Well, I’m happy to report that Zoey and I made the 4:45 a.m. run happen this morning. Zoey was SO confused about why I was waking her up at 4:30. I got down on the floor next to her bed and whispered, “Happy Birthday Zoey! Do you want to go for a run?” She was reluctant to get up and pretty skeptical until we made it into the kitchen and she saw the leash come out…then it was GAME ON!
We ran 5 miles. It was really peaceful being out there so early and so comforting to have Zoey by my side.
I reflected back on her first birthday last year when she got to go on her first run with me. We went 2 miles. She’s become a wonderful running partner and I’m so excited that the weather is finally cooling down enough that she can join me for most of my training runs. The farthest I’ve taken her so far is 7.5 and as long as the weather is cool, she has zero problems going, going, going.
Sullie, on the other hand, is happy that her running days have turned into long walks and didn’t budge from this position on her bed this morning.
When I showed up to teach my 6 a.m. yoga class and informed them that I’d already run 5 miles and had a shot of espresso, they were like…”god help us.” 😛
Before I get into Zoey’s birthday, I want to say thank you (thank you, thank you, thank you) for all of your encouragement about the Kiawah Marathon. I’m going to respond to each of your comments but you guys totally put me at ease about testing the waters. I reached out to Dr. Bradberry at Greenapple Sports & Wellness today about my possible marathon plans and we’re meeting next week for an evaluation and to put a plan in place for preventative training treatment. Fingers crossed and I’ll report back to you! He’s the best and I’m so excited to work with him. If anyone can get me to the finish feeling good, Dr. Bradberry and the Greenapple team.
So…today is my baby girl’s second birthday and is she ever a blessing in my life. While Sullie is my “true north” (as one of my friends says about her golden boy Bear that we dog sat over the summer), Zoey is my reminder not to take life so seriously and to find time for PLAY! She has such a playful and sweet spirit and Tanner and I joke all the time about how she’s always smiling. She just has the brightest outlook on life!
I also love that she’s FIERCELY independent but also extremely loyal and focused on her people. There’s rarely a time when she’s not in the room with me (including showering and the bathroom…I can’t go in without her escorting me) and she almost always stays in the office with me while I’m working. Yesterday I caught her curled up with my new slippers. An amazing development with her second birthday is that she’s no longer eating my shoes, just getting close to them. I’m thankful as I lost Tom’s wedges, black pumps and athletic shoes to her puppyhood.
Zoey is still ball OBSESSED (as well as obsessed with her dad…they have this special bond that I don’t think I’ll ever touch) and it’s all ball, all the time around here. Sullie could still care less. (Unless you’re throwing it in the water.)
I went on a little shopping trip at PetsMart today for birthday goodies and got the following…
- Kong Air Dog Squeakair 3-Pack
- Kong Halloween Pumpkin Dog Toy
- Kong Frankenstein Plush Dog Toy
- Giant Deer Antlers (do yourself a favor and order these online…they are like half the price on Amazon that they are in store)
- Top Paw Figure 8 Pull Toy – my girls love playing tug of war with rope toys
The girls are going crazy over the deer antlers and have been chewing on them for the last 2 hours nonstop.
Well, nonstop except for our cake intermission. I baked both girls my favorite mini dog birthday cakes. They’re so simple…for each one you just mix together 1/2 an apple diced, 3 tablespoons of peanut butter and one egg with 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. It’s grain-free and there’s no sugar added and it bakes into the most amazing little cakes that the girls go crazy for.
Happiest of birthdays to my Zoey girl. Here’s to many more! 🙂
What’s your dog’s favorite toy?
Does your dog like to play fetch with balls or other toys?
Do you run with your dog?
Happy birthday Zoey!!! She is so precious! I just got a new puppy and she is very similar. Though she has her “puppy” moments she has brightened my life so much <3
So happy to hear that Carly! Yes, puppies are definitely a lot of work and get into their fair share of trouble but they are so worth it!
I love the reference to Sullie being your true north & Zoey being your reminder to play. My girl Betsy & I have a serious bond that is so important to me. She is my #1 & I swear she’s half human. Hard to describe what she means to me/is for me. Arthur, my boyfriend’s & my 10 month old terror (no, not terrier – he’s a Mastiff/St. Bernard cross) keeps me on my toes – and barefoot since he’s eaten so many pairs of my shoes. I love him dearly & we have a strong bond, in a completely different way than with Betsy and me.
Happy birthday, Zoey!
Hey Kacey – I think your first dog will always have a very special place in your heart. That’s how I feel with my Sullie girl. While I love Zoey just as much, there’s just something about my bond with Sullie that I can’t describe.
I smiled at your story about your new 10 month old “terror.” I feel you on the shoes! I lost quite a few to Zoey’s puppyhood. Hope you have some strong crate training in practice! 🙂
xx
Jen
Happy birthday zoey!! I make a huge deal out of my dogs birthday too 🙂 this past year we had a puppy party in our backyard with all the neighborhood dogs, pupcakes for all the pooches and wine and snacks for humans. Everyone LOVED it! Crazy dog moms unite!!!
I have yet to throw a dog birthday with humans invited but I’m thinking I need to make that happen next year.
Happy Birthday to your sweet girl! That photo of her curled up with your slippers got me choked up! Pets are the best!
Thank you! And I know, I think it’s going into the collection of favorite photos ever. <3
Ohhhh happy birthday Zoey!!! How much fun. I just got a boxer puppy and I’m going to teach her to run with me. Vet says I can slowly start at 6 months and I’m so excited to have a running buddy. I keep telling her… “you’re going to be a RUNNNNNNERRRR!!!”
Love that sweet face! My Sevi will be two 11/14 — I don’t know where time goes!
It’s funny how dogs have such distinct personalities and bonds with us. I’m the favorite human in my house due to the amount of walking/running time I do with my girls – I’m first one up in the morning so I feed them too, so I’m sure that wins our girls over too 🙂
I swear one of our girls is a therapy dog without the training – she distinctly knows when someone is off and comes and puts her head in their lap, at their feet, etc. German shepherds are true protectors and so loyal – they give me so much comfort and joy!
They love tennis balls and fetch of ANY kind. We get back from a 4-5 mile run and they’re still ready for fetch!
One of the things I commented on the most when I brought Zoey home was how totally different her little personality was than Sullie’s. It’s so cool to see them both have the same golden characteristics but TOTALLY different personalities. I know exactly what you mean about the therapy dog mentality.
So…you would think that I’d be the #1 human because I am the one who exercises them and is home with them most of the day since I work from home but not with Zoey. I’m pretty sure I’ll forever be #1 with Sullie but Zoey is all daddy, all the time.
And I laughed about your tennis balls after the run. Zoey’s energy is ENDLESS! We’ll run 5 miles and she’s like, “what’s next!”
Happy birthday, Zoey! She looks like a happy girl.
My dog loves a good rope! She’ll grab it and whip it around, even hitting herself on the sides, ouch! She loves it when we play tug with it, too. She’s not big on fetch, I’ve gotten her to do it a couple of times but she mostly just watches me throw the ball then looks at me like, “Why’d you throw that? I’m not getting it.”
We do run together but just short distances (2-3 miles). I’d love to take her longer, but she is really reactive to other dogs. That means we have to go very early in the morning before all the other neighborhood dogs are out getting walked. Usually I’ll take her with me for a quick loop, then drop her back at home and then I’ll head back out.
I know exactly the rope swinging whipping that you speak of. It’s hysterical! My girls also love to play tug, especially with each other. While Zoey is a fetcher, Sullie’s take on it is exactly what you describe with your dog.
I loved everything about this post! My favorite is when you can tell dogs are smiling. 🙂 And her excitement over your runs together is adorable. As is the pic of her on your shoes… I could go on & on. Dogs are just the best, aren’t they? Happy b-day to Zoey!
Thank you Julie! Zoey is such a smiler. And yes, dogs are just the best ever. They make ME smile about a million times a day.
Tennis balls are a hot commodity in our home (unless the dishwasher is open or someone is eating…I’ve raised beggars)! My puppy is almost two, but when I try to take her for a run she SPRINTS and acts as though she’s physically incapable of going my (slow-ish) speed. I can’t figure out how to slow her down…on a walk she’s fine! Guess I just need to keep working with her! It’s already getting darker so much earlier, and I need her to go with me in the dark – the coyotes in our neighborhood scare me too much to go alone! 🙂
Ahh…we have coyotes around here too and it’s terrifying. Hmmm, I don’t know how to slow your pup down on the running. Sounds like she’d enjoy it if she did slow down a little! 🙂
It is seriously in my top life goals to own a Golden one day, and I love living vicariously through your blog! Happy birthday to sweet Zoey!!
Aw, they’re the best so I definitely hope you can make it happen! Best personalities and temperaments!