In Memoriam II

I had high hopes that this past week would be pain-free; it was not.  The same symptoms that have plagued both feet resurfaced and got progressively worse.  I was determined not to let it keep me from heading down to Kansas City and run a Sunday morning 10K with a friend.  There was a definite realization that it would probably be my last run for a little while…

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Through my “runner's high” travels over the past four years, I have often been asked what has been my favorite run.  There has been the Grand Canyon (twice), Central Park in New York City, Coos Bay, Harney Peak in the Black Hills, Gettysburg, etc.  So many great places and all memorable runs; but none of them can compare to those that I had with Jaz, my Dalmatian.

Our first run together was a learning experience.  She was still very much not a fully trained pup and I was trying to get back into running.  It was a warm and sunny summer morning and we were along the Cedar River, on the northwest side of Cedar Rapids.  The trail that we were on was unpaved back then. 

Initially, Jaz just wanted to play with the leash but quickly lost interest.  We started out at an easy pace. She was on my right and her line was a little on the side of wavering; it was something new for both of us.

Jaz always had a good nose, which she was constantly using the way all dogs do.  Whenever she picked up the scent of something, it was hard to hold her back.  A few minutes into our jog, she caught the scent of something to our left and cut straight across.

I let out an “Oh s@&*!” as I tripped over her.  From my position on the ground, I looked over at Jaz and she had this scared look on her face that I will never forget.  I dusted both of us off and continued on. 

It wasn't until we were a few blocks from home that I noticed some blood on her neck; in our collision, the corner of her ear had been torn open.  This was a scar that she would carry on with.  Jaz would never cut across ever again; lesson learned on both sides.

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I often took Jaz to the Sac and Fox Trail, which she absolutely loved.  If I said the word “trail” her ears would perk up, with a slight tilt of the head, and her tail would start swishing from side to side.  Lots of scents and wide open running room for her to enjoy!

There were a few things that drove Jaz nuts.   Three of which we found quite often on the Sac and Fox; squirrels, bikes and horses.  One she wanted to chase and eat.  Another she just wanted to chase.  And the last…well, not sure what she had in mind.

One run in particular was on a cloudy Fall afternoon.  We were going at a relaxed, enjoyable pace but then Jaz looked back and slowed way down.  Turning around, I could see what grabbed her attention; a mountain biker.

I knew what I had to do in this situation, and that was to pull her off the trail, hold on and try to keep her calm, and let the biker pass.  I did and she whined and he passed…and we were off to the races.

At this point, we were both in great running shape so that speedy pace was not too difficult.  The problem was that the biker was going at a semi-leisurely pace and we were catching up, quickly.

After maybe a half-mile, he turned and sent a “what the heck!” look our way, as we were about 30 feet away and closing.  I simply said, “You better peddle faster because she's gonna want to catch you.”  He did and I eventually got Jaz to slow down.  We did that mile in less than 5 minutes…

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In her later years, we walked and ran around the Noelridge Park Trail a lot.  The one thing that her nose had a knack of finding was tennis balls, and she found dozens.

Jaz started to have problems with her kidneys, which Dalmatians are prone to have.  She was 7 years old and way too young, I thought.  I cannot tell you how difficult it was to watch such a strong, athletic, and energetic dog of 55 pounds be reduced to a weak 30.

She suffered and thus, so did I and all who she meant so much to.  My vet gave the recommendation and that VERY difficult decision was made to end her pain.

On that last day, we went for one last walk around the park trail; she was far too weak to run.  In passing by the tennis courts, she stopped, looked up at me and then towards the courts.  I could see what she spotted and bent down to unleash her. 

She had one last burst of energy as she pounced on that tennis ball.  And as she laid in the grass chewing on it, I thought about how fitting it was that she found one on our last walk together.  One hour later, she was gone…