Well, I’m happy to report that Zoey and I made the 4:45 a.m. run happen this morning. Zoey was SO confused about why I was waking her up at 4:30. I got down on the floor next to her bed and whispered, “Happy Birthday Zoey! Do you want to go for a run?” She was reluctant to get up and pretty skeptical until we made it into the kitchen and she saw the leash come out…then it was GAME ON!
We ran 5 miles. It was really peaceful being out there so early and so comforting to have Zoey by my side.
I reflected back on her first birthday last year when she got to go on her first run with me. We went 2 miles. She’s become a wonderful running partner and I’m so excited that the weather is finally cooling down enough that she can join me for most of my training runs. The farthest I’ve taken her so far is 7.5 and as long as the weather is cool, she has zero problems going, going, going.
Sullie, on the other hand, is happy that her running days have turned into long walks and didn’t budge from this position on her bed this morning.
When I showed up to teach my 6 a.m. yoga class and informed them that I’d already run 5 miles and had a shot of espresso, they were like…”god help us.” 😛
Before I get into Zoey’s birthday, I want to say thank you (thank you, thank you, thank you) for all of your encouragement about the Kiawah Marathon. I’m going to respond to each of your comments but you guys totally put me at ease about testing the waters. I reached out to Dr. Bradberry at Greenapple Sports & Wellness today about my possible marathon plans and we’re meeting next week for an evaluation and to put a plan in place for preventative training treatment. Fingers crossed and I’ll report back to you! He’s the best and I’m so excited to work with him. If anyone can get me to the finish feeling good, Dr. Bradberry and the Greenapple team.
So…today is my baby girl’s second birthday and is she ever a blessing in my life. While Sullie is my “true north” (as one of my friends says about her golden boy Bear that we dog sat over the summer), Zoey is my reminder not to take life so seriously and to find time for PLAY! She has such a playful and sweet spirit and Tanner and I joke all the time about how she’s always smiling. She just has the brightest outlook on life!
I also love that she’s FIERCELY independent but also extremely loyal and focused on her people. There’s rarely a time when she’s not in the room with me (including showering and the bathroom…I can’t go in without her escorting me) and she almost always stays in the office with me while I’m working. Yesterday I caught her curled up with my new slippers. An amazing development with her second birthday is that she’s no longer eating my shoes, just getting close to them. I’m thankful as I lost Tom’s wedges, black pumps and athletic shoes to her puppyhood.
Zoey is still ball OBSESSED (as well as obsessed with her dad…they have this special bond that I don’t think I’ll ever touch) and it’s all ball, all the time around here. Sullie could still care less. (Unless you’re throwing it in the water.)
I went on a little shopping trip at PetsMart today for birthday goodies and got the following…
- Kong Air Dog Squeakair 3-Pack
- Kong Halloween Pumpkin Dog Toy
- Kong Frankenstein Plush Dog Toy
- Giant Deer Antlers (do yourself a favor and order these online…they are like half the price on Amazon that they are in store)
- Top Paw Figure 8 Pull Toy – my girls love playing tug of war with rope toys
The girls are going crazy over the deer antlers and have been chewing on them for the last 2 hours nonstop.
Well, nonstop except for our cake intermission. I baked both girls my favorite mini dog birthday cakes. They’re so simple…for each one you just mix together 1/2 an apple diced, 3 tablespoons of peanut butter and one egg with 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. It’s grain-free and there’s no sugar added and it bakes into the most amazing little cakes that the girls go crazy for.
Happiest of birthdays to my Zoey girl. Here’s to many more! 🙂
What’s your dog’s favorite toy?
Does your dog like to play fetch with balls or other toys?
Do you run with your dog?
