Oops...I Did It Again

When we adopted Scout I read every dog training book I could get my hands on.  One of the best pieces of advice I read was "A tired dog is a good dog."  Sure, there are dogs who love to just lay around, and Scout can hang with the best of them, but given the choice between lounging and exercising that dog would be outdoors running, hiking, skipping and jumping all day long if he could.

So in addition to my workouts at Clay and running on the treadmill I try to walk him at least a few miles a day.  We miss a day here and there, but It averages out to about 15 miles a week. This seems to be enough to keep him happy and me moving (though we'd both benefit from more, of course).  

I also read was that exposing your dog to new places with new smells is good for them and can actually help tire them out.  So, I try to make sure that we try a new route - or one we haven't been on in awhile - a few times a week.  Sometimes that means checking out one of the great hiking trails we are lucky to have in and around C'ville.  Other times it simply means venturing to an adjacent neighborhood.  Either way, Scout always seems happy. (Am I the only one who ever thinks being a dog would be pretty awesome?)

Unfortunately today we only had time to do the adjacent neighborhood thing.  We live on a hilly, windy road with no shoulder, let alone sidewalks, so I often get in to the car to get there (honestly this is about safety, not laziness).  The nice thing about this is that even if we only go a half mile, the fact that he got to go somewhere in the car seems to totally make Scout's day.  Again, wouldn't being a dog be awesome?

Today I chose a nice, long street with a good sidewalk.  Round trip would give us a solid 3 miles and leave me time to shower (maybe even put on make-up!) before heading off to Women's Health Virginia to deliver thank-you goodies for National Volunteer Week.

It was a great walk until the dreaded squirrel crossed our path.  Scout has, to put it mildly, a thing about squirrels.  And deer. And trucks. Mostly squirrels though.  When he sees one he has a very hard time not chasing after it.  Even though he's never - not even once - caught one, he never gives up hope. (that whole, not being able to climb a tree thing really hurts him).

Unfortunately I didn't see the squirrel or, apparently, the edge of the sidewalk, so when Scout took off in one direction, my body went the other direction and my ankle went some place completely different.  The end result wasn't good. 

 blood

 and swelling

yuck

Unfortunately we were over a mile in to our walk when this happened so the old RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate) trick didn't take place for awhile.  These pics were taken after we got home, so you can see how well that went. I, of course, did the smart thing and e-mailed Laura to see if we could do an upper body only boxing workout tomorrow.  Oh, and I made an appointment to see my doctor, too, just in case. 

After stressing that I needed to ICE ICE and MORE ICE Laura told me that Michael Jordan once severely sprained an ankle, iced it and was able to play the next night. The way I see it Michael Jordan's got nothing on me, right?  Time to put on my boxing gloves! 

**And if you're thinking you've seen something like this from me before, you just may be right...

Meet Sam

This is Sam, also known as "Toucan Sam".  From his profile shot you can see why someone a the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA (CASPCA) gave him that name - he's got quite the schnoz.  At our house, however, he's just known as Sam...or Sammy...or Sammy Boy...or Sweet Sammy...

Who is Sam?

Sam is our current foster dog from the CASPCA.  He's been with us for less than 72 hours but you'd think he'd been here is his whole life.  He's that comfortable already.

Sam is the 4th foster dog we've had in the past two years. And yes, it's always super hard to give them back when their time with us is up and no, it does not easier.  More than anything, however, it is worth it because we know in our hearts that the time spent with our family helped that dog not just during the time he/she was with us, but after returning to the shelter, as well (so far we have a 100% adoption-within- 24-hours-of-return rate).

We don't know much about Sam's life before he came to the CASPCA but it's pretty obvious he had a rough go.  In addition to the large bump on his nose (that we assume is calcification from previously broken bones), one of his legs is a little shorter than the other (the result of a break that didn't heal properly) and he recently had a toe amputated (again due to prior injury).  Don't feel sorry for Sam though.  He doesn't let any of those things slow him down.  He's completely healthy, full of energy and he runs, jumps, skips and hops as well as any other kangaroo...I mean, dog.  

So, what is Sam like?

All kidding aside, this dog is awesome. I'm pretty sure that if you looked up "Alpha Dog" in a thesaurus (or on thesaurus.com - nobody uses books anymore, right?) "Scout" would be listed as a synonym for "Alpha Dog". Sam, on the other hand, would the first on the list of antonyms. There is not one alpha bone in this dog's body.  This has proven quite beneficial for both dogs this week, as Scout gets to flex his muscles every once and awhile and Sam gets to think Scout is playing with him.  Eventually Scout snaps loud enough that Sam rolls over on his back in complete submission and the game is over. Don't tell Sam that though, he thinks it's just getting started.  

Adopt Sam

Sam will be with us for two weeks before heading back to the CASPCA.  Due to his injuries he's been there for quite awhile healing and just needed a little "vacation" from shelter life.  During his time with us he is still able to be adopted so if you're looking for a sweet, loving, affectionate, active-but-not-too-active dog to be your best friend - come meet Sammy.  He just might be the one!   

With A Little Help From My Friends

I had to post a few pictures taken at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA Critter Ball this weekend because it was such a great night at CHO (not to mention that I couldn't have even thought about fitting into a vintage dress  back in May!).  Wearing a dress that's shaped like a tent does make it a little easier to hide your flaws though - thank you 1960's fashion designers!

I'm actually not a huge Beatles fan but I've always loved the song "With a Little Help From My Friends". Probably because friends have always been a big part of my life - and right now is no exception. My friends (far & near - new & not-so-new) have been so amazing during "My Journey".  I'd never have been able to make all these changes without their help or through the down times without their support.  And let's face it, it doesn't exactly suck when people notice that you've lost weight (and my friends have been SO kind about mentioning it!).


Though I definitely wasn't on my best behavior this night (who knew losing a few pounds would make me such a lightweight?!?) I've managed to keep on track over the past few weeks.  At one point I hit a brief plateau in both numbers and motivation, but I quickly jumped back on the wagon and am moving forward toward that goal once again. Hyam got incredible new bikes at the studio which allow my shins a break from the running one day a week and, I have to admit, I totally love the change of pace cycling brings. Don't tell Hyam though - I wouldn't want her to think I'm enjoying myself!


Thanks to the fabulous SPCA Critterball Committee, the amazing people at CHO and, of course their fearless leader, my friend Barbara Hutchinson who, on top of being one of Charlottesville's most amazing women, is making incredible strides on her own journey right now.  Oh, and she's a darn good photographer, too! (Thanks, Barbara!) 

The sun was setting when we arrived - what a gorgeous view from CHO!

Can you believe this is an airplane hanger?  It was amazing! 

Outside the hanger was a beautiful cocktail hour 

and fabulous silent auction (that Ginger rocked!)

The Newsplex represented with my buddy Dan Schutte 

(who was a dance contestant last year) 

and the gorgeous Jessica Jaglois

(not to mention some stellar dancing by Travis Koshko later in the evening}

Ginger's dress and Preston's big win stole the show!

Sasha and I were looking and feeling groovy

And we were lucky enough to pick up these two while we were there!