Hiking With Little Dogs...

I am very lucky to live near the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I guess I had taken this for granted until I got into running. I have discovered so many beautiful places along the trails over the past few years.

Today I decided to take the dogs on a hike to see blue hen falls, which is a short marked path from the trailhead,  and buttermilk falls..which is a bit further, and an unmarked trail that required about 5 water crossings, and a leap of faith that you would find it.

These two rescues made my heart smile with how happy they were today just being loved dogs! Magoo is so timid, but he followed Bohannon over big logs, and climbed steep riverbed walls!

Mr. Magoo and Mr. Bohannon surveying the land! Brothers!

The boys had to cross a lot of water and other obstacles to get to the falls, but they loved it!

Blue hen Falls

buttermilk falls

There were a few rock stacks, so I left one in memory of my 5 pets I have lost over the years. 

Mr. Bohannon never sits still...he actually sat and looked out over the water today!

I have also recently found success with the thundershirt for Magoo, my puppy mill rescue that has extreme noise anxiety. I was skeptical, watched the videos, read the feedback...but I still didn't believe it.

I took a quick video of Magoo who hates medical shows for the equipment beeping..laying back down after hearing the beeps with his shirt on...and a shot of him without it on, running scared. 

Video here. 

And not to leave my lone survivor cat out, I recently bought her a new cat tree to watch the birds at the window feeder. 

Gotcha Day...

Four years ago, I adopted a VERY introverted little dog because I learned from my visits with him at the rescue that he was there and gone a couple of times. Turns out, he was adopted and returned twice for not "bonding" with the people who took him home.

He lived the first four years of life in a cage at a puppy mill, terrified of just about everything. I knew my home was the one he needed to be in so he could know what love is, and become a beloved pet! I had the patience, and love to give to him to wait for him to come around!

He learned to eat out of bowls, walk stairs, play with toys, (and then his kitty siblings) all in due time, but it just took time.

And, he's grown into the best little companion I could have hoped for!

Animals come into your life for a reason, he has inspired my love of volunteering for animals, and it really makes me feel good to spend time with those animals who have no one else to depend on.

Happy "gotcha" day to my Mr. Magoodle bug!

Mr. Magoo is a rambunctious dog, that you would never guess is 8 (or 9, or 10...) and he sure turned awful handsome with some TLC.

I work with dogs all the time that are amazing, but don't show their true colors on a first visit with them at a rescue, they have trust issues.

Take a chance! Consider adoption! Some animals just need patience to become who they are meant to be.

Cat Lady Problems...

So I come home from a long day of work, and working out, and this little kitten is curled up smack in the middle of my front door mat, waiting for me to feel sorry for it. Animals have sucker radar.

Ugh. For as much as I love animals, I've been pretty lucky with strays. The last stray cat I happened upon years ago, exmanfriend adopted, and just like that, problem solved!

Of course, I scooped this little guy up, and took him out back and gave him a can of cat food.

He barely came up for air while chowing down. I knew right then...that this cat was not going away.  I petted him and talked to him, and when I went inside....he cried outside my windows.

He pulled at my heart strings. Since I volunteer at a rescue, I already have to deal with everyone I know wanting to dump strays off on me. It's hard to say no.

But, I already have 4 senior cats, that aren't vaccinated, and one more cat, let alone a stray kitten is just not an option for me.

So, I'm doing the next best thing to taking him in. I'm going to take him into the semi-feral cat program at the rescue and get him neutered on the cheap, and set him back out to roam.

I will still try to find someone to adopt him, but even a cat lady has to know when to say "when". And at least I'll know I did my part to stop the cat over-population!

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks...

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But I beg to differ.

 Mr. Magoo, the shih-poo puppy mill rescue lived for 4 years in a cage with no human love. He is 7 or 8 or so, we really don't know since most of his teeth have rotted and had to be pulled due to neglect.

 In his three years with me, I have taught him to eat and drink out of a bowl, go outside to potty, walk on a leash, go up stairs (but not so good at down), play chase, fetch toys, and sit, and lay down. He knows people aren't bad, and he enjoys being petted, playing with his kitty siblings, and belly rubs!

 Our newest venture is learning to "wait" for treats. This is him showing off.
 

 I love that silly "second hand dog" with all my heart.

Giving Back By Volunteering!

Since I'm blissfully child-free, and single, with no dating prospects, and there is a summer of beautiful weather ahead of me, and I have a desire to do more and be more... I asked myself what more can I do? 

Something that wouldn't feel like an obligation...

Well, I am a big supporter of my local animal rescue, because they saved my Mr. Magoo from puppy mill hell, and gave him a safe place, until he found his forever home, with me! And I often visit the rescue to pet the cats, and dogs, and I love the work that they do. It's a no-kill shelter, and that is a total win with me!

Mr. Magoo's happiest after a trip to the dog park! 

So, this girl is officially the newest volunteer at said rescue! 

It was a totally serious undertaking. I had to fill out an application, and have an interview, just like a real job. And I was so totally nervous until, my interview included two tiny senior chihuahua's climbing my legs for attention, which I could not resist, and I lavished attention on those little dogs while answering questions. It was so up my alley! 

I offered my poop scooping, cat petting, animal bathing, administrative, and even event organization skills...but what what really caught my eye, and was most in need, was DOG WALKING. 

Score! 

There are so many dogs that need walked, and RUN, and most volunteers only get 15-20 minutes with a dog. And the dogs are left still with all sorts of energy and nothing to do with it, so they sadly circle their enclosures out of boredom. Poor little things. 

Run you say? I'm all over it!! My dog can't run, so I am going to run those dogs' little buns off, and get extra cardio in the meantime! What could be more perfect for me?

I have to take two classes before I start, an orientation, and a dog training class. 

But I sure can't wait until I am helping those doggies find their forever homes! 

For the first time in a long time, I am excited about something. I will have a part in helping these dogs be placed in homes, by tiring them out, and socializing them

This summer is really going to be rewarding. I can't wait until my first dog gets adopted! 

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month...

I was always a "pet snob". I only wanted pure bred cats and dogs. Papers in tow. I never ever thought I would adopt a "used" animal. That is, until one stole my heart.

It is adopt a shelter dog month. I put together a little video in honor of my trash to treasure dog in hopes that more people can see that just because a dog doesn't look perfect, he can still be a loving companion.

With love and patience, I rescued this shy little shih poo after a life in solitary confinement... a cage. Being good for only one thing...breeding in a puppy mill.

He didn't know humans, treats, toys, stairs, petting, snuggles potty training, or love. The biggest thing was..love. Shelter dogs deserve a happy ending to their lives of misery.



The song is by my favorite singer/songwriter Edwin McCain "The Lucky One".

I have had lots of pets, but the special bond you achieve from rescuing an animal, and showing them how life "should be" is unexplainable.

I hope that you take the time to consider a rescue pet. And if you are unable, make a small donation to your local no-kill shelter. If not monetary, they always need used towels, blankets, etc...

Shelter dogs aren't broken!

We All Love...

Sometimes you have a bad day at work, and  then, everything starts to feel bad, and you can no longer keep up a strong front.

"I'm no spring chicken.  I thought I'd own my own home by now. Why don't I have a significant savings? What if I wind up alone and a ward of the state when I am old, without a hand to hold, or even my cats to comfort me? I am such a good person with a big heart, why am I still alone?"

And then I heard a song that made me remember feelings I thought I had forgotten, so then...I sobbed the entire drive home.





After my good cry...I came home. To an apartment that I love, and pets that I adore. I had friends to talk to, and a family that would listen to my endless tales about times gone by.

Mr. Magoo shows off his only front tooth alot. I also captured his one good eye in this shot. 

It's ok to still hurt. It only means I am still not ready to move on. Which is OK. We all have our own demons to face before we find our pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

I have not yet become bitter about love. I still love it and all that it represents. I still feel optimistic that I am going to have that amazing feeling again. I just refuse to settle for someone. I want "the one". I have plenty of prospects, and dates, and guys that like me, but really....it means nothing to me. I want so much more than that. I could settle down, but I refuse to "settle". None of them light my fire.

"Everyone says love hurts, but this is not true. Loneliness hurts. Rejection hurts. Losing someone hurts. Envy hurts. Everyone gets these things confused with love. But in reality love is the only thing in this world that covers up all the pain and makes someone feel wonderful again" -Greg Braden

Racing in the Rain...For the Animals..

This Sunday, was another race day! 

 Our race shirts were super cute, and purple!! I havn't gotten a purple shirt yet!

The day started out humid, but not too hot, slightly overcast, but no ominous storm clouds.

I made my way to my local dog park to run for a local animal rescue. Being the proud Mom of cutest rescue dog in the world....I love this sort of thing!!

Shout out to Mr. Magoo, shown here, co-bathing his cat sister, Fizzgig. (he doesn't know he isn't a cat...shh)

It was so endearing to see all the rescue workers being reunited with the dogs they had fostered, or worked with, and seeing the excitement at how happy they are in their new homes.

There were plenty of doggie pools for the pups to enjoy, along with fun doggie games. Mr. Magoo was not in attendance. (Shih Poo's aren't built for running, they are made for snuggling!)

My only goal for my run was to shave a few seconds off my last 5k time of 30.35. 


About a mile into the run, the skies opened up and gave us a major beating. 

Along with the rain there was thunder. And it was a trail run, that flooded quickly, so there was also the mud  to contend with.



I thought I was doing pretty good, because I switched between full on blind sprinting, to semi-blind walking. 

All in all I finished at 34minutes. I wanted to give up and walk, but I kept on trucking. I can't complain given the circumstances, and the great cause I supported.

Save a life, adopt a pet!!!

Rescue Dog Days of Summer...

I live in Northeast Ohio. Once in a blue moon, the temperatures reach 90. It's rare. I don't remember the last time they have exceeded the 90's, let alone, for weeks on end, as they have been, and caused such distress on the inhabitants....dogs included!

This is Mr. Magoo's sad and pathetic "I'm bored" face...he thinks I'm terrible for not walking him, or taking him to the dog park in the hot weather, but he is a stumpy faced dog, he can't cool off in the heat...it's for his own good

 So, as any good Mother would do, I finally went and got him a doggie pool. At first, he's not sure about it...what's this business? 

Then, after a quick backyard chase session, he decided that it met his approval..."yes, this feels nice!!"

"Thanks for the pool Mom!!" (I got a kiss!)

From 4 years of life in a cage w/no human contact... to having his own doggie pool, and a human that thinks the sun rises and sets with his sweet face....Mr. Magoo hit the jackpot with my adopting him.. and as always, I am equally as lucky for having adopted him...

Later That Day....

Every time we "went outside" which usually means "potty"...we had to check out our pool..... I didn't have the heart to correct him. He lounged around in the pool, and then still did his business. 

I'm just going to go through a lot more towels each week than I am accustomed to... it's totally worth it to see how happy he is walking around in that silly doggy pool!!

Cutest Dog Ever...

We take a break in our half marathon high, to make you smile with pictures of the cutest rescue dog in the world! I may have mentioned a few billion times how Mr. Magoo lived his first 4-5 years in a cage as a puppy mill "stud" and when he quit "performing" he was set to be destroyed.

I lucked out on this little gem at my local rescue. Rescued, and then twice adopted and returned for his shyness, and inability to "click" with his owners after only a few days, to a week. He is my "diamond in the "ruff"' because he is so adorably sweet and happy now, all he needed was patience, and love to be the dog he always wanted to be! You would never know he is as old as he is because he acts like a puppy!

Mr. Magoo, giving his "good eye", while sucking up the a/c in the car!

We are leaving the dog park, Mr. Magoo is exhausted.

From life in a cage to taking over our new couch...can you tell how hard his life is?

Mr. Magoo, certified Ford Fusion co-pilot. Slacking on the job, as usual. 

 

Magoo learned how to ruin our new couch by laying on the back, from the cats. 

Mr. Magoo is an honorary cat. Here he is participating in a snuggle with Persian siblings Fizzgig, and Pickachu. 

Little do the cats know...Magoo destroys the paper towel rolls, and blames it on them..busted!

I call this "Let sleeping dogs lie"

Probably the cutest most peaceful thing is to catch your dog belly up, enjoying a good ray of sunshine, while snoring. (incidentally, he was in the path of the a/c fan, and the air purifier fan, so he was brilliant)

My short PSA. Adopt a dog in need. Mr. Magoo was abused and neglected for years, to bring the world "designer shih-poo's" to the pet store. You will never be sorry you took a chance on a "throwaway" dog.