And we were off- LITERALLY!

uly 19, 2015-

The TRUE DOG DAYS of SUMMER

Scout and Pam at the 2015 NYC AMC Doggy Dash

Skyler and Pam at the 2009 NYC IAMS Doggy Dash

On the hot and humid summer morning of July 19, 2015, Scout and Pam took to the streets of Central Park for the AMC NYC Doggy Dash. The temperature was over 90 degrees, but Scout took off to follow the other dogs ahead of him. Alright here’s the first lesson Pam learned, ya ready??!?!?......Pam learned to test her buckle on her leash so that Scout doesn’t get away. Within the first ½ mile Scout was truly off and running sans Pam. He ran over to the bushes along the side of the road as we made a sharp right off of the 72^nd Transverse. Pam followed him and found he had broke into someone’s home. He ran passed him and said hello and up through the bushes, then came back to have a little breakfast with him. Yes, he found a homeless person before coming back to Pam and continuing on. (This made Pam think the rest of the day! I mean who was this, why was he homeless, was it by choice or was it something brought on by circumstances…..and how could those mor fortunate help him? Would buying him one meal truly be helping him or would it hurt him further, how could she help him, her money was locked up tight in the truck. Maybe we will go back and offer him a bagel or something this coming week…..we shall see…..We obviously know where he lives! To quote a card Pam received from Eliana Themistocleous…..”Thanks again, and may your kindness and good deeds always come back to you.” Scout and Pam wish this for our homeless friend whether we get back to the city or something good to come his way! I have to mention we ran with heavy hearts, as we were not alone but our hearts filled with my late girlfriend Skyler, who ran this race in 2009 and 2010.

Scout and Dukey running together

Just a note, Pam thinks that Scout was just trying to keep up with the dachshund, Cooper that was running because he thought it was Dukey- our fellow GLIRC runner! Since he couldn’t catch him he scouted out a new friend and some chow!

 

Ok, so moving right along Scout and Pam continued to the halfway point. Which was at the very top of Central Park. Staying close to one another having Pam keep Scout either directly in front of her or close to her left side to respect the other athletes and their space. When we got to the 2.5 mile point, Scout had his own volunteer who made sure he had his paws checked and temp taken (Scout did NOT like this, then again what dog would like something poked up his bum?!?!?!?) The volunteers were awesome and brought Scout and Pam water and really took care of them. We met a familiar face at the checkpoint, Robert Barnes from GLIRC. It was really nice to see him there!

After a cooling 5 minute rest break, Scout and Pam continued to the end! We ran down the east side of the park back to the 72^nd Transverse and around the dirt loop (we really wish the whole course was dirt BUT we managed just find!) We ran through the finishing chutes together staying to one side, really close to one another, with everyone cheering “Go Scout Go!” as Pam wore the racing bib with my name on it! HA!

We were honored to share the last 5.25 miles of the NYC TRI course with such athletes as Dr. Robert Monaco, DVM, his son Michael Monaco, and Ira Kaplan.

The GLIRC NYC Tri guys!

We crossed the finish line, got our medals and were escorted by the volunteers to the Doggy Recovery Area to have Scout’s paws checked again, and one last temp taken…..I REALLY didn’t like this so even though my temp was a little high, the wonderful veternarians there let him cool off in the ice bath and all without retaking my temp and rise getting bitten. I was ready to run off if they tried that again or possibly hurt them unknowingly!

On the way home, we came across an accident on the LIE, and so many emergency vehicles, as we were a mile from home following an emergency vehicle Pam had mentioned  to me I hope they aren’t going to our road. When we got to our driveway, we saw the police, ambulance, and fire dept across the street. And they took our neighbor to the hospital! We hope he is okay.

What a day I’ve had……I had a blast and felt really in control while repecting other athletes on the course! I highly recommend the NYC AMC Doggy Dash for all my fellow canine athletes.

Here I am crossing the finish line:
 

 

Oh yeah and it took three well bodied vets to take my temperature at the end!

 

 

After my temperature was taken, uugghh.....I jumped on into the ice bath to cool my body down fast so that I didn't have to go through that again!

 

 

Ok, I'm going to go to sleep now I'll catch up with you another day, it's been an adventure though,

Have a happy tail waggin' week ahead,

Scout

 

 

 

We were briefed........

July 18, 2015-

 The days have come and gone and my training is behind me, so today Pam and I took a trip into the Big Apple for our mandatory briefing and first of three vet checks! But not before we took a little walk into Times Square, following in Skylers footsteps that is, she and Pam also walked into Times Square and stopped for a photo op back in 2009 and 10......So I had to do the same with Skyler in our hearts!

On the way back to the hotel we had to stop at this outdoor eatery and take it all in, afterall it is legal to dine outside with your human, I mean your canine companion now! So even though the place wasn't open we sat and used the chairs outside.





 Of course I saw a few other dogs walking by and I had to say hello and make sure they saw me so I let out my HOWL of howls! I think Manhattan is now awake!

A few short minutes after we sat down we headed back to the hotel and up to the room where we were to be briefed. What did we see but all the goodies and bibs all lined up ready for us to pickup!How exciting! Each one of us got our own collar and leash with our names on them! Some poop bags (environmentally friendly ones at that). And a bowl of our own with our name on them! And a bag full of goodies for our humans!

Imagine that our humans have to wear our bibs with our names on them, we get the cheers and all........How exciting!

We are big on cleaning up/ picking up after your dog here,
 so pickup and be RESPONSIBLE!

 

Until tomorrow when I wake up NYC with the Hound Dog Howl,

have a happy tail waggin' day like myself,

Scout

Our final training run......

July 17, 2015-

For our last training run we had Dukey along with us.......man can he go! His legs might be 1/4 of the size of mine but he was holding his own! As you can see we ran the soft trails at Blydenburgh County Park, Skyler's favorite trails! And now mine, there are foxes in these woods and I picked up on the scent of them and was off, Pam had to hold me back! Once a hound dog picks up on a scent, particularly an American Foxhound (which I am partly) there is no stopping us. SO  keeping us on a leash would be a good thing unless you don't want to see us again or are in really good shape, like 4 min mile in the woods (trails) to catch us!

 So halfway through we stopped so I could take a dip, and as you can plainly see I had my head in the clouds......with my feet in the water. Can you get any better than that?!?!??!?! I am guessing not!







There I am bathing in the water, cooling off for the return back to the truck.........As you can see in the photo below Dukey opted not to come in the water........But I knew this is the pond that Skyler liked to take her dip in so I was going to do the same!








Maybe next time I see Dukey he'll take a dip with me, ya never know!






In closing, I will show you the video Pam took of me splashing around in the water, which was fun!
Love you Skyler, I dedicate it to you! You are always with me in my heart!

 

On that note,

I will leave you for the day until tomorrow,

I will have a happy tail waggin' day and I hope you do the same,

Scout

Last day of training.......

July 17, 2015-

Alright so here we are, the last official day of training before the big day! So today, we will run 2-3 miles at a nice easy pace just to keep loose.......and make sure we're ready.....nice and easy as we said! Today is also the last FULL day of having our visiting pack member staying with us, Dukey!





Dukey will be missed BUT this weekend, I will be meeting so many new friends and running alongside the pack! And when I get home I will have my pack together again. I cannot wait for this weekend, as it proves to be a great experience of my lifetime. Skyler loved it and so will I! In fact, as we take each stride through the park, our hearts will be filled with Skyler, so she will be running along with us.





Although Pam will not be running with her headphones so that she can be paying attention to me completely. There will be one song in our heads be played for our Skyler.....Here it is now, in fact-
we will share the video with you too: it is "See You Again" by Carrie Underwood. We love this song and it helps a lot of people who lost their pets and others all over. So Carrie THANK YOU for having the compassion in your songs to know what others are going through!
 
 

 

Ok, so tomorrow starts the big weekend....we will be taking a trip into the city for a 9am mandatory briefing.....and vet check....then making our way back home to rest up for an early day on Sunday! We already know where we will be parking on both days and the details of the weekend. Now it is up to us to just have a great race and go to the briefing and checks. Hey Dr Robert Monaco, DVM.....plan your race so that you can run with us, if you can- we start on your last 5 miles at 7:30am and we hope to finish within 45-55 minutes......oh yeah, remember we have to stop for 5 minutes halfway through for a vet check! Hey they care for us, you know your canine friends, I think Jake would approve of a vet checking him out halfway!

 

 

So let's get going Pam, I'm ready to roll.......

Ok, until tomorrow,

I will go and have a happy tail waggin' run and day, so you do the same,

Scout

Almost to counting down the hours........

 

July 16, 2015-

As we get closer and closer to the big day......yesterday Pam and I ran for 20 minutes....covering a mere two miles, we were joined by our new friend Dukey (you can see him in the photo below).

As you can see his legs are a little shorter than mine, but let me tell you do not let that fool you. He can give you a run for your money! If he knew the course we were running he would have been leading me- also if I didn't keep cutting him off and almost stepping on him. Hey, what can I say I want to be in the front! You know the leader of the pack!





Look at that powerful little guy next to me,
we call him the Duke of Melville!

 

Ok, so today we have another rest day then tomorrow we train one last time before the big day.....I think Pam enjoys these rest days more than I do even though at the same time they drive her crazy too! But it's the training schedule we chose!

 

I am so excited to meet and greet my fellow canine athletes.......all of their bios can be found at www.nyctri.com/doggydash

and to find out what goodies they have in store for us! Oh yeah to be running alongside all of my fellow canine athletes and Pam as well as triathletes!

 

Until tomorrow's blog,

have a happy tail waggin' day,

Scout

 

Waiting patiently......yet anxiously.......

July 14, 2015-


As I wait patiently for my big day to come this weekend, today we have the day off training wise, I am looking here to head outside with my new friend Dukey AKA "the Duke of Melville".  As you can see Candycane is already outside. It rained last night and you can see that on the window, along with all our dog slobber.

Anyway, we have 5 days including today until the Doggy Dash, we got our info packet yesterday via email. The crew in charge really cares for the athletes, and as far as the Doggy Dash goes they care more about the dogs than the humans running with us!Thank goodness. There are not one BUT THREE MANDATORY vet checks one being on Saturday! and two on Sunday.....so before, halfway through the race and one after the race......the AMC is there for us all the way. We get the bling, and the goodies, our humans get to carry it though! HAHAHA......

It is LITERALLY all about us! And rightfully so!......Afterall we get our two legged companions out everyday for some kind of outdoor activity!

Here is a rundown on the whole Doggy Dash weekend:

On Saturday, July 18^th at 9AM, there will be a mandatory vet check and race briefing at the Hilton in Midtown (1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019). You will pick up your race packet, goodie bag, and have the first of three mandatory vet checks at this time.

 

Here is the first meet and greet with my new canine friends, rippee!

Then on Sunday, July 19th:

·         6:45 AM – Meet @ Tavern on the Green (67^th St Central Park West).

·         Race will begin around 7:30 (72^nd St Transverse).

·         Humans wear the bibs.

·         Dogs must always be on leashes. Leashes CAN NOT be any longer than 6 feet.

·         You MUST stop for a mandatory 5 minute rest break at the halfway point.

·         There are THREE mandatory vet checks. One today, one at the midpoint of the race, and one following the race.

·         Please clean up after your pups! We provide the bags, so there are no excuses.

·         Be cautious of triathlon athletes on the course.

·         There will be an AmbuVet ambulance located on the course. Please notify a volunteer or staff member for assistance.

·         Award presentation is @ 10 AM.

 

I hope no one calls Pam by name, SCOUT! as she we be wearing our bib with my name on it!  How funny would that be! I'd be howling on the ground!

Having a leash no longer than 6 feet is so important, the longer the leash the more trouble one can get into!

I would like to suggest to my fellow runners, not to use headphones in this race, as we should be paying close attention to our team members. Yes that means YOU HUMANS! Let's enjoy the sites and sounds of Central Park together, as well as be paying attention to each other and enjoying every step along. And most importantly paying attention to all those around me and any distractions our canine pals may come across- SQUIRREL!.....See......Oh, also as I saw this past weekend, CHIPMUNK!........

Can I also suggest keeping your dog either in front of you or close to your side?!?!?!? So as not to take up the WHOLE running path! Let's be considerate and respectful of those running with us! Afterall it is a priviledge and an honor to be running alongside these athletes and they are sharing the course with us as well. And if our dog, ourselves, or someone else happens to collide paths temporarily BE RESPECTFUL and do not use the "potty" mouth or anything but say excuse me or I'm sorry, and step aside temporarily so that we can ALL make the most out of the experience!

Ok, picking up the poop, yes- this very important! Think of it this way- we all like to be out there with our dogs and not have to worry about step in a well LOAD of ----......and going back to the movie Forrest Gump for a second, where he says .....-- IT  Happens!, Let's face it the bumper sticker has already made it's way all around the globe in different languages at that so, there is nothing to be gained from the phrase! So use the provided bags!

With all that being said.....RUN Forrest RUN! Or in this case, RUN ROVER RUN!

Have a great race, or enjoy watching the race overall!

 

Until tomorrow,

Have a happy tail waggin' day,

Scout

 

 

Calm before the Storm......

July 13, 2015-

It's the Monday before the big day....and we are resting today, that means no training, wait, I stand corrected- we are mentally preparing for the event.
We are telling friends to join us if they can to come cheer us on, planning our course of action, etc.

I am carbloading all week- hey, Pam where is my bagel?!?!?!?, get me my bagel! I know I've done a marathon before but this is a race, a 5 mile race with fellow canines!

Oh yeah as a friend of ours pointed out on her facebook page, thank you Sheba and Randi by the way!

Your dog deserves to celebrate National Ice Cream Day too! July 19 Unleashed by PETCO, sign up for email to get coupon for a free Yoghund: Frozen Dog Treats
 

 

So we will either be bringing our own ice cream with us in a cooler or we will be checking out the local places in the city to indulge in some cooling ice cream treats, vegan of course my dear. I mean dairy is really not good for dogs either! Pam makes an awesome ice cream for us to share of course!
You can see the recipe in our book Get Your Leash On! available on amazon.com!

Ok, so we just wanted to mention a treat for Sunday today, please make sure you keep your dog cool with some Ice Cream on Sunday!

Until tomorrow,
Have a happy tail waggin' day,
Scout