The Ned Effect

We adopted Ned from the Oregon Humane Society a little over two months ago now. Ned is the sweetest dog: a cross between a Jack Russell terrier and a basset hound. His looks are mostly JRT (but very stretched out) and his personality is mostly basset (mellow and friendly).

Ned's background is sketchy at best, but we do know that he came from Klamath Falls with at least two of his brothers, and that he's 1-2 years old. He immediately came down with kennel cough, mange, an ear infection, giardia, and worms--a really stressful situation, especially when the vet thought that the kennel cough might instead be distemper. The hassle and hefty vet bills have been worth it though, because Ned is everything we've always wanted in a dog: he's loving, active outside, relaxed inside, quiet, and house-trained. In the ways that truly count, Ned has been incredible, and we consider ourselves lucky.

'The Ned Effect' is what I call my resulting weight loss and energy boost since we've adopted our little man. Ned gets FIVE walks per day: early morning, late morning, mid-afternoon, early evening, and late evening. I'm present for four out of those five walks (Rory is in charge of the before bed one, as he's the night owl), so I have been getting a large amount of exercise. I reckon I walk for over two hours and four miles per day, which has led me to drop a whole dress size in the ten weeks since we've had him. I'm also back to my Brighton and Wellington era hill-climbing ability, which I must say is considerable.

Just in time for summer--thanks Ned!