The following is an email I received from Eric a reader and his friend Sadie (the red menace).

I’m not a runner.  I hate running. But yet I run every single morning.  Why?  Because each morning I get a cold wet nose in the eye and then there’s an Australian Cattle Dog at the side of my bed making a sound that I can only compare to an air-raid siren.

6 months ago I rescued the cutest dog in the world from a county pound.  I was only marginally aware of the intense exercise needs of the Australian Cattle Dog.  She needs one (preferably two) hard runs a day.

And each morning - and I literally mean every morning - when I wake up I have the same thought:  I can’t believe I have to go out and run now.  And as soon as I’ve taken my second or third stride outside, I have the same thought:  This is so great.  I’m so lucky I have such a beautiful, sweet dog that gets me out every morning to run (at a pretty decent pace).  When I get home, I feel like a million bucks.

I’ve lost 40 pounds.  My sport (judo) has improved.

And I owe it all to my very personal trainer.

Tell your readers that there are plenty of dogs in pounds in shelters that would love to be a personal trainer, too.  And unlike the ones at the gym, you can snuggle them after the workout.

Best,

Eric

Thank you very much for the inspirational story Eric.

For those of you out there who may be curious in adopting your own personal trainer you can find hundreds of pets in your area in need of a home through Petfinder.

Or if you’re just feeling charitable go ahead and visit ASPCA.

And if you have a similar story or anything else entertaining or inspirational please email me at thebuffgeek@gmail.com.

Have a happy Thanksgiving everybody.