12:42pm January 25, 2016
Dog accidentally runs US half-marathon, finishes in an impressive seventh place
A dog that left her Alabama home for a walk has wound up running in a local half-marathon – which she ended up finishing in an impressive seventh place.
Two-year-old Ludivane, a bloodhound from Elkmont, a town with a population of only about 400, had been let out for a stroll by her owner, April Hamlin, when she came across the Trackless Train Trek Half Marathon.
Always up for a run, the puppy committed to the endurance challenge – and finished the 21km course in just over an hour and 30 minutes.
The Elkmont Half Marathon honoured the canine’s participation and awarded her with a medal.
“This is Ludivane – she ran the entire half marathon and finished 7th overall with a time of 1.32.56,” the club posted.
Her owner remained oblivious to her canine’s competitive spirit, and said she only became aware of the epic run when friends started sending her photos of Ludo at the finish line.
“My first reaction was that I was embarrassed and worried that she had possibly gotten in the way of the other runners,” Ms Hamlin told Runner’s World.
“All I did was open the door, and she ran the race on her own accord”, she said.
Near this Spot
are deposited the Remains of one
who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferocity,
and all the virtues of Man without his Vices.
This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery
if inscribed over human Ashes,
is but a just tribute to the Memory of
Boatswain, a Dog
who was born in Newfoundland May 1803
and died at Newstead Nov. 18th, 1808
When some proud Son of Man returns to Earth,
Unknown to Glory, but upheld by Birth,
The sculptor’s art exhausts the pomp of woe,
And storied urns record who rests below.
When all is done, upon the Tomb is seen,
Not what he was, but what he should have been.
But the poor Dog, in life the firmest friend,
The first to welcome, foremost to defend,
Whose honest heart is still his Master’s own,
Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone,
Unhonoured falls, unnoticed all his worth,
Denied in heaven the Soul he held on earth –
While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven,
And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven.
Oh man! thou feeble tenant of an hour,
Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power –
Who knows thee well, must quit thee with disgust,
Degraded mass of animated dust!
Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat,
Thy tongue hypocrisy, thy heart deceit!
By nature vile, ennobled but by name,
Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame.
Ye, who behold perchance this simple urn,
Pass on – it honours none you wish to mourn.
To mark a friend’s remains these stones arise;
I never knew but one -- and here he lies.
dog thought.... "darn, they re chasing a bad guy, I just know that they re chasing a bad guy...., fuck it, I ll be home for breakfast, fry me a kipper" ....
