A Walk with your Dog!

These days, pets are like members of our family.  They play with us, sleep at the end of the bed, and are the most loyal pet if all.  That is why it is important to make sure that our dogs stay happy and healthy.  One of the best ways to keep our pups healthy is making sure they get plenty of exercise outside.  We all know that taking walks is beneficial to our health as humans, and the same applies to dogs.  Taking your dog on a walk every day, even if it is only a short one, will help make sure it stays in top shape.

 

And while taking your dog on a walk is great exercise for both you and your pup, it can get a little mundane if you do the same walk every day.  So here are a few suggestions to keep your daily walks interesting.

1.  Make it a family affair!  Gather the whole family after dinner and take your dog on a walk around the neighborhood.  If you child is old enough, you can even let him/her have some of the responsibility of holding the leash.

2.  Check our the local dog park.  Lots of cities (and even some suburbs) have dog parks where you can take your dog to socialize with other pups.  This can be a great way to let your dog run free and as an added bonus you might make some new friends!

3.  Head to the lake/pond/beach.  Lots of dogs love to swim and it is great exercise for them.  If you live near a body of water, check to see if they ahve 'off leash hours' where you can bring your dog and let them swim.  This is particularly good during the hot summer months.  

4.  Make a doggie date!  If any of your friends have dogs, make a weekly date to meet up and take your dogs on a walk together.  Lots of local parks allow dogs on leashes and its a great way to mix up your locations while catching up with a friend :)

 Happy Walking!

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Benefits of Walking in the Woods

Many of us enjoy taking peaceful nature walks, but did you know that walking in the woods is actually good for you beyond just exercise?  In Japan, it is known as 'shinrin-yoku', which means forest bathing, and people around the world strongly believe that the natural elements have a strong restorative power.  Scientists say that while walking in nature you are getting the benefits of clean air and little noise pollution, you are actually receiving another benefit that have to do with how natural elements such as animals and the sun gently tug, but never grab at our attention.

 

 Walking in the woods and being out among nature give your time to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.  It allows you to be alone with your thoughts, or to not focus on anything specific but rather soak in your surroundings.  The sounds you hear in nature, such a birds chirping, the wind whistling, and leaves rustling, are all much more relaxing than the sounds we get caught up in during daily life (phones, radio, horns etc).  Having time alone with these sounds can help restore balance and tranquility.

Researches have also found that walking in a forest can actually help boost immune function.  Trees emit a mist of wood essential oils, and these oils are said to possibly help with stress levels and even blood pressure. 

So next time you are feeling a little overwhelmed, or you just want to get some exercise, consider taking a nice long nature walk in the woods~

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