Nathan Rabideaux and his dog, Bear, with a great disc golf bag!
Couldn’t resist with this one.
Several weeks ago, a few of us went to a local course in the Albany, N.Y. area. After playing, I was doing some other photos of the 18th basket and getting ready to take some video for an upcoming disc review.
That’s when this photo unfolded.
Three guys were heading to the first tee to play and one had this pooch — and the dog was carrying discs. Too cool. So we asked if he wouldn’t mind being on the blog.
I’ve seen a lot of people bring their dog when they play disc golf, but this is the first time I witnessed a dog also being used as a disc golf bag.
So, this is Nathan Rabideaux with his dog Bear, a black lab/German shepherd/husky/dalmatian mix (wow)! Rabideaux, originally from Minneapolis, Minn., lives in the Capital Region in N.Y., and that’s also where Bear came from.
Rabideaux has only been playing the game for about a year and it tries to get out once a week or so to play.
Bear’s pack is a dog backpack from REI. There are a few companies that make packs for dogs and they aren’t really made for discs, but it works out wonderfully, Rabideaux said. He bought the bag, originally, so Bear could haul his own gear for hiking and camping, but now it’s used for other things, including disc golf.
Techie info:
- Camera: Canon 7D
- Shutter speed: 1/1600th
- F-stop: F/4
- ISO: 100
Why we chose to use this photo:
Just because it’s a different take on disc golf and shows a way that people can also involve their dogs when out playing!
Have some great images you want to share with the Rattling Chains readers? Please e-mail pj [at] rattlingchains.com with the subject “Photo of the Week.” Please note that we can’t guarantee all images will be used. Send as many as you would like as if the photos are top notch, we’ll use more than one from you!
When sending in images, please remember to send the story about the photo, the location and any technical information possible! The story can be as long or as short as you like, but please make sure you give some details!
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!
rattlingchains.com 
Title: Useful Considerations?
Great picture and what a fantastic way to get a caddy! In all fairness to our four-legged companions, of which we have at home. We adore our little Schnauzer, “Woofie” but in my usual point-blank tradition, there are some cautions I think should be mentioned about mixing a “dog park” with our golfing.
Most any reader will know where I’m headed with this… and that is for the dog masters need to carry clean-up bags — and use them. It’s not a pleasure to find your disc in the midst of what should have been picked up, and the odor and bacteria will be transferred to our bags, clothing, when shaking hands, … well, you get the idea.
Secondly, not all dog owners realize that our canine friends can, and will, defend their owners if they feel intimidated or threatened. These pooches can get excited at certain gestures, teasing, disc throwing, or other canine friends who happen nearby. I’ve been throwing off the tee when suddenly a stray dog has come from nowhere and then I’m suddenly “thrown” on the defensive to keep my dog from confrontation. It became worse when the leash entangled in my golf cart and my entire rig went over, spilling my discs all over the teeing area — wasn’t funny at the time, but good for a future comedy routine.
Thirdly, but not lastly, though “man’s (and woman’s) best friend” can be joyous accompaniment, we, and other players, may discover our canine friends to cause distractions during play. A barking spree at a passing Harley, bus, or UPS truck can send Fido into a barking tizzy, making it difficult to concentrate or cause a blunder when throwing. If not the cause, Fido, and master, could end up as the source of blame for the blooped shot.
I know they’re lovable creatures and it breaks my heart to see the look on Woofie’s face when I leave home without him, but my consideration to my fellow players has to take priority with me. Considering what I’ve been through, I take my little buddy when the course won’t be crowded, or the games very serious. Then again, I never know how serious my fellow throwers are around me. “Here’s to common sense and courtesy first, Folks.” Give Bruno, Fifi and Foo Foo a treat and hug for me.
LikeLike