"Going" on the Run

The girls and I went for a run through our rural neighborhood yesterday morning. It was 7F with some fresh snow on the ground. Perfect conditions for us all. I had my Yak Trax on, and the girls on leash with a coupler. Maia loves setting the pace, being lead dog. When we start out down the road, they romp and wrestle as we run, often setting a very fast pace, until eventually we all get into our long distance rhythm.

We had gone about three of our planned five miles when Meadow's gait changed slightly. Despite spraying her paws with Pam before we left, I figured she had a ball of ice between her toes. We stopped, I checked her feet, but no...nothing to explain her gait change. Off we started again. Within a few seconds, Meadow assumed the pooping position, but so quickly that Maia kept pulling her, skidding right along the packed and slick snowy surface with her back hunched, hind feet splayed and rump just inches off the ground! I almost tripped over her! Poor Meadow.

We all learn to recognize the little signals our dogs give us when they need to pee or poop, whether they're inside and need to go out, or we're walking/running them on leash and they need to stop. Meadow, however, has been so consistent in pooping almost immediately after she eats in the morning that I don't have to pay such close attention to her. Maia I can read like a book.

Clearly I couldn't read Meadow's signals this time! She must have thought I was nuts, stopping - but only to check her feet!

When we finished our run, the girls went into the yard to "cool down." They had frost on their whiskers and muzzles. I took some photos and realized I should probably take one of myself, all bundled up for such a cold run with frost on my hair and hat. When it gets below zero, I cover my nose and hope that my eyelashes and brows don't freeze and break off.

Notice that in the photo of Meadow resting in the snow, she chose to lie near her collection of bones. Maia couldn't care less about them, once the marrow is gone. Still, Meadow will rush out every time they go into the yard to hoard them. If Maia gets into the yard first, Meadow will hang back, watching Maia intently, never challenging her for them, but hoarding as soon as Maia ignores them.