Diving dogs

Click HERE and check out these diving dogs. They're great... assuming you love dogs.
Here's one example:

Tuesday&Wednesday

When you go to the Stockholm Marathon website, the top of it has a countdown.  Today it says 10 days to go!  (nervous excitement)

7am Austin time is 2pm there which is the start time. 10am, is therefore my finishtime.  I've been looking at the temperature in Stockholm every day and have been excited to see low 50's (10-12 celsius) PERFECT running temperature!!  However, TODAY, it was 64 (17 celsius) Blech! 10 day forecasts online go to Friday and are showing a high of 65.  I dont' want that.  Please send your best thoughts for the temperature to drop back down to a high of 52!

Yesterday was a day of firsts...

During our 14 mile run, I got to experience the first time I've ever being stopped by a looooooooong train on a run.  That was kind of cool.  Probably doesn't sound very cool, but it was to me, since nothing can really stop you on a run, except for maybe a red light, which you can run through if no cars are coming.  Other than that, nothing else can really stop you, you can always go around something that may impede your path.  But a train, with 100+ wagons carrying thousands of tons of limestone, you can't run around, under, over or through.  You just have to accept it and enjoy the moment.

Later on that day, (my homie dr dre... naah, not really), I was at the Draught House with a couple of runners and i was sitting with my view being the parking lot.  Draught house has limited seating, so they allow people to buy a beer, or a pitcher and sit in the parking lot, in their cars, on their cars etc.   So...

First thing, an attractive woman walked out with a dark dark beer in a pitcher in one hand, and 4 pint glasses stacked one in the other in the other hand.   As I watched her, i could tell she was trying to figure out what to do with her loot.  She put the glasses down on the bumber of her truck, then instead of taking a glass and pouring a glass, she grabbed the pitcher with both hands and proceeded to drink several times out of the pitcher.   

Half an hour later, a guy and his buddy parked next to the woman with the truck (who had since gone out of my line of sight).  He had a giant Mastiff in the back seat of his sedan.  The dog was big male.  The guy went in and got a beer (in a pint glass) then brought out his gentle giant.  He was sipping on his beer for an eternity while people (presumably friends) came up to greet him and his dog. (a sure babe magnet)  But then, in a move only Brownie might attempt, the guy lowers his glass down to his dog to let his dog with a tongue that's the size of a shoebox take some licks/slurps out of the beer glass. THEN, within seconds, the guy takes the glass to his mouth and drinks out of the same glass!  I couldn't believe what I'd just seen and told my friends what I just witnessed.  About 15 minutes later, the guy lowered his glass back down to let his big dog drink out of it, and this time I told my friends to look.  Sure enough, the guy didn't disappoint and took a drink out of his glass not long after. 

I love my dog; I roll around and wrestle with him on the ground, i hug him, i rub his belly, etc., but that was just about the most disgusting thing I've seen in quite some time!  And this guy was doing it right infront of dozens of other patrons out there.  I can't imagine that it went un-noticed.  So much for his dog being the babe magnet!

This morning, I ran another easy 10 with friends then hopped into Barton Springs to cool the legs.  It was good to see Nelson back out there!  Tomorrow it's back to running 1 mile repeats at 6:10pace.

FortiFido - Fortified water for your Fido. (your dog)

(the great thing about camera phones is you can share great inventions with people!)

This is easily the dumbest and most idiotic most brilliant thing I've seen at the grocery store, surpassing the spreadable MilkyWay I found last month.

Please Right click and open the picture in a new window so you can truly appreciate what's going on here.

Are they serious? This product is wrong on so many levels.

I love my dog. I want my dog to be healthy. I give my dog Glucosamine, Zinc, Calcium and other nutrients in some yummy treats, and also feed him Organic?Natural dog food. But, to take it to the next level and buy him his own bottled water... no friggin WAY!

Lets see... we have from left to right:
- Peanut Butter Flavored water
- Lemongrass Flavored water
- Spearmint Flavored water
- Parsley Flavored water

- Peanut butter... it truly sounds gross, but I guess i can see how that one could appeal to a dog.
- Lemongrass. My dog likes asian cuisine??? Who woulda thunk! I had no idea!!
- Spearmint. I can't tell you how many times I've let my dog (and cat) smell the toothpaste on my toothbrush, and they've backed off as the smell was too strong.
- Parsley? hahahahaahahahahah hahah hahahahahahahahah ha ha Parsley? ahahahahah Hahahahahahahah

wait... you thought i was done? no, not yet... you see, they made those flavors for specific reasons, so you have to buy all 4.
Peanut butter - Maintain strong bones (contains calcium)
Lemongrass - Healthy Joints (contains nutrients, but i guess no calcium?)
Spearmint - Freshen breath.
Parsley - this one his fortifido'd with Zinc, for Healthy S...! Skin? Shiny Fur? I dunno what the S could stand for!

Dog friendly trail race!

I am unable to nap, but found a bunch of cool pictures like these two below of happy dogs enjoying a Dog friendly 30K trail race!





More fun dog pics can be found here.
Too bad this race is in Oregon.

Karma's too old to be compettitive, but I bet a certain dog called Flyer would kick some major K9 butt at this one!

...as long as he's not just 'partying it up with his peeps', I mean 'clowning around', uh sorry, that meant to read 'goofing around'; no seriously, I meant 'puts in some good training hours'. Yeah, of course, that's what I meant... training! ; )

Is it Saturday afternoon yet?

Saturday I got up at 4am, took Karma out, finished packing the car with tailgating stuff, ate, then drove over to the 18 mile run I had at 6am At 8:45 I drove back home, jumped in the shower grabbed last few things from the fridge and headed over to Trey and Nedra’s Karma stayed there, so he could enjoy the nice afternoon in their backyard We drove down and tailgated and drank beers and ate chili for a few hours before the game Stood in the sun and was loud for 4 hours After picking Karma back up, finally got home at 8:30ish, and was asleep by 9pm Back up again at 5am for a quick shower as I had to be downtown by 6am to volunteer for the EAS 10 mile race this morning Stood out there directing runners either the 5K or 10 mile route, then cheered many friends in for 3 hours Then headed over to some post run hang out and chat session Got home at around 11am, ate a bunch of pasta, drank about a gallon of water and slept for 2 hours till 1:30, when it was time to un-groggify myself as at 3 I had to be at the Dog Park with Karma to meet up with Marla and many others We walked over to the north side of townlake by I-35 and released Eden’s ashes, then walked back to the dog parked where the doggies played I gave up at 4pm, as I felt like a zombie and just really needed some down time Drove by P-Terry’s loaded up with a burger, fries and a well deserved vanilla milkshake and came home Napped for about an hour after an early dinner, and just have sat around staring at the tv Now it’s almost 8pm, and I’m ready to go to sleep The weekend was rough Tomorrow, my day starts at 3:45 with a 14 mile run at 5am before work, then work, quick nap at lunch, followed by more work and then meeting some friends for a couple of drinks Then it’s back to bed, and up at 4:3o on Tuesday for a track workout, and then “assistant coaching” duties at 5:45pm (I’m not really an assistant coach, they just call me that) anyway… coming off a hard 18 miles, I jump into a 60 mile week that is capped off with a 24 miler on Saturday Is it Friday yet? I need a weekend to recover, and it’s barely Sunday night.

In Memoriam * Eden Anne * 1/1/9X - 10/27/07

Eden was the best dog you could ever have. I know it’s a biased thing to say coming from her father, however, anyone who would meet Eden would comment on how sweet, how pretty, how gentle, and what an incredible dog she was.

Eden was one of many foster dogs that came in and out of our home. When we got a chance to meet her, Eden was probably 6 or 7 maybe even eight years old. She was a little afraid, would get easily startled or excited and “make a mistake” on the floor. Over a short period of time, Eden gained trust in us, and stop peeing here or there.

As we got to know her, and her know us, our love for her grew stronger. We drove down to the gulf coast with some friends and took our dogs, and Eden and Karma had an absolute blast running and playing in the waves. I’ll never forget the morning when we were walking on the beach at sunrise, the dogs having the time of their lives, and Marla told/asked: “If it’s OK with you, I’d like to adopt Eden for ourselves” I was all for it and was happy to hear that she wanted to keep her too, as I’d grew very fond of the pup, but didn’t want to get too attached to the dog as it was a foster. Immediately upon deciding to adopt her, not only did our attitudes to her change, but it was as if she understood why we were calling and hugging and petting her. From that day on, we would experience owning the best dog to ever walk this earth. She was easily the best dog one could ever own, truly a “once in a lifetime” dog you hope to be lucky enough to get to own.

Eden quickly got nicknames. Marla decided Eden also had a middle name: Anne. Eden Anne loved her name. Calling her now got so much more fun. Eeeeeedeeen!!! Eden A-annne!!! Neeenanne! Edenanners!! Edenanners chicken planners!! Ninanne-niiiinaaaanne!!!! And the list of ways to call her ever so grew. Eden, would respond to all of them, and would run to you, and lovingly sit or stand, or push her head up on you so you would pet her or simply touch her.

The human touch was what she was all about, enjoying every possible chance of getting a petting, a scratch, or a giant hug. However, pleasing her owner was her goal in life.

She was the absolute sweetest most loving friend that would sacrifice what she was doing so she could bring you happiness.

I taught her “Where’s ________?” As long as she knew the name of the person or dog she was looking for she’d go look for them. I’d get on Marla’s nerves from time to time with my: “Where’s Marla?! Go get Marla!” games, but how could you not play it, when, ears up!, Eden would focus right at you and give 100% of her attention to you. I would say, "Where’s Marla? Go get Marla!" and Eden would take off like lightning out the room to find her mom. When she’d find her, she’d run up, sometimes pop her front legs on Marla’s waist, or pop her nose under her arm, so happy to report “I found you, Mom!!”. Then she’d run back to me to report the good news. I’d send her off again, (Uh oh!), and again, and again.

Nanners and her brother could have just spotted a deer and taken off running; if it wasn’t the place for them to take off, you could yell out her name right away, and she would much prefer to turn around and be petted for being a good girl than continue the chase. That’s not to say she didn’t get her shares of chases in. She was a fast dog, damn she was fast. Poor Karma would get left in her dust as she chased deer or the rabbits they would spot. Eventually, sometimes 3 to 4 minutes later. They would then return, tired as can be, usually Eden well before Karma. If you crouched down to her level, she would run all the way up and curl up in your arms to show you she loved you the most. If Karma wasn’t coming back, or if he wouldn’t’ get going, you could simply tell her “Nanners! Go get Karma!!” and her ears would perk up, she’d look to where he was, or where she came back from, and sprint to find him to bring him back. He wasn’t ever lost, but she magically got him to get his ass back to base camp. Good girl Neenanne!

On trail runs (or walks) she would at first run and chase things with her brother. Once she had warmed up (read that: tired a bit), she would settle in behind and run along right behind you. I’ll never forget the many trail runs her and Karma enjoyed. They both had exponential energy when together on those trails sniffing, seeking, chasing, following each other looking for something to chase to sniff. It’s as if the two had ESP, and one would sometimes outflank the chased thing so they could have a better chance at catching it. And if you’d ever trip and fall, Eden would be there in no time, to stand above you, legs on either side of you, to make sure you were protected and fine. On their countless wildlife chases, they never did catch anything, not that they wanted to as they were all about the chase. At least Eden was - she just wanted to have fun.

Case in point, take her to the dog park, and all she wanted to do, was chase the dogs that were chasing the ball. She would BARK! BARK! BARK! To let the other dogs know she was having a blast as the dogs chased their ball. But she could fetch too. Marla taught her to fetch and she quickly became an awesome fetch dog. Launch a Frisbee, a ball, or even some silly toy indoors, and she chase it down and return it to you so she could get a loving pet and confirmation that she was doing the right thing.

When walking on the sidewalk, Eden could commonly be found, walking right on the 6 inch edge of the sidewalk, like a balance bean gymnast. She would easily walk that line for however long she wanted! That agility and her willingness to jump up on anything you asked her to, led Marla to try her out at Agility contests. Marla took her to 3 or 4 classes, and although Eden seemed to be doing well, Marla could tell that Eden wasn’t thrilled about it, and she decided that Eden’s agility training could continue in the wild instead.

Eden was the best road trip dog you could ever want. On long drives out to San Angelo, she would just lie down and take a nap. Many times she’d want to be part of the family in the front seats, and so she’d inch up under the fence that stop the pups from getting up front. She’d inch her head well under it, just to she could touch and arm. We’d say, "Eden, get back" and she’d comply, but then she’d inch her way back a little, just so she could be close. How could you say no a second time?! All she wanted to do, was love you. So we’d let her rest her head on your arm, or on the armrest and watch us. If the car was full of stuff, as it often was on the return trip, she’d gladly lie on a blanket on top of the bags. She’d figure out a way to get comfortable, and lie on top enjoying life!

When I’d take her with me down to the local store, I’d let her sit on the seat next to me. She’d jump in quick through the driver side door, and spin around quickly curling up in a ball on the passenger seat so her head could lay on your arm on the arm rest in the middle. Take your arm off the armrest, and she’d inch up, juuuust enough so the tip of her chin was touching you somewhere.

And that look, that two-paint face would just look at you, and say: "I’m here, and I love you", every single time you looked at her. She could be playing and be called, or just woken up from a nap and come over to say hello. In any case, she’d come sit, look up at you, and just let you know she loved you for being you.
Her naps were the best. She’d lie there, curled up, or most commonly on her side, but then, she’d wiggle up, on to her back and lie sprawled up on her back. She LOVED those sleep sessions on her back. It was priceless!

Eden was so loving and selfless that Marla took her get tested to be a Pet Pal Therapy dog. In Pet pal therapy, you take a dog to an old folks home, so they can get some animal love. The test is pretty rigorous as the dog must not react or be scared of wheelchairs, suddenly falling crutches, and other weird medical devices on wheels that may come her way. Eden passed with flying colors, and Marla took her to bring smiles to grandparents with Alzheimer’s, or other ailments etc. Eden was the perfect dog, just sitting there, letting them pet her and bring them happiness. That was Eden’s role on earth after all: To selflessly be there and bring love and joy to whomever wanted it – any day, any time, regardless what she could have been doing.

And we talked. Boy did Eden and I talk. When she’d get a rawhide or a ball, she’d prance around with happily, but she also had to be weary of bully brother Karma coming and snagging her from her, so she would do her silly growl. Rowrrowrroooowr! So one day, as she looked at me as she “rowr’d” to let it be known: “Hey pal! Hit the bricks! This is mine. You got your own!” I playfully growled back at her, and so began our talks. She would get a rawhide, and growl, and I’d growl and she’d look at me, and prance over, foxtail-a-waggin’ and growl. She’d mimic the length of my silly growl, or I’d mimic hers. In any case, we’d just sit a foot from each other’s head, “rowr rowr rooooooooowr’ing” at each other as her tail wagged. She loved it, and of course so did I! Did a nightly rawhide session without a rowr chat go by? I doubt it!

Eden also took a liking to a quick swim in the creek; she highly enjoyed a fun walk in the park, and always welcomed a chance for a cooling swim. She wasn’t one of those, launch yourself in the water, or splish splash around dogs, but more of a “I looove to get in and swim and get out” dog. She mostly liked it just to cool off. The last time I got to enjoy this, I ran the greenbelt with the two of them. She was hot, and we came up to a little creek which both dogs went into, to cool off their legs and drink up. Eden found a little puddle-pool of flowing water, just under a mini- 9 inch waterfall, and just plopped herself down to enjoy the water. The picture doesn’t exist anywhere but lodged in my mind, and what a picture-perfect moment it was!

Eden was one of those dogs for which leashes were useless. Why put a leach on the Nanners? Well, because there are leash laws here and there, but she didn’t need it, and we all knew it, but she accepted that she had to have a leash on. She’d still walk right there, the leash hanging down as she walked along next to you.

Eden, Karma and I invented another one of many games. In the mornings, when I was dog sitting her, as I got ready for work, if I was close to the bed, they would both pop their front legs up on the bed and look at me. Oh yeah! Time for the “Stretchy-scratchy”. They stretch up there, displaying their long backs. I’d get in between the two, and start scratching. From the very top of their neck, down to the tails. Up and down, scratch scratch. The stretchy stretchy scratchy! Quickly, I was able to on command just say “stretchy scratchy!?”, and they’d both pop on up, smiling and ready for a good scratch. Then, when I was done, Karma would plop back down and tail would wag, but Eden would thank me. Full of energy, she’d spin and come to me, and pop her front legs up on me. THANKS DAD!!! And of course, she’d get an extra “You’re Welcome” scratch and pet!

In the mornings, when it was time to get up, but only when it was time, not when she decided it was time, she’d run over the side I sleep on, pop her front legs up there and show her cute face at me. I’d give her some petting, followed by a nice hug, where she’s stick her head and long nose right up under me, to maximize the hugging.

At night, she would also come and jump up to say goodnight. It was routine. I’d turn the light off, get in to bed, and she’d time her jump perfectly to where I was barely in, under the blankets as she popped up to get her goodnight hug and kiss. She’d look at me so cute, so thankful, so loving. I’d give her a good hug and wish her good night, and she’d then jump down and lie down to sleep.

Marla told me recently after her diagnosis that she would gladly have given up some of her years of life to give Eden more, something I would second. She was that kind of dog.

Eden’s favorite place on earth (other than just being next to you) was running by your side on the town lake trail. She put in hundreds of miles on there, and soon, on the town lake trail, her ashes will be set free. She will be there for eternity to join everyone on their runs. Right there, on the north side of the trail on the quiet side of I-35, she will be ready to go, waiting for you to pass by.

And, Eden, we know you will be there, sitting patiently, waiting for us to eventually join you on the other side. Waiting for the day when we can run again, “rowr” again, play again, pet you again, but simply, and most of all, just have you sitting there again ready to show your unconditional love.

Thank you, Eden.

Thank you for the countless memories. You will never be forgotten.

Neeenaaannne!!!!!!



Click here to watch more candid videos of Eden in action.

To read Marla's memorial, please visit her Running Pawnter Blog.

Slumber party makes for good daytime fun

Karma has a sleepover friend for a few days. He gets to hang with his sister all weekend. I really wanted to run them both on the greeneblt, but due to my foot I can only limp my way around the trails. I walk out 15 mins, and then walk back 15.
So far we've done it 4 times.

I don't think Karma has any less fun when he's out there on his own running around, but when he's with his sister out there, they really have a diffrent type of fun.
They're so used to running around in the wild together. If they spot something, it seems as though they partner up and take different directions to try and outflank the rabbit/deer/squirrel/ghost/scent they're chasing.

When Karma's on his own out there, he seldom takes off on big sprints on just a hunch needing a little bit more proof that there is something to chase down, but with Eden at his side, they both take off like speeding bullets all over the place as soon as one makes any sudden move.

Usually Eden comes back first. If Karma takes a while to return, i tell Eden: "Where's Karma?" she looks at me, and I follow it up with "Eden! Go get Karma!" and POOF! she takes off in a mad dash looking for her brother. Sure enough everytime they come back together. I guess she's kind of like Lassie in that sense.

Another thing they do is pee much more. If one marks a spot the other one runs up, sniffs and pees to mark it too. I haven't seen this actually happen, but someday, i know one will pop their head in there way too early and get pee'd on their nose. So far, I'm happy to report, it hasn't happenned.

They usually run ahead of me, next to each other, tails-a-wagging so happy to be out there. They LOVE running around in the trails, and if one ventures into a creek, the other one is sure follow.



Time to go, i said the magic words and they're ready to get out there again.