Former lazy dog becomes man's best workout buddy

By Angela Garrity, guest blogger

It’s National Puppy Day and this guy and his dog totally nail the best quarantine exercise regimen.

Together, but separate — Sparky, the 5-year-old mini bull terrier is not the average exercise partner for owner Silvo Siamo.

“Sparky is a lazy boy,” Siamo told The Dodo. “He likes to stay with the family and be cuddled.”

Sparky is not a fan of cardio, and will often just give up in the middle of a walk. When Sparky decides that his walk should be over, he lies down and forces his dad to do the heavy lifting. And there's plenty of video evidence to prove it.

Sparky fully supports Siamo’s workouts and has even positioned himself underneath Siamo as a “praise recipient spotter” to receive pets and kisses during pushups and squats. Sparky may be lazy but he’s also brilliant.

“In these days of the quarantine, we are constrained to stay at home and to pass the time we work out together with Sparky,” Siamo said. “[He’s] helping us between the cuddles and kisses to pass the days with serenity and to make us almost forget the emergency in which we are living in Italy.”

Quarantine life is ideal for Sparky, because Siamo is always near.

“Sparky is happy because he is cuddled all the time,” Siamo said. “We play together, make video calls with friends, prepare cookies that he likes very much. When he is tired, he goes on the balcony to lie down in the sun.”

Sparky sounds like the best man for the job, no matter what the circumstance entails.

Related: Astronaut shares tips on how to deal with isolation

ENTER TO WIN FREE COFFEE: