Photo by Jody Isaackson Evan Petersen and Daisy stand beside the 2014 Freightliner semi truck they are on the road with this week. They have traveled a million miles all across the country since Evan found Daisy at the humane society 10-1/2 years ago.

MARSHALL — Evan Petersen has been driving “Miss Daisy” across the nation for more than a million miles.

For 10-1/2 years, the truck driver from rural Marshall has taken his golden lab he named Miss Daisy around the country driving his 2014 Freightliner semi truck with refrigerator trailer.

Petersen adopted Miss Daisy when she was just 1-1/2 years old.

“I got her at the Marshall Humane Society the day before they were about to send her to the Twin Cities where she might have had a better chance at being adopted,” Petersen said. “I told Cindy Farrell and Kathy Eveslage (at the animal shelter) that I would take the dog only if she took to riding in the truck. She took to it the first day, so we kept her.”

Since then, Petersen said they have been from Maine to California, from Florida to Seattle, Washington, on every major highway in the country and in every state and major city.

Petersen drives for Fortune Transportation in Windom. He has traveled the country hauling temperature controlled food products.

“Fortune Transportation is one of very few companies that allow their drivers to take pets with them,” Petersen said. “About 25 percent of us do.”

Petersen has made some concessions for the dog as she grown older. At 12 years old, she seems to appreciate the ramp that he built so she doesn’t have to jump so high to get into the cab. He also has a board covered with carpet on the passenger seat so that she can ride up front.

Fortune Transportation also gave Daisy a truck-related gift. Her name is painted on the passenger door just under the window.

“She gets along well with other dogs and people,” Petersen said. “However, if someone is approaching the truck, she will put the fear of God into them (by barking). If they open the door, she would probably kill them with kisses.”

Daisy is supposed to sleep on the floor of the sleeper cab in the Freightliner but often gets to sleep on the bunk with Petersen.

While Daisy likes to travel — and remembers which stops give her treats — her favorite destination is home, Petersen said. That is because on the road she has to be on a leash. At home on the farm, she can roam free and explore.

Petersen said he’s getting too old to train in another dog.

When the day finally comes that Daisy can no longer ride with him in the truck, he will not be replacing her.

Miss Daisy doesn’t go with Peterson when he travels with his wife, Jan, during vacations.

In that event, Daisy travels only a couple of miles down the road to Marshall Boarding Kennel, Petersen said.

“They take good care of her,” he said.

Evan and Daisy took off for Moorhead with a load of beer Tuesday night. From there they plan to go to Milbank, South Dakota, and on to Missouri with cheese for Domino’s Pizza.