With the new and stable daily routine barely starting, the first thing I had to add back into the fold was exercising regularly. Back then, a long time ago (around December 2021 and January 2022, lmao) I had the utmost discipline to work-out at least 3 to 4 times a week. Then came the whole fiasco with the apartment search, fully-booked vacation, moving out and settling in the new apartment —which is another entire thing by itself—.

I’m waking up early for the first time in my life since I worked an 8 to 5 shift, so I thought: “Hey, the weather is sunny again and the temperature is ranging from mid 30’s to mid 40’s. I live about 5 minutes from the river, so, let’s go for a run across the scenic route. Nice open trail, downtown buildings and bridges in the background, a winter river to the right, landscaped green areas to the left… Running has always been my favorite exercise activity. How can I not enjoy this?! 

It’s 7:30am, and I’m already stretching at the beginning of the track. Not only did I find great parking, but I also stumbled upon $10 in the snow. That’s lunch at the deli (or some Taco Bell, depending if you want to punish or even reward yourself.) My day has started perfectly!

About a half mile in, just warming up, I see a big doggo (I think it was a mixed lab) just chilling in one of the green areas. It was 42 degrees, the snow had thawed, but it was still wet. He was laying there like it was a hot summer day. 

A little boy saw the dog, he was maybe seven or eight years old, and ran closer to him, leaving his dad behind. It was ok, he maintained distance and the dad was just a couple of meters away in a safe place. I saw the whole scene while jogging. 

The dog seemed friendly and was wearing a collar. It was probably the dog of a person nearby. He was wagging his tail and waiting to be petted.

The dad called the kid back, and told him to don’t get any closer.
“Julian, stop. Don’t touch that stray dog”

The kid got sad, and went back to his dad.
The dog got sad, and went away.
I got sad, and went back to running.

Now I hope to find that dog again during my next run, and hopefully give him the love it wanted.