Shea Day

A note to the reader: I wanted to wait until the Mets/Cardinals game was over. I thought it was going to happen when the Mets scored a run in the 19th inning. Yes, that is not a typo, I mean the 19th inning. But, lo-and-behold, the Cardinals tied it up 1-1 in the bottom of the 19th. So I am here, typing this up and watching the Mets game. Cut me a little slack if I do not write in complete sentences.

I declare today, Shea Day. It was certainly a day that completely revolved around him. I know what you are thinking: everyday seems to revolve completely around him. Well, yes that is true in a way. But today was extreme.

This morning we got up and rather than going out for our normal run and game of fetch, I drove Shea to run in a doggie-race. The race was to benefit a local animal shelter. It was a 5k (3.1 miles) around a local college campus. On top of the actual running race, it is quite a sight to see when all these dogs are gathered in the general vicinity.

The race itself was wonderful. Shea was so overwhelmed with all going on around him that he sprinted nearly the entire time. He stopped once to let out a little squirt and greeted a few of the workers along the trail. Other than that, the only deterrent was when we ran past my mother. He must have smelled her because he was looking for her like crazy. Once he actually saw her, he just kept running. I knew he didn't like her that much anyways! We finished in a respectable 24:11. He's a dog, and he's running right around 8-minute miles. I will take it! 

While it was most definitely a wonderful thing to do with Shea, I wouldn't deem the doggie fun run event significant enough to name a day after it. But, seeing as there was a charity dog walk about twenty miles north of the dog run, I figured I'd make a full day out of exercising my big guy. 

The dog walk was also a good time. There were all sorts free dog treats and contests. I was hoping Shea would win the "best wagging tail," but there was a a dog that weighed about 4 pounds whose tail wagged as fast as a torpedo. He won. I was happy, however, to not win the "pet/owner look alike" award. Don't get me wrong, Shea is a handsome dog, but I don't want to look like him. 

All of these festivities were followed with a nice three mile walk. Enough of a fun filled day to leave Shea sleeping like a baby since 5:00 pm. Pure bliss! On top of that, while Jeff finds it hard to believe, he was perfectly behaved. A little gentleman. 

And, by the way, the Mets pulled out a 2-1 victory in the 20th inning. Minus the rain and Jeff's absence, today made for a good day all-round.