Have you ever heard a conversation like this?

Person #1:  “What kind of dog is that?”

Person #2:  “We’re not really sure, she came from a shelter/rescue.  She’s some sort of mutt”

Person #1:  “Oh, shelters make me so sad.  I can’t go to them.  I just want to take all of them home with me”

Any time I hear this conversation, I want to do everything in my power to change the ‘stay away from shelters, they are sad places’ way of thought.  Yes, there are many animals in kennels looking for a home.  Yes, there are many heartbreaking stories.  Yes, the world is full of idiots who often do terrible things to innocent animals.  Yes, shelters are often over-extended and under-staffed.  However, if people stay away, then how does anything ever change?

It is easy to fall in love and want to take every animal home with you.  Is that realistic?  Of course not.  However, spending some time to help in any way possible is realistic.  If a dog gets to spend 15 minutes with a person on a walk, that is likely the best 15 minutes of the dog’s day.  Without the help, well, then, they might be sad places.

These look like pretty happy dogs and people to me.

This week, Trinket ran a little over 3 miles while Bandit, Athena and Xena all ran (with a few walk breaks for Bandit!) 5 miles during the scheduled weekend run.  Interested in running?  Click here for more information.  Interested in the stats on all the dogs running?  Click here!

What is better than taking a shelter dog for a run?  Taking several shelter dogs for a run!  This weekend, that’s what happened thanks to some wonderful volunteer runners who came out for a morning run.

Saturday, Xena hit the rail trail for a five mile run.  She didn’t even a break a pant.  Looks like she truly is a distance hound living up to her breed.

Sunday, it was our first full house.  Three amazing volunteers showed up to run with Trinket, Cricket and Abigale.  They ran three, four and five miles respectively.

Both days were cool mornings perfect for running.  Trinket remained calm, cool and collected like normal enjoying her morning exercise with a buddy.

Cricket enjoyed another morning run with a new friend, her third time out for a run in the past month.  Finally, Abigale was able to stretch her legs with a brisk 5 mile run falling into perfect pace during the second half.  She’s a natural runner and could easily go further as well!

Furry Fun Days was also kicking off in the park both days.  Running prior to the event, which benefited the attending shelters and rescues, provided a perfect opportunity to provide much needed exercise for some higher energy dogs.  The dogs were able to take part in the day to show off what great dogs they truly are in their search for the perfect home.

For more information on the dogs available for adoption, visit Better Days Animal League.  For more information on getting involved in the running, click here.  Also, keep in mind the Peace 4 Paws 5K on September 22, 2012 for you and your own dog.  The dogs hope to see you for a run soon.

It’s hot in central Pennsylvania this weekend.  As a general rule, we will not run with dogs when the temperature is 80 degrees or higher.  When the temperature is near that point, we may reduce the length of runs or intensity.  Dogs do not sweat through their skin like humans but cool themselves primarily through panting.  Therefore, dogs are susceptible to heat stroke and must be monitored to ensure they do not overheat.  Luckily the rail trail where we typically run is shaded and we are usually running in the early morning before the temperatures rise too high.

This weekend Abigale and Cricket from Better Days Animal League braved the warmer temperatures to hit the trail for a run.  These two pals get along great but it was also the first time we tried to run with more than one dog during one of the weekend runs.

Fairly quickly into our three mile run we decided both would do better if we ran with them individually so they were not trying to compete with each other.  Quickly after placing some distance between us, both dogs started to settle into the run and relaxed.

Cricket settled into her pace about half a mile into the three mile run and Abigale about the same, although a squirrel near the end seemed to break her focus a bit!  Cricket seems to tire before Abigale but both enjoyed their outing.  After our run, both dogs enjoyed the post-run love we gave them before heading back to the shelter where they’ll await their forever home.

A big thank you to Amy for coming out to run with us this week.  Abigale and Cricket appreciate it as well.  Interested in running?  Click here for more information, the dogs will love you for it!

Just like there are all kinds of runners, there are all kinds of dogs who can enjoy a run.  Not all dogs will be the type that are bouncing off the walls with a high energy level that needs released.  Some may enjoy the routine, a slower pace and the experience of exploring new scenery.

That would be the case with Trinket.  On Saturday’s run, Trinket was calm the entire ride over to the rail trail.  We started with a slow jog and she stayed right with me but never tried to pull or run in front of me.  We covered five miles but it was slow, with occasional breaks and walking.  She was easy to handle as other people passed, bikes rode by and a few other dog walkers passed us by.

I think I found a beginner runner dog.  Any beginning runners want a buddy?  Join us!

Something happened during a four mile run with Cricket on Saturday.  It may be difficult to explain it in words, but I’ll try.  I doubt Cricket even knows about this moment but it was quite special.

When I decided to try to turn this running with shelter dogs idea into a real program, I knew it was a good idea.  However, as with anything, there are always those moments where you question if it’s worth it.  Will it fail?  Is it feasible?  Should I just jump ship now?

Any tiny fraction of doubt I had lurking in the back of my mind was instantly erased during this moment Saturday morning.

It is worth it, every single second invested into making this work is worth it.

What happened?  It was the magic of the mile.

It happened a little under 2 miles into our run at the rail trail.  Runners may relate to magic of the mile.  It’s that sweet spot, that sense of euphoria and joy we yearn for.  The runner’s high.  Those moments where suddenly everything feels right in the world, we can solve life’s problems, release our stresses and relax.  That moment where we feel like we can run forever and our bodies move in effortless motion.

My run with Cricket started a little shaky but suddenly under two miles into it, I looked to my left and saw a focused dog moving in perfect pace beside me.  Her breathing was relaxed and for the first time of the morning, she seemed calm and at peace.  Cricket hit the magic of the mile.

When I picked Cricket up to take her to the rail trail, she hopped back and forth all over the car during our short drive.  She pawed at me.  She turned on the hazard lights with her paw during her attempt to touch every inch of the interior of the car.  I couldn’t be angry with her.  She’s a young, energetic dog who has spent too much time in an animal shelter setting without enough daily vigorous exercise.

We got to the rail trail and started walking.  She zig-zagged back and forth and each breath was labored since she was pulling and choking herself on the leash.  I started to jog.  A biker headed towards us so I stepped off the trail to let him pass and Cricket wanted to chase him.  Her energy seemed endless.

We continued on and she started to get into a rhythm but it wasn’t perfect.  We passed a few people and two dogs.  She did well with each but I wouldn’t say we were in complete harmony yet.

But, soon enough, it happened.  We hit that magic point.  I looked over at her focused intently on the task at hand, smiled to myself and continued on the path.  I knew we hit that magical point.

It was a muggy morning and around three miles, I could tell she was starting to tire a bit.  We slowed down and finished up the day with four miles.  That magic spot may not last long but it was enough.  It was a point she probably never would have reached on just a walk alone.

After getting some water and a few photos, it was time to head back to the shelter.

That dog that hopped all over the car for the ride to the rail trail?  This was her on the way back.  Calm, cool and collected the entire way.

Running with a shelter dog.  Worth it.  Adopting one.  Even more worth it.

On September 22nd, 2012, the 2nd annual Peace 4 Paws 5K event will take place at the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail in Shippensburg, PA.  Registration is available online or via paper registration form.

Peace 4 Paws Paper Registration Form

Active.com, online sign up

On Sunday, April 29th, there was some self-promotion for Miles and Mutts out on the course of the Gettysburg North-South marathon.  Want to join me in running with a dog soon?

On Friday, May 4th at 6:30 PM, there is a pet-friendly 5K in Chamberburg, PA – the CVAS 5K-9.    I’ll be running with one of my own dogs, Hannah.  I told her she was running and needed to represent for all the shelter dogs who needed to get out for a run.  I think she was happy.  She knows the importance of having someone help her get enough exercise.

 Also, I’m planning a Miles and Mutts run either Saturday or Sunday morning, details will be available soon.  Which lucky dog from Better Days Animal League will get out for a run next?

In an order to try to coordinate logistics, if you are interested in running with a dog, please fill out the survey below.  Thank you!

Xena and I headed over to the trail for a run this morning.  The first mile was a little clumsy but she got the hang of what we were there for very quickly.  I’m pretty sure there was a huge smile on my face the entire time as well.

The time was flying by and pretty soon we’d already run 2.5 miles.  I wanted to take it easy with her since it was her first run so we turned around at this point.  Not bad for a sweet dog who has spent most of her life in a kennel.  Of course, a temporary home at Better Days Animal League is certainly better than her original fate from the breeder/owner who  was going to drown her and her sister when he could not get rid of them as puppies.

Five miles complete.

She was happy.

Streching, post run. It's important! 🙂

I was happy.

Now, she just needs a home and someone who can take her for lots of regular runs (or walks!).Till the next run…

Want to join?

First, a thank you to Emily for designing a logo.  I absolutely love it and look forward to having a uniform image to begin promoting the program.  The B&W version:

Second, an e-mail address specifically for Miles and Mutts is now available:  milesandmutts@gmail.com.  Please contact if there are any questions.

Third, dog run on Saturday (just me (Abbi)…and one dog!).

Fourth, be sure to like the Facebook page.  A link is in the upper right hand corner of the page or here.