Thanks to Slim Doggy and Peggy’s Pet Place for hosting this new blog hop, FitDog Friday. They started this blog hop to raise awareness about the importance of having a fit and healthy dog. I missed the first hop last week, and I wasn’t sure I would make it this time either. Yesterday morning I had bookkeeping work, bills to pay, and was trying to catch up on my blog reading. It was the perfect day to be working inside….cloudy, cold, windy, dreary, and a snow/sleet storm on its way. Even the dogs seemed content to just spend the morning sleeping in my home office.
Once my work was done, it was time to write my blog, and I was totally uninspired. I have a whole list of topics I still plan to cover, and joining in on Fit Fridays was on the list. I didn’t see how I could write about fitness when we had all just been sitting around! I was tired of sitting at the computer, but I was also unmotivated, by the less-than-Spring weather, to get outside and walk Kobi. I had regrettably gotten on the scales that morning and saw that I had gained a pound, even after all that Idita-walking! With that on my mind, and the fact that I knew I really needed to clear my head in order to be able to write, I got Kobi and we headed out the door. He was sporting his brand new harness and leash. We plan to do lots more walking, so this Mom just bought some new equipment for everyone.
The birds don’t seem to care that the weather is not all it should be. The cardinals were singing and the chickadees were flitting on and off of my bird feeders. Of course, Kobi also doesn’t care, and he had a spring in his step. He has been having trouble with his hind legs lately, and we have been concerned. He has gone through a battery of tests at the vets, including x-rays, which showed no signs of arthritis. He slips and slides on the wood and tile floors in our house, but when he gets outside he trots right along like nothing is wrong.
We went on one of our usual routes on the street down below us, but this time we headed out towards our neighbor’s tree farm. I haven’t walked that way in quite a while, and had forgotten there was a pond down there. Kobi and I walked to the pond where he scared up a ruffed grouse, and two ducks off the pond. We saw another grouse cross the road in front of us on our way back. Because it was chilly and my hands were cold, we decided to save the walk all the way to the tree farm for next time.
Our walk wasn’t long, but it was enough to clear my head and to make Kobi happy. At his age of 12, I know how important exercise is to keep him fit and healthy. He stays at a good weight, which is especially challenging with beagles who live to eat, and I want to keep him walking as long as he can. So far he doesn’t show any lingering effects from even a long walk, such as the two hour walk we did a couple weeks ago (the weather was nicer then). Once we got home I got the ball out to throw for the other dogs and get them some exercise too. They’ll be walking also, but for that day chasing the ball would do it for them. Except Cricket wasn’t interested….and the others won’t play without her. That will change tomorrow morning when she sees fresh snow on the ground. That is her motivation, while the rest of us here in the Northeast are just waiting for sunshine and warmth. It will come, and we will have lots more fitness walks to write about!
It’s so hard to get out when the weather is yucky. We have one good day, then two crappy ones. Come on summer!
It’s finally getting a little warmer here, but it’s still mostly cloudy, rainy and dreary. Just want to see some green!
If we aren’t out at least once a day, preferable more, Sage will let me know it. As I sit here waiting for a workman to finish in the basement, I’m getting the stink-eye. WHY aren’t we out the door yet!!
Sage definitely seems like a dog who just loves the outdoors. Sounds like she keeps you moving too!
Is that new harness like the one Susie was wearing? It looks like it. Good for you getting out there. I really need to get back to it, Trixie is getting a little chunky and now that she is feeling better it’s time.
Yes, it is, K, thanks for giving me the idea! Kobi is still not thrilled, but I think not having to put it over his head is helping a bit. Only problem is that I got the medium and it’s a little big….I measured so I don’t know why. It will only adjust so small because it has the padding built in. So I may have to get him a small and try that.
Now I just need to get motivated this weekend….not easy with the snow/ice on the ground.
I got mediums after measuring too, and had to return them for smalls. I’m happy to say I just got back from a walk with both dogs down the road. It was sloppy, my shoes weren’t waterproof, but Trixie did much better on the way back than last time and I think I did too.
Yay, glad you got out! We’re thinking about a walk next weekend if you are interested. Do you know if that park down on 4A has trails? Gardner Memorial I think it is?
It’s so hard to find the motivation to get out and walk on a bad weather day… especially when you have a pile of “to do’s” waiting for you at home. I guess the only thing that motivates me to get up and out the door is when Lucas goes to the hook by the door and nudges his leash! It’s so sweet and such a cute reminder that I’m responsible for keeping them happy and healthy!
Oh, that is so sweet and cute that Lucas does that! I wish my dogs would motivate me that way. Kobi actually runs away because he hates having his harness put on! But Sheba does do a dance whenever she sees that stuff coming out!
Woof! Woof! Yes it is important to get out no matter what the weather is (well expect for heavy pouring rain). Nothing beats smelling the air outside. LOVE the ball. Happy FitDog Friday. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
Yes, we are all outdoors people and dogs in this household…the people just prefer it to be nice weather! There is nothing like fresh air. (and yes, a good ball!). Thanks for stopping by, Sugar!
It rains here a LOT…so we love to take part in group activities like FitDog Friday , Idita Walk and Park Day. Sometimes you need a little motivation to face the cold and wet weather! Of course, our dogs are always ready to go…Rain or Shine!
Wyatt’s mom
Yup, my dogs will also go no matter the weather. I do love all the blog hops to join in on, I definitely need that motivation too!
You know, I seem to do better with walks when it’s really cold and inclement out than when it’s nicer. Our biggest challenge is usually when summer hits here. We take walks later at night, but sometimes even at 9:30 or 10:00 the pavement is too hot for them. Today we had a 37 degree high and while I was walking in subzero temps a couple of months ago, now it just seems too cold to go out! 😛 I wish Spring would just get here already!
We usually try to walk in the morning during the Summer….which presents another problem since I don’t want to get out of bed and going that quickly! I’m too chicken to walk after dark. 🙂
It’s funny how we acclimate to the warmer temps so quickly….you’re right, 37 seemed balmy just a couple months ago, now it is intolerable! I hear Spring may be here next week…..I think they keep telling us that though!
Even a short walk is better than none…On my uninspired days I tell myself “just go around the block” cause I know that once I’m out there we’ll keep going…and of course Gizmo is never unmotivated or uninterested in going for a walk
That often happens to me too, I figure I can at least get out for a short walk, and then it turns out much longer than planned once we’re out there. No, the dogs have never refused to go for a walk, I could use their enthusiasm some days!
What a nice walk. Sometimes it’s hard to stop working and force myself to get up and get out the door. But my dog always reminds me, and encourages me. Once we get out, I’m always glad we did. Thanks for being a part of FitDog Friday!
Thank you for coming up with this new blog hop! I think it’s great, and a great thing to promote for our pets. I know, sometimes motivation is what lacks for me, but I am always glad once we get out there.
Love getting outside! Sometimes a run in the rain is the best medicine for motivating us and getting past the excuses!
Rain tends to make me hibernate….but if it’s warm day out, why not? Maybe that will be one of my summer goals…to actually get out there when it’s raining. I just finally learned to garden in the rain last year, when we had a very rainy spell and I just really needed to get out there. I know the dogs would still enjoy it, they don’t mind the rain at all.
Glad you got out in the fresh air. You know mom and I do most of our writing in our heads on our walks and runs everyday. Something about being outside for an hour or so, no phone, no music, no tv, just our minds and we get to thinking and come up with some great ideas sometimes. We have to join this hop too, maybe next week.
You and your Mom definitely have the right idea, Emma. I used to do that when I first started, a lot of writing in my head while walking, but I got out of the habit over the Winter, since I wasn’t walking as much.
I am sure you would have lots to add to this particular hop, since you are so active and fit!
Getting out for some exercise is a great way to shake off the cob webs and feel better. I am so glad that you did so, despite the weather!
Thanks for participating in the hop. I do notice that you haven’t included the linky code on your post so your image icon is not showing up on the other blogger pages. Let us know if this wasn’t your intention and we can help you get it sorted out.
Thanks!
Thanks, I’m so glad I did too, or this never would have gotten written! 🙂
I got the linky code thing added, thanks. I had scheduled the post ahead of time, (I was at my other job) and wasn’t sure if I could add the code then or not, or had to wait until your post went up today. Is the code the same every week for that particular hop, or does it change every week?