Walking is good for your health and happiness
Body, mind, and spirit
“Walking is man's best medicine.” ~Hippocrates
I loved going for walks, and if mom wasn’t ready to take me, sometimes I took myself. If she opened the front door, I’d slip out and head for the path around the pond. By the time mom got some shoes on, grabbed a leash, and caught up with me, I was halfway around the pond. I knew the way - we took that path all the time!
I didn’t need a leash, but mom did. I had to lead the way so that she wouldn’t get lost. When I was a puppy and getting used to the leash, it would always pull on my neck. I finally figured out the exact length of the leash at it’s longest point (it was retractable), so that I could stay at the farthest possible distance without it pulling on my neck.
I knew all of our usual walking routes, including the places where there were decision points of whether it would be a short loop or an extended walk. Whenever we got to one of those points, I would pull in the direction that would result in the longest walk. Sometimes mom acquiesced if it was a nice day, but other times, she would lead me back the short way if she needed to get to work.
My parents thought they were pretty funny, saying that I always wanted to take the long way, because I needed to walk my full territory to check on my subjects, and give them the chance to see and honor their ruler – I was the Queen after all. But really, I just loved to walk.
When mom and dad adopted Mala, she didn’t know what to think of the leash. At first, she wouldn’t walk when they attached the leash to her collar. I showed her the ropes though, and before long we were all walking around the neighborhood together.
Later in life, when that nasty degenerative myelopathy claimed my back right leg, I could no longer go on my daily walks unassisted. I had to finally accept the Walkin’ Wheels that mom had bought for this purpose. At first I scoffed at them, because I didn’t need them – I could still walk on my own, even though I was a little unsteady. But, as I realized that the battle was lost and I couldn’t make my right leg move anymore, I begrudgingly accepted being strapped into the wheels.
Once I got the hang of my wheels, I proudly strutted my stuff all over town, and even along the rim trail of the Grand Canyon. As an added bonus, my wheels drew attention and praise from those who saw me. It was about time, since after that fluffy little puppy Mala came into my life, she tended to get all of the attention, even though I would walk in between people who were coming towards us on the trail to be sure they noticed me. Everyone fawned over Mala when she was a puppy, and we couldn’t go anywhere without having to stop so they could pet her. Now and then, a smart person would say hi to me too. But with those wheels, I was once again the center of attention, and I soaked up every second of it.
I’m not sure how many miles I walked over the course of my life, but I’m sure it was significant. It kept me healthy in mind, body, and spirit. When mom was working a lot, I could see her shoulders relax within minutes of taking me on my daily walk. I knew that it helped her, so I always reminded her to lace up her shoes and get outside with me no matter how busy she was. She told me that walking helped her think more clearly.
You don’t need any special equipment to walk – just a pair of shoes if you’re a human. You can walk anywhere that you are, provided it’s not dangerous. You don’t have to walk fast or far. There’s no better way to brighten your day than to get outside. If you have the opportunity to walk in nature, even if it’s just a few trees or shrubs, that’s even better. Engage all of your senses, and a walk turns into a sort of meditation and can ease your worries and relax your nervous system.
If you’re lucky enough to have a dog, he or she will appreciate that time with you! It’s healthy for us as dogs to get out and sniff, since we explore the world primarily through our sense of scent. Experiencing different smells stimulates our minds, and walking keeps our bodies healthy too.