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One of My Favorite Fit Parts of My Day: Walking My Dog

Could she be any cuter or snugglier? No, the answer is no.

Could she be any cuter or snugglier? No, the answer is no.

This week in celebration of Fit Bottomed Pets’ Week, each FBG is writing about her experience with pets and how they make us healthier, happier and generally more awesome. 

I know I’m a little (okay, a lot) biased, but I think my dog is pretty much the sweetest thing ever. Just look at that puppy face from five and a half years ago. Priceless. And while Siena has taught me a lot about life—take things far less seriously, always get excited when the mail comes, eat with gusto and be in the moment—and she’s become my loyal running buddy, she’s also adding a new dimension to my life that I love: going for daily walks.

Before we got her, my husband and I might walk somewhere to get coffee or dinner, but we’d rarely just walk around the block for the heck of it. And if I was out walking, it was usually for a workout where I was walking quickly with my headphones on, not a leisurely stroll to just be out and about. But ever since we got her (again, see cuteness in photo), I’ve made a point to walk her just about every day, if not twice a day.

Siena and I walking in the spring sun. She's only about  six months old here and all puppy legs!

Siena and I walking in the spring sun. She’s only about six months old here and all awkward puppy legs!

At first, I did this because I knew she needed the exercise, an opportunity to sniff the world and get some social interaction with the other dogs and peoples we’s meet. But now that she’s older and runs with me a couple times a week, I take her out for more than just that: I take her out because I enjoy it. I love walking through the neighborhood, listening to the tree branches and leaves move, and feeling the fresh air on my face. I get a kick out of seeing her all excited to see a squirrel. I’m in better touch with my neighbors and what’s going on in my community, and it’s a stress-reliever I look forward to every day. Sure, some days the weather sucks and the walk is kind of miserable; or I’m just too over-scheduled and we have to forgo it all together. But I feel better when we do it; and I know she does, too. It strengthens our bond—and it’s definitely a part of my everyday active lifestyle. So, thank you, Siena for that—and so much more!

(Now, if only she could read that…)

Do you take daily walks with your dog (or cat—hey, I’ve seen it!). Is it as good for you as it is them? —Jenn

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Comments

11 Comments
  1. Suzanne says:

    We try to run both of ours as often as we can but some days they are content just to run back and forth across the yard chasing a ball. Siena is a cutie!

  2. SlimDoggy says:

    Try using the SlimDoggy iPhone app which lets you track your dog’s activities and feedings so that they can stay fit and healthy. We created it because pet obesity, like human obesity, is a huge problem.

    Further- did you know that dogs get ‘runners high’ like humans? That is why a well exercised dog is a well behaved dog.

    Learn more at slimdoggy.com .

  3. Kate L says:

    I walk my dog daily! I look forward to it every day, it’s what I call my “moving meditation”. No phone, no friends, just the two of us, walking along… You’re right, some times the weather is not great, but on the days when I can’t workout or anything more, I know at LEAST I got a dog walk in!

  4. Jami says:

    I have three dogs…two shepherds (100 lbs and 50 pounds) and a mini pinscher/chihuahua mix 10 lbs (who thinks he is a shepherd). I can’t walk all three by myself so I get to take several laps around the neighborhood. I start with the largest dog and the dogs get smaller at each subsequent lap. It’s pretty funny to people who see me with each dog. I love this especially on my active recovery days!

  5. Richard says:

    You know, we say we walk the dog… but really i feel it’s the dog that walks us. They provide us with the motivation and make the experience of going for a walk more enjoyable with their crazy antics and personalities.

  6. Hi Jen, been walking solid for 4 months everyday at 5.am including Sundays, I’m not at a stage where i can run yet as i am still slightly plus size (okay that a lie, i’m pretty big) but i am losing weight fast, recently added a new member to our family, A collie named Hollie, she inspires me to walk twice a day seeing as she has soo much energy to spare, i love posts like this as they give me hope, im also going to a fat camp/weight loss holiday in france for a week (super excited), i want to be running soon, think i need to start my own blog, guess i just need a following or people that are in the same situation as me to be inspired. Great post! x

  7. John says:

    I love walking my dog as well. It is just so refreshing to get out, and he enjoys it so much. My little guy is definitely a good motivation for me to get out and active.

    thanks 🙂

  8. Jenni says:

    For ten years, walking my dog was a great part of my daily routine and built in exercise. Rain or shine. Crack of dawn. Crack of midnight. It’s how I met my neighbors or kids in the park. Now that she’s gone, I have dog walking envy when I see others out with their pups. Walking without a dog doesn’t seem the same. What a favorite “fit part of my day.”

  9. Sarah says:

    My husband and I use walking our toy poodle as a way to keep me active. I’m pregnant, so too much crazy activity makes me feel so UGH, but this keeps me active and happy. Loving it.

  10. The simple exercise routine of walking my dog is something I’ve grown to look forward to doing every day. It’s nice to see I’m in good company!

  11. Shaun says:

    My wife substitute for a child was a puppy, which we both grew having but now were expecting first. But there is nothing like mans best friend.

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