What better way to utilize eight wheels and four furry K-9 legs than to Rollerblade with your pup!  Apparently, there's a phenomenon going on across the United States that I'm just now privy to (as if squirrels dancing a tribute to Michael Jackson isn't enough!). 

Here's kinda where the journey to discovery began..

Last weekend, I went to Central Park with a friend and witnessed what I believed to be a Rollerblade prodigy.  This kid literally had rubber legs. Swear.  He swerved in and out of these small cones that had to have been no more than several inches apart.  While watching him, I thought about the art of Rollerblading (yes, the art) and how it's one of the best ways to Beat Gasoline nowadays.

I even snagged a pic of this Rollerblading prodigy while I sat on a bench across from him..

Everyone in CP does it (except me - still gotta get me a pair of 'Blades).  But one thing I hadn't noticed too much in CP was folks Rollerblading with their dogs.  And I don't mean simply 'Blading with your pooch running next to you . . 

. . . or behind you (depending on the pup).

Nope.

I mean, your dog actually pulling you as you Rollerblade.  There are tons of websites and YouTube videos dedicated to this type of "sport."  There's even a Yahoo Answers forum that discusses Rollerblading with your dog (although, the author makes it a point to disclose that she is "not looking to have [her] dog pull [her]. Understandable.)

Oh, but wait!  This video (below) takes the cake.  Yes, ladies and gents, prepare to witness a dog pulling his Rollerblading professor . . . in a school parking lot. According to the YouTube description, "Professor Shadow tests an alternative green transportation method at a local school parking lot." Shadow asks that you "[p]lease excuse [his] inept human assistant, he's family, and works cheap." Ha . . the 'ole professor's got jokes! Check it out.



While some might think that a dog pulling a human being on eight wheels might be a tad bit nutty, I'm convinced that, for the most part, these folks are treating their family members and furry friends humanely.  From my knowledge, PETA hasn't issued a statement decrying this sort of activity, nor has Geraldo Rivera launched an investigative report on Fox News. 

So with that being said, I leave you with Sophie, the Rottweiler-Lab Pulling Rollerblader.

Additional photos courtesy of Colby Stewart and Kcolwell Flickrpages.