Dog Walking and People Watching

[shipperx]

It's funny what people do.

I try to walk my dog every evening after work.  Especially if it's nice weather.  Currently it's exemplary weather.  Sunny, slight breeze, 84 degrees lovely sunset.  I figure it's a two-for.  Good for me and good for the dog, who needs to get outside and exercise herself.

It's always been something that I've noticed when I walk Zoe and hear dogs behind the fences that I'd say that at least 70% of the homes in my subdivision have dogs.  That said, other than Zoe the only dogs EVER to be seen being given walks is the 12 year old lab up the street named Lucy and this lovely young Weimaraner whose name I do not know. The guy across the street sometimes has his shih-tzu Izzy sitting out front when he does yard work (and if Zoe realizes Izzy is out there, she demands to be allowed to visit.  Zoe and Izzy socialize together extremely well).  But, again, other than Zoe the only dogs that are EVER -- on any day of the week at any time of day -- being seen exercised are the Weimaraner and the lab.

Anyway, I trek the same mile  most days when walking Zoe.  Tonight while walking the back cul-de-sac, the garage door went up and the house's occupant came out to the garage to climb onto a treadmill...

I couldn't help but wonder, hmm...

The weather today is gorgeous. Wonderful breeze, perfect weather, not hot, picturesque sunset, flowers blooming.  Perfect for a walk and I live in a safe subdivision with only a slight incline and nicely maintained sidewalks.

Given all of that, why exercise on a stationary treadmill in an unairconditioned garage when you could share a lovely sunset walk with your pet who would appreciate the chance to walk outside and smell the flowers (and the pee) him or herself?

I cannot understand how a stationary treadmill in a closed-in white garage all by oneself would be as pleasant as a walk around the neighborhood with your dog seeing the trees and a lovely sunset.

People sure make different choices...

Comments

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

ITA. One of the great joys of my life is going out walking with Kaiya. And I hate walking on a treadmill, even without the option of walking a dog instead.

[rahirah]

That's so weird. The weather is not always conducive to dog-walking here - at this time of year, we have to take Bo out at six in the morning or the pavement will burn his feet. But even now, there are probably at least a dozen 'regulars' we see at the local park, and as many more we see irregularly.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

How very sad for the dogs to not get proper walks. Maybe the dog gets to walk on the treadmill too...

[silverusagi]

Maybe some dogs aren't trained to walk on leashes? Ours aren't. They're not sociable, either.

[shapinglight]

Beats me too. And I don't even have a dog.

[usedtobeljs]

Well, the Dangerous Dog and I walk a mile and a quarter every morning. Here it's still hot (with hot pavement) in the evening, however, so I wouldn't walk him then.

And our walk isn't what I'd call 'cardio', since he does like to stop and sniff (and water) the wildflowers, telephone poles, etc etc. ;)

[mlgm.livejournal.com]

I think the best thing I do for MY mental health, is get up and walk the dogs first thing in the morning. Exercise in the fresh air first thing in the morning just helps set my mood to relaxed and friendly.

And we constantly have dogs walking by, but, I live in an old, urban neighborhood where you can walk and/or bike to anything you might need.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

I think the best thing I do for MY mental health

Definitely. For me it's one of the best ways to unwind from the day (I'm too much of a NON-morning person to manage it before work, though. )

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

I impulsively brought a treadmill a few months ago and I get so bored with it oops. I have much more fun taking my dog out in the countryside, running zombie runs and pretending to myself I'm on an important ~mission~ lol