I’m taking part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon with Dogs Trust!
This October, I’m running the Royal Parks Half Marathon for Dogs Trust.
Why Dogs Trust?
Because I have never bought a dog in my life.
Every dog I have ever had was adopted, slightly imperfect, full of character and completely unforgettable.
There was Fly, my first. Tiny, part Chihuahua, and happiest sitting on somebody's lap. She lived a long and very happy life, even having puppies of her own, who were adopted by friends and neighbours. For years afterwards, we would bump into members of the extended Fly family around town.
Then came Tina - or Tinka. She was the wise one, and very much my dog. We had that relationship where you don't really need to communicate because somehow the dog already knows. She went everywhere with me and stayed by my side for 14 wonderful years.
And then there was Mani.
We first saw her in a newspaper article about dogs needing homes in another town. My dad and I drove to see her. She was only two or three months old and, almost as soon as we brought her home, she climbed straight onto my mum's lap.
Apparently, she had already decided who her person was.
The only thing she didn't have was a name.
For about a week, nothing seemed right. Then one morning Mum was singing along to ABBA's Money, Money, Money on the radio. The puppy suddenly reacted.
So Money became Mani...
Mani wasn't the easiest dog medically. She had urinary problems and went through several operations. But what she lacked in perfect plumbing, she more than made up for in personality, determination and love.
Most of all, she adored my mum.
When Mum died suddenly from a heart attack, Mani changed almost immediately. She wouldn't eat properly, didn't want to walk and seemed completely lost.
Five days after Mum died, Mani died too.
She was 13 and had already lived a long life despite her health problems, but it has always been impossible for me not to feel that, somehow, she simply didn't want to carry on without Mum.
That is why rescue dogs will always have such a special place in my heart.
These days, because I travel so much, I know it wouldn't be fair for me to adopt another dog. Much as I would love one, sometimes loving animals also means knowing when you should't bring one home.
So instead, I want to help the dogs still waiting for theirs.
Dogs Trust gives abandoned, unwanted and vulnerable dogs another chance, including the awkward ones, the older ones, the ones with health problems and the ones who just need somebody to believe in them.
Last year, I ran Royal Parks half marathon to raise money for a guide-dog charity. Apparently, I didn't learn my lesson, because this October I’m doing the 13.1 miles all over again.
This time, Mark, my partner is running alongside me, whether that makes the whole thing more sensible or simply means there are now two of us making questionable decisions remains to be seen.
So if you can spare anything, however small, please sponsor me.
I'll provide the running, aching legs and questionable decision-making.
You provide the donation.
And somewhere, hopefully, another Fly, Tinka or Mani gets the second chance they deserve. 💛🐶
Thank you so much. It genuinely means a lot.
