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Wild animals - I doubt they'd ever take that risk. Domesticated ones? I think so. I've seen my dogs expend so much energy in a day that they can hardly walk and

Wild animals - I doubt they'd ever take that risk. Domesticated ones? I think so. I've seen my dogs expend so much energy in a day that they can hardly walk and even appear to stumble or plop down on the floor without their usual grace. My parents' older dog will spend a day being hyper-excited (usually caused by the presence of my dogs.. :) and refuse to move by evening. Like, literally, she curls up in a ball and will not move for anything. Calling her name, getting excited for her to come, tugging on her collar, holding food in front of her... etc. When she gets that way, you just have to pick her up if you want her to move - because she won't (or can't) do it on her own. Perhaps it's just dogs and humans. I've never seen my cat get that excited. :) My 8mo old, though, will wipe himself out if allowed to. I've seen him push himself so long and hard that he climbed halfway up a pair of steps and fell asleep in the process. (Was terrible cute seeing him asleep on the step - looked oddly comfortable...)

ars 17y ago
It's extremely interesting that the only other two animals that the author mentioned as beating a human in a marathon were: dog, and horse. Anyone have a playful horse and can tell us if they'll play to the point of wiping themself out? It's also interesting because apparently the problem is getting rid of heat (which humans do very well). In the Iditarod that's not a problem. And I guess dogs are willing to go to the limit, as long as they can. (And other animals are not willing do so, even if they can.) Are horses good at shedding heat? Can you (are you willing to) do an experiment with your dog: next time they are that tired (or better, just before), cool them off with a lot of water and tell us if they rejuvenate? (Or keep them cool the whole time, and see if they go longer than usual.)

ars 17y ago

It's extremely interesting that the only other two animals that the author mentioned as beating a human in a marathon were: dog, and horse. Anyone have a playful horse and can tell us if they'll play to the point of wiping themself out? It's also interesting because apparently the problem is getting rid of heat (which humans do very well). In the Iditarod that's not a problem. And I guess dogs are willing to go to the limit, as long as they can. (And other animals are not willing do so, even if they can.) Are horses good at shedding heat? Can you (are you willing to) do an experiment with your dog: next time they are that tired (or better, just before), cool them off with a lot of water and tell us if they rejuvenate? (Or keep them cool the whole time, and see if they go longer than usual.)