By AJ Willingham
HLNtv.com
(CNN) — When Boogie the dog woke up Saturday, he probably didn’t expect to compete in a grueling road race.
Somehow, he found himself keeping pace with runners in the YMCA Half Marathon in Evansville, Indiana, and became something of an Internet celebrity in the process.
According to HLN affiliate WFIE, police said the sweet chocolate Labrador — who’d slipped his leash and been missing since the night before — managed to complete the entire course without assistance. Who knows, maybe he was just looking for company, or trying to ask passers-by where his owners were.
Though he clearly made some fans along the way, animal control was waiting at the finish line to pick him up and take him to a shelter for some rest and relaxation.
Police and spectators began posting about Boogie on Facebook, hoping to find his rightful owners. Luckily, the owners stopped by the shelter looking for Boogie, unaware that their dog was already an area celebrity.
After one long run and a happy reunion, Boogie’s athletic adventure didn’t go unrewarded. The persistent pup was given a medal for his running achievement, and he seemed to wear it with pride. After all, 13.1 miles is nothing to sniff at!
The-CNN-Wire
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