More accurately it would be Woman with Dogs, plural. Stout, the sassy lovable black lab, was the OG and she still rules the pack so really, it begins and ends with her even though our pack has grown over the years. Stout was the one who got me through the death of my mom 8 years ago and the one who started my love of running with a canine companion. The woods are our place together as she is still, after several training attempts, terrible on a leash. But I can take her to a trail and trust her to explore and always come back, often literally hounding my heels.
Stout was such a great example of why labs are a favorite family pet that we decided to add a few more. Enter Barley during COVID. He’s an anxious mess half the time and feels personally responsible for not only his humans, but all creatures entering our home. Ultimately, though, he’s turned out to be my best running companion: completely non-reactive on leash or off (unless warning me of the occasional black bear), endurance for the longer days, and protection always. He’s relatively friendly but I have no doubt he would save me from anything unsavory I might run into.
I should also mention that when we entered into labdom we did so with our best friends. They have Porter, Stout’s sister from the same litter, and when we added Barley, they added Piper. Different genders, different pedigrees. You know where this is going. We decided what fun it would be to have a litter of puppies. While we were trying to be responsible and wait the 2+ years to breed, nature willed out and 10 thankfully healthy pups were born to teen parents who had just turned 2.
Let me now introduce exhibit A, Samwise, and exhibit B, Rosie. Yes, while we had pick of the litter we could just choose one so we brought home two puppies who are each other’s best friends and partners in crime. Sam looks most like his dad; Rosie inherited his never ending capacity for playing fetch. They both run with me occasionally as well, but Rosie is a swimmer and also thinks the pool is her personal playground.
So that explains the site title. What material will I be posting? Possibly a fair amount of rabbit trails based on my life experience as a mother, daughter, teacher, coach, traveler, and so on. Not really sure where I’ll end up, I just know I have to write in down.
Girl with Dog 