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28 • OCTOBER 2023 FEATURES
THETRUCKER.COM
HOPE cont. from Page 26
fortunate, and finding safe, accessible parking can be difficult.
“A driver may have to plan a whole day based on finding a
parking spot for the night,” he said.
Because Zube and Crawford usually drive solo, they spend a
lot of time apart without another human to talk to as the miles
pass by. What helps them fend off the mental health issues
that plague some drivers? It’s something that’s becoming more
common in trucking. Like many drivers, Zube and Crawford
travel with pets — specifically dogs.
Diesel, an 80-pound American Staffy Rednose, shares the
cab with Zube, while Gemini, a stout 40-pound American/
French bulldog travels with Crawford. Crawford says there
are a few disadvantages to traveling with dogs but that the
advantages far outweigh them.
“When it gets hot, it’s hard to get the dogs out of the truck
for some exercise,” she said, noting that, for her, this is only an
inconvenience.
More importantly, as could be expected by B3 Trucking’s
emphasis, is what dogs do for a driver’s mental health.
“Dogs have a natural way of picking a driver up during
difficult days,” Crawford said. “They are always there to talk to.
They may not answer back, but a dog will always listen.”
Zube says his companion, Diesel, was not initially meant to
be a road dog.
“He was intended to be a dog for my daughters,” he said. “But
the dog really took up with me. Diesel senses when I’m having
a bad day and has a way of pulling me up. Plus, on those days
when I don’t feel like getting out of bed, Diesel forces me to. He
has to be fed and walked and generally taken care of. If nothing
else, dogs give you a reason to get up and do something.”
Doing something, keeping himself occupied has been an
important part of Zube’s life since suicide destroyed much of
what he lived for.
“Whatever it takes to help another person, to save another
life — that’s what it’s all about,” he said. 8
Linda Garner-Bunch/The Trucker
Bryan Zube’s truck, a 2017 Peterbilt 579 known as Bryan’s Hope, is a tribute to Zube’s son, also named Bryan. Zube and his fiance and business partner,
Christie Crawford, say the truck’s theme has triggered numerous life-changing conversations with others on the road.
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November 5-8, 2023 • Dallas, TX • womenintrucking.org