Canine Capers in the Trails

Woof! It’s Otis here…I’m stepping in for my owner today. She’s occupied with reading lengthy text books and journal articles. I’ve already tried a million times to get her to play with me with my stuffy toys but no luck. So here I am!

My owner and I get into the trails most days - mostly UBC and North Van and when I'm really lucky, we go up to the top of the mountains and run in the snow. That's my fav but the car ride is a real drag...... anyway, one of the things I’ve noticed about you humans is that you always run in straight lines. You ALWAYS stay on the trail and you generally run at pretty much the same pace. You never bother to chase wild life and man, you don't even bend down to check out the great smells! Well, I want to tell you, you’re missing out – there’s a lot you could learn from a dog like me… I want to tell you how to make your trail runs much more fun. Check it out.

1. First, pull you’re your owner to the trail head by pulling on the leash as hard as possible – show her where you want to go. Enthusiasm counts for something!
2. Sit nice so she lets you off leash and you’re free to sniff around.
3. Make your mark at the next bunch of bushes where that other dog (must be a terrier) keeps trying to claim the trail. Share the trail man…….
4. Chase as many squirrels as you can…the more you chase, the more likely you are to catch one. I haven’t caught one yet but I dream about it. One day!
5. Lie down in the middle of the trail until the pretty chocolate lab comes up to you wanting to sniff your butt and then – bam – spring up and chase her down. Yahoo!
6. Run into the bush and chase more squirrels
7. Pee again. It's really cool when you're in the snow!
8. Sniff….sniff…sniff……….ahhhh yeahhhh…sniff…
9. Go back to your owner, heel beside her for about 50 meters or so and she’ll give you a treat…sucka!!!!
10. Pick up the big log in the middle of the trail and run as hard as you can until your mouth hurts so much you have to stop.
11. Try to persuade your owner to throw the stick so you can chase it. If you wag your tail really fast it usually works
12. Don’t forget to take water breaks…stop at the nearest creek and chug back as much water as you can. There are occasionally signs that say ‘no dogs in the creek’ but I don't think the same rules apply to humans, so you're probably safe. Is that discrimination?
13. Chase more squirrels in the bush.
14. Pee
15. Sniff
16. Run
17. Sprint
18. Pick up more sticks
19. Man…are we back at the car already?
    
20. Show your best puppy dog eyes for a really sweet post-run snack!
    

Now, that my human friends is trail running! Guaranteed much more fun than running on the beaten path.