Man Rides Bike, Dog Rides Man

May 3, 2001 Henrico, Virginia, USA

As the famous motto goes in the newspaper biz:

"When a dog bites a man, that is not news, because it happens so often.  But if a man bites a dog, that is news."

Frank M. O'Brien (1918)

Ok, Mr. O, how about this one:

"When a man rides a bike, that is not news.  But if a dog rides a man who rides a bike, now that is news."

(You see, they didn't have very many dog newspapers 100 years ago.)

With that said, this story doesn't need much further explanation.  The dog is a Jack Russell, the man is Denton Walthall, and the bike looks like a Schwinn.

Photo: Clement Britt/The Times Dispatch

Spike, the 6-year-old, 16-pound Broken-Coat Jack Russell Terrier has been seeing the world from new heights, whether by bicycle, motorcycle or a leisurely walk with his guardian Mr. Walthall.  He's always quick to scurry up onto the 47-year-old man's shoulders, where he perches himself displaying the  prowess and poise of a parrot.

Mr. Walthall explains how it all happened: "One day, I was calling him, and he came running at a fast pace.

"I was squatting down to catch him.  He flew up and landed up on my leg and then scrambled up on my shoulder. And he was at home."

He adds, "Sometimes I try to get him down, and he will position himself further on my back so he will not have to get down."

These days you just might catch a glimpse of the circus-duo at Deep Run Park in Henrico, where they often go for their exercise.  People often inform Mr. Walthall, with all due delicatesse, I'm sure: "You know you have a dog on your back?"

Oh, is that what it is?  I just thought the mosquitoes were getting dreadfully large this time of year.

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