The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
So, I have been wanting to get back to jogging. I used to jog, but stopped about five years ago when things started to get unmanageable for me.
I LOVE being out in the early morning with my pups, as well. When we lived in town with just one dog, Griffin and I would start and end every day with at least an hour-long walk. But, when I leave the house, the boys hear me and start barking. This wakes up my wife, who says that I should be quiet and let her sleep in the morning, because she is up most of the night and is quiet so I can sleep.
I used that as an excuse to NOT go out on early morning walks or jogs for the past year. I tried to walk Chloe in the morning a little over a month ago, but the boys heard me leave without them and the howling started, woke up my wife, and we had a huge fight about me not letting her sleep in in the morning. I have spent the last several weeks getting the guys on a new routine, so they do not bark when Chloe and I go outside. Yesterday, I noticed that they weren't barking, and hadn't been barking for several weeks. I thought I would start up with jogging with Chloe this morning, and pictured how nice it would be to be out in the early morning getting some exercise with a well-behaved jogging partner. I thought about how much Chloe would like being out and about, starting her morning with me and some exercise before settling in her crate for the day.
I almost talked myself out of going this morning, in case the dogs barked and woke up my wife, but then I reminded myself that I have to be the one to make a change, if I want something to change, and off we went.
Now, there were several things about this jog that I hadn't thought through. For instance, my tennis shoes are a hand-me-down from my mother-in-law and are too narrow. I haven't jogged in years, and I am out of shape, despite my mile walks to and from where I park my car for work. Chloe has no idea how to behave herself on a leash, much less when jogging. She'd race ahead, be stopped by her choker, then zigzag back and forth in front of my feet and almost trip me. The retired neighbors have small dogs. Small dogs look a lot like rabbits. Chloe kills rabbits (or, at least in my experience, rabbit). Chloe doesn't know any of the neighbor dogs or how to behave on a leash around them, especially when they are the size of rabbits. The retired neighbors with small dogs don't see a problem with letting their small dogs race toward Chloe barking and straining at the end of their retract-a-leashes.
We made it about two blocks from the house before we turned back. But, here is the wonderful thing about the morning jog with Chloe: I did it! She did it! There were no dead rabbits or small neighbor dogs. The boys didn't bark while I was gone, and my wife was still sleeping soundly when we returned home.
All in all, I would say that Chloe and I had a wonderful start to our day. I think we might try going for a jog again tomorrow.
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Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
Love it Skorpi...progress not perfection. My chloe just layed on the floor while I read your post...she doesn't jog...shes old and family and quiet. I like it that was too.
Good for you Skorpi. That took some persistence and determination. I hope you get some new shoes and can go a little further next time, new shoes make all the difference in the world! Given how well you have been able to train all your dogs, I have no doubt that you will quickly get Chloe leash/run trained.
What a great story and a great way to start your day! Hugs to you and your Chloe - it's a new habit that will be 'normalized' in no time for you both.
I too love to go out and about first thing in the AM. We've had rain for close to 2 weeks with a day/two here and there that have been nice. My Layla hears me stir each morning, and jumps up expecting to go....makes us both sad that the weather is not cooperating.
You should be very proud of the work you've done to return to something you enjoy! Here's to an added couple blocks tomorrow!!
Make it a great evening!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
This post made me smile for many reasons. I too love to get out there with my pup, though he's also a bit of a mess on the lease and likes to eat up bunnies (he's perfectly sweet besides that though). We also go to a nearby mountain to hike. It's wonderfully peaceful.
