VS April 10 final.indd - Vermont Sports Magazine

VS: Hey Oscar! You have your own blog.
How did you land that sweet deal?
OA: Running coach Jan Leja fi rst
published my answers to his
questions on his website runwithjan.
com. As questions poured in, it
became clear I needed my own blog.
VS: Do your dog friends get jealous, or
do they think it’s cool that you’re on the
web?
OA: I am usually too busy playing
with them to discuss our online
experiences.
VS: I saw you had to take down a dog
post because of spammers. Why do you
think humans do that kind of thing? Is
there any parallel of spamming in the
dog world?
OA: I can’t imagine why humans
do that sort of thing. And no, there
are no dog-spammers in the canine
world—just barkers!
VS: You’re running log is quite impressive!
What’s the farthest you’ve ever run?
OA: My humans, who are marathon
runners, have capped my running at
13 miles at a time, which is ludicrous,
of course. I could go much farther.
One time, they took me for 16 miles,
after which I romped and played with
Fanny, the neighbor dog, for another
hour.
Each year, tens of thousands of
seals, many of whom are still
��������������������������������
�����������������������������
������������������������������
WAGGER ATHLETE
VS: Do human running partners keep up
with you, or do you leave them in the
dust?
OA: I run at their pace, which is a
brisk walk or trot for me.
VS: What’s your favorite time of the
year to run?
OA: I prefer to run in spring, summer,
winter, and fall.
VS: Do you prefer road running, or
running in the woods?
OA: Dirt is better for lots of reasons.
END CANADA’S SEAL SLAUGHTER
���������������������������������������
OSCAR
AIKEN
Breed: Blended, though I look like
a yellow lab
Age: 3
Residence: Richmond
Family: Mark and Alison Aiken
(humans) and Scout and Waffl e
(cats)
Primary sport: Running, skiing,
and dog-play
One, it’s simply more scenic and
interesting. Two, dirt usually implies
fewer cars. Three, dirt is a softer
surface, and I know my owners’ knees
can’t handle too much pounding
on pavement. Personally, I’ll run
anywhere. I will say this about
pavement: the asphalt rounds off my
toenails. That’s helpful, because I
don’t really like using a fi le.
VS: When you ski, do you ever get ice
stuck to your paws? Do you have any
advice for dealing with that?
OA: I am a short-haired dog who,
fortunately, doesn’t have to deal
with this problem much. I did do a
backcountry ski yesterday and had to
lick some snow off my belly.
VS: What do you like to do after a nice
run?
OA: After a long run, I enjoy speed
work at the dog park.
VS: What’s your favorite thing about
your humans?
OA: My humans run, hike, ski, or walk
me in our fi elds every day. Although I
like to pretend I have a rough life, it’s
actually pretty good!
VS: Who are your best dog pals, and
what do you like about them?
OA: I like any dog who likes to play.
That said, Fanny, another save-apet
from down south, is an excellent
sprinter, Rufus shares his dog food
with me, and Berkley hosts a fullmoon
party once a month.
VS: Do you think chocolate is seriously
bad for dogs, or do you think it’s some
conspiracy by the humans so they can
keep all the chocolate for themselves?
OA: One time I found and ate four
Hershey bars after a bonfi re with
s’mores. My humans, panicking,
called the vet, who said a dog of my
weight could safely eat eight bars.
Sounds great to me!
VS: What’s your approach to working
the room at the dog park?
OA: I generally appoint myself the
“welcoming committee.” Meaning, I
greet and play with every new dog
that enters the park. My enthusiasm
can be quite overwhelming to a shy
new arrival!
VS: If you could go to any dog park in the
world, where would you go?
OA: Starr Farm Dog Park in
Burlington. Although I wish we had
a park closer to Richmond.
VS: What do you like about Starr Farm
Dog Park?
OA: I like that there are always dogs
there. And that it’s close to Richmond.
Did I mention that there are always
dogs there?
VS: What is the most foul smell you’ve
ever rolled in?
OA: As a dog, I have never found a
smell I didn’t like, although I’m not
fond of shampoo. My humans, on the
other hand, didn’t seem to enjoy cowpoop
or skunk spray.
VS: What are your human’s rules about
the furniture?
OA: Originally I wasn’t allowed on
any furniture, then I was allowed
on just the couch. Eventually, I was
allowed on the bed when invited.
Now, however, I can come on the bed
whenever I want, and my humans
are only allowed when invited.
VS: What is your favorite treat?
OA: If it’s within reach, I generally
like to sample, or inhale, it. I’ll eat
anything except lettuce.
VS: If you were in charge of R&D at
Milkbone, what treats would you make?
OA: Extra-extra large.
—Sky and Mesa Gleiner
GEAR EXCHANGE
THE VERMONT SPORTS
gear.vtsports.com
16 Vermont Sports April 2010