Spending time outdoors is a great way to get exercise, and as any animal-lover will tell you, it’s even better when accompanied by a dog. I believed this for years, going hiking, walking and camping with my two dogs in tow an 80-pound MacKenzie River Husky and a 40-pound Australian Shepherd.

As they got older, they slowed down a lot, and in turn, so did I. When I lost them both in the past two years to old age, I found myself spending more time on the couch than ever before, and I knew I had to do something. Enter Izzy the Wonder Puppy, who was given to me by “friends” when she was four months old. They said that they couldn’t keep her because they worked too much and it wasn’t fair to her what they didn’t mention is that they wanted to give her up for their own survival.

Now don’t get me wrong Izzy is an adorable, brown-eyed bundle of joy. She was supposed to be a Miniature Australian Shepherd, at least that’s what her paperwork says. Her 45-pound frame says differently. Known affectionately around my house as the Spawn of Satan, she is also the destroyer of all things chewable, and the most amazing escape artist since Houdini.

So am I getting exercise with the new dog? You bet! My neighbors can tell you many tales of me running through their yards in my pajamas, waving dog treats, trying to get Izzy back into the house. People at the dog park will be happy to share stories of me wrestling in the mud, trying to get Izzy’s leash back on so that we can go home. And of course, there’s my dogsitter, who has declined to participate in any more “workout sessions” without the benefit of two cases of beer.

The upside of owning a puppy is that I am outdoors a lot more, sometimes by choice mostly out of necessity. My goal (and I haven’t accomplished it in the last year) is to find some way to tire her out so that we can sleep at night. I’ve tried taking her hiking, swimming in the creek, walking around the lake, playing with other dogs (the Rottweilers next door have given up), and to agility class. And still, come 3 a.m., she’s ready to go again.

My friends all tell me that by the time she turns two, things will calm down. I’m not sure if that will be as a result of my impending coronary, or if she really will mellow in time. So for now, I will continue to try to tire her out, and I guess in turn, get into slightly better shape. And to all you dog owners out there who are feeling a little lethargic because you’re keeping pace with an older dog, count your blessings. Unless you’re really ready to pick up the pace, (and embarrass yourself in public), you’re not ready for a puppy.