A Running Buddy

"As a puppy she was inexhaustible, with the crazed eyes and restless bearing of an escaped convict. She needed almost constant attention."

Runner's World editor-in-chief David Willey wrote this in a recent post about his canine running companion, Trucha.  He got her as a puppy and logged countless miles throughout her life.  If you're a dog lover (or a running fiend), this is definitely a truly touching read...sad, but good (cue the Marley & Me music).

As soon as I read it, I posted it to Facebook, adding that the article "made me want to get a dog/running companion so badly!"

You can see where this is going...

enter...

the latest addition to my family (ok, basically to me)...

a new puppy!!

Isn't he the cutest thing you've seen since [enter celebrity baby name here]??

This little guy is a terrier/boxer mix and was abandoned with his four sisters in a box by the railroad tracks (cue Marley & Me music once again). 

Clearly, his life is on the right track now.  I adopted him this past weekend and he is now a permanent part of the household. 

And let me tell you...he's a handful. He looks calm and docile in this photo, but he let's loose when not in your arms.  Already, he's unrolled 1/2 a roll of toilet paper, woken me up in the middle of the night crying, had accident after accident in the house (I'm sure there's more of that to come) and is a bully when it comes to sharing toys with the other dog in the house, Brady.  Was it worth it when he curled up in my lap and fell asleep with his little head in the crook of my knee? Of course.

Also, you may have noticed that he doesn't have a name yet.  As of right now (Thursday 2/24 at 5:45 pm), he's Inmate 453083.  Eventually, he will have a name.  The hardest part is trying to please everyone. My mom likes the name Willie.  My best friend is pulling for Cam.  I added Manny to the short list.  It's too much pressure!

Whatever his name ends up being, I want him to be my running companion.  My running buddy.  The crazy dog on the leash pulling me down the street at 6 am.  I can't wait to get him out and about (not quite yet cuz he doesn't have all of his shots).  What I'm really excited about is creating a deep bond with him.  Yes, I've had dogs before and I've loved both of them.  But this one is MINE and he relies on me, and only me, to give him food, exercise and love.

Again, from David Willey's post, "We logged more miles together than I could begin to count, and I never doubted that she could keep going, even when I couldn’t."

I can't wait for that.

I'll leave you with this parting shot for good measure.  Check back for more updates on his name.  :)