Fuzzy Running

I've been running since the sixth grade.  I absolutely love running.  It's my way to relieve stress.  I get up at the crack of "even the early bird is still sleeping" so I can go for a morning run.   Crazy, no?
 

What keeps me motivated?  Deciding now is a good time in your life to have a puppy with more energy than a power plant. My distance went from a few consistent miles to I'm ready for a half marathon.  No joking.  My boy Fuzz the Golden-doodle loves to run. 

I spent months leash training him in the yard, then on the driveway, and finally the country roads.  When we run he knows where I want him to move if a car is coming.  Four door car: move a foot over.  Four door truck: move two feet over.  Stupid fast dump truck that doesn't know how to follow the speed limit: hit the ditch (country roads = a lot of ditch running).

I used to run my consistent miles at my consistent pace and just could not break the consistent.  Then Fuzz came.

There is no consistent with Fuzz.  From the moment we hit the road, it's full on speed work until he decides an immediate stop is required, to which I have to hurdle his body to avoid a collision.  He will then proceed to either smell the roses (not really roses), or leave a rose (not really a rose).  When all the gardening is done, we're back to full speed.

We eventually fall into an agreed upon pace and just cruise.  Best. Running. Partner. Ever.

I think he may actually be smiling in our after run selfie:)

When we brought Fuzz home we were actually hoping we could train him to be a diabetic service dog to Madeline. Sure.  I hadn't trained a puppy in a looooong time, so just getting through the basic training was enough.  Fuzz is still in his silly puppy stage (one and a half years old) and has the attention span of a flea.  He could still amaze us.  Then again, I have the attention span of a flea, and I'm sure not one and a half years old.

Life with our Fuzz is never dull.  He does something everyday to make us laugh, yell, or just shake our heads.

I have just started to teach him to chase the geese that have decided to take up residence on our road, driveway and yard.  Geese multiple faster than rabbits and leave a trail of mess everywhere they go.  Fuzz loves to clean up after them.....yeah, I'm a lucky girl.  So instead of clean up duty, he's now in charge of running full speed until every goose is airborne and honking obscenities at him. 

We love our Fuzz and all his quirkiness.  He's a family member, a protector and a great fuzzy friend.

A fuzzy friend that could use a couple mints once in awhile.