How many doodles does it take to make one Runner?

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

As some of you may know I originally got my Murphy so that he would be my running companion. And I did everything the books and my breeder told me in regards to preparing him. I started out slow, waited until he was at least a year before adding any distance, kept him cool and had plenty of water and even treats to keep him going.

Well, Murphy decided at a very young age that this running thing was for the birds, or some other species. but NOT for him. He tugged and pulled and would run around my legs and chase anything that moved in his path even if it was just a leaf. He is most famous for seeking out any shady spot and stopping on a dime to lay down in it. Didn;'t matter that mom was trotting along at a  good clip or not. He just STOPS!   

This went on for about a year until I decided that he really hates running and I just was not going to torture him or me any longer. You'd think that the face plant on the asphalt I did from him criss crossing in front of me and the fact that he runs to hide behind DH whenever he sees me put on my running shoes, would be enough to make me give up. But oh no.....I got this dog to RUN and dammit, he is gonna RUN!!!!

 

So, after having given up my dream of my wonderful-prancing-canine-running-partner, and visions of our peaceful shared bonding times together as we magically glide in unison over the miles, along comes BELLA-B. Yes, the poop eating, tissue swiping, sock swallowing Bella. So I just figure, what the heck, I'll try some one on one time with Bella while I go for an easy run and see how much she and I can take before I head back home. As I was putting on her leash and going down the driveway, I had pretty much figured I'd make it around the block before I had to bring her home panting and whining the whole way....

 

 And lo and behold, Bella runs like a gizelle! She runs at my side without a pull or a criss cross or a sudden stop! She waits at street crossings without looking for a place to run and hide from me, she hops right to it when the running shoes come out and the leash jiggles. Where did this come from? I haven't been taking her on slow easy jogs to prepare her, I don't bring treats to tempt her to keep going, I don't keep her hair short so she will stay cool on our runs like I did with Murphy. She is just a natural RUNNER!!!!  Finally....I got my running partner!!!

So to answer the question.....It take 2 doodles to make one runner!!!!

As for Murphy, he barely lifts his head as he watches Bella and I do our  "Let's get ready for a run" dance around the house. Just toss him a ball and that's all the running he wants to do. To each his own.

 

 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Nice way to both get some exercise and stay cool. Good for you. Looks so pretty there.

[Linda and Murphy]

Murphy is just trying to warn you about heat stroke. I am so glad you found a running partner.

I am not, nor have I ever been a runner. (I really enjoyed roller blading until a broke my leg...badly.)  

Murphy and I have a wonderful compromise. We walk on our 2 mile lakefront. Every block or so there are stairs going into the water. He goes in, swims, retrieves and we move on to the next.  No one gets heat stroke or breaks a leg.

 

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

great story!!! I tried running with Lola a couple of years ago, and after recovering from the shoulder injury I acquired from that run, I decided to never take her again. But I'm quite stubborn, so I decided to take her on one of my short runs this week and she was an angel!! So I may have a running partner after all, like you!!!

[Dori & Rua]

That is awesome that Bella likes to run.  One of the women from my last training class got a Rhodesian Ridgeback so she would have a running partner.   I am not a runner, I don't want to be a runner, I will not run.  Rua, even with those short little legs of hers, likes to move along at a pretty good clip when I take her for a walk.  So, yesterday I ordered a Walky Dog Hands-Free Leash for my bike (and a reflective vest for Rua).  I haven't ridden my bike for the past 3 years, but, you know what they say.  I hope Rua will take to the Walky so we will both get more exercise!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I agree with Murphy and would be more than happy to let Bella run with you too :) That is too funny that Murphy could care less that you take Bella out with you...he must really hate to run!!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

What a great, and endearing story!  Go Bella, Sit Murphy :-)

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Rosey would love it if I would turn into a runner.  She gets excited just to see other jogging!!  I told her no dice:(

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

What a lovely picture you paint, from Murphy dodging the running shoes to Bella keeping pace by your side.  Thanks for posting such a lovely vignette

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Caitlin must you always be so clever!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Donna, I'm afraid Murphy is not budging no matter how much he wants to be outside with me. If the running shoes are on he is generally hard to find.