PuppyTime! Thursday-Fursday Edition!

Thursday-Fursday

Okay...So I have been on my latest dog obsession...I want a full pit (or well, closer to a full one). My Facebook feed is overflowing with dogs in need of good homes, unfortunately those who don't make it into a rescue, foster or forever home....don't last very long in shelters.

I adore rescues for the simple fact that even though they really do not 'make' money they somehow make it happen for those animals in need.

Today's puppylove is coming to you from Ohio. The rescue is called Cincinnati Pit Crew.

AND today's pup is LOLA! The reason I am putting her up here is well...she is the one I want. If it doesn't work out for me, then I hope one of you will be able to give her a forever home. I want to give the rescue and Lola some more exposure by featuring them.

oh my god.... I can't even....ugh! She is beautiful.... I am so in love with her. She is on petfinder.com. This is the blurb CPC added next to her picture:

Lola is about 8 weeks old! Look at that sweet face! She is so soft and loves to snuggle! She is a very sweet girl looking for a family to call her own! She is working well on her potty training and does well in a crate. She will be spayed soon (prior to adoption) and is UTD on vaccinations and microchipped. Lola's adoption fee is $200.

DID YOU GUYS SEE THAT! $200......you CAN NOT tell me that at a pet store or at your 'local' breeders' you will find someone this gorgeous and for this cheap! AND do you know what is just as great as knowing you saved a life... that you actually saved 2.... The one you bring home and the one who gets their spot in the rescue.  

THIS is the specific reason why I love rescues. They don't just clear out and close up shop, they continue to take animals in. This is why I am trying to raise money for Running for Rescues with my virtual run. Here is the link again if you haven't heard about it!

REGISTER HERE!

Remember it's only $15 and you get a sick medal <3

"Keep trying don't give up, it's if you want it bad enough" - Niantic Bay 10k

So my Friday the 14th was my second day off. 

I am consistently the one who wakes up at 5, 5.30, 5.45am with Ace to take him out to the bathroom. Friday, Miguel woke up with Ace to take him out....and then once Ace peed and was fed, he came back to lay with me until 10.30am!!!!!!! I am never able to sleep in but was given this gem of a morning. <3 So Ace and I decided to take advantage of it.

 This is where he is the most content sleeping....my little (71lb) cuddlebug. <3

I get this look quite often.

Unfortunately we had a showing planned for 11.30am Saturday so Friday was spent cleaning to get the house ready. (I loathe house showings.) I like nothing about massive cleaning days. I feel like it is a huge waste...I'd rather do...well anything else. But Ace and I did it anyway. He helps me by eating his hair that I Swiff into a pile. What a trooper hahaha.

About 1pm Miguel's father came to pick up Ace. We had decided Ace could have a sleepover at their house in Niantic so he wouldn't need to be in a crate all day Saturday while we were busy. I knew it would be hard on us to not have Ace with us to sleep...I just didn't think it would feel so weird....I didn't have too much more cleaning left when.....

MIGUEL SURPRISED ME BY COMING HOME BEFORE MY RACE <3

I thought I wouldn't see him until 9pm! It made me so happy, I always feel better when our schedules work out where we get to spend a couple of minutes together. Because he works 2 jobs and I am always on call even if I'm not at work, it's hard sometimes to spend any period of minutes or hours together.

I showered quick. And left the house to get gas around 3pm. The race didn't start till 6pm but I didn't want to take any chances with Route 2, if you get stuck in traffic there you are D.O.N.E. I can't stand rushing either. I like to get where I need to be early and relax and take in my surroundings....boy am I glad I did get there early. The surroundings were just what I needed prior to my race.

If you haven't tried the Google Maps App, do it, it's so good! I was skeptical but it has great navigation. I ended up making it to Mc Cook Point Park just about 4pm...a whole 2 hours prior to the start of the 10k. I'm totally okay with it because this is where I got to hang out....

I was so pumped to run here. I can only explain how the ocean makes me feel by giving the example of being so in love with someone or something that it literally takes your breath away.

 Gorgeous.

I got my shirt and bib after I parked, they weren't kidding when they said parking was limited but I got lucky with a front row spot. A band was getting set up in the parking lot. There were only a couple other cars with runners hanging out around me. I really like the color of the shirt but I wish it was tech material. The woman who gave me my bib seemed nice and Niantic Parks and Rec appeared to be very organized for this event.

I had to take a bathroom mirror shot with this shirt even though I'm against them in general...Ruck On! Seeing as how it was Flag Day I had to rep my Boston Strong/Tough Ruck shirt from soSponsored, I had yet to wear it and thought this would be the perfect opportunity.

I sat in my car and waited...getting hungrier by the moment and about 4.45pm I decided to have my Bonk Bite! Bonk Breaker- PB & J flavored. I will say it is somewhat of an acquired taste, but if you like healthier stuff than it isn't bad at all compared to what is out there. They almost designed it to look like a deconstructed sandwich, the jelly is still identifiable in the middle of the bite.

I also had this about 5.15pm. I love these so much. It's pretty much the consistency of apple juice but has apples, mango's and strawberries. PowerBar reccomends taking one of these 30-60 minutes prior to activity and then as needed afterwards. I realized the earlier I took it, the less effects I felt during the race. I found this at CVS.

 My father won these Nike Women's sunglasses at a conference he went to. They were incredibly comfortable to wear. Typically I'm not a sunglass wearer during races.

The band that was playing was actually really good, not like wedding singer quality which is always enjoyable. They played good songs while we were waiting and after the race as well.

Niantic Parks and Rec bib and shirt set up. This was the second race I had to look my own name up and tell them my bib number...still seems odd to me. I was impressed that there were over 150 people signed up for the 10k. The 5k it appeared was less of an interest. This is first race I've seen the participants side up this way.

At the start line, the man with the tie is either the Mayor of Niantic or the First Selectman...if they are the same thing then you caught me...I have no idea what a selectman is.

Once the gun went off I started out a little fast, these people by the shoreline don't play...about a half mile in I got a call from one of my guards that threw me off big time. I put the phone on speaker, I am sorry if you were running around me. I can't go into too much detail about it because I do like my job. It took me a good mile and a half to get out of my funk, not because of her, but because of the situation. The course was the most beautiful I have run to date. Along the shoreline and through the most gorgeous neighborhoods of Niantic. Like Race Brook School's Rockin' Road Race this was an open course as well. Although I found these drivers to be much ruder than in Orange. Once I hit the 3 mile mark I was feeling good, they had about 3 water stations up to this point. The course then looped around a block and went back to where we came from, I enjoy that kind of course because then I know where I'm going.

A most of the time during the race I was pacing with the same women....

Dear One Of Those Women, please learn how to take water from a water station. Next time I will not try as hard to stop myself from slamming into you...Take your water as you continue to run through the station and then pull to the right and slow down or stop if you need to. You DO NOT stop the moment you get to the water station, there are others behind you. Thank you.

Trust me, I get it, I sound like a jerk and yes, someone could very well call me out for some of my race day etiquette as well, but singing "Karate Chop" while I'm running is not hurting anyone physically, maybe spiritually, but I needed that song. Back to the race... So at this point, for the record I HAD NOT WALKED ONCE....4.5 miles in, still chugging along......4.75 miles in...death-like feeling sets in....I slowed my pace and a man who appeared to be shuffling slower than me...passed me. Sick....I just kept saying to myself to stay consistent, stay strong. Then a damn hill hits me around 5 miles, once I get to the top of the beastly hill I slowed down and walked. I was going to give myself about .10 of a mile to walk, catch my breath and chug on to the finish. We had left the calming water scenery and we were back on a residential road which made motivation tough.

I do not normally run with music, this was only my second race ever doing so. I tuned out everyone successfully until about mile 5 when a girl who had blown past me at the start and had ran and walked around my pace as I shuffled on from mile 3-5 caught up to me. I had told myself once I hit one of the driveways I would begin running again. As I did she pulled up next to me. She turned to me and said something so I took my headset out. She asked how I was doing, I said crappy, how are you. She said the same. We then began to pace each other and talk about the course, about running, how great vomiting would feel. She was talking about how she had lost her drive and had stopped running for a significant period of time (coincidence!?!?!) she was trying to get back into it and was having trouble. All her friends were runners and were pacing better than she was so it wasn't really making the comeback any easier. We had about .20 left and she saw one of her friends walking towards us. Her friend started running next to the two of us and I turned to her and asked if she thought she could push it at the end, she said no and her friends boyfriend(?) stayed with her and I picked up my pace, the woman running next to me was so encouraging, and kind I almost threw up from too many emotions. I didn't know this woman, I didn't even know the girl I ran the last 1.2 miles with... never thought to ask her name. I then heard the announcer call out "Go Meg, keep pushing, you're almost there!". I crossed the finish line around 1:10...and hey ya know what? I'm psyched. It might not be my fastest time but I ran more this race than ever before, even in training runs, so I am proud with that as my finish. I turned around after I stopped seeing white lights everywhere and high-fived the girl I ran the end with and thanked her for helping pace me and push me. 

There was a short walk back to the parking lot. I walked as fast as I could towards to the water buckets and grabbed two bottles and saw...oohhh juicy slices of watermelon, grabbed 2...sugar cookies, yup 2 of those. Clam Chowder...yeah no thanks. If you have heard of Flanders Fish Market then you know it was great quality chowder, they've been on the Travel Channel I believe. 

Personally, I believe clam chowder after a 10k makes about as much sense as giving someone milk who is suffering from heat exhaustion (sorry American Red Cross, it's almost instant gagging liquid). 

I sat down and listened to the band until they started to call off age group winners. One day I'd like to place in the Top 3 of my age group...until then I am going to hope more courses are like this one. I felt amazing at the end, despite feeling like poo the whole time.

My feet were in a good amount of pain but I didn't want to think about it too long, not only was it 7:30pm by now but I had an hours drive home and a 5k in the AM.

Typical post race bib shot.

I made my way home and got there about 8.45/9pm. Miguel and I made dinner without the sound of jingling chains or the tick of puppy nails on the floor, I don't know if I will ever be able to have him sleepover anywhere else again. Miguel was even thrown off by it big time too.

After we ate we went to bed. A very lonely, big, lots of space having bed....at least I got to stretch out for my Saturday am 5k.

Race Brook Rocking Road Race 5k Recap

 So I have to begin with this photo...my baby watching me leave. He gave me many good bye kisses.

GPS told me it would take an hour and 5 minutes to get to Orange, CT from where I started....only took me 45 minutes. Which worked out really well because I got a great parking space at the most adorable Elementary School in Connecticut. It wasn't overly modern and wasn't outdated. It was so cute. The kind of school you'd be proud to work at or have your children attend.

So I will be completely honest...the two biggest reasons for doing this race are...the price of it, and the fact the schools mascot is a raccoon playing a guitar...I'm sold. I love raccoons  It's a problem. I realize that now. 

They had these signs up everywhere.

Race registration was clearly located, the women running the table seemed kind enough, they knew what they were doing and were pleasant. 

How cute is this....I'm in love.

 Tech shirt and bib...look how fabulous it is!!! It is officially my favorite of all my race shirts. Soft, light weight, simple.

 Take away bag, a razor, pens, Chili's gift certificate for a free kids dinner (might help if I had kids), I really was impressed with the number of sponsors they had. Great job to the parents who worked so hard.

This view right here gave me chills....I am so proud to live in this country...and as much as I would love to get out of Connecticut one day I am proud to say this state is my home.

So the race....

The start line was NOT identifiable other than 'raccoon prints' on the pavement, cute idea unless, well, you can't see the pavement. The principle of the school made a short speech to let us know 50% of the proceeds would be going to the Sandy Hook PTA. Incredibly generous gesture considering how many people showed up and the sponsorship they had for the event. The race started with a conch shell. All the runners were as confused as I was. The race started slowly but everyone around me picked up pace fast. 

(I myself had not run since the Wednesday before the Wednesday before the race....about a week and a half. My week sucked. I booked myself to be in too many places at the same time and worked 12 hour days Monday-Friday and then 7 hours on Sunday. Saturday, race day was my only day off...I didn't eat very healthy...and well the cherry on my pre-race week was that my best friend was moving to Florida and was leaving Saturday....so obviously I drank a bottle of champagne Friday night...you know....the night BEFORE my race because I was...am, sad. I wish I could have the same get up and go that she does for her dreams. I'm really impressed by her.)

So my pace was round a 10:45-11 mm...I felt like molasses. The course was open. I have to admit that prior to actually beginning the race and seeing cars out on the road I didn't know what 'OPEN' meant. Apparently an open course is one where very few, if any of the roads are closed to runners. So those wearing headsets were shocking to me, cars where at every turn and driveway. About Mile 1 there was water, but I didn't take anything because I was only about 10 minutes in....Mile 1.75 there was water...again, didn't realize it would come up so fast that I didn't get a chance to take anything with my water. I was hoping another water station would show up. It didn't. I walked a couple times, maybe 5 in total. And I would only walk 2 house lengths and then pick it back up. I ran every hill like a champ. I have to make sure I say that, becuase usually I wimp out on hills. I like to use them as my 'walk breaks'. But there were so many that I wasn't about to let my time suffer. Once 2.75 miles came around I started passing people with my energy reserve, a very small amount of energy left, but it was still there. 

At the point I started passing people I ended up pacing with a father and daughter. The little girl had to be about 8 maybe 10 years old. The father turned to her and said, "this is where everyone else gives up...this is where you give it all, never quit". His daughter turned to him, a friend of hers jumped on the course and she started sprinting. I turned to him and told him I thought he was a good Dad. I thanked him for instilling some sort of drive into his daughter as someone that might hire her one day. He blushed, (or was dying from heat exhaustion, pick one) and thanked me, said he was doing the best he could. They crossed the finish, then I crossed. I looked up at my time..........34:something...ugh. Really, 34?!? I had wanted my post Vernon Mothers Day 5k Race to break 30 minutes.....After feeling really bad for myself for about oh 10 steps children in the back of a truck gave me some water and I found the food tent. 

All the way in the back to the left, in black with my favorite pink shoes.

Subway donated easily 100 foot long subs and cookies, there were orange slices (my favorite) and of course....the holy grail, the most beautiful loaf of Olive Oil Ciabatta bread...and yes, I did go back and get two. 

I sat down, stretched, ate and hung around waiting for them to call top age finishers.....then I occurred to me. If I didn't meet my own best time, then there is no way I ended up top 3. I walked back to my car content with the fact that even after the week from hell I followed through with my race. I feel like I've got my drive back. I'm pretty excited.

 Do you see what I see?! PUPPYTIME!

Typical after race car & bib shot. A big shout out to Urban Suburban Apparel. I am wearing their Don't Bully My Breed shirt. Also had to have my black glittery Sweaty Band on for my race.

All in all I will definitely be doing this race next year, good course, good food, good swag, good people, great cause.

Thank You United States Government!

So this past week has been all over the place I promise I will still give you Fashion Friday and Sunday Runday by the end of today....

Problem is.... I just got my tax return. EEEEEEE! So I did a couple of things for myself as congratulations gifts for continuing my (somewhat) healthy lifestyle.


A few of my purchased gems are.....

From feedthebreed.com-----Shirt and iPhone case all they had were xl and xxl in teal which upsets me but I will wait for the teal to come in a medium until I buy it as well. Whats different about Feed the Breed is they say purchasing 1 shirt buys food for 19 dogs (a $19 shirt does at least) so I am assuming all proceeds to towards buying food to "Feed The Breed".

From urbansuburbanapparel.com

Also ordered a shirt from Letters For Lucy. I am in love with this baby girl.

Letters For Lucy began in September 2012, when Lucy, a Certified Therapy Dog and Canine Good Citizen was banned from a local school because she is a pit bull.  After a successful visit to the school, the Superintendent stated that he read articles about pit bulls and Lucy would not be allowed back in to their therapy program, solely based on the way she looked.  Lucy’s Mom was disheartened to have to tell her daughter that Lucy had a great visit at her school but she couldn’t return because of the way she looked.  When she told her 7-year-old this story, she asked “Mommy, why are they bullying our dog?”  This was such a powerful statement that Lucy’s Mom knew she had to do something about this.  She couldn’t walk away while the  educators of this school taught fear and ignorance.  Letters for Lucy was launched to gather letters of support from local parents and present these to the school.  We did just that, however, in the process, Lucy’s story struck such a cord with people throughout the country as well as across the globe.  Not only were people outraged by the discrimination Lucy faced but also because of the message that was being sent to the children of this school.

Lucy’s mission quickly evolved. Upon completion of addressing the school board by Lucy supporters at the November 2012 meeting, The Lucy Girls had a decision to make. Do they continue to fight the fight and educate for this breed or pack it in? They made the decision to continue on and start a 501(c), non-profit organization. Our mission is to participate in local school dog therapy programs, promotion of positive awareness of pit bulls, participate in the rescue and rehabilitation of dogs, and educate the public on the discrimination from Breed Specific Legislation (BSL).

So this little beaut is mine. <3 Psyched. I love being able to support causes like this!
Plus the quote completely makes the shirt.

 Judging me doesn't define who I am. It defines who you are.

Last but not least, on it's way is this shirt. I am psyched about this because I just register for the Hogsback Half Marathon in September of this year. I am planning on proudly wearing this shirt. The reason I registered for this specific race is because all of the proceeds go to Running for Rescues which is an amazing organization out of CT that raises money and helps with the surgeries, vaccinations and life-saving pulls from shelters of many many animals. They are amazing and local. I will be doing fundraising for them as well and anything else I possibly can do.

I purchased this shirt from Baltimore Bully Crew ...again...they are a pit rescue. Have I shocked you yet with my obsession?

Looking for a new Beau?

Thursday 'Furs'day
*a little late*

Okay, So I'm not sure my real obsession with Bully Breed Rescue but I adore their dogs. I am ticked off I asked them to come to the Canine Cool-Off event I ran this past August and they completely ignored my resquests. But that's fine. The people are not what it is about....

This is another love bug in need of a home.

Meet Beau! Beau is a beautiful blue brindle 3 yr old, 71 lb boy who loves everyone he meets! Beau is super squishy and loves to have his belly rubbed! Though Beau is a big boy, he is SUCH a baby and really loves attention from his human friends. 

This guy is very funny - he sometimes whines when he wants to play and thinks he is a lap dog! His stunning good looks, combined with his loyal personality makes Beau one of a kind. Beau would like to be the only pet in his new home and would do best in a home with an experienced bully owner. (DO NOT LET THIS DISCOURAGE YOU!)

If you are interested in Beau, please contact bbrct@yahoo.com. Adoption application, references, and home visit required. Adoption fee is $200.

Before you cringe and say "ugh, he looks too tough." "no way, not with cropped ears, he looks mean and scary." think about what kind of a say Beau had in having his ears cropped...he did not ask for that, trust me, no one would ask for it. It was whatever moron took him as a little puppy and wanted him to look a certain way. Give him a chance. 

This is the only chance you can actually buy someone's unconditional love...these adoptable dogs want to be part of a forever family.

ADOPT. DON'T SHOP

Happiness is a warm puppy.

Thursday "Furs"day

* a little late*

So, as you can read in my mini-bio to the right of the posts I am obsessed with pits. Yes, I know it's not a breed, it's a broad term, it doesn't matter to me, what matters is getting people's attention.

A couple months ago here in southern Connecticut officials broke up a small fighting ring. When was the last time you heard about a pug being pulled from one of these things?......Yeah. Didn't think so. It is always pit bulls or those that look like them. I cannot actually put into words my disgust for this. There is nothing more cowardly than dog fighting. And few actions speak louder to a persons character. 

Since last year, when Ace my own part-pit son came into my life, I have been keeping an eye on pit bull rescues. There are more than any other kind of rescue it seems. These are the most misunderstood and abused dogs in the world. Bully Breed Rescue out of southern CT has been a name that has popped up verbally as well as on the internet.

This little baby is Seven. Her bio reads as this.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, that may be true. Look at Seven now. Kissing one of our volunteers and loving life. This is a very different dog from back in February when we picked her up off the street in Bridgeport, bleeding, emaciated and with serious injuries, including two broken legs. She had been left to die and people were seen kicking the cardboard box she lay in. 

We weren't sure that she would make it through the night or that she would ever be able to run and jump and enjoy life in a deserving home. But, Seven is a survivor. With a lot of help from her doctors and love from her foster family, Seven has recovered and blossomed into a beautiful young girl who loves to run like a Greyhound. At just 45 pounds, she is petite and sweet. 

Seven has come such a very long way. She is a sweet, happy dog now. Her physical scars have healed and her emotional ones are healing too. Seven likes to be with people and would prefer a home where she can receive a lot of attention. Seven is estimated to be just under a year old. She is full of energy and likes other dogs - she lives with a male Pit mix in her foster home and they are great friends. Seven has been through so much – now she just wants a soft place to be - a place to call home, forever. 

Seven is fostered in Norwalk, Connecticut and is available for adoption to homes in the local area. 

If you are interested in welcoming Seven into your family, please contact adoptions@bullybreedrescueinc.org 

Bully Breed Rescue - www.bbrinc.org

Please even if she is not your ideal dog, please at least adopt and don't 'buy' a dog. There are so many murdered each day because they are unwanted. Your local shelter typically has adoption fees for as little at $50 (here in CT). That is a literal STEAL. Spending $500 on a pure bred dog doesn't mean you are getting a 'better dog'. You'd be surprised how many shelter dogs are pure bred dogs that are just thrown away.