Walk/Run Safe!

These are so cute I hate to give them to my beasts!

My dogs and I had an unbelievable Christmas.  They got so many toys.  Some were so cute I hated to give them to them.  I knew they would rip these nice toys limb to limb.  They would do this with so much joy and happiness it would worry me!

So many toys and yes sausage and bacon treats! 
So much for their healthy carrots - oh well it's
Christmas!

One gift I received was reflective arm bands for them when we run at night.  It was funny because I got some for myself from my boyfriend.  Then I received the same type of thing for my dogs from my client Pam.  It got me to thinking about being safe when you are out walking or running with your dogs.





Here are some of my safe tips:

• Wearing reflective wear for you and your dog if you are walking or running at night. 
• Carry pepper spray
• Carry Citronella spray  - I use this in case their are loose dogs.  My dogs Daisy is not friendly with other dogs so the spray keeps the dog away but does not harm them.
• Wear some identification.  Road ID is a company that will have all of you information on a bracelet for you. 
• You should also have a tag with your pets information on it.  I see dogs loose many times without any tags.  You can also get your dog micro chipped.  Then most Vets or Animal Control can scan them and get your contact information to reunite you with your pet if you get separated. 
• Always tell someone you are going for a walk or run before you go.
• Carry your cell phone.

She has three of the toys in her mouth and nobody will take them away!

For The Love of Running!

People tell me that I am mean because I make my dogs run.  I disagree! In fact if you saw Daisy as I prepare for my run and during a run you would disagree.  As I put my running shoes on her ears perk up.  She isn't sure I am going running at this point but knows that it may be a possibility.  As I continue my preparation for the run she becomes more convinced that I am really going running.  The preparation steps continue as I:

1. Look for my visor or hat - she is still not 100% sure that the run is going to happen but the tail is wagging at this point.
2. Grab my Ipod - this is a step that really gets her going! But I don't think she knows if she is going.
3. Get a plastic bag for dog poop- She knows she going now so the hopping begins.  I know she is not a rabbit but when she is excited she hops and she can hop pretty high for a dog!
4. Go toward the leash - OMG uncontrollable excitement at this point!  I really need Ceasar Millan the dog whisperer to control her at this point.  A few times she has head bumped me on one of her hops.

Once we are on the road and running she is in heaven.....even at mile 10!  The longest she has ran with me is 14 miles.  Even at 14 miles she could keep going.  On our long runs she knows about halfway she gets water.  I carry a collapsible dish to give her water.  She also knows she gets a cliff block or two!  What a lucky dog and what a lucky dog owner to have her as a partner:)

Here we are after 10 miles!

Running Trails With Your Mutt

I recently took my dog Daisy for her first train run.  I run mostly on pavement with her.  I wanted to do my favorite run up at Red Rock and decided at the last minute to take her.  It is not a really difficult trail so I wasn't worried about her paws getting tore up.  I was planning on 7 miles but figured I would see how she did. If I needed to cut it short I would.  I met a client of mine and we were ready to go. I made sure I took my citronella spray in case we came across any dogs off leash.  Daisy is not friendly with other dogs and some people think it is OK to let their dogs off leash when they are on trails. It is a sore subject for me because it really annoys me.  Their dog may be friendly and stay with them but if they come up to Daisy there will be a fight.  The citronella spray will keep them away and not harm them.  Fortunately this day I did not have to use it.  Daisy is a funny dog. I am sure all people think that about their dog.  She always has to be in the lead when she is running.  The only time she will stop and want to go back is when my boyfriend runs with her ahead of me.  Then she wants to come back to me.  Well this day Amy (my client) was running behind me. Daisy seemed so concerned where Amy was. She ran behind me the entire time frequently looking back to see where she was.  This was OK because I had strained a muscle a few days before so I was OK with a slow run.  About two miles into the run I checked her paws and they were good.  The trail was mostly gravel so I didn't expect her paws to get tore up.  She did amazing during this run.  It was such a beautiful day for a trail run. It was cool and slightly overcast.  Toward the end of the run I could tell her paws were getting tender.  They did not have any scratches on them but she had slowed down.  Daisy can easily run 13-15 miles and still have energy.  This 7.5 mile trail run wore her out.  She came home and slept.  She didn't annoy anyone in the house that afternoon!  She didn't try and play with Tigger like she normally does.  She didn't pace around the living room because she was bored.  She was on her bed sound asleep.  I think we will have to do that again! 

As I train for my marathon I plan on taking Daisy on my long runs.  This weekend calls for a 14 mile run.  We won't do it on a trail this time.  Some people joke and say that I am mean because I make her run so much.  If they saw her run they would know that she is in heaven when she is running!

Let the running begin!

Daisy and I are ready for marathon training!  Yes Daisy will be doing most of my long runs with me.  She loves to run and has the perfect genetics for it.  I had her DNA tested last year and she is made up of breeds that love to run.  She is a Doberman, Dalmation, and Shetland Sheepdog mix.  This mix has created an ultra runner!  She has ran up to 14 miles with me (with ease). I am pretty sure 20 miles will not be a problem. 

When running with your dog make sure you build mileage slowly just like you do for humans!  To prevent injury and overtraining you need to increase by no more than 10 percent per week.  She will come with me for a few of me short runs during the week and my long run on Sunday.  Off days she will be walking with her other roomates Tigger and Spec!  We picked the perfect time of year to begin our marathon training because Daisy does not run well in the heat.  With the cooler weather she will perform like a champion but I still need to keep her hydrated.  I always run with extra water for her (in my camelback) and a collapsable water dish.  I will keep you posted after each of our long runs! 

Pumped For Paws Pictures

The Pumped for Paws event was a huge success.  We had people working out with their family all for a great cause.  We raised money for the NSPCA.  All participants paid $10 and all the money went to help support our local NSPCA.

There will be a November event and details will be coming soon! Everyone had a great time.  This event is for all levels of people.  You can bring your teenagers, dogs, neighbors.  There are workouts designed for people who bring their dogs and people without dogs.  Come join the fun.   

Get Pumped For Paws - It was a great workout all for a good cause!

 Get Pumped For Paws

Sunday October 16th 20 people and 4 dogs came out to the Pumped For Paws event to raise money for the NSPCA. Each person/mutt was required to pay $10 with all the money going to our local NSPCA. One event we raised $312 and everyone had a lot of fun while getting a great workout. I will have one event each month. The next Pumped For Paws event is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, November 13th. People can come and workout with their teenagers, dogs, or bring a friend. We provide two separate workouts. One is for people who bring their dogs and one workout will be for people without.

This event is a great opportunity for people to get out and workout with their family. The obesity epidemic impacts kids, dogs, and adults. So why not get everyone out to exercise for a great cause. Here is a letter I received from the NSPCA after they received the donation:

Hi Cyndee,
On behalf of all of us at Nevada SPCA, thank you very much for choosing our lifesaving work for animals as the beneficiary of Pumped For Paws and for raising $312 for animal rescue and rehabilitation at your October 15th event.
This money will help us save and protect the lives of community animals in desperate need, and give them the care they need to prepare for a new and better life in a loving, forever home.
The pictures you forwarded were terrific!
Thanks again to you and the others who participated in Pumped For Paws and for your compassion for animals.
Doug Duke
Nevada SPCA
www.nevadaspca.org
4800 W. Dewey Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89118

It is clear to me that every dollar that they receive helps better the lives of many animals. Come out on November 13th and help support a good cause.

Love your PUP and keep them healthy - goodbye Bella

Today I am so sad that my good friend Mike lost his 18 month old lab Bella.  I can't imagine the pain that someone feels at the loss of a dog.  I have not experienced that type of pain but I can only imagine how hard it would be to lose your best friend.  I met Bella in February when I stayed with Mike for a few days.  She was such a goofy, energetic, lab that had an amazing personality.  Just being near her made me laugh!  When I found out that Bella was gone I was saddened and as I write this I have tears streaming down my face.  Mike said being heartbroken in an understatement of how he feels.  Bella apparently had a congenital defect in her kidneys, her death was totally unexpected.

My dogs give me so much happiness.  I often think of my life before dogs and after dogs.  I know at some time in my life I will have to experience the death of a pet ( hopefully when they are very old).  Having a pet die old or young is difficult.     Having a pet die at a young age is like a punch out of the dark.  You don't expect it and are not prepared in the least.

My heart goes out to Mike and his pain.  His loss had made me love my pets even more today (if that is possible). 

Love your pets, exercise your pets, and keep them healthy because you don't know how long they will be here!