AP Photo/Courier & Press, Denny SimmonsThe 100-pound Labrador escaped from his leash the night before he joined the October 5th race. Unprompted, he joined in the 13.1 mile run and finished in a totally respectable time of 2 hours, 15 minutes. While his feat was impressive, it also helped him reunite with his owner, Jerry Butts: After the race, the Evansville Police Department sent out a notice looking for his owners and runners posted numerous social media posts to help Boogie get home. Hours later, Butts picked Boogie up at Animal Control, where he heard what his dog had been up to.
Organizers who were impressed with the pup’s performance later awarded the dog a medal for his race and he quickly became a national sensation. Sadly, his owner posted on Facebook this week that the 10-year-old dog has died.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you that Boogie passed away due to a heart attack on Tuesday, Oct. 15. He was 10 when he wiggled free of his owner Jerry Butts’ leash on Oct. 4 and, two days later, ran 13 of 13.1 miles in the Evansville Half Marathon. Boogie received a medal for completing the race and became an international media sensation. He loved every minute of the attention. You know him as the first dog thought to have completed a half marathon unassisted, but to me and my sons, he was our companion, our watchdog, and a member of our family. Boogie was a rascal and he went out the way he wanted, by being a little mischievous and not being too shy to soak up the glory.
Thank you to all the runners, to the YMCA, the media, and friends new and old for your outpouring of support.
Don’t forget to hug your furry family members a little closer this evening.
According to the Evansville Courier and Press, Boogie died of a heart attack.
via ftw.usatoday.com/2013/10/boogie-butts-dog-who-completed-a-half-marathon-has-died/
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