The Poetry of Running With Your Pack
You’ll never regret spending more time outside with your dog. You may even run with your dog. Every weekend. With a pack of friends. And their dogs. And take a break to read some poetry by a creek.
At least, that’s been the practice of Sisar Canyon Run Club founded by Ross Monroe and Pete Deneen in Ojai, California. We spent time with the Run Club and their dogs. We hope their story will inspire you to enjoy the great outdoors together.
Sundays With the Sisar Canyon Run Club
The Sisar Canyon Run Club starts every Sunday at 8am gathered in a school parking lot adjacent to Sisar Rd. They take off from the lot and proceed down ½ mile of paved road before getting to the trailhead.
They re-group at various checkpoints, ensuring everyone is happy, healthy, and feels encouraged and included.
Their most notable check-point is around mile 2. The club circles up at a creek crossing where they share poetry. Often, the poems are written by the runners. It’s an opportunity to slow down, sit with words, and wonder.
Tell us more about the Sisar Canyon Run Club. Why’d you start it?
My friend, Pete Deneen, and I started Sisar Sunday together. We found ourselves running the trail multiple times weekly and we decided to share the love of this trail to our immediate friends and beyond. It has evolved quickly into a fairly large gathering every Sunday morning with runners and hikers of all ages and abilities.
Tell us Carter and Dottie’s origin stories. How did each of them come into your life?
Dottie was picked up from Santa Paula Animal Rescue. She was found wandering the hospital parking lot and brought to the shelter by the security guard. This is the same hospital that I work at nearly every day. It was destiny; I truly believe we were both looking for each other.
Carter was found through an incredible foster and adoption organization called Pasadena Paws. These wonderful people ensure countless dogs are pulled out of shelters and ready for adoption in the greater Los Angeles region. Carter became an inseparable part of our lives very quickly.
Dottie and Carter are nothing but love—they are both sweet, gentle, and affectionate members of the family.
Why is having a dog important to you?
Having a dog should be important to everyone on earth. They epitomize friendship, loyalty, and mutual caregiving.
What role(s) do Carter and Dottie play in your life?
Dottie has evolved into the stay-at-home queen. Although still very active, she enjoys her creature comforts, cuddles, and long naps in the sun. She is the light of our lives and she reminds us every day how lucky we were to have found her. Everyone who knows Dottie is obsessed with her and rightfully so.
Carter barreled into our lives as the typical goofy younger brother. Despite the assumed elevator music between his ears, he has become my inseparable trail running companion. Carter offers a constant reminder to take life less seriously. He is also the world’s best cuddler—something equally demanded in our household.
How do Carter and Dottie show you gratitude? How do you show Carter and Dottie gratitude?
Dottie shows gratitude by being our shadow. She is glued to us. She is always happy to see us, always curious about what we are doing, and meticulously understands our schedules. Our goal every day is to make sure she is well aware of how much we love her. She is the queen, and is treated as such.
Carter has demonstrated his gratitude through continued improvement of obedience. He finally trusts that he has found his people and his forever home. He loves everyone and every dog, but I truly believe he loves us most now. I attempt to bring Carter everywhere—to the trails, to the beach, to the bar. He gets nothing short of the best treatment and attention a dog could dream up.
How has having dogs enriched your life?
Carter and Dottie are a power couple. They are a firm reminder that life is better with dogs. They both light up the rooms they walk into. Our small yet growing community has fallen in love with them the way we have, and it has been fun to watch them become celebrities in their own capacity. They know how much they are loved, and that is the best thing to witness. They both have taught me that life is not meant to be taken seriously, that people are inherently good, and that I can’t trust people that don’t like dogs :)
What changes have you observed in Carter and Dottie since trying Raw (mobility, activity level, energy)?
We just started the raw food so I’ll have to report back on this after some more time to enjoy it. I can say that they absolutely devour the Maev they are served daily. The bowls are essentially polished by the end of the meal.
What’s the thing you love most about Carter and Dottie? What are their defining characteristics?
I love how carefree, happy, and lively Carter is. He is also the gentlest dog I have ever met. He has been confronted with very reactive and aggressive dogs and he has never engaged or submitted. However my favorite characteristic is how damn lazy he can be. He loves to cuddle closely, and he loves to be held.
Oddly enough, my favorite thing about Dottie is that she has separation anxiety. This is hugely because we have anxiety when we’re separated from her. She is very lady-like, she loves attention, and loves us wholeheartedly.
How did you settle on the names, Carter and Dottie? For fun, list all of your nicknames for Carter and Dottie …
Carter came with his name from the shelter. His and Dottie’s nicknames make ZERO sense. We usually call him Chumbo, Carbo, Mr. Potato Head, Chungus, and Neebo.
Dottie was derived from Dorothy—she has always just been so lady-like, so this seemed fitting. Dottie’s nicknames are even more confusing and include: Goomy bear, Nancy, Dimbus, Dennis, Narambus, or Vice Principal Anthony Margolis (please don’t ask).
