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Friday, November 15, 2013

The Duo

Earlier this week, I had the chance to take both halves of our Labraduo for a mountain bike ride. It was fun!
Most mornings, R is out on the trails with the Runner, so I rarely get the opportunity to have R join me and Shyla. It was really interesting to experience R as the wiser and more experienced dog. He's still fast and handsome, but he's definitely changed his role in the pack since Shyla joined us.
When I ride with Shyla, I have to concentrate closely on a combination of not crashing my bike and keeping Shyla reined in. I've learned which sections of trail tempt her into following animal scents, and I require her to "heel" next to my bike in those sections. While she's heeling, my little brain is at its limit...

So, thank goodness that R is now an incredibly reliable dog because, otherwise, I could never ride with both dogs. He stayed close during his ride with us this week, shepherding me and Shyla without me needing to guide him. I remember, so vividly, the opposite situation when I took older sister K and R riding with me. K was reliable, and R was the wild one who needed lots of supervision.

I wonder if it's age or the change in pack dynamics that have changed R's role so much. I'd guess at a combination.
One way or another, he's a great example for Shyla and a joy to have join us on our rides!
I think Shyla is dreaming of the next time R can go on a ride with us!

21 comments:

  1. what an awesome escort you have. :)

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  2. A beautiful duo!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy and Stanley

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  3. I bet they enjoyed each others company too.

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  4. I think R is helping take care of the both you and Shyla.
    love
    tweedles

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  5. We agree-awesome escort! And we've said this before, but no harm in repeating: you give your dogs an amazing life! They get to do exactly what all dogs should do -get loads of outdoor exercise plus mental stimulation via your training. Rompin and rolling in the Rockies!

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  6. It's amazing and wonderful that you can ride and control the dogs...probably would not work with Airedales. One sniff of a critter and they would be gone. It's a challenge to even leash walk two Airedales in critterville!

    Wyatt's mom

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  7. I'm so glad things within your pack have worked out so that you can go for rides with R and Shyla. Now you just have to get the runner to run quick enough to keep up with the three of you!

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  8. Labraduo.....what a great word!! Hope it catches on :)

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  9. Love the tongue out, ears up, photo.

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  10. Stunning together at the top of a rocky place. confidence in each other, and totally at ease, while standing on the very edge. Great that you can all go together, I guess R is taking a different approach to life with Shyla. Greetings from Jean.

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  11. We just love seeing pictures of the two of you together! You are both such handsome pups!

    Love ya lots♥
    Mitch and Molly

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  12. You are so lucky that you get to take them both outside with you like that. Muffin and I would be long gone chasing after all the wildlife. We're great hunters!

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle

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  13. What a special treat. So glad they both enjoy it and are both so well behaved you can take them both!

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  14. R is a most handsome chap and his example will be an inspiration for Shyla.

    Enjoy the weekend.

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  15. Hi Y'all!

    I agree! Shyla and R seem to LOVE to race together!

    Y'all come back now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  16. Howdy Mates. This is fabulous. Loved all the photos. R and Shyla look wonderful. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  17. How wonderful that they enjoy such a great relationship - and you, too! Here's a funny thing: the last picture of R made me do a doubletake...my mind insisted on "reading" R's shadow as a black, furry animal :)

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  18. I bet she is dreaming of when R can go with you again! Whenever I see them together, they just seem like such a sweet pair! I love seeing the young dogs become the leaders at some point!

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  19. Loads of fun to see Shyla and R having a good run together. I love that Shyla takes R's collar off too. I bet R will try and get Shyla's off soon. Even cracker dogs don't like someone younger getting a promotion!

    Cheers and hugs,

    Jo

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