FitDog Friday- Furry Fun Run

Running is great for your health, and even greater when it combines running with your furry friend, and raising money for a great cause. FitDog Friday is co-hosted by Peggy's Pet Place, Slimdoggy, and our new co-host To Dog With Love! Today I want to share a great idea for getting fit with your dog--a 5k race. And you don't have to be a pro athlete to do it.

Last weekend I attended the Furry Fun Run in Saratoga NY, a 5K race to benefit Peppertree Rescue. This group is near and dear to my heart, because they are the group who found us Brooks. They invited me to join in and sell my books at the event, and I donated a copy of Dieting with my Dog to be awarded in one of the prize baskets as well.

You can run or walk the course, and runners' entry fees helped benefit the rescue group. You didn't need to run with a dog, however more than 200 two-legged runners participated, most along with one or more four-legged companions. Everyone was in a great mood, despite the chilly and wet weather.

The quickest time was a bit over 17 minutes (wow!) and the last runners/walkers came in after about an hour and a half. No matter the time, everyone had fun and got fit with their dogs!

 

This post is part of FitDog Friday, where every week we share ways people are getting fit and healthy with their pets, tips and news bits, our challenges and successes. I hope you'll join in the hop!

 

Want more, pawsitive pet tips, good news, and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Subscribe to my free newsletter.  Kelly and I can't wait to meet you there!

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Moses' New Home

You meet a lot of nice folk at picnics...and guess who we met?

This weekend we attended a reunion picnic for everyone who adopted their dogs from Peppertree Rescue. Brooks enjoyed meeting all the other dogs including....
Moses!
Remember Moses, the beautiful, big golden retriever boy who came to join our family, however the sibling relationship didn't work out.

Moses' story was sad. He'd lived with a man who had become somewhat of a hermit, living alone in the mountains. One day the man died, and Moses stayed with his best friend's body for a week before anyone noticed the man had passed away and found him.

Luckily, Peppertree Rescue took Moses in, and he was fostered by a woman named Kathy. That's when we decided to adopt Moses. Peppertree gives a two week trial period before the adoption is final. During that time, however, Kelly and Moses weren't able to work out their differences. They both wanted to be top dog, and tensions in the house were so high trying to keep peace, sadly, we decided that he wasn't the right match for us and said goodbye.

Kathy readily agreed to take Moses back. And good news... she fell so much in love with him, she adopted him! Here's the happy family, Moses with his new pals.

It was great to see Moses! Kathy describes him as "happy and hungry." He's a wonderful dog, and I'm so happy that he has a wonderful family! And a happy ending for all, because Kathy has Moses, and we have Brooks, and everyone is in the best possible places.

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I'm Adopted!

I have some exciting news! I can officially announce, Kelly has a new brother!
MEET BROOKS!!

I'm feeling good here!

 

Hmm, do I see a squirrel out the window?

Some of you know that, sadly, things didn't work out when we brought home our first dog (I'm happy to report that Moses is doing great and happier than ever!). But we wanted to open our home to another dog so much, and --guess what? Peppertree Rescue came through!


Here are a few facts about Brooks:
*He is a male Golden Retriever
*He was abandoned by his former owners. We don't know how long he'd been on his own.
*The rescue group gave him the name of Parker, but we decided to change it to something that was special to us. A new start, a new name.
*He'd been in a rescue shelter for a year without anyone taking any interest in him
*He's got a skin condition on his back and belly and hematomas in his ears (allergies?)
*His fur on his back, hind legs and tail was shaved and is just now growing back nice
*He's 11 years old!

Life was tough before, but I don't need to worry anymore.

 

At first, my husband and I didn't want to consider an 11-year-old dog. I love senior dogs, but could I bear risking having my heart broken and possibly losing him after what could be a short time? All that emotional investment. And, who knows what kind of condition he was in after being abandoned? But my husband begged to meet him and once we met him, we just had to give him a second chance. It's pretty hard to meet a homeless dog and walk away....especially this face!

Won't you love me, please?

Technically, we have a few more days to complete the rescue group's two week trial period, and then Brooks will be officially adopted. But I can tell you right now, he's already a part of our family.

Speaking of which, I bet you are dying to know how Kelly is getting along with him? You'll have to tune in tomorrow to find out! But I promise you, this time now surprise endings. Brooks is here with us to stay.

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Blog the Change-- Peppertree

Hutch

Blog the Change is an opportunity to write about an animal group close to our hearts that we'd like to highlight, and this month I happen to have just the perfect group.

I've been dealing with Peppertree rescue group in finding a dog to join our family. Our circumstances require finding the right fit for our lovable but headstrong older resident dog, which is proving to be a bit difficult. Through it all Peppertree has been helpful, professional, compassionate and equally concerned about all the animals and people involved.

In our experience, Peppertree Rescue:
1. works diligently to rescue dogs needing forever homes.
2. suggests potential dogs to prospective parents and makes every effort to make good matches
3. cares deeply about their dogs' well-being
4. takes excellent medical and physical care of their foster dogs
5. observes the rescue dogs' temperaments and works on behaviors in the foster homes
6. arranges to meet prospective parents and their dogs at a neutral location to introduce the dogs
7. provides exemplary support and help during the entire process
8. helps provide or lend equipment when needed
9. has an excellent trainer who can help advise if needed
10. offers a 2-week trial period to allow the dog a chance to settle down in the new environment and for everyone to get to know each other


I want to give Peppertree Rescue high praise for their professionalism, understanding, helpfulness, and compassion for all involved. If you are in the Albany NY area and looking to adopt an animal companion, please contact Peppertree.
Here (and Hutch, above) are some of their dogs available today:

Dobbs

Sweet Pea

Reilly

Sir Lucky

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