Spring is back and along with it, my intermittent feature,
Monday Fun Day! Every so often on a Monday, you'll see a post showcasing how awesome and dog-friendly our lil' neck of the woods is.
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| The runners all lined up |
For this week's Portland-is-the-best pleasure, we bring you The Doggie Dash. Now, technically, this event occurred on Saturday, not Monday but Saturday Fun Day just doesn't have quite the same ring to it so humor me. Please.
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| Hurley's ready to get dashing! |
This was our very first time participating in
the Doggie Dash, which is a run/walk/fun event hosted by and benefiting the
Oregon Humane Society. Each May, thousands of dogs and their paw-rents gather on Portland's Waterfront and run or walk (we walked 'cause, you know, "Hurley Don't Hurry") a 2.5 mile loop over and back across a couple of Portland's
Most Famous Bridges. I've wanted to do this in the past but alas, Sadie is not particularly great with crowds and that many dogs would give Maggie conniption fits. This is right up Hurley's alley, however, so off we went this past Saturday morning.
Hurley was a rock star! One of the major reasons I wanted him to participate this year was for him to gain a lot of practice with on-leash greetings (part of our training plan to conquer
his reactivity and resource guarding issues here in the shop). And boy did he have them! At one point, they announced an estimated attendance of 4,000 dogs. Hurley sniffed hundreds of butts. Literally. When a dog reacted to him, he Turned. His. Head. Away. With the issues we've been having related to the shop and with 2 other dogs with reactivity issues, having him be completely neutral in this type of situation is such a breath of fresh air. I knew he had it in him and I'm so glad I trusted that his issues at the shop weren't affecting him outside of the store.
We'll definitely be participating in the Doggie Dash next year and next time around, we're thinking 'bout forming a team. Really, who wouldn't want to be a part of Team Hurley?
Very cool! Good Going Hurley! We are so proud of you!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great time, glad you all had fun!!
Hooray for Hurley!! I'm sorry I missed it this year, Cali was recovering from a tooth extraction gone bad :( It was a perfect day for an event!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun event
ReplyDeleteStop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com
Whoa, that's so amazing he was able to turn his head away during all those butt sniffs! That's just the kind of practice Fozzie needs. Every time I read a post like this I get inspired to get out there and practice:)
ReplyDeleteLove those Portland bridges--what a great event!
I was there last year and I wanted to so much to do Doggy Dash this year, but Mom had to work at our neighborhood plant sale. What an excuse.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had fun, Hurley!