I still remember the excitement I felt when I took Shiner to get his first pulling harness. I had visions of crossing the Idita-ski (like the famous Iditarod, only tied to your dog with skis strapped to your feet) finish line to the cheers of the crowd. While the salesperson was explaining the merits of the various harnesses, Shiner made himself at home by relieving himself on the most expensive bag of sled dog food, and then plunging his head into the doggy treat bin (really, did it HAVE to be so close to the ground??)
After rendering our apologies to the shop owners, I took Shiner home with his shiny new harness and decided to try him out that very evening. I hooked Shiner up to the special bungee cord that attaches securely to the belt I placed around my waist. Ghee!! I shouted, and away we went. Unfortunately, at that moment, a poodle chose to dart across our path. What finally broke Shiner's momentum was the face plant I did in the neighbor's willow bush. Ok, I thought, I'll take him to the local ski area where we'll be free of killer poodles (named Fifi).
We went that very weekend and as I hooked him up, people cast many an admiring look at us. What a big, beautiful dog his is, they said. I bet he goes really fast! Ghee, I said, and off we went. Unfortunately, that day was training day for the local sled dog teams. A team would pass, and Shiner, not one to be left out, immediately tried to race the leader. A team would pass the other way, and Shiner, quick on his feet, would wheel around and chase that leader. What finally broke his momentum was my face plant in the willow bushes. No one had mentioned the fact that there is absolutely no way to steer when you're tied to a 120 pound runaway frieght train! Shiner, of course, had never had so much fun....
As I hobbled back to my truck (this time the admiring glances looked suspiciously like smirks) I came up with another plan. After all, the new hadn't worn off the harness yet! I went out and bought a plastic kiddie sled (which OF COURSE, only came in hot pink). This time I would SIT behind him and let him pull me on the sled. (My ankles still hurt from the skiing lessons, not to mention how my "built in brake" felt).
So I hooked him up to the sled on the top of the biggest hill in the ski area. Ghee, I said. Nothing happened. He just looked at me and whined. Ghee, Shiner, let's go! Nothing happened. His whining got louder. Ghee, Shiner, I said, and poked him in the rear. His whining got even louder, and he started dancing around. All of a sudden he came around and sat on my lap, and off we went with ears a flapping (his, not mine). This time I had no doubt that people were smirking as they were outright guffawing. Well, Shiner finally found his calling. I have to pull the sled up the hill and Shiner rides down. The beautful harness, still new, hangs on a hook in the garage. I wonder if they come in my size??
P.S. One night, the dogs were awfully quiet (which of course, makes any good kuvasz owner nervous). We looked outside, and there was Shiner's daughter, Tara, sliding down the snowberm in the back yard on a piece of plastic!