By Cindy Tansin 
I’ve had dogs all my life. Living in the city, their primary form of “exercise” was going outside in the back yard to do their business and watch the world go by. I figured my dogs were living the good life. What more could they possibly want besides food and love?
When I moved into an apartment and had to start walking them, I was surprised to find that though they’d lost their back yard, they seemed happier. Oddly enough, so was I. In the daily ritual of walking them before I went to work, I realized something astounding. I discovered how to meditate while I walked, and it opened my eyes to many new things.
Dog walking is a time to follow. In so many things we do, we frequently take the lead, especially if we are parents or bosses or even spouses/partners/friends. Dog-walking time is not about us; it is primarily about our dogs. So during this time, stop calling the shots. Let the dog take you where s/he wants to go. Follow your dog’s lead, and when it’s time to turn back, gently suggest the direction. This small break from having to make decisions is very liberating. You don’t have to think, which is a goal of meditation. It allows you to become open to insights and revelations.
Give yourself to nature. This is a time to stroll and enjoy. Face it, dog walking is not really much of an exercise. Unless we really push them, they want to stop at every tree and bush and sniff for ten minutes. You’re never going to get your heart rate up that way, so why try to make it something it isn’t? Instead, consider it exercise for the soul. Practice being mindful, observant, introspective and calm instead. Surprise and delight yourself by discovering things about your neighborhood that you never noticed before. Nature is everywhere, even in the weeds growing between the cracks in the concrete. It’s amazing when you take the time to ponder how each thing that you see contributes to the overall picture. We are community. We are one. We are in this together.
Enjoy the flora. Have you ever noticed that each tree has personality? What character traits do the trees in your neighborhood display? Have you noticed the variety of fruit trees, flowers and edibles on your dog-walking route? Do you know what time of year the figs come in season, which house has the best oranges or lemons, and have you noticed in wonder that one of your neighbors is actually growing artichokes? Who would win the best manicured lawn award? And what a beautiful smell; there’s jasmine or perhaps lilies around somewhere. Plant life makes our planet so much richer.
Enjoy the fauna. Where there are flowers and trees, there are birds. How many different species can you spot? Which are the most common? Can you tell which is which by their songs? Do you hear the hummingbird before you see it? It’s so lovely to be sung to in the morning. And what of the other neighborhood critters? Whether it’s urban dogs and stray cats or you are lucky enough to have raccoons, possums or perhaps deer in your area, it’s a great reminder at the start of a computer/car/cellphone-driven day. And who is going to spot them first, you or the dog?
What are you wrestling with today? Do you have a challenging situation you’ve been dealing with? Walking your dog is a good time to reflect in a calm, detached manner and ponder your options. If you can let go of the emotion attached to the situation, you can see it much more clearly. This is when the aha moments occur. It’s a great time to sort things out.
How is the weather today? Is the weather reflecting your mood or is your mood a reflection of the weather? I still haven’t figured out who starts it, but I’ve learned to welcome the gray, overcast, somber days as much as the sunny ones. Like seasons of my soul, they reflect the changes I am going through and allow me to view my world from a different perspective. Seeing my dogs, tails a-wagging through rain and shine, reminds me that it’s just another day and I’m happy to still be here to enjoy it.
Joy in routine. The dogs know exactly when it’s our time to walk. It’s what they live for. I choose early morning to take them out, when the world is just waking; the birds are more active and vocal, and there are fewer people, cars and fellow dog walkers to distract us. As the earth shrugs off its sleep, we enjoy a peaceful stroll.
My morning walks with the dogs have enriched both my life and theirs. My spirit is consistently light and happy and I’m able to handle daily crises with a minimum of stress, which is a blessing. I’m able to find beauty and joy in the simplest things.
Having discovered the pleasures of this practice, I would never stop, no matter how lovely or vast a yard I might have in the future. We need this time together, my dogs and I. It sets a tone for our happiness and pleasure every day. It took some time for me to realize that this “chore” is actually a gift.
Cindy Tansin is author of the book Lead with Your Heart and the Rest Will Follow. Her expertise is in promoting personal and professional growth, addressing issues of mind, body, spirit and financial soundness. www.cindytansin.com
❋❋ You might also enjoy . . .
~ Tricks from Dogs for Staying Calm
~ The Child Whisperer, Harry the Cat
