 DISTANCE: 6.82 km DURATION: 56:51
It was another beautiful day for a run! Jackson was back to his upbeat self today, so I knew our workout was going to be a good one. Due to the temperature being so warm already, we spent the hour chasing shaded areas. One thing to know about Jack and me is that we always like to play make-believe games during our jogs... it makes it fun for both of us! Today it involved overgrown trees and lawn statues. Frequent breaks were also necessary because Jackson is a cold-weather runner, so his body temperature rises quite quickly and it's a safety thing. To keep him motivated and focused, I would give him a mini treat every time he stopped at a crosswalk, sat when requested, and kept cool when there was another dog in sight. Let's just say Jackson had his fair share of rewards today, he's just such a great pup! The scoop: 0 poo, 1 pee. Runner: Lucia
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  DISTANCE: 6.22 DURATION: 55:25
Jackson is looking very fashionable these days! To assist with his anxiety, he has started to wear a bandana that is sprayed with Adaptil beforehand. The purpose is to provide calming pheromones while he is out on a walk/run. Not only does he look extra handsome, but it's also helping with his confidence! Jackson was in a chipper mood when I picked him up, so I took him on his favourite route along the creek. The smell of the lilacs were fabulous (and made Jack very hungry). There were bushels of flowers at every turn, so we spent a lot of time taking photos with them and admiring their beauty. Unfortunately, a dog had gotten loose from their owner and charged at Jack. Poor guy, he did his best to stay calm but it caused him some anxiety. After that run in, we had a relaxed pace all the way home... and of course we stopped for treats and pats along the way! The scoop: 1 poo, 1 pee. Runner: Lucia 
  DISTANCE: 4.23 km DURATION: 51:22
Nice to see you again, Jack! We were both feeling a bit under the weather, so we took it easy today. Something very important that I learned about Jackson is that he suffers from mental illness. Most wouldn't think that dogs (and animals in general) can feel the same emotional and physical anxiety that people do, but so many do and it's important to acknowledge it. It was one of those days where Jack needed an engaging walk instead of a fast-paced run. Jackson and I strolled through the lush green spaces around his neighbourhood -- that is something that always perks him up. We also took a break and laid in a field of dandelions, where he smiled ear-to-ear. It was very warm out, so we tested out the pet-friendly water bottle. At first, he was a bit sheepish to the idea of it, but I think having it allowed him to exert himself without overheating. I look forward to building our bond even more. You're a very important pup in my life! The scoop: 1 poo, 1 pee. Runner: Lucia 
  DISTANCE: 6.73 KM DURATION: 58:25
Jackson and I both agree that it was so lovely to have a break from the rain today! Usually when we head out the door, Jack is in a rush to get our run started. Today, he preferred to show off some of his puppy yoga poses first -- downward-facing dog, child's pose, and compass pose are his go-tos. Jackson's approach to the day was a little more leisurely than usual, so we incorporated some of his favourite things to get his spirits lifted: 1. Bacon and 2. Latin music. Once he had some treats in his belly and music in his ears, it made a world of difference. Before I knew it, Jackson was cruising and we raced to the finish line. It may not have been our furthest distance, but it was nice to stop to smell the dandelions! The scoop: 1 poo, 1 pee. Runner: Lucia 
  DISTANCE: 7.30 km DURATION: 1:00:09
It was a warm one today! Jackson and I hit the pavement at our normal time and the sun was beautifully shining on us. At first, we both loved it because it gave us that extra boost of energy we needed. A few kilometers in, we were starting to feel the heat...especially Jack! We all know that Jackson prefers the snow and cold, so we had to improvise to make sure he didn't overheat. Any chance we got, we would duck under the trees and take mini breaks (this is where a water bottle would've came in handy). During our homestretch though, poor Jackson was just too warm to go any further, so he plopped right down on the sidewalk. It only took him a couple minutes before he was up again and we were dashing our way to the finish line! Note to self & Jack: go slow, carry a water bottle and run under sheltered pathways. The scoop: 1 poo, 1 pee. Runner: Lucia 
  DISTANCE: 7.45 km DURATION: 57:54
Rain, rain, go away! Jackson and I started our run with the sun shining. Little did we know that Mother Nature had another plan in store for us. As we were racing each other through an open park, the storm moved in out of nowhere. In a desperate attempt to stay somewhat dry from the rain, we ducked into a mini forested area where we hid out for a good five minutes, though I think Jack was more concerned with the dog treats that were in my pocket. As we waited out the storm, he sat waiting patiently as he stared at my pocket where I keep his treats - smarty pants! We made up for lost time and sprinted back to his place before the hour ran out. My favourite thing about Jackson is how focused he is during our finishing kick. Our 100 metre dash has become a ritual for our weekly runs and I look forward to them each time! The scoop: 1 poo, 1 pee. Runner: Lucia 
 DISTANCE: 7.81 km DURATION: 59:55
It's a Thursday dressed up like a Wednesday! Jackson and I have been running together for months now and I've noticed that he really likes to spend a couple minutes together (hugs, pets and even treats) before heading out, so we've started to do that. I truly believe that this is a part of how he and I have grown our strong bond. I also brought new treats today and boy, did Jack like them! They really came in handy when I steered us in the direction of a massive incline. Jack's first reaction was to lay down and look up at me like "are you serious?!" Luckily, the treats were too hard to resist and we charged right up that hill together. Leave it up to Jack to find some of the few remaining snow patches in the neighbourhood. We spent a majority of our breaks laying in the snow, cooling off, and munching on ice crystals. It was a great day all around! The scoop: 1 poo, 1 pee Runner: Lucia 
 DISTANCE: 7.18 km DURATION: 58:53
It was a beautiful morning, with a beautiful pup! Jackson and I had our run earlier in the day, so the air was still crisp and light. I think he was a little confused by me showing up in the morning, so it took a lot of pats and little treats to get him revved up for our run. Jack's business was done when we first left the house, so we spent a lot of our time racing through the park. He much prefers trotting through grass than he does running on a concrete path, so we made sure to get all our fun sprints in when there was a stretch of green surrounding us. I had given Jack a few treats today to keep him motivated and excited throughout our run, but that caused him to be quite thirsty. As we start to see more summer temperatures, I think I will start bringing a water bottle for his breaks - it's important to stay hydrated! The scoop: 1 poo, 1 pee. Runner: Lucia 
  DISTANCE: 8.02 km DURATION: 1:00:28
Omg, best day ever! Now let me explain why... When I came to get Jackson today for our weekly Wednesday run, he seemed a little sleepy and not suppppppper keen to exercise. But, when we stepped outside into the beautiful sunshine, his energy changed instantly. He was ready to take on the world! On our route, we encountered some big inclines. (This was by far the funnest part of our day). Jack and I hightailed it up the 14th Street hill; tongues out and legs running wild! We had such a great time encouraging each other to keep moving up that steep slope. When we weren't climbing mountains, we found grassy parks to play in. We made a point of sprinting through them as fast as we could and I've never seen Jackson smile so big! We will definitely be making parks a priority this summer. Have a great long weekend, Jack, you earned it! The scoop: 1 poo, 1 pee. Runner: Lucia 
 DISTANCE: 6.91 km DURATION: 56:26
Back with my ol' pal, Jack today! He was very sleepy when I arrived to pick him up, so it took a little bit to motivate him to leave his comfy spot (this is where the good treats come in handy). But once we hit the pavement, he was ready to move! Jackson was never fazed by the polar vortex that hit Calgary this winter, but warm weather is a different story with him. Jack gets very warm when he's exercising, so going at a moderate speed is the strategy we took today. Of course, when the sun is out, more puppies and pedestrians are out as well...this made Jack excitable. He is very curious about other four-legged friends on our path, so we had to make sure we were looking far enough ahead to avoid any situations. One of the highlights of today was how many sets of stairs we encountered. Every chance we got to run up and down, we took it and it definitely energized us. We always seem to find an adventure and make our runs very exciting! The scoop: 1 poo, 1 pee. Runner: Lucia   DISTANCE: 8.29 km DURATION: 58:22 I was so happy to see Jack today! He was on holidays last week, so we were due for some time together. He was keen for some time outside, so he had us at a fast pace right out of the gate. We tried a new route that we hadn't done before (even though we've run all over the neighborhood), which kept both of us focused on where we were headed and where we were stepping. Which brings me into the next topic... It is definitely spring in Calgary because Jackson was smelling ev-ery-thing! When the snow melts, all that was beneath the snow is unveiled... including "gifts" from other pooches. Jack and I were bobbing and weaving as we ran through the grassy patches to ensure we wouldn't end up with any unmentionables on our shoes/paws. Towards the end, we stopped for a mini break and to take photos. Jackson is the most photogenic dog and is a great model subject. I usually end up fiddling with my phone for a few minutes to make sure it's on the right setting and by the time I look up, he's waiting patiently for his photo to be taken. The best ending to our run. The Scoop: 1 poo, 1 pee. Runner: Lucia
 
 DISTANCE: 8.12 km DURATION: 1:05:06
Spring has sprung! Jack and I had an awesome run today and we were both in fine form for it. I hadn't seen him in over a week (and I missed him!) so we started our jog with a lot of hugs and pats. The terrain was pretty sloshy, so we had to navigate through puddles and squishy grass. Also with the weather being so nice, there were a lot of other furry friends out, so Jackson was on high alert. We had to get creative to make sure that Jack enjoyed his run and wasn't on edge, so we would dip and change direction if I saw trouble ahead. It made for a fun game and definitely kept us both on our toes. Since I know Jack prefers cooler weather, when I saw that he was getting overheated from our quick pace, we would take a break and he would lay belly down in an existing snow patch. From there, he would stick his face in the snow and get a mouthful of crispy icicles -- I could tell it was very satisfying for him! I hope the weather continues to be warm and we have more fun, Spring adventures ahead. The scoop: one poop and one pee. Runner: Lucia   DISTANCE: 4.78 km DURATION: 55:44 Hello Jackson! No need to be shy, I'm here to get you out and about. There were a few neighbourhood dogs, and a little construction to spice things up on our jog. around the neighbourhood (and a gang of Calgary hares Jackson missed *phew*). Overall, it was super peaceful out today. It was sunny and brisk, but not cold for those who keep moving. Or those who intermittently run and forage for smells in the snow. Scoop Score: #1 x2, #2 x1. Take care until next time Jackson! Runner: Michael
  DISTANCE: 6.95 km . DURATION: 54:05
Jack and I had a BLAST today! He was in such a cuddly mood, and who doesn't love puppy snuggles during the middle of a work week?! He also ran right next to me for almost the entire run. (it may have been the country music I had blasting that motivated him?!) Jackson is still loving the cold weather and snowy banks. He often snuck in a mouthful of snow along the way to quench his thirst. We really explored his neighbourhood -- dipping into back alleys, parkways and other interesting routes. We passed by many pedestrians near the University, but Jackson didn't even flinch. He was so calm and focused! Any chance I got, I rewarded him with some hugs, treats, and words of encouragement. My favourite part of the run was us dashing to the doorway, his ears flapping in the wind and my arms up like we just finished a marathon sprint! Definitely one of my favourite runs to date. The scoop: 1 poo, 2 pee. Runner: Lucia 
  DISTANCE: 8.42 km . DURATION: 1:03:22
Happy Hump Day! Jackson was just the sweetest, as I pulled up to his house. I saw his cute face pushed up against the front window. As I unlocked the front door and walked in, he sat there patiently waiting for his "hello" pat and treat. What a great start! As we got on our way, Jackson seemed to get more and more excitable. There were a few distractions that caught his eye, so we slowed our pace and made sure to keep close together. Jackson seems to relax when I bring him close to my leg as we run, which slows our pace, but it makes the world of difference when we are running along busy streets and areas. Jackson also spent some time rolling around in the snow. It was a warm enough day that I wasn't concerned when he leapt into giant snowbank that almost covered his whole body! We had a lot of fun being silly today and I hope we have many more times like this. The scoop: 1 poo, 1 pee. Runner: Lucia |
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