Who runs who?

23.22 min - 4.8 km

The Guardian ran an advertorial by Zoe Williams on taking up running with a dog. While having lots of product placings and links to commercial sites, it has has a list of common problems when running with a dog — and a few helpful solutions. 

The piece opens with a convincing brief explanation of why joining forces with your pet makes such good sense.  

Milo Royds devised dog running as a concept for the dog, not the human. They just don’t get enough exercise walking along a path on a lead, however many hours they spend that way. I, conversely, started doing this for me: I don’t have enough air in the day to go running myself and walk Romeo. So running together should be a good fix; I just need to iron out a couple of things.

Stoat's Triathlon.

Stoat

9.6 km - 57.16 min. It's 16ºC (60ºF) and climbing, almost beach weather and so quiet. Wonderful to feel real sweat drops dripping all over at last.

I really felt superior to my dogs today. As a two-legged creature, I run upright. Thus my line of vision is about 4 feet (120cm) higher than that of my four-legged companions. So, before the dogs could see or even smell him, I was the first to see a stoat running across the humping road. He had the trademark black tip on the tail and a mouse in his mouth. Lovely light-brown back and white belly.   

He dashed into the hedge and hid among the mighty beech-tree roots. I stopped holding the dogs to stop them giving chase and looked. Seconds later the stoat looked out – shiny black eyes, round ears and white neck. 

In areas where snow lies in winter for at least a month stoats change their coat to pristine white with only the black tips on the tail unchanged. White winter stoat pelts are known as ermine and have been used for trimming ceremonial garments of royalty, peers, judges and Oxford and Cambridge dons. These days it's often replaced with rabbit fur or fake fur with black streaks painted on it.

The stoat should, in fact, be used as a mascot for runners and triathlonists. He is a super-runner and a natural at triathlon. With a body of just 180-320mm (7.4-13in) and a weight of under 200g (less than a quarter of a pound), on a daily hunt he runs up to 15km. On snow they move in jumps of about 50cm - the length of my stride is only about twice longer. 

Why triathlon? Because besides running they are very good at swimming and can catch fish. I haven't seen cycling stoats yet, but let's count count climbing as the third event for the stoats' triathlon – they are very good at it too. 

Here is the portrait of Queen Elizabeth I with an ermine in her lap. 

Photo of the Stoat from here.

Queen Elizabeth I portrait from here.

Enlist your dog as a donor

27 April
50.59 6 miles rain, wind, cold/

Outside looked miserable today, cold April showers non-stop. I teetered a lot around the house, trying to make up my mind: to go or not to go. In the end I go with just the setter, Leroy who is a steady loyal runner. Wonderful! Got warm, calm and ready to face all the problems of the Universe.

Here is something I'd like all readers of this blog to consider and, if you can, to support: take part in dog blood donor programme. Find out if there is a local group or programme, or contact the people who started the dog donor appeal here in Normandy, France. Thank you all.

Below is the letter from readers of the Rendezvous magazine I publish here for the English speaking people in Normandy.

Dog donor register

Several weeks ago, our vet told us that our 12 year old dog, William, was in desperate need of a blood transfusion but warned that finding donors is very difficult. He rang around his clients and we approached acquaintances - who turned us down. Dog lovers will understand our desperation.

Then we turned to the Rendezvous [magazine] for help, contacting anyone whose contact details had appeared in the magazine. Everyone knew someone who had a dog and eventually donors came forward.

Sadly William died but we would like something positive to come out of our loss and want to set up a register of willing donors in Normandy to distribute to vets in the area. Such a register could save the lives of other much loved pets.

The owner of the dog who donated most of the blood for William did so because she knew how she would feel if her dog were to need a life saving transfusion. Ideally, donors should be five years or younger and not overweight. The dog is sedated and is not distressed during the transfusion.

Anyone willing to register their dog or help us set up the register can contact us on
00 33 (0)2 33 37 41 50
or write to us at
La Perronnière,
61330 Ceaucé
FRANCE

With special thanks to the Rendezvous and all those who rang round on our behalf and to would be donors as well as a special thank you to our vet, Dr Pierre Rogue of Domfront.

Mike and Debbie Bowes.

Undressing for Spring

11 March
6 miles - 48.52 min

First time in t-shirt this year, first daffodils of the year came out. Strelka, the male retriever, looks unusually fluffy and rolls on the gravel again and again. He is peeling off his winter coat too.

So, peeling off just one layer of clothing takes off more than a minute off your usual time?