Saturday, April 22, 2006

Before I Knew How To Run ...










She could outrun me any day, any place, any time, and it wouldn't even be close.

She could run full-out across 6 soccer fields at sunset while I was still making my way across the first one, and nothing and no one could catch her.

She could literally pull me around the neighborhood - me holding onto the leash like Ben-Hur with white knuckles, struggling to stay upright on my rollerblades, knowing that a single lapse of concentration meant concrete-roadway-face-plant-time, while she loped along casually enjoying the butterflies and flowers.


She could dream of chasing rabbits with the best of them, squeaking and sputtering, stammering and whole-body shuddering in her sleep, while we could only wonder what a grand old time she was having.

Our first baby, before the human kind even showed up, turns 14 tomorrow. In her twilight years, there are no more sprints, the chase is off, there aren't even any more runs. But while she's still with us, she'll always be our baby. Happy Birthday Shari!

5 comments:

Black Knight said...

Great post. I love the animal and I like the persons who love the animals. Happy happy birthday Shari. I think she is a Dalmata and I know that is the best breed to run with, they are called the "runners' dogs".

Anne said...

What a lovely tribute to your 'best friend.' Kleenex, anyone?

Deene said...

Happy Birthday, Shari!!

Rae said...

What a sweetie!! I bet the 14 yrs have flown by!

Beanie said...

soooooo adorable. makes me wanna get one asap...