Pets of Pinkbike - Pond Beaver 2021

Apr 15, 2021
by Alicia Leggett  
photo

We don't get to see the animals we usually see at trade shows this year -- like Hank -- so here are the Pets of Pond Beaver.

photo
photo

Name: Maya
Type: Australian Shepherd x Border Collie
Age: 1.5 years
Human: Jason Lucas, Video Production Manager

We picked up Maya from a farm in Williams Lake, BC, last January right before the world flipped upside down. Honestly, she was a huge handful in her early months but since then has turned into quite the rad companion. Her favourite activities include riding, hiking, swimming, chasing birds, and being a constant source of entertainment.




photo

Name: Cruz
Type: Golden Retriever / Border Collie
Age:1.5 years
Human: Max Barron, Videographer

He loves to go on hikes, lick kids' faces, eat all the food, and people watch from our condo. But his favourite thing to do is play fetch with his orange ball.

photo
photo



photo

Name: Mirabel or Mira
Type: Maremma / Klee Kai / Catahoula
Age: 15 months
Human: Daniel Sapp, Technical Editor

Mirabel (Mira) Sapp is a 15 month old Maremma/Klee Kai/Catahoula mix. She’s a solid 90 lbs of puppy that loves being in the woods, spending time with her friends, and has recently started getting out on some mountain bike rides and is a natural at navigating technical terrain. Mira lives in Pisgah Forest, NC with her mom and dad.

photo
photo



photo
photo

Name: Pana
Type: Vizsla
Age: 6 years
Human: Melanie Jansen, Sales Operations Coordinator

She is now 6 years old and got a bit more grey around her snout. Like many others during Covid she tried picking up some weird new hobbies like playing tennis, but realized she much prefers being a trail dog chasing after bikes Wink



photo

Name: Keoke
Type: Three-toed box turtle
Age: 25
Human: Mike Kazimer, Managing Technical Editor

Keoke technically belongs to my partner Angi, but I spend lots of time with him since he resides in my home office. She got him from a pet store back in 1996 and he's been chilling and eating worms (his all-time favorite food) ever since. He also enjoys bananas, strawberries, and raspberries.




Name: Eddy
Age: 1.7
Human: Alan Crisp, Head of Sales
Weight: An S-works Epic with a full bottle
Suited terrain: Light XC / Gravel
Reach: Short
Stack: Smol
Weight bias: Front
Pros: Acceleration
Cons: Reliability


Pinkbike's Take: "Eddy had the quickest loop time, 1.4% up on the Pug SE1 and 5.5% ahead of the English Bulldog115. Eddy placed third on the descent, 1.41% behind the dog with longer legs."
photo



photo

Name: Spud
Type: Huntaway
Age: 5 years
Human: Henry Quinney, Technical Editor

This is Spud. He's a huntaway and he lives on my parent's farm. He's the Livestock and Security Supervisor but he wouldn't hurt a fly really. In fact, one of the farm buildings got broken into last year and he basically just cuddled with the burglar for a few minutes. A great sheepdog, a useless guard dog but utterly lovable all the same.

photo
photo

Editorial note: I would also break into a farm building to cuddle with Spud. -AL



photo
photo

Name: Sitka (ginger) and Ashlu (tortie)
Type: Presumably domestic short-hairs, adopted from WAG in Whistler
Age: 2.5 year old sister-cats
Human: Christie Gibbs, Finance

These gals were at Pond Beaver last year, but have since gained a collective 0.9kg between them, seem to have an endless supply of zoomies, and enjoy watching nature videos for cats on YouTube. They also really enjoy pouncing on their humans at 5am demanding food and attention. Cardboard boxes have since replaced their fuzzy ball as their favourite item in the world.

photo

photo



photo
Peyton and Rory

Name: Peyton Manning
Type: Possibly Border Collie / Shepard X
Age: Maybe 11+ years
Human: Paula Moran, Operations

Rescued from Alberta, Canada started life living outside with no home. Now enjoys spending his days mountain biking with his humans, chasing squirrels, lounging at home, and ignoring little bro. Loves that his mum currently works from home.


Name: Rory McIlroy
Type: Heinz 57???
Age: Best guess is 7+ years
Human: Paula Moran, Operations


Rescued little dude, found roaming streets in California. Now spends days modelling cozy knit sweaters, following big bro everywhere and struts around with his natural mohawk like he owns the place. Requires regular solar charging to act as home and office alert system. If no sun, a fireplace will do. Despite tiny size is also a trail dog - sometimes gets a ride in a backpack.
photo



photo

Name: Petrusca
Human: Seb Stott, Technical Editor

This is our cat, Pietruszka. The name means parsley in Polish - she used to belong to a Polish lady who, presumably, liked parsley. She enjoys meowing, walking across my face at night, biting my hand while I stroke her and hiding decapitated rodents around the house (the cat, not the Polish lady). She's very cute though. Sometimes she even joins us for a walk in the woods.



photo
photo

Name: Zola
Type: Jack Russell Terrier / Pug
Age:5 years
Human: Ed Spratt, News Editor

We rescued Zola from an amazing dog charity a couple of years ago after a pretty tough life going through two owners in less than three years. The first few months were pretty hectic as she had a ton of issues to work through. But now Zola loves to head out into the woods, although this is only when she isn’t spending most of the day fast asleep.



photo
photo
photo

Name: Misiu
Type: Border Collie x Lab
Age: 4 months
Human: Radek Burkat, OG

Misiu likes steak, long walks, and internet cables.




photo

Names: Super Puff, Blue, Rex, and Foxy
Type: Western fence and spiny granite lizards
Human: RC, legend

From left to right: Super Puff, female Western Fence Lizard; Blue, male Western Fence; Rex Male Spiny Granite lizard; and Roxy, female Spiny Granite. I've befriended these reptiles to the point where they line up at my kitchen door for treats (meal worms). I feed them by hand. It's rare, but sometimes I can feel their tiny teeth when one of them gets a little too excited. It's been three years now. They hibernate during the winter, and you never know when they'll show up on the doorstep when spring arrives.



photo

Name: X Æ A-12
Type: Human child
Age: 1 year
Human: Brian Park, Head of Editorial

Super adorable, loves playing with sticks, occasionally pees on the rug.



photo
Mike Levy & Sarah Lukas’s Odd Paw Squad

Name: Habernasch
Type: Bulldog
Age:7 years
Human: Mike Levy, Technical Editor, and Sarah Lukas, formerly PR & Communications

Grumpy. Legs don't work. Loves to skid through the inside line.

Name: Meeshka
Type: Husky / Shepherd
Age:7 years
Human: Mike Levy, Technical Editor, and Sarah Lukas, formerly PR & Communications

Has two eyes. All legs work. Loves Tim Bits. Loves Mike Levy. Loves Car Rides.

Name: Sherpa
Type: Shiba Inu
Age:Ancient
Human: Mike Levy, Technical Editor, and Sarah Lukas, formerly PR & Communications

Blind. Deaf. One-eyed pirate dog. Has razor-sharp teeth, but gives nose kisses if you're lucky.

photo
photo



Pond Beaver 2021




Author Info:
alicialeggett avatar

Member since Jun 19, 2015
741 articles

145 Comments
  • 276 6
 Best part of Pond Beaver.
  • 44 0
 You saying that because you like dogs or you’re disappointed with whats been released during Lake Badger?
  • 47 1
 @Richt2000: I like dogs. And cats. And turtles. And little humans. And think the big humans that take care of those things and are proud enough to share are pretty snazzy, too.
  • 9 2
 Kaz doesn't hate dogs he hates trail dogs
  • 13 15
 @wheelsmith: Trail dogs are the worst
  • 2 1
 @Richt2000: yes
  • 2 0
 @jmusuperman: Nicely put !
  • 2 0
 @Monsterman156: At least half of your downvotes are from people who’ve left their dog shite in a bag on the side of the trail. Because, you know, they’ll “get it on the way back.”
  • 67 2
 Bring back Levy! We want Levy!
  • 5 0
 Where has he been? Field Test?
  • 8 0
 Doughnut related content please
  • 47 1
 I scrolled until I saw his dogs just to make sure he still has a job
  • 5 0
 Have they Doughnuted Levy!?!
  • 6 0
 Curling camp
  • 18 0
 Honeymoon, 40th birthday, curling camp, Grimmer Donut, field test, or simply killed by death.
  • 7 0
 He probably in China looking for a cost effective manufacture for the Grim Doughnut v2.3
  • 1 2
 deleted
  • 9 7
 I guess I am one of the few who prefer Kaz. Hes just a humble dude, not forcing himself to be like some sort of fitting personality
  • 28 0
 @Crankmt: Yin and yang. The two Mikes complement each other perfectly, at least on video. They could mix in a third personality and shamelessly copy the Top Gear formula to great effect.
  • 1 0
 @TwoNGlenn: Yeah. Death can do that to ya.....
  • 6 1
 @CornPop: your name should be PornCop
  • 1 0
 @MikeyMT: Field trip vids should be coming out soon. (Budget oriented field test)
  • 1 0
 @TwoNGlenn: every caption tells a story
  • 49 0
 Everyone thinks they have the best dog... ... and none of them are wrong.
  • 1 0
 So true.
  • 1 0
 But wait. I have the best dog sooooooo....
  • 43 1
 The turtle staring at me is making me extremely uncomfortable.
  • 10 0
 Seriously looks like it’s trying to pierce your soul doesn’t it.
  • 3 30
flag send-it-bro FL (Apr 15, 2021 at 12:43) (Below Threshold)
 Imagine having a turtle as your only pet. lol
  • 18 0
 he can sense weakness and will crush you
  • 4 0
 But did you count his three toes? And aren't they claws?
  • 9 0
 He's staring blatantly at whomever calls him a turtle instead of tortoise.
  • 1 0
 @nofear259: This also does my head in however, apparently tortoise is a type of turtle. I was terribly vexed.
  • 16 1
 Kazimer has to have a turtle so he can feel at least faster than somebody lol
  • 73 0
 @timcloutier, nah, that's what @mikelevy is for.
  • 1 0
 @timcloutier: Shot over the bow lol
  • 3 0
 shreddit w/ Keoke coming soon?
  • 4 1
 @mikekazimer: that escalated quickly!
  • 4 0
 I like turtles. Very much.
  • 2 0
 @mikekazimer: So you are the hare?
  • 1 0
 @Rumpelhumpelheld: Turtles have short legs, not for walking.
  • 28 2
 KITTIESSSS!!!!!
  • 11 2
 Yep, kitties for the win!
  • 5 0
 Levy had a 3 legged cat before, anyone know what happened? Did he pass on? Frown
  • 5 0
 @Rabbuit: the company apologised explaining it was a pre-production prototype, and have since sent him a new model with a more conventional leg layout for testing.
  • 22 0
 I just realized...I need a box turtle for a trail..uh reptile.. Our speeds would match!
  • 14 0
 PODCAST TOPIC: The story behind Levy/Lukas's dogs.
  • 10 0
 Always love the animals when they show up here! I was always a dog lover, had more than a few, but my last dog passed away 2yrs ago. Due to my 24hr 48off work schedule and the ex wife moving out, cant have any more dogs. My son talked me in to adopting a cat. I am not ashamed to say this, but Astro the cat is freaking awesome. Never thought i would ever have a cat, but dam, at least in our case, Astro has been just amazing and just what we needed. He is like a good dog that looks like a lynx. Even rolls over to have his belly rubbed play fetch, and just wants to be around everyone that comes over. Loves truck rides too. He kind of throws us for loop.
  • 13 0
 I miss my friend so much now. RIP Shugar.
  • 9 0
 Spud, that brings back memories.

When I was eight, my buddy and I were riding our banana seat bikes next door at the post office, and this black lab comes and follows us around, out of nowhere. We lived in rural Michigan.

He refused to leave us, and my dad got to looking at him, and he’d been shot my someone, in the hind quarter, by a .22 rifle. He patiently sat there and let him remove the bullet, and after that he became a fixture, we named him Duke. Then a potato farmer from miles down the road showed up to claim him, his name was Spud.

He took him back, and I was heartbroken- but he kept escaping to come back to us, so the potato farmer gave up and let us keep him. He lived out the rest of his years with us, and I’ve been enamored with black labs ever since.

Thanks for showing us your pets, Pinkbike, where would we be without them?
  • 14 2
 These spark joy !
  • 11 0
 I imagine the full squad in the back of the mini. Bad mood no more
  • 8 0
 I love this. And its the first time in the history of Pinkbike I wish we could post photos in the comments sections. Can you imagine the epic Pinkbike dog picture thread?
  • 11 1
 now this is content
  • 7 0
 The turtle's head angle looks really progressive and the standover is impressively low, reach could be longer though
  • 9 0
 Impressive stable Levy!!
  • 10 2
 seeing all them cats and dogs is making me hungry
  • 4 0
 never owned a pet in my entire life, neither has my wife, our 3 year old has been hinting lately of wanting one, dont know what to do. Is it hard to own an animal? would it be a burden for a first timer family like us? any special recommendations? i am actually scared of not knowing how to educate one and a few years or months down the line it biting someone....that's my biggest fear on acquiring a pet tbh.
  • 11 0
 A cat can't be educated, a goldfish can't bite. Lot's of options out there I'd say.
  • 16 0
 We had a similar situation with our family over a decade ago.
We decided to go Goldfish, then Hamster, then Dog...... the idea was we would ease ourselves into increasing levels of responsibility.

It seemed to work, and I personally thought there was a correlation between the effort you have to put in, and the love you get back when it came to pets, Dogs are a big (but well worth it) responsibility IMHO.

Then a stray kitten decided to come live with us after my teenage daughter rescued it after it appeared in our garden looking lost and forlorn....

.....and now I love dogs even more.

If you don't have much time to give to a pet, and are happy to not have to train anything, a cat works well. Just give it a place to defecate and food available, and it will live where you are, occasionally getting cute (usually because it wants something),. otherwise it just tolerates others in its space. It's the easy option IMO.
Oh, but unless you wish to rip its claws out at the vets and leave it unable to defend itself in a fight, it will possibly destroy your house and its contents, and you won't be able to train it to stop.

If you are willing though to learn how to live with a dog as part of a pack, and teach yourself how to be the pack leader (which is what I think your question hints at), then dogs are ...just.....the....best.
They will love you unconditionally if you play the pack leader role well. But yes, you do have to learn how to do that to make life great for you, your family and most importantly, the dog.

Learning how to do that (do a course?? find a friend who can help?), is possibly even a far better use of one's day that sitting on PB. Gives life much more meaning possibly too, having that responsibility.

Oh, but if you don't, the dog too may destroy your house and its contents, only on a much larger scale.

I'd say go on, take the plunge and as long as you are keen on learning how to make your family and your pets days wonderful, it'll be the best decision you ever make.

www.pinkbike.com/photo/20454763
www.pinkbike.com/photo/20454765
  • 5 0
 @orientdave: If you can learn to trim the cat's claws, and train the cat to let you trim its claws, the destructive potential is significantly decreased. This is probably much easier if you start when it's a kitten.
  • 5 1
 @orientdave: Both can be great companions. My cat follows me everywhere (loves attention), plays fetch (but wants to quit before it gets old), and can definitely learn. In fact, playing fetch was 100% his idea. Cats don’t make the cause and effect connection as readily as dogs, but they do.
I’ve never had a cat tear anything up but it can happen if the owner isn’t able to train, so same as a dog. I appreciate their ability to be independent. I can leave for 4 days knowing if he has food and water he’ll be just fine.
Neutered male cats seem most chill and also less likely to spray/mark territory, maybe that’s one of the reasons I’ve had such good luck.
  • 9 0
 you have a 3 year old and you're worried about the difficulty of owning a pet? Dude, they're way easier. Plus they don't get older and talk back. Unless you buy a parrot.
  • 2 0
 It's not the best to suggest going all-in on a pet to someone who's never actually cared for an animal.

Depending on your level of commitment:

For dogs, think of it as having a toddler that can be left alone at home for a few hours and then scale it back to Gold Fish level care.

....also, cats can turn into a multi-generational pet. So think about your future as well when the kids eventually head off into the adult world.
  • 3 0
 I'm a dog guy through and through. My 15 year old trail and 5k dog will forever be my most loved pet. However, if you want to ease into pet owning and think a dog may be too much there are good mannered cats out there that are fun and require about zero effort. We've had 2 cats that actually join us on walks around the neighborhood, follow us on skateboard and scooter rides, and even wrestle with the dogs. I'm currently trying to train my son's to ride in a basket on the front of his bike.
Our best luck has been with classic (dark grey) and orange tabbys. We live near fields and always have outdoor cats coming and going, but those have been our most personable cats and live inside with us. Just buy those thick packaging tape-like furniture protectors for the outlying corners of your chairs and couches and you're pretty much set.

Or, find a clone of my Shiba Inu, german shepherd mix that looks like a small white husky if you want the ultimate in companionship and temperment. He'll be your cat's best friend too if you decide to upgrade later on.
  • 2 0
 If you get a dog, match the breed to your lifestyle. Also kid-friendly in your case. Labs and lab mixes are great starter dogs.
  • 6 1
 For those 5am cats may I suggest an automatic cat feeder. Petkit makes some nice looking ones. Let your beast associate food time with the feeder and not with you.
  • 2 0
 The ideal scenario is to have a huge bowl of food always out, or a gravity feeder, so they can eat when they want, as much as they want. This doesn't work with some cats, but does with ours. I think it'll work with most cats if you get them as kittens. If you get a cat that has experienced regimented feeding schedules especially with other cats eating in competition like at many shelters, or experienced periods of semi starvation then the cat will eat as much as possible while there is food available. But if a cat learns early on that food is always there and they don't need to overeat now cause they don't know when they'll have food in the future then most cats will stay a healthy weight with food always there.
  • 4 0
 @kcy4130: Didn't work with my two cats. They got thicc when we left food out all the time. Had them since they were tiny.
  • 3 0
 @barp: Mine, too. Tried the auto feeder and he got big fast. Overeating is easy for cats with dry food because it’s mostly high calorie/low nutrition and concentrated
  • 2 6
flag MrZ32 (Apr 15, 2021 at 20:24) (Below Threshold)
 or just dont get a cat... get a dog. My dog knows that if Im sleeping, do not disturb but as soon as he hears any noise, straight in.
  • 10 1
 @MrZ32: oh yeah? Well my cat knows to wait approximately 4 mins so he doesn’t have to watch morning sex.
  • 1 1
 @emptybe-er: nope.. the kids sleep in until 9 (if allowed) and wife does too

Im the earliest riser in the house
  • 1 2
 @emptybe-er: if thats on the cards.. i just tell him to go back on his bed. haha
  • 2 0
 @MrZ32: Downvotes an obvious joke then replies twice.. ok I’m now assuming he’s blocking you on the regular
  • 1 0
 Our cat wouldn't even eat out of the plastic gravity feeder we got for him. Same food in a normal (non-plastic) bowl and he's fine.
  • 5 0
 Habernasch! I miss that little guy.
  • 1 0
 He misses you.
  • 3 0
 Many good boys in this article. I think a playlists of Pinkbike would be a fun read. Then at least we could crap on people for liking music that others don’t.
  • 2 0
 I love the "human child" out of nowhere. Also... Angi's (AKA Mike's) turtle gets my vote as the coolest pet in the mix. I've seen the high centered off road challenges and I know being a a turtle isn't easy.
  • 1 0
 One of the best Pinkbike articles ever! I’m a sucker for a pet story. I don’t have a riding partner because my pups are old now. This summer my cat moved on after 20 years and my Jack Russell after 14 years of fierce companionship. Now I’m down to 2 dogs, a Malamute x and a Blue Heeler. I don’t have kids so it pets in my life. Mostly it just isn’t fair that they don’t live as long as we do, that is some cruel universe shit.
  • 4 0
 I liked this.
  • 3 0
 Great to see all the happy pets (but difficult to tell with the turtle)
  • 4 0
 meow
  • 4 1
 shut up and take the Article of the year award!
  • 3 0
 Why is elon musks child here.
  • 20 0
 Brian's spouse is Elon Musk, didn't you know?
  • 4 0
 @kcy4130: ah yes I forgot about that
  • 3 0
 I understand why Musk would name kids after rockets (I'd say A-12 could qualify as rocket because it flies faster than some actual rockets fired at his brothers SR-71s), but this is pinkbike so I'd expect names in the likes of 303DH, RN01, C-26, LTS,...
  • 5 0
 @winko: I wish I was smart and had thought of this. Little VPS2 would have been adorable.
  • 3 0
 Mira gets best in show from me. What a good girl.
  • 1 0
 The very best.
  • 2 0
 @danielsapp: Only because my dog is a boy Wink
  • 2 0
 Does Habernasch have some carbon fiber wheels for that carriage? How much travel?
  • 3 0
 Right now he is running molded-plastic clinchers. He does have some carbon-wrapped wheels and a dropper post built-in. For when he needs to get lower than low.
  • 2 0
 @sarahlukas:
I appreciate you making sure he’s ready for the steeps. Gotta keep that head angle right!
  • 1 0
 Please take note Brian Park that Social Services describe making your infant son ride alongside your mountain bike as "cruel and unusual". ... Unreasonable, but true. :-)
  • 2 0
 They're all so cute. That pic of Cruz with the orange ball in front of him is fantastic though, great pic!
  • 1 0
 As a dog owner, at first I was thinking that a cat would be the most sensible, lowest maintenance pet......but now I'm thinking reptile.
  • 1 0
 I've got an 8 month old Assie that I can not wait to take out on rides. Anyone got any tips/advice for training? Thanks!
  • 5 2
 SQUAD!
  • 2 0
 The inside corner part is cute
  • 2 0
 Happy to see good Collie representation here. Best dogs ever.
  • 2 0
 Turtles are epic! Nice one Mike!
  • 2 1
 Best feature I’ve seen in awhile. Gotta love the fur friends (and the one with a shell)!!
  • 1 0
 almost all of the commenters got a +1 today. pets of all kinds make life worth living
  • 3 0
 Spud is my guy
  • 2 0
 Huck to flat video please
  • 1 0
 I hate to be pedantic but that's a tortoise not a turtle. Turtles have flippers and live in water.
  • 3 0
 That's not entirely true - box turtles belong to the Emydidae family, while tortoises are in the Testudinidae family. Tortoises are also generally larger than box turtles, with a round rather than domed shell.
  • 2 0
 That’s the first time someone has said they hate to be pedantic in the comments section. That’s what it’s for.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: I stand corrected. Maybe it's a British thing?
  • 2 1
 Another list that should have been a video.
  • 1 0
 Eddie looks like he’s wearing a thong
  • 1 0
 Love this...great addition to the nuts, bolts and fiber!
  • 1 0
 Best news report I've read in months
  • 1 0
 Why is nobody falling in love with RC's lizard family...?
  • 2 1
 Waiting for someone to shit on this article.
  • 2 0
 bark
  • 2 0
 Pietruszka was the best
  • 5 3
 looks like a session!
  • 1 0
 OOOOO THIS IS SO GOOD Big Grin
So many cute pets!
Thanks for sharing! Big Grin \m/
  • 1 0
 Radek Burkat: best job title ever. That's a fine mutt they have too
  • 1 0
 Awesome dog he has. Radek is semi-retired or retired? It’d be nice to see some content from the OG once in a while.
  • 2 0
 That Shiba life!
  • 1 0
 Didnt Levy have 3 legged cat? Has he passed on ? Frown
  • 7 0
 Princess Boo passed around Halloween 2019. She was roughly 136 years old. RIP, Boo.
  • 1 0
 @sarahlukas: oh, sorry to hear that Frown
RIP little bro, you looked cool as. My tripod kitty, he sends his 3 legged condolences.
  • 1 0
 @sarahlukas: At least she led a good long life, and got to see the invention of the telephone.
  • 2 0
 Where's the podcast?
  • 1 0
 even a Turtle ... great article
  • 1 0
 i think the turtle takes it he seems chill. or spud yeah definitely spud.
  • 1 0
 this is my favourite pinkbike post this year
  • 1 0
 Shiba Inu? More like Shiba Uno! *badum tsss*
  • 1 0
 Shiba eye-no
  • 1 0
 Best post in weeks.
  • 1 1
 I'm certain, that turtle would never turtle.
  • 3 4
 Aren't trail dogs just cannon fodder for bears?
  • 5 6
 My dog died on Monday, thanks for making me sad all over again.
  • 8 2
 Sorry to hear that but you didn’t have to click on the article.
  • 11 0
 Wait.. Sad all over again?? Monday was 3 days ago
  • 3 6
 That turtle is older than my brother who is in his 20s...
  • 2 2
 hashtag theydidthemath
  • 3 0
 @barp: I think HB208 is well on his way to getting his PhD in Mathz
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.051267
Mobile Version of Website