Recently, Miles and Mutts had an exhibit table at an event held at Wilson College – Eat Sleep Run Grow. It was a great opportunity to talk with new people about the mission of running with shelter dogs from Better Days Animal League.

One of the most enjoyable parts of these events is talking with others about rescue and adoption.  Inevitably though, there are two comments that pop up.  First, the ‘animals shelters are sad places’ comment which I have a personal mission to dispel.

Second, when you are discussing running with a shelter dog, are those people who feel guilty about not providing enough exercise to their own dogs.  There are usually several reasons but patience, frustration and controlling the dog are the usual themes.

So, here’s a secret.  I have three rescue dogs and I am not a perfect dog owner.  In fact, no one is a perfect dog owner.  It’s shocking, I know.  While I’d love to claim that I have three angels who listen to every command I calmly say and run and walk in a perfect heel every day, well, that’s just not the case.

Instead I have three dogs with unique personalities that require a daily three ring circus to control.  ”Knock it off”, “No”, “Down”, “Shh…”, “No Humping” and “Get out of Here” seem to be phrases on repeat in our house.  Half the time I’m usually yelling these frantically with no one listening.

The dogs don’t jump on the furniture but the mailman driving by creates a chaotic fury.  They’ll sit calmly for their dinner but still sneak in the pantry if you turn your back for 30 seconds.  Daily wrestling matches end when they decide they are finished, which isn’t always when I think they should finish.  It’s give and take, a lot of patience, a little bit of compromise and continued daily work and routines.

Sometimes the last thing I want to do is take my own dogs on a walk or run.  Especially because a walk requires three separate walks, for various reasons, but we still try to make it happen every day.

First, the dog-aggressive, truck-hating lab mix and I walk around the neighborhood on eggshells watching closely for any loose dogs so we can promptly go the other way if one is spotted in the distance.  Next, the spastic, goofball chocolate mutt, who you can’t even pet because she becomes insanely excited and wiggly with touch, hits the road.  A run would be the best to calm her down, but working to keep her in pace with me by my side, even if it only takes a half mile of fumbling, may require more patience than I have at this particular moment.  Finally, it’s time to complete a brief mosey and smell session with the world’s most stubborn beagle.

Running with a shelter dog comes with built in patience.  I always have more patience with an adoptable shelter dog than I do with one of my own.  Getting one of the shelter dogs out is their time and their behavior rarely bothers me one bit.  Running with one of my own dogs does not have that built in patience because they should know better.  We’ve been through the same routine over and over again.

Having been out of our routine over the past 2 months, the past few times I’ve run with Hannah, one of my dogs, has been rather frustrating.  This weekend, we had one of those moments where all the frustration faded away.  The first mile was a clumsy adventure as I tried to make Hannah realize we were not randomly sprinting and she was supposed to run in a straight line but eventually she remembered the beauty of the run.  She hit the magic of the mile.  I looked down at Hannah on my left side in perfect pace with me.  She was shallowly panting, eyes calm and happy.  We finished our run but the moment was perfect.  So, we went another mile together and I remember why she’s my favorite running partner.

Take the time to run with your own dog and share the love with a shelter dog by joining the pack.

Want to complain about your own dog?  Miles and Mutts will have a table set up at the Chambersburg Runner’s Seminar, this year featuring Bart Yasso, on February 9th!

Happy New Year to all Miles and Mutts supporters!

Miles and Mutts started in April 2012 with one dog, one mile and one runner.

By the end of 2012, 26 adoptable dogs ran close to 700 miles with a total of 20 different volunteer runners.  9 dogs in the running pack were adopted into loving homes.

For 2013, the goals are simple.  We’ll aim to double the dogs, miles and volunteers in the program.

Over the winter, weekend group runs will continue on the weeks when the weather cooperates.  Once the weather improves, plans are in the works to add alternate days, times and locations to the mix.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far.  Let’s see what we can do in 2013 to help the lives of adoptable dogs from Better Days Animal League during the time when they await their forever home.  Maybe we can even help some of our long-timers find homes too!

Please enjoy and share our end of year video showing how much fun it is for the dogs and runners who enjoy miles together.

Over the past year, several individuals have reached out asking for advice on how to establish a program similar to Miles and Mutts in their own area.  There’s no written rule book and we’re not experts.  However, I think we’ve learned a few things over the past year and why this program seems to be working.

Trust your heart, spread kindness and the rest will follow.

1. Get involved. Volunteer. Research. Find your place and the right organization to match your vision and purpose.

2. Start slow.  Build trust with an organization.  Be patient to ensure quality, focus and longevity.

3.  Expect the unexpected.  Growing any program, organization or business can be a humbling process.  Miles and Mutts has been no exception.  Things you may think will help gain visibility may produce zero results and those you may think little of can surprise you.

In short, this means a newspaper article does zilch but a magnet stuck on your car which is parked in a grocery store parking lot is a powerful tool.

4.  Never underestimate the power of love.  The bonds formed between runners and dogs over the last year has been heartwarming to watch.  Those bonds are driving the program forward.  Pay attention to them.

5.  Be thankful.  The power of kindness is so simple.  Say ‘Thank You’ as much as possible.  Thank you, all runners who continue to be awesome by staying committed, trust-worthy and 100% dependable!

6.  Embrace positivity.  A positive message is a powerful, effective tool.  Notice how everyone is smiling in the end of year video?  Use it.

7.  Keep it simple.  Dog + Leash + Runner = Good time.  Don’t make things complicated.

8.  Encourage Others.  Create a supportive and encouraging environment open to all and keep it that way.

9.  Be consistent, yet adaptable.  Be open to new ideas yet remain consistent in delivery and execution  Do not lose track of track of any original goals along the way.     

10.  If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.  You may stumble, you may fall but keep moving one foot in front of the other.  You never know where those feet may take you.

October is Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog month.  It’s also Pit Bull Awareness Month with October 27th being National Pit Bull Awareness Day.

(source)

The Miles and Mutts running pack consists of several bully breeds and bully breed mixes.

One of our favorites, Trinket, was recently adopted.

But, there are still plenty more in the shelter waiting for a home.

So, come out, join us for a run or take part in the Better Days Animal League Zumbathon on October 27th – see the joy you can receive by spending time with a shelter dog, pit bull or other bully breed.

On September 22, 2012, Better Days Animal League hosted its 2nd Annual Pet Friendly Peace-4-Paws 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Kid’s Fun Run to benefit the homeless animals under their care in their two shelters.

Several adoptable dogs ran in the race, after getting suited up in ‘Adopt Me’ vests of course.

As expected, the dogs were ready to run when the race started but everyone behaved themselves quite well in the pack of people and dogs.

As expected, the distance hounds were front runners with Athena coming in first, also capturing the first female runner and first female with a dog awards.  She was followed closely by her sister, Xena.

Remmy and Trinket ran in the 5K as well and seemed to enjoy the day out on the trail.

All in all a great day for the animal and the runners and walkers out to support the animals. Word for Miles and Mutts reached a new audience and we anticipate more dogs in the running pack soon when others decide to join us to run with a shelter dog.

Next year’s Peace-4-Paws event should be even better!