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MARY CLEMSON TOWSON IS WHERE PARALYMPIC ATHLETE JESSICA LONG GREW UP, TRAINING UP TO FOUR HOURS A DAY WHEN SHE’S GETTING READY FOR A COMPETITION WITH HER COACH MOTIVATING HER ALONG THE WAY. BUT FOR THE MULTI-TIME GOLD MEDAL WINNING ATHLETE, A COLD NOSE AND WET KISSES ARE A PRETTY SPECIAL REWARD FOR A GOOD WORKOUT. THIS IS MY LITTLE GOLDEN DOODLE GOOSE AND WE I LOVE HIM. GOOSE IS THREE YEARS OLD. JESSICA DIDN’T GROW UP WITH DOGS. SHE GOT HIM FOR HER HUSBAND FOR THEIR SECOND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. AND AS A FAMILY MEMBER. NOT ONLY IS GOOSE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THEIR LIVES, BUT FOR THE WORLD CHAMPION SWIMMER, HE’S BECOME CRUCIAL TO HER MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH. IN AND OUT OF THE POOL. I THINK MENTAL HEALTH IS SO IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY AS ATHLETES. GOOSE JUST PUTS EVERYTHING INTO PERSPECTIVE, RIGHT? WHAT’S IMPORTANT AND YOU KNOW, FOR ME, TRAINING, THERE WAS A TIME THAT I THOUGHT THE GOLD MEDALS WERE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. AND, YOU KNOW, MY WHOLE IDENTITY WAS IN GOLD MEDALS. BUT I THINK MORE THAN ANYTHING. GOOSE HAS TAUGHT ME BALANCE. RIGHT. JUST WHAT’S TRULY IMPORTANT. AND HIS COMPANIONSHIP. AND, YOU KNOW, HE TEACHES ME TO SLOW DOWN. BORN IN RUSSIA AND ADOPTED BY AMERICAN PARENTS, JESSICA GREW UP IN MIDDLE RIVER. HER LOWER LEGS WERE AMPUTATED WHEN SHE WAS 18 MONTHS OLD. SHE STARTED SERIOUSLY SWIMMING AT 12 AND SAYS GOOSE IS FASCINATED WITH HER PROSTHETICS. WHEN I WEAR MY LEGS, IT’S LIKE HE’S TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW I WENT FROM LIKE, SHORT TO TALL. JESSICA IS ONE OF EIGHT TEAM USA ATHLETES FEATURED IN A NEW SERIES OF ADS, PARTNERING WITH THE DOG AND CAT FOOD BRAND NEW LOW. ALONGSIDE THEIR PETS, FUEL INCREDIBLE HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT DOGS LIKE GOOSE PLAY. IN ORDER FOR THESE ATHLETES TO COMPETE ON A GLOBAL STAGE, I VALUE WHAT I PUT INTO MY BODY RIGHT AS AN ATHLETE, WHAT I PUT INTO MY BODY. I FEEL WHEN I TRAIN. SO IT’S NO DIFFERENT WITH SOMEONE THAT I LOVE SO MUCH, LIKE GOOSE, RIGHT? I WANT TO KNOW THAT I’M FUELING HIM WITH THE BEST OF THE BEST, AND NEW LOW IS TRULY THE BEST. PROMOTING NEW LOW WAS EASY FOR JESSICA, WHO KNOWS WHAT EVERY DOG LOVER KNOWS. THEY GIVE US FAR MORE THAN WE GIVE THE
Paralympic athlete shares her special connection with her 4-legged trainer
Dog owners know how deep the bond can be with their pets.Paralympic athlete from Maryland Jessica Long shared with the world her love for her 3-year-old dog, Goose, in a new series of ads featuring athletes from Team USA. Long grew up training at the Merritt Club in Towson, Maryland, sometimes training up to four hours a day. When she prepares for competition, she's with her special four-legged coach motivating her along the way — and a cold-nosed wet kiss can be a pretty special reward for a good workout."This is my little golden doodle, Goose, and I love him," Long said.Long didn't grow up with dogs; she got Goose for her husband on their second wedding anniversary. As a family member, not only is Goose an important part of their lives, but for a world champion swimmer, he has become crucial to her mental and emotional health in and out of the pool."I think mental health is so important, especially as athletes. Goose just puts everything in perspective — what's important and, for me, training. There was a time where I thought gold medals were the most important thing, and my whole identity was in gold medals. But I think more than anything, Goose has taught me balance, just what's truly important, and his companionship. He teaches me to slow down," Long told our sister station WBAL.Born in Russia and adopted by American parents, Long grew up in Middle River. Her lower legs were amputated when she was 18 months old. She started seriously swimming at age 12 and said Goose is fascinated with her prosthetics."When I wear my legs, it's like he's trying to figure out how I went from short to tall," Long said.Long is one of eight Team USA athletes featured in a new series of ads partnering with the pet food brand Nulo. Alongside their pets, the "Fuel Incredible" ads highlight the important role dogs, like Goose, play for these athletes to compete on the global stage."I value what I put into my body. As an athlete, what I put in my body, I feel when I train. So, it's no different with someone that I love so much, like Goose. I (want to) know that I am fueling him with the best of the best, and Nulo is truly the best," Long said.Promoting Nulo was an easy choice for Long, who understands what every dog lover knows: The animals give us far more than we give them.
TOWSON, Md. —
Dog owners know how deep the bond can be with their pets.
Paralympic athlete from Maryland Jessica Long shared with the world her love for her 3-year-old dog, Goose, in a new series of ads featuring athletes from Team USA.
Long grew up training at the Merritt Club in Towson, Maryland, sometimes training up to four hours a day. When she prepares for competition, she's with her special four-legged coach motivating her along the way — and a cold-nosed wet kiss can be a pretty special reward for a good workout.
"This is my little golden doodle, Goose, and I love him," Long said.
Long didn't grow up with dogs; she got Goose for her husband on their second wedding anniversary. As a family member, not only is Goose an important part of their lives, but for a world champion swimmer, he has become crucial to her mental and emotional health in and out of the pool.
"I think mental health is so important, especially as athletes. Goose just puts everything in perspective — what's important and, for me, training. There was a time where I thought gold medals were the most important thing, and my whole identity was in gold medals. But I think more than anything, Goose has taught me balance, just what's truly important, and his companionship. He teaches me to slow down," Long told our sister station WBAL.
Born in Russia and adopted by American parents, Long grew up in Middle River. Her lower legs were amputated when she was 18 months old. She started seriously swimming at age 12 and said Goose is fascinated with her prosthetics.
"When I wear my legs, it's like he's trying to figure out how I went from short to tall," Long said.
Long is one of eight Team USA athletes featured in a new series of ads partnering with the pet food brand Nulo. Alongside their pets, the "Fuel Incredible" ads highlight the important role dogs, like Goose, play for these athletes to compete on the global stage.
"I value what I put into my body. As an athlete, what I put in my body, I feel when I train. So, it's no different with someone that I love so much, like Goose. I (want to) know that I am fueling him with the best of the best, and Nulo is truly the best," Long said.
Promoting Nulo was an easy choice for Long, who understands what every dog lover knows: The animals give us far more than we give them.
English (US)