Boo Still Isn't Fully Domesticated

And he hasn't learned what happens when he rolls in something stinky...

In partnership with

Runners, join the 2024 RunDot Project and receive 2 free months of training.

The RunDot Project is an annual research initiative that helps runners reach their true potential with optimized run training.

Research shows that RunDot athletes improve their running performance an average of 3.2x more than non-users. They also experience improvements in 30% less training time.

Do you qualify for 2 free months of training?

To qualify, you must meet these criteria:

  • Train with a GPS device

  • Have not used RunDot or TriDot in the last 12 months

  • Not a professional runner

  • Enthusiastic and motivated to reach your running goals

Hey, friends! We’ve got a funny (kind of gross?) story for you this week!

First off, a quick update on the magazine that the dogs will be in. It’s supposed to come out tomorrow! As I mentioned previously, we are going to try and get enough physical copies to send out to our Urban Mushers+ subscribers! I believe there will also be a digital version available, so we will share the link when it is on the site!

Now let’s get into the fun stuff…

We have an app!

The Urban Mushers have a new mobile app for all of our subscribers! It’s available now on both Apple and Android phones!

When you’re on your mobile device, visit our website at theurbanmushers.com, log in, and a prompt will pop up asking if you want to install our newsletter’s mobile app onto your device.

Note - the installation popup will only appear on your first website visit. After that, the option to install the app will be located in the dropdown menu at the top of the screen.

After you download the app and click on it, you’ll be asked if you want to turn on push notifications. If you turn those notifications on, you will receive notifications for new published posts and when people reply to your comments. Subscribers will also be automatically logged in, so you won’t have to sign in each time you visit like you do on the web.

One horrifically stinky dog…

On Monday evening, the dogs were out in the backyard doing their business like they always do. When I opened the back door for them to come inside, Pence ran in right away, but Boo was nowhere in sight.

Usually, Boo hears the door open and immediately sprints inside. I could hear his collar jingling around the side of the house, so I knew he was still in the yard. I called his name a couple times and got no response.

I pulled up the camera view on the side of the house and saw him rolling on the ground. I immediately yelled BOO GET OVER HERE! And he took off running to me.

Boo rolling on something in the grass

The fur on the side of his neck was sticking out in different directions. I knew he had gotten into something. I was in a hurry, and only caught a small whiff.

I didn’t have time to deal with it at the moment though. We had to leave for pickleball, so we put the dogs in their crates.

When we returned from pickleball a couple hours later, I went over to the dog crates to let them out. When I bent down to open Boo’s crate, a HORRIFIC smell smacked me in the face. Whatever Boo had rolled in had been fermenting on him in his crate.

By this time, it was well after 10pm, and we had no desire to give him a bath at that hour. So we decided to wait until morning. We closed off the bedroom door so he didn’t rub his stench on our bed.

Boo, of course, was quite proud of himself. He didn’t understand why I kept pushing him away from me while I was sitting on the couch. All he wanted to do was cuddle. He jumped up on the couch and curled up right next to me. I was trying to avoid touching him, but he kept getting closer and closer.

Boo trying to cuddle with me on the couch

Boo was clearly upset that I wasn’t cuddling him back. So he decided to give me those puppy dog eyes and lay his head across my legs. Ugh, how can anyone ignore that face?! I caved and gave him some butt scritches. Also realized I would have to wash the blanket now too.

Boo laying across my lap

The next morning, it was bath time. As always, Boo was not happy about this. But I told him, he’s a domesticated dog now. We can’t be smelling horrendous inside the house. He played his game of rolling in something stinky, and won the prize of a bath. We’ve decided giving him a bath outside is much easier than fighting him in a tub in the house.

In his usual dramatic ways, Boo tried to run away from the water hose, occasionally yelping as if he was being attacked by a bear. He didn’t mind me rubbing the shampoo all over him though.

Boo, not happy about his current bath situation

We rinsed the suds out and told him he was done. He finally gave us a half grin, and let’s be honest, he just looked flat out adorable soaking wet.

Boo, wet from his bath

At this point, we noticed that whatever he rolled in had left a big, smelly stain on his collar. We had to take his collar off and soak it in a bowl of soapy water for a few hours to get it clean. Meanwhile, naked boo looked like a hyena. DID HE NOT?!

Naked Boo (no collar) looking like a hyena

Throughout all of this, Pence was an innocent bystander. Although she did not roll in anything nasty, we already had all the bath stuff out and set up, and it had been a while since she had one, so she ended up getting a bath too. She was less than thrilled, and totally (rightfully) blames Boo for her torture.

Pence during her bath

Boo thought he would offer his help for her bath.

Boo and Pence during a bath

When the baths were finished, the dogs stayed outside to dry off. I’m not sure what it is about baths, but it seems to give them the ZOOMIES!

Boo and Pence doing zoomies together

We also decided to wash Pence’s collar, so she got to be nakie for the day too.

Pence chasing Boo

I was definitely worried that they would try to roll in the grass after a bath, and that they would find the stinky thing again. I tried looking around the area where Boo was rolling, but didn’t see much. There was something dark, and shriveled by the sun, in the grass. Perhaps a baby bird? That was my best guess.

This ordeal was definitely our highlight of the week. They sure do keep life interesting!

Our favorite gear:

We often get asked about the gear we use for both us and our dogs. We talk about everything we use from helmets and harnesses to lights and antennas for our bike.

You can find everything you need to get started running with your dog(s) today in the post below!

Riley bikejoring with Boo and Pence

Be sure to follow us on social media!

Want to catch all of our adventures? Follow us on social media to stay in the loop!

Hannah:
Riley:

Share the Urban Mushers newsletter!

Who do you know that loves dogs? Share our newsletter with them and earn rewards (including a FREE premium subscription)!

Reply

or to participate.