is okay. A dog who becomes highly distressed around other dogs, cannot travel safely or needs an environment we cannot responsibly provide may be happier with another type of care. That does not make them a bad dog; it simply means Groovy Dogs may not be their particular flavor of weird. The goal is not to make every dog fit Groovy Dogs. The goal is to make sure Groovy Dogs is genuinely right for every dog we welcome into the Pack.

13. What happens during the required Meet & Greet, and what are you looking for when deciding whether Groovy Dogs is the right fit for a pup?

The Meet & Greet takes place before enrollment and is designed to be relaxed, informative and completely free of trick auditions. Nobody needs to shake paws, balance a biscuit on their nose or provide three professional references. We bring the Adventure Bus to the dog’s preferred pickup location whenever possible. This gives the dog an opportunity to meet a Groovy Dogs team member, see and approach the bus, and experience a small piece of the routine in a familiar environment. It also allows us to discuss the home’s pickup and drop-off setup with the family. We observe how the dog responds to a new person, gentle handling, unfamiliar sights and sounds, and the bus itself. We also look at social comfort, confidence, recovery after something surprising, general body language and any signs of fear, guarding, reactivity, escape behavior or stress that may require a deeper conversation. The Meet & Greet is also for the family. They can see the bus, ask questions, discuss their dog’s personality and tell us about the wonderfully specific things that make their dog who they are – whether that means a fear of thunder, a passion for puddles or a deeply personal disagreement with delivery trucks. Approval is not about deciding whether a dog is “good” or “bad.” It is about making an honest and responsible match. Some dogs will climb aboard as if they have been waiting their entire lives for the bus. Others may need more time, a different approach or an environment that Groovy Dogs cannot safely provide. The most important question is not simply, “Can this dog join?” It is, “Can this dog feel safe, comfortable and successful as part of the Pack?” If the answer is yes, we are ready to get groovy.

14. Safety is understandably one of the biggest questions dog parents may have. What should families know about the Adventure Harnesses, transportation procedures, supervision and team training?

Safety is the foundation beneath all the color, paws and general Groovy weirdness. The bus may look fun and spontaneous from the outside, but what happens behind the scenes is anything but casual. Lord knows, I am a stickler for processes and procedures. My detective brain naturally wants to examine every detail, follow every clue and ask every possible “what if” before it has the opportunity to become a problem. Because I cannot physically be on the bus performing the work myself, I need the expectations to be clear, consistent and easy for the team to follow. If something can have a written procedure, a checklist and possibly a color code, I have probably created all three. It may not be the glamorous side of the dog bus, but it is how I make sure the experience I designed is delivered safely and consistently – even when I am not standing there watching it happen. Groovy Dogs is fully insured and bonded. Every Pack member must complete the enrollment and Meet & Greet process, remain current on required vaccinations and have up-to-date health, behavior and emergency-contact information on file. Each dog travels in an approved, properly fitted Groovy Dogs Adventure Harness and is individually secured before the vehicle moves. We use controlled loading and unloading procedures, documented safety checks and physical Roll Calls throughout the day. We will happily trust a dog to locate one microscopic crumb beneath a refrigerator, but we will not trust assumptions when confirming that every Pack member is safe and accounted for. Every Adventure Day will have two adults actively supervising and caring for the dogs. Team members responsible for handling the Pack will complete Fear Free Boarding & Daycare education, along with American Red Cross Cat & Dog First Aid training, before participating in an Adventure Day. They are trained to recognize early signs of stress, tension, fatigue or overstimulation, as well as respond appropriately if a health emergency occurs. We also plan every day with access to water, rest, cleanup supplies, safety equipment and emergency information. Weather, road conditions and the needs of the individual dogs are continually considered, and we will always change the plan rather than take an unnecessary risk. We cannot promise that dogs will never get muddy, make questionable friendship choices or return home with a mysterious leaf attached to them. We can promise that their safety, comfort and well-being will guide every decision we make. The colorful bus is the part everyone sees. The training, planning and disciplined procedures behind it are what make the adventure possible.

15. How do you introduce dogs to one another and create a Pack with compatible personalities, play styles and comfort levels?

Building a Pack begins long before the dogs meet one another. We learn about each dog through the Join the Pack form, enrollment information and required Meet & Greet. We consider age, size, confidence, energy, social experience and general play style when deciding which dogs may be comfortable together. We will not simply load a collection of dogs onto the bus, release them into one space and hope everyone makes excellent friendship decisions. Introductions are controlled, gradual and closely observed. The team watches body language, respects personal space and gives dogs time to become comfortable without forcing interaction. Some dogs enter a group ready to exchange phone numbers and plan a sleepover. Others prefer to investigate from a respectful distance before deciding whether friendship is on the table. Both approaches are perfectly acceptable. The process is always evolving. The Pack we begin with may not be the exact Pack we ultimately build because dogs reveal more of themselves as they become comfortable, travel together and experience real Adventure Days. We continue learning, observing and adjusting as those relationships develop. Groovy Dogs is also not a “hop on the bus today” service. Our regular members commit to a route and Adventure Day so we can build consistency, familiarity and genuine Pack relationships over time. Even dogs using the occasional-adventure option must complete the same application, Meet & Greet and approval process before a space can be requested. Nobody simply wanders up to the curb with a permission slip and a dream. We are not trying to fill seats with whichever dogs happen to be available. We are carefully building compatible groups where different personalities can feel safe, respected and successful together. Friendship cannot be forced – but with consistency, thoughtful introductions and the right environment, it can become one of the best parts of the adventure.

16. Will pet parents receive photos, videos or updates from their dog’s adventures? We have a feeling seeing what happens aboard the dog bus will be half the fun!

Absolutely! One of the best parts of the Groovy Dogs experience will be seeing photographic evidence that your dog has a more exciting social life than you do. Every family will complete a photo and video consent as part of the enrollment process. We take that permission seriously, and a dog’s image will never be used publicly without the family’s consent. The pups may be naturally photogenic, but they still require parental authorization before beginning their modeling careers. Our Adventure Specialists will wear body cameras that allow them to capture hands-free footage throughout the day without continually reaching for a phone. This helps preserve real moments from the bus ride, destination and activities while allowing the team to keep their hands, eyes and attention where they belong – on the Pack. Families can expect to see highlights of their dog exploring, interacting with friends and occasionally making an expression that raises more questions than it answers. They will also receive a brief Groovy Dogs Report Card sharing what their dog got into, their energy and social vibe, and a favorite or especially groovy moment from the day. We do not want the adventure team staring at a screen or trying to produce a documentary while supervising dogs. Their first responsibility is always safe driving, active supervision and being fully present with the Pack. They will capture the moments, and we will turn those moments into an update the family can enjoy. If anything unusual happens or we notice a health, behavior or safety concern, the family will be contacted directly. Important information will never be hidden beneath a cute photo, six paw-print emojis and a caption about living their best life. The Pack gets the adventure; the families get the highlights – and probably a new favorite photo for their phone.

MEMBERSHIP AND THE ORIGINAL PACK

17. Which communities will Groovy Dogs initially serve, and how will pickup routes and Adventure Days be scheduled?

Our initial service area is centered in Fuquay-Varina – our hometown, the place we love and the community at the heart of Groovy Dogs. We live in a unique part of Fuquay that places us just minutes from Holly Springs, Willow Spring, Angier and Apex. Although Fuquay-Varina is home, this entire surrounding area is the community where we live, shop, play and build relationships, so including those neighboring towns felt completely natural to us. Because every Adventure Day includes door-to-door pickup and drop-off, route planning is an important part of the experience. We group dogs by location, scheduled Adventure Day and Pack compatibility so the route remains practical and the dogs spend their time having an adventure – not touring every zip code in southern Wake County like a caffeinated squirrel. Regular members commit to a weekly Adventure Day, with options for one, two or three days per week. That consistency helps us create dependable routes and gives the dogs the opportunity to become familiar with the team, the bus and the other members of their Pack. Approved occasional members may request an Adventure Day when space is available, but they must complete the same enrollment and Meet & Greet process before booking. Occasional does not mean spontaneous curbside boarding. The dog still has to be an approved member of the Groovy Dogs Pack. As membership grows, routes and service areas may evolve. Our goal is to expand thoughtfully without creating long pickup routes that take away from the dogs’ actual adventure time. We would rather build one excellent route than send the bus on a three-county scavenger hunt.

18. Can you explain the weekly membership options, the one-time Welcome Package and what families receive when their dog officially joins the Pack?

Regular Groovy Dogs members reserve a recurring Adventure Day each week – a standing appointment with fresh air, new smells and the most unusual carpool in town. Families may choose one Adventure per week for $55, two for $110 or three for $165. Multi-dog households receive a rate of $50 per dog, per Adventure when more than one dog from the household rides. We also offer an occasional-adventure option for approved members who cannot commit to a regular weekly route. Occasional Adventures are $65 and may be requested when space is available. Every occasional dog must complete the same application, Meet & Greet and approval process. Flexible scheduling is welcome; a surprise dog appearing at the bus stop wearing sunglasses and carrying exact change is not. Every new member also purchases a one-time $79 Groovy Dogs Welcome Package – the official ceremonial gear for entering the Pack. The centerpiece is the custom Groovy Dogs Adventure Harness required for safe travel. It is properly fitted for the dog and becomes part of their official adventure wardrobe. The package also contains a carefully chosen collection of useful, personalized and wonderfully groovy surprises, but we are not revealing everything inside. Some parts of joining the Pack should still feel magical when the box arrives. The Welcome Package is practical, but it is also meant to feel personal and exciting. Joining Groovy Dogs is not simply purchasing transportation or reserving a day away from home. It is becoming part of the Pack – and every proper adventure deserves an opening ceremony.

19. Groovy Dogs officially rolls out on September 14! What are you most excited about as the first Adventure Bus prepares to hit the road?

I am most excited for the moment Groovy Dogs stops being an idea on my laptop, a collection of very detailed lists and a bus sitting in our driveway – and becomes a real Pack of dogs heading out for their first Adventure Day. We have spent months designing the customer experience, building safety systems, preparing the bus, creating forms, fitting equipment, training the team and thinking through an almost unreasonable number of details. On September 14, all of that behind-the-scenes work will finally become something a dog can actually experience. I cannot wait to see the first Pack climb aboard, watch the bus roll away and receive the first photos and videos of the dogs exploring together. I will probably be equal parts proud, excited, nervous and emotionally unstable in the most celebratory way possible. What excites me most is knowing that somewhere in our community, a family will be able to focus on their own day while their dog is out having the kind of experience they always wished they had time to provide. Then that dog will come home happy, fulfilled and ready for a nap of historic proportions. The very first Adventure Day will be more than the launch of a business. It will be the moment Cary’s and my wild dream – and every strange, colorful decision that came with it – officially gets wheels.

20. The first 50 approved dogs will become Founding Members of the “Original Pack.” What makes those memberships special, and are spots still available?

Every dog who joins Groovy Dogs will be deeply valued and cared for as an individual member of the Pack. The Founding Member designation does not mean those dogs will be more important than the members who come after them. It simply recognizes a very special moment in our story. The first 50 approved and fully enrolled dogs will become the Original Pack. They are the families who took a chance on a brand-new idea, believed in us before the first official Adventure Day and saw the vision we were working so hard to bring to life. That kind of trust means more to me than I can adequately put into words. Each Original Pack member receives an individual Founding Member number that will always remain part of their Groovy Dogs story. They will also receive the Founding Member benefits and keepsakes we have advertised, along with occasional special surprises as Groovy Dogs grows. We want to continue finding meaningful ways to thank the families who stood beside the bus before anyone knew exactly where this wonderfully weird journey might lead. My greatest hope is that those first 50 dogs will become the Junior Spirit Guides for all the Pack members who follow. As they grow comfortable with the bus, the team and the rhythm of an Adventure Day, I hope they will help welcome newer dogs through their confidence, companionship and example. Chewbacca may be the original Groovy Dogs Spirit Guide, but the Original Pack will help carry that groovy spirit forward. The members who join after the first 50 will be every bit as loved, celebrated and essential to the future of Groovy Dogs. The Original Pack is not a higher level of membership; it is a permanent thank-you to the first families who helped us begin. Founding Member enrollment is currently underway, and spots are still available at the time of this interview. A number is officially assigned only after the dog has been approved and the enrollment process is complete. We may be sentimental, but the paperwork still has to be done.

21. We also noticed that Groovy Dogs offers treats, apparel and adventure gear. Will those products continue to be part of the business as the Adventure Bus grows?

The products will continue to be part of the Groovy Dogs story, although exactly what we offer will evolve as the Adventure Bus grows. Our sweet potato treats were the first dog product we created, and they will always be an important part of how Groovy Dogs began. They are incredibly labor intensive to produce, but Cary has decided he wants to continue making them – so the sweet potatoes have officially canceled their retirement plans. They will continue to be part of the Groovy Dogs story alongside the Adventure Bus. The apparel showed us that people connected with Groovy Dogs as more than a treat company. They wanted to wear the brand even before there was a giant green-pawed bus driving through town. North Carolina-made adventure gear is now becoming a natural part of that evolution. Our custom Groovy Dogs Adventure Harnesses are required safety equipment, but they are also unmistakably part of the Pack’s identity. We expect other thoughtful, useful and wonderfully groovy products to develop as we learn what our dogs and families genuinely enjoy. We do not want to create products simply for the sake of filling a shop. Whatever we offer should be useful, joyful or weird enough to earn its place.

LOOKING AHEAD

22. How would you like Groovy Dogs to become involved with other local businesses, parks, events or organizations in the Fuquay-Varina community?

Community involvement is not an extra piece of the Groovy Dogs vision – it is one of the reasons Cary and I wanted to build the business in the first place. Groovy Dogs already has a history of showing up locally. We have set up our tent and sold Groovy Dogs treats and T-shirts at festivals and community events throughout Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs and Angier. We loved meeting families, introducing them to the brand and watching people connect with something so colorful, playful and a little bit weird. We absolutely intend to continue participating in those events. The difference now is that we will be arriving with the Adventure Bus – which is considerably more difficult to overlook than a tent full of sweet potatoes and T-shirts, no matter how good the treats are. We also want to become more deeply involved with the local business community, beginning with the Chamber of Commerce. We received a wonderful invitation to connect, and although we have not yet been able to engage as fully as we intend to, becoming an active Chamber member and building relationships with other local businesses is very much part of the plan. We would love to develop meaningful partnerships with local farms, approved outdoor properties, dog-friendly businesses, parks, coffee shops, community events, rescues and nonprofit organizations. That might mean discovering a wonderful new adventure location, making an occasional pup-cup stop, participating in a local celebration, helping support a rescue or creating an educational opportunity for dog families. We are not interested in partnerships that amount to two logos standing beside each other and pretending something happened. We want collaborations that are genuinely useful to the community, supportive of another local organization and – whenever appropriate – fun for the dogs. The bus gives us a unique way to bring attention, energy and a trail of giant green paws wherever we go. We hope to use that visibility to celebrate the businesses and organizations already making this area special, support causes that matter to local families and occasionally create the kind of community moment that makes someone say, “I have no idea what is happening, but the dog bus is here, so I’m staying.” We have already received an incredible amount of outreach from local families, businesses and community organizations – including the wonderful invitation to participate in this feature. I am genuinely floored by the interest and encouragement Groovy Dogs has received before the first official Adventure Day has even taken place. My greatest hope has never been simply to fill a bus. I want to build a Pack, then build a community around that Pack and, eventually, create a movement – one that encourages people to give dogs fuller experiences, supports local businesses and organizations, and brings a little more connection and joy to the places we all call home. Our biggest hope is that Groovy Dogs will be known not only for giving dogs incredible Adventure Days, but also for showing up, giving back and helping make the community we love a little more joyful – and considerably more groovy.

23. What has been the most rewarding – or most surprising – part of turning this idea into a reality?

The most rewarding part has been finding a renewed sense of purpose while watching other people connect with the vision almost immediately. When my unexpected health challenges took me away from the 18-year career I had known, I lost a large part of the life and identity that had felt familiar to me. Designing Groovy Dogs has given me a way to use my creativity, experience and detective brain again – but on my own terms and within the life I have now. I expected people to think the idea was fun. I did not expect the level of genuine interest, encouragement and trust we would receive before the first official Adventure Day. Families have reached out after seeing the bus, local businesses and organizations have offered support, and people have understood what we are trying to build before I could finish explaining it. There is something incredibly moving about hearing someone say, “My dog needs this,” because I know exactly what they mean. I have been that person. Every Join the Pack submission, Founding Member enrollment and excited message reminds me that this idea may help families in a very real way. The most surprising part has been discovering how many tiny decisions live inside one cheerful-looking dog bus. Harnesses, securement, route planning, forms, vaccination records, pickup instructions, weather plans, report cards, welcome packages and an almost suspicious number of checklists – the fun is real, but it is supported by an enormous amount of work behind the scenes. Apparently, “groovy” requires excellent administration. Turning this idea into reality has reminded me that losing one version of your life does not mean there are no extraordinary versions left to build. Sometimes the next chapter arrives covered in giant green paws.

24. Where do you hope to see Groovy Dogs a year from now? Could there eventually be additional buses, new routes or other kinds of adventures?

A year from now, I hope our first bus has a strong, happy and thriving Pack; our systems are working the way I designed them; our employees genuinely love what they do; and local families know exactly what it means when the Groovy Dogs bus appears in their neighborhood. I would love to see us serving additional routes and welcoming more dogs, and yes – additional buses are absolutely part of the long-term dream. However, we will only grow when we can protect the safety, quality and personality of the experience. We are not interested in adding buses simply to collect more dogs and more zip codes. Every new route should still feel unmistakably like Groovy Dogs. I also hope to expand the kinds of adventures we can offer through stronger community partnerships, private properties and new outdoor experiences. One of my biggest dreams is to eventually create a dedicated Groovy Dogs adventure base – a special piece of land where the Pack can safely explore, train, play, splash and engage in activities designed specifically for them. There may be themed adventures, seasonal experiences, community events and several ideas that are still hiding behind the tie-dye curtain. Some of them are practical. Some are wonderfully strange. All of them begin with the same question: “Will this make a dog’s life better?” The dream is certainly bigger than one bus, but I never want Groovy Dogs to grow so quickly that we lose the heart, careful planning or personal connection that made people believe in us in the first place. We dream big around here. We simply insist that every big dream complete the safety checklist before boarding.

25. What is the biggest thing you want a dog parent to know before trusting Groovy Dogs with their best friend?

I want families to know that we understand the weight of that trust. A dog is never simply a name on a route, a seat on the bus or an opportunity for a cute social media post. That dog is somebody’s family member – the one waiting at the door, sleeping beside the bed, stealing the good spot on the couch and somehow knowing when their person has had a terrible day. The bright colors, giant paws and weird little jokes are a genuine part of who we are, but we are never casual about the responsibility behind them. Every form, checklist, training requirement, safety procedure and carefully considered detail exists because families are trusting us with someone they love. We will always communicate honestly. If a dog has a wonderful day, we will celebrate it. If the dog is uncomfortable, struggling or simply not enjoying the experience, we will say so. We would rather have a difficult but truthful conversation than pretend everything was groovy beneath a cute photograph. We will never claim to be perfect. We are human, and there will be times when we make a mistake or something does not go exactly as planned. What I can promise is that we will own it, communicate openly, correct what needs to be corrected and learn from it. My detective brain will examine what happened, and my process-loving brain will probably create a new checklist. Every lesson should make Groovy Dogs safer, stronger and better than it was the day before. I also want families to know that approval is not the end of our responsibility to evaluate the fit. We will continue learning about their dog, listening to what that dog communicates and adjusting when necessary. Trust is not something we believe we earn once during enrollment. It has to be protected every time the bus arrives. Groovy Dogs will be joyful, colorful and occasionally delightfully strange – but underneath all of it is a very serious promise: we will treat every member of the Pack as somebody’s best friend, because that is exactly who they are.

JUST FOR FUN

26. If the dogs could control the radio aboard the bus, what do you think would be on the Groovy Dogs playlist?

The playlist would be completely unhinged but surprisingly well curated. We would definitely hear “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire, “Walking on Sunshine,” “Life Is a Highway,” “Freak-A-Zoid” by Midnight Star and – because the dogs would insist and apparently have no concern for subtlety – “Who Let the Dogs Out.” Our original Groovy Dogs song would be played often enough that the Adventure Specialists might eventually request a formal meeting with management. There would also be classic rock for the old souls, dance music for the window enthusiasts and something peaceful for the dogs who boarded expecting a wellness retreat. Chewbacca would demand final approval of the playlist, select several songs based entirely on whether their titles contain food, and then sleep through half of it. The only real rule would be that the music has to match the Pack. Some days call for a full bus dance party. Other days call for calm cruising, ears in the breeze and quiet contemplation of where the snacks are stored. The Groovy Dogs playlist would be just like the Pack itself: joyful, unpredictable, a little weird and somehow working beautifully together.

27. If your own dogs could describe Groovy Dogs in one sentence, what do you think they would say?

“Finally, the humans have built an entire business around my belief that dogs should go places, sniff things, make friends – preferably very small ones – acquire snacks, get down with it and come home ready for a nap.”

28. Finish this sentence: “You know your dog had a successful Groovy Dogs adventure when…”

“…they walk through the front door, give you one deeply satisfied look, refuse to explain the mysterious leaf attached to them and fall asleep like they just worked a double shift at Studio 54.”

29. Finally, how can families learn more, contact you and begin the process of joining the Pack?

Families can visit GroovyDogs.com to learn more about our Adventure Days, pricing, service area, membership requirements and safety standards. When they are ready, they can select Join the Pack and complete the initial form. We review every submission and contact the family to discuss the next step and schedule the required Meet & Greet. Once the dog has been approved, the family receives the private enrollment information needed to complete the process and officially become part of the Pack. Families can also follow Groovy Dogs on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM for bus sightings, behind-the-scenes updates, Pack introductions and photographic evidence that local dogs are living unusually interesting lives. The best first step is simple: visit GroovyDogs.com, choose Join the Pack and tell us about your dog. No secret handshake is required – although we cannot promise Blaze has not designed one.