Olympic Shooter Kim Rhode Has Had a Long Road to London

Imagine gearing up for the biggest trip of your professional career. You're all set and in the proper state of mind to go to where you're needed, but you have flights canceled that prevent you from getting the last minute prep work you so dearly need. Then, when you think you're all set with another flight, you discover your ticket is missing. Your travel plans are thrown off temporarily yet again, when you realize your ticket was missing because...well...you're dog ate it.

Sounds unbelievable, right? Yet this nightmare scenario spawned from the second grade excuse of the dog eating one's homework is exactly what happened to US Olympic shooter Kim Rhode, According to a Yahoo Sports article, Rhode has suffered a series of setbacks concerning her travel during the past couple of days. The Olympian's first flights to get overseas in time for training camp were nixed, Then, when they were all set for a second flight, her husband lost his passport and discovered that their four-month old puppy had made a meal out of the reissued flight ticket.

Thankfully, the ticket was re-printed and the crisis was averted; Rhode flew direct to London and, though she's a little jet-lagged, she's gearing up to compete in the Games, which begin Friday. When the Olympics begin, Rhode will attempt to make history by being the first Olympian to win a medal in five straight Olympic Games.

Even an Olympian as accomplished as Rhode and on the verge of history cannot escape the playful problems associated with puppy-dom. Puppies, who by nature like to teeth and tear playfully at anything in their grasp, are a different kind of beast. Though most puppy owners aren't vying for Olympic medals, sometimes it feels like a medal should be in store with all the work and training involved in raising a dog.

Of course, though, the little trouble puppies get into is all worth it, as they grow into dogs and friends of ours for life. It won't be so long before Rhode's pooch outgrows the puppy problems and turns into a life-long friend.

What do you think about Rhode's story? Have you ever had a dog eat something important of yours? Share in a comment!