Since having moved Danny over an hour away from home and not having another horse to ride, I find myself with much more time on my hands in the afternoons after work. Most people would head home, put their feet up, and relax till their spouse was home. Well, I've never been one to relax mid-day with too much on my mind. So I vowed to start Kyla on a walking regime to ready both of us for the hikes we plan to take in the mountains around Lake Tahoe at the end of July.
Yesterday, I decided to meet up with my mom to walk part of the Dana Point Marina and into Doheny Park. I've run this route several times and it's even part of the Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot as the first 3 miles of our 6.2 mile run. The walk is flat, paved, and either on a walkway through the campground or through the parking area along the beach. My mom brought Karra (AKA "The Red Dog") to allow her some daily exercise and to play with her best friend, Kyla. The dogs were more than excited for this walk, tugging at their leashes and bounding along the path.
We started on our walk, talking about work, the all-important last episode of The Bachelorette, and the happenings of life. The day was BEAUTIFUL and the air was a mix of sand, salt, and the various smells of people's BBQs as you passed by. We opted to turn around before the 1.5-mile marker and start our brisk walk back. Sure enough by now, my mom is virtually dragging Karra by her choke-chain, tongue almost dragging on the ground. Apparently Karra's svelte 80 lbs is somewhat out of shape - go figure! We had to take a brief break to allow her to cool down, catch her breath, and not look like she was going to die. I honestly thought she was breathing so hard she would give herself heat stroke.
We eventually started back on our walk. Kyla was stellar the whole time, wanting to do more like the puppy she is. Even back in my mom's car, Kyla sat on poor Karra's head trying to get her to play on the drive back to my apartment while Karra gasped for air. Karra recovered but it looks as though we've learned a very important lesson: The Big Red Dog needs baby steps!
Yesterday, I decided to meet up with my mom to walk part of the Dana Point Marina and into Doheny Park. I've run this route several times and it's even part of the Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot as the first 3 miles of our 6.2 mile run. The walk is flat, paved, and either on a walkway through the campground or through the parking area along the beach. My mom brought Karra (AKA "The Red Dog") to allow her some daily exercise and to play with her best friend, Kyla. The dogs were more than excited for this walk, tugging at their leashes and bounding along the path.
We started on our walk, talking about work, the all-important last episode of The Bachelorette, and the happenings of life. The day was BEAUTIFUL and the air was a mix of sand, salt, and the various smells of people's BBQs as you passed by. We opted to turn around before the 1.5-mile marker and start our brisk walk back. Sure enough by now, my mom is virtually dragging Karra by her choke-chain, tongue almost dragging on the ground. Apparently Karra's svelte 80 lbs is somewhat out of shape - go figure! We had to take a brief break to allow her to cool down, catch her breath, and not look like she was going to die. I honestly thought she was breathing so hard she would give herself heat stroke.
We eventually started back on our walk. Kyla was stellar the whole time, wanting to do more like the puppy she is. Even back in my mom's car, Kyla sat on poor Karra's head trying to get her to play on the drive back to my apartment while Karra gasped for air. Karra recovered but it looks as though we've learned a very important lesson: The Big Red Dog needs baby steps!
No comments:
Post a Comment