Is there anything finer than a Dog Walk in the Sunshine?

walking dogs in sunshine

After what seems like a very long cold winter, our part of the world is enjoying a burst of glorious springtime weather at the moment. As usual everyday late afternoon we are setting off for our walk with our trusty pups, but with the springtime weather these walks have been more delightful than ever over the last couple of days. I enjoy a walk with the dogs at any time of the year. However the excuse to get out and about in the countryside, that having dogs gives you, is never more welcome than when the first warmth of spring hits us.

It got me thinking to how sad it must be for those people who do not have dogs, and are therefore less likely to go for a daily walk. Those people have probably not even noticed what glorious weather we’re having, as the shuffle from home to office and back again.

I still recall the first time, as an adult, that I owned a dog. As a child we always had dogs, but the real onus in terms of dog walking duties fell to mum and dad. As an adult our first puppy, Max, looked to my wife and I for all his walks and exercise. 

Boy, was that a shock to the system!

We had become classic twentysomethings used to the easy way of life. We got up when we wanted to, went to bed when we wanted to and did not have a daily routine (come rain or shine) of going for any sort of walk, let alone a long walk through a muddy field.
Max on the other hand had different ideas. 

Initially this new exercise routine, with Max as our personal trainer, was sheer hell. But before long it became the precious and wonderful part of our daily life. We began to see the seasons again in a way that you only can when you go out and walk the footpaths and lanes each and every day. Without Max we would have missed more than the odd day or two. We would have missed weeks and months of those wonderful walks. Because no matter how tired you are and no matter how horrible the weather is outside, when faced with the expectancy of a puppy wanting a walk you have to give in.

All these years later there are still days when I’m not too keen on my daily walk. But for the sake of the dogs I always go, and I am always pleased that I do.  I always come home feeling much better, much more alive, and released from many of the stresses that I might have had when I set out.

Dogs do many wondrous things for us, and getting us up off the sofa and out into the great outdoors is one of the best. When we get glorious springtime weather, like we have had this week, then you can really appreciate the benefit of this.

So, what are you still doing it from your computer screen?

Grab that lead and hook up your pooch and get out there!

 

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Filed under: Dogs are wonderful

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