School has started back up, which means that my schedule feels as tight as a belt on Thanksgiving Day. Sometimes the only way I can fit in a decent run is if I get up at stupid o'clock.
Fortunately, I have someone who is always willing to run regardless of the time. When my alarm goes off, he's right there as if to say, "Well, are we gonna go run or what?! Get your lazy butt out of bed!"
The weather conditions don't matter to him. He's willing to pound some pavement, even if it's freezing cold or pissing down rain. I don't know what I'd do without my fur buddy running friend.
(Zeke: this girl's best running buddy!)
Looking back, it almost seems as if fate put him in my arms. I had always wanted to get a dog for the boys because I believe that having a loyal companion is important in any child's life. My parents had dogs when I was a kid, and I have fond memories of each one. My husband Jay mentioned a few times that he would like to get a dog but said that when the time was right, an opportunity would present itself.
He was correct.
I remember that June day four years ago very well. We were at Gerald's baseball game, and one of the other parents had a tiny puppy with her. Her name was Lucy, and she was so adorable. We found out that Lucy had many siblings that needed a home. My parents were taking our boys for the evening, so Jay and I decided that we would go check out the puppies. I told Jay that we were just going to look.
Yeah, right! Anyone ought to know that it's impossible to just "look" at puppies!
Among the gray-with-white-markings puppies and the white-with-black-spots puppies, there was one brownish-red brindle male. Jay immediately pointed him out. I picked him up and he snuggled right in, crawling onto my shoulder and burying himself in my hair. The idea that we picked him is ludicrous. In reality, he picked us.
We took home that little four-pound puppy, first stopping at a store on the way to get some essentials. We fed him puppy formula for a few weeks, and we watched our tiny, weak, sleep-all-day puppy turn into a playful, loyal and snuggly 110+ pound beast. He still considers himself a lap dog even though he can no longer fit on any of our laps. Jay named him Zeke, and when he was a year old, I began to take him with me on runs.
It was very frustrating at first. He wasn't so great on a leash, and he would trip me up and pull me this way and that. We finally found the right collar and leash, and I taught him where I wanted him to be so that we wouldn't trip over each other. He quickly learned verbal commands such as "Ease up!" (slow down) and "Move over!" (for when cars approach). Now I don't have to say anything at all because he knows what to do.
I love running with Zeke. He is the perfect partner despite his penchant for skunks. He provides an element of protection, and he helps get me out of bed for early runs. He's never stood me up, and I love it when we're on a run and he looks up at me with his tongue hanging out, utter contentment written all over his mug. We're perfect for each other, and I'm so blessed to have him in my life.
Thanks for reading, friends. :)
