Chester: Chihuahua/poodle mix Waffles loves to run while human companion skateboards

CHESTER — Recently, I spotted a man riding a skateboard while his leashed, canine companion charged excitedly ahead of him. I turned down Baldwin Road to observe the pair and capture a story for our readers.

The whimsical scene reminded me of The Grinch being pulled on a sleigh by his dog Max in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

The adorable Chihuahua/poodle mix named Waffles hitched to the four-wheeled chariot whizzed by me like he was "in it to win it." It was a remarkable sight to see! The little dog truly loves to run.

Near the intersection of S. Chester Road and Happy Hill Road, I interviewed Orry McCabe. His dog Waffles greeted me with kindness. However, he appeared very anxious to get moving again.

"My dad was raised on Happy Hill Farm, so I'm about as native Chester as you can get," McCabe said.

Two years ago, McCabe grabbed his skateboard out of necessity. Waffles was always wanting to run on their walks, but he was not a runner and couldn't keep up.

"I love skateboarding and while Waffles has the need for speed, it's the best way to give him a safe space to run like he wants to," McCabe said.

How far can Waffles's short legs travel?

"Typically, between a half-mile to two miles depending on the energy level of Waffles. I let him decide when he's ready to head back to the house," McCabe said. "Those short legs seem to move him great distances sometimes."

How often do the high-speed adventures take place?

"We try to go out every day unless the weather is too bad for even a walk," McCabe said.

Was Waffles hesitant about the skateboard, or did he "run with it?"

"At first, he was nervous because of the sound, so it took a little training to get him used to it," McCabe said. "Now, he looks to the sound as a cue to take off running. The sound of the tail of my board scraping the street as I put my board down gets him running immediately."

Waffles has access to a speaking button that says "Orry walk." He doesn't hesitate to push it to remind his human companion when he thinks it's time to roll.

How does Waffles signal when it's time for "business?"

"Just a general slowdown and explore," McCabe said. "We have a pretty good routine, so I can recognize his signals for side adventures."

Fortunately, McCabe has not experienced a skateboard wipeout while with Waffles who turns three in August.

"I have come close though. The hills can get a little shaky," McCabe said.

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If Waffles could speak, what does McCabe think he would say about their special time together?

"I think Waffles would say... nothing beats a day of running and barking at the sky," McCabe said. "He would encourage everyone to go out and try it."

Waffles's seven-year-old, half-brother Yuki, a Chihuahua, and McCabe's fiancé Megan Tarver tag along with them most days.

Waffles and McCabe have had a few close calls with distracted drivers.

"Slow down and pay attention on residential streets," McCabe said. "We can all share the roads and be safe."

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— Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Chester: Dog Waffles loves to run while human companion skateboards