When it was decided by our veterinarian that Margarita should retire from walking 5K’s due to health related reasons, I bought her a Vergo brand dog stroller so that we would still be able to walk together. Below is the video of Rita’s maiden voyage in her new stroller. She gained her angel wings before we were able to complete a 5K using the stroller.
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Category Archives: Rita’s Races
Run Run Rudolph 5k (Margarita’s Last)
Margarita and I completed the Run Run Rudolph 5K on December 24, 2020 during Covid 19 with Margarita’s cousin James and her Aunt Casey.
This was the last 5k Margarita and I ever did together.
I am grateful for the countless memories and adventures Margarita led me on while we walked many miles together. Click HERE to see all the 5K’s Rita and I completed.
I will forever miss my 5k partner.💖
Run for the Dogs Turkey Trot
Run for the Dogs Turkey Trot Virtual 5K supported animal shelters!
I chose to have my donation go to Hot Rods Garage Senior Sanctuary (HRG) . HRG is a veteran owned and operated, 501c3 Nonprofit Organization for senior, special needs and disabled fur-kids.
Margarita and I walked this one with Rita’s cousin James on Thanksgiving morning.
My Running Buddy Rocks 5K
On November 7, 2020, Margarita and I hiked in Bass River State Forest with our friends Jen and her English Pointer, Pearl as we completed the MY Running Buddy Rocks 5K hosted by Run Pups.
A percentage from this virtual 5K’s race fee 10% of your registration went to abandoned dogs being cared for by Charming Pet Rescue.
Way to go, Reet!
United For the Fight 5K
On November 5th, 2020, Margarita & Whiskey combined efforts to complete the United for the Fight 5K hosted by Flex it Pink. We completed this 5K at Atlantic Shore Pines Campground. This event donated a percentage of our race fee to Stand Up To Cancer .
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Margarita
Whiskey
Paws for the Law 5k
On 10/15/20 and 10/18/20, Margarita and I completed the Paws for the Law 5k – a special “Thank You!” to Law Enforcement Officers everywhere.
Police Officers wear ballistic vests as part of their daily uniform, however, the K-9s who are putting themselves between officers and an armed suspects are often not provided the same protection. 100% of the funds raised from this event were used to purchase:
- K-9 ballistic vests that provide protection against guns and knives for K-9s who are used to help track and apprehend armed suspects
- Opioid reversal kits for narcotics K-9s who may be exposed to inhaled or ingest drugs.
The charity that hosted this event was The Delisle K-9 Officer Safety Foundation. The DeLisle K-9 Officer Safety Foundation began raising funds for K-9 Officer ballistic vests in the fall of 2016 after hearing of a K-9 shot and killed in the line of duty. These vests cost an average of $1,200 each and are usually not included in police department budgets. Since that time they have become a 501(c)3 and have raised enough funds to purchase 31 bulletproof K-9 vests, helping to protect K-9’s throughout Delaware and across the country. Each vest purchased helps to protect the K-9, which in turn protects our dedicated Police Officers!
Stronger Than Cancer 5k
On 10/19/20 Margarita and I completed the Stronger Than Cancer 5k. This event donated proceeds to Rethink Breast Cancer.
Rethink Breast Cancer’s mission is to empower young people worldwide through innovative education, support, and advocacy.
We walked this 5k with our dock diving friends, “Team Salty Paws” at Haddon Lake Park.
Scooby Doo 5K
ZOINKS! Looks like we’ve got another mystery on our hands! …Not to worry though – Margarita is on the case! Only one problem… the Mystery Machine was out of commission, so we had to “take a run at it!”
Margarita enjoyed some Scooby Snacks and Scooby themed toys before completing the Scooby-Doo Family and Pet Run/Walk .
A percentage of our mystery-solving fee was donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital .
Chesapeak DockDogs B.A.A.R.K.toberfest
On October 6, 2020 Margarita and I participated in the Chesapeake DockDogs B.A.A.R.K.toberfest 5K, benefiting the The B.A.A.R.K. Foundation, Inc. The B.A.A.R.K. Foundation is 501(c)3 organization which plays a leading role in making grants that enable and strengthen the DockDogs community when members have fallen on hard times.
We walked this one in the historic town of Medford. Medford’s Main Street had their annual scarecrow contest and it was so fun to look at all the scarecrows along the way!
America Runs 5k
America Runs…Even at a Distance.
Margarita completed the virtual America Runs 5K.
A portion of our race fee was donated back to local communities by supporting COVID-19 recovery efforts through The Gannett Foundation. All funds raised were donated across the United States in the hopes of achieving 1 million dollars raised for COVID-19 recovery efforts.
I no longer watch the timer, and don’t pause the race apps (I use Runkeeper and WoofTrax at the same time) for potty breaks, water breaks, or photo ops.. instead, these days the longer our walks are, the better – and I enjoy every second of every one of our 5Ks!
Doggone Best Friends 5k
This event benefitted Pets for Vets, a nonprofit organization that connects military Veterans with rescue animals.
Puppy Rescue Mission 5K
While the military does not condone befriending animals, dogs and cats alike tend to find their way into the hearts of many, many soldiers stationed in Afghanistan. Rita participated in the Puppy Rescue Mission virtual 5k, which benefited The Puppy Rescue Mission (TPRM).
TPRM assists with requests, logistics, administration and fund-raising for the adopted stray dogs of war, rescued by and bonded with soldiers. This may include vet care, supplies, transport and related issues. TPRM works with or through other organizations that help our soldiers bring their companion animals home from war.
Dogs Run 5k
On Sunday, September 13, 2020, Margarita completed the Dogs Run 5K .
We walked this one through the historic town of Medford, NJ, taking our time and stopping at many historic landmarks in the town.
This race wound up being set up by a fraudulent organization, so we never received our medals – I did get my money back – but despite the disappointment of the fraud, this was truly one of my favorite walks with Sweet Reet.
Shanahan Strides
Margarita’s longest challenge yet… 63 miles! Margarita participated in Bishop Shanahan High School ’s “Shanahan Strides” event.
Each mile represents a Bishop Shanahan graduating class. All proceeds were used to provide immediate relief for students who are in need of tuition assistance.
Back to School Streaker
Señorita Margarita proved she is truly Teacher’s Pet as she completed the Back to School Streaker Challenge hosted by Run The Edge .
She walked at least a mile every day in August – for a total of 41.22 miles… what a streak!
September is Back-to-School month for us, but this year, September is also a major milestone for our family.
In March 2019, Margarita was diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma…Stage 4 Substage A. She was a very complex case considering she already had a compromised system due to advanced intestinal and liver disease. We opted to have her go through chemotherapy. Had we not opted for the chemo, we were told Rita had only 1-2 months to live. If she could survive a full round of CHOP-based chemotherapy, Margarita was given 12-18 months to live. (The CHOP-based protocol produces an average disease-free interval {remission} of 9 months, a median survival rate of 12 months, and a 20-25% survival to 2 years). With more roadblocks than most patients prior to even starting chemo, this angel with fur beat most of the odds already by completing a full round of chemo, reaching the remission time of 6 months, 1-year, and now in September….18 months!
We are beyond grateful for every day with this little lady. Margarita will be working towards completing some charity-based virtual 5K’s this fall.
The Dog Days of Summer 2020 (August)
As Covid and The Dog Days of Summer continue, if we can’t dock dive together, we will 5K together (in spirit) …to raise money for animals in need!
The Liver Killers joined forces with a few other dock diving teams to participate in a 3-part Dog Days of Summer virtual 5k series (click HERE to see June’s installment and click HERE to see July’s installment) hosted by j&a racing and presented by Banfield Pet Hospital .
During the August installment of this series, Margarita and I walked Freedom Park to cover our 3.1 miles.
There are 3 medals: June (Retrievers), July (Bulldogs), August (Rescue dogs) that when fitted together form a dog bone!
A portion of our registration fee each month is donated to the Virginia Beach SPCA , who believes that the animal-human bond creates healthier, happier, more connected communities. VBSPCA delivers their compassion by providing pet adoption and sheltering, low-cost public veterinary clinic services, humane education programs, wildlife triage and canine pet training.
Here’s to hoping that every dog finds their forever running/walking partner! 
Day of the Dog 5K
Margarita celebrated National Dog Day with her cousin, James, by completing a 5K together!
15% of their registration fee for Day of the Dog 5k was donated to Freedom Service Dogs , who rescue dogs and custom-train them for veterans with PTS, and for people with disabilities like autism, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injuries.
The Scavenger’s Hunt🦝
This may be the most fun I’ve ever had doing while exercising!
This event challenged us to collect points for the distance we walked every day in the month of August. The farther you walked (or ran), the more points you earned. We walked a total of 69.9 miles together for the month…But that wasn’t all! Each weekend in August, The Troubled Raccoon sent out the challenges for the following week and we had until midnight on Sunday to complete them!
A portion of each registration was donated to the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center to support its mission to save and protect Long Island’s native wildlife.
Week 1
Week 2
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Week 3
Week 4
Dog Days of Summer: Hosted by Medal Dash
Another 5K in the books! Margarita completed the Dog Days of Summer hosted by Medal Dash Virtual Runs .
A part of this virtual event took us through E. Earle Jackson Memorial Park.
Within this park is a canoe that is wrapped around a tree. This canoe is from the flood of 2004 … when several dams broke and the lake water was this high running through the town, flooding houses, knocking buildings off foundations, and causing other severe damage.
A portion of all proceeds from this event went to K9s For Warriors , an organization that provides service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and more.
Paws FUR Pink 5K
Never underestimate the healing power of dogs (especially now during Covid times)!
Rita and I participated in the Paws FUR Pink 5K while raising funds to beat human and canine cancer! A portion of our race fee went to Suzan G Komen, Keep A Breast, Be Well, and canine cancer education research at Clear!
I Run for Margaritas
You know what really helps with running? Water… Especially when it’s frozen into ice cubes, and blended with lime and tequila!
This week Margarita also completed the “I Run 4 Margaritas” Virtual 5K! This Challenge was hosted by I Run 4 Movement and supports Stand Up To Cancer in an effort to help SU2C get one step closer to its mission of making everyone diagnosed with cancer a survivor… just like our very own Señorita Margarita! 💖🐶
2020 Challenge
2020 has been one of the most challenging years ever. The global pandemic of COVID-19 has been difficult for everyone to handle. To combat the stress Rita and I hit the pavement in support of COVID-19 relief. This was a challenge hosted by Will Run For Bling and Charity to cover 20 miles between July 26th to August 8th.
A percentage of our registration fees went to the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) . The mission of the NAFC is to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable quality health care especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Summer SoleMate 5K
Margarita completed the Summer SoleMate Sunshine Chaser Fun Run hosted by Flex It Pink .
Margarita walked at Strawbridge Lake Park. This 70 acre park was built as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal initiatives and the Works Progress Administration efforts from 1931-1941. The lake was built by employing local residents during the Great Depression and by securing donations of parcels of land. The Strawbridge Family donated the largest parcel thereby the name, Strawbridge Lake.
Through our entry fee, a donation was made to Love Water Org . This is a 501c3 organization that exists to provide access to clean water in order to restore health and create opportunity in developing communities.
This medal of Rita’s is my new favorite!
Information about Strawbridge Lake Park obtained from https://www.moorestown.nj.us/335/Parks-Playgrounds
Best Friends 5K
Margarita Completed this 5K at the site of the historic Paintworks Factory in Gibbsboro, NJ .
💩Poop Happens! 5K
💩 Happens (especially in 2020)… just 🧻roll 🧻with it!
Margarita completed the Poop Happens 5k hosted by Virtual Run Events .
15% of our team’s registration was donated to OpenBiome , a nonprofit stool bank, expanding safe access to fecal transplants and accelerating research on the human microbiome.
Margarita walked this 5K in 2 parts in close vicinity to our house because of the extreme heat wave we had in our area.
Run for the Dogs 5K
Run for the Dogs was hosted by RunSignup .
During this 5K, our miles were completed (earlier this week before the heat wave hit) at Island Beach State Park in Berkeley Township / Ocean County, NJ… one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches on the north Atlantic coast. It’s one of my favorite places in NJ!
Margarita also loves it here as there are many birds for her to point, and one of the only places where she will go in the water on her own!
For this 5K, a donation was made and split evenly among the following organizations:
- D&OUA Foundation
- Niagara County SPCA
- Valley Animal Center
- DAWGS Prison Programs
- Pets with Disabilities
- Fetching Tails Foundation
- Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC)
- Rescue Village
The Dog Days of Summer 2020 (July)
Margarita was on the move again, completing the July leg of the Dog Days of Summer 5K hosted by j&a racing !
This 5K took us on the trails of Camp Ockanickon.
A percentage of our race fee was donated to Virginia Beach SPCA , whose mission is to create a more humane and responsible community by eliminating animal suffering while increasing human compassion.
Here’s hoping every dog finds their forever running/walking partner!
✌🏼❤️🐾
I Run 4 Rescues 5K
Margarita completed the I Run for Rescues 5K, hosted by I Run 4 Movement. Margarita and I walked this 5K during our stay at Normandy Farms Campground.
Part of the proceeds from this race are being donated to Best Friends Animal Society who’s mission is to end the killing of dogs and cats in shelters.
I Run for the Dogs 4th of July 5k
Margarita crushed another 5k!
“I Run for the Dogs 4th of July 5k” was Hosted by RunSignup .
A portion of our race fee was donated to 25 awesome Animal Shelters across the country that support adoption services, education in our community, and the health and well being of animals! ✌🏼❤️🐾 🇺🇸
We headed out for our 5K but it got too hot too quickly. I decided it was best to stop and do this one in 2 segments to be safe for Sweet Reet. It worked out because our race swag showed up before our second segment photos!
We hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable 4th of July!
The Dog Days of Summer 2020 (June)
The Dog Days of Summer are here! Margarita is signed up to participate in a 3-part Summer virtual 5k series! The 2020 Dog Days of Summer is hosted by j&a racing . Rita completed the June part of this series on June 27, 2020.
Margarita and I walked around our local golf course and on a trail through the woods to cover our 3.1 miles.
There are 3 medals (June/July/August) that when fitted together will form a dog bone! June’s medal features Retrievers.
A portion of our registration fee each month is donated to the Virginia Beach SPCA , who believes that the animal-human bond creates healthier, happier, more connected communities. VBSPCA delivers their compassion by providing pet adoption and sheltering, low-cost public veterinary clinic services, humane education programs, wildlife triage and canine pet training. ✌🏼❤️🐾
Here’s to hoping that every dog finds their forever running/walking partner! 🐶🏃🏼♀️
Best Friends 5K
Margarita completed a virtual 5k for charity!
The “Best Friends” virtual race was hosted by Gone For a RUN .
A portion of the registration fees for each team was donated to the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, whose mission is to focus on rescuing abused and neglected animals – locally, internationally and throughout the Asian Dog Meat Trade – by rehabilitating them and finding them their forever homes.✌🏼❤️🐾
Margarita walked this race as she enjoyed beautiful weather and special 1-on-1 time with her Mama! 💖🐶
Run of the Pets 5k
Margarita participated in “Run of the Pets” which was hosted by Virtual Strides.
A portion of the entry fee was donated to Best Friends Animal Society. The mission of Best Friends Animal Society is to bring about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets. They do this by helping end the killing in America’s animal shelters through building community programs and partnerships all across the nation. ✌🏼❤️🐾.
Virtual Strides hosted this event is in memory of Cooper, Virtual Strides’ very first shipping assistant, and an all around good boy. ❤️🌈🐾.
Coronavirus Relief 5K
Those of you that have known Rita from the start know that she used to run 5k races prior to her Lymphoma diagnosis. For the first time since her diagnosis, Margarita completed a 5k! Rita participated in the Coronavirus Relief virtual race hosted by Virtual Strides . We walked this 5k, but it was just as fun as all the others we’ve completed together!
Rita earned herself a 3D coronavirus molecule medal, featuring a toilet paper patterned ribbon
And I get to use the attached hand sanitizer keychain and a forehead thermometer !
A portion of the race entry fee was donated to Direct Relief – a charity that is responding to the coronavirus pandemic by providing PPE to health workers, bolstering critical care capacity, and strengthening general medical support.
2018 Run for the Rescues
Margarita ran a Flex It Pink 5k to benefit less-fortunate dogs.
Love our bling from this run!
Flext It Pink is a company run by two moms who are passionate about fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. They began the company in 2013 to support, encourage, educate and empower other women in their healthy lifestyle and fitness journey.
Run like there’s a treat at the finish line!
The Run for Rescues 5k benefited the Have a Heart Humane Society , whose mission is to rescue abandoned, abused and injured animals, provide low cost vaccinations and spay/neuter programs, educate the greater Tehachapi community (in CA) about responsible pet ownership, and partner with local organizations to develop and share resources for animal welfare.
Love is a 4-legged word!
This run benefited Have A Heart Humane Society
We didn’t have the best race time, but we sure did have a FUN time together, raising money for less fortunate pups!
Flex It Pink’s 2017 Run for the Rescues
On August 24th, 2017 Margarita and I did a Virtual 5K race, Run for the Rescues, to help benefit dogs in need!
The Mac to My Cheese
Rita, you are the mac to my cheese!
Ok, so we are a few days late celebrating International Friendship Day (8/6), but in honor of the wonderful friends in our lives, Margarita and I ran the Virtual Run Events Friends Forever 5k.
It certainly wasn’t our fastest race, (at least it was faster than our first 5k together!) but it was time well spent together – and for a good cause! 15% of each registration for this race is donated to Soles4Souls. Since 2006, Soles4Souls has collected and distributed 26 million pairs of shoes to those in need in 127 countries around the world and all 50 states in the U.S!!
Rita’s total race miles: 12.45 miles
Who’s the mac to YOUR cheese?!
Day of the Dog Virtual 5k Run
Rita participated in the “Day of the Dog” 5k race through Virtual Run Events!
Our time was 33:01 – we managed to shave off 56 seconds from our last race!
This was a great run, as the fall colors were absolutely amazing!
20% of our registration fee was donated to Freedom Service Dogs. Freedom Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by rescuing dogs, and custom training them for individual client needs. Clients include children, veterans, active duty military, and other adults. Their disabilities include autism, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Rita added another medal to her spot on our “Wall of Fame!”
Rita’s total race miles: 9.35 miles
One Tough Mother Runner
Margarita ran the “One Tough Mother Runner,” hosted by Virtual Strides!
Did you know that there are more than two million children in the United States who have lost one or both of their parents? Research shows that 1 in 20 children experience the death of a parent before the age of 16. The “One Tough Mother Runner” race helped to benefit Family Lives On – an organization that provides ongoing support to these grieving children. The Foundation’s Tradition Program encourages the healthy emotional development of these children by providing annual opportunities for remembering deceased parents, and creating a safe haven for children for grief, communication and celebration. For more information about this charity or to make a direct contribution, please visit FamilyLivesOn.org.
During our first race, Rita decided several potty breaks were needed, which slowed us down quite a bit. However, this time I was the one slowing us down, as I just didn’t have the energy to keep up with her! Rita was raring to go, and ran the entire time with stamina to go even further! Rita even got to see her first deer (a baby!) on this run, as we had to stop to let the deer cross the road so it didn’t get “spooked.”
Our finish time was 33 minutes, 57 seconds for this race. We were able to shave off 7 minutes, 32 seconds off our first race!
I am someone who could never – would never- even think about running without music. I actually am not a huge fan of running, and a playlist of my favorite songs usually distracted me enough to get the job done. I did not wear ear buds while running along with Margarita, as we do not have roads in this town – we have trails – and they are very narrow! I wanted to be sure that I was 100% aware of our surroundings while on the “roads” in our town in order to protect Rita from moving cars, spooked deer darting out of the woods, or loose dogs. I have to say, praising Rita and the interactions I have with her during our runs are far more motivating than ANY playlist!
Congratulations on a job well done, Rita!
Congratulations, Rita!
Rita’s total race miles : 6.24 miles
“Run Free” Virtual 5k
Rita and I ran our first 5K together through a site called Virtual Strides. Virtual Strides provides an opportunity to participate in a virtual race (which can be run or walked!) anytime — anywhere– with whoever your want — and even indoors on a treadmill! Once you register for one of the virtual races, you can complete the distance any time and anywhere, and upload your finish time to the website. Virtual Strides will mail you a finisher’s medal after you upload your results, or at the end of the race period, whichever comes first. The best part is that a portion of the race’s proceeds gets donated to charity!
Rita and I ran the “Run Free” race.
This race benefited the National Mill Dog Rescue. National Mill Dog Rescue has pledged to put an end to the puppy mill industry, and has saved more than 10,000 dogs since 2007. National Mill Dog Rescue hopes to educate the public to acquire their companion animals through reputable breeders, shelters, and rescue groups.
Once you register, you can download a running bib:
Rita did GREAT! This was the first time I ever ran without music (running with music has been a MUST for me). I wanted to be sure I could hear everything around us in order to protect Margarita in case there was a loose dog, etc. I have to say – talking to Rita through the run was way more motivational than any music!
Our finishing time was 40 minutes, 25 seconds. Not bad considering Margarita decided she’d stop 3 times for potty breaks, TWO of which needed to be bagged-up, if you know what I mean!
I submitted our results, and a few days later, the race medal arrived in the mail!
Rita’s first official medal! She now has a spot of her own, among her siblings, on the “Wall of Fame” in our bar room.
Congratulations, Rita!