In the Fall of 2024, I went on an exhausting 8500 mile coast-to-coast journey with my Spanish Water Dog. I pitched in sporadically in random places on the campaign trail, trying to push Kamala Harris and Tim Walz across the finish line. The trip left me emotionally drained after a gut-wrenching loss at the ballot box. However, I felt that my quest was a success in a small but meaningful way. I realized along the way that I was fighting on the wrong battlefront.

My mission now is to help make America good again. We can resurrect American goodness by stepping away from our screens and getting out into the real world. Above are a few photos from our experiences. Click on an image to view them full size. We hope that they provide some inspiration for you to get out into the real world as well. 

 The revolution will not take place on a screen. The revolution will be in real life.

Paco caught three solid waves, and while he didn’t earn a medal this year, the cheers from the thousands of spectators were enough to convince him and his humans to go for the gold next year.

A Bay Area family will bring their Spanish Water Dog to McCovey Cove to retrieve splash hits on May 20, reviving a tradition inspired over 20 years ago by Don Novello, a comedian known for his role as Father Guido Sarducci on SNL. Paco, a four year-old Spanish Water Dog, will be in the Cove demonstrating his water retrieving skills during the Giants’ game against the Marlins. Paco was shown on a Giants broadcast last year retrieving practice balls during a game against the Cincinnati Reds, with Duane Kuiper declaring, “I’m not sure that anyone is having more fun than that dog.” This year Paco hopes to retrieve a real splash hit by a Giants slugger. The Giants have hit 99 all-time splash hit home runs, so Saturday May 20 could be a major milestone if they splash number 100 into McCovey Cove.

Long time Giants fans will remember the team of Portuguese Water Dogs known as BARK (Baseball’s Aquatic Retrieval Korps). The original BARK team retrieved balls in McCovey Cove from 2000 until sometime in 2002. The new “BARK 2.0” is anchored by Paco, with fellow Spanish Water Dogs Kygo and Izzy now in training to join the “korps.” The dogs are owned by Art, Mie, and Nia Morgan of San Mateo.

The Morgans are also recruiting fellow water dog owners and prospective owners to train their dogs to join the water retrieving team and carry on the tradition. Art Morgan helped start the Working Water Dog Association, a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting water dog owners who train their dogs for both working roles and safe recreation in and near the water. Morgan points out that working with a dog in the water is not without risks and challenges. “You need to educate yourself upfront on things like toxic algae, prevention of hypothermia, and how to get your dog in and out of the water safely. Then you need to train your dogs, introducing them to water skills gradually,” said Morgan.  

Paco will retrieve practice balls thrown into McCovey Cove after the Giants’ at bat in the first, second and third innings.  Paco and the Morgans will be available for interviews during the week leading up to the game, and after the game as well.