Tongue out, looking forward: Mason, my best running dog.
Penultimate day of #BRFweek, a weeklong tribute to Best Running Friends: forces that push us farther than we thought we could go. As we celebrate all week long on our Facebook page, celebrate your BRF with our special deal in the Mother Runner Store: buy any $25 lifestyle tee, get one for $10 (one for you, one for your BRF). Use code BRF10 at checkout.
To checkout all the happenings of #BRFweek, head here. And then read about Dimity and Mason, her best running dog. (She wants to make it clear, though, that she does have plenty of best running friends too. She’s a crazy dog lady with lots of #BRFs. Ok, onward.)
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to a dog with whom to run. When I lived a dogless existence in New York City, I had visions of a four-legged BRF that would drool when he saw me grab my shoes, accompany me on every run, patiently trotting by my side so that the leash was slack.
Dharma, the first dog my husband and I owned as an adults, was not a runner. Not a runner on a leash, anyway; our first mile together, a total yank-fest on my part, taught me that lesson quickly. On the trail, off a leash, she’d run for as long as she’d deem necessary, and then plop herself in the middle of the path to let me know we were officially halfway. No coaxing from my end—treats, running ahead so she’d feel like she had to chase me, definitely no leash—would get her to go in a forward direction. Turning around and heading home was our only choice. (And yes, she’d run on the way back to the car. Bitch.)
Jessie, our next dog, would run on a leash. Dharma, afraid of missing out on action and affection, would come along too. But two bigger dogs was a lot for accident-prone me to handle, so I only took them out a handful of times, including my wrist-breaking adventure on an icy winter trail. (That was a fun one.) Then Dharma got old and even more stubborn, Jessie went blind, and my running with dogs was over.
Until we got Mason, a chocolate lab/Weimaraner mix, about three years ago.
“I think he’ll be a good fit for your active family,” said the adoption coordinator, after we auditioned a sweet but super shy, quiet dog over a weekend. That dog was deemed not a good fit for our loud family. Mason bounded in, and about sixty seconds after being in our backyard, had a squirrel in his mouth. We all yelled, he dropped it, and the squirrel hobbled away to die a sad, half-paralyzed death. We kept him anyway.
About one year old and fully grown to 85 or so pounds and long legs, he was ready to run. And within a week of becoming our newest family member, he and I headed out.
I didn’t run with him, though. I waterskied behind him. Truly: both hands gripping the leash, arms straight in front of me, my weight shifted back so I could slow his momentum. By the time we clocked a quarter of a mile, he was full-on, tongue-out panting. The effort—and the mother runner weight he was hauling around—didn’t faze him though. It was like he was the only dog invited to a squirrels-only party, and the doors were closing momentarily. He.had.to.get.there.
A recent pawsie/shoefie. (He requested we take it.)
I think we ran about three miles, and the only thought I could muster was, “Just don’t trip, Dimity,” because the sidewalks were ladden with cracks and lips. All my splits were under 9-minute-miles, which is blazing for me.
I finally got my dog runner.
And the following morning, my shoulders were so sore, I couldn’t raise my arms to shampoo my hair.
About every two weeks, I’d try again. I finally progressed to one hand on the leash, unless he spied a rabbit, a squirrel, or—heaven forbid—a fox. Then I was back behind the Mason boat, hanging on for dear life. A couple of times when I swear he had 120-horsepower engine under his brown fur, I released and prayed the rodent was swift and/or clever enough to avoid the oncoming danger. (Save that first squirrel, no animals have ever been harmed by Mason.)
We never fell into that BRF rhythm. He was always game to go, but I really had to be up for the challenge.
JOY. (I was on snowshoes, by the way, for this romp.)
Then I took him on a trail run, and within seconds, we found our groove. On trails,with no leash to bog either of us down, he sprints and saunters and stops to smell, and I maintain my steady pace. I cover 4 miles, he cover 8 in the same time period. I never tire of watching his ears flap as he sprints away from me, and continuously marvel at the air under his paws when he comes back to tell me what he just saw around that corner. (Yep, we talk to each other. Or I talk for him. Don’t judge; it works for us.) Towards the end of a run, he finally stops doing circles around me, slows down and stays close.
On the ride home, I open the back car window for him and we both settle into a place of exhausted joy.
Unfortunately, we can only hit those no-leash-required trails every two months if we’re lucky.
But recently things have gotten better on the road. Thanks to Mason’s counter- and cupboard-raiding skills (six bagels at a time, a stick of butter in one sitting), he’s put on a few pounds. Combine his widening girth with the fact that he’ll be four this winter (28 in human years) and we’re in a much better place. A place of compromise. Before we go, I mentally put on my faster legs and get ready for tempo effort. Meanwhile, he loses most of his horsepower after mile, actually puts some slack in his leash, and no longer darts after squirrels if I can huff out a,”No!”
No matter how far we run—I think our max is 6.5 miles—the post-run routine is always the same. He slurps water, then flops down on the tile floor, panting. Like I’ve really done it to him this time; he’s completely worn out. I head upstairs shower and by the time I’m changed and back downstairs, he’s up with a tennis ball in his mouth, ready for a game of fetch.
He may dislocate my shoulders, he may force me into heart rate zones I’d rather not enter, he may fuel on rabbits instead of Vanilla GU, but like any great BRF, he’s always, always game to run. Even if it’s a solo speedwork session in the backyard.
Do you run with your dog? Harder or easier than running with Mason?
I love love love the paw selfie.
I’ve never had a dog but for a year ran with a friend’s on Forbidden Drive in Philly and it was so much harder than going solo. But still worth it.
I love this! Just looking at his sweet face makes me smile.
Such a sweet post! I love the pictures! Our late Weimaraner, Shiloh was a wonderful running partner. He was always game for a run and much like Mason kept me on my toes. Sadly, he passed away in 2013 and we have been pet-less since. Many happy miles to you and Mason!
Awww…what a happy looking dog!
I have run w/ a succession of dogs. My current is an almost 13 Cairn terrier. She can’t run as far as she used to, but she is good for a 2 mile trail run, and will do the 1 mile Runners World challenge during the holidays.
I also run with shelter dogs.
For long runs, it’s female companionship over dogs ;)
I love to run with my golden doodle. Luckily I live in the middle of nowhere so he gets to be off lease. He is getting older so he only goes for short runs. He will stop and wait for me to return along the route.
I love this post. It made me smile and laugh. My black lab rescue came to us with the name Dash and well, the name fits so we didn’t change it. He knows the second I go grab my running clothes to put them on. He is immediately by my side ready to go. I talk for him as well. He says- Hurry, Hurry! I have squirrels to chase. Let’s go! Let’s go!!! I do have to keep him on a leash or he will run and swim freely for hours and not come back. He is nearly 5 now so he is a bit better but if we see a deer I have to have that Herculean strength to keep him by me. A few times I had to just let him go as well so he could chase down whatever animal he spotted. He loves to jump in the pool to cool off when we get home in the summer. He never lets me down. He will run anytime of the day or night. He is also excited to go and he pulls me up the hills! What more could I ask for in a BRF!!!
Oh I love the pictures of Mason! I run with my yellow lab when it’s cool enough, and I have to suggest the harness that we use. I’m not sure what it’s called, but it attaches to his collar and around his waist, then has a loop for each front leg to go through, to restrain them. The front leg restraints are adjustable, so he can go full force or only take baby steps. Otherwise I could not control him on a run at all !
Awesome! Go Mason!
Macy, my German Shorthaired Pointer, is my constant running companion. She is 6 years old and has enough energy for both of us. Knowing that Macy needs to get out for a run to burn off energy gets me out the door many days when I would rather skip it. It has become harder for me to run solo and I am very nervous about the half marathon I am running tomorrow, since there are no dogs allowed! She is my pacer, my coach and my bestie when we are out on our runs. She ran 11 miles with me 2 weeks ago and she somehow motivated me to negative splits. Normally she goes out like a rocket for the first mile then settles down, but for whatever reason that day she didn’t. We run on the roads and trails, but I always keep her on a leash. My husband tends to let her off the leash on trail runs and she has injured her shoulder twice because she gets too wild. Then she has to sit it out for awhile while she heals and I have no partner, which makes me very crabby.
The way he looks in the snow picture is the way we should all feel when we run!
My fiancé has a black lab that started living with me a year ago. Drake is 8 years old but a big boy at around 110 lbs. I am 5’2 (well 5’1 1/2 but I round up) so it looks awkward just when I walk him and people stop, stare and tell me he is huge. Even though I strength train, I am unable to run with him because he pulls and loves smelling trees. And he is my fiancé’s baby, I am too afraid something would happen to Drake and Chris would be just devastated.
I too have always dreamed of having a running dog with similar images in my head about how it would be. We now have a 5 month terrier mix my husband brought home one day. The first thing I asked the vet is if I can run with her and he said it may be too much for her short legs – dang it! So we do short runs up the hill and race down full speed (the only time I am speedy). She tries to kill me on the leash criss-crossing in front of me back and forth the whole way down and stopping flat out if she hears something because she’s a big chicken about everything. So not quite the amazing running partner you have with Mason, but still pretty awesome – minus the tripping and falling!
My dog, Snickers, has run more miles with me than anyone else. She is a 6 yr old cocker spaniel. In the morning, she sticks by my side and she knows my workout clothes and shoes. I feel so guilty when I am heading to the gym and not for a run. I have to tell her, “No, not for you.” In the summer, she is not keen on the heat, so she is good for a mile loop, if I take her longer she is looking for the shade spots and I have to encourage her to get up and go home. So usually it is a mile, then I drop her off at home and continue on. With cooler weather, she is good for a 3 mile run. I have taken my pup for granted. It hit me reading this that she won’t always be with me. I’m grateful for her and the miles we share.
I didn’t start running until I got an energetic chihuahua mix from the SPCA who needed daily exercise. Dolly is the best BRD a girl could ask for!!! She is comfortable on a leash, knows the rules of the running reasonably well, and usually lets me know when the pace gets too slow. With a group, sometimes there is the inclination to cross paths (aka: clothesline) the others but a few tugs and she gets past it. Dolly, a whopping 12 pounds, can easily do a half marathon almost daily and the quickest way to take my money is to tell me I can bring her. In fact, a local running group takes me to task if she is not with me at their races! Although sometimes she slows me down (potty break or a really good sniff), Dolly and I make a good team!
@Jean- 5 months old is too young for long distances, but I don’t know why you couldn’t take her after she is a year old. I have had Cairns, my sister has had Jack Russells, and we have had no problems running, hiking, skiing w/ our dogs. Terriers are tough little dogs and were bred to cover long distances.
I’ve had two canine running partners. A yellow lab mix named Lambeau who would run as far as I’d take him. Now I have Hank, a giant, combo-platter rescue who forgets to pace himself. He’s all out for the first mile, then trots next to me the rest of the run. Both dogs gave me the confidence to run in early morning darkness without worry.
Rescuing a boxer named Liston is how I started running 4 years, 3 half marathons and a soon to come marathon ago. A 45 minute walk was not getting any energy our of him and it was boring me to death so we started running a block or two at a time. We’ve build up to 6 – 7 miles together and I had to start leaving him home for the real long runs. But he’s always right next to me, he loves it. When I think he’s tired and wants a break he breaks into a run and we’re off again. He even recognizes my phones running app voice saying it’s ready.
We’ve adopted a second mutt who’s a staffy / saluki / collie mix and that dog can run, 6 miles and he’s not even winded. He’s 1 year old and all over the place, someday we’ll find his limit, I hope.
I LOVE this! Sweet Mason. Lucky that you have a dog you can let off leash. I’ve had a succession of wire fox terriers since 1983 and only ONE of them was trustworthy off leash. The others would take off!
We have two – Abbey is now closer to 13 and prefers walks to runs. She was a great running dog for up to 5 miles for several years. The younger on, Buster, is about 3. He was a quasi rescue and is FULL of energy. He adores running and has gone as far as 14 miles with me. It’s taken some training but he’s really good on the leash now and only occasionally will he clothesline someone. He rarely even stops to sniff! He just wants to go. I’m looking forward to doing a real race with him. I did a sort of race (untimed) with him over Labor Day, and he was a little disconcerted with the crowds at the start, but then he settled in and was all good. There are a few race directors here in UT who will let him do the race, as long as I don’t use the buses to get to the start. 2016 is his year to do a half, for sure! I love my female BRFs but he’s the one who never cancels and is always ready to go, no matter what! I also talk to him – he’s a pretty funny dog, and provides some comic relief on the long ones. Biggest issues? When he sees livestock (we’ve had elk, deer, cows, a snake and a SKUNK) he loses his gourd and it takes a minute to get him refocused. Oh and other dogs are an issue (he doesn’t like the imbalance of him being on leash when another dog is off). Second, he drinks a CRAZY amount on the run – have to make sure I have plenty for both of us. Abbey hardly ever wanted water, so I wasn’t used to that.
Thanks for honoring the 4 legged BRFs today!
PS I second the terrier comment – they were bred for stamina and are tough little buggers. Once he’s older than 5 months you should definitely take him out! He will love it and be a better dog for it.
@Kathy – Thank you so much for letting me know about terriers! I will test her out as she gets older, I would think she’d do great with all of her energy. Thanks so much for the info, I appreciate it!
What a great article! And the pictures!! I’ve (sorta) secretly been wanting a running dog for a while now and after reading this, I REALLY want one! Loved reading this❤️
My dog that passed Cola was a great running dog. We have been waiting for the wounds to heal for us ( more my husband and myself) my son is ready for another dog. He saw the snow picture of Mason and said that’s the dog I want you to get me, the snow picture won him over. Think we might have to progress to a dog sooner rather than later, they are great whe the personalities mesh.
Look at that happy dog! I love it! My BRD is a blue heeler named, Dally. I have always wanted a dog to run with but have a bulldog and a chiuahua. Laying around is what they do best. For Christmas, my husband bought me a blue heeler. She is only 10 months old but has proven to be a great runner. We live in the country, so run most of our runs on dirt roads off leash. She will do a water workout also, whenever there is water in a ditch, pond, or cattle tank. We love trail runs too and are training for a 25k in 2 weeks. On Thursday nights we join a running group in town and Dally does great on the leash. I guess her instincts keep her close to me and she hasn’t clothes-lined anyone yet. She loves people and other dogs and I don’t worry a bit about taking her anywhere. I am so thankful she is less than a year old and look forward to many happy miles with her by my side!
I’m so glad you wrote this post so as to not leave out my BRF, Barkley! I adopted my border collie when he was 6 months old from the local border collie rescue association, and we’ve never been on a run together we didn’t love. Walkers, runners, and bikers alike marvel at how well-behaved he is on the paths and trails. He’s not supposed to be off-leash, though I carry one to cross busy streets with traffic lights. Otherwise, we have our commands, verbal and hand. I tell him slow, stop, right, left, straight. When I put my hand down in front of him, he waits for me to lift it before crossing. Other dogs we see along the way go crazy barking and pulling the leash while Barkley glances at them as if to say, “What’s YOUR deal, dude? Chill.” He continues to prance along, eyeing up squirrels and birds, keeping me on pace. When it’s hot – like it’s been while training for Twin Cities – I plan my routes around water stops for him. He once did 18 miles around a lake with me. We stopped at every boat launch available for him to take a dip, and at the end we both jumped into the water for a well-deserved swim. While I floated in satisfaction, he chased birds up and down the beach as if nothing. 18 miles, whatevs. Best running friend ever.