In a recent entry on her regular blog, Well, Tara Pope-Parker explains how a study of 54 senior citizens living in Missouri were divided into three groups—those who walked with dogs, those who walked with human partners, and a control group (i.e., couch potatoes). The folks who took a bus to a local animal shelter to walk with a dog every day increased their walking speeds nearly 30 percent (compared to less than 5 percent in the walkers with human companions). They also were eventually able to give up walking aids, such as canes or walkers. The reason? Dogs never say no to a walk. On the other paw, human companions were constantly trying to talk each other out of taking a walk. The excuse? "It's too hot." We, the survivors of the hottest summer on record in Texas blow our noses in your direction, Missouri. Hahahahahaa! Weaklings!
Among the comments posted to the blog entry—and I paraphrase—"You don't have to pick up your human companion's crap, but you do have to listen to it." At Dog Park, we have the best of both worlds--walking with humans and with dogs. There's crap galore, so bring plenty of bags.
We hope to see you at the Dog Park. Bundle up, though. Wind chill will put the temps in the 30s. Brrr.
-z
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A neighbor once told my Dad, "you sure put a lot of miles on that little black dog."
ReplyDeleteI like that idea that people are walking dogs at the shelter. Maybe someone can put together all the people who are going to make the new year's lose-weight-get-fit resolution with a dog who needs walking at the shelter. Good for everyone!
Did you see that someone recently cleaned the spray paint off of that sign?