Runner News – Important Announcements

July 1, 2025

Thanks for logging your run, and Happy day to you!

 

“Happiness depends upon ourselves”

– Aristotle

 

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

There are a couple of new opportunities coming up!

Applesauce Wiltrout is a very manageable 2yr old Pitty mix.  She is a happy runner, no issues. She can run long or short, whatever you need. She needs runs 2X per week, L1. You are welcome to take 1 run and be part of a team.  Her schedule is VERY flexible.  She lives and runs around Seton Hill University.  Her service code  is a L1-2X-1Dog  (1-3 mi typical)

Button Rosensteel is a very nice and somewhat shy Slovakian Wire Haired Pointer.  She is a runners dog, she will go very smooth for long distance.  She needs runs 2X per week, L2. You are welcome to take 1 run and be part of a team.  Her schedule is VERY flexible, but she prefers afternoon appointments(No early am).  She lives and runs around South Greensburg, and the 5 Star Trail.  Her service code is L2-2X-1 Dog (5 mi typical)

Both of these very consistent runners will be available starting next week!

 

Running with a Dog in the Summer: A Quick Guide

Running with a dog can be a great way to stay active and bond—but summer heat adds extra challenges. Here’s how to keep it safe and fun for both of you.

  1. Time It Right
  • Try to run early in the morning or late evening when it’s cooler.
  • Avoid midday runs when temperatures peak and pavement gets dangerously hot.  Walk at those times if necessary.
  1. Check the Surface
  • Test asphalt with your hand—if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot for paws.
  • Prefer grass, dirt trails, or shaded paths.
  1. Stay Hydrated
  • Bring water for both you and your dog.
  • Offer water breaks every 15–20 minutes during runs.
  1. Watch for Heat Stress
  • Look for signs: excessive panting, drooling, slowing down, glazed eyes.
  • If you see any of these, stop, find shade, and cool down with water immediately.
  1. Use the Right Gear
  • Your hands-free leash is the only option for control and comfort.
  • Consider a Camel bak, bandana or brimmed hat for extra relief.
  • Protect your eyes, and relieve strain with a nice pair of shades
  • Use dog-safe sunscreen on noses and ears if your dog has light skin or fur.
  1. Adjust Your Routine
  • Keep runs slower in hot weather.
  • Let your dog set the pace—especially if they’re older or new to running.
  • Skip running altogether on extremely hot or humid days.  Walk in the shade for exercise on those days.
  1. End on a Good Note
  • After the run, cool down gradually with walking and water.
  • Offer treats, praise, and belly rubs—it should be fun!

Final Tip: Know Your Dog

Some breeds (like pugs, bulldogs, and other brachycephalic dogs) don’t tolerate heat well.

 

THE HDRC CALENDAR

Here’s a little guide to help you get the most out of our shared “HDRC Calendar”.  It has been a very useful tool for organizing the dogs who need runners!  The dogs you see on the HDRC calendar are available, and need a running buddy.  I currently fill the role of “Company Runner”.  I try to fulfill as many of the runs on the “HDRC Calendar” as I possibly can, either as a runner myself, or by communicating the needs to other runners who are looking for runs.

YOUR ROLE Your role as a user of the HDRC Calendar is very important. You have the ability to add events and make changes to existing events.  Please take great care of your responsibility.  Changes you make will affect the schedules of other people, and erroneous changes are sometimes very difficult to correct!  Always check twice, look at all the data fields, and make sure that the information you enter is correct before you save your changes.  Depending on each of your personal, user defined settings, you will receive email notifications about HDRC Calendar activity as changes are made by other users.

There are a lot of users of this calendar, so it’s important that we work together to keep it accurate, and useful.

NEWLY AVAILABLE DOGS Many times, when a new dog joins our group, the first place you will see them is on the “HDRC Calendar”.   The new dog will usually get initially placed on a day and time that works for the customer, and for the “Company Runner”. Keep in mind that the new dog may also be available other times.  Always check the “Notes” section of calendar entries for the complete description of a dogs’ availability. 

AVAILABLE STEADY Dogs referred to as “Available Steady” are generally dogs that are interested in finding a runner to join them on a COMMITTED basis.

FILL-IN Dogs referred to as “Fill-In” are usually dogs that are committed to other runners, but need more runs, or need runs because their committed runner is unavailable.

COMMITTING TO A SINGLE RUN When you see a run that you would like to claim, just open that event in edit mode, and add your name to the title of that single event.

COMMITTING TO A RUN SERIES When you find a dog that fits you perfectly, and you decide that you want to be that dogs exclusive runner, it’s time to Commit!  Congratulations! This is a big step, and we all take it very seriously. It’s the goal of almost every dog and runner in our group! Committing to a dog means that that dogs name gets removed from the HDRC Calendar, and becomes unavailable to other runners.  Some dogs have a team of runners that are committed to them.  You can commit to a single, weekly run with a dog as part of a team. To commit to a dog/run, delete it from the HDRC Calendar.  You and the dog owner are now in complete control of scheduling your runs.  Committing to a dog is such a big step because it is the foundation of building your HDRC running schedule.  Be sure to choose dogs that are conveniently located to you, and dogs that fit your personal running style the best.  Think about the future when you commit to a dog.  Try not to make commitments that you can’t keep.

ADDING A RUN TO THE HDRC CALENDAR If you are a committed runner, and you need a break in your schedule, you can use the HDRC Calendar to get help from the HDRC group of Fill-In runners.  Simply add a run to the calendar.  Keep in mind that adding a run to the calendar doesn’t mean that your responsibility for that run has ended.  We can never let the HDRC Calendar become a place where runs get dumped and forgotten. Before you let go of responsibility for any run, make sure it’s covered by another runner, or make sure that you’ve followed it up with HDRC.

ADDING YOUR NAME TO THE HDRC CALENDAR Let’s try something new!  If you are one of the new runners who is still on deck and waiting for a run that fits your schedule, or if you’re already running but you want more runs, try adding your name to the calendar for the appropriate times and dates and locations that you are available.  You might attract the attention of another runner who is feeling a little tired, or overwhelmed, that would be interested in loaning you a run! There’s a lot of runs going on out there that you will never see unless you ask!

IN CONCLUSION The HDRC Calendar is still evolving!  I’m no expert, but I have become pretty good at managing this app, so if you need help, please ask me.  It’s always easier for me to work on a problem with you, than to clean one up for you, so don’t hesitate to reach out to me.  If you have any feedback about the way this is working, or if you have a suggestion or idea, please send it!!

 

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT DISTANCE!

Everyone’s different!  Every dog, every day, and every run are different.  You should all keep in mind that this thing we do is not all about distance.  It’s also about fulfilling the emotional and instinctual needs of our dogs, while we share our exercise with them. The physical part of the run is only one component. Be careful not to focus too much on the physical aspect of our service, and neglect the other, equally important things like the dogs’ need to explore with it’s nose, take in the environment, and the bond between you!

 

A NOTE ABOUT THE LEADERBOARD

  I want to emphasize that this is not a competition.  Every one of us runs with dogs for a reason.  Some do it for the extra miles, some do it for the extra cash, and some do it just because it’s a fun hobby.  The miles are the miles.  It’s just a fun way to see your, and everyone else’s progress throughout the year.

LEADERBOARD

We’re almost to the halfway point already!  The pack has spread out, and we’ve found our rhythm!  New leader Kinsey is just a few steps in front of Steph, Carla is alone in the second wave, and Alan, Jessica D, Tammara and Liz are in the chase group!  The list of runners is at a record high, we’re 40 strong!!

  Use this list to find each other on Map My Run, you’ll love to look at the activity feed and see nothing but your packmates and their dogs!!!

 

6-Jun-25

Runs

Miles

1

Kinsey Auvil

188

514

2

Steph Peske

210

512

3

Carla Lytle

110

453

4

Alan Hill

156

391

5

Jessica Dudik

188

383

6

Tamara Hale

154

360

7

Liz Prady

82

316

8

Angela Cummings

193

292

9

Linnea Holmes

54

260

10

Natalie Pakosz

50

241

11

Michele Johnston

104

222

12

Kristen Davis

140

204

13

Ashley Gess

51

156

14

Seth Eaglehouse

88

138

15

Anna Chappell

26

131

16

Rich Bugay

31

120

17

Kristin Consuegra

35

113

18

Jessica Bowman

24

87

19

Abbey Conrad

38

86

20

Victoria Maher

17

75

21

Katie Robinson

19

69

22

Andria Zutich

20

60

23

Rachel Conrath

33

56

24

Mary O’Hara

20

51

25

Anna Roberts

19

48

26

Evan Benza

20

41

27

Sarah Fowler

21

40

28

Marisa Dombrowski

12

40

29

Sean Kelly

11

35

30

Giselle Obergfell

11

26

31

Peyton Ryan

8

26

32

Brianne Falatovich

10

18

33

Rachel Foster

14

18

34

Leah Cook

4

15

35

Meagan Cappetta

8

9

36

Cydney Blahovec

3

6

37

Madison Suman

2

5

38

Abby Blahovec

2

4

39

Lauren Vittone

2

4

 

 

 Be careful out there, have fun, and tell your dog I said “Hi”!!!!

THANK YOU!!!

 

Happy Running,                                                                         

Jeff