PM This is the closest thing to a journal I have, so I need to write some extra tonight. We had to put down our chocolate lab, Shade, today. He had stopped eating for the last few days and this morning he wouldn't get up before I went to work. The ritual is that he gets up before I go and walks outside with me. He was almost 11 years old and had been with us from the first few months in Georgia. Before I left him in the clinic, so many great memories jumped into my mind. Early morning trail runs, trips to the river, sitting by the desk, and a long road trip across the country to name a few. The damn dog continually dug up my flowers trying to find a cool spot in the summer or pooped on the greenest spot of lawn! He had a tail the width of a python and could really club the walls when he was happy. It will be along time before I find a more comfortable foot rest. Alexa is devastated and cried for an hour. I loaded him in the truck, and she went out and sat with him for quite awhile until I left. I will miss the ole' boy!
After I got back from the clinic, I had a fast run. (7:20 average) I don't know if I was mad or choking down something in my throat or thinking about different things. I did run the Flying J loop and when I hit the trail, Pine Valley was the only thing lit up since the sun was underneath the hill. The clouds were just hunkered down on the mountain and it was beautiful. | 