Dog Rescues

Mountain climbers & Burpees: 7/25-31 Weekly Wrap

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 43 Comments

I am not gonna lie — it was a frustrating week. Including Bandit, who up until Friday I would have said was completely house trained, deciding to have an accident in our kitchen for no known reason, as he’d been out twice and done his business both times.

I worried about a bladder infection, but he was fine overnight and the next day. So now we need to keep a closer eye on him and he might have to lose what little freedom he gets. We’ll see.

Running, however, is still going pretty good.

I’m wrapping it up  with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin. It’s all about supporting anyone who lives an healthy lifestyle.

WeeklyWrap

Workouts update

  • Monday: 3 miles easy on the treadmill, Dogwalk
  • Tuesday:  3 miles easy (with hill repeats x 10), Dogwalk, Full Bodylicious Abs
  • Wednesday: YFPR Knees & Hips, Dogwalk,  Swimming 25 minutes
  • Thursday:  Dogwalk, 3 easy treadmill miles
  • Friday:  Dogwalk, Iron Strength Abbreviated, Danette May Flow
  • Saturday: Dogwalk, 8 mile LSD, Yoga for Athletes* Hip Openers & Recovery
  • Sunday: Dogwalk

Mileage: 17 (+1)

TIU = Tone it Up
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links

Running update
Still very hot and humid, so yup, on the treadmill again this Monday. I decided to explore a little barefoot running — and I mean that literally. Oddly enough it seemed as if I was going really fast when I was barefoot, but when I stopped after a half mile to put my running shoes on, the pace felt easy. After a mile I took it up just a little, and it continued to feel easy. I finished my cooldown by walking for a quarter of a mile barefoot.

Tuesday I went out before walking Bandit. He was not terribly happy about that, since he had to stay in his crate while Mr. Judy was out walking Lola and I was out running. But I got to run with a lot more shade and that made it worthwhile. Doesn’t explain why my overall pace for this run was 10 seconds slower this week — it was actually slightly cooler than last week, more shady, but a lot more humid. Whatever. It got done and now we’re moving on to speedwork.

Back to 90 on Thursday, back on the treadmill for a tempo run. I realized I haven’t been doing tempo runs at all! Which is okay, as really I’m just beginning to train, so I did a sort of tempo run. One mile warmup/cooldown, and then started the middle mile at 5 mph (which is hopeful race pace for me) and picked it up every 2 1/2 minutes until at the end I was running at 5.4 (about 11:30 mm I think). You know what? It actually didn’t suck.

Saturday we finally caught a break in the weather — it was cooler, less humid, and cloudy. Score! We were running in the neighborhood near my chiropractor, as they’re a sponsor of our group and were having an open house afterwards. It also meant it was 2 hilly 4 mile loops. The first mile is a nice down hill, but of course that means that the last mile is a long uphill!

My running buddy is still out with an injury, although she rode her bike (the wrong way so we didn’t see her) and met up with her after the run — it was nice to chat as it’s been 3 weeks since we saw each other.

I as a bit worried about getting lost, so I probably ran that first mile too quickly. But it was downill, after all. I managed to keep people in sight enough to not get lost. I even almost managed negative splits (except for a big slowdown the last mile — not sure why — except that uphill, of course).

I was mostly running on my own, but I must say I was pleased that a couple of people I started out with, who got way ahead of me, I passed on the uphills. Both times!

Favorites of the week
It took a while, but Bandit is finally listed on the rescue site!

I got another quickie massage at the chiropractor’s.

I also added some gluten free graham cracker chunks

All the baked goods after my long run. Which was only 8 miles and I really can’t afford all the baked goods but oh well, it happens. Not to mention I baked some gluten free s’mores cookies after the run (you can find the recipe on my Pinterest cookies board) — if you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen them going into the oven. Above is what they looked like coming out. I only used a half cup of coconut sugar rather than the 2 cups of sugar the recipe called for.

Good, but maybe a bit excessive for 8 miles. They were hilly, though.

Then this carbolicious eggplant panini for dinner. I didn’t realize the eggplant would be breaded.

Sunday morning I was busy in the kitchen: baking muffins and making jam.

The title refers to the Iron Strength abbreviated workout, by the way. It includes mountain climbers, burpees, and planks, along with some weight training. And the pain is over in about 20 minutes.

Then probably the best part of the week: we met the person we plan to board Bandit with, and she’s willing to take him. She definitely sounds competent and I am so thankful there are people who are willing to take on dogs with issues. My brother will be in town in a few weeks so we’ll just try it for the day.

It’s 30 minutes away, but sort of on the way to my parents. It will mean he’ll need to be crated in the car, since Lola will be with us and she’s a nervous traveler. Not sure how he’ll feel about that — he actually rides great in the car, but since we don’t know what could set him off, and we definitely don’t want a dogfight in the back of the car, he’ll just have to be crated.

Not a terribly exciting week. I suppose that’s not a bad thing. I could have done without all the little frustrations, but again, that’s life. In the end, everyone is healthy at the moment, everybody still has all their body parts, so I guess we’re doing okay.

And that’s a wrap!

I love to hear from you! Answer me one of the questions below in the comments, or just comment! Let me know what you think or what’s on your mind.

Do you have a favorite strength training exercise routine for running? (always looking to expand my library)

Seriously, can you believe tomorrow is August?

Ever get a bit carried away with the recovery snacks/meal?

Light at the end of the tunnel?: 7/18-24 Weekly Wrap

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 31 Comments

The week started off rough, meeting with the trainer and Gizmo’s sudden “illness” (read about it here), but ended on a high note when we finally got to have a rescue evaluate Bandit. It was another tough, draining week, but we have more of a routine going and we are hopeful that things will continue to get better.

I’m wrapping it up  with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin. It’s all about supporting anyone who lives an healthy lifestyle.

WeeklyWrap

Workouts update

  • Monday: 3 miles easy on the treadmill, Dogwalk
  • Tuesday:  3 miles easy (with hill repeats x 9), Dogwalk x 2
  • Wednesday: Dogwalk x 2,  Swimming 20 minutes, Full Bodylicious Thighs
  • Thursday:  Dogwalk, 3 easy treadmill miles
  • Friday:  Dogwalk, Full Bodylicious Abs
  • Saturday: 7 mile LSD, Dogwalk
  • Sunday: Dogwalk and hopefully some sort of yoga

Mileage: 16 (+1)

TIU = Tone it Up
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links

Running update
Monday was a long day, and I knew it would be, as we were meeting with the trainer, but I didn’t know just how long it would actually end up being. It was hot, again, so I ran on the treadmill, and eased back on the pace simply because all of the stress going on in our life.

Tuesday was blessedly much cooler, and I knew it would be, so I saved my hill repeats for it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get out there until 9 am, losing a lot of the shade. I really needed that run, though. And it was faster than last week (with one more hill repeat). And a woman walking her dog said how much she admired me, that she could never do that, although she looked quite fit — that always raises your spirits!

Yup, Thursday the heat came back. It wasn’t terribly humid, but again, I couldn’t do a morning run, so I ran on the treadmill (with headphones) again. Despite the fact that Bandit was crated upstairs while I was running downstairs.

Saturday I finally got to run with my group again. Sort of. Unfortunately my group run buddy is down with an injury (unclear how serious it is yet), and so while I got to chat with friends before/after, I ran solo for the most part. Most people are faster, one maybe is slower.

It was quite humid and in the mid 70s at the start at 6:30 am. Which is why I told Mr. Judy I really need to run with my group from here on out — we’re getting up to longer mileage and with the hot summer we’re having, it’s so imperative that I get out there early. So Mr. Judy was on complete animal control (feeding, getting Giz in the laundry room, taking both dogs for short walks) while I was out running.

I won’t lie and say this was a fun run; it wasn’t. Thankfully at that time in the morning there was a fair amount of shade. I am also happy to report that I ran it about 2 minutes faster than I did last year at this time, when it was 10 degrees cooler!

Some of that may actually be due to the fact that I was solo. My run buddy, who races faster than me, tends to struggle on the LSDs. It begs the question would I be better if I were with her, and therefore running slower?

I did not have much in the way of goals for this run. I started out just noting the time each mile, and running by effort, trying to pay attention to my form. I decided to push the pace a bit miles 5 and 6, and while I had intended to let that last mile be a cooldown, by that point I really just wanted to be done with this run so it was almost as fast as my first mile (when I was running with someone for a bit).

banditvschi
Bandit gets evaluated with a chihuahua

Favorites of the week
We finally met with some rescue people to evaluate Bandit. Their opinion? He’s fine. A little leery of some handling, but ultimately pretty good overall.

We got the distinct impression that they thought I was overreacting. Why does he have to be separated from your other animals? Um, both the vet and the trainer thought it was a good idea? Because I haven’t liked the way he’s gone after them when he had access to furniture (although he stopped when I told him to and on the rare times he comes nose to nose with them he seems fine).

I have found rescue people tend to be this way. Some like animals more than humans. They also basically dismissed the fact that he bit the vet with the “little dogs are just that way”) (remember my thoughts on that in this week’s TOLT?).

Granted, I only have experience with Chester and Lola, but that was not my experinece — at all — with either one of them. Not even taking them to a strange vet for the first time.

I don’t agree with them. On the other hand, they are willing to list him on their site. And maybe talk to one of the rescues, that specializes more in small dogs, one of the first ones I contacted and got turned down at, about listing him on theirs, as well.

Could I be overreacting? Maybe.Could it be that they aren’t threatened by him and therefore aren’t threatening to him? Could it be because we met in a neutral location, and not in our home? Could it be that as we get more comfortable with him, he gets more comfortable, too?

It’s a step in the right direction, anyway. Obviously it’s not as though he’s going to be adopted tomorrow, but I’m so glad to finally have people who are willing to work with us.

I’ve been waiting for this since the 4th!

On to some other favorites this week. Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream. You can’t see the mini peanut butter cups in it. We left Bandit at home and we took Lola to my favorite local ice cream place (she got a little of Mr. Judy’s Black Cherry ice cream).

Relaxing in Skirtsports with Giz

More Skirtsports outfits. I love how they great for running, for dogwalking, for relaxing. I got complemented on my skirt on my run Saturday (Use code CRJ20 for 20% off full priced items).

Love the Switzer skirt!

I’ve been working on my post You are not a number for a while, and I got a lot of good feedback on it. In case you missed it, I’m talking about the numbers we use to define ourselves and there’s a very short video from me at the end.

Wouldn’t you know I’d just bought my first pair of Oofos when I won these?

Last but not least, I won a giveaway from Small Town Runner a while ago. It took a while for all of it to come, but I won a pair of Oofos and a sampler from Skout Backcountry. Thanks again, Raina!

And that’s a wrap!

I love to hear from you! Answer me one of the questions below in the comments, or just comment! Let me know what you think or what’s on your mind.

Did you write a post you’re proud of recently?

Do you find rescue people can be a bit odd?

What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?

You don’t always get what you want: 7/11-17 Weekly Wrap

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 35 Comments

But sometimes you get what you need

Things with Bandit are pretty status quo. I got all my runs in. And then I got something I really, really needed — but you’ll have to keep reading to find out what that was.

I’m wrapping it up  with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin. I bare it all, most of the time — but you can share whatever you’d like to share. It’s all about women sharing and caring with other women.

WeeklyWrap

Workouts update

  • Monday: 3 miles easy including hill repeats x 8, Dogwalk x 2
  • Tuesday:  4 miles easy treadmill, Dogwalk x 2
  • Wednesday: Dogwalk x 2, Yoga Body Makeover Tone with weights, PopPilates Muffintop Melter (affliate links)
  • Thursday:  Dogwalk x 2, 3 easy treadmill miles
  • Friday:  Dogwalk, Physique57 Arm & Ab Booster
  • Saturday: 5 miles easy, Dogwalk x 2
  • Sunday: Dogwalk and . . . haven’t decided what I need yet. TBA Danette May Arms & Shoulders, Chest & Back, Legs & Glutes, Flow.

Mileage: 15 (+1)

TIU = Tone it Up
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links

Running update
Monday I got out after Mr. Judy got home. It would have been a lot nicer to run in the morning, when it was nice and cool, but Bandit needs that first morning walk, so afternoon hill repeats it was. Mr. Judy asked me if I had a good run when I got home, as he was managing a pacing Bandit who unfortunately saw me leave even though I went out a different door to try to avoid it. Good? Not really, but I got it done.

Tuesday was very hot, and again, I can’t get out in the mornings — unless I’d like to do so at about 3 am, which I don’t really need right now — so I took it to the treadmill. I tied Bandit to the desk (so he couldn’t get up on our chaise lounge); he has a large dog bed there. The treadmill doesn’t bother him at all, but I even wore headphones for the TV because I have to blast it pretty loud to hear it over the treadmill, and his bed is right underneath the tv.

The things we do for our animals.

Thursday it was very hot and humid (yes, I know I sound like a broken record, but it’s been abnormally warm here most of the time), so I ran 3 easyish miles on the treadmill. I say easyish because I decided to up the pace a bit, since I’m not able to run in the heat much and acclimate to it.

Saturday was cooler and less humid, but between dog walking and getting everyone fed and settled (even with Mr. Judy’s help), I wasn’t able to get out there until 8:30 — again, not able to run with my group but hoping maybe next weekend I’ll be able to, as we have 7 miles on tap next weekend.

I won’t say this was my most miserable run ever, far from it, but also wasn’t fun. It was lonely, it was hot (where was that predicted cloud cover?), but I got it done. That is apparently my theme song for this week: it wasn’t fun but it got done.

It was slow, but actually not too bad for me. Not considering it was mostly sunny and in the mid 70s. I didn’t watch my watch at all, my pacing was all over the place, but yup, I got it done.

I really am envious of the people who call runs because they’re simply not feeling it. How do you do that? I really wanted to do anything but run Saturday, but it was on the schedule, I’m not sick or injured, and so it was done.

Favorites of the week
Can’t say as this week was much better than last, but hey, Bandit didn’t bite anyone this week, so that’s good, right? Actually, while he has made it clear he has separation anxiety — won’t touch a kong while we’re gone, although at least he will now eat one in his crate while we’re there — he also stays in the crate without too much objection. He has made great strides in the short time we have had him.

The good news is that I haven’t had to miss a Weight Watchers meeting yet. And maybe, just maybe, I could go swim next week?

I have been busy contacting rescues, and let’s just say it’s disheartening. And that’s all I’m going to say about that for now.

 

You see half of my face because of the big zit. Yes, I am 54 & I still get them.

 

So favorites? Mr. Judy brought me roses last weekend.

Trust me — avocado + peanuts = a good thing

Sushi heals almost everything, and what it can’t heal, it makes better — am I right? I’ve particularly fallen in love with this peanut avocado roll pictured at the top of the photo above. It is exactly what the name says: an avocado roll with roasted peanuts in it. I know it sounds bizarre, but it’s so good. I think I need to try my hand at making that at home! I might even have sushi rice around here somewhere.

Remember the title? I walked around the farmer’s market after my run Saturday. I didn’t bring much money with me, but it’s been a couple of years since I’ve been able to get there.

There was a booth offering massages! Score! I have been in desperate need of a massage. Unfortunately, as I said, I didn’t have much cash with me, so I could only afford 15 minutes. It was a little slice of heaven.

I wish I’d known the top was draping funny, but I love this combo! And yes, those are crocs

This top (from Fabletics) and gym girl ultra skirt (use CRJ20 for 20% off of regularly priced items). This was post run (I did run in the skirt, but wore a different top, and changed before I remembered to take a selfie), obviously, but I like the combo so much I stayed in it all day.

And that’s a wrap:(

I love to hear from you! Answer me one of the questions below in the comments, or just comment! Let me know what you think or what’s on your mind.

What do you think about the avocado peanut combo?

Did you know crocs makes some cute shoes?

I would love to hear about your interactions with animal rescues. We’ve had some great interactions, and some not so great ones.

Sadly, No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: 7/4-10 Weekly Wrap

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 36 Comments

Bandit has not worked out. At all. And yet right now, he’s still living with us.Thankfully I have a lot of friends who know a lot of other people involved in dog rescue, and I am working really, really hard to get the word out about Bandit and save his life. Literally. I don’t want to have to euthanize this dog.

I’m wrapping it up  with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin. Share your healthy lifestyle with us and find out how other women are keeping active this summer.

WeeklyWrap

Workouts update

  • Monday: Firecracker 4 race, Dogwalk
  • Tuesday:  2.5 miles recovery run, Dogwalk x 2 (and 2 dogs!)
  • Wednesday: Dogwalk 2 x 2, Danette May Arms & Shoulders, Legs & Glutes, FLow
  • Thursday:  Dogwalk 2 x 1, 1.5 tempoish run
  • Friday:  Dogwalk,
  • Saturday: 6 miles easy (sort of, hilly route), so many dogwalks, Athlete’s Guide to Yoga (It Band Flow, Restorative Poses, affiliate link)
  • Sunday: Dogwalk x 3, Core

Mileage: 14 (+1)

TIU = Tone it Up
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links
I’ve gotten good at smiling for the camera; I never felt less like smiling


Running update
Monday was one of my favorite local races, the Firecracker 4. It starts too late, it’s usually hot, it’s hilly & challenging, but the spectator support is outstanding and I’m usually running with friends. A good time was had by all.

Last week I wrote that Tuesday’s run was my slowest in a long time. No, this Tuesday’s run was the slowest in a long time! Hey, it was just a recovery run and it was done at too early o’clock and on very little sleep .

Thursday it was very hot and humid and I realized that I only needed about 1.5 miles, which was good, because I didn’t have a whole lot of time, so I did them on the treadmill.

Saturday was much cooler (again!). I was unable to run with my group due to our issues with Bandit, but I was still able to get out there and do 6 somewhat hilly miles, which is the farthest I’ve run since my last half.

How can such a cute dog be so broken? 😦


Favorites of the week
It was the week from hell, my blogger friends. Bandit seemed to be settling in so well. I was actually able to go about my life pretty normally by Wednesday, except he was having some separation anxiety issues so I couldn’t go for my swim.

Thursday I took him to the holistic vet for a wellness exam, and that is where our lives fell apart. I apprised them of his issues being leery of new people. When my vet stuck her head in, he growled at her. She came in a little later, sat across the room from us, fed him a few treats. And then she tried to muzzle him.

He went for her, and even though she backed up, he kept going and bit her right through her pants. I was so shocked that I didn’t even apologize enough. She said that while she could try some herbs to calm him down, her recommendation was euthanization.

I have brought all my animals to her. We muzzle Lola because her back adjustments are painful sometimes, and the minute that muzzle comes off Lola is jumping all over the vet for her treat.

I don’t think you can even imagine how heartbroken I was. I called his previous owner, and while it took a long time to get to her, she said nothing like that had ever happened before. The next day I called her former vet, and they confirmed that nothing like that had ever happened. Since then the previous owner stopped returning my calls.

The next day I called the regular vet; they had no appointments available, but referred me to another vet who had a behaviorist on staff. Unfortunately she lives in NJ and only comes every couple of weeks; she was actually supposed to be seeing animals that day, but there were no appointments so she didn’t come. I called her and left a message, and made an appointment with a regular vet there.

The vet we saw was wonderful. We also saw a trainer, and I talked to the behaviorist later that night. They all agreed that Bandit suffered from fear aggression, and that we have to have him on leash all the time, or crated, and that he can’t be on the furniture or our bed.

Of course we just did everything wrong in the beginning, but we also were not aware of how serious Bandit’s issues were. I’ve always been into training, and I’ve done a lot of things that Mr. Judy rolled his eyes at, but know I think he can see how easily this could have happened to Chester or Lola without the right environment. Dogs need discipline and boundaries, just like children. That doesn’t mean you have to roll them or use a choke collar, but with some dogs, not setting boundaries can just have disastrous results.

Even though both Chester and Lola had issues we had to work through, they weren’t as serious as this. The previous owner cannot take him back, and we cannot hold onto him long because I am having to walk the dogs separately (and take Bandit on multiple walks a day to tire him out), and we are having to keep Gizmo in the laundry room to keep him safe.

We are working with a few people involved in rescue to try to find a home for Bandit, and have decided to give him another week with us, even though it makes my life very difficult trying to make sure everyone is safe. Bandit’s issues are not his fault — he had a rocky start in life and I suspect that his previous owner just let him have his way or turned a blind eye to warning signs that something wasn’t right.

Bandit shouldn’t have to pay the ultimate price for the mistakes of his humans, but my first priority has to be to my own animals. It truly all just breaks my heart and I have spent a lot of time crying this week.

At least the week started well!


There really was very little good about this week, but I did run the Firecracker 4 on the fourth, with friends, and Mr. Judy had no issues with Bandit while I was gone half the day, so that was a favorite. My first run in my Switzer Skirt from Skirtsports went well, too — that was my 6 mile run and no issues — love the pencil skirt style, it flatters every body type.

And everyone at Shaker Veterinary Hospital was just wonderful to us. I had always wondered about them, and now I am considering switching vets.

And that’s a wrap:(

I love to hear from you! Answer me one of the questions below in the comments, or just comment! Let me know what you think or what’s on your mind.

Have you ever dealt with a dog with fear aggression?

Ever had a trial adoption go seriously wrong (this isn’t the first time it’s happened to us, but this is the most serious one — the previous one we were able to return to the rescue and he was adopted)?

Ever done a private adoption from someone you didn’t know? That should have been a huge red flag for us. 😦