Long Run 4/26

Today we ran a bit later so we had to cut things short due to the warm weather. B.Emmett is doing really well learning to heal and not chase squirrels. We also saw the Great Dane which always makes the run a little bit nicer. He has this deep raspy bark calling to us as he peeks at us over a wall.

This week I realized how much I truly love B.Emmett. He has always been special but now I find my mind wandering thinking about him or getting home faster so that I can see him. He has been spending more time in the house with the weather getting warmer. He shadows me everywhere I go sauntering from room to room.

He helped me clean the litter boxes by patiently waiting until they were clean to then sniff and scratch the litter all over the floor. When he gets scolded he simply drops his head and pushes it in to my leg.

On the bus back from the regional track meet I really could not wait to get home to give him some snuggles. He is just so perfect in every way.

He took a shower to get clean the other day. He was miserable the whole time but he endured it with grace. At once point he looked up at me and gave me a kiss as if to say, "I still love you even though you are doing this to me."

Today nothing really special happened on our run which is exactly what made it a good run. I love B.Emmett!

Good Energy/Dog Party

On today's run there was just  a really good feeling about it. All around it had a good energy.

It was one of those mornings that I loved running and I appreciated having B.Emmett as my running companion. As we meandered our way along the streets so familiar to us there was a briskness about the air and the day that was unexplainable.

We had a lot of friends honk their horns at us as we ran which is always nice. It seemed like they, too, were enjoying the good energy of the morning.

Even the squirrels were a little less of a distraction this morning. B.Emmett stayed pretty much by my side even though every muscle in his body twitched as we ran by them.

When we arrived at our favorite ending destination, Starbucks, it was clear that it was not just us that felt the good energy of the day. Every single outdoor table was occupied by both a human and a canine or two. It was one giant dog party.

There were the politely aloof dogs that stared at the others from afar. And then there were the rest of the dogs. 

Max, the weimaraner, that just loved to say hello and drag his owner all over the patio. 

Beardsley the labradoodle that had traveled to Starbucks in his owner's turquoise convertible porsche. Beardsley also vacations each summer on Cape Code. 

There were the angry Irish setters that sat close to the water bowl and would emit a low growl barely audible to human ear but very obvious to canine ear if one strayed too close to their territory. 

There was the dainty little Pomeranian that left and went to the far less crowded outdoor tables of the bakery a few doors down. 

Some of our old friends, the big black and white bull dog and the old old golden retriever, were there smiling and wagging their tails at all that past close by their table.

And finally there was B.Emmett. He loves other dogs so for him the end of today's run was as nice as it was for me. I always look forward to ending a run at Starbucks and he always looks forward to socializing with other dogs.

Today it was just good energy all around for human and canine alike.

Random post

Here are the random thoughts that were in my mind as we ran today:

Today we did a 7.7 mile run. The weather was nice and Spring Break allowed us a little more time to run together so I was a bit more sore than usual. B.Emmett did not seem to notice which is why I love him so much.

I had a lot of time to think about things along the way because I was moving at a more relaxing pace. One of the main things I reflected on is where I am professionally. I am almost done with my coursework for my doctorate degree which means it is time to give lots of serious thought to the dreaded dissertation.

At the same time I am working full time and need to keep working financially. I also love the daily feeling of a school. It is like you can feel the pulse of the school with the students coursing through the school like blood through a body. School is a very "alive" place.

One thing that I am particularly thankful for is the groups of people that I have met in my classes this year. Currently, I am working in a group on a qualitative data analysis project and they have truly been amazing. We all get along well and play off of one another's strengths. Yet, at the same time, we are all very different individuals from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. I think this diversity is what I have enjoyed the most about the group. It really shows what collaboration is like when you have the right mix.

Then my thoughts turned to the right mix in a school based environment. It is so important to have the right people working together. When things are not the right mix it can be very detrimental to all involved especially the students. Schools are also not very diverse when it comes to the adults that work in them... What a shame that the students lose out because we are not a very diverse group...

Other things that I thought about today were: 

• getting another tattoo this time one of B.Emmett
  
• writing Stephenie Meyer a fan letter which is something I have never done before...I even wrote the letter in my mind but it got lost in my mind somewhere between miles 5 and 6.
• the movie twilight and why Bella continues to perpetuate the damsel in distress. Yes, she is strong willed but Edward always swoops in and saves her...ugh. But I still like the movie although the book is much better.
• my awesome family that lets me run with my dog (really my husband who stays with our kids)
• how important positive leadership is in a school community...
• squirrel sneak attacks
• coaching

As the run winded down my thoughts turned to B.Emmett and how much he just enjoys the moment. Dogs are so Zen, so in the moment. He is serious one minute and chasing a squirrel the next.

Today we did meet up with the Easter Bunny and that was the first time he was a little shy. He was not quite sure what to make of the tissue paper ears and the whiskers.

We ran our last mile hard. B.Emmett almost killed me when a crazy squirrel basically jumped on his nose.

We chased a lost greyhound through a neighborhood sprinting back to his owner to give the location of the runaway.

Ending our run at Starbucks we saw another (and much faster) running friend.

Our family was 40 minutes late picking us up at Starbucks which was nice because it gave us a chance to relax...

B.Emmett is a great running partner.

And that's the randomness of my thoughts from today's run:)

Long Runs

Friends along the way

Today we ran 7.7 miles to Starbucks, our favorite ending destination. We were planning on going about six miles and decided to try out a new route. The route ended up being a bit longer than expected but very enjoyable. 

The thought that struck me most on today's run was how much dogs enjoy seeing one another. We started out in a neighborhood with large yards. The first dog that we came upon, a large black lab, launched a sneak attack. We did not see him coming. He jumped on his field fence challenging B.Emmett to play with him. B.Emmett responded readily smiling and wiggling his body.

Next up were the old timers. Two dogs that we heard coming down their driveway that were moving very slow. We were long past before they made it to their fence. They continued to bark encouragement as we ran up the hill beyond their house.

Through a wooded trail and into a new neighborhood we ran into a fearless terrier. He ran right up to B.Emmett and snarled. B.Emmett politely stopped to say hello. Once the owner arrived on the scene we were told that he would follow us for about a block and then go home. We ran with the terrier grinning at B.Emmett the whole way. Sure enough about a block past where we first met the terrier turned and darted off towards his waiting owner.

As we came out of the neighborhood and on to a busy stretch of road more commercial than residential we did not meet any new friends. Even our good friend the Great Dane was sadly missing when we past the wall that he usually peers over.

Arriving at our destination we met up with one last friend a Boston terrier. He was a delightful guy who was not at all intimidated by B.Emmett. In fact he invited B.Emmett to a rousing game in which leashes got tangled, tails wagged and plenty of doggie smiles were exchanged.

All in all it was one of our most enjoyable long runs to date. There was time to think about life and friends along the way to cheer us on.