I feel really good about how this summer has been for fitness with the dogs. I feel like we’ve done the biggest variety of exercising of any summer, along with just being out there almost every day. We pretty much stuck to my goal of getting everyone on an outing at least once a week, and many times we got more walks in than I planned. We played in the yard just about daily, no matter what else we had done that day.
Back in July I wrote “Keeping Busy With a Variety of Summer Fitness Fun“, about some of the different things we were doing: swimming, walking, jogging, and fetch in the yard, along with some different training and a little fun with some home agility equipment we have. In that post I lamented the lack of summer weather, and the girls being down because of limps. But we got through all that, and recently had over a week of real hot summer weather. Even though everyone around here complained about too much heat and humidity, I only thought there was a couple days where it was unbearable. But unless there were thunderstorms, we got outside in spite of the heat, at least for a short while (with cold water in the pool which even I dipped my feet and legs into a few times!).
Right now it is definitely feeling like autumn is on its way even though I think summer isn’t quite done with us yet. We’ve been known to have some pretty hot spells in September, though the days are shortening and it gets cooler earlier in the evenings. Now that we finally got some hot weather, I am looking forward to fall more. I also think the dogs are happier when it’s a bit cooler. Just yesterday Luke and Sheba seemed to play a bit more, instead of hiding under the deck in the shade as much. Cricket seemed a bit spunkier on our morning jog.
I think the best day we had was when I jogged with Cricket, took Luke for my cool down walk, and then later took Sheba swimming. I hope to have more days like that, but I’m not always that ambitious, nor do I have the time. On the days I work we only play in the yard, with someone maybe getting a short walk, and Luke gets some training too. Though I did cut out one day of blogging for the summer so I’ve had more time to at least take two of the dogs out in one day when I’m working from home. I plan to continue that for as long as the weather is nice, and then maybe I’ll pick that day back up when winter gets here.
It’s not just the dogs that benefitted this summer, and for me that is one of the joys of having dogs; they keep me moving. I have maintained a lower weight all summer, and have a pretty nice tan too. I got lots of healthy sunshine (that important Vitamin D) every day that I was out with the dogs, without ever overdoing it. I have jogged more this summer, and even set some goals I’ve been sticking to. Instead of trying to go further as I often would, interspersing jogging and walking, I decided to set a short distance and stick to that until I could do it without stopping to walk. I’m not going to tell you what that distance was, because it’s pathetically short (though I did reach it quickly).
Until I could reach that distance, I jogged alone, but once I did I started taking Cricket with me again (being careful her limp wasn’t aggravated, which it wasn’t), and we’ve increased by ¼ mile each time we’ve been out. My goal, which is again pathetically short, is to be able to do 5K by the end of autumn. I’ve also just started a bit of jogging on my walks with Luke. My hubby had taken him before and Luke didn’t seem to like it, but the Dadz goes further and faster than the Momz. With Sheba, I mostly stick to long walks because of her arthritis. We might jog a bit occasionally, because honestly, my jog is only a fast walk for the dogs!
With that I just want to leave you with some photos illustrating a few of our summer highlights.
Can anyone tell what this new toy is? We’ll be telling you more about it, and some others we got, next week!
Sheba highly recommends this Kong Wet Wubba for swimming! It floats, flies easily (meaning the Momz can throw it further), and she loves that she can grab it many different ways. It comes in bright colors that are easy to see in the water. You can order your own through our affiliate link: Kong Wet Wubba Dog Toy
Some days I have big plans for the next morning, but then I’ll wake up with a migraine. My migraines are not debilitating, but they do slow me down. Instead of a jog that day, I took Sheba for a long walk up our street. I haven’t been that far up our street in a while, and it was enjoyable to see how some things have changed a bit since the days when I frequently walked our beagle Kobi up there. Many houses that used to have dogs that barked at us no longer do. There is some pretty scenery up there: like these old stone walls, and this gate in the field which is blocking nothing.
We are joining the FitDog Friday blog hop. Join our hosts SlimDoggy, To Dog With Love and MyGBGVLife, and also visit other blogs through the links below to learn more about keeping your dogs fit and happy!
We’ve done our fair share of early, humid morning walks this summer…we are all looking forward to fall!! The new toy might be some kind of a frisbee??
There have definitely been times we just couldn’t get out early enough to beat that humidity.
Yes, the new toy is a type of frisbee. Though the dogs seem to think it’s a tug of war toy!
I’ve spent a good part of the summer in the back yard with my girls, too. Mostly in the mornings though on the super-humid days. Even before Callie got sick, she hated being out in the humidity. Just like me! But I think Shadow and Ducky would have sunbathed all day if I had let them. Now that the humidity isn’t as horrible as it was in July, Shadow, Ducky, and I have been enjoying games of fetch and chase me for hours, interrupted by chill-out times in the shade of the oak tree. They’re both still looking for Callie at times – especially Shadow – and I have to wipe away several tears every time they do.
It has to be so tough seeing Shadow missing Callie so much. It’s hard enough dealing with our own grief, but seeing them sad is just so hard to take.
Sheba loves to be outdoors, but she is almost always lying in the shade somewhere. Cricket is the only one that really loves the sun (other than me).
what a great summer of fitness, love all the photos. I lost or should I say gambler lost all our wet wubba’s
Sheba is the only one that gets to play with the Wubbas, because I don’t trust the other two not to lose interest and let it float away! Sheba would fetch it all day long.
Good job with your fitness routines. That’s one way to keep the dogs healthy and fit… and you too!
Are you doing the couch to 5K program? I think there’s one specifically to do with dogs.
No, I’m not, but I have heard of that. I looked it up and it’s “Pooch to 5K” for dogs. I might give it a try if I get motivated to commit to their schedule.
We thought it looked like you had a great summer! We just go to the boring old park every morning. It’s nice that you have gotten fitter too, mom has been swimming in the outdoor Olympic pool some mornings after our walk and she is in the best shape since her surgery too. But we can’t do that together. She has at least one more outing planned for us before her trip, but we didn’t get it done this week with the cooler weather and next week is suppose to be hot again. So it may not be until she gets back. We are so jealous of how much fun you guys have! Love Dolly
Where is your Mom going? Did I miss something?
I always feel guilty if I exercise without the dogs, but sometimes we just have to! My hubby doesn’t feel guilty about it at all. 🙂
Well it looks like you all had a fantastic summer!!!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Summer can be a hard time for fitness; good on you!
Thank you! I think because it’s been a cooler summer this year that has made it easier to get out there. I had more indoor training and stuff planned but we never had to go to that….now we’ll have all winter for that stuff!
We have done most of our outdoor activities in the mornings and evenings because of the heat and humidity. I am so ready for “Football” weather! LOL!
Sounds like a great summer for everyone! We are not summer fans, but this summer has been much cooler than normal which has been wonderful. We have all gotten out and had fun doing things we love.
Sounds good. Since Frenchies overheat real quick, we went on short walks too. We told mom when it was time to go home
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
Sounds like a good healthy summer – hard to believe it’s almost September already. Mixing it up like you’re doing is great – I try to do two different things a day, but sometimes I just don’t have the time unfortunately.
What a great summer! Can’t believe it’s almost over but we’re looking forward to some relief from the heat!
I do not think a goal of a 5k is pathetically short at all! I’m hoping that maybe one day I’ll work back up to a mile–I don’t think I’ve done that since middle school or earlier . . . Bar and I have started doing a little more jogging, too, but it’s all quick little distances to break up the walking a little bit. Good luck!
Thank you for saying that it’s not pathetic, Beth. Now if I can just stay as motivated as you do to meet my goals I should make it!
I’m sure you can accomplish it! You can be my inspiration to one day run a mile straight through without stopping 🙂
I made it to a mile and a half today without stopping, and there was even some hills in there! 🙂
Good for you for keeping to your summer fitness plan. I feel like I missed most of the summer. I am just now starting to feel better so maybe can get out with the dogs more. Love the stone wall and gate in the middle of the field…lol.
I hope you will get to enjoy the fall more! I’m going to have to have hand surgery this year, but I am lucky I’ve been able to put it off, so I won’t do it until late fall. It means a little more hand pain through the summer, but at least it’s off and on. It sucks that you didn’t get a choice!
I agree with you, without a dog I wouldn’t walk or run… and even when I feel like Grumpy Cat I have to go out and I mostly feel better after a long walk and a lot of fresh air. Easy is a great running partner, I hope in some weeks I’m fit enough to run with him without stepping on my tongue after 2 minutes :o)
I can imagine that Easy would be difficult to keep up with on a run! I might regret getting Luke going with those long legs!