A picture of my new running partner ...

[Mark Wagner]

Here is a picture of my new running partner. His name is Zen, and he is Border Collie/Australian Shepard mix.
So far I have kept him under 6 miles. I really do not want to run him much further because of the hydration issue. I have to drink while I run if I run over 6 miles. While training I prefer not to stop and interupt my run having to give him water. Zen is really becoming part of the family. When he see's me put my running clothes on, he gets pretty excited.

... Mark

 

[Ross]

That is cool. Now you have someone to keep you company while you train. Does he behave well while your out?

 

[Mark Wagner]

Actually very well. When I run he has learned to stay just up front and to the left of me on the leash. Being of a herd dog breed, the first couple of runs he attempted to herd the cars, but a few hard yanks on the leash has pretty much cured him of that problem. Now when cars are coming towards me (I run facing the cars) he runs in the heal position to my left. He still drops the head down and the rump goes up with the tail down in the herd position, but he knows that's as far as it goes.
At home he has adjusted to the cat, and the cat rules the roost upstairs. Quite frankly she antagonizes the dog by seeing how close she can get to his food bowl.
Only two incidents in the house. He has a stuffed animal play toy he tosses around in the house. The first incident .... I heard him behind my chair growling and playing. I just thought he had his toy. I turned around a few minutes later to find feathers from h__l to breakfast. He found an old feather pillow in the spare bedroom I left out! 2nd Incident .... this one just broke my heart My 16 year olds boy friend gave her a stuffed care bear. My dog found the bear on the bed and bit the nose off it.
(Good doggy. Good, good doggy!)

Mark

 

[Ross]

Yeap sounds like you have a family pet there Mark. Yours destroys stuffed objects and mine eat oxygen lines!

 

[M&M]

Oh Mark he's sooo cute.. Your so lucky.. to have such a pretty 'running partner'

I've actually backed off on my running - to give my joints and muscles a break - I was hurting on daily runs so since its winter I thought its time to recoup - so I took up aquasize - (water aerobics) Its a BLAST - except I get seasick in the pool !!! Go ahead laugh - its an awful feeling - but I'm going to ask my doc what I can take to alleviate this.. I'm fine when I swim just 'laps' but when I do aerobics and all the waves are generated - I feel sick.. I thought if I did alot of swimming with some 'easy' runs then I could get prepared to do a "duathalon" this summer... So that's what I may try to do if I can get something for the seasickness.. (poolsickness) - (wavesickness) - gosh I feel like such a whimp...

Happy Trails
Marilyn

I keep trying to post a picture of myself on the side of my posts - - can't quite get it.. I'm not that computer savy I guess. But I am persistent and I'm sure if I keep at I'll get it and when I do - I'll be so proud of myself. I have two pictures that were taken of me at our Christmas Party at work - so I'm going to post one of those. When I figure it out.. I just love technology - just wish I knew how to use it..

 

[Nancy]

Nice looking dog, Mark!

 

[catwoman]

Mark:

Love your new running partner. It's been 7 years since we've had a dog.

My sister has a dog, her dtr & son-in-law have one and another niece & husband have one. All 3 dogs have attended family gatherings at my sister's lake house. All get along wonderfully and dash into the kitchen when we open their "cookie" jar -- a dog treat container that plays dog songs (Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog, for starters).

You should get one of those treat containers and see how Zen reacts! Better than watching TV....

 

[Jean]

Ah Mark, he is a beauty. Isn't it funny how these dogs can judge boyfriends better than our daughter's? We had one lost cur who dear daughter drug around for a few months, and our Great Pyrenees never did warm up to him! Smart dogs! Border Collies are wonderful companions if you can keep them busy enough which it sounds like you are doing! Have fun!

 

[Marge]

Mark, I LOVE Zen.

One of my best friends has an Australian shepherd mix, named Xena. Pronounced Zena.

And sometimes we call her Zen for short!

We dog sit her from time to time. She is the BEST dog. They are so wonderful, lively and intelligent.

 

[dwfreck]

Mark,

What a great picture! Note the obvious alertness and intelligence in those eyes!

Zen looks a lot like my old childhood dog. Sigh...

If a pillow and the nose of a care bear are all he chews up, you'll be lucky. If I remember correctly, mine quit the random chewing habit at about two years old, but we had also learned to keep her well stocked with her OWN chew toys.

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi mark!
what a cute dog and running partner!!! we have a mini poodle and a golden retriever. in summer i take the golden out on the trails behind our house and we do quick runs there (the little one can't keep up).. i run with her off- leash and it's amazing how they know to keep up and stay with you. i also think it's cute how zen gets excited when you put on your shoes.... sophie gets perky too when i put on my fanny pack (for safety reasons, i take a cell phone,id, etc)... this is her cue!
aren't animals wonderful companions?
glad to see you are doing well.
all the best, sylvia

 

[tommy]

What a handsome dog!

We have a cat and a dog. They have reached "peaceful co-existence".

I have come to believe the adage:
Dogs have owners. Cats have a staff.

I will attempt 8 miles tomorrow, my longest run ever. 150 miles behind me. Give Zen an extra biscuit for me.

 

[kurli]

He is really cute. Dogs are the best medicine.
My cavalier king charles spaniel kurli stayed by my side the whole time I was recovering from my surgery and I now cant live without him. He even walked down the aisle with me at my wedding 5 weeks ago.

 

[Gail in Ca]

Nice looking dog!
We see them all the time at dog agility class and of course the trials. The borders and aussies do real well. (yes, better so far than our fox terrier, but we are working on her).
And they are so fast that their handlers don't keep up during the run!
So, if you ever need something else to do with your dog, I would suggest agility!
Gail