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Gettin’ Down with Dogs
By Elizabeth O’Brien, M.A., LPC
www.elizobrien.com

I waited 20 years to get a dog again. After growing up with dogs in my home town of Memphis, taking on such a commitment after I left home was too much for my chaotic, itinerant life: college in Knoxville, TN, first jobs in Miami, all-consuming career and cramped apartments in New York City. I knew, from my mother’s example, what having a dog entailed. So I waited. Finally, in 1995, when my family was comfortably ensconced in Austin and my youngest child was five (big enough not to get toppled), we got a chocolate Lab puppy. We had a woodsy, fenced backyard that backed up to a greenbelt, and we installed a pet door. The pup, named Jordan, had the run of the house and property; and I began a dog-walking routine that I have continued to this day. Of course, 15 years later, Jordan has passed on. Now we have two dogs: a nine-year-old Bichon named Buffett and a three-year-old chocolate Lab named Jamie.

It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized the full beauty of dogs: they are not only devoted companions, but they are also ideal exercise partners. Certain breeds, like Labs, require lots of exercise, and this is exactly what I needed: someone to motivate me, hold me accountable and keep me company. We walk morning and evening, seven days a week. Along our route, in hilly Lost Creek, we experience the world—other dogs and humans, cats, deer, birds, squirrels, armadillo, possum, road runners, rabbits, fox, snakes, tarantulas, scorpions, lizards, buzzards, and even the occasional coyote. We take in the sky and the trees; we stop to smell the flowers.

On weekends, my husband, dogs and I walk up to the park at the top of the hill and meet our dog-walking group. These are people whom we would not have met otherwise. We venture down into a deserted office park, where the dogs run gleefully off-leash. Just watching their exuberance makes us happy. Anxiety and depression float away. They put things in perspective, reminding us to embrace the moment, to live consciously. When we get home, we swim together to cool off. Occasionally, we venture out to Zilker, Red Bud Isle or Town Lake.

Besides the exercise benefits, my dogs keep me grounded. As a therapist, I have an emotionally exhausting job. I love what I do but I need therapy; and Buffett and Jamie are my therapists. I talk to them, tell them my problems. They listen, and love me unconditionally. During the week, I alternate taking Jamie or Buffett to work. They are wonderful therapy dogs. But they also force me outside between sessions to stretch and walk and breathe in the sunshine. We return refreshed, limber and ready to focus.

So for those who like dogs and want to stay fit, consider getting a dog. Even Buffett, the little Bichon, is hearty enough to walk three or four miles a day. Other than the cost of the dog, a reasonable expense at the local shelter, the only equipment you’ll need is a leash and a good pair of walking shoes!

Keep Austin Active!

Archie Montemayor has been a professional paintball player for nearly six years. His skills have led him to travel the world, experience other cultures and expose him to an active lifestyle that he lives by today. A 25-year-old business manager for a small audit firm in Austin, Archie seems to live a double life as a businessman during the week and a pro-paintball player on weekends. But unlike most young men who have dabbled in a game of paintball, Archie has been interviewed in numerous magazines, featured in a DVD following nine of the best players and was ranked 10th best player in the world by Splat Magazine. Not to mention he’s won five professional tournaments and a professional series championship. Needless to say, this talented Buda/Kyle native is on top of his game.

Archie and I have been friends for nearly a year now, and through that time I have become more exposed to the world of paintball. My only recollection of the sport before knowing Archie were visions of enormous bruises my brothers used to have after a day at the field. Luckily, Archie filled me in on how he got into paintball and why those brutal battle wounds don’t stop him from coming back for more.

When did you get into paintball?

“The first time I played was about 11 years ago for a friend’s birthday party. I had so much fun I ended up going again the next weekend. Ever since then it has been a huge part of my life.”

Tell us a little bit about your paintball history.

“I started playing local tournaments in 2001 and crawled up the ladder of local teams until I started playing the national circuits in 2003. Since then I have only played for a handful of teams consisting of Fuel, Addicted, Mox Nix, X-Factor, San Diego Dynasty, Dynasty Impact (a combination of two teams to play a European tournament series), and now I am back playing with X- Factor. I turned professional with X-Factor in 2006 and have been playing professional ever since.”

I’ve heard you’ve been all over the world, where exactly have you traveled through paintball?

“Most of the tournaments are in the same cities each year but I have been to Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Orlando, Los Angeles, Tampa, Denver, San Diego, Huntington Beach, Orange County, Miami, Chicago, Boston, Kansas City, Buffalo, Jacksonville, Omaha, Phoenix, Raleigh, as well as London, Paris and Malaga Beach, Spain.”

For those of us who have never played, what does getting hit with a paintball feel like?

“I would say a bee or scorpion sting would be the best way to describe. But it really depends where you get shot and how close you are to the person.”

What is the most painful hit you’ve ever encountered?

“Well, you can probably imagine the worst place for a guy to get shot. The first time for me was by a teammate that was about 15 feet away. That was probably the only time I have fallen to the ground after getting shot.”

What do you like most about the game?

“The competition is what I love most. Followed closely by traveling and seeing the world with my friends.”

What kind of exercise do you do to keep in shape for paintball?

“I don’t really have any specific exercises geared towards paintball. But I think anything that keeps your heart rate elevated for long periods of time is good exercise for paintball.”

Have you always been active?

“I would say that for most of my life I have been pretty active, some times more than others. I really enjoy walking 18 holes of golf or playing tennis at South Austin Tennis Center.”

Why do you think being active is important?

“I believe you need to be in shape and active to really have a high quality of life.”

What do you expect for your future in paintball?

“I am not sure what to expect for my future in this sport. I hope I’m able to play until my mid-thirties, and I hope to win the world cup before I finish playing.”

Any advice for our readers when it comes to staying active?

“The easiest way to stay active is to make it a habit.”

Lastly, if you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

“Last year I flew 90,000 miles and I have spent hundreds of hours in airports. If I had a super power it would be the power to fly so that I could travel on my own terms!”

A big thanks to Archie Montemayor!
Photo Credit: Anjli Mehta

Keep Austin Active!

Olivia