How many times have you let your pup out of the house to relive himself/herself? Probably more times than you can count. It’s a pretty normal thing to do, and usually your dog comes running back home afterwards… unless your dog has dreams of running a marathon, then he/she will fully commit, as was the case with Ludivine, a bloodhound who ran an Alabama half-marathon.
According to CNN, on January 16, Ludivine’s owners let her out of the house to go relieve herself. That’s when she decided to join the Elkmont Half Marathon — The Trackless Train Trek, completing all 13.1 miles. “Her owner doesn’t even run! That’s what makes the story even better,” race director Gretta Armstrong told news outlet.
What’s even better than that is, not only did Ludivine run a marathon, but she placed seventh, becoming the fastest female in the race. “Apparently she went to the race start and took off win the runners at the starting shot. She stayed with a few of the front runners, ran off to sniff some animal carcasses, romp in the water, and then back to the race. I understand she stayed on the course for 13.1 miles, finished seventh, and was the highest placed female,” her owner April Hamlin told CNN.
Of course, it was an unofficial win as Ludivine never registered for the race… and she’s a dog. But she did win a medal, and she looks quite proud of herself:
Photo via Facebook
If you’re wondering how she felt afterwards, her owner said she was quite tired…
Photo via April Hamlin
Of course, not everyone is pleased with the story. Many have been calling Hamlin irresponsible. “I do hate some people are saying I should have the dog taken from me for being an irresponsible pet owner, but she is a beloved pet who is loved, more than anybody else, by my two children,” Hamlin told TODAY.
All we have to say is: all’s well that ends well!
What do you think about Ludivine running the marathon?