This is Ryder

Ryder is a big old dog totally unaware of his 105 pound stature.

Ryder lives a small dog life style, indulging in hugs, kisses, barks, yaps, and sitting on laps.

Of course for any small dog, this behavior is typical and generally annoying. However, with the behemoth size canine that Ryder is, his aggressive affection come across terrifying to the average on-looker.

In the picture to the left, you will see the dog named Ryder, when he was first introduced to the ocean. Though Ryder was not interested in the Ocean that day, Ryder was far more interested in greeting folks out on their morning run. Ryder prefers to greet people with hugs and barks—beach joggers, on the other hand, do not.

Moments after this photo was taken, Ryder greeted a man with a pre-determined fear of dogs- it did not go over well.

This behavior was unacceptable and I needed to find a solution!

I had remembered reading an article somewhere that giving a dog a ‘job’ or some sort of ‘purpose’ could really tame their behavior and give them something to focus on.

So, Ryder got a back pack!

And it worked! Wearing a backpack gave Ryder the responsibility to carry his food. He started to become more behaved, less hyper, and more accommodating to other recreational users.

This was fantastic. Ryder and I Now shared a new bond with one another. We began going

on backpacking trips every weekend all

over southern Illinois. We started out going for ten mile hikes and camping out, then grew to twenty, and we eventually were able to hike up to 60 miles in a weekend! It was really great!

As Ryder and I were getting better at hiking together, I decided to try him on the River to River trail, stretching 200 rugged miles across the state.

Unfortunately, though we trained and prepared, this was a task too cold, too long and too great for the dog named Ryder.

He made it about 100 miles, before he was having trouble eating, joints were hurting, and his body was much too sore.

I called my parents to meet and pick him up at a church along the trail.

The cold and tired pooch was happy to get in the car, although the trail still managed to get the best of him.

He developed arthritic issues in his joints, and his hips would pop as he went up the stairs. The back pack started to rub his belly raw, and we just didn’t feel right having him wear a back pack anymore.

Ryder lost his purpose on the Trail.

Because he wasn’t carrying a load, he started to become nervous and aggressive once again.

We would keep him on a short leash, and avoid people at all costs. It was a low point in his life.

Amazingly, Ryder found himself a new purpose, in the form of couch pillows. (Yes, couch pillows!) He would pick these pillows up and carry them around the house. He would take very gentle care of them and insist on taking them with him everywhere.

So we let him!

For some reason, Ryder has really taken to his pillow. He will chew through tennis balls, bones, dog toys, and all of the rest, but he will not hurt his pillow.

Ryder will carry his pillow anywhere and everywhere. It is his job to protect it.

Ryder doesn’t bark.

Ryder doesn’t hug or kiss.

Ryder just walks with his pillow.