Motorcycle Inspired Dog Names

Some people were born to ride — and sometimes dogs are meant to join them. But for Chopper, an 8-year-old Boston Terrier, it’s not just about the riding, it’s about the companionship that comes with it. 

Since he was about three months old, Chopper has been riding motorcycles. Mark Shafer, a resident of San Diego, put him on a bike of his own when he was still a puppy and could tell almost instantly that the dog would be just like him — magnetized to motorcycles. He even got Chopper a little motorized bike of his own, one that would allow him to cruise low and at safe speeds while still enjoying the thrill of the ride. 

As soon as he was old enough to ride regularly, Shafer had already picked out the perfect outfit for him: a doggy Harley Davidson vest (stitched with San Diego, of course) and a pair of white riding goggles, which he adorns before climbing into the special seat Shafer had designed for him so they could both safely ride his normal motorcycle when tooling around the city or stopping at various facilities. But Shafer didn’t just ask Chopper to join him on rides. He asked him to join him in a field he had been volunteering in for quite some time: therapy. As a therapy dog, Chopper quickly found his place, as his mild, easy-going temperament and loving personality helped put a smile on nearly everyone he came to meet. In no time, he was regularly joining Shafer in his visits to various hospitals, hospices, and even charity events, bringing joy to those who needed it most. 

Eventually, there was such a demand for his presence after Shafer had received numerous requests to have Chopper come meet patients and their families, that the duo decided to embark on a West Coast therapy tour (although he’s so popular, they’ve received requests from all over the country). Upon visiting each family, Chopper appeared in his quintessential attire, though Shafer removes his goggles when interacting with people one-on-one. The tour ended up quite successful, except for one large roadblock. 

Once returning from tour, Shafer received notice from Pet Partners, a nonprofit that insures and evaluates therapy animals, that Chopper’s license would be suspended for breaking the rules on the “no costume” policy. Days later, they took his license away entirely, stating that costumes are not appropriate for therapy visits “for the safety of clients and the animals”. Although Shafer didn’t need a license for Chopper to be used as a therapy dog, it largely hindered his ability to get Chopper into hospitals and other large organizations that use that basis as a requirement. 

Since then, however, Shafer and Chopper have continued their therapy work while attempting to find a less restrictive organization to register with. It seems the paperwork is entirely unnecessary when a fun, loving dog is allowed to interact with and bring joy to those who truly need it. License or not, Chopper will continue to do fantastic work giving the ‘bad boy’ look a “good boy” name.