B.C. man overcoming traumatic injury by taking motorcycle trips with 'singing' dog
Jamie Lone is flipping through photos on his phone, looking back on his motorcycling past.
“The passion was always there,” he says, before revealing the crash that made him quit riding.
Jamie says a car rear-ended his motorcycle so hard, he was thrown 70 feet off of it.
“The ambulance attendant said, ‘Someone’s looked after you,’” Jamie recalls.
Although he was lucky to be alive, Jamie’s life would never be the same again.
“Horrible symptoms,” Jamie frowns. “Everything was too much.”
Jamie suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him unable to work as a chief naval technician, along with mental health issues that left him struggling to be the husband and father he once was.
“I started realizing that all my actions trying to be that proud strong person wasn’t (working),” Jamie says.
Eventually, Jamie started accepting his vulnerability and new way of being in the world, with the help of an unexpected gift from his son: a dog named Joe.
“He’s special,” Jamie says, fighting back tears of gratitude. “He’s just been the best addition to our family."
One of the most remarkable ways Joe is helping Jamie heal began last summer.
After more than three years away from a motorcycle, because he felt too uncomfortable to ride one, Jamie discovered Joe sleeping in his bike’s side-car.
“The next morning we got-up and did two laps around the cul-de-sac together,” Jamie smiles. “We haven’t looked back since!”
Jamie and Joe have spent the past two summers embarking on daily drives together, with the dog wearing goggles in the side-car to protect his eyes from the wind.
“I let Joe just do his thing,” Jamie laughs.
It seems Joe’s thing is singing.
Accompanied by Jamie playing harmonica, the dog performs for the people they pass.
Whenever Jamie starts playing the instrument, Joe barks enthusiastically before howling excitedly.
It inspires countless strangers to smile and take pictures.
“He’s so special,” one fan beams.
“You’re nice!” another says, petting Joe’s head.
“It just elates me,” Jamie smiles at his pup.
He also started sharing photos of their rides on his Flyin’ Joe Instagram account.
More than fuelling his positivity, these drive-by performances with his dog are providing Jamie with a renewed sense of purpose.
“For me to give back to people,” Jamie says. “It’s what I want to do.”
It’s a joyful return to the road of life, with his best friend by his side.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.