Author Archive
Research Reveals that your Dog’s Paws act as Natural Snow Boots for Cold Protection
Posted by: | Comments
As a dog owner, you may wonder how your sweet pooch handles walking on cold, wet or sometimes even snow-covered ground without hesitation. Until now, no one really understood why dogs are able to tolerate the cold on seemingly poorly insulated paws. Recent research released in the journal of Veterinary Dermatology reveals that although your dog’s paws may lack the fur that protects the rest of his body from cold, the paws actually act as “built-in snow boots” to keep warmth in the body.
Hydrotherapy for Sporting Injuries
Posted by: | Comments
This is a real case history provided by Neville and Marion Allen of the Canine Fitness Centre. Published with permission from Amber’s owner.
Hydrotherapy: Amber’s Story
Amber used to chase wallabies. She didn’t ever catch them, but every time she saw one, she’d optimistically bound after them, feathery gold tail the only thing visible above the long grass.
One day, while trotting back, tongue lolling, she suddenly yelped and started limping. That was her first torn cruciate ligament. She already had some arthritis in a front paw, but that hadn’t stopped her from running. The torn ligament did – particularly when she tore another one a year later.
After surgery, the ligaments seemed to take a long time to heal, and she kept limping. The vet recommended I take her to hydrotherapy. I had no idea what was involved, but I hated seeing her looking so uncomfortable, so I thought I’d give it a try.
January Running Buddy of the Month – Kandoo
Posted by: | Comments
Sarah and Kandoo live in Pennsylvania, USA and this gorgeous Border Collie is proof that you don’t need to be able to see or hear to be a great running buddy.
“Blind and deaf? What quality of life will he have? He’d be better off dead.” That was the response I got many times over when I told people about the new puppy I was getting. Later it was “Oh, the poor thing…” when they were introduced. Now that he’s grown, people ask what his name is and what do I do with a handicap dog. And that’s when I get to smile and say : “This is Kandoo, and he can do everything.”
He can go up and down stairs, navigate the back yard, swim at the lake and come when the porch light blinks. He sleeps in bed, goes to dog events, has even hiked on the Appalachian Trail. He’s 65lbs of bouncing border collie love, has never met a stranger and everything is his favorite, except for running. Running is his very favorite.
Running Buddy of the Month – December 2011
Posted by: | Comments
We’re a bit early for our December running buddy, but I was just so impressed with Charlie the West Highland White Terrier, I had to post his story. Charlie lives in Yorkshire, England and has a personal best for the half marathon (21.1km) of 1 hour 44 minutes. His owner, Adam Abel, wrote this post.
Charlie is about 2.5 years old. We re-homed him in summer 2010 when he was 1. How the previous owners could gave him up I have no idea, as he’s just the cutest and well behaved little bundle of energy. I think that’s probably where the problem lay though, as he has a LOT of energy, so needs a LOT of exercise to burn it off. Sure, he will sleep all day if you let him but after a couple of days he goes stir crazy sat around the house.
Running Buddy of the Month – November 2011
Posted by: | Comments
We haven’t had a running buddy of the month for a little while. Given the achievements of this lovely black and white boy, it’s time to revive this category.
Bobbie is a Border Collie owned by Jacquie Gibson. He and his sister were surrendered to the vet surgery where Jacqui works, when they were only 6 weeks old. Sparkles found a home on the land, and Bobbie went to live with the Gibson family in Rothwell.
Even though Bobbie was well socialised in puppy pre-school and obedience classes, he grew up to be quite anxious, and fearful of other dogs. He would snap at them because he was frightened, and would glue himself to Jacquie’s leg.
Linc – Running Buddy of the Month for August 2010
Posted by: | Comments
Introducing Linc, the Hungarian Visla who runs with El Fischer, from Queeensland, Australia.
This isn’t his best look (look at those flying flews!), but Linc is a lean mean running machine. He’s had quite a bit of time off in the last 12 months, as his family has been adapting to life with new babe Myla. Both Linc and El are looking forward to getting back out there and getting their fitness back.
What a great looking Running Buddy of the Month.
