Photo: Courtesy Athing Mu
In 2021, track star Athing Mu’s dreams came true: she won two Olympic gold medals and became the pet parent to a pug.
“I wanted a pug for so long. I think probably since fourth grade, I wanted to get a pug,” Mu, 20, told PEOPLE.
“I cried, and I didn’t even care about anything else that was going on,” Mu said of her reaction to the new pet.
Since then, Bentley has quickly become an essential part of Mu’s life and a constant source of support and amusement.
Courtesy Athing Mu
“My life has changed so much from Tokyo, so it’s just been a lot to adjust to, and I think even at this point right now, I’m still adjusting,” Mu said. “So on trough days where I’m like, ‘Ugh, this is way too much.’ It is so nice to have Bentley and to come home to him and see him wagging his tail, excited to see me.”
Bentley’s ability to keep Mu relaxed and with his lovable demeanor helps the athlete stay level-headed in her day-to-day life and before big competitions. Mu is currently at the World Track & Field Championships, where she will compete in the women’s 800-meter race, the same event she earned a gold medal for at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Most of the time, I’m very chill about big competitions. I think that’s a good mindset to have, only because when you get there, it’s going to be so amped up,” Mu said of the event, which is taking place at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, from July 15-25.
“His energy is either on 100, or it’s on zero. There’s no in-between. So he’s going absolutely nuts, or he’s sleeping and chilling all day,” Mu said of her beloved dog.
For the canine’s first birthday, Mu threw Bentley his own party with dog-friendly sweets and plenty of decorations.
source: people.com
