Without getting too deep, we may have missed out on a lot of things over the past two years, but one thing we definitely can’t get enough of is quality time spent with our best walking buddies – our dogs. February 22 is Walking the Dog Day, and even if the weather isn’t ideal where you are, grab that leash and lace up, even if it’s only for a few minutes.
Dog owners enjoy tons of health and social benefits by walking their dog a few times a week. Those benefits include improved cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, stronger muscles and bones (built up by walking regularly) as well as decreased stress. A regular walk is vitally important for your pet’s health too. If they’re anything like my boy, Ein (a corgi/shepherd mix), they sleep most of the day, so the daily walk is critical.
When I lived in southern Herkimer County, I often let Ein wander next to me without a leash because we rarely saw any traffic, but this is actually illegal most places (oops!). For your best bud, you want a strong collar that is tight enough to fit snugly against their necks while you are able to comfortably fit two fingers underneath it. Any tighter than that, and it’s too tight; any looser, and it might get pulled off. Despite our best efforts, Ein gets excited and pulls a lot, so we actually bought a harness for him to wear on walks. It redistributes force across his chest so he’s not choking himself. (He also looks quite dapper in it.)
You protect your feet while you walk in shoes; make sure to check your dog’s feet regularly to make sure they haven’t injured themselves on anything, including broken glass or sharp sticks. We’re also quickly approaching tick season, so looking over your furry friends daily can help prevent the pests from latching on. Did you know dogs can get Lyme disease too?
Ein and I now live in a slightly more populated area, so we make sure we are responsible for picking up after ourselves. There are a number of biodegradable poop bags you can purchase for such occasions. No matter where you’re walking, though, always be aware of your surroundings. Wild animals are everywhere – Ein and a fox once scared the living daylights out of each other by sniffing at the same hedgerow.
There are more benefits to walking your dog than you know. Enjoy the time you get to spend with them!
