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April 8, 2013

How Far Has Your Dog Walked You?

The other day I attempted to work out in my apartment.  Emphasis on the word “attempted.”  For some reason Eko was obsessed with the work-out mat and decided to join in. Staying out of the way as usual I have

The other day I attempted to work out in my apartment.  Emphasis on the word “attempted.”  For some reason Eko was obsessed with the work-out mat and decided to join in.

Rhodesian Ridgeback, pet adventure

Staying out of the way as usual

I have two mats, so it got to the point where I had to unroll the other one so Eko could have his own.

Rhodesian Ridgeback, pet blog

Workout partners

While Eko wasn’t exactly the most helpful workout buddy in this particular circumstance, his presence did get me thinking about how much he has helped me stay active with our daily walks.  Walking is a dying art form for most, but for those of us with dogs it is a daily routine, whether we are in the mood or not!

dog blog, pet adventure

Blizzard?  That’s nice, your dog still needs a walk

Even by my most conservative estimates, Eko and I have walked well over 500 miles together – and that’s not counting hikes or runs even.  That adds up to countless sights seen, people met and most importantly, time that otherwise would have been spent in a chair.  There are plenty of times I don’t feel like heading out for a walk, but I am very grateful that Eko gives me no choice.  What’s best for him is also what’s best for me.

pet blog, dog adventure

And without our walks, I would miss out on views like these

And then that got me thinking, Eko is only two years old and he is my first dog on my own.  That means that some of you likely have walked thousands or even tens of thousands of miles with a dog by your side!  Knowing that, I will never look at my morning walk the same again.  It’s pretty impressive how it all adds up. So take a guess, how far do you think you have walked with your dogs?

Comments for How Far Has Your Dog Walked You?

  1. Bongo says:

    I walk my person about a mile every day – and sometimes longer – so that’s over 300 miles a year. I think I need a nap.

  2. This is so sweet! Indeed, gratitude for the fact that our dogs give us no choice. It’s just something we do, and we’re all better for it!

  3. Happy Monday – we nominated you and Eko for a Versatile Blogger Award!

  4. You are so right about the difference it makes to getting out whatever the weather is like. We all owe an awful lot to the dogs in our lives.

  5. Ogee says:

    Love this post. Can’t count the miles…but almost all were enjoyed. I’m going to exclude those with pelting rain and 40+ mile gusts. I mean really – would you like to go potty in that?? 🙂

  6. Andaluza says:

    hahaha he’s so cute! I have two of my own and I can’t work out at home – they go insane!!! They just start jumping up and try to grab my pants or arms. So I gave up working out at home :))

  7. emma says:

    Mom says that us dogs are her workout buds…by my calculations we put back some 30-40 miles a week as we walk 1-2 hrs most days total and at least 3 miles an hour. We love getting her out in all the weather as we all feel better after a good walk. My sister trained for a marathon with her, so back then she really put on the miles but my short legs limit me to short runs. We all love being outdoors and discovering nature together!

  8. Victoria says:

    my dogs aren’t nearly as well trained so most of the time i am not walking but jogging or running….better for me for sure!

  9. I stumbled on your blog via “Life in the Dog Lane” , who nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award. I have to say, you’re a total genius. For years, I have had my dog ‘share’ my yoga mat with me. Trying to be meditative with a big chocolate lab climbing all over you, scratching you, sniffing you etc , is no mean feat! I NEVER thought of getting his own mat! Now I have a plan, so thanks! Will explore the rest of your site now.

  10. Marcela says:

    Excellent post:) How many miles? Too many to count. Alex is almost 11 years old, two walks a day, ea for about 45 to 60 minutes, except for the past months. Oh boy, I am already tired thinking about it:)

  11. dogdaz says:

    We walk Mom at least a mile a day if she can. Love the pictures

  12. Love this post Will.
    Today I was doing a little Yoga and as usual Doggy was there, licking my feet whenever he had a chance. Ever since I had Doggy I had to change my workout habits, I got him with the idea of getting a steady running partner, I’ve been running since I was 11, it gets lonely at times so why not taking a dog along.
    This morning we ran 10 miles, I assumed he was going to die once we got home, so I pulled my mat and started to stretch, he had other plans, he wanted to play, Yoga is not what it used to be anymore, I have to stop and throw him the ball when he gets into “destroyer” mode.
    If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t wake up every morning for a run anymore.

  13. writetowag says:

    Oh yes, too many wonderful miles to count…our journey continues to inspire me!!!! Yes, about the yoga, they do love the mat, especially ‘downward dog’ pose…it’s the perfect kiss pose!!!! Eko, has ‘namaste’ down pat doesn’t he?!!!!

  14. I use CardioTrainer to track my mileage, and then get lots of positive reinforcement when I post it to Facebook. Yes, positive reinforcement isn’t just for dogs! We’ve walked as far as Honduras, or just past the Grand Canyon, from Michigan – in just over three years. As of today that is 1148 workouts, 299480 calories, and 2133 miles. And three months of walking didn’t even get included! That also means I’ve lost over 80 pounds of excess weight. Nala gets lots of attention and compliments wherever we go – but then she looks pretty much exactly like Eko except a bit smaller and shorter nose. Yes, she has very directly contributed to saving my life. No question in my mind.
    I love using an app that helps track mileage. I can hardly wait to virtually reach the pacific ocean!

  15. onebluedog says:

    You and Eko make very good workout buddies! I’m glad he is such a good influence 🙂

    Mom and I walk usually 4 miles a day. Sometimes we walk as much as 8 or 10, but not so often lately because mom and dad are busy with so much boring “work.” Anyway, I’ve had my family for almost a year, so that means we’ve walked over 1300 miles! No wonder mom sleeps so well since she met me 😀

  16. Sage says:

    Thank goodness for our dogs! In addition to my yoga and pilates, Sage has me out every day for at least 2 miles a day. Is there time for anything else????

  17. Jessica says:

    Wow! That’s a great question! I think Taylor has logged almost 400 miles since we adopted her almost two years ago…holy moly! You know, I never realized how just how awesome my walks with Taylor are until I started working out of the home again; she is more of a late morning, early afternoon kind of a girl (after a night of partyin’ with my work-at-night hubby), so now he has the opportunity to walk her now…I’m so bummed! 🙁 At least I have the weekends!

  18. Mum does fitness classes (rumba, bootcamp and t-rex), however she has just taken to walking our neighbours dogs at lunchtime as she says the thighs are not losing inches LOL 🙂 We do love the first photo

  19. I think we average 3-5 miles each day, but at the weekends its usually more…I have no idea how far that is but I don’t think its working, my humans are still pretty unfit bol

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