On the Road Again

BY BRIAN GARDNER

If you have an RV, dogs that love to travel and enjoy motorsports, you have nearly everything necessary to be a NASCAR fan. And you’d have a lot in common with Kevin and Amiee Taylor of Palmetto, Florida.

The couple, who married three years ago, are certainly not novices when it comes to RVing. For the past seven years, they have traveled extensively in their first RV, but upgrading to a Nemar Dutch Star, 43-footer, was the right decision at the right time.

And of course, their two dogs are always with them. Their companions are a 7-year-old English bulldog named “Harley”, who is carving out his own niche as a star, especially at NASCAR tracks, and 2-year-old “Jasmine,” a black Lab mix, with a very heart-warming story about how she was rescued and came to live with Kevin and Amiee.

Harley loves traveling. When the couple attends NASCAR races, friends they meet at the track have gotten to know and love the dog. They regularly stop by to give the bulldog treats and in some cases have even made breakfast for him. The story of the rescue of their second dog, Jasmine, could easily be an episode of any animal-oriented TV show.

Amiee had a black Lab that she was forced to have put down due to illness. It ended up being an emotionwrought two years spent looking for another black Lab, with no luck. That is until a chance meeting during a camping trip.

While staying in a cabin in Tennessee, Amiee could hear a dog howling. She became curious that it sounded like it was in crisis. Friends who were staying in a nearby cabin, explained that they presumed the dog had no owner and was alone in the woods. Further investigation brought the animal in question and Amiee together. To her delight, the dog was a black Lab.

The dog Amiee greeted was covered with fleas and ticks, was underfed and dehydrated. Further evaluation by a vet showed the dog had life-threatening heartworms, a double ear infection and a broken toe. Still, there was a bond beginning between Amiee and the dog she would later take home. Then, the owner showed up demanding the dog be returned to him. When asked how Jasmine had gotten into such a state of ill-health, he explained that he traveled regularly and was absent from his property for long periods of time.

Kevin intervened and tried everything to get the owner to release Jasmine to Amiee. Nothing worked, so Amiee told the owner she would keep his dog for a year, heal it and bring it back. However, she also gave him the list of medications that would need to be administered to Jasmine on a regular basis.

■ Kevin and Amiee Taylor of Palmetto, Florida, will take their Nemar Dutch Star to multiple NASCAR races in 2023.

■ A look inside the Taylor’s Nemar Dutch Star 43-foot RV.

■ Harley and Jasmine live a dog’s life while on the road with Kevin and Amiee Taylor.

Upon hearing this, knowing his travel schedule and seeing the emotional decision Amiee was willing to make, and the bond growing between the two of them, the dog’s owner finally released Jasmine to Amiee and Kevin.

Jasmine is now a relaxed and happy member of the Taylor family.

The couple are also avid racing enthusiasts. Kevin started riding and racing motorcycles when he was 7 and now restores muscle cars. He likes the openness and friendly nature of the NASCAR drivers. Amiee became a fan partly on her husband’s passion for the sport but likes how loyal the NASCAR fans are. She is also enthused when she hears the national anthem performed at races.

The couple plans to attend keynote NASCAR races this year, at Daytona, Atlanta and Talladega. Amiee recently retired from the educational field and Kevin has had his own commercial painting business for many years, allowing them to regularly travel to NASCAR races.

Of course, their dogs go along and are greeted by their ever-increasing number of fans. It’s all part of being a NASCAR fan: the RV, dogs that like to travel and a love of racing.

Kevin, Aimee, Harley and Jasmine – soon to be on the road again.