December 21st 2024.
Dexter, a 15-year-old senior dog, eagerly bounds down the front steps of his home in Lakeview twice a week for his pack run with his beloved friends. He weighs in at a solid 50 pounds and has been a faithful member of this routine since 2015 when his mom, Stephanie Klein, signed him up for a pack run coordinated by a business called Chicago Dog Runner.
Stephanie was juggling a busy schedule and wanted Dexter to have an outlet for his energy and to explore the world around him. Little did she know, this decision would lead to a lasting friendship between Dexter and his two running companions, Sadie and Zooey. Sadie, an 11-year-old Mountain Cur mix, and Zooey, a 12-year-old cattle dog mix, have been running with Dexter, a boxer mix, through rain and snow for years, with only vacations and occasional injuries interrupting their bond.
I first met Dexter through Sadie, the dog I share with my partner, who also took her to Chicago Dog Runner for similar reasons. It's amazing how quickly these furry creatures become a part of our lives, and Dexter is no exception. He's not just our best friend's best friend, he's a real member of our family. But now, Dexter is preparing for a big move to Arizona with his mom, her fiancé, and their 6-pound Pomeranian, Bella, who unfortunately can't keep up with the bigger dogs. They'll be trading the hustle and bustle of city life for the serene landscape of cactus and palm trees.
For years, Greta Kauffman has been the dog's faithful runner. Most people don't even know that dog running businesses exist. When Greta tells people about her job, they often assume she simply walks dogs. But as she likes to clarify, she's not just walking them, she's "legit running" them.
On their runs, the four-legged squad usually covers 2-3 miles, although in the past they've been known to do 4-5 miles. After every run, Greta sends out personalized emails, affectionately called "Pupdates," to the families, detailing the day's activities. This includes information about their route, any funny incidents, and yes, whether they "voided" or not (which is just a polite way of saying they went to the bathroom).
Greta also loves to capture cute photos of the dogs and share highlights on social media. From splashing in kiddie pools to muscling through the first snowfall of the year, Dexter and Sadie always have a blast together. Greta even writes captions in Dexter's voice, adding an extra level of humor to the already adorable photos.
According to Greta, each of the dogs has their own unique personality. Sadie is the independent one, who likes to do her own thing. Zooey is a scavenger, always happy to bring up the rear. And Dexter, well, he's just along for the ride. He's always up for anything and everything, even if it means causing a little trouble every now and then. But as Greta says, the girls have definitely "put him in his place" over the years.
The pupdates have been a source of laughter and joy for everyone involved. While the girls may only go to the bathroom once on a run, Dexter can be counted on to do his business at least half a dozen times. Stephanie jokingly mentions that she didn't lead with this fact during their interview, but she's happy to clarify that they do walk Dexter without Greta as well.
For Stephanie, the pupdates offer more than just a good laugh. They also serve as a source of inspiration. She often sees the adventures that the trio goes on and thinks to herself, "I need to get out more and have more adventures with myself, my fiancé, and my friends." She loves seeing the city through their eyes and discovering new places together. Plus, she's always envious when she sees them at the lake with the skyline in the background, thinking to herself that she needs to take that walk too.
It's bittersweet to see Dexter preparing for his move to Arizona. He's been such a big part of our lives, and we'll miss hearing about his antics, like the time he flipped Sadie with his head just to catch a whiff of something she was standing over. But life goes on, and the pack will continue without him. When Dexter doesn't immediately spot his friends, Greta says he looks disappointed, almost as if he's wondering, "Where are my friends?" But we know he'll make new ones and continue to live life to the fullest.
As Greta says, the longer she's been running with the dogs, the stronger her bond with them becomes. So it's tough for her to see them go, but she knows it's just a part of life. She's learned a lot from her 14 years as a dog runner, but one of the most important lessons has been to appreciate the present and not take things too seriously. The dogs have taught her to find humor in every situation, and for that, she will forever be grateful.
Although Dexter may not be running the streets of Chicago anymore, Stephanie hopes to find someone in Arizona who can take him out for his daily runs. And who knows, maybe he'll even get to experience the joy of swimming in a pool, something he's never done before. As Stephanie says, "Life is always a new adventure, even for a dog."
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