my running buddy

I have a human running partner, she's great, really she is, most of the time. :-) But I wanted a 4-legged running buddy. I researched different breeds, talked to several people, googled best running dogs and found several breeds that would work. At first I thought, I didn't want a puppy, I should adopt and give a loving home to a dog in need. So the quest began to search every shelter and rescue place around. There were running dogs a plenty, but, big but, I couldn't adopt them. Why? Because I have two cats, I have two other dogs and oh my I have children. Even though I am a very dog savvy person and same with my husband, cats, dogs and kids we could not find anyone to adopt. Take that back, I found a dog. She was fine with cats, fine with other dogs but the shelter put a note that she was not to be adopted to family with children under the age of 10. My kids are 7 and 6, almost 8 and 7. What is two years? I understand all about the maturity and older kids aren't as wild. Save it. My kids are very mature and very dog savvy, I have seen teenagers who should not be allowed to have a dog. So long story short, we could not adopt that dog, couldn't even visit with her. The shelter didn't even have any history of aggression on this dog but they slapped the "no kids under 10" rule to her so we lost out. This went on for awhile. I gave up. I ended up looking for a breeder. At least this way I don't have to worry about the new dog getting along with my cats, dogs or kids.

So here is Zeke. An Australian Shepherd. Isn't he a beauty. He will be my running buddy, in time, he needs to grow first and train, like me.

I pick him up on Sunday, this Sunday. I am a tiny bit excited!!! We will make a good pair. I think I will even learn sheep herding with him!