Weekly Recap: 5/9/16 - 5/15/16 Week 1 100K Training

Not sure how to do these recaps, so my format may change as time progresses....

My schedule:

Monday (6.4) - yeah I know I'm already violating the rest day Monday - this may be a fairly common occurrence, I plan on biking on Sunday and running on Monday and probably should update my schedule but I'm not quite ready to do this at this time.  Monday was my Birthday recap here.  Because it was my birthday I ran and because I was driving back to MI on Tuesday I also ran...

Tuesday (0) - Drive from MI to RI, the worst part of this drive is getting through CT.  As soon as I hit the border everyone loses their bloody minds...  It is the most painful part of the 12+ hour drive.

Wednesday (8) - 5.5 miles of power hills with Ro and a walk with Gus rounds out this 8 miles for Tuesday - also off my plan a bit, however there is importance to time on feet and to maintaining friendships through training.  And now I may have discovered why I've not slept more than 4 hours most of this week!!

Thursday (6) - Solid run for me, however I have a mild sun burn.  My Irish ancestry (and as a result of the raping and pillaging through that tiny island there is some Nordic blood) never fails me!  Being nearly 70F with a UV index of 5 (yes, 5) I wore a tank top, and I have the burn to prove it, yes, after an hour in the sun.  Tis very sad.  Time to get the super SPF out!  Shoot!

Friday (4.5) - Took Gus out for an outing in Grills, it was drizzling and miserable and that perked us both up!

Saturday (2.8) - I had a morning appointment I couldn't move and really needed to get into the gardens and move plants around so I knew this was not going to be my long run day. Plus it was hot.  And I may have had one too many beers with dinner on Friday and stayed up past 11...  Got Gus out for a walk while dinner cooked, and so went Saturday.

Sunday (14.1) - 12 on the long run schedule I ran 10 and then called it, filled with doubts about my mental stamina for 100K.  A little early in the training cycle for that nonsense, none the less there it is...  My left knee hurts, my hips ache, I'm old and maybe this isn't an achievable goal for me.  And we will segue from the morose diary part of this to the happy go lucky blog part of this.  I ran/walked the last mileish home, knowing I'd take Gus to Barn Island later in the day and we'd run the 3 mile loop and call it good.

I haven't been sleeping well and that is a combination of the nerves I get at the start of something and the end of Gizmo's existence on this planet.  He isn't going to make this easy for us like Diesel and Sage did, so the appointment will be made and the deed done.  This is a real struggle, do we or don't we, when he isn't sleeping he is anxious and miserable.  There are the rare times where he sits and snuggles and is content.  I ask Diesel and Sage to come get their big brother, I think they aren't listening or don't want to deal with the old curmudgeon.  The two of them always did gang up on grouchy Gizmo.  It wasn't until after Diesel passed that Sage and Giz bonded.  Although Sage did enjoy her rambunctious outings with Jax, she was never quite sure about Gus.

Mileage:

Week:    41.8  (R: 29 W: 12.8) - missed the 34 miles running target, I did get over 8 hours on my feet.
Year:     797.9 against a straight line target of 749.3

Sincerely,
Beth, who needs to be reminded to "suck it up buttercup" and give it a month before throwing in the towel.

Dogs on Trails

I've watched the Strava posts that are labeled "Don't Worry He's Friendly" and then the picture of the dog bite on their leg.

When Gus and I were out in Grill Preserve on our fake run on Sunday, he only wanted to bomb down the down hills, well it is his time he gets to decide....  We ventured across the Polly Coon Bridge - the weaving through the barriers stumped him!  And we were in to Grills Sanctuary.  Very cool.

Yes, he is off leash until the moment he stops because he sees something or I stop him because I see or hear something.  He stays put (for now) and waits for me to hook the leash to his harness. He sticks close to me and doesn't get to far ahead.  I'm a little lax with behind because I expect to see people coming at us not behind us, but still he gets in his smells and uses the space to open up and run a bit faster.

We were alone on the windy trails until the Tomaquag Bridge.  Then he stopped, in the middle of the bridge (well I had to convince him he did not really NEED to bomb through the muddy water and it would be OK to go over the water - it was quite the debate).  I knew him stopping that meant he spied something.  Another dog.  Shit.  The owner was yelling "He's friendly.  He's Friendly."  I yelled back "He's NOT" the guy was shocked and hurried to get his dog who was romping around in the water and then coming up to investigate this new dog on this narrow bridge. This owner had no collar or leash on his dog and eventually caught up.

Gus, is unpredictable, to say he isn't friendly isn't true, introduced calmly he is friendly.  But to yell "HE'S UNPREDICTABLE" is incredibly long and hard to understand.  The fact that Gus is on a harness makes him less iffy than when he just has a collar around his neck.  I mean really would YOU want to meet another person with a collar around your neck attached to your person and the other person didn't.  (Get your mind out of the dungeon)

The pups met, no big deal.  Not a hair raised on either's back but I ushered Gus over the bridge swiftly.  He only has 4 teeth left and the likelyhood of him actually trying to bite is fairly low.  BUT feeling threatened I'd resort to biting.  And the dogs feed off their guardian's emotions, so if I'm stressed he gets anxious.  (I'm also part of the problem?)

I'm sure this guy was like what the hell is this girl (or insert your own expletive  here) doing on trails with an unfriendly dog...  so be it...  I do remember having a few words with a biker on the JB Hudson who tossed his bike at the dogs when I was out with Diesel, Sage, and Gizmo and the three of them got a little packish.  Taking three dogs to the woods wasn't exactly smart on my part either. I have learned my lesson also.

It really annoys me when people yell "S/he's friendly" about their dog.  Well probably most of the time but who knows.    If you are going to let your dog off leash s/he needs to be under your control.  With Gus I trust him just enough that he won't run off, but I do need to stay on alert and not go places were there are a lot of people at an off time.   With Jax he is shocker collar trained.  As medieval as that sounds, it was the only way to get him to pay attention and not chase vehicles or go into the dunes at the beach (as two examples).  It was becoming a yelling contest where I think he would see just how loud we could yell at him.  Anyhow, Dave takes him out on the more technical trails (Sammy Cs, Secret Trail, etc) in Burlingame for 5 - 7 miles.  Jax sticks with Dave and after the initial training he's only had to shock him once or twice.  Jax knows what's expected he also knows whats more fun...  he makes the correct choice, and if he doesn't he is reminded.  We both think this isn't the option for all dogs, however for this one, it was the perfect option.

So that's a long rambling blather about dogs on trails and their guardians.  Those that don't pay attention to their surroundings are ruining it for those of us who do.

I'm sorry there are assholes out there that have bitten several of you.  I am sure if you cross paths with Gus and I or Dave and Jax, there won't be biting.  Hopefully just a curious dog on the end of a leash, and a runner going on his merry way down the trail, unscathed.

Sincerely,
Beth always trying to be the responsible dog guardian....

Three Things Thursday

While I'm on the train from NYC to New Haven, CT this will keep me busy!

I write about our (my no one believes he exists husband) three dogs from time to time, so that’s my three things Thursday

They are all Boxer boys and all rescues, each with their own sad story.   Only one of the original three is still with us.

Gizmo the eldest of the original three turned 15 on Christmas.  That is a long time for a boxer to be alive.  His back legs don’t hold his weight anymore and he is not too keen on the wheels we had from when Diesel (rip) needed them recovering from paralysis.  He wasn’t too keen on the back leg leash either, until he realized this was his only method of getting around.  Now he barks to let us know he needs something.  This could be any number of things, he got a leg stuck in the couch and can’t roll to the other side he has to go out (usually accompanied by a greenhouse gas emission), he is bored, he is hungry, Jax is touching him, Gus is standing by him, or who knows.  When you are that old I’m sure it could be anything.

Gus, the poor middle dog, he is 8 and embracing every second of being a middle aged boxer boy, he doesn’t want to play rough with the youngest, and wants to be taught by Gizmo on how to be the old and favorite dog.  He is the one I usually walk, he likes a nice long walk, he stays focused on the task, rarely getting bored or misbehaving, limiting his sniffing to reasonable amounts of time.  Not much of a cuddler however he mostly enjoys getting his neck scratched and will sit for hours and let you do this. 

Jax, the baby, he is 5 and showing no signs of slowing down.  He enjoys body checking Gus to get him to play which is usually met with a disgruntled Gus leaving the room. When he body checks Dave or I he is met with “Taking out my knees is not a good idea.” Jax gets bored with walks, as they progress he spends more time smelling, he’d prefer a trip to the beach to run around like the wild child he is.  Of course, a good wrestle on a lazy weekend morning is never out of the question.

Sincerely,

Beth, sharing a little snippet into the dogs

Weekly Log: June 29 - July 5 (final)

	Run	Walk	Bike	Notes
29-Jun	5.6	2.5		TRX
30-Jun	6.2	2.4
1-Jul	5.0		16
2-Jul		2.7		Rest
3-Jul		2.9	62	Bike
4-Jul	10	1.7	23
5-Jul			26
	26.8	12.2	127	Total

Watch out she’s blathering again…

Monday – 

Got into work to find Number 1 Smart Guy and Jackass discussing the new plants, “Beth, do you know anything about ALL these plants?”  I smiled and nodded.  “All” meaning the one they actually noticed, I brought in three, and will probably sneak in a few more.  Mainly I needed the loaner SUV,to haul in the tall corn plant, Vinnie is getting his face restored, getting smacked in the face with a pole is never without some damage!  Offices need plants, they absorb the bad juju and make it into clean air and make it nicer.  Plus, the weeping Buddha was starting to crack from absorbing too much nasty toxicity.

Rescue plants you ask?  Well you probably didn’t, since I’m feeling blathery…  I was on the final information sweep of the building we closed down in 2010.  I was amazed, people left their office, coffee cups on the desks, personal items in the drawers, everything, like they were coming in the next day.  They abandoned plants.  Plants, living breathing creature, how horrible!!  It was very sad, I’m not good with abandoned anything.  I rescued 10 plants, all were on their last legs.  A few went to the great garden in the sky, they were beyond help, the rest flourished and were divided and re-potted.  I have more than 10 extra plants in the house and well Dave now sounds like my father with the “why do we need ALL these plants”, sheesh, I should ask the same thing about instruments, bikes, and RC planes, or no?  Yeah, no…  

(Oh yeah and one of the guys I did know left some of his daughters drawings in his desk.  I did get those back to him, very sad, he still thanks me for saving them.)

I brought in a Corn Plant, Philodendron, and an Umbrella Tree.  They look nice and the Corn Plant actually is getting ready to bloom!

Umbrella Plant

Philodendron

Corn Plant

So my Monday run, Hoo Boy the left glute (a week out from Mt. Washington and one would think this would no longer be a problem) was none too happy at mile 4 and argued with me the rest of the run.  I did my best to not think about it and then I’d step funny on my right bunion bone and forget all about the glute, yelp from that and focus on my form.  Sheesh this running stuff is stressful; no wonder I was taking a break.

On a different note, because someone told me “And don’t ever put your efforts down.  You’re out there and you’re trying! Look for the silver lining.”   Point taken, got it!  And when did you start channeling me?

The silver lining?  I ran the full 5.6 miles with no walk breaks.  I’m proud of that.  And I was closing in on a 10 minute mile.  I’m proud of that.

Giz wasn’t too up for a walk but he enjoyed hanging out in the front yard and wandering here and there.  We have a support leash for his back legs.  I tried it again with him and he gave me the G Look of ‘You have got to be joking’, guess I’ll wait for a time when he wants to walk and see how it goes. So he did his crab walk thing around our itty bitty yard, smelling flowers, eating grass, and entertaining the neighbors.   

Oh, the back leg leash. http://www.bottomsupleash.com/  We used this with Diesel when he was recovering from his surgery and he was never supposed to walk again.  Being who he was, he learned to walk, twice. Eventually he was completely paralyzed and in wheels.   July 21st is the 5 year anniversary of Big Guy’s death.  Still feels like he was just here and other times it is hard to remember the big goof!  Guess I’ve been thinking a lot about him lately.

Yeah it doesn't look so comfy, Diesel didn't mind, however he was much more agreeable; Giz, not so much.

And Diesel

Diesel and Sage

Very windy day at the beach!

The sand bugged his feet, this was the best solution!

Jax got a nice walk and managed about a C, he has too much energy even for being on the cusp of 5, and gets too distracted with other dogs, fortunately not so much with people, anymore.   We will continue to work on one thing at a time, all in all it is better, and I’m less reluctant to walk him and am starting to enjoy it more.   In the winter, it was dark and no one was out, so that made walks super simple, except for the occasional snow man he would need to bark at.  He is very much like Diesel in the nonstop energy department.  Diesel listened, Jax, not so much.  Diesel only got frustrating to walk when a male would want to talk to me then he got very very protective and kinda scary. 

Tuesday – 

Speedwork, I left the office a little late and made it there for the first lap of speed, the guys had already done a warm up lap.   No one likes speedwork, I have to remind myself of this.  Well I think when the guys take a turn one lap and push me they enjoy it because they jibber jabber, well Dave jibber jabbers, he says he does this because I can’t talk and he can answer all the questions I ask during the recovery lap – speed talking for a little over two minutes!!  Steve keeps quiet, with a few Deep Breaths, Stop Panting, Come on You Can Do This, and occasional Suck it up Princess.  

My goal was simple: to be at or faster than my average of 2:45 from last week.  I did it!  2:32 average with 2:26 / 2:29 / 2:34/ 2:29 (walked that recovery lap and it showed) / 2:43.   Gave me a boost of confidence when I saw the drop of over 10 seconds in my average from last weeks times.  I know that I won’t see that every week, I am confident I’ll see 2:14 average.  And I’m also dreading when this goes from 1/3 mile intervals to 2/3 of a mile to a mile.  

My legs were completely spent by the time the guys dropped me off at campus.  I seriously would have appreciated a push home in a shopping carriage.

HA!  One of the best movies, ever!

Silver lining:  I didn’t die and it’s over for another week! Not dying is always good.

I made a lap at the fun run at night to get me over 5 (running) miles for the day.  This is more for the social aspect for me, anyhow.  

Wednesday – 

I went to bed Tuesday night with the intention of biking in, every thing was all laid out and packed.  Well the thunderstorm that woke me, well ALL of us up with its loud boomers indicated otherwise.  I set aside my biking clothes, checked the weather and decided on a ride, after work, missing yet another running club fun run.    

A bit dubious about the humidity after the storm I went out for a lunch run with a bit of trepidation, I am not a fan of HHH (Hazy, Hot, Humid).  There was a breeze, oh this wasn’t so bad, it was coming up from the South so half the run would get a breeze, always a plus, off the water, double plus.  5 miles right on the nose.  Keeping this up I’ll break 20 for the week, possibly 25!!

The ride was short, an hour and a little over 15 miles.  I stopped for ice cream at St. Clair in Watch Hill and buzzed by Taylor Swifts house - love listening to the tourists walking by.  This is the fun part of living in a tourist community, probably the only fun part...  

No dog walks, my legs are dead and even though Gus and Giz are giving me the evil eye (it is rather disturbing) I settled in for the night after my ride.

Silver lining:  The day started out a little scary with the thunderstorm and turned into a beautiful New England summer day and evening!

Thursday –  "No knitting so I’ll run.  I finished the sleeves, over the weekend.  I’ll have to block them and start the sewing.  This nearly two year torture will get its own blog post… " 

What happened:  My legs wanted a rest, I wanted a rest.  Friday afternoon nap on Thursday!  It was my Friday with the office being closed on the 3rd.    I've been jonesing to read and I picked up "A Long Way From Nowhere:  A Couple's Journey on the Continental Divide Trail"  by Matt and Julie Urbanski off my stack and got about 1/3 of the way through and drifted off for an hour or so.  Woke up feeling much better!!

New watch arrived,  I guess you could say I down graded to a 220.  I have a bike computer so didn't need that functionality in the 610 and I really really like the bluetooth uploading of the 810, and the 220 offered that and what I need in a space watch.  Its lighter and a little bigger than the 610, it will work great and I have a spare or I can sell it.  Dunno.  

Took Giz for a walk, he wasn't interested so he walked to the end of the block and then walked me home and I grabbed Gus and we went for a walk.  Had a little interaction with the renters who let their dogs run loose.  A giant German Shepherd started towards Gus, usually he looses his shit over stuff like this.  I asked the owner to come get their dog please, and she started yelling at the dog, who was not listening.  Really?  Dogs that don't listen, imagine that?  Gus remained calm while I lost my shit.   Besides being rather embarrassing it was kind of freeing, I haven't yelled like that in a while.  

I am a dog owner and a dog lover, I do not for one moment trust dogs, I trust mine to a point, at the root they are domesticated animals and need to be treated with respect and they will do the same to you.  Gus was abused and lived in a shelter for 18 months, he does not generally do well with other dogs and dogs in general do not do well when approached when they are on a leash.  And add to that an agitated owner and well, I am very proud of Gus, he stood there, not a hair raised on his back and he walked away.  Me? I should be and I am very embarrassed.  Don't poke the red head they come equipped with an unpredictable and volatile temper.  (Sheila, can you hear MZ. Varner saying VOLATILE?)

Silver lining:  I got a nap and started a new book, and still don't have an assault record.

Friday –  "Biking"

What happened:  Biking!  My first metric century of the year!  Tough do do solo, but hey you do what you have to.  I was so done by the time I got back to town I let out this exasperated gasp as I unclipped to check traffic before a sketchy intersection.  This poor driver says "Oh sweetie, I'm sorry did I do something?"  I assured her she was absolutely fine and I was tired!!  I hope she believed me.  Drivers and bikers not always a good mix.  

The ride was good.  I aimed to stop every 25 miles and then when there was a store, so 4 stops.  The stores I could get more water and a candy bar (only at the first one).  I brought fuel with me and was better about hydrating while I was biking.  The rule is 1 20 oz per 25 miles, I think.  I went through nearly 4, more towards the end than the beginning.  I know the beginning is more important to keep hydrated.  

I wore a short sleeved jersey, I have a tan/burn line.  Crap.  Sunscreen silly SUNSCREEN!!



The fireworks have Giz and Gus worked up into a lather.  I took Jax on a walk.  He doesn't seem bothered by them.  Unfortunately the Catholic churches in town sent  him into a frenzy, it is very very odd.  He busted through the privet hedge to bark at the rectory tonight.  Wonder what that is all about.  I know he gets all wiggy when he sees the priests crossing from the church to the rectory.  Weird.  I have to alter my route with him to not put him through this torture.

Silver lining:  I had a fun ride, the corn is also more than knee high by the 4th of July!

Saturday – "Biking or running or both  - The Narragansett housewives are running the Blessing Course at 7 a.m. I should join them and Dave and I can go for a scenic ride somewhere away from the shore."

What happened:  I ran 10 with Nicole and Jackie.  There must have been 30 Narragansett Running Association (NRA) runners.  We all broke up into our respective pace groups.    Bethany, Jennifer (who just broke her 2 hour 1/2 marathon time and is still all smiles!  WELL DONE!!), Nicole, Jackie and a few others started out together.   After getting attacked by a vine, ( it clothes lined me, very scary and I have a nice red mark on my neck - must have looked like I was out with Christian Grey?)  Bethany and Jennifer sped up with their crew and we were to meet them at the Cumberland Farms.  The other gals were only up for about 4 and they dropped back.  The three of us had a grand time catching up.  So grand we TOTALLY missed the turn off for the route and to meet up with the speedsters at Cumberland Farms!!!  We were a mile out before we noticed, so we turned around and ran back the way we came to get to 10.  Well I got to 10 on the Garmin, Nicole got to 9.5 on Strava and we were going to lap the parking lot to get her to 10.  She likes to get to the number she set out to, me?  When I'm back to start I'm d.o.n.e.  I ran around the parking lot with her until she determined it was futile and Strava wasn't going to give her back that 1/2 mile.

Yellow where we were supposed to go.  Red what we did.  Whoopsie!!

Silver lining:  Catching up with friends I used to run once a week with now it seems like once every few months.  Better get my butt out of bed for a 7 a.m. run in Narragansett!!

Dave wanted to go on an easy spin for about 20 miles, so after a bajillion "I'll be ready in just an hour" (HIM not me) we finally set out on a nice bike cruise.  I logged two miles riding around on the street while he searched for his road bike gloves...  and we were off!

A couple new to me roads, much nicer than some I usually ride.  I'll add them to my list.  Diamond Hill a bit hillier than the alternate road, however much nicer tar.  Collins with an AWESOME speedy down hill (where I spied a familar gray truck with a LVL decal in the window).



Despite a few drops of rain it was a nice easy ride and just the thing to work out the kinks from the 10 road miles from the morning.  

Sunday – "Biking or running or both"

What happened: After a venture out beer shopping I read and took a nap.  Dave got home from his adventure mountain biking.  Eventually I biked, very late in the late afternoon, 26 easy pretty flat miles.  I really don't know how to judge flat versus hilly...  They were easy and relaxed and I opted for the shorter route home because I didn't want to deal with the beach traffic crossing Rte 2 in CT to get back to RI.  I like those roads nice soft uphill and a nice down hill cruiser.  



Dog walk likely in the evening, I'm not counting the miles yet...

Sincerely,
Beth,  scratching her head wondering how she gets reminded to look for the silver lining

Absolutely NOTHING to do with running...

Thursday was the anniversary of Sage’s passing.  Sometimes it seems like she is right here and other times it seems like we never had those 10 years with her. 

We really hadn't seen any signs of anything other than  old age.  Sage live every single minute of her short life, November 10, 2002 – January 30, 2013, as hard as she could.   When she was younger she was either off or on, it was amazing to see. That morning, she just didn't look or behave like herself,  Dave took her to Ocean State Veterinary hospital, West Greenwich RI, amazing vets there!  When the vets looked at her and reviewed her chart and the x-ray, it appeared that the mass they removed with her spleen two years ago was back and was bleeding out.  There were two choice, to remove this mass, test it for cancer, as they did with the mass two years ago (miraculously it was not cancer – which was a relief as we had just lost Diesel to cancer a few months earlier).  Neither of us even remembered that emergency surgery or the waiting for the pathology reports to come back. We eventually did remember getting a call at 9 p.m. on a Saturday night from OSV, we were terrified to pick up the phone either this was really really good news or really really bad news.  The vet was so amazed he couldn't wait till regular business hours to tell us.  Guess stress does some amazing things with blocking out bad experiences.  We talked about it, and remembered we had our extra two years with her and why put our 10 year old girl through the recovery process from a major surgery and potentially chemo.  I was in NY for the day, and couldn't be there, Dave said she went peacefully. 

She was giving the young ones hell on the beach the Sunday before, and she was gone a few days later she was a tough dog who didn't have time for nonsense.  Makes me think of Sweet Brown “Ain’t nobody got time for this.”  That was Sage. 

Walking Jax (Dave finally got the harness adjusted so Mr. Squiggy can’t wiggle out of it – touch wood – a black dog who likes to chase cars is a recipe for disaster, considering we ended up with him because he was hit by a car and his owners didn't want to pay for surgery or deal with rehab even if someone paid for the surgery) last night I was thinking about all the foster dogs we've had over the years since getting Gizmo from Northeastern Boxer Rescue on New Year’s Day 2003, he was just 2 and a young curmudgeon.  

He has looking pathetic down to a science

Lola.  That first week with Gizmo was fun, he adjusted well enough, we were figuring out how to communicate with him and him with us,  then we got the call.  We have a 6 month old boxer girl desperately in need of a foster home, Gizmo has the right temperament to deal with her.  He is a calming influence and not really all about being the alpha dog and exerting his authority, perfect for Lola.   

Add caption

The picture of innocence....

OMG… she was a nut case, terrified of her own shadow and aggressive as hell all packed in one 45 lb boxer girl.  She was so stressed out for the first few days, she slept a lot but when she was finally awake, she ran roughshod over our poor Gizzy.  I am sure he wanted nothing more than to go back into rescue and hope for a better luck of the draw.  Eventually, over the course of a few weeks, we figured out most of Lola’s trigger points and Gizmo just let her be her, even if it involved her sleeping on him in his favorite chair.  About 6 weeks in to Lola’s stay with us, Gizmo and she found common ground, barking at the gas meter reader person, and at that point they seemed to be just fine cohabitating.  She was with us 5 months.

Diesel. About 3 months into 2003 there was a call from rescue about someone to temporarily home Diesel, his current foster home couldn't handle him and all of his energy.  Dave though, oh what the heck, nothing could be as bad as Lola and she seemed to do ok with other boxers.  Dave picked up this crazy Diesel boxer boy (he was 18 months old complete with all sorts of GI issues and a possible case of mange) and snuck him into the basement. 

Maybe if he just appeared Lola would think he had been here the whole time and not have a fit.  Well that seemed to have worked, Diesel wandered up stairs as Lola was passing through the kitchen and she was OK with this additional dog, oh where have you been all this time seemed to be her reaction.  Fortunately this was near meter reading time and the three of them bonded over barking over the meter reader.  Diesel can best be described as a Maserati, very very expensive and very very fun.  Figuring out he did not have some weird skin condition, he had serious allergies to most food causing him all sorts of internal and external issues was quite the adventure.  He could eat canned venison dog food, he preferred venison itself, when it was available.  My brother sent me home with some Venison jerky one visit and the poor dog was beside himself smelling it and I think he managed to climb onto the counter to get at it.  He also wanted to play, all. the. time.  Ok so he wasn't insane he was just very very busy.

Diesel in hot pursuit of Giz

Sage. May of 2003 Lola was finally placed in the perfect home for her, an only dog and two doting humans. The call came in June, a 6 month old uncontrollable boxer girl needed to be transported from the Long Island, the vet would bring her on the ferry to New London, could we  pick her up and she was sure to get placed really really quick, she was cute as a button and probably her only behavioral issue was she was 6 months old. 

ADORABLE!

Her owners had gotten her when their first baby was born because it is a smart thing to have a puppy and a newborn at the same time.  Dave pulled up in front of the house with this adorable brindle boxer with the goofiest look on her puppy face.  I fell in love with this girl.  OMG so cute and so much energy, so much fun!  She managed to get all top marks in her puppy training and socialization classes, but out in the real world she forgot all of her lessons.

Sage giving Giz a run for his money!

OK so maybe all boxer girls weren't insane like Lola.

Gracie. Rescue called, fall 2003, there was a 12 week old puppy with a club foot who needed a home until surgery and she would be placed in her furever home.  

Not a great pic but you can see the clubbing of her left foot (Giz butt in the background, Sage to the side)

The left foot is sticking up over her right leg

Gracie was amazing.  That club foot did make her pretty miserable, and she drug it around for the 3 weeks she was with us.  We took her on a beach outing and that little girl tucked that club foot up under her and ran on three legs with those boys and was in her glory.  She did get the foot amputated and went to live with another 3 legged boxer girl in NYC. 

Deuce. Spring 2004 Our first rehab dog, 9 months old, two broken front legs, hit by a car.  6 weeks in the crate only out for bathroom.  By the end Deuce hated Dave, Dave would take him out of the crate and put him back in the crate, Dave sucked.  He healed, two metal plates in both his front legs, and was able to run around with our guys and just had a blast with people and other dogs. 

Deuce, he liked me, but then I wasn't the one continually putting him back in is crate!

Giz and Deuce

He ended up in Stamford CT as an only dog, as the months with us went on it became pretty clear while Deuce liked other dogs, he really thought he needed to be the only dog. All good stuff to know when placing a dog in a furever home.  Deuce also was in People magazine, the church his family went to also had Sunday service for pets!

Ugh, poor guy!

His legs looked pretty good!

Greco. Spring 2005 our second rehab dog, 6 months old, broken hip, fell down the stairs.  

Handsome boy!

He only had to be in the crate for two weeks but limited activity.  Bwahaaaa, a boxer boy to remain calm, like that is going to happen.  When he could finally go to the beach and run with Treacherous Trio, he was so happy.  They had a fun rough and tumble play session on the beach, he was a little sore for a few days.  He went to a family in Maryland, and they sent us status reports on him for a couple years.  He was a skinny little thing when we had him and filled out into a very handsome 80 lb boxer boy.  I couldn't find a pic of him with Giz...  oh well..

Georgia. Fall of 2005 a semi load of dogs from a kill shelter in Georgia, a boxer girl, apparently used as a breeder dog arrived at the CT Humane Society, were we interested.  I picked her up, all skin and bones and scared, oh so scared.

Georgia - such a happy girl!

I brought her home and put her in the back yard, locking the threesome in the house.  She could at least smell them in the yard and I would see if this would relax her a bit.  She was ok with other dogs and rather happy to be in the yard.  She scratched around and sniffed a bit and found a place to lie down.  And seemed to be at home.  Oh this was going to be fun, she didn't know about houses.  I opened up the doggy door and our three came tumbling out everyone behaving appropriately.  Eventually they all lost interest and went inside and Georgia went back to the nest she was making.  I encouraged her inside and she found a nice pile of wood shavings and began this nesting process again, looking a little dubious about this inside business.  I didn't let her stay there long and she started heading towards the door, having no idea how to use the doggy door was a good thing. I herded her towards the stairs and she looked at them and looked at me and gave me this ‘ok lady what are you looking for me to do here?’  I picked her up and carried her up the stairs, our three were curious about this…  and I set her down next to me on the couch.  She stood up, looked around, turned around and for the rest of the time she was in our home that was HER spot on the couch.  I think she was with us 4 months, and we were honored to name this little peanut of a boxer girl Georgia Peanuts.   Her fur ever family were an older couple, looking for a low maintenance pup to take on walks and grow old with them.  Georgia was the perfect fit.  Her new human parent said she got in the house and found ‘her’ spot on the couch and whenever they needed to find her, that is where she was!

Faith. Spring 2006 Faith was found on the streets, abandoned, she had kidney failure, only a few weeks to live.  I picked her up from the ferry in New London, she was too weak to walk and I placed her in a kennel in the truck, no one knew how she would react to being transported.  She was OK with it.  I received instructions on how to administer her daily 1500 ml of fluid subcutaneously to flush out her kidneys.  

Faith (Diesel in the background)

After a couple weeks, she started to thrive, the vet was amazed, this dog should be dead by all rights, yet all of her kidney levels are in the normal range and she will never get better however she is healthier and healthier.  From the dog that I had to carry into the house, a few weeks later she was starting to get a little rough and tumble with the Treacherous Trio.  They all seemed to enjoy playing together for the majority of the many many months she was with us.  After about 6 months it became obvious Faith’s health was fading fast as was her tolerance for other dogs.  She was not in a good environment for what truly would be her last few weeks.  Sadly we agreed and she was placed in a home, where she was the only dog, until she passed peacefully a month later.

We didn't have any more foster dogs after that, Diesel was diagnosed with cancer in September of 2008, we were happy to have a couple healthy years with just the Treacherous Trio until Diesel passed in July of 2010.

Phoenix.  Our first attempt at rehabilitating a dog placed in a kennel for an extended period of time.  3 year old boxer boy, came to us in the late fall 2010, he had been in a kennel for many months year, previous to that his story was one of multiple homes and abuse.  

All in all a happy boy, on his terms!

Quite sad.  He had quite the aversion to construction tools, hammers, screwdrivers, tape measures to name a few.  He was very good at self entertainment, which seems to be a trend with kennel dogs.  In the back yard he would spend hours chasing a ball on a rope back and forth and all over the yard.  For the first month he was crated most of the time and let out to play, this sounds mean, however it really is for the benefit of the dog to understand the routine and have minimal expectations placed on them.  So his hour a couple times a day in the back yard was grand for him and we took turns playing with him.  He was placed as a single dog in a home and did very well, he passed away last year, such a short life for a special boy.

Gus. Our second kennel dog, Gus, 3, came to us on New Year’s Eve 2010, he had the same treatment of being crated most of the time first alone and then down stairs with the family and when he became agitated covering his crate with a blanket.  Gus was in ‘puppy prison’ for 18 months, this is a very long time.  Most dogs do not live this long in the kennel.  He was extremely stressed out.  It was not until March of last year that he was completely crate free in our home.  He needed to be crated when we were gone because he would panic, and we would see destruction when we came home.  

He loves his freedom!

We still have a crate in the bedroom and from time to time he enjoys escaping to the “Gus Hut”  the door never gets closed, he likes his little den. Although lately we’ve noticed that he more enjoys burrowing under the covers on our bed to make his own little den.  Fortunately, he retires to the “Gus Hut” at bedtime and will come wake me up to snuggle around 5 a.m.

Jax Our 3^rd rehab dog, Jax 8 months old was run over by his owner in the summer of 2011 and when the vet explained the cost of putting his leg back together the owner said to put him down.  The vet contacted rescue and rescue offered to pay for the surgery if the owner did the rehab, still no interest.  Surgery was done and Jax was place in a foster home who just could not fathom leaving him in a crate to rehabilitate and Jax was far far to active and his leg was not going to mend properly.  He came to us and was set up in his crate.  Having learned a lesson or two we kept him on the lowest floor, easier to get him in and out for the bathroom and more likely for him to get plenty of rest.  We also learned a few tricks for bribing him into the crate.  He became kind of wise to them and sort of accepted them all at the same time.  The 8 weeks seemed like they didn't take as long as 8 weeks seems, at least to us.  Jax was thrilled to join Gizmo, Sage, and Gus and they were OK with him and is all boxer all the time energy. 

Bouncea bouncea bouncea - eventually I'll be able to take a non blurry picture of him!

I can't think that I am missing any of them.  12 that sounds about right...  and oh yeah, what started this whole boxer thing off was Moe (Dave's dog from his previous relationship) passing away in November of 2002. Moe was physically challenged, she had a breathing issue which caused her throat to partially close up when she drew in a breath and it appeared she was having an asthma attack.  An experimental surgery at Michigan State University Veterinary School in 1998 was thought to give her a few more months of life.  Dave didn't know the few more months until AFTER the surgery. Year after year went by and while it was a shock to wake up and find her gone, those few months turned into nearly 4 years!  

She was a small goofball, Christmas 2001

He was sure he didn't want another dog, I was sure to keep the option open, that it was his call, I love having pets and he was very much allergic to my cats, so...  A dog was the best option.  The second day after Moe passed Dave called me at work and said the house was way to quiet and he just couldn't bear it.

And Gizmo came into our lives and well you read the story.  Our families and friends think we are a little overboard and weird, a dozen dogs in 10 years, however at the core of it they know we have big hearts and it is hard to see anyone suffer if we have the ability to give them a second chance.

Sincerely,

Beth who will update you with this week in running tomorrow.