Where I live, I see a young man “walking” his dog most days.  I use the term loosely – what he is actually doing is dragging the dog along whilst he rides his bike.  He is going too fast for me to stop him and tell him this is not a good way to “walk the dog”.  Sure he may be giving his dog some exercise, (and probably ruining his joints at the same time), but a walk is much more than exercise. 

Dogs naturally want to stop to check the pee-mail on every blade of grass and sidewalk.  This is part of exercising their minds as well as their body.  It’s also about socialization.  I know it can make the “walkies” very slow when your dog wants to have a sniff and turn a few circles to leave a few messages in the neighbourhood, but it is in fact the best way to exercise mind and body – and hey – we all want the best for our pet’s don’t we? 

And of course, you have the opportunity to “smell the roses” too.  Simon and Garfunkel said it all with their beautiful song “Feeling Groovy”!

Slow down, you move too fast.
You got to make the morning last.
Just kicking down the cobble stones.
Looking for fun and feelin’ groovy.
Hello lamppost,
What cha knowing?
I’ve come to watch your flowers growing

So do you have any tips on “walking the dog”?