Fall is my favorite time of year. It is beautiful here in New England, and probably one of the biggest reasons I will never move away. There is nothing like the fresh cool air on a fall morning. This is the first year I’ve really noticed that the dogs seem to feel the same way.
I’ve especially noticed it with Kobi. He has been spending more time outside just hanging out and looking around. He has an extra spring in his step on our walks. He seems to be enjoying the walks so much more now that I’ve started adding a little distance to them, and he seems to be doing well with that.
Of course, the changing seasons always bring challenges….once again we have to change our fitness routines, and it always takes a bit of time to get used to doing things differently. Also, so far our fall weather has been very up and down….we had a week with a lot of rain, and once we got through that, the cool weather went away and it got warmer again. It’s difficult to figure out on a daily basis when the best time of day is going to be to walk or run. It’s hard to figure out how to dress, because I might think it’s cool, but as soon as I get outside in the sun, it’s not as cool as I thought it was. Then we get these warm spells, and for some reason, the insects seem to be rejoicing (I think they know their days are numbered). The mosquitoes have been relentless the last couple days and that makes it difficult to be outside.
We have had a few light frosts overnight, but as much as we want the gardens to keep going, we look forward to that first hard frost which will slow down the insect populations. The gardens are moving slow at best with the cool nights anyway, with only a few things to pick occasionally. I look forward to cleaning up the gardens, but I’ll wait until the days are cooler and the bugs are mostly gone away.
However, the nights have been mostly cool so the mornings stay that way also. I can move a little slower in the mornings and spend some time on the computer before heading out for a walk or run (I prefer that over having to get up and run out the door to beat the heat). Most days it’s cool enough in the afternoons so that we can also walk the dogs after work. I think this spell of warm days is going to end after today, and we are looking forward to that. This has been the first summer that I realized just how much the heat was bothering Kobi.
I’m not sure what winter is going to bring for him….he was fine last winter but I wonder if the cold is going to bother him more also. I’m pretty sure since Sheba now has arthritis that the cold might be an issue for her also. So I am reading up on and formulating some ideas for more indoor activities for the dogs this Winter. There are some great ideas out there and we look forward to trying some new games. We’ll also hope that snow doesn’t come early, so we can be out walking, running, and playing ball for as long as possible.
Our fitness routines haven’t been too consistent this summer, but I feel like the cool weather and the renewed vigor it brings with it will go a long way toward helping us to keep to our routines better. We are looking forward to more runs and more longer walks, and of course lots of ball playing. Then when the seasons change again, we’ll be ready for the next adjustment!
We are joining the FitDog Friday blog hop this week. Yes, I know it’s Saturday, but they keep the hops open for people like me who are often a day late (a dollar short is another story!). Thanks to our hosts SlimDoggy, Peggy’s Pet Place, and To Dog With Love.
For more health & fitness tips and stories visit our hosts as well as the other blogs through the links below.
Fall has always been my favorite season too. 🙂 Not such a fan of summer anymore either (not sure I ever was…and as you know, I’ve never been able to sit still on a beach). lol. I have to say my Benji dog is more of a summer guy. He’s not loving when I push him out the door to pee every morning. But he loves our walks, no matter what the weather. He’s also not limping anymore! 🙂 Have a great time up north the next few days! I’m sure your pets will love having “Auntie Lynn” stay with them.
Yes, but we loved going to the beach in our younger years, even if we didn’t spend time actually laying on the beach! 🙂
So glad to hear Benji is not limping anymore….that is great! You can get him some cute little coats to help him through the fall and winter!
Do you wish you were staying with “the kids”, Auntie Sheryl? We’ll get you for next time if you want! 🙂
Our biggest challenge is getting in enough exercise in the the winter because of the lack of daylight. Hubby will do obedience with the dogs in our basement, but that is not the same as running.
If you find some good indoor activities, I hope you will post on them. 🙂
Yes, winter is definitely challenging, with the short days.
I will definitely let you know if I come up with some good indoor activities. It makes me wish there were indoor tracks where we could take our dogs running!
We are ready for fall weather here! We got a taste of it for a couple of days, but it is hot once again:( Have a great week!
It seems like we have to go through the ups and downs before it finally settles into really being fall. I’m hoping we are there today….the temps look very comfortable for this coming week. Hope you have a great week too!
Fall is my Mom’s fave time of year too, wonder if it is cause her birthday is in the fall?
Probably, huh? My wedding anniversary is also in the fall (I had always wanted to get married then)….tomorrow as a matter of fact!
We’re just seeing some changing leaves here as well…..next month we’re going to be in Maine for a few days and I’m sure we’ll see a lot more color there……Sammy has more “energy” in this cooler weather too and while I’m sure winter and his arthritis will slow him down a bit in a few months, right now it’s PURRFECT!
Pam (and Sam)
It really is perfect weather for feeling energized, isn’t it? We are headed to northern NH tomorrow (up near Canada), and we’re hoping for some pretty colors up there too. Maine will also be beautiful I’m sure, I think it is in any season!
We are heading into winter now in the UK, paddling pool has been put away 🙁 xx00xx
Mollie and Alfie
Bummer…. I hope you find fun things to do in the winter too! xxoo
It’s always hot and humid here. I used to race out in the morning with Donna before it gets too hot, but in the last month, I have started to just take it easy and we walk later in the night when it is nice and cool. I can definitely see Donna moving faster and in general being bouncier at night vs in the morning and its starts to get too hot for her. I hope you’ll find effective ways for Sheba’s arthritis. Meanwhile have a good week! 🙂
Thanks, I think it’s going to be a learning process with Sheba but I hope we can get a place where she feels pretty good most of the time.
I’m more of a morning person, even though I don’t like to move quickly. By evening I’m ready to wind down….but I imagine that night is a very nice time to walk too.
We love every season with the exception of summer, which is our least favorite. At least we have a/c, but so many days it is no fun being outside in the heat. We are loving fall right now too.
I used to love the summer…but now that’s getting less and less, and I think (hope) I’m starting to like winter better now that I’m learning to get outside more during it. But I think fall will always be my favorite.
Glad to see the fall breezes are giving a bit of extra spark to your crew.
We’ve been having the yo-yo temperatures too, and you are right about it changing how we exercise the dogs.
For my group, it is easier for ME to get my exercise regularly because Leah and Toby prefer to walk in the cold weather, Meadow prefers the heat, and Toby doesn’t mind the rain.
So usually I have at least one walking partner at the ready. 🙂
That’s the good thing about having multiple dogs, isn’t it? I have Kobi for short walks, Sheba for long walks, and Cricket for running now!
Love New England falls…the smell of the air in the morning, the color of the leaves. It’s the ONE thing I miss about the northeast. Hopefully, you don’t have to change your exercise routine too much. I used to run with my dog Maxine rain, shine or snow…they don’t care!
I think the fall is the best thing about New England for sure. I need to get better about getting outside no matter the weather….I did better last winter so hope to do the same this year. I know the rain doesn’t bother the dogs either….it’s just me! 🙂
Cute pool pics! I love the fall too! Would love to be in New England now… And then out again in time for winter! Looking forward to experiencing a New England autumn vicariously through your blog pics!
I will miss the pool when it gets too cool to use it. I love watching Cricket dive in and out of it. Yes, New England is not such a great place to be in winter, one day we may become those people that go warmer places for that season! My hubby and I are headed further north next week, so I hope I will get a lot of nice foliage pictures up there to share.