When I saw Mongoose training with the main team this fall after just turning a year old, I was reminded of myself growing up and playing soccer. I was a stand out goalkeeper and in 7th grade I made the varsity soccer team as starting goalkeeper. I felt proud being part of such an accomplished squad and happily took my uniform. Although I felt comfortable with my team on the field – helping us win our league championship in sudden overtime – off the field was an entirely different story.
I was 12 years old handing out with 17 and 18 year olds. My teammates talked about who-was-dating-who and what colleges they wanted to go to — but all I could think about was how to beat our big rival, Portsmouth Abbey. I was 100% soccer, all the time.
And that’s been Mongoose. When everyone else has bedded down and is ready for rest, there’s Mongoose ready to rock and roll. In the team, he moves flawlessly. In the dog yard, he’s less sure of himself. He’s good, he knows he’s good but yet he hasn’t quite found himself.
When we go into the dog yard to play, we invite the dogs to jump on us. It’s our form of a greeting. Not all our dogs do it, but most do and we enjoy it. Mongoose can never quite decide if he is comfortable with jumping up on us. He wants to jump on us but some inhibition generally stops him halfway and what results is usually an awkward mixture of him putting his paws on our shins and knees.
His youthful enthusiasm was key out on the trail and we look forward to this young dog, with the toothy grin, finding his way and gaining confidence in his abilities. Mongoose ran about 700 miles of this year’s race. Next year, we are certain will we see him at the finish line.
Thanks for all of your hard work this year Goose!
