Running with Man's Best Friend

There is nothing like fresh air in your lungs. Breathing in, breathing out; feeling your chest expand and contract with cool, clean oxygen. There is just nothing like it.

I have never been a runner until recently. Last year my husband and I added a new addition to our 2 dog 2 human pack, a little boy named Kellen.


In the past year our 2 dogs have taken a back seat to Kellen's daily needs. The girls have reacted positively to the new human addition, however I have quickly realized that they need to release energy faster than before as my "free" time spent with them is more limited.

1 hour walks and dog park jaunts have been replaced by stroller strides and playgrounds. Running with my pets gives them what they need, a quick release of high energy, and an awesome new bonding activity. It is safe to say Nala, Blue and I get what the "runners high" is and hope for it each day. Before embarking on this awesome adventure with your pet, please read the below and consult your vetrenarian for any potential health risks.

Factors to watch

• Age of dog: It is not recommended to run puppies below the age of one for the same reason children are not advised to jog long distances. The impact on joints and growth plates could negatively effect the skeletal system on the animal long term.

• Pre disposing injuries: Hip dysplasia and arthritis are two examples of injuries that could be exacerbated with daily pavement jogging.

• Temperature: Dogs can overheat very quickly. They maintain body tempreture through their paw pads and by panting. Hydrate your animal frequently, and allow them to swim if possible. If a body of water is not available to you wet your dogs fur before, during, and after a run to help them cool down. During summer months try running on grass or dirt. This will help to keep a cool ground tempreture preventing paw pad burns.

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