Running commentary

There is nothing like a good running dog.

For virtually my entire adult running life I have had the pleasure to own dogs that love to get out and run with me. My family has owned only Airedale Terriers, which happen to be on the Runner's World list of best running dog breeds. We've had five in all over the years - Heather, Murray, Scout, Annie, and Reuben.

Sadly, about a month ago, our beloved Annie "Forest Runner" died due to complications from surgery after giving birth to nine puppies. In my final minutes with her at the vet's office, I picked up her collar and leash that I had taken off earlier. She was very weak from blood loss, but when she saw the leash and heard the jingle of her collar, she stood up as though it was time to go for a run. Obviously, the absolute love of chasing down the trail trumped even that fact that she was dying. Heartbroken, I said one final goodbye and she had that same resigned look that she always had on her face when I told her she had to stay.

Annie loved to run more than anything.

Since that time, I have run a couple of times with my wife and our other Airedale, Reuben, who normally lopes with total exuberance anytime he gets out into the forest. All three of us seemed out of step, off pace, and downright melancholy over Annie's absence. Deirdre and I began talking about some of the great runs and hikes that Annie had been part of with us. Out to Cold Springs where she would like down in the stream and lap the water. Up to the top of Black Butte. Along Whychus Creek and out and back on the Peterson Ridge Trail. Later that evening, we looked at pictures of Annie running at the Oregon Coast and I'll be darned if she doesn't have a smile on her face in those photos.

Can we humans come anywhere close to that level of complete joy about running? Last year's bestseller "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall, is based on the premise that human beings' very survival and rise to prominence is due in large part by our ability to run long distances. The book is the reason for the surge of "barefoot running." It's a great book with unbelievable accounts of the running feats of the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico's Copper Canyon region and their interface with some Caucasian runners. (A great Christmas gift for any runner, by the way.)

For the Tarahumara, running is woven into the culture. Men and women are known to run 40, 50, 60 miles, barefoot on rocky trails, without it being considered out of the ordinary. They are known for their serenity and peace.

I am not sure I can hold a candle to the Tarahumara, but I do know that my Airedales have operated similarly and I think canine history shows that their ability to cover vast distances on foot has enhanced their survivability as well. It sort of makes sense that humans and dogs like to run together.

I would feel remiss if I didn't add some safety and etiquette points about running with a dog. One is to have your dog identifiable with the use of a microchip or the good old-fashioned dog tag in case the dog gets separated from you. Be sure you run with your dog on a leash in areas that you will encounter other people and especially if you might encounter horses. If the dog is ever off-leash, it needs to be under voice command and you need to be sure to avoid traffic, livestock and other dangers. If you are not sure of your dog's behavior, keep it on a leash. Plan for ways to hydrate your dog on longer runs and be sure to give the dog rest days as you would give yourself.

So to Annie Forest Runner, it is a sad goodbye, but even as I write this column I have to smile because there is a six-week-old puppy with plenty of Airedale in him, tugging on my running shoe laces. It looks like Raven Trail Runner is telling me it's time to go into the back yard to run around with me and his three unadopted brothers.