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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Girl is a gorgeous Australian Cattle Dog, who runs with her owner Jen, of Narangba, QLD, Australia.

I’ve had the pleasure of Girl’s company on a foreshore run, and she likes nothing better than to have a dip in the ocean when she gets a bit hot. Even Guinness doesn’t mind her coming along with us, and he does prefer to be the centre of attention.

Girl has been training with Jen quite a lot lately, as Jen is planning a half marathon in September. They’re both looking great!

Look forward to running with you again soon, Girl.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Starchen Brown, and his owner Liz, from Redcliffe, QLD, Australia. Liz and Starchen started the Pooch to 5k program earlier this year and, after a short interval to help with a dog rescue,  are now up to week 8 of the program.

Starchen is looking great! He’s got a nice tuck to his tummy, and Liz says he’s really loves to go out running. Gotta love that ear!

Kudos to Liz for sticking with the program, she’s rapt to have lost 12kg so far, and they’re both having a ball. Starchen is a very deserving running buddy for June.