Weimaraner Wednesday: Sweater Weather

We interrupt the Baroque readings to bring you this important message:

We're back on the run!

After nearly three weeks of forced rest (thank you, acute Bronchitis!), it feels good to move again! My schedule is significantly more packed than last semester, so I am grateful for even thirty minutes to get outside and move. I have to treat Saturdays as a school day, but I do allow myself time for a longer run on Saturday mornings. It's a great recharge!

Mary Anna and I ran at the lake last Saturday. It is my very favorite running spot ever. Looking forward to running all the way around again soon.

Some motivation on my wall...love this Brooks advertisement found in Runner's World. I'll bet their model's name isn't Brook, though! Missed opportunity. Brook really would have been the perfect poster child.

Isn't my running calendar cute, too? It's hand-crafted, and each month contains a different drawing and quote. My sister purchased it for me. It's just perfect!

Monday's run was exceptionally cold. With the wind chill, it was sixteen degrees when we hit the road. Brooklyn was shivering inside the house, so I figured the extreme weather called for extreme measures.

I ordered a dog sweater on Amazon.

Then I raided my closet and dressed her in my wool sweater for the time being.

We enjoyed an icy run and even pulled a 7:50 pace on our 5K. I could see my breath the entire time. Not too shabby for two Florida gals.

Brook passed out afterward, and I got back to work. (Lucky her!)

Today her sweater arrived.

Apparently she needed an XL (or XXL!)

"You calling me fat?!"

This crop top won't keep her too warm, but it does show off her girlish figure!

"How about these leggings, Mom?"

And you know what else all this running means?

It's time to eat.

"Like, now."

Weimaraner Wednesday: The Couch Addiction

Her name is Brooklyn, and she's addicted to cartoons.

Any television, actually. Who am I kidding? It's the couch she's dependent upon. As soon as she exits the crate, she runs to the love seat and curls up into a surprisingly small Weim Ball, as if saying, "Bring the snacks, and get this movie started, Mom!" True to Welsh-woman form, she falls asleep mid-movie.

Let's just say Brooklyn was in heaven this past weekend, cozied up on Ty's futon/loveseat couch fusion, sandwiched between her family, with episodes of Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated lulling her to sleep.

It's no wonder Weims have so much energy to burn - they store it up throughout the day's naps. Of course, it all comes down to their velcro nature. Whatever we're doing, she wants to be part of it.

(Case-in-point: if we're blogging, then she wants to blog from the couch, too!)

True story: I took this photo while writing this post!

Since we were couch-ridden all weekend, so was Brooklyn. She truly is the best snuggle buddy. With ears as soft as velvet, too!

Now that we're on the mend and back in the swing of things, she is asking for more attention and outside time. I was more than happy to oblige her with a sunrise run yesterday. Between my sickness and her "female problems," we've been inconsistent in the running department. I've resorted to the school gym several times to preserve my own sanity and neighbor relations, but I much prefer the great outdoors with my favorite running buddy in tow. We're finishing up week three of her heat, so we should be able to run more regularly together. (And say goodbye to diapers!)

So...cartoons and coffee in the wee hours of the morning, followed by a sunrise run? Seems like the perfect compromise! I love this dog. She reminds me to be human and live life as such. I'm making a conscious effort to avoid the beep boop lifestyle, and Brooklyn is one of the biggest reasons I haven't succumbed to that this time around.

Weimaraner Wednesday: A Bargain for Brooklyn

Happy Weim Wednesday!

I have a confession: I almost forgot to pick up Brooklyn's dog food on Saturday. They are closed Sundays, so I hurried over just before closing time Saturday afternoon. We Welshes get a very bad case of the low-blood-sugar, cranky-butt syndrome, Brooklyn included. That could have been bad.

In my defense, I was a bit distracted. Brooklyn and I ran the entire lake trail on Saturday morning. (That's nine miles, folks! I am so proud of her!) We also got our wifi set up on Saturday, so needless to say Ty and I were, um, a bit busy catching up on Season 3 of Sherlock. Ahem. But I digress...

Post Run! Time: 1:15:07

Clearly she wasn't tired after our run

Second confession: In addition to the usual haul of twenty pounds of chicken meat, I brought home a toy for Brooklyn.

We stopped buying Brooklyn toys quite a while ago, with the exception of antlers, which I consider more a chew. Within minutes, she can destroy just about anything.

This particular toy caught my attention. It was a sturdy-looking rope tied into a giant knot. She absolutely loves rope toys, but she has a terrible habit of nearly swallowing the thin threads and then choking on her own spit. Gross, I know. I decided to chance it with this one. If nothing else, I thought the knots would keep her busy for a while.

If you couldn't tell from the photos, she loves her toy! It's a tug and puzzle all in one!

A few days later, and it looked like this. Since it's a high-quality rope, we've had little to no disgusting choking sounds accompanying our daily activities.

While not necessarily "Brooklyn-proof," this toy has been a worthy buy. Any toy that survives hours of playtime is quite tough. I love that it keeps her brain busy, too! During dinner one night, I noticed it was alarmingly quiet; naturally, I'd assumed Brooklyn was either up to no good somewhere or sleeping on my pillow (again, up to no good). I was pleasantly surprised to find that she was lying quietly at my feet, methodically loosening a knot. 

Ten bucks for hours of distraction and playtime. That's a bargain, folks!

(Kudos to the person who knows the title reference!)

Weimaraner Wednesday: How to Wear Out the Beast

Have you ever had a problem so big, it's staring you in the face?

You done yet?!

I have one every day! Her name is Brooklyn, and she's the best problem in the whole world.

Today's installment is all about how to wear out the wild beast within the Weim. I will happily provide you with four easy steps. These are tried and true, guaranteed to work!

Quite simply it’s this: wake up, lace up, leash up, and get moving! 

Or, if you prefer, you can do the two-step: dog park in the morning, and walk in the evening

Then you can enjoy some study time or down time without being glared at by the Weimaraner. She plays hard, but she sleeps hard, too!

(Annnnd let's get a close-up on that parfait/expresso pair.)

Mmmmm!

Modeling

Annnnd she's out!

Note: Brooklyn is not a paid actress. All photographs authentically reflect our daily life.

Running update:
Brooklyn is up to eight miles! I try to take it slow with her, but this girl loves to run! How I have waited for this! It is everything I’d hoped. Love my crazy Weim alongside me!

Here are her PRs to date:
1 mile: 7:25
5K: 24:13
4 miles: 31:28 (this was a PR for me, too!)
5 miles: 40:20 (PR for the whole fam damily!)
10K: 51:38

8 miles: 1:07:28

Post long run!

(Note to self, planking is not a dog-friendly activity)

Weimaraner Wednesday: The Secret Life of Brooklyn

In an ideal world, I would exercise Brooklyn daily, always pick up her RAW food on time, bathe her weekly, practice training skills on a regular basis, and never allow her on the furniture. 

Note my modifier of choice: ideal.

As in, these things do not always happen. If you've seen my Instagram account, you likely believe we live Brooklyn-centric lives. Yes, our dog is an important part of our daily lives. Yes, we think she is fun, entertaining, and intelligent. No, we do not think she is a human being, and therefore her needs play second fiddle. 

So this post is not about how we make Brooklyn's life wonderful, but how she is part of ours and enriches our daily tasks and goings-on.

1. She reminds us of the importance of family mealtime

(As in, "Where is my dinner?") Priceless expressions!

  

2. She reminds me that even menial tasks can be done with a happy heart!

I was not particularly excited about making dinner this night. "Here, Mom, some sock playtime will cheer you up!"

3. She reminds us to get out of the house!

"Are you done practicing now?"

"See? Isn't this fun?!"

4. She reminds me to do my homework. 

I mean, who wouldn't want to read music history in this setting?!

5. She also reminds us that rest is important and that naps are wonderful.  

This dog plays hard, but she relaxes hard, too! Love that she's a snugly pup!

6. She reminds us to be hospitable!

Brooklyn loves a party!

Maybe too much!

7. She keeps a close eye on the neighborhood activities while I practice. 

Don't even try to surprise us! She'll let us know when you're nearby. (She'll also let me know when any small animals are nearby.) 

8. She reminds us to be flexible!

This dog is always up for anything!

Food? Sunrise run? Backyard photo shoot? Car ride? Cow Day? Cross-country move? You name it! 

9. She always cheers us up! 

Nothing like these faces to make one smile when it's been a long day!

10. She reminds us to spend time together.

Life gets busy, but family always has to take priority above the craziness. 

Love my family! Love our Weim and how she brings us together!