Results & Photos :: What They Said
Greetings! We made it! My husband and his daughter ran the half marathon. His ex-wife and I… along with my dog… participated in the walk. I thought my reward would be crossing the finish line. I was very wrong. My reward came from meeting wonderful, special people who shared their stories with me by way of a goofy labrador retriever named Beau.
I almost didn't bring Beau with me. HE decided I didn't have a choice. We arrived at the school and my husband went inside to get our race packets. Beau and I stayed outside trying not to get in the way. Before I knew it… children were all over him. They loved him, hugged him, petted him and told him why they were there. He happily licked every face and hand he could get to. Then the adults started to come up to him. Some were from far away… saying they had left dogs at home and asked if it would be alright to get some "puppy" hugs. As they petted him, they would tell why they came. Everyone had been touched by the camp and they were looking for a way to give something back. It was an amazing experience.
We then attended the worship service… yes, Beau too. He sat quietly… looking around at all the people I think HE thought were there for HIM. People would smile at him and I swear I think he smiled back.
We began to walk. We talked to so many people along the way. Most conversations started because of Beau. "Nice dog." "My daughter has a dog like that." "Next year I'm going to tell my friends to bring their dogs and walk with me." I felt like Beau was becoming an ambassador… he opened so many doors for me that day. He loved the boy scouts at the water stations… he loved all the people along the way who made it possible for us to walk safely. He loved, nuzzled and washed any face he could get to.
Toward the end… we slowed just a little. Beau, too. He is eight years old… and I wasn't counting on some of those hills! As we approached the entrance to the camp… I noticed his ears perked up. He started walking a little faster. I couldn't figure out what was going on and then it hit me… he heard clapping and he KNEW they were clapping for him. We started a slow jog and ended up running towards the finish line. Kyle and Pattie were there… Pattie dropped to her knees and Beau ran right to her. He got a Penguin medal for finishing. Three different staff people suddenly appeared and made sure he had a bowl and water. We went to cheer people as they approached the finish… and to wait for my husband and his daughter. Beau sat a little taller… his medal displayed proudly against his chest. People stopped to congratulate him… children would show him their medal then look at his. He had his picture taken. He licked every salty face that came by. After all… according to Beau… he had found his special purpose.
We made even more friends on the shuttle bus back to the school. Thanks to all people involved in this event. I did feel my heart race… and will never forget the lessons of unconditional love that came from a simple Sunday afternoon walk with my best friend, Beau.
—Alice Wrenn