My OES (Old English Sheepdog) has run less since I've been running more with this IronMan preparation. Though, maybe it's relative, he just doesn't get to go on all of them or the whole distance. His limit is about an hour and on hot days, lets face it he's a hairy guy so he gets hot sooner and loses interest.
He's near human in that he will pull to cross the street when he knows that we're passing a turn that takes us home sooner. No kidding. His weight is nearing mine and his determination at that point in the game is sometimes just barely less than mine so although I could win, I often give into him and get him home!
Oh the guilt over leaving him inside instead of getting to go with me. But working on pace and tempo and hill climbing is nearly impossible when you have to stop and collect samples every little while or another dog sends us into fits. He's a stop and smell the everything kind of guy.
Sunday I took him out. He's now suffering from heat stroke we think. ISU Vet hospital have seen him more than I have in the last three days, my post vacation bills are rising and I don't know if he does recover he'll be the same dog again. If platelets are supposed to be 300K and are at 8K, you'd suspect a little lack of energy right? He's lethargic and depressed. I expect next drug they prescribe to be Prosac.
So guilt over not taking him has backfired into guilt over taking him. Dog's life today isn't looking so good. I just came from a conference where humorous keynoter was talking about men and women and our differences in communication. Unconditional love was mentioned. Male speaker suggested the guys in the audience try it....lock your wife and your dog into the trunk for two weeks...see who's more glad to see you when you open it.
Is that true or what. Truman is hooked up to monitors, they're loving him as much as possible but he's not at home and he's likely wondering after 9 days at the Vet's kennel while we were on vacation if we're ever coming back?!?! But when we show up- slobbery kisses planted on our faces.
Nothing like that for a finish line. We're pulling for him in his race.
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