This week I was going to write about Domino. Instead, I've got more to say about Shuba.

Sunday, I went running without Shuba, and she went running without me. I ran in the annual Chris Brown memorial 5K race at IPFW on Sunday. Brown was a member of the IPFW cross country team who died of cancer in 2007. In his memory, the university stages a race to raise money for an endowed scholarship in Brown's name.

Dogs are rarely allowed to participate in road races, and this race was no different. Shuba stayed home while I ran in the race at IPFW. When I got home, Shuba went out in the yard to do her business. She went inside, and I fixed myself a postrace lunch.

After eating, I realized Shuba wasn't in the house. I hadn't made sure the back door was closed, and she left the house and the yard. I grabbed my jacket to begin searching for her.

I walked toward Lakeside Park. No luck. Shuba wasn't at the park.

Oh yeah, I also had to be at the newspaper soon. I changed clothes and started heading toward work. A kid said he saw a black dog head west down the alley. Eventually, I headed down the alley, there Shuba was a half block away. She came as soon as I called. She seemed no worse for wear and I took her home.

I'm grateful Shuba didn't get hit by a car during her sojourn. I live near a handful of busy streets. Years ago, a small dog followed me as I took a walk while my clothes were washing at the laundry at Anthony and Lake. The dog ran into traffic and got hit by a car on Lake Avenue. That's my fear for Shuba.

I have a fenced yard, but the fence is only about 3 1/2 feet high and she can jump it if there is a squirrel to chase. My wife and I put up some chicken wire. Shuba's figured out how to get between the bottom of the chicken wire and the top of the fence. I've got to figure out how to tighten the chicken wire. In the meantime, I need to make sure I keep the back door closed when she's inside and hang out with her when she's outside.