I’ve missed running with dogs. I don’t have a dog, and the closest I can get to being with one is when I visit my family and can abscond with one for a bit. However, most dogs can’t keep up with me; over short distances they are fine, but once the kilometres start getting up there, we get in the reverse-dogsled situation. (I’m pulling the dog instead of the dog pulling me.)
However, my neighbours have a dog, Luna, who is in fact a husky. A few weeks ago it did the typical husky thing by being an escape artist and wandered off. It hung around outside our house for a bit before wandering off to explore the neighbourhood. It had roped in another dog that was clearly just a follower, and had no idea what to actually do. So this was an active dog.
On Saturday, these neighbours were out selling girl scout cookies in the late afternoon. I was about to go for my run, so I stopped to say hello and talk a bit. I jokingly offered to take Luna with me for my run; it got negotiated down to a run around the block and I took it. Luna was a little excited and pulled a lot but she calmed down enough afterwards. Still it was over quickly, but she looked happy with the results. After I returned her I continued on with the rest of my run.
On Sunday, I saw them again and asked if I could take Luna out on my Monday run. Monday is usually a shorter run, around 6.5km, so not too far. It is also not on any major roads without sidewalks. They agreed.
So today, I messaged them and arranged to pick up Luna around 5:30. She was prepped for me with a good harness that contained poop bags. She lunged out the doors into my arms. I don’t know if she was excited to go for a run with me, or if she just greeted everyone at the door that way.
In any case, we went off. She was, once again, a little bouncy and pulling, but she calmed down. She paced well didn’t try to tug me too much. After 3km she was a little slower, but still going. I think she did enjoy hearing other dogs bark at her from behind fences. She did perk up some energy when a cat crossed the street in front of us.
But as tired as she was, she was still able to do the ending sprint.
Then she insisted on immediately going home, probably wondering why I wasn’t opening the door for her. When the neighbours opened the door, she just went in without looking back. I suspect she was looking for her water bowl.
I don’t know if she will ever want to join me again. If she does, I might be able to work her up to longer distances. But for now, the 6.5km neighbourhood run should be good.