Saturday, October 22, 2011

Sledding this winter

Does anyone know what kind of harness and sled I could use with Leloo this winter?  She loves running around the yard, but doesn't get to go for walks really during the winter.  We think it would be fun for her to pull us around the yard in a little sled.  Leloo does quite well in dragging me down the street on our walks, but has never really pulled anything.   I'm worried about doing it half-assed and hurting her.  I've thought about using her seat belt harness, but it's doesn't have padding for her shoulders.  I think it would hurt and then not be fun.  I've looked online and found a variety of harnesses and sleds for real sledding, but I've got no clue what to get.  I also considered adding padding to her set belt harness since we use it for walks anyways.
I think a kid's sled would be ok since it's just for running around our yard.  I thought about starting out with weights in the sled first and once she got the hang of it I would sit in the sled.  I have a number of other concerns that once we do this she'll pull me even harder on walks. 
Does anyone have suggestions or warnings?  ie. this is a stupid idea or a great one!!

Huskies that need homes

Does anyone else feel intense sadness when they see dogs in shelters?  I keep seeing twitter feed about dogs that need homes all over the country.  Made worse when I realize they aren't that far away.  Then there's the "save the animals" type commercials.  There is part of me that wants to save them all and another part telling me Leloo is all we can handle right now.  With no fence and both of us working it just wouldn't be feasible. 
I'm not naive to think it would be easier with two dogs.  Over the summer we dog-sitted for a friend.  The first day, I took both dogs for a walk.  It was going well until we started heading back.  I tripped and dropped Leloo's leash.  It was like watching slow motion.  I started to do the running man to get to the leash before she noticed, she turned back realized I was quite a bit behind her and then she looked down saw the leash on the ground and took off into the corn field.  Fortunately I had my cell phone and my husband came to help find her.  It took an hour and a stroke of luck she got caught up in a row of hedge row trees.  The next day I thought I had gotten more clever and looped both dog's leashes through my belt loops.  Leloo took off in a weird direction and sliced her leash on a mailbox pole.  I just can't win!  Fortunately I was able to tackle her a few houses down.  I wised up and gave up on the walking both.  On the other hand they did wear each other out wrestling and arguing over toys.  It was super cute watching them argue with each other.
It's hard to say how it would go with two.  Right now it's not on the plate.  I wish still that there wasn't a need for shelters at all.  Unless your a breeder or plan to keep all your puppies' puppies get your dog neutered!!!  Be a responsible owner!