We Survived the Hearts First Jog!

As planned, Spike and I participated in the British Heart Foundation's Hearts First Jog in Canary Wharf on Wednesday 4 June. Although we did not quite manage a steady jogging pace all the way, we did complete all eight laps - that is 10 km. Unfortunately, we didn't take a camera, but you can see some pics here, here and here.

This time Spike was the ONLY dog participating - to much appreciation of spectators and participants alike. I have to admit that it was perhaps not such a good idea to take a dog on such a 'serious' jog, as there were plenty opportunities for runners to trip over Spike. I kept Spike on a very tight leash and tried to keep against the left-hand-side walls and barriers, but some joggers would still be so silly as to try and squeeze past to the left of me and over Spike. Like I said, some people mistook the jog for some sort of marathon and got really impatient in the bundle.

But we had good fun. The lady on stilts was really sweet in particular, although cautious of getting pushed off balance by the very intrigued Spike! One band en route piped up with 'How much is that doggie in the window' as we approached them on our final lap, and put a smile back on my tired face. Celebrity profiling for this event was provided by Gemma Atkinson.

This time I didn't take a back pack and only the most essential things went in the pockets of my polar-fleece jacket, which went around my hips and went cling cling clang all the way. LOL. So this is where I realised the true usefulness of Spike's collapsible water bowl. I literally kept it bundled up in one pocket. My train ticket got a bit soggy though!

Struggling to keep up our starting pace, we finished with the last dribs and drabs, but were still received back with enthusiasm and a medal, and bananas!

Considering this was our SECOND 10km event in 4 days, we were very pleased to have made it. We are also very very grateful to everyone who encouraged us before the event, and to those who sponsored us and made a contribution to the British Heart Foundation.

O, and our fundraising page still receives contributions, so if you are still interested in sponsoring us in retrospect, please do so here. We can do with a little boost still!

Again, if you are on Facebook, please show your support by joining our group. It's just nice to be surrounded by some positive people!

Many thanks and love again to all our dear friends who remain enthusiastic with us! x

Getting Ready For a 10km Jog

Not quite over the aches and pains from Sunday's Crusaid Walk For Life, I have commited myself to JOG 10 km tonight!

Spike and I will jog (if I can manage - maybe we will crawl!) 10 km at the British Heart Foundation's Hearts First Jog in Canary Wharf tonight. We are raising money in support of the British Heart Foundation's various efforts to research, support, care and inform the nation about heart disease.

Here's a tip from the British Heart Foundation:



If you appreciate what the British Heart Foundation does daily for all of us, please sponsor us on this event.

Again, please join our Facebook Group to show your support and to be kept up to date with our activities.

Fingers crossed the weather holds and my legs keep going!

Thanks al for your support! x

Spike was the First Dog in!

Spike and I completed the 10 km Crusaid Walk For Life on Sunday 1 June 2008. Spike did really well; he walked on all four legs (for you guys who enquired about the injury) ALL the way, and even dragged me right to the end. But the cherry on the cake is that Spike was the first dog in! We were received with so much enthusiasm, and they even gave Spike a medal too!

We were both exhausted, as we obviously walked quite fast. But after a nap, Spike was his normal playful self again, while I am still aching all over - even my arms are sore; now how do you explain that? LOL

The highlight of the day was when Amy Winehouse arrived at the registration tent rather early in the morning and collected her wristband and T-shirt! She was dressed in her usual checked frock and slingback kitten heels, and she had adorned her iconic wig with pretty flowers. She seemed really relaxed and refreshed, and to our amazement also completed the 10 km walk!

Petit beauty, Dannii Minogue was there too to cut the ribbon and lead the walk, while Alan Cumming and 4 Poofs & A Piano supplied the horn and cheers. You can see more pictures of our day here.

Thank you very very much to all of you for forwarding kind words and joining our Facebook Group and giving us a ring. And a big thanks from both Spike & I and Crusaid to our sponsors. (I have added your names to our Hall of Fame, so check it out!) We have raised just under £80 in total, although this might still go up, as our sponsorship page is still open to contributions.

The Walk For Life was particularly in aid of HIV/AIDS awareness and support projects in Africa - including South Africa - so we were really pleased to make a contribution. You can read more about some of these projects here. I have been informed independently that their work in South Africa proves meaningful and extremely successful.

The Crusaid Walk For Life is an annual event in London. It is extrememly well organised and really big and exciting. It also caters for people of all ages and abilities, and even dogs are welcome. So look out for next year's Walk For Life!

We're doing the Walk For Life on June 1

Who remembers this?


LOL. I always loved these guys, but gosh how corny this is! Or is it just dated?

Anyway, Spike and I are going to do the Walk For Life on Sunday 1 June. This is organised by Crusaid - a UK charity dedicated to helping poor and marginalised people affected by HIV and AIDS worldwide. I have been been informed independantly that Crusaid gets up to truly meaningful and successful projects, so they certainly are a worthy cause!

Please take a look at our sponsorship page and see if you could make a little contribution.

If you want to join us on the day, just register online, and let me know!

Facebookers, please join Spike and myself at our Group.

Thanks everyone!

It's been a while

I can only apologise for the long silence. I have been all over the place, and in between tried looking for more events, but without much success. It appears to be quite a problem to find large events that allow dogs.

Please, please, please let me know of any events you come accross - even if you are not certain about the dog issue; I will find out.

Also, if anyone wants to join Spike and myself on any charity walks or jogs, or include us in any of your events, please let us know!

We completed our first event!

We completed our first charity event! We had great fun on Saturday; good company, beautiful surroundings and - well - refreshing weather.

We walked just over 4 miles around the lovely Hampstead Heath, joined by lots of other friendly dogs and humans. Spike had a really good time hunting in the bushes and playing with all the other dogs.

I have to make special mention of Elsa - the tiniest Chihuahua - who bravely walked all the way herself!

The walk started and ended strategically at the famous Spaniard's Inn - an extremely dog-friendly pub - down to a doggy wash! There was a lovely warm fire going, lots of kindness and water for all the dogs and an excellent menu for us humans.

When we got back home (bus, tube, train...), Spike was so tired he just fell over and slept!

Thank you again to those who have sponsored us, and for all the good wishes. We met the Mayhew team in person, and I can assure you these guys have hearts of gold and are doing a super job at making London a better place for dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.

If you would like to make a contribution, you can still do so at JustGiving. It is an easy and secure process. Be sure to opt in for Gift Aid!

Watch this space for more events in aid of other charities.

Thanks all!

Make Every Moment Count

Having just turned 30, I am finally beginning to experience that daily angst: I'm not getting it together, I'm wasting my life and - even - I am a failure.

And what happens? I lose my job! Whoa, what's going on here?!

Simple, it is time to think about what I am doing with my time, with my life. It is time to accept responsibility for my own path.

So it is back to the drawing board. I need to make a radical change in my career, I need to study again, I need to get to know myself, and it is time to get involved in my community. It is time to make every moment count.

Now, if you are a dog owner like me, you will know there is no better way to get to know your neighbours than to take the dog around block! Even so, it is cold and wet out there and some days I really don't feel like it. Yes, shame on me.

Rewind that: There is no better way to get to know your neighbours than to take the dog around the block. What if we took this further...

I have decided that I will commit myself to spending quality time with my best friend, Spike. Spike and I are going to turn our weekend walks into something meaningful. We are going to walk and jog (and maybe one day I will be fit enough to run!) to raise money for charities that are doing great work to make this world a better place. We are going to have loads of fun, meet new people and doggies, get fit and give back to our community. Eureka!

Our first event will be a dog walk in aid of The Mayhew Animal Home, this coming Saturday in Hampstead, London. You can read about this event here.

If you know of any other events that are dog friendly, we would love to hear from you! Maybe we could even start a dog walk and jog for charity club... Let's talk!

And, of course, if you would like to sponsor me and Spike for our first event, you can do so through the simple, fast and totally secure JustGiving site. We, and Mayhew Animal Home, would be ever so grateful.