Running With Lionel - For Darg

I wanted to document, share and, ultimately, use our running adventures to raise as much money for DARG as possible

- Daniel Courtenay

In April 2016, Holly and I were newly married and were invited on a camping weekend away to celebrate our friend Simon’s birthday. On the Saturday morning, after our first night under the stars, some young kids camping nearby found a small dog while kayaking on the river.

This little pup (who looked old beyond his years) was hungry, mangy, had open wounds, and was clearly not very happy or comfortable. He was also incredibly affectionate and loving, and after being adopted by our group – and approved by Frida the Vizsla, the matriarch of our camp – he ended up sleeping (we discovered the next morning) at the foot of our tent that night. He very quickly “became one of us”.

When it came time to leave on the Monday, Holly insisted we bring him with us. “Let’s just take him to the vet,” she said. “We’ll get him better and then find a home for him,” she said.

Fast-forward to today – Lionel is nearly four years old, and we couldn’t imagine a world without him in it. He’s boisterous, loving, excitable, full of energy, overprotective, both loud and quiet, and just the most amazing little guy.

A TIME TO GIVE