We Completed Our First Triathlon!

Ok, so it was all in fun and not really a true competition. But we did all three events ... well, most of all three events ... and we met some really nice dogs and people and we had a blast.

The Minnesota Iron Dog Triathlon is a fundraiser for Top Dog Foundation. They are trying to raise funds to build a sanctuary for dogs that are old or otherwise considered unadoptable in the area around where we live. Because every dog deserves a permanent home, food and shelter from the cold. Did you know there are only 9 sanctuaries in the U.S. - and that only 1 in Ohio is dedicated to providing a permanent home for elderly dogs. Top Dog Foundation wants to change that.

This is our picture when we were just starting out. Thanks to the Top Dog volunteer who snapped it for us - we forgot to get her name.)

Anyways, so we had to walk on the trail for about a mile. (It really wasn't all that much of a chore, although dogmom didn't like it when we tried to run down the hill - something about her knees...)

And then we had to walk through the obstacle course. We didn't like the tunnels and wouldn't go through them for dogmom. I went around them and Opie jumped over them. We jumped over all the bars, except when there were people watching us. Then we just sat there and looked at the bars and watched their dogs go over them (even the little chihuahuas and rat terriers!).

Then we got to go swimming! I ran right into the water and started trying to drink it all. Opie hates the water - but even he got all his feet wet! Everybody started laughing when he kept trying to shake all the water off of him and only his feet were wet. Really, I'm serious. His body was dry but he shook like he was all wet. So, I went over and shook my water all over him so it at least looked like he went swimming.

Then we walked back to the area where the vendors were.

See, here we are at the finish line wearing our medals! (Thanks to Patrick Nau of Patrick Nau Photography for taking a picture of us with dogmom's camera!)

• We stopped at the Patrick Nau Photography booth.
• And then we got to look at all the paintings and the lady that was painting pictures of dogs - Best Friend Watercolor Portraits by MarySue Krueger.
• And the Petco guy gave dogmom a bag of goodies with balls and Frisbees and stuff.
• And the BarkBusters training lady commented on how happy and social and well-behaved we were since dogmom had two dogs on one leash! (Can you believe it?!?)
• And we saw Jody and Randi from Lake Minnetonka Pet Sitters. Randi might even start coming to visit us on Wednesdays again.
• And Top Dog Country Club had a booth ... they do boarding and doggie daycare, and a portion of the fees help the future sanctuary.

And, the Star Tribune had some people there to promote their PetCentral section and web site. (Dogmom hates that, cuz they're competitors of the papers she works for.)

Anyways, we had lots of fun. Dogmom was really impressed that we behaved the whole time and didn't get snarky or scared this time. After seven years, we're getting better!

And, this is what we looked like on the way home in the back of the truck ...

Wuf Ya!

Hey Dogs!

Today, we get to go to Dog Pad again. We wuf Tory at Dog Pad. I can hardly wait to get out of the truck when I see the big Dog Pad puppy-wagon come to pick us up for doggie day care.

We'll probably be too exhausted to post tonight... 'cuz we run and play and chase balls and dig holes and run and play some more all day long. Tory told dogmom that the pools are still out... but it rained last night so we're hoping to just lay in the big mud puddles if we can find one.

Dogmom said to not forget to tell you that Opie did really well during the boomies and lightflashes last night. He hardly shook or got scared at all this time. He did run over and lay down on dogmom one time, but I think it was by accident. He didn't see her watching Craig Ferguson on the TV while she was laying on the couch.

Tomorrow is our big day at the park for Top Dog Foundation's Minnesota Iron Dog Triathlon. Dogmom says to say a prayer that we will be nice to the other dogs and people so that we can stay and have fun. We think that's silly. 'Course we'll be good - Jody and Randi and everybody from Lake Minnetonka Pet Sitters are going to be there!

Wuf Ya!

Iron Dog Triathlon 2007

Yo, Dawgs! Calling all dogs in the Twin Cities Metro Area! Wanna come meet us? Huh, huh? Do ya?

Well then get yourselves in shape (not really!) and get ready to have some fun (yes, really!) and join us at the Top Dog Iron Dog Triathlon 2007 THIS SATURDAY, September 8. It's a fundraiser for Top Dog Sanctuary. There's an agility event as well for all you agility-ability dogs!

You can find all their info here: http://www.topdogfoundation.org/
And, info about the event is here: http://www.topdogfoundation.org/2007_iron_dog.htm

Here's the brochure: http://www.topdogfoundation.org/Docs/Iron%20Dog%20Brochure07.pdf
Here's the dirty details: http://www.topdogfoundation.org/Docs/Iron%20Dog%20Flyer%202007.pdf
And, the registration form is here: http://www.topdogfoundation.org/Docs/Iron%20Dog%20Participant%20Registration2007.pdf

You CAN register at the park on the day of the event - but you might have to wait to get your t-shirt and stuff. So, better if you can send it in before hand...

Basically, the triathlon means that we get to play in the park, get our feet wet, pull our dogmom down the path, make her go through hoops and laugh our doggie butts off. And, the money raised will go toward building a sanctuary for doggies that can't find a forever home. Unfortunately, there are still some doggies out there that people don't want.

So, won't you come? It'll be fun!
Minnesota Iron Dog Triathlon 2007
Saturday, September 8, 2007 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
for the benefit of Top Dog Foundation
Lake Minnewashta Regional Park (Map: http://www.co.carver.mn.us/departments/PW/parks/docs/Minnewashta_Park.pdf)
Between Hwy 7 and Hwy 5 on Hwy 41 in Chanhassen.

Opie and me will wear our DogsAyeView bandanas so you'll be able to spot us! (Hey, dogmom! You can make us some DogsAyeView bandanas by then, right?) Well, if she doesn't, then you'll recognize us because you see our pictures on this blog!

Wuf Ya!