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How This L.A. Marathoner Turned Running With Dogs Into a Full-Time Job
Runner's World ^ | August 1, 2019 | Heather Adams

Posted on 08/03/2019 11:50:44 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Bob Wilcox never runs without a four-legged companion by his side. He’s done so since the the early ’90s, when his own dogs kept him company while training for marathons. The puppy eyes that awaited him when came home from work as a healthcare consultant were just the motivation he needed to get out the door each day.

“They were always my best training partners,” Wilcox told Runner’s World. “I’d come home and if I’m tired, there’s the dog ready to go.”

However, after his German Shepherd passed away soon after moving to Los Angeles, he felt like his runs were missing an important component.

So he borrowed training partners from neighbors, friends, and rescue shelters. The more he did this, the more runs without a canine left Wilcox feeling almost guilty. There were so many dogs out there in need of the same exercise and weren’t getting it.

Instead, he’d see the city’s dog walkers lugging 20-some leashed dogs slowly around the block, and believed they deserved better.

“There’d be these huge packs of 20 dogs all moving at the slowest pace of the slowest dog,” he said. “I know the benefit of running for dogs. It makes a huge difference, just like it does in humans.”

Thus, L.A. Dog Jogger, a professional dog running company in Los Angeles, was born. At first, it was a side hustle to his consulting business. Then six months in, he realized that he couldn’t sustain a full-time gig with his dog running operation taking up 140 miles a week. With good business and solid rates—$50 for an hour, $35 for a half-hour—he wondered what life would be like if this was his only job.

(Excerpt) Read more at runnersworld.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Health/Medicine; Local News; Miscellaneous; Outdoors; Pets/Animals; Society; Sports
KEYWORDS: bobwilcox; california; doggieping; dogs; exercise; losangeles; running; runningmotivation

1 posted on 08/03/2019 11:50:44 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
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To: Slings and Arrows

Who has that doggie ping list?


2 posted on 08/03/2019 11:51:45 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Show me the people who own the land, the guns and the money, and I'll show you the people in charge.)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

$50 for an hour?

HELL NO


3 posted on 08/03/2019 11:56:39 AM PDT by Conserv
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To: Conserv

And then there is the $$$price$$ of decent dog food. And I am paying it!


4 posted on 08/03/2019 12:00:01 PM PDT by Maudeen (AMERICAN by Birth . . . CHRISTIAN by the Grace of GOD)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

There’s something to it and money to be made with a service like this.

My sister does a lot of pet-sitting/walking FOR FREE for friends and co-workers, but a friend’s daughter gets upwards of $120.00 for an over-night stay watching a tiny little yappy pocket-pooch!

I’m a HUGE advocate of NOT having pets unless you’re in 100% for the long-term commitment, but people shell out big money to put their own children in care every day, so what do I know? ;)


5 posted on 08/03/2019 12:24:51 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (We come from the earth, we return to the earth, and in between we garden.~Alfred Austin)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Keep them doggies rolling. Rawhide Rain and wind and weather ... Move ‘em on, head’ em up. Head ‘em up, move’ em on.


6 posted on 08/03/2019 12:52:31 PM PDT by Redcitizen (Tagline not secure.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Damn. I only charge 20 a night....

but it’s enough for me.

Since I only have an antenna, I enjoy the cable TV.

I have about 6 clients. One has a luxury RV and uses me at least every other month. If they’re not camping, they’re going on a cruise or visiting relatives.

Their dog is a 190 pound English Mastiff.

He’s a real teddy bear, but the looks of him sure scares people.


7 posted on 08/03/2019 12:52:50 PM PDT by Conserv
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

One of my pups from the past loved to run next to me as I rode my bicycle. If I wasn’t peddling fast enough, she would nip at my heels.


8 posted on 08/03/2019 2:23:12 PM PDT by chief lee runamok (expect nothing)
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