This is where Kenya, Remi and I walked yesterday.
I can't quite get my head around the idea of a treadmill for humans, let alone dogs, but I did think about the whole concept in the abstract.
Problem #1: Most dogs would balk at the idea of using one. They are noisy and the footing is uncertain. Kenya now gets up on the scale at the vet's quite happily, but if we then turned it on so that the surface became unstable, I can imagine the kafluffle!
Problem #2: A walk is more than simply the exercise of limbs for a dog. Kenya moves in a zigzag pattern checking out smells on either side of the road. At fairly regular intervals she scratches in the snow or gravel and leaves her calling card to remind the other dogs on the lake that she is a neighbour. She listens when a red pilated woodpecker taps the tree trunks, locates him visually and then moves on. She climbs the tall banks that now ring the lake and peers over at the other side. She lifts her nose and wriggles it ecstatically when we walk near the cattle. In summer she smells flowers. She likes the sound of running water. She rolls in snow, paddles in puddles, and digs in mud. She likes going to new places occasionally to experience different smels and sounds. A walk is a sensual experience for a dog; it is not merely exercise.
I know that there are miserable days when only a fool or a dogwalker would choose to go outside for an hour of discomfort. I think of days when it is raining heavily or the temperature falls below -30, those few steady sleeting days we get every year, or the more common ones when the roads are slick with ice. I have a yellow rain suit, black snow pants, long johns, down clothing, warm boots, hoods and mittens. There may be a dearth of stylish or sexy clothing in my closets, but I do have an abundance of clothing appropriate for Canadian weather.
But you know, dogs don't like being drenched or frozen either. If they had indoor privies they'd likely stay inside and sleep for the day. As a former teacher, I can tell you that it wasn't just the kids who cheered when the radio announcer informed us that the schools were closed because of storm warnings. All of us like snow days once in a while.
Yes, yes, I know, Cesar. The most important thing for any dog is sufficient exercise. I am not convinced however that a treadmill is the answer. There are not enough truly rotten days to make it the best solution. And being too busy to walk your dog is quite sad.
Far better for the owner to do what dogs do naturally: dress for the weather; stay in and sleep when it is really awful outside; use the walk time to explore the natural and social environment through the senses. Dogs can teach us a great deal about how to live.
Kenya and I are truly lucky. We live in a place that invites us outdoors, and allows us to be free.
1 comment:
Oh I dunno, I think Kat L might do good to get a treadmill, so she can avoid the cougar. They make treadmills for animals that are pretty neat, they use them for conditioning horses with injuries because they can put them in a sling over the treadmill so they don't take as much of a load on their bones. They have pools for horses too.
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