MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina — Han’s motorcycle life did not begin with a fancy set of riding goggles or a custom sidecar. It began with a second chance. The Doberman mix was only about 12 weeks old when Paige Parlato, a veterinary technician, took him in after he had been surrendered with a broken jaw. Today, the rescued pup is her four-legged riding companion on carefully chosen outings around the Grand Strand.
Parlato and Han have become an unusual motorcycle duo, but the story behind their adventures is as much about how they bonded as it is about the rides themselves. Han was introduced to motorcycles through Parlato’s friends. Rather than treating the sound of bikes as something frightening, he came to associate it with friends showing up and good times ahead.
From a rescued puppy to a motorcycle sidekick
Parlato adopted Han when he was around 12 weeks old. He had been surrendered with a broken jaw because the people who had him could no longer care for him. Parlato gave him a home, and Han became part of her everyday world — including time around the veterinary clinic, where she works as a technician.
Motorcycles were already a familiar part of Han’s surroundings. Parlato explained that he connected the sound of the bikes with her friends arriving. The motorcycles meant company, activity and fun, so the noise did not seem to bother him. As she noticed his enthusiasm, she began capturing his excitement on video.
Those early moments grew into something more. Parlato began bringing Han along in an adventure-style backpack, with goggles to protect his eyes. He rides secured against her rather than loose on the motorcycle. What started with a rescued puppy who was happy to see the bikes arrive became a shared adventure.
Careful routes and plenty of adventures
The pair ride around the Grand Strand, generally choosing quieter routes and avoiding busy roads and high-speed conditions. Parlato has emphasized making the experience comfortable and safe for Han rather than pushing him into traffic or riding situations that would be overwhelming.
Motorcycle trips are only part of their routine. Han also joins Parlato for hiking, searching for fossils and paddleboarding. Their adventures have attracted attention on social media, where people have followed the unlikely partnership between the rider and the dog she rescued.
A reminder that riding companions need protection, too
The story is charming, but it also raises a practical point for anyone considering taking a pet on a motorcycle: an animal needs secure restraint, appropriate eye and weather protection, and a route and speed suited to the animal. A dog should never ride loose or be exposed to traffic, wind or heat without proper protection. Owners should also consult a veterinarian about whether a particular animal is suited to riding.
Sometimes the best biker stories are not about horsepower, rallies or miles ridden. Sometimes they are about a rescued puppy who got a second chance — and grew up to hear the sound of a motorcycle and know that friends, fun and another adventure might be on the way.
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Sources: WMBF — original Grand Strand profile; KSLA / InvestigateTV — November 13 follow-up. This article is an independent rewrite for TVBikerDad.com.