Otago-based casual shepherd Kate Poulsen has a goal of running as many half-marathons as she can over the next few months and into next year to raise awareness for Retired Working Dogs New Zealand.
Set up in 2012 by Natalie Smith, the North Island-based charity found "forever" homes for retired working and hunting dogs throughout New Zealand.
Some came from large stations and were unable to keep up with the demands of a busy working life but suited a smaller farm or lifestyle block.
Others were referred through veterinary clinics after sustaining career-ending injuries.
Those dogs were taken into the charity’s foster programme, received the surgeries and medical care they needed and were then re-homed.
All dogs which came through the charity’s foster service were vaccinated, microchipped, treated for fleas and worms and, with the exception of the very young or very old, were desexed.
Miss Poulsen said it was a privilege to have eight working dogs and it was one she did not take lightly.
She was living her best life and she wanted them to live theirs, even in their twilight years.
Dog care is a passion for Miss Poulsen, who is known for her immaculate kennel setup.
She was looking long-term for her dogs, ensuring they were set up well so they retired happy and in good health.
Initially, she was looking at running 14 half-marathons, the 21.2km course a distance that most working dogs in New Zealand would do well over in the summer months, in one day, often seven days a week.
But she might even do 17, including a mix of 30km trail-type hill runs.
"It’s going to be a big ask but, at the same time, it’s awesome.
"I know first-hand how incredibly hard working dogs work for the majority of their life.
"That’s why I have chosen to run and raise awareness and hopefully some money for Retired Working Dogs because I truly believe RWD are doing an absolute amazing job and giving all these hard-working souls great new homes," she said.
Earlier this month, Miss Poulsen — who described herself as "by no means a runner whatsoever" — tackled her first half-marathon in Mackenzie District.
Aside from a big hill which got the better of her, she enjoyed the experience and her days spent mustering had been good experience, although "if you had seen me ... going up the hill you might have thought otherwise", she laughed.
Her next event is the South Island half-marathon at Lake Hood on August 6.
Throughout her school years at East Otago High School, Miss Poulsen always knew she wanted to be a shepherd, but she was unsure how to get into it.
After finishing school, she helped out on farms to gain experience, before deciding she wanted to make a good go of shepherding as a career and she reckoned it was the dogs that were the best part of the job.
Five years later, her marathon adventure was also an opportunity to leave her dogs at home for the weekend and "go and do something else".
Miss Poulsen has eight working dogs, a couple of pet dogs and a retired dog.
"I think all dogs have a purpose and a job, and I mean whether or not they are a working breed, the working life just might not be for them.
"Whether dogs love working stock or a dog’s only job they think is to keep birds off the porch, they’ve all got a job.
"They aren’t useless because they don’t want to work sheep.
"You just need to find what they are good at and go with that rather than writing them off."
Through RWD, a willing owner would be matched with a loving, loyal dog.
"To me, I’m really lucky, I retire mine at home.
"A lot of people can’t do that.
"I thought when I get these dogs as pups, they are going to be with me right to the very end.
"That’s my choice. That’s not for everyone."
Miss Poulsen is raising money for RWD through Givealittle and she has no set figure in mind.
"To me, the money is an added bonus. It’s raising awareness."
