Any Road Scholar employee who hears the pitter patter of small paws in the office knows immediately that it’s Skip, a Jack Russell Terrier belonging to driver Butch Bailey.
Butch has been driving for Road Scholar Transport for over 8 years now and those that meet him for the first time often ask, “You’re the one with the dog right?” Butch laughs, knowing that Skip surely makes his rounds when visiting the terminal.
And it’s not just at Road Scholar that Skip has become well-known.
“He’s been around some real famous people. Alan Jackson…David Letterman…Jay Leno. We hauled a car for them.” Butch is referring to Road Scholar’s auto hauling service.
“We get to meet a lot of people, me and Skip, when we are doing cars. He’s my buddy. He stays with me all the time. Ever since he was about 8 weeks old.”
Skip will be 10-years-old on June 23rd but has been by Butch’s side on every road trip over the years.
In the middle of the interview, we were interrupted by Skip, who came darting in for a quick pet and then ran back out to make his rounds.
“He has an attention span of about two minutes,” Butch joked.
“So why is Skip so special?” I asked and he began to tell me Skip’s story.
“I saw Skip before he was even born.” It turns out that the owner’s husband was a vet and Butch was able to see Skip via an ultrasound before he was born.
“Skip was a family of six but he and his sister were the only ones that made it. I wasn’t even supposed to get him. A little girl was supposed to. She had leukemia but then the family decided not to get her a dog. The little girl called me and asked if I wanted Skip. Me and Skip were destined…destined.”
Butch then began to talk about Road Scholar and how accepting they were of Skip, mentioning one time in particular back in 2009 when he had to stay in the hospital for awhile and Road Scholar employees jumped in, taking turns caring for Skip.
That is prime example of the warm hospitality Road Scholar has towards its employees and customers.
So the next time you see a Road Scholar truck on the road or backed into your dock, keep a lookout for Skip and be sure to wish Butch a Happy Birthday on May 16th!
Tags: Alan Jackson, auto hauling, Butch Bailey, David Letterman, dog, Jack Russell Terrier, Jay Leno, leukemia, road scholar transport, Skip, tractor-trailer, truck driver
