Unlike me, my dogs bound up hills as easily as they run on the flat. Does having four legs aid with climbing, or are the dogs just fitter than me? (continued)
Penelope Reid
Loggerheads, Staffordshire, UK
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In my experience, the number of “legs” does make a difference. After experiencing nerve damage, I lost almost all my muscle mass and was reduced to crawling to get up stairs. Now, as I improve, I walk with a staff or two tall poles for balance and weight loading. I find I can use either to double my (limited) speed by pulling myself forwards using my stronger arms either front bounding (when both poles go forwards together) or striding. Sadly, my legs only manage striding. Walking sticks are nothing like as effective at utilising my arm strength with a staff or tall pole, grasped at just below shoulder height.
When we are on woodland walks, some of the dogs we meet seem to recognise I am a fellow four-legged walker and therefore worthy of more attention than my less weird husband.
Martin Murray
Lightmoor, Shropshire, UK
Dogs, like many animals that chase and pounce on their prey, have strong, flexible backs. A dog romping up a hill is using almost all its skeletal muscles, while we walk behind with our arms dangling uselessly and our backs just keeping us upright. No wonder it is no contest.
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