Niko White Blaze by fin16 at Garmin Connect - Details
I love watching Niko run. He is normally so dependent on me, a "momma's boy" if you will, but on the trail, he's different. He takes off like a bat out of hell and then looks back at me every so many strides to make sure I was still there. Whenever he gets too far away from me, he pees on something, maybe letting me know what trail we're taking, and then carries on. This morning was no different. I decided to put one of Henry's old bear bells on his collar so EVERYONE within a 2 mile range could hear us coming. FYI: attach bell AFTER we get to running location NOT in the car ride over.
As we scaled the first set of mountains, we were barely 10 minutes into the run, when I saw 2 very tall people up ahead of us on the trail. Niko was otherwise preoccupied investigating a horse crap pile, so he didn't see them coming. Now I say they were very tall because in another second I see why.....they were on 2 very big horses! I called Niko back to me and he came rushing back just in time for me to grab his collar and HERE COME THE HORSES!! Santa hats and all. What nice people the riders were. Wishing me and Niko a Merry Christmas all the while Niko was freaking out barking at the horses from BEHIND me. Yes, folks, I said from behind me. Big bad tough 98 pound German Shepard, cowering behind Mom barking at some passing horses. I was so proud.
As we continued on Niko kept a nice pace as we came up to the lake. He very quickly found his way down to the water for a quick dip. I don't think I have ever seen him jump in and out of water that fast! It must have been so cold! He also managed to find every mud puddle that KK and I had managed to avoid : )
We did 4 miles and a quick cool down before loading back into the Toyota and heading home. I managed to snap a picture of him "relaxing" on the ride home. I actually don't think he will ever learn how to relax : )
