Mr. Jude Takes Manhattan

(This is a fiction story) Mr. Jude, the proud Australian Shepherd from Bowling Green, Kentucky, had always heard his dad, Galen, talk about far-off cities and big adventures. But nothing could have prepared him for the morning his dad knelt beside him, scratched behind his ears, and said, “Buddy… we’re going to New York City.” Mr. Jude tilted his head, tail thumping. New York? He didn’t know what that meant, but he liked the excitement in his dad’s voice. Flying High At the airport, Mr. Jude became a celebrity immediately. Everyone stopped to admire him as he marched along with no luggage whatsoever — a perk he took great pride in. When it came time for his ID, he simply lifted his paw and placed it neatly on the scanner pad. Approved. A paw print was all he needed to soar. On the plane, he curled into the window seat beside his dad. As the jet lifted into the clouds, Mr. Jude pressed his nose to the glass, watching the world shrink into soft cotton shapes. Every now and then, he’d glance at Galen as if to say, Are we really doing this? The Big Apple Welcomes a Southern Dog When the plane touched down, New York greeted Mr. Jude with a whirlwind of sounds — honking taxis, chattering crowds, the rumble of trains under their feet. But he walked proudly, tail high, as if he owned the place.

First stop was the 9/11 Memorial, where Mr. Jude seemed to sense the heaviness and reverence of the space. He stood quietly with his dad, feeling the cool air wash over them both. Then it was off to Times Square, where the neon lights bounced off his fur. People snapped photos, thinking he might be a movie dog. He didn’t mind. Attention was attention. At the Empire State Building, he rode up the elevator like a pro. At the top, he poked his nose through the safety rails, taking in the whole city — millions of people, and he was the only Australian Shepherd from Bowling Green among them. A Dog at Katz’s? Oh yes. Katz’s Deli was next, where the smell of pastrami nearly made him melt right there on the tile floor. He sat politely while Galen ate, knowing any second a little piece might “accidentally” fall his way. It did. Subways, Buses, and Jersey Trains — Oh My Mr. Jude learned that New Yorkers didn’t blink at much, but seeing a dog ride the subway, then hop onto a bus, then take a train to New Jersey — well, that got a few raised eyebrows. He handled it like a seasoned commuter. The train clacked across the river, and Mr. Jude’s nose glued itself to the window again. So many new smells in one day! Onward to Philadelphia The next morning, the adventures continued south to Philadelphia. When they reached the famous Rocky Steps, Mr. Jude sprinted up them like he’d been training his whole life. At the top, he posed proudly beside the Rocky statue, chest puffed, ears perked. Tourists cheered. Phones came out. For a moment, he was the champ. At Max’s Steaks, where “Creed” filmed a scene, Mr. Jude watched Galen enjoy a cheesesteak the size of a small log. And once again—through the grace of gravity—little pieces made their way to his paws. Heading Home On the flight back, Mr. Jude curled up in the seat again, this time tired from everything he’d seen: skyscrapers, trains, statues, cities he’d never imagined. He rested his head on Galen’s arm and sighed deeply — the happy sigh of a dog who had lived a whole chapter of life in just a few days. And Galen looked down at him and smiled. “Not bad for a Kentucky boy,” he whispered. Mr. Jude thumped his tail once, as if to say, "Best trip ever, Dad. Let’s do it again!"

College Town At Christmas 2025: "Healing & Comfort In Work, Family, Friends & Travel To Places I have Never Been Before"

There’s a quietness that settles over a college town at Christmas as I look to the holiday season in Bowling Green, Ky. The students leave, the traffic thins out, and the same streets that buzz with life in September feel suddenly gentle, almost reflective. This year, that quiet will feel deeper to me than ever before. Maybe it’s because 2025 has been the hardest, longest year of my life—a year that reshaped me in ways I’m still trying to understand. When Patty’s (my wife of 39 years) Parkinson’s began taking more from her, caregiving stopped being a choice and became a calling. I didn’t know then how much strength, patience, and love a human heart could hold. I didn’t know how much it could break, either. Parkinson’s is a thief—slow, steady, unrelenting. Every day it stole little pieces from her: her strength, her independence, her voice, and finally her life on May 1st, 2025.

Those last months, I learned what real devotion looks like. I learned how quiet a house becomes when the person you love most slips away piece by piece. I learned that grief begins long before death ever arrives. And when the moment finally came, when Patty took her last breath, the world didn’t just feel emptier—it felt rearranged. After she passed, I found myself needing purpose again. Something to ground me. Something to get me out of the house. So I went back to Walmart, part-time, working the door in asset protection. Greeter, door host, security—call it what you want. I call it rebuilding. Every shift pulled my muscles of discipline and routine back into shape. Every customer reminded me that life keeps happening around us, even when our hearts feel frozen in place.

And then came the trip—up to New Jersey to see my son, Tony, and his wife, Danielle. My anchors when the seas get rough. Patty always loved that our boy built a life for himself, and being around his family lets me carry a piece of her with me. There’s comfort in watching life continue—in their home, in their conversations, in the way they include me without hesitation. Grief doesn’t disappear, but love can still surround it. The other day, for the first time in my 63 years, I stepped into New York City. December lights, skyscrapers, crowds, the 911 Memorial, the Empire State Building, the roar of Penn Station—all of it overwhelming and beautiful. I thought about Patty as I walked those streets. She would’ve smiled at me taking it all in like a wide-eyed kid from the South. She would’ve said, “Go on, Galen. You deserve to see things.”

She was right. I did. And I still do. Christmas this year will feel different. There’s an empty space at my side that no season, no trip, no celebration can fill. But there’s also a warmth that comes from knowing Patty’s love didn’t end—it just changed forms. It lives in the memories. In the stories. In my son. In the journey she set me on long before illness knocked on our door. This holiday, I’m holding sorrow and gratitude at the same time. Sorrow for the woman I lost. Gratitude for the life we shared. Gratitude for Tony and Danielle, for New Jersey hospitality and her family-my new family for the warmth and love as well as for acceptance that they have extended to me on my trip. And for all the new experiences in New York City, and for the quiet of a college town waiting for me back home at Christmas. I carry Patty with me into every place I go. And this Christmas, in a season built on hope, I’m learning how to carry myself again too.

The Filming of Sleeper Agent's "Get Burned" Video In Bowling Green, Ky.

   Tony got home from the most recent Sleeper Agent show in Atlanta with another indie rock band called "Awolnation" around 3 a.m. this morning.  He had to get up at 8 a.m. to go to the filming of the video for "Get Burned," the next single off Sleeper Agent's album, "Celabrasion."  Get Burned is one of my favorite Sleeper Agent songs.  It's peppy and it has an upbeat tempo.youtube.com/watch?v=rFMPUHmmp2c
   I asked him if I could drop by for a little bit on my lunch hour to see the video filming and he said "Sure, Dad," like there would be no problem at all.  So I did.  It was being filmed upstairs at the old "Spot Cash and Carry Clothing Store" in downtown Bowling Green which is now Labold and Sons Salvage Co.youtube.com/watch?v=1_sk_e93Hk8  Apparently, they have a lot cool, old vintage stuff in there.  Even Robert Plant from the former classic rock band, Led Zeppelin dropped by there one day a couple months ago and spent a little time looking around.
   I walked in the store and said, "Hello, I'm Tony's dad from Sleeper Agent and I was wanting to know where they are filming the video."  And the nice lady named, "Danielle, the owner said, "Oh, it's upstairs." And she had her assistant to show me the way.  As we were heading up the stairs, the young lady said, "Watch your head, you can bump it easily here," and so I watched my head.  I was led down a dark, dusty, attic looking hallway which also looked an old dilapidated apartment which I bet was at least 100 years old or more.
   I found Tony, Alex, Justin, Josh, Scott and Lee all sitting in this old room with covered antique chairs, couches and benches waiting for the next scene to be shot.  Of course, the room was filled with cigarette smoke.  Matt Shutlz from Cage The Elephant who was directing the video and he was running up and down the hallway wearing black jeans and boots and a black cowboy hat and shirt.  He saw me and said, "Hey Galen and came into the room gave me a big hug as I stood up."  "Good to see you, Matt, " I said.  He said, "Good to see you too, Galen."  Matt then continues to run down the hallway.
    I sat back down next to Tony and another young guy comes in and takes everyone's order for Subway sandwiches.  He offered me one but I declined because I had already eaten.  Also, Darby, the marketing director for Mom + Pop Records from New York City was there and she came in and shook my had and introduced herself to me.  She said, "It's such a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Smith." And I said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Darby. I've been seeing you on Facebook."
  "That's right, we're Facebook friends, aren't we?" she said with a big friendly smile. "Yes, we are," I said.
After a while, I got up and walked around and took a few photos.  The place was dark and cramped.  I felt like that I could easily get in everyone's way.  So I went back downstairs.  Some of the band members had also gathered downstairs and went outside for a few moments.  Then Tony came down too.  He offered for me to stay awhile longer.  But I told him that I needed to get back to work.  We gave each other a big hug and we agreed that we would see each other at the house tonight.
   As I was driving off, I thought to myself, "You know, it must be really fun and exciting to be young and be in a rock band, shooting videos and traveling all over the country as well as playing before thousands of fans."  But then again, that lifestyle is not for everyone I thought. It takes a certain kind of person. You've got to be young, energetic, talented and really, really want it bad.  Also, it takes tons of hard work. And Sleeper Agent has it and done that.
     Now I can't wait to see the video!

More Tour Dates For "Sleeper Agent" From Bowling Green, Ky.

My son Galen Jr. "Tony-Tutone" Smith and his band, "Sleeper Agent," from our hometown of Bowling Green, Ky., and their record label "Mom & Pop Music" from New York City have announced more tour dates. http://pennsylvania.broadwayworld.com/article/Sleeper-Agent-Announce-More-Tour-Dates-20110707 They are killin' it! Way to go Sleeper Agent! Look for their debut album due out, Aug. 16, 2011.