My Canine Trainer

      I am a runner ~ so they say, but not in the traditional sense. Not a competitive person by nature, running affords me the luxury of eating chocolate and enjoying the benefits of good health.


Carlie~a bad case of "Black Toe"

     When I run solo, my running companion is a black lab mix named Carlie. Flanked by her on one side and with my iPod secured to my opposite arm, I meet my daily mileage quota beating the streets of my own neighborhood.

     Of late however, Carlie is hesitant about going outside. I am not sure if the loud trucks intimidate her as we cross a busy divided highway to get to our starting point, or that she simply prefers the clay/grass trail to asphalt pavement.

     After our last four miler, she acted like her feet were sore- (don’t laugh – it’s true!) A careful observation of her paws revealed that the pads appeared, dry, cracked and raw and I immediately applied a soothing salve. Since then, Carlie has been less enthusiastic about running on pavement, though I can still manage to coax her with the promise of a ‘treat!’

     We are similar in that way: I am one who looks for a reward in my daily goals…and while Carlie’s is a meal bone ~ mine is dark chocolate!  Aaahh- it is the Sweetness of life♪♫