Dog Days
Jax and me at the Brazil 135 Ultramarathon outside Águas da Prata, January 9, 2025.
Issue #6
I heard it before I saw it: a bone-chilling dog yelp, more like a shriek, from around the corner.
Jax, my trusty canine companion who ran across Europe with me, had just finished our Monday morning run, seven miles at a relaxed pace. After every run he gets hosed down in the little courtyard where I live in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. He knows that in that enclosed, astroturfed square he can let it rip: running, cutting, jumping, rolling, and whatever playful fantasy he dreams up.
This time he came around the corner crying, right leg lifted, limping toward me. I feared the worst: a cranial cruciate ligament tear, the canine equivalent of an ACL injury. Surgery, then up to six months of rehab, which in a dog's life is an eternity.
One thing about running with dogs: as much as they want to go, they also know when they cannot, and the next day he watched me head out alone. I had to wait for three days for the next veterinary appointment and in that waiting, every dog I'd ever loved or crossed paths with came back to me.
Lucky was my ultimate running mate, my canine soul mate, who chose to follow me in Brazil, running by my side for 150 miles. After I brought him back to Jacksonville in 2018, he and I were quite the sight: Me, in my cowboy hat, Lucky at my right heel, unleashed, but always in sync.
Exactly five years ago today, Lucky and I were in the midst of our greatest adventure: crossing the USA on foot. I documented Lucky’s remarkable story in two books: one for kids, A Lucky Story, the other for everyone else called Lucky: A True Story. Both are available on Amazon, for anyone interested.
Recently, a reader of Lucky's story sent me this note that really touched me:
"My husband gave me a copy of your book for Christmas and I must share with you about our Sam. Like Lucky, Sam was beloved by everyone he met. So much so that when he passed, many were not only extending themselves with condolences, they were donating in Sam's name to animal shelters, veterinary universities & hospitals … the list goes on.
I think Sam and Lucky are good friends on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge – having long loving conversations about "us" and all their adventures.
Attached is my Obit to Sam we sent out many years ago. I hope you enjoy "meeting" him.
Thank you for sharing your Lucky with me, Joaney"
Sam's obit says it all: Sam's Obit
Last week I connected with legendary ultrarunner Mike Wardian, a friend who, like me, loves running with dogs. He shared that Rosie, his beloved Vizsla, recently passed away. His heart was heavy. As a side hustle, he now runs other people's dogs. For a guy who ran a 2:36 marathon last fall, I'm glad Jax and I aren't on his roster!
On Thursday, I brought Jax home from the vet, who, after careful analysis, determined that he had not torn his CCL and had most likely sprained his knee. The heaviness of the last few days lifted at once.
Lucky during chemotherapy at MU Veterinary Hospital, June 28, 2021, on our run across America.
Like the many vets I had visited with Lucky, during our run across America, when he was in remission with cancer but needed chemo along the way, the Porto doctor also told me that Jax would let me know when he was ready to run again.
And like with my own training, when Jax is healed, I will ease him back up to "normal."
As my Jacksonville neighbor once yelled out of her car window, driving past while I ran in the days after Lucky's passing: "Don't ever forget what DOG spelled backwards is!!"
Unconditional love that brings out our best selves. Dogs aren't around long. Make the moments count.
Hope to see you on the road,
David.
