When you go to workout it is always beneficial to go with someone who will push you to reach your potential. When I was younger I’d go running with friends or workout at the gym with family. But now my schedule rarely seems to match-up with any of my former workout partners. These days when I feel the need to be pushed or inspired, I have found a new partner that does the trick, his name is Mickey. I am 25 times his size but he can run just as fast as me for twice as long. He is my five-pound energetic puppy.

He never gives up, he is always up for a challenge and he starts barking at me when I slow down. Only seven months old, exercise is equally important for both of us. Since the nice weather has arrived we began running the exercise paths throughout New York City. He truly helps me cover more ground, simply because he is open to express his frustration when I slow down whereas a partner that runs on two legs is often more polite and eases up when signs of exhaustion appear. He also revolves his life around my schedule, if only the rest of the world follow his example. So in search for a motivating workout I partner, I discovered that a man (or women’s) best friend is also a man’s toughest exercise companion.

-Lauren Brill