Hitting the pavement

I'm thrilled that Mom is finally feeling better and we are back to running together! It's taken about seven weeks for a stupid foot strain to heal but it was worth the wait and we're happy to be running buddies again.

Here we are before we headed out yesterday...

And here is when Mom attacked me for a photo shoot. You might notice I wasn't so thrilled with the idea...

I think we both had a good time - we can't wait to get out there again soon. The fresh air pumping through your lungs, the sun setting on the horizon, the "happy rush" once you're done...nothing beats it.

We're linking up with Mrs. Stephanie T for our Little Bits of Happiness for the week :) So what's made you smile lately?

Training: The Results

After much anticipation Mom and I did our very first 5K race this morning and I did a great job! I ran all 3.1 miles and I might have even enjoyed it too [shhhh don't tell her...]. Mom was a bit worried since I'd only ever run 2.5 miles in the past but once we started I just fed off of the energy of the group and the miles flew by. It was amazing.

Hey mom, when's the next one?

Training: The Tools

You may remember my post a few months ago about mom's training plan to make me a runner. Well, it's been a slow but steady process. The holidays hit, the in-laws came into town, the parentals went on a vacation, and let's just say the running isn't *quite* what we hoped it would be. Nevertheless we're keeping at it as best we can...

One of the best things Mom bought for running is The Buddy System. It's basically a belt that clips around her waist and then has a clip from the belt to my harness (as the leash). A few great perk:

1. Mom doesn't have to hold the leash so that she can still pump those arms!

2. I will stay close-by (dang it!)

3. The part of the leash that is on Mom's belt is not sewn in so when I get the random urge to run this way or that, I can just swing right around her and she just keeps going. And going...and going. 

It basically looks like this:

 

 Our only complaint? The "reflective" band on the leash and belt are actually quite pointless.  After just a couple of times of adjusting it, the dang stuff comes right off!

Mom tried her very best to take some pictures while we were actually using the fancy leash but apparently those turned out like this:

 

And like this:

 

So instead we will steal borrow a more professional picture from The Buddy System site:

You get the idea now right? 

Usually by the end of the run I look something like this. 

A little tired, very thirsty and smiling from ear to ear!

Our first big run is this Sunday, January 15 at the Walk, Run, Wag 5K in Del Mar. Come out and cheer us on! Mom says Pit Bull Rescue San Diego will be out there too with some of their adorable puppies. I mean, who doesn't love puppies?

BEST DAY EVER!!!

My first day in the snow needs little explanation. It was perfect.

Happy New Year! I hope 2012 is just as fun!

Playtime with Papa

 I've told you before how proud I am of my Dad and his work in the Navy. Well one thing I love the most about it are his random days off -- with me! Mom works a silly Monday-Friday 8-5 job and so I hardly see her during the week. I LOVE when Dad gets an extra day or two to spend running around in the bushes and just being boys. Today is one of those days and I'm having a blast!

 

 

Sorry Mom, boys rule and girls drool!

Training: The Beginning

Mom and I are training for a big race together in January. Ok, it's not a big race for her since she's done quite a few 5K's, 10K's and even a half-marathon but it's a big race for me!

See, as much as I love to run off-leash at the park, the beach, or in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard, I am not the biggest fan of running on leash. Maybe it's the limited path I have to run on, maybe it's mom's snail's pace, who knows, but I prefer to be on my own, maybe even chasing a bird or two ;)

Well Mom has been very nice, slowly working me into the running thing, adding just a little distance at a time. Today we passed two miles for the first time (2.25 miles to be exact, but who's bragging...)!! Because of that pesky time change we usually run in the morning as the sun's coming up or after work when the sun's going down. This isn't an uncommon view for us:

Surely I can't complain too hard about that, can I?

In case you're wondering we are signed up for the Petco Walk, Run, Wag 5K9 on January 15 here in San Diego. Come run with us!!!

Sunday Runday

 

 

Thanks Mom and Dad! A leash-free run on the beach was just what I needed :)

Friday Fun

Only eight more hours until Mom is home and it's officially the weekend. Woohoo!!

Friday Fun

Remember, life doesn't always need to be so serious! Smile...it's Friday!

Surf's Up!

Do you remember my post from a few weeks ago when Kayna and I had a photoshoot with Alicia Anthony for an upcoming article? Well we've gone to press! That's right, the media is a-calling and I'M FAMOUS!!!! Ok I don't know if that's totally true but we made it in StubbyDog! You all have USWeekly and People Magazine but in my world, StubbyDog is true celebrity status.

The article is available here, along with a great slideshow of Alicia's pictures, many of which I didn't post to the blog last time.  Alicia also made a cool video which is too good to miss. Even Mom and Dad make an appearance! If nothing else it will put you in the mood to take your pup to the beach. Happy first day of summer! Surf's up!

Jack the Adventure Dog

My mom graduated today from National University with her Master of Arts in Human Behavior so you would have thought I'd cut her some slack. Nope! After a few short hours in the backyard at Grandma and Grandpa's I decided it was time for an adventure and set out through the open gate for some fun.

Don't worry, I was probably only gone about an hour before some nice people on Belfast Lane got ahold of me and called my mom. What party poopers! Please remind my mom to send them a thank you note though.

In truth I was pretty thankful to get back to my family and a house I  knew. You can just see it on my face that I'm sorry and didn't mean it...right?

Fiesta Island

I know I've bragged to you all several times about how much I LOVE swimming at dog beach (like here and here.) This weekend Mom and Dad took us to Fiesta Island, a little gem here in San Diego that is completely leash-free. You read that right, my dream come true. I'm not sure what took them so long to bring me here, seeing as how I love to run and I love to swim but hey, better late than never!

A friend of Mom's from Pit Bull Rescue San Diego named Alicia Anthony was asked to take pictures of dogs playing on the beach for upcoming articles and features in StubbyDog. We were happy to oblige! Check out some of the amazing images she captured:

Aren't they great? I particularly love the one of Kayna with the sand on her nose and the one where Dad threw me into the water. Even though I love to swim you can just tell by the look on my face I am panicked!

We had a great time and Alicia captured it perfectly. If you want to seem more of her work check out her site here. I hear she may be adding a page of just her puppy pics soon so keep an eye out!

Sunday Runday?

Dear Mom,

I am glad you had a nice run this afternoon. It seemed to energize you and give you strength for the rest of the day. Me on the other hand...

Let's just say even having two extra legs didn't help me today! A nap never felt so good...

No treadmill? No problem!

One more reason to get a dog! From the New York Times,

"Several studies now show that dogs can be powerful motivators to get people moving. Not only are dog owners more likely to take regular walks, but new research shows that dog walkers are more active over all than people who don’t have dogs. One study even found that older people are more likely to take regular walks if the walking companion is canine rather than human."

I've been known to go on many runs with mom and dad. It's a great way for all of us to get exercise. Of course, mom also likes it because she feels safer running and walking alone in the neighborhood since she has me to protect her!

 So what are you waiting for?

Beach day in January

I'm not one to brag but with the heavy storms pounding the East Coast I can't complain either. Where else but San Diego can you have a beach day in January?

I hope you're staying warm and dry wherever you are!

Excitement

The ball

Like most dogs, I love balls. Not like that, you sicko! I love tennis balls, baseballs, even croquet balls! Give me a ball to chase and I'm the happiest dog alive.  That is part of why I love going to Grandma and Grandpa's house so much.  With a great backyard (thanks to the Crabs family too!) I get just enough running and play time to completely wear me out.

With Mom and Dad off at a wedding, I spent the weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's. This weekend I was lucky enough to have GGpa Bob and GGma Norma in town to play with! GGpa Bob loves to sleep outside so I tried to sleep out there with him.  The only thing was that he really wanted to sleep and I figured this was just a chance for more play time! After placing the wet ball right next to his cheek several times without getting to actually chase it, Grandma finally brought me in to sleep inside. What a party pooper!

Luckily I had a chance to play with GGpa Bob today to make up for it.  Here I am waiting patiently for him to throw my ball (I have already placed it nicely right next to him on the chair):

When I came back from chasing it across the yard he was gone! I tried putting the ball on the chair again in hopes that might bring back my play buddy.

After realizing that wasn't going to work I gave up on GGpa Bob and tried Mom, who was relaxing in the hammock...

Luckily Mom did let me chase the ball a few more times. She knows the drill...I'm a happy boy as long as I have the ball!

Oh and don't forget...I need your votes to win the San Diego's Best Pet Contest! Click here to vote every day!