On August 26th, ZENFULdog embarked on a brand new adventure in Stayner, Ontario taking on Ruff Mudder’s 5.5 kilometers of over 80 challenging and fun obstacles!
Two outdoor adventuring dog lovers designed this event over four years ago on their family farm to give dogs and their humans a fun, outdoor adventure like no other. One a veterinarian and the other a paramedic, the creators of Ruff Mudder wanted to provide dogs and their humans a chance to engage in an event in nature where the goal is more about the journey than the destination. They call Ruff Mudder an ‘anti-race’ meant to be enjoyed and savoured between mud pits.
Congratulations to the ZENFULdog CaniX Pack Runners Team who made their way through the various biomes of fields, streams and forests of the very muddy and scenic Ruff Mudder course to represent ZENFULdog with big smiles on their faces:
Eva and Kevin with Lily, Ginny and Ivy
Kathryn with Jett
Erin with Bentley
Autumn and Kendra with Ren
Great job!
Kathryn, with Jett, had this to say about her 2022 experience at Ruff Mudder: “I was so excited about the event, then went through a period of apprehension, and almost backed out. After a pep talk with Kendra, Jett and I decided to go for it and have fun. We had a blast! The support and encouragement from the ‘pack’ was amazing!
The course was really well thought out, with different levels of obstacles and lots of sliding down embankments into streams. It was the first time Jett and I had ‘car camped,’ but all the dogs did amazingly well! We will definitely do it again next year!
Thanks so much, Kendra, and the ZENFULdog CaniX Pack Runners, we couldn't have done it without you!”
Eva (and Kevin) with Lily, Ginny and Ivy also loved their experience: “Lily,Ivy and Ginny had a great time at Ruff Mudder. They enjoyed being with their pack—Ren, Jett and Bentley—it was an excellent experience in learning how to get along!
Ivy and Ginny did not run the course but did exceptionally well around hundreds of other dogs. Ginny was even approached nose to nose with no reaction whatsoever! Ivy handled the dog crowds equally well, she stayed focused and carried on with her business. An amazing accomplishment for both of them.
Lily ran the course and was such a trooper! She encountered very large obstacles and tried them all from tunnels, A-frames, teeter-totter, corn maze, pool and countless water crossings that she had to swim through (her legs are too short). Her only confusing moment occurred when she discovered me in the tunnel behind her with a look of—what are you doing here?!?
We would definitely like to do it again!”
Erin also had a great time with Bentley: “Words can’t describe the experience Bentley and I had at Ruff Mudder with our team—it definitely wouldn’t have been possible without them.
Our adventure to Ruff Mudder wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and motivation of everyone in our group. Bentley has low confidence so being with his friends made it all possible and gave him the courage to be accepted and participate just as he is. The dogs teamed up to support one another and their humans did as well.”
Autumn (and Kendra) with Ren had this to say: “Ruff Mudder was a great experience for us and the dogs. Super exhilarating and eventful experience, full of mud and obstacles. We got to see our dogs’ Parkour and Skill Training in use, while having fun. I’m extremely proud and so glad that the dogs and their humans completed it with smiles on their faces. It was an amazing adventure and would love to do it again!”
Kendra, adds: “This was an experience of a lifetime and to share it with friends was incredible. This adventure really tested the connection we share with our dogs and with each other. While this was completely for fun we made it our business to make sure our dogs always felt confident, happy and safe. Thankfully, we are a pack that encourages and supports each other so what could have been an overwhelming experience was truly kickass!
Our dogs are different breeds, all working line high drive dogs, coming from various backgrounds and experiences, and in the past have had some difficulties when faced with certain triggers. A friend of mine said it just right—perfectly imperfect dogs! So for them to not only not react but to actually have fun was such a success.
The dogs traveled in vehicles for 9 hours, were calm while we set up camp, were able to chill in crates and on longlines for mealtimes and breaks, slept in tents and were surrounded by 300 dogs per day at the event where they ran, jumped, weaved, crawled, climbed through 80 + obstacles and performed like pros! What a freeing experience to share with our canine partners! The time we spent teaching our dogs Canicross, Parkour and Fitness really paid off. I am so proud of them.
We killed it on and off the trails and when our dogs were tired and told us they had had enough we listened to them and skipped the race on Sunday to protect their spirits and end with a good feeling. It was validating to be told by the event organizer who is a veterinarian that she and others had remarked on how well our dogs were managed and behaved. It was noted that their happiness and health came before anything else.
I am excited to return next year to get muddy all over again with good friends and of course our very best friends—our canine partners!”
Congratulations again to the ZENFULdog CaniX Pack Runners Team for representing ZENFULdog at Ruff Mudder with pride and setting a good example of love and safety for our canine friends above all else.
Click here to learn more about Ruff Mudder and talk to Kendra if you are interested in participating at the next event!
Don’t forget that you can followZENFULdog Training on Facebook to stay connected to your like-minded dog-loving community every day.
留言