Because he deserves it...
I was reading a post over at the runner's group at cafemom on running with your dog and it got me thinking, well actually realizing, that I need to get my own dog, Potter, out of the house more.
Ya' see, Potter is a ~150 lb Newfoundland who really is a sweet dog, but we live in a ~1300 sq foot house, along with 2 kids, and a cat. It gets kinda tight, and I find myself feeling more annoyed with him than appreciating him. (And I know to all the dog lovers out there, it's probably near impossible to understand feeling annoyed by your dog, but this big guy follows me EVERYWHERE in the house, and like I said, it's a tiny house.)
So... my initial response to the post was "oh, but my dog's too big, and can't last even ~10 minutes out on a run... plus he'll just annoy me (I know, real nice eh?)'. Then it hit me.
I had an 'ah-ha' moment:
Most of my runs include an ~10-15 ez warm up, which is the perfect time frame to take him along. I can just run him up my road and back. And y'know what? He deserves it. He didn't ask to be put in a tiny house with 2 kids and a cat...he needs HIS space too. Duh! I couldn't believe I didn't put the two together earlier. Here was a potential solution.
So I strapped on his leash this morning, and took him for a spin. And y'know what? He did great. And it actually made my warm-up feel more purposeful and rewarding too. So we both sorta won.
And now he's sleeping on the floor (next to me, of course) as I'm typin' away. I'm looking forward to more of this new routine...;-)
Comments
(I wanna puppy)
But he doesn't know any better...he just loves us (well, not in the human way...).
When I can remember, I tell myself to be patient....'cause the only reason I get frustrated with him is when I try to go too fast....and get nearsighted - thanks for posting this. Helps remind me what sharing is, and what my actual options are to do it all.....(you warm up with him, I'll cool down with him.... :)
And then I'll try to apply this to other aspects in my life....