We’ve all done it. You hit the snooze one too many times and rush out the door to work. The workday that ensues turns out to be a stage-play where you play Smokey the Bear, putting out more fires than the local fire department. Voice mails pile up at the same hectic pace as your email inbox. Fifteen minutes before closing time, the boss tosses a fresh pile of paperwork on your desk, and you realize that work is coming home.
After work you perform the same amalgam of activities you did the night before: dance and baseball practice pick-ups, dinner, bills, put kids to bed, and finally, vegging out with Little Debbies as you continue that Netflix show that everyone at work’s been raving about.
Before you know it, it’s midnight, and you just know you’ll wake up with some level of regret the next morning.
The last thought that crosses your mind as you drift off to dreamland, which happens to look an awful like your favorite scene from the Netflix show?
You forgot to walk the dog.
Yep, we’ve all been there. And you know what? It’s completely normal. Life sometimes gets in the way, and we are forced to adapt in order to overcome the habits that lead to an unhealthy or unbalanced lifestyle.
Sadly, many times, these habits go unchecked and affect our furry friends, as well. A 2010 survey of 1,000 dog owners, conducted by The Kennel Club, showed that one in five do not walk their dogs on a daily basis.
At first glance, you may think that 20% isn’t too bad, considering that the survey only asked whether a dog owner walks his or her dog daily; let alone, the suggested two or three daily walks.
Certainly, the number could be worse than 20%; but it’s the small percentages—the small things—that matter most. It is usually when we master the art of being faithful in those small things that we go on to accomplish big things.
Ask any dietician why some clients either quit before reaching their weight-loss goals, or gain all their weight back quickly; and they’ll point out that one of the main culprits is the daily routine.
Dog walking, like any other important activity that unfortunately gets neglected—intentional or not—as the result of the daily life struggles we all face, is not much different that dieting. And in order to achieve a higher level of success, we must make the tough changes in our daily routine.
Here are some helpful steps you can take to aid in the process:
-Setting the alarm 15 minutes earlier each day to create more time
-Scheduling 1-3 walks in our daily Google calendars as a reminder
-Post-it notes on the refrigerator, on the car stereo, or on the bathroom mirror
-Hanging a leash by the door
-Calling a family meeting to make sure someone walks the dog each night
There are a myriad of things we can do, and while most seem to be simple and mundane ideas, eventually, we still need some help.
Fortunately, the professional dog walkers at Furball Fitness are here to help. Like dieticians, we are here to service your needs, but also, your pets’. Our team is knowledgeable and skilled to help you with ways that will aid you in becoming a more consistent dog walker.
Like dieticians, we provide encouragement and a healthy dose of accountability to make sure we all work together toward that common goal: to make certain Rover the Dog is happy, healthy, and obedient. When we walk your dog, we’ll use the opportunity to help train them; which is also another helpful tip for the dog owner. On trips to the park, when the proper and safe opportunity presents itself to be around other dogs, we’ll use it to help socialize your dog.
We understand that your dog is a member of the family, special to you in every way. And when you choose to hire one of our professional dog walkers, you can have the peace of mind that we understand all of the benefits your dog will experience during consistent walks:
-Preventative health in the following areas: osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and insulin resistance.
-Weight control
-Contributes to a healthy digestive system
-Decreases destructive behavior
-Limits hyperactivity
-Deceases attention-seeking behaviors
-Promotes and strengthens bonding
-Builds trust
-Decreases loneliness
And when you’re not able to bring your dog to us, we understand the health benefits that you will experience from daily dog walking:
-30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days per week leads to a risk-reduction of breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer.
-People who walk their dogs regularly are more likely to be seen as friendly and approachable to others
-Decrease in stress levels
-Better mental and psychological health
-Decrease in loneliness
-Builds community spirit
At Furball Fitness, we understand the special bond between you and your dog. Your pets are members of your family—teammates with the common goal of a happy and healthy life. And our team cherishes the opportunity to be part of your team.