dailymiler of the week: Radar

If you know John H., you very likely know his Australian Cattle dog, Radar. John and his wife Kathy are true animal lovers! In addition to Radar, they also enjoy the company of their Border Collie, Gwennie, 3 cats and 2 horses. In this interview, we focus on John’s running companion Radar. Read on to hear what Radar says about his running partner, John H.!

VL: Tell us how you met John and how you got started running? What was your first run together like?
RH: John and Kathy found me on the Internet at a breeder in Mississippi. I was flown to the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport in a crate…[.bark bark]. Our first run together was awesome! I was so small yet I was pulling John down the road like a “big dog”!

VL: How many miles a week are you currently running?
RH: I run whenever John lets me. Summer days can be quite warm and humid in Minnesota. I would happily run every day but John says “No, too hot for Radar today”. I love running in the winter with John. Check out this YouTube video of us running together with my sister Gwennie!
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VL: Do you think you play a role in motivating John to run? What is it about running with you that makes a run more fun?
RH: I pretty much taught John to run. When we first started together, it was like dragging an anchor down the road. Now he can almost keep up with me….almost. It’s more fun with me because he can just put on the cruise control and I will basically pull him down the road…..[bark bark]. We’ve been running together for 2 years now.

VL: What is the most curious object and/or person you’ve come across on a run?
RH: We live in the country so we see lots of critters. I am usually pretty focused on the run so I don’t have time for distractions. As far as ‘people encounters’, I am very friendly and always offer my back to any one who wants to pet me.

VL: Have you had any injuries?
RH: I have had some nail issues and some sore legs, but I bounce back quite well with a little time off.

VL: What advice do you have for other running canines who are in training with their owners/families?
RH: Spend quality time with your owner,. It’s not about how many miles you run together, it’s about quality “dailymiles” and getting him to throw the ball for me as much as possible!….[bark bark].

VL: Do you have a favorite route? Where is it and why do you love it?
RH: Not really, John takes me on a lot of different routes. I am partial to Elm Creek Park where they have a dog-swimming beach. I think it’s pretty cool you can run, jump and dive with a lot of dogs all at once!

VL: Have you participated in any races yet? If not, do you have any plans to try a race with John?
RH: I have not raced with John yet – he’s still pretty slow but he’s working on his speed. We did attend a Skijoring clinic last winter where we suited up for a training run. That was a hoot!!…[bark bark]. We’ll probably run in the 2012 City of Lakes Loppet.

John H (with Radar) and his wife of 25 years this Sept, Kathy (with Gwennie)

1. I love cats
2. I love laying on my back upside down with my feet straight up in the air.
3. I have 4 different balls and I know them all by color. My red ball is my favorite!
4. I love my sister Gwennie, the Border Collie.