Denise Trombley
Board Member
Recently we have had some pretty drastic schedule changes in my household. My husband was sent to work out of town for a spell. I admit that I had a hard time adjusting, but not as hard as my once oh-so-sweet and loving pup did. I started to think I was living with Hou-dog-dini.
My cute little pooch had transformed into a little monster with incredible abilities and a new love for morning coffee. While getting ready in the morning, if I left my coffee cup unattended, somehow, without me seeing her, she would climb onto the table and finish it off. On a daily basis I was coming home to the kitchen trash strewn across the house. On days where she was unable to move the giant barricade I had built in front of the closet where the trash was kept, I would find my house plants dug up and dirt everywhere. I found pieces of bread, bones, candy and unrecognizable food items buried in my house plants and between the couch cushions.
On more than one occasion, while home on lunch break, I was startled to hear a door slam. My little monster had managed to let herself out the back door to meet her most favorite person — the mailman — down the street at the neighbor’s house. The next day I found her outside again, this time tormenting an innocent man walking by the house. And, on both days she chose to play her most favorite game with me: “just try and catch me in the five minutes you have left of your lunch break!” After pathetically standing in the middle of the road, for what seemed like an eternity, trying to capture her and cursing at her in my happiest, peppiest, come-to-me voice, all that was left to do was to send an awkward text to my boss telling him why I would be back late —again. And, send the following text to my husband: “if you are not home for good this weekend, you are getting a divorce and the dog.” Not one of my proudest moments.
It never occurred to me that while our schedule had changed, so had the frequency of my daily walks with my furry monster — they were pretty much down to a bare minimum. We were both suffering, which brings me to the point of this story: Don’t forget to walk your pup! There are so many benefits to walking your pup; first and foremost it will keep you both healthy and happy — mentally and physically.
Other benefits of routinely walking your pup include:
• It will help them to maintain a healthy weight;
• Help keep their bones, joints, heart and other organs healthy;
• Their digestive system will run more smoothly;
• Lower anxiety levels when they are left alone;
• Help keep them from destructive behaviors;
• May help with excessive barking and attention-seeking behaviors;
• Keeps them from getting bored or stressed; and
• Will strengthen your bond with them and they will love you more for it.
Since I have gotten back into the habit of our daily walks, my little monster is turning back into her old, sweet, loving self. While the walks have not eliminated all of her bad behaviors, they have been greatly reduced — and so has my stress level!
Always be sure to check with your doctor and vet before starting a new exercise program.
