Panting to the oldies!

Doctors will tell us that besides eating right we need to make sure we get plenty of exercise in order to stay fit.  It's really no different for our dogs.  I think sometimes we take for granted that our dogs should be exercising.  Perhaps because they walk around on all fours or have to run up and down the stairs or periodically try to chase squirrels in the backyard we don't always think about making sure they work up a pant now and then.  But sometimes we need to remind ourselves that our dogs need just as much exercise as we do.

Our Golden Lab mix, Sophie, definitely reminds us how much she wants to get out in the fresh air.  Every time my husband puts on his running or hiking shoes Sophie makes a bee-line for the door in hopes of joining him wherever he's going.  Luckily for her whenever we go hiking she's our constant companion.  By the time she was old enough my husband started taking her out on "14ers", hiking up the beautiful Colorado mountains where the summits are over 14,000 feet!  It might seem a little extreme but she loves it and it's something my husband always wanted in a dog - someone that could enjoy the great outdoors as much as we do.

Never forget, though, that all dogs need their exercise.  Even our little "princess" Belle the Chihuahua and Roscoe the toy Poodle need to get out from time to time.  It's easy to forget to take them out on regular walks as most of the time the little dogs seem content to find a cozy spot in the house and nap the day away.  But just like humans without consistent exercise they'll quickly get out of shape, put on weight and after a while could develop health problems that could potentially impact their lives.  I do find that if our dogs are getting plenty of exercise they seem to sleep better, eat better and generally have a much better temperament.  Kinda sounds like us humans, doesn't it?

We all live busy lives but it's important to make time not only for ourselves but for our four-legged family members.  Make sure you make the time to get them out, to enjoy the fresh air, to run about and to let them be dogs.  Play time is not just for children.