2 minute read
Let’s Go for a Walk
PLAY Let's GO FOR A WALK
by Loree Walden, Marketing Manager, Yavapai Humane Society
Do you sometimes feel taking your dog for a walk is more of a chore than an enjoyment?
The funny thing is, once
I get out there and start walking with my girl, I almost immediately have an “attitude adjustment” and start to get a little pep in my step and enjoy my time with her. I find myself talking to her about what the day is going to hold, telling her how cute she is, stopping with her to look at a plant or flower and just enjoying nature.
After a long day at work, the last thing I want to do is come home and go for another walk, but I’ve gotten to the point now where I look forward to one. By heading out with my girl, I get to talk to her about my day, and it just seems to make all the stress of the day go away.
Not only is walking your dog a great stress reducer and time to commune with nature, it also helps keep both you and your dog healthy.
It’s a great way for them to burn off some energy and help with joint health, especially if they just tend to lay around all day while you’re at work. Our time out walking is exercise for her and for me, and what’s great is it doesn’t really feel like I’m exercising. We usually walk for 30 minutes every morning and every afternoon, which means that I’m getting an average of an hour of exercise every day and she is too, which is a good thing as she is a big fan of treats, and I haven’t mastered the art of saying no to her!
Taking your dog for walks every day offers the opportunity for both of you to continue to bond and build trust because you both get to spend time together each day, which helps create a strong and happy relationship. It’s fun to watch her explore new things she sees or smells. I sometimes chuckle at her curiosity, especially when she’s looking at something and then looks at me as if to say, “What’s this?”
She’s made me look at the world with the same curiosity as she has, and it has made me think about even the simplest things a little differently.
