Puppy Love

It's hard not to share a good thing.  And this video is ooeey gooey goodness in a puppy's sweet face.

So, in honor of this wonderful time of year, when hearts are exploding in happiness and love, please enjoy these adorable pups.  It's hard not to be in the Christmas spirit after watching it.

Thank You

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Google "pictures of soldiers" and many of the resulting images show soldiers and puppies.  Playing with them.  Feeding them.  Pups in the soldier's fatigue pockets.

I immediately smiled at these pictures.  And I couldn't help but wonder whether my boyfriend had ever found small pleasures like playing with street puppy while he was deployed.  I knew, though, that that Google search was barely scratching the surface of all of the pictures of war.  These were the happy pictures, the ones that we all fall in love with.  We all hope that those photos portray what war is - scary enough to have to carry around a gun, but stable enough to be able to find time to play with puppies.

Google "soldiers crying" and war becomes more real (as real as Googling images from the comfort of a climate-controlled building can be).  That is where the true, raw emotion comes through, the unrestrained sadness and grief.  These are the pictures that scare the living daylights out of me.  Why?  Because I imagine my boyfriend in those situations.  I imagine him seeing the same things that caused the soldiers in the pictures to shed those tears.  I imagine him being vulnerable and shaken, being rocked to his core by something as powerful as death.  And my breath catches.

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I'm still learning about the military, about what it means to be a Ranger, and how a soldier deals with the tragedy that is guaranteed.  I understand that I will never know everything.  And of course, I will never understand the feelings and thoughts and relationships that form while in war.

But I can be supportive and thankful.  And that extends beyond people who are in relationships with soldiers.  Sometimes, we just have to think of our soldiers & veterans like the puppies in the pictures.  They're scared and sometimes helpless.  What they probably need most is a hug.  And a lot of lovin'.

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Running is Perfect

"A true runner is a very fortunate person.  He has found something in him that is just perfect."
-George Sheehan

Could that gaze be any more intent? He must be seeing baby sheep that he can herd.

(Photo from The New Sixty.)

Could those ears be any floppier?  Thank goodness they add to his super adorableness!

(Photo from Kevin & Amanda's blog)

What's better than one puppy running? Three getting ready to attack you in furry goodness!

(Photo from English Teacher Geek)

What's better than three puppies?  A basket-full of the spottiest Dalmatian pups! Have I mentioned that I'm a HUGE "101 Dalmatians" fan?

(Photo from dogvideofun)

And then there's this guy. Yeah, he's a good runner, but I love it when he cuddles with me.  Sure, go ahead, buddy...melt my heart...see if I care!

What I Learned from My Pup

I took Austin out this morning for a quick run.  Here are some running lessons I learned while jogging with him:

• He instinctively knows when we are doing an out-and-back run.  As the smart athlete that he is, he runs slower on the out part and faster on the back part.  I think it's part of a runner's DNA that when you finally turn that corner to head home, your pace picks up just a little bit...you can almost taste the end of the run at that point.  If you feel like letting lose and pumping your arms a bit faster, by all means, do it!

• Always take time to smell the grass. And the trashcan. And the stoplight. Ok, don't do that. But take a cue from dogs and don't be afraid to stop if you see something that interests you. Or slow down to take in the scenery.  Running is about enjoying what you are doing, so don't blow by things so fast. 

• If there's a puddle, always run through it.  Or if there's a sprinkler on, don't veer around it.  Puppies aren't afraid of getting a little wet & dirty - you shouldn't be either. 

• Dog's paws can withstand a whole heck of a lot of wear and tear.  If they can run barefoot, we should be able to as well, right?  Their mechanics allow them to run smoothly and efficiently.  We should definitely take a page out of their book. 

• If your tongue hangs out while running, let it hang out!  If you have a weird way of holding your right arm or a shorter stride than others, don't be ashamed of it.  I am a true believer in my body and what it can and cannot do.  If it says that I should run a certain way, then I should.  If my right hand is better in a fist than an open hand, then by all means, that's what I'm going to do. 

• Nothing feels better than a quick roll in the grass after a run.  Austin likes to stretch out and scratch his back along the turf.  In my case, I'd trade the grass for a nice, long shower.  Cold water to shock the body and cool off and then warm water to envelop it in goodness.   

• Head right to the water bowl after a long run and if your beard gets a little drippy in the process and the kitchen floor is a little wet, all the better.  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. (And go barefoot in the kitchen so your socks don't get wet from the water spilled on the floor by Austin).

Like I said in a previous post, there is just something fun & rewarding about running with a dog and having a buddy to share the joys of running with.

P.S. If you don't feel like getting out of bed (like Austin in this picture), that's what rest days were invented for. :)