SpokesDogs and Balto Half

Looking for a new BFF? This cutie could be yours - she is available for adoption. Contact me for details.
Carol came to the shoot this morning to help me handle the doggies.
With the WJZ broadcaster for the earliest shoot - 6AM!

As usual we are crazy busy here at Casa Sheely-Wood! Last weekend we ran the Baltimore Half Marathon together (thanks to Coach Bob for letting CDW be his bandit runner). This was our first race ever together! Can you believe it? It is also my first race since the Shamrock Marathon in 2007, after which most of you know I struggled with years of IT band and knee issues. Our time wasn't great, but we have both had a lot going on lately so we were not as dedicated to training and rest as we would have liked to be. In addition, I have been experiencing some issues with my hamstrings as a result of all of my yoga classes. I had a few really tough miles, but overall we tried to focus on having fun. We gave lots of high-fives to spectators and the kids out in East Baltimore (thank you for cheering us on), thanked all of the wonderful police who came out to direct traffic, and took all the beer we were offered (thanks to Matt and Tasha at mile 11). Natty Boh really hits the spot at the end of a tough race.

This morning Caele and Jackson were spokesdogs on two Baltimore morning newscasts. They each donned their Halloween costumes to promote BARCStoberfest, BARCS animal shelter's biggest fundraiser of the year! Caele was a piggy, and Jackson a lobster (there is a costume contest at BARCStoberfest). We hope that lots of you will check out this fabulous event tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 23 at Patterson Park from 11 - 3 (near the Pagoda).

In work news, Chris attended a riveting workshop this week in Philadelphia. He said that he has learned a lot that will be useful to him at work immediately. I have been trying to keep up with my yoga training, which includes at least three classes per week, and a hefty reading list. I recently finished the Bhagavad Gita, and have begun Autobiography of a Yogi. I have also been slowly reading a book by bankruptcy law goddess Elizabeth Warren (The Two Income Trap - I highly recommend that everyone check this out), and a recommendation from my vet called Calming Signals (you will never look at your dog the same way again).

Game day dogs, Blood Bank, and Caele turns 9!!

Game day with Sheely-Wood dogs.

College game day. Caele needs to put a UVa bandana on her Christmas list.
Caele and Abbi. Waiting for their celebration biscuits.
Jacks and his daddy after donating blood.
Jacks and Dr. Ann of EVBB. Lots of tummy rubs and biscuits for blood donor dogs!

We are so proud of Jackson; today he became a canine blood donor. We didn't know that there was such a thing until we saw a news story about it. We had never thought about where blood comes from if our doggies need it. The sad fact is that in many places dogs are kept alive in cages just so that they can be blood donors - and that is no quality of life. The good news is that this can change if enough doggies give blood voluntarily! That is what happens at Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank (http://www.evbb.com/). Dr. Ann and her team take blood donations from dogs like Jackson so that there is blood available for dogs when they need it. And Jackson really doesn't mind too much - he gets lots of belly rubs, yummy snacks and peanut butter, and mom and dad treated him to some Boston Market chicken afterwards. Jackson's blood has the potential to help up to 4 other dogs! If you have a healthy dog under 7 years of age, please look into canine blood donation in your area - it is something that you and your dog can feel wonderful about!

In other news, Caele turned 9 this month! I can hardly believe it; she doesn't look a day over 5. We all love her to pieces here at Casa Sheely-Wood, but I am especially thankful for her presence in my life for what is almost a decade. We had the usual celebration with a new toy and some tasty snacks. See her tonite at the pre-BARCStoberfest at Little Havana; we'll be arriving early to scope out a good table on the patio!