My View of The 122nd Annual Rose Parade

Finally, dawn broke and the parade route started to light up

Once again I had the privilege of attending the Tournament of Roses Parade in beautiful Pasadena, California. This was the 122nd Annual Rose Parade, which is a really spectacular parade that showcases life in Southern California. My employer, Natural Balance Pet Foods had a float in the parade- our third year in a row in fact. Last year we made history with the World's Longest Parade Float. This year we broke another record with the World's Heaviest Float, but more on that later. Some people who attend the Rose Parade camp out along the route as much as 24 hours in advance to secure a prime spot. I was fortunate to have seats in the viewing stands from my company. I was also entertaining/hosting a number of customers with whom my company does business.

Parade organizers request attendees to be in their seats by 6:30 AM, mainly because of the sheer volume of people who turn up. We arrived by 6:00 AM- it was quite cold, 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 Celsius) so it was rather chilly! We sat in the viewing stands, waiting for sunrise and observing the massive crowds settle into position along the route. I was seated at 90 S Orange Grove, which is the very beginning of the parade, just before it turn onto Colorado Boulevard.

I love the Rose Parade- the beautiful flowers that cover all the floats are a remarkable sight to see. I also love seeing marching bands and hearing their music too. When our float finally came into view, it was truly exciting. You see, working at Natural Balance is not just a regular job. We have FUN. We love animals and find ways to express that through our brand. Our Rose Parade float is a great example of that. Our float features the world famous Tillman and gang- who can all skateboard, snow board, and surf. This year they were skim boarding, while in another part of the float a group of Dock Diving Dogs were jumping into a heated pool and having a blast.

As the float approached, this is the front view!

Our co-founder actor Dick Van Patten once again rode on the float with his son Jimmy Van Patten. Together they cheered on Tillman, Rose, Lyle and Sully as parade viewers watched in amusement. Being a family company, the Van Pattens are involved and love being with the dogs on the float. The dock diving dogs wore body suits provided by Body Glove, who are experts in water sports gear. It was so much fun to see our float and to hear the audience's genuine appreciation and affection for these dogs.

This photo is from the LA Times of our Dock Diving Pool

Be sure to click on this photo below to biggify it!

Side view of our float. In the center is the massive pool, to the right is the skim boarding area!

Rear view of the Natural Balance float

The official certificate!

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As I mentioned earlier, our float was certified by the Guinness World Records as the Heaviest parade float in history. Weighing in at 84,300 pounds, all the water in the heated pool (not to mention the 14 dogs) made for a record-breaking float! It was made by Fiesta Parade Floats, the best float makers in the business!


If you were not able to see the Rose Parade, the clips below had coverage of the Natural Balance float. First ABC:

And here is the clip from KTLA- our float is right around the 4:00 minute mark:
 
And here are a few other floats I saw that caught my eye for some reason or other:

Look closely on top of the coach- POODLES!

This guy was doing some fancy rope tricks on his horse!

My favorite: The Ronald Reagan Foundation Float!

Kaiser Permanente (health insurance) had a neat float

Namco, the makers of Pac Man video game!

Cunard Cruise Line- this one is for Bee!

Rose Bowl team University of Wisconsin

Rose Bowl team TCU, Texas Christian University

US Bank, I just liked this one for some reason.

Warner Bros Float- you can see Sponge Bob!

Here are some of the goodies from this year's Rose Parade. My company made commemorative bags, pins, hats, mugs and t-shirts for our guests (see photos left). We also made blankets but I gave mine to someone in the stands. 

The whole experience was a lot of fun, and I was so proud of my company's float. It felt great to see first hand how well the parade viewers responded with cheers of support and applause when the Natural Balance float glided by. Those dogs sure are a hit. I can't imagine how we will top this next year, but I'm sure we will find a way!

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Friday is the Last Day to Donate Online for Guide Dogs

Regular readers know that I've already written several posts these past few weeks about National Guide Dog Month. The past few weeks we've been actively fund-raising across more than 1,000 Petco's and local pet stores nationwide. Our goal is to raise $1 million dollars, but we're still shy of that goal and need your help for one last push. If you have not already made a donation, you can still donate online through tomorrow, Friday September 24th. Its fast and easy, just click here to donate. As little as $1, $5, $10, $20 or more will really make a difference. Please consider posting this on your own blog, as we need to get the word out that Friday is the final day to donate.

Nicollette Sheridan for Guide Dog Month

Want to learn more? Well read on:
Guide Dogs improve the lives of the blind by creating opportunities for life-changing independence. They provide safe mobility, loving companionship and truly the miracle of independence to the visually impaired through the use of a guide dog.

• Every 7 minutes, someone in America becomes blind or visually impaired.
• 13% of our active military return from war with eye injuries.

For many, blindness means being shut off from society, stuck at home, or moving about with a walking stick, tapping ahead to find a clear path in the darkness.  

Guide Dogs can literally change the life of a blind person, restoring confidence, providing freedom to return to work, and resume a normal routine that those of us who are sighted take for granted every day. Check out this message from our spokesperson, actress Nicollette Sheridan and Dick Van Patten:


OK NOW PLEASE DONATE SOMETHING CLICK HERE.
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National Guide Dog Month Fundraiser Starts Today!

Today is the official kick off of National Guide Dog Month. Many of you know I work for Natural Balance Pet Foods, who sponsors this fundraiser. This year our goal is to raise $1 million dollars during the month of September. Guide Dogs improve the lives of the blind by creating opportunities for life-changing independence. They provide safe mobility, loving companionship and truly the miracle of independence to the visually impaired through the use of a guide dog.

• Did you know that every 7 minutes, someone in America becomes blind or visually impaired?
• Did you know that 13% of our active military return from war with eye injuries?

For many, blindness means being shut off from society, stuck at home, or moving about with a walking stick, tapping ahead to find a clear path in the darkness.  

Guide Dogs can literally change the life of a blind person, restoring confidence, providing freedom to return to work, and resume a normal routine that those of us who are sighted take for granted every day.  

During the month of September you can make a donation at any Petco store, or local independent pet retailer where Natural Balance Pet Foods are available. Simply make a donation at the register when you check out. You can also purchase specially marked bags of Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice in 28lb bags, where $1 per bag will be donated to this cause. 
If you prefer, you can also donate online from the convenience of your own home. Go to www.petco.com/naturalbalance and make a donation in any amount TODAY, Thank you!

Jimmy and Dick Van Patten with Nicollette Sheridan, and "Ally" guide dog puppy in training. Visit www.petco.com for a special video message from Ms Sheridan about National Guide Dog Month.

-Rick Rockhill

Preview to National Guide Dog Month

What does actress Nicollette Sheridan have in common with Dick and Jimmy Van Patten? Well, they all love animals and have joined forces in a campaign to raise $1 million in support of guide dogs for the visually impaired. September is National Guide Dog Month, but STARTING TODAY, you can donate ONLINE by going to www.petco.com/naturalbalance. If we get one million people to just donate $1 each, we'll hit our goal. I'll be blogging quite a bit about guide dogs over the next few weeks, and I hope to inspire you to make a donation, in any amount. Its fast. Its easy. Help a blind person get a guide dog and have their independence back. Check out this message from Nicollette Sheridan, with Dick Van Patten:

Please consider making a donation online RIGHT NOW: go to www.petco.com/naturalbalance

Palm Springs Life Magazine Feature: Dick Van Patten, A Man of Passion

The August issue of Palm Springs Life magazine has a wonderful feature story about my friend Dick Van Patten. (photo by David Blank, via Palm Sprngs Life.com website). You can buy this issue on news stands now. Read the article from the link below:
Dick Van Patten, A Man of Passion, Van Patten in Palm Springs

-Rick Rockhill

"Take The Time"

Wishing everyone a relaxing, safe Independence Day Holiday weekend!

Funny Friends...

I recently attended a benefit for a non-profit animal rescue group, held at a comedy club in West Hollywood. It was a night of big laughs, with the help of some really funny comedians, including Lily Tomlin, Paula Poundstone, JoAnne Worley, Dick Van Patten, Arte Johnson, Gary Owens, Billy Barnes, Peter Berman, Debra Skelton, Carrie Snow, Suzanne Whang, and Rainn Wilson. It was a great night and raised a bunch of money for animals in need. We paused for a few photos- I love this one picture above with JoAnne Worley, Lily Tomlin and Dick Van Patten, all really nice people and friends of animals in need too. Paula Poundstone brought the house down with her incredible wit and great jokes. I had forgotten how funny she can be. The event also reunited the cast of TV's Laugh-In and had the audience roaring. Lily did a few bits such as "Ernestine, the telephone company operator", and also reprised her hysterical "Lucille the Rubber Freak" skit, during which I nearly busted the seams of my trousers I was laughing so hard. Lily is one funny lady. I love going to things like this, its clean fun entertainment, it's surprisingly hard to find anymore.
-Rick Rockhill

The News....Part II

A few days ago I wrote a post entitled The News...Part I. Today is the follow up: "The News...Part II", rather appropriately entitled, don't you think? Anyway, now for the rest of the story, as they say. News of my departure from Pet Co spread quickly within the pet industry. My phone rang all weekend long with calls from a variety of well-wishers, and some folks just curious about the rumor of me leaving. I can honestly say that over the past 25 years of my retail career, I've enjoyed working in the pet industry the most. Although, I really do miss the confectionery (chocolate) industry a great deal, but let's face it, having a dog or cat in your life is far more fulfilling than a box of chocolates. As I mentioned in Part I, the nifty part of this transition is that although I am changing employers, I will remain part of the pet industry- in particular the pet specialty industry. Pet specialty stores are the best place to buy food and stuff for your pet, so remember that the next time you need something for your kitty cat or dog. Don't be fooled by those slick brands in the grocery store or giant mart store, they don't carry foods that offer the best nutrition. Speaking of nutrition, perhaps its time I share the news of where I am headed. I am excited to share that I will be working for Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods. Now if you followed my posts about the Rose Parade, you may recall that Natural Balance is the company who had the cool float with the snowboarding bulldogs. Don't worry, I won't turn my personal blog into a advertisement for Natural Balance. But I won't be shy about it either. Honestly there are a lot of really great quality natural pet foods, if you ever want my personal opinion for your pet's diet send me an e-mail. I know just about every brand there is, and I'll give you my objective opinion. I'm excited about going to work for Natural Balance. I'm excited to carry on the mission of promoting the highest quality natural foods for dogs and cats. You may have noticed that I am passionate about the topic of feeding pets the best food possible. I sincerely believe that being passionate about what you do makes all the difference. That is my big lesson learned over the past 25 years of my career. Whatever you do- be sure you LOVE IT. It has made all the difference for me. Demonstrate your passion everyday and smile. It's amazing how your energy, passion and positive attitude will affect and influence others. But here is the real secret: it can change the course of events in your own life. You may recall from The News...Part I that I mentioned reading The Mental Equivalent by Emmet Fox. I learned that when you think positive thoughts and exude positive energy, it will bring good luck and good karma. I hope you can apply these little tips to your life.
-Rick Rockhill

My Photos from the Rose Parade

Whew, the past few days were filled with activity. I had a lot of fun attending the Rose Parade. It was a a little bit for fun and a little bit for work, which is why I was busy blogging and tweeting live from the parade. But in the end, I had a great time and it was well worth going. If you ever have the opportunity to plan a visit to the Rose Parade, do it at least once. It is a fun experience. We got to the parade route around 6:00 AM so we could get to our seats. Some people had started camping out as early as noon the prior day to secure a prime space on the sidewalk along the parade route. As I was attending for my company I was fortunate to have tickets to the viewing stands, so I as long as I arrived before they close off streets, I didn't have to get there much earlier. I wore layers of clothes to keep warm- it was only in the mid-forties at that pre-dawn hour. If you ever go, be sure to eat before you head over, and bring a thermos of hot cawfee or a bottle of water. Its virtually impossible to find anything once you are on the parade route. Once the parade began it was magic! There was excitement in the crowd, estimated at a million plus people along the entire route.

above: Watching dawn break at the parade route in Pasadena

above: The Natural Balance Pet Food float- certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Biggest Parade Float in history! It was massive,

above: the Natural Balance float approaches, in the front are Dick Van Patten and his son Jimmy Van Patten.

above: a close up of the Van Patten's. Jimmy is holding the new bulldog puppy, named "Sully" in honor of Captain Chesley Sullenberger who landed that airplane in the Hudson River last year and saved all those peoples lives.

above: Tillman prepares to go down the slope on his snowboard. The top of the ski slope was 16' high.

above: Tillman in action, snowboarding down on the float!

above: Another great shot of Tillman in action as the crowd cheered on. Snowboarding bulldogs were the hit of the parade! In fact there has been so much interest, Natural Balance actually now has Tillman Dog treats, and a plush dog toy of both Tillman and Rose (see below):

above: I bought the toys for my nieces who loved playing with them! Tillman even has a Fan Shop on my company's website. (sorry for sounding commercial there)
Here are the rest of my parade photos. Click on them to BIGGIFY for easier viewing

above: All American Cowgirl Chicks

above: City of Burbank float

above: Cal Poli University float

above: City of Cerritos float










above: I don't know how he did it, but this guy "lassoed" his rope around his horse the entire time.

above: the Kaiser Permanente float had lots of over-sized fruits and veggies

above: this Scissor Wizard float featured an origami dragon

Marching Bands Galore:



above: our Mighty Marines Marching band


above: the Mexico float




above: Rain Bird float featured Jack Hanna

above: the Rose Bowl (football) float

above: the Shanghai China float featured Jackie Chan

I hope you enjoyed my photos. Happy New Year to you. -Rick Rockhill