The Dog Days of Summer

I know I promised a whole list of upcoming posts, but I had to write a short one about my day.

My Labor Day was uneventfully planned.  I didn't have a whole schedule of things to do, just a few ideas.  A little work, a little cleaning, a little laundry, a little running.  You know, standard "off day" things.

But there was one thing on my plan for today that I was really, really looking forward to - Dog Dayz Dog Swim at the Monon Center in Carmel.  Once a year (the last day that the pool is open for the season), the Monon Center opens the outdoor aquatic center to DOGS.  That's right - the whole pool becomes a dog's dream.  I have heard about it for the past few years, but have never been able to go.

But this year - Bo, Tucker, and I were all suiting up and checking this event out.

When I arrived, I was shocked!  I was about 15 minutes early and there were already at least 100 dogs waiting to get in.  The swim party was definitely more popular than I realized!  Luckily, the planner in me has pre-registered us.  So we avoided the lines and got right in. 

From there on out, it was CRAZY.  This was truly Bo's heaven.  He loves water, and he had never had an opportunity to try anything deeper than a kiddie pool.  He was in and out, jumping over slides and running into the deep water after tennis balls.  He was as happy as I have ever seen him!

Tucker was more hesitant.  He is not a fan of the kiddie pool, so I had no way to figure out what he would think of this.  He was okay up to his ankles, but he was more into playing with the other dogs and meeting all the people that were there!  He ended up nearly as wet, just never that deep into the water.

This sounds weird, but the event was a good exercise for me.  I took both dogs by myself, and was concerned that I wouldn't be able to watch them both, take care of them, get them on and off-leash (or what they would do once they were off-leash!).  But the whole experience was great!  They did run around, and I couldn't always see them.  But they always came when I called, and usually without me needing to.  They knew where I was, and would run back and check on me as needed.  I got over my fear of "losing" them pretty quickly, and it was great to do something so fun with them.  I ended up basically as wet as them, snapping pictures and running after them as much as possible!  You can see all the pictures I took right here:

We stayed about 90 minutes - it was PACKED the whole time.  Don't believe me - check out this video.  Ignore me - I was constantly asking Bo and Tucker to smile for the video!  But it does a great job of showcasing the experience.

Needless to say - it was probably one of the best things I have ever done with them, and I already cannot wait to do it again next year.  And the exhaustion that they are experiencing right now is definitely a great secondary benefit!

We're a pretty cute family - even with Tucker trying to eat his leash!

It's A Dog's Life

If you know me (as in, we have chatted for more than 7 minutes), you know that a big part of my life are my children (i.e. my dogs).  I am pretty sure that I am probably one of those annoying people that talk about their dogs at random times, act like they are people (doesn't your dog like certain tv shows?), and make life decisions and plans around their schedule.

I get it - I'm like a cat lady.  But with dogs.

However, no matter your opinion on it, it is what it is.  And they are a huge part of my life.  So moving was definitely a big concern.  Would it ruin their routine?  Could they handle being in their crate for a whole workday?  Would they understand that they could no longer just run out the doggy door to the backyard? 

**The answer is no.  Tucker ran into the sliding glass door twice.  He's adorable, but I am concerned about the brain damage....

9 days in - how do I feel?  Well, pretty good actually.  They are doing great (although I hope that my neighbors feel the same way).  They seem to be adjusting to our new walking schedule, they love the dog park on site, and I think that Bo gets a kick out sitting in one chair and seeing me in most of the house (perk of a 1 bedroom apartment).  For all the worrying I did, they seem to be okay.

Is it weird that I devoted a whole post to them?  Maybe.  But what I am discovering in this journey is that I have a lot of "things" in my life, but not a lot of ideas about how I prioritize them.  My other fear?  Coming home to no one.  But what is always important to me, and always excited to see me as I walk in the door?  Bo and Tucker.

Just Keep....Running

In the midst of all the packing and moving, I haven't forgotten about my other big project - training for the Indianapolis Half Marathon in October.  To be really honest, there has been a day or two during the past week where I probably would have just given up the plan.

I tend to give things up easily when they relate directly to me.  If it's for other people, for work, even for my dogs...I'll stick it out to the end.  But things that are just for me, or to make me healthier/better/etc... - well, those sometimes fall by the wayside in order to accomplish the other goals.

But, this time there is a bigger driver behind my training for a half marathon.  This time I am running to help raise money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Team in Training is already proving to be an amazing experience.  I missed the group run on Saturday (due to the move), but I met with Ali at the LLS offices to talk fundraising.  The whole organization is so friendly and helpful - they want you to succeed and fulfill both your monetary and personal goals.  I also ran into another "team member" at the Running Company, and it was just so nice to recognize someone!  I'm definitely meeting new people by doing this.

So why would I be at a point of giving up you ask?  Well, two reasons.  One - it's really easy for me to have excuses (usually the dogs) to not go running.  That's a lot easier now with no one helping to share in the care for them.  I feel bad leaving them even more to go run.  I've gotten over that though.  Today was their first day home "alone" in the new place, and they seem to have done great.  (However, I am looking for a dog walker, so please send suggestions my way!)

The second reason is....the humidity!  I have been trying to run after work, and that is not working.  It is so warm by 5pm, and I have not been hydrating enough during the day.  It makes for really terrible runs after work.  So I am going to try a few new times over the next few days to see how things go.

I am really inspired by the team and by actually running for a cause.  When I think about not going for a training run, I check out my donation page.  I am 35% to my goal - so I would not only be letting the LLS down, but also all of these people that are supporting me!

So, despite everything and all my own negative thoughts, I keep running.

(And 35% isn't 100% - so take a moment to donate!  It will make you feel really, really good and you get one of these adorable thank you cards! *Courtesy of Katie Q Designs*)