DOWNHILL DOG

Nothing like a post-run snack on the couch

Man's best friend... who last night I caught chewing on one of my running shoes.  This is my 2 1/2 year old Labrador and recently we tried running together in order to avoid him having the excess energy that leads to me buying new shoes. 

We started with a 1.5 mile loop around my house that starts out with a downhill, then flattens out, before a half mile push uphill to complete the run.  It started out great, other than a few stops to sniff or claim a bush, we plugged right along.  On the flat he actually picked up the pace on me, pulling the leash tight and we cruised into the last turn and the uphill leg.  As soon as we started the uphill, he slowed to my side, then quickly fell behind, then began to walk.  I encouraged him to keep going and instead he simply stopped.  With me being his Master, The One in Charge, the Alpha-male, I looked him right in the eyes and said "Let's go! Now!"  Upon hearing this, he sat down, looked me straight in the eye... and yawned.  We walked the rest of the way home.  Maybe next time we will try a route with no hills.