  DISTANCE: 3.06 km DURATION: 34:46
Well, today was the last day I ran with Nikita and Lucy. What an awesome AWESOME winter I had with these two girls! Today we did our best to hunt gophers as a three-some tied together, but while it was super fun, it was not an effective hunting method. We went all through the park wherever the girls wanted, and when we returned they were tired but smiling. We stopped for lots of belly rubs and rib scratches (Nikita has itchy ribs!) and as the half hour drew to a close they received lots of hugs and pets from me. They enjoyed the freedom to madly run all over their park, and I enjoyed making them happy for the last time. We ended our half hour hanging out in their yard enjoying the sunshine, and then we headed inside for lots of treats and pets. I am so grateful for the chance to run with these two, and I hope to see them again in the future! Thank you for a wonderful winter Nikita and Lucy! And for your trust! Love you girls! Nikita - 1 pee, no poop. Lucy - 2 pees, 1 poop. Runner: Laura
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 DISTANCE: 6.24 km DURATION: 1:07:06
Today I took the girls all through their park and into one across the train tracks that we always look at but don't always have time for. They are so good on their leashes with gophers around! It took them a few runs to realize that just because they are still on leash, they have to behave, it doesn't mean that they can't sprint around from hole to hole and hunt! Today was just perfect in that regard. We saw lots of gophers, but they were too quick for us. I think they go swimming in the pond across the train tracks from them because once we got close they perked right up and beelined for the shore! No swimming today girls! However, Nikita did sneak a mud break in but thankfully it was dry! We enjoyed the new scenery and the change from grass and pavement to gravel. I liked playing around with them in the park, and will definitely miss our hours together. Thanks girls! I had a great time and I hope you did too! Lucy - 3 pees and 1 poop .Nikita - 1 pee and 1 poop. Runner: Laura 
 DISTANCE: 3.79 km DURATION: 39:54
Today marks my last week of running these two wonderful girls, so I decided that we would only do their absolute favourite things - gopher hunting! My knee is feeling fantastic now, so I was able to join on on their sprints to and fro in the park, and the grins on Nikita and Lucy's faces told me just how excited they were to have some freedom! They are soo eager to be set free into the wilds of the stubble field that I almost want to ask the landowner if we could, but I can only hold their hunting pace for so long and trying to hold that for an entire field might mean that they would have to drag me back! They were in no hurry once they found a 'live' hole though, and they would take turns plopping down to wait the critter out. We had lots of pet and belly rub breaks once we finally left the park, and it took a lot of convincing to get them to turn towards home! I get it girls, what a good day for a run! I hope they enjoyed their time as much as I did! Thanks Nikita and Lucy! Nikita - 2 pees, no poop. Lucy - 3 pees, 1 poop. Runner: Laura 
 DISTANCE: 7.20 km DURATION: 1:06:55
Today, I tried to outwit the weather and run Nikita and Lucy between cloud banks, but we ended up running literally only when it was raining! They had a great time in the rain! Lots of fresh smells, lots of soft cool grass, lots of time in the parks! I immediately resigned us all to having towel time when we got home, so they were able to regular sprint around to all of their favourite gopher holes without a panicking runner trying to weave them around the dirt piles. There were no gophers out today, so it was a bit more relaxing for all three of us. They loved going to the park after a few days away from it. We ran on grass for most of the park because it is softer and the girls seemed to have more fun on grass than on the path. Surprisingly, even though there are loads of rabbits around, there were fairly few bunny pellets. Nikita and Lucy were more interested in the smells coming out of the gopher holes and bushes though - I guess bunny pellets are a winter treat! Everything seemed to click with our run today, so when they gave me sad eyes over my decision to head home at 6km and skip another grassy area, I couldn't resist! It was a great 7km with these two sweethearts! At home, they were so good about letting me towel them off! Nikita is still a little stressed when I stay in their house after the run, so I towelled her off until she had enough, and then Lucy and I got her spick and span. I never knew tan dog could become grey! So dirty! I hope they had a great time today, because I know I sure did! Thanks girls! Nikita had 2 pees, 1 poop. Lucy had 4 pees, no poop. Runner: Laura  DISTANCE: 3.96 km DURATION: 39:48
Today both Nikita and I were feeling pretty good so I decided that since they've been so good about coming home right at their hour or half hour mark, I would take them on a long, leisurely pee break today. We went and checked out a neighbourhood that we went through yesterday that is PACKED with gophers and mice. I think this made up for us skipping the park again! Then we meandered along a few other community paths, sniffing at the summer version of doggy bulletin boards (trees and light standards) and ended up stopping for a bathroom break on the front lawn of the ONLY house in the neighbourhood where someone was home! Of course! He was super friendly though, and all was good! We went down a grassed area between two communities and the girls immediately spotted a giant rabbit! We waited and watched it until it left, and then checked out what seemed like every gopher hole in that area. I'm sure that one day they'll get a gopher, but I hope it's not with me! When I finally turned towards home, the girls slowed down considerably and we had many stops for pets and belly rubs. I've been trying not to use treats to coax them forward since they are so smart that they'd just stop every other step for a treat, and today was a total success! Usually I wait around and give them pets until they move, but today I was able to keep getting Lucy up on my timetable, and was able to motivate Nikita with snuggles! I'm so proud of these girls! Needless to say, they got showered with pets and treats once we got home. Thanks for the absolutely wonderful run girls! I can't wait for tomorrow! Lucy - 3 pees, 1 poop. Nikita - 2 pees, no poop. Runner: Laura 
 DISTANCE: 6.11 km DURATION: 1:04:06 What a WONDERFUL run with Nikita and Lucy! They needed a physical break, and I definitely needed a mental one! It was perfect for all three of us. We did a big loop through Coventry Hills to check out the happenings in the neighbourhood since we haven't been there in so long. The girls didn't get to their park but they still saw and chased lots of gophers and leaves (Nikita)! Nikita's little vet wrap only lasted a couple km, so I helped her take the rest off and then watched her like a hawk for the rest of the run. I think she was so happy to be without it that if there was any discomfort, she didn't even notice! Lucy was happy just to be out - as always. She is such an easy-going little dog! Once we give each other the business during out pre-run ritual, she settles right in and happily runs along. We also found a 5th free mini library in Coventry! No books for me though, so during Nikita and Lucy's many back and belly scratch breaks in the grass today they didn't get a story, but just had to listen to me tell them how wonderful they are over and over. I think they liked it better! I kept it as close to an hour as possible for Nikita's foot and because I didn't have dog water with me. It felt and looked cool, but once we got out there it felt a little warm. Next time, I'll come prepared no matter what! When we got home, we took a break beside some flowers in a neighbour's yard. I was definitely more into them than the girls though who seemed to think it was weird for me to try and get their pictures by fake flowers. My vision of a beautiful spring photo turned into more belly and back scratches, which is better anyway. Thanks for all the love today girls! I hope you had a fantastic run! Lucy - 4 pees, no poop. Nikita - 3 pees, 1 poop. Runner: Laura 
 I'm always excited for Monday because it means I get to see Nikita and Lucy! I love these girls, especially how dramatic they can be! Case in point - sad Nikita and her sore foot. When I took her cone off to get her leashed up, she pranced around for a second and then sat down and held her sore foot up. Much to Lucy's despair, that meant no running. But much to her delight that meant romping around in the yard! Nikita tried to join in, but was a little too sore and sad to be too rough. Not too sad to stand at the gate and beg for a run though; funny girl! So dramatic! We had some lounging time in the sun as well, and loads of pets and belly rubs! It's always best when we can run, but it was a nice change of pace to just play. Nikita was super good about getting her cone back on and she gave really good looks of betrayal! Sorry girl! Rest up so we can go super long tomorrow! Thanks for the hangout sweethearts! No pees or poops for anyone.
Runner: Laura 
 DISTANCE: 5.84 km DURATION: 1:04:49
Today Nikita, Lucy, and I all had different plans! I was good on my promise to spend lots of time in the park, so we took our time walking/jogging/sprinting around, soaking in all the sights and smells. I really love how Lucy surveys her domain (i.e. the prairie around the creek) like she’s the ruler and everything that the light touches is hers! She cracks me up! Nikita is more a nose to the ground girl, always sniffing or scouting new places to sniff. When we got into residential, that’s when our different plans really showed through. I was going to lead them on a nice loop, kind of do the usual Thursday thing, but whenever we reached a left-right decision, Nikita went one way and Lucy went another! So funny! They did not communicate before we left apparently! I tried to be fair with who I let have their way, but at a certain point we needed to go home so I had to take charge and wasn’t able to keep the decision tally even. There’s always next week girls! We still enjoyed our outing, and I hope they had a great time in the sun! Thanks girls! Nikita - 1 poop, 2 pees. Lucy - 4 pees, no poop. Runner: Laura 
  DISTANCE: 3.08 km DURATION: 35:44 Today Nikita and Lucy were READY to go! I say READY because when I was walking up to their house I could hear them already barking and partying - they must recognize the sound of my car! I went in and we did our pre-run ritual - I say a quick hi to Nikita, dance around with Lucy giving her as much sass as she gives me, and then once Lucy has said all she needed to say, Nikita gets lots of pets and snuggles. Usually during Lucy's dancing sassy moments, I sneak her harness on and before she knows it, she's all suited up! Then, I attach Lucy to my belt, pick up Nikita's lead, and we're out the door! Once outside, I figure out which side Nikita wants to be on and attach her to my belt too, and then we're finally ready to run! Months of runs has this whole process down to under 2 minutes! We're getting good girls! We had a great run/walk on the paved section of the park, even though it was slower than usual. I kept promising them that tomorrow I'll take them through the ENTIRE park, but delayed gratification isn't something that dogs know much about apparently. That's ok! There were smiles all around anyway, and many gophers where spotted and chased into their holes. All in all, a success! Thanks for the wonderful half hour girls! I'll see you tomorrow! 1 pee each, no poops. Runner: Laura  DISTANCE: 6.27 km DURATION: 1:00:57
Today Nikita and Lucy were so good! We decided to compromise - if they walk nicely to all the gopher holes, I will madly sprint with them to their favourite hole. It worked hilariously well! They tried so hard to walk nicely! I love these girls more and more. It was a really quiet run, nothing really happened aside from our compromise. According to all the other dogs in their neighbourhood though, they were the luckiest dogs ever! All the other dogs were outside in their yards, but only Nikita and Lucy got to run! They took lots of belly rub breaks in the shade - I should've picked up another book! It was a great time that I was sad to see end. Thanks girls! See you tomorrow! Nikita - 1 poop, 3 pees. Lucy - 1 poop, 6 pees. Runner: Laura 
  DISTANCE: 3.16 km DURATION: 32:15
Today Nikita and Lucy had a run of opposites. They were happy to be outside, but then not happy when a neighbour dared to also be outside. They were happy to go towards their park, but not happy when we ran past it to get more distance. They were happy to see gophers in the park when we finally went, but not happy when I kept making them sit and listen and not madly sprint around. What a day! They still got lots of sniffing and hunting time in because the gophers were very bold and kept waiting until we were almost on them before darting back into their holes, and we had lots of pets and belly rubs on the grass when the girls decided to have a 'strike' and not turn towards home! They are such characters! I love how they so clearly have their thoughts on their faces - it makes for really fun, interactive runs! When we got back I had someone take our picture because we don't have a group shot, and Lucy was way too focused on the treats I had in my hand! I promise she was smiling! Thanks for the great half hour girls! I can't wait until tomorrow! Lucy - 2 pees and 1 poop. Nikita - 1 pee and 1 poop. Runner: Laura 
 DISTANCE: 6.19 km DURATION: 1:04:14
Nikita and Lucy's pretty little bandanas hide the hearts of true hunters. They are SO eager to hunt and dig up gophers that my sweet girls seem to turn into wild animals! No gopher hole, tree trunk, or tuft of grass was left un-sniffed or un-pounced. The funniest 'hunting' story I have of them is when we were cutting down a back alley to get from one path to another, and up ahead there was a magpie eating a honey cruller from Tim Hortons. Immediately, the girls regular sprinted forward and without any hesitation Nikita went for the magpie and Lucy went for the donut!! So funny! Neither got their target because I'm onto their tricks by now, but I loved how they both went after their 'prey' with equal enthusiasm! The girls are pretty acclimatized to the warmer weather now, and have started their run-tussling again. It's much more fun for me also now that I'm not on ice! They really love laying in the grass now that it's a bit drier, so we made time for a few lounging sessions so they could enjoy being outside and be able to just take it in without having to focus on running. They each got some snuggles and belly rubs, and even a bit of story-time from a book I picked up at one of the many mini libraries in Coventry. I'm not sure they're a fan of Linda Howard, but I might bring it from now on and see if she grows on them! Not much else happened this run, but I know that they smiled the entire time, so that's a win for all of us. I hope they're enjoying their nap! Thanks girls! Lucy - 5 pees, 1 poop. Nikita - 4 pees, 1 poop. Runner: Laura 
 DISTANCE: 3.08 km DURATION: 31:51
Today was a REALLY good day with Nikita and Lucy! We spent most of our time in the park where we worked on our awesome 'normal sprint' progress from yesterday. They get really excited about hunting and sometimes forgot that I was attached to them, but they were easier to redirect and we even had some slack leash time. These are what the pictures are! Right beside them are active gopher holes that they are so excited to get into, but they were so good about listening that they waited semi-patiently for the ok! So proud of these two! Many pets and belly-rubs were had today. Nikita was really hoping it would be an hour-long run, and had a little strike at one point where she refused to move unless we went her way (away from home), and to be honest, I also was! Lucy was just happy to be out! We headed home with some coaxing and pets, and managed to beat the snow/rain. Thanks for a wonderful half hour girls! Nikita - 1 pee, no poop. Lucy - 2 pees, no poop. Runner: Laura 
 DISTANCE: 6.33 km DURATION: 1:00:39
Today was a great day with Nikita and Lucy! We've been doing some work on not madly sprinting around and they did really well today! They remembered that I was also attached to them and only regularly sprinted 😂. We just had to check out every gopher and mole hole in their park, and they stayed in hunting mode the entire run. This was hilarious to me once we were in the residential areas because they kept getting leaves and garden fabric confused for critters! So funny! We stopped a couple times so that we could sit and watch the world go by. They are so well behaved in these moments, and so happy, that a guy across the street from us shouted 'what good dogs!' Yes, they are! We were caught in a tiny bit of rain for the past part of our run, not enough to get wet but just enough that I was glad we were near the end. The girls seemed to enjoy the cooler temperatures and smells from the wet grass. We ended our run refreshed and happy. I hope they are enjoying their naps! Thanks girls! Nikita - 2 pees, no poops. Lucy - 2 pees, no poops. I think Lucy misses the doggy bulletin boards! Her pee count has dropped by about 4! Runner: Laura 
  DISTANCE: 3.39 km . DURATION: 37:15
Today Nikita and Lucy looked so cute in their spring bandanas! They were so excited to get to their park! I was prepared for sprints to the usual gopher holes, but over the weekend they must have found some new ones because the entire park run was a sprint from hole to hole to hole! They got so distracted by gopher holes that they didn't even see any other dogs or people! After the park, we took a swing through a neighbouring community and then headed home. With the other Lucy that I run, I play a game where I try to find words that relate to her on our run and take a picture of them. Today, I FINALLY found one for Nikita and Lucy! I present - 'Acronyms with Nikita and Lucy' - BFF! These two are best friends forever! Thanks for the fun half hour girls! Lucy - 2 pees, no poop. Nikita - 1 pee, no poop. Runner: Laura |
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