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Some Dogs Are Not Up to Owners' Athletics

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Thursday, January 3, 2008; Page PG19

Dear Dr. Fox:

I see people in-line skating or riding bicycles with leashed short-legged dogs struggling to keep up.

Please remind people that this is extremely cruel and detrimental to the dogs' health.

-- L.C.

Milford, Conn.

Thanks for your letter. I hope it will be a wake-up call to people who think that dogs love to run long distances regardless of weather and road conditions, breed, size and age. They don't. The consequences of extreme exercise can be fatal or cause permanent injury.

I wish that such people were less self-involved and more aware of the needs and limitations of their canine companions.