Running with McGuire's dog whisperer

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chelsea Smith
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST --  As the van rounded the corner into the vacant parking lot, five eager heads peered through the crack of its windows revealing large gaping eyes, the silhouette of wagging tails and a hyper-awareness of what was to come.

When the door glided open, frantic paws paced the van floor never exceeding the door seal as each anxiously awaited their turn to be leashed and released. With verbal assurance and the release of his hand, Lt. Col. Dean Owens gave the cue as they accelerated towards the parking lot to embark on a normal exercise routine, yet an aesthetically unique version of troop running.

The network of canines forged ahead and dispersed, instinctively assuming their self-designated slots while Owens kept pace behind their strides. Unified despite their size difference, each dog understood the cadence of its siblings as they pushed full throttle into their much anticipated run.

The crew can often be sighted running at various locations on base or in local neighborhoods, four times a week, drawing admirers and amazed spectators along the routes of their passages.

Owens, 514th Air Mobility Wing chief of wing safety and devout dog-lover, said he enjoys running three to four miles with his dogs to satisfy his love of running while simultaneously maintaining Air Force fitness standards.

Although he may feel exhausted after a long workday, once he straps on his running shoes he's motivated to start and maintains that motivation witnessing the dynamic of his dog pack, he said.

"When I come home at the end of the day and I've got those excited pairs of eyes staring at me, it's hard to deny them a run," said Owens. "Even if I don't feel like running that day, I feel guilty not taking them out because they walk me to the door in the morning and greet me when I return home in the evening."

Owens said he initially started running with one dog, but as he added more to the family it was a natural decision to include each additional dog to the expanding bunch.

Although he said he can't take credit for their ability to stay in sync, he can credit them for encouraging him to maintain high fitness standards and achieve excellent physical training scores on every fit-to-fight test.

"If I keep up with them, I'm able to keep a consistent pace--usually around a 7:30 mile," he said. "It's also fascinating to watch them naturally align so it diverts my focus from being tired."

With more than 28 years of combined active-duty and Reserve time in service, Owens said he has exceeded Air Force fitness standards largely due to routine runs with his dogs, but also due to innate qualities of his thin stature and love of exercising.

"I fully embrace the concept of keeping in good shape as a tenant of our roles as service members," he said. "Running is necessary, but as I get older and the joy of running diminishes, it's more motivation when I look at their expectant faces eager for a run."

Owens' motivators--all rescue dogs, include Lucy, a Jack Russell and Chihuahua mix, Cocoa, a Dachshund, Jake, a Boxer and Great Dane mix, Duke, a German shepherd, and Ivy and Wylie, both Chow and Rottweiler mixes.

Appropriately, Owens said he'd welcome adopting a seventh dog admitting there would be no problem handling another furry family member.

"I'm confident that any dog we take in would jump in and learn the routine" he said. "Each time I'd add a new dog there would be some confusion for the first half mile, but every dog eventually falls into place."

However, taking care of his current brood is a priority for Owens. Taking his roles as owner, alpha dog and friend seriously, he often alters running schedules based on extreme temperatures and monitors each dog's physical condition, he said.

"Chaining your dog and throwing them a bone every now and then does not equate to responsible ownership," he said. "Find an activity to include them in because the relationship between dog and owner is symbiotic so it's mutually beneficial. Luckily, all my dogs share my love of running."

Lt. Col. Dean Owens' tips for running with your dogs:
  • If you don't have a dog, get one. If you have one - get two. If you have two, what is one or two more?  
  • Be a responsible pet owner. 
  • Be mindful of extreme weather conditions when exercising. 
  • Know their physical limitations - they've got aches and pains just like humans. 
  • Running is a great way to bond, but you can also incorporate other activities to ensure their emotional and physical well-being. 
  • Guaranteed way to improve your fit-to-fight scores.