Ode to Neptune

Recently Neptune the soul of our family has been feeling ill. Like we did with Freeway years ago we contacted an animal psychic to find out where he stands. It's still a bit crazy for me to believe that someone can talk to my dog spiritually but it happens. As we found out Neptune has a problem in his mouth that makes it hard for him to eat (you can see him struggle) and he has a pain in his belly. The pain was later confirmed to be a tumor of some sort. So we know that it's a matter of days or weeks for Neptune.

I am a firm believer that a good life is filled with experiences far greater than it can be filled with things. It's with this idea that I write (with Neptune at my side) an ode to the experiences with Neptune.

In My Hand

Neptune I held you in my hand on the second day of your life. It was at that moment that you and I bonded. For the next 14 years we would be tied together by that bond. You were so small in my hand and a huge repsonsibility of treating you to the best life a dog could have became mine.

Welcome Home Mom

You welcomed Mary home with the day you arrived at our house. You hopped (you couldn't run yet) all the way to her hands.

Freeway

You loved your big sister beyond imagine. You loved her so much she had a stench from all your slobber. It was an intense love that humans should try to emulate. With ultimate respect for her you loved her. Freeway stayed young because of you. The day Freeway was put to rest your life changed and you, out of respect for her took the charge of being the soul of the family.

I got the Job

The day of my interview and hire at Road Runner Sports was a great day and one I'll never forget. The food poisoning I received from the early dinner with my new boss was with me for two days. Mary was in France with her students so it was you and Freeway who took care of me. You sat in the bathroom while I hugged the toilet. You snuggled with me on the floor. I don't think I could have survived those two days without you.

Hair

Neptune you will be with us for years. For it will be years down the road before we lose all of your hair. You have left it everywhere you have been. We wouldn't have it any other way.

Dr. Soyfur

It's a love hate with you and Dr. Soyfur. You simply hated going to see him hiding under the chair like you did, but you loved how you felt when you came out. We're convinced you paid for his new house but it was worth it. You and those ears were enough to make all of us cry.

Scout

You tollerate Scout! Most dogs wouldn't do that. She is pushy and doesn't care about anyone or anything but her and you accept that. She's a good dog because she had you to learn from. She loves you but just has a hard time showing it.

Marco

Words can't describe what you mean to Marco. You were there the day he came home and you have helped us raise him. You let him lay on you, you let him tease you and you love him with all your heart. It's in your eyes. Your the last one he says goodnight to every night. Marco has always been the kind to save the best for last.

Mary

Although the bond between you and I was set at day 2. You always knew who would take care of you. It was Mary you woke up in the middle of the night when you felt ill. It was Mary you barked at when it was time to eat. You know deep down that you owe your great life to Mary the ultimate Mom of Moms.

Neptune, you have been with us for 14 years. You will be in our hearts and family stories for the rest of our lives. I just hope today as you sit next to me, that you understand how much you mean to us.

You were the greatest birthday gift I ever got! The experiences you gave me will last a lifetime.

I thank you from the deepest part of my heart.

Love,

Dad

Hero Update and More

You might remember one of my hero stories from earlier in the year. Brian pictured above in the back is training for the Chicago Marathon. His goal is a sub 3:11 marathon which would qualify him for the Boston Marathon. Reaching his goal would also knock off another goal of shedding some pounds (75 to be exact).

Based on the results from a recent 8K in San Diego, he's well on his way!
34 min 31 sec for the 8k today
6:57 pace

I think Brian would tell you, that you don't do this alone. In fact no athlete especially one training for a Marathon or a 5 hour triathlon does it alone. They do it with the love and support of others. I think the two other people in the picture will be of great help to Brian as he continues towards his goal. The beautiful young woman inbetween the two guys is Brian's girlfriend Sheri. I've never met Sheri but I feel I can make at least one comment. She's a special person. Brian is a special guy and I can't imagine him with anyone that wasn't as special as he is, so that's how I come to the conclusion.

The other guy in the picture deserves a blog posting all to himself. Talk about a hero. Charlie G. is the man. He grew up in the Boston area and is a true Red Sox fan. If you see him with the hat on it's because he bought it when they couldn't get to the playoffs. I don't know a great deal about Charlie besides these facts:

1. He can sell. The guy makes you feel so comfortable with your decisions that you want to take him home to dinner with you.

2. I learned about his selling ability at Road Runner Sports where he always ranked at the top no matter what the criteria.

3. The other thing that comes from Boston is Running. Running and the Boston Marathon are a big part of that community and Charlie grew up there. So he has a love for running.

4. A few years ago as I remember it, Charlie went to the doctor because he hurt his leg in a game. He went in thinking he had a bad injury and came out knowing he had cancer in his leg. He's a young guy and young guys aren't suppost to get cancer. During all of his treatment in the Boston area, Charlie sent us emails. They were some of the most uplifting heart felt emails I've ever read. Charlie turned his time into a positive experience for all of us.

I tell you this about Charlie because I know he's a big reason why Brian is running today. Like I said, nobody does this stuff alone and I know Charlie is there every day to remind Brian what a gift he has.

It's a good life.....

Dave

Attitude Again

Panama is full of fun things to see. One landmark you see everywhere is the public buss. Each bus driver decorates his/her bus with great artwork. The above picture is just one of the buses. No two are alike. I guess you know it's your bus by the design and not really the route name.

I've been thinking a great deal about my attitude. I can't say that I'm very proud of the attitude I've had recently. I can blame it on travel, workload, Germany, the poor health of our dog or a myriad of other things but the truth is it's easier to just change it around than put blame anywhere. So I was thinking about this bad attitude I have and came to a realization. I think the biggest cause was a lack of forced good stuff . There is this old saying "Put good stuff in and good stuff comes out". I just don't think, I've been putting enough good stuff in lately. So my short term goal is to put good stuff in every day. Today I visisted a blog I haven't read in a long time and it is full of good heady stuff. So I spent some time reading it and I'm glad I did. (www.gordoworld.com)

At the Boston Marathon last week I was standing on the sidelines cheering on people I knew in the pack when a familiar face ran by. Craig Zelent is a top notch guy from San Diego and a race nemisis of mine. He usually kicks my butt. Anyway I saw him run by in a great time of 3:05. So I emailed him to see how is race went and to see if his wife Laurie had run. He was please with his event and had some good things to say in general as always. The increadible thing is Laurie ran too and it was her 142nd marathon. Are you kidding me, 142 marathons. I've run 8 and I'm really tired from doing it and she has run 142. She definately goes down and my hero for this week. I'm sure she has 143 coming up in June at Rock n Roll.

The Tready

Today (putting good stuff in) I made my way to the Gym for a treadmill workout. I love this workout and hate it at the same time. By the time I'm done, I'm dizzy from the effort but I'm sure it will feel good on my next run. Here is what it looked like:

15 minute warm up (gradient at 1%)

8 min at 13K/hour

2 min rest 11K/hr

6 min at 13.5K/hr

2 min rest

4 min at 14K/hr

2 min rest

2 min at 14.5K/hr

2 min rest

1 min at 15K/hr

15 min cool down or fall off the tready whichever comes first.

It's a good life.....

Dave