Friday, February 24, 2012

Paws In Motion LA

L-R: Boz, Matt Seng, Dylan, Otter, Sophie and Augie at Hahamongna Watershed Park, with NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in the background)

When you come home after a long day and a longer commute, your dog wants--needs--all your attention and even more exercise. You need to veg out with TV and a beer. If the dog wins, you're exhausted. If you win, you feel guilty. For you, it's a lose/lose.

Matt Seng knows this first-hand. He's done the day-job thing, and the coming home and sitting on the couch thing. Then five years ago he decided he needed a change. He started running. He joined Team In Training. Now he's head coach for the LA American Cancer Society marathon training team. Tomorrow he'll be running his first 50 mile ultra-marathon, the Ray Miller 50/50, in the Santa Monica mountains.

The guy is kind of motivated.

It turns out Matt's dogs Dylan and Sophie are motivated, too. They love running, and Matt loves them. He's one of those people who really gets dogs, you know what I mean? And dogs get him. Fortunately for Dylan and Sophie, Matt is also one of those people who figured out how to turn his passions into his business: Paws In Motion LA. Matt walks dogs and babysits dogs and, if your dog doesn't have his driver's license, Matt will give him a ride to where he needs to go. I think Matt's favorite thing, though, is taking dogs for a run.

Matt gets dogs and Dylan gets Matt.

When I first met Matt I figured the dog running business was an okay idea. But then John and I ran into him out at Hahamongna Watershed Park and I knew Matt was onto something beyond the usual neighborhood saunter. If he's running with your dog out there you are going to have one happy dog.

If it's true that a tired dog is a happy dog, then after our walk yesterday morning Boz was ecstatic for the rest of the day.

18 comments:

Kalei's Best Friend said...

What's that look on Boz's face? Is he not happy w/the pace? The others seem to be smiling...Kudos to what your friend is doing.. The dogs have their friend for life...

Petrea Burchard said...

I know, Kalei! I tried to get a shot with Boz smiling like the other dogs, but when he walks he often hangs his head. We call him "Eeyore." Vet says maybe nerve damage, maybe just that laid back personality.

Ms M said...

Well, we know Boz was happy inside; he must be an introvert. Wonderful to see all the doggy smiles, and the photo of Matt and Dylan is so heart-warming.

Petrea Burchard said...

That's a good word for him, Ms. M. He's a little shy when he first meets new dogs. But he really had a good time with them. He craves time with other dogs and he had fun. Today he's all happy and chewing his bone right now, and usually he's not up this early.

Anonymous said...

I remember meeting him! I'm glad to see things are working out.

Deb said...

I am impressed by anyone who can manage two or more dogs on leads and not end up turning circles to untangle them all. Looks like this guy has found his vocation, good for him.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

Yep, there is always one in the bunch that is laid back!.. Nothing wrong with that... Got to watch out for the quiet ones, eh? they're usually the smartest one in the bunch.

Petrea Burchard said...

Me too, Hiker. It looks like it's going well.

So true, Deb. Boz is the most low-key dog, and still he gets me twisted in the leash.

I don't know if Boz is the smartest, Kalei, but he makes up for it by being mine.

Bellis said...

I'm really looking forward to meetign Matt one day. He seems to be the best kind of dog exerciser, and his clients (furry and non-furry) are very lucky. The photos are wonderful, especially the second one. You should enter that into a competition for Dog is my Co-pilot or Man's and Dog's Best Friends but maybe you can come up with something more inspired title?

Margaret said...

It's true: a tired dog is a happy dog, and right now Scout is sleeping on one of her many softies. So she must be happy.

Petrea Burchard said...

You'll probably see him out at Hahamongna one of these days, Bellis. I think he usually goes in the mornings. (And I like the titles you chose.)

Scout is a very happy dog, Margaret, and a fortunate one.

USelaine said...

Want. Dylan.

Petrea Burchard said...

Elaine, you are in a mood.

Dylan is a cuddle.

Susan Campisi said...

Oh, wow. You know I'm going to call him! I wonder if he'd let Tommy join the pack. I won't even ask about Louise.

Those photos are so sweet.

Petrea Burchard said...

You might let Matt figure it out. Have a consultation. He may have a solution.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Sounds Matt really loves his business and walks dogs and babysits dogs are a great pleasure to him.
Love both photos. Principally the sweet face of Dylan with Matt!

pam said...

Look at Sophie, out in front with a big, joyous GRIN on her face! Love to you all from Sheba and pam!

Petrea Burchard said...

The dogs seem to love him, Sonia, and the feeling's mutual.

Hi Pam and Sheba! I took a lot of pictures but Sophie's grin made me choose this one. She was havin' herself a time.