Scott McMurtrey Vs. the World

Scott and Dad at the Goblin Valley finish line October 2010

My brother, Scott, is running across the Atacama Desert (the driest place on Earth) in Chile right now. He has been training for this for a long time. 250 painful kilometers. 6 scorching days. 6 frigid nights. Oh yeah, and self-supported. He carries everything with him in a small bag he carries on his back. I've been following him every day since his amazing, epic journey started on Sunday. He is truly an inspiration. If you need a little inspiration, go read his event-sponsored race blog. He finishes each stage/day at a new campsite and is able to update his race blog on a community computer. His only connection to the outside world. He is experiencing lots of pain and fatigue, but is in amazing spirits. I'm sure he would love all the motivation, support, and love he can get right now. Feel free to leave a comment for him, even if you've never met him. I know that any support and encouragement, even from strangers, will be VERY welcome and will help keep him going.

Let's go Scott, let's go!!!

Salmon Sammy

I give Sammy the empty salmon can when I'm done with it. I put it near his food in the kitchen and he licks it all up. Then he takes it to the couch and licks it up some more. I was in the kitchen and turned to see him staring at me like this. Had to take a picture.

More Sammy-ness

Sammy and I were at the dog park last week and we met a guy who is a Petsmart dog trainer. He gave me the BEST dog advice ever! He showed me how to wrap Sammy's leash around him so that it squeezes around his rib cage if he pulls (which is uncomfortable for him). So we now have a dog who can walk on a leash. Wow. Who knew this would be so life changing? I don't get back from our walks sore anymore. I'm not constantly redirecting him anymore. He stays right with me. Happily. And I took him running like that for the first time today. Amazing. Thank you, Petsmart guy!

Trying so hard to get that treat out of the toy!

Still trying...

"What? Are you just going to stare at me, or are you going to help me out here?"

Almost... there...

This is too hard. Nap time!