A Training Run (AKA An Adventure)

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Today, as frequently these last several weeks, I did not use the X-Back harness on Mira when we went on the bike. I just used her leash and the 3' bungee attached to her collar, and had her run beside the bike. I got to pedal a lot more, so we don't go quite as far.

A woman left her house, leaving the large black cat out. Mira was aware of the woman, and probably the cat, and her step brightened, but she did nothing else. The woman went to her car, the cat went to the house next door. I think that's when Mira saw it. At the "leave it" command, Mira did, and we continued on,
making a left onto the sidewalk. We continued on for a bit before turning around to return home.

We would go north about .2 miles, then right onto our street. But what is that up there by the sidewalk? A plant? No. A dog? No. Is it a plant? It moved. Maybe it is a dog. Then Mira became aware of it.

We started towards it, and as we got closer, I saw it was the cat, and Mira sped up. I stopped her with AAAAAAA!, and brought her back to my side. She is abasolutely NOT to chase ANYTHING while on leash, in harness or not.

She didn't like it, and that cat was still there. We waited a moment to see what the cat would do. It stood, arched its back, and even from that distance I could hear it hiss.

I checked my hold on the leash. I fold it over so that if needed, I can let her go. I gave Mira the evil eye, told her to leave it, brought her closer to my side, and we started forward again.

The cat ran the other direction and tried to climb the wall, but it was too high. Mira is trotting at my side, slightly pulling. I ride the brake, reaffirming "leave it". The cat runs farther along, and is able to top the wall, where she stands a few seconds, back arched, watching us, before she disappears as we get closer.

Mira is still at my side, but leaping excitedly and I stop and give the command again, and she settles down. We continue on. Now she has more leash and runs slightly ahead. As I give the
rest of the leash, she turns and laughs, comes back for praise, then off we go.

She turns onto our street at a trot, and we're home again.

She did well with that cat teasing her. Usually with the bike, she has her harness on, and it's been years since she's chased anything in harness. This was a new experience.

A good start to the day. :mrgreen:
Ofgift