Simply Living in the Northwoods: These Dogs Were Made for Walking

Pete walking the Weimaraners

Our dogs are lucky. They go on at least two long walks with us everyday. Yes, it's cold out and sometimes it's snowing, but the dogs don't seem to mind; they just want to get out of the house and spend some fun time with us.

Chewie
waits politely for his walk

Not all dogs are as lucky as ours. There are dogs in animal shelters throughout the country who rarely get out of their kennels. Sometimes it is a matter of not having a safe place for walking dogs. Other barriers include lack of time and volunteers.

I don't have much money to give to our local animal shelters, but I do have time. Once a week I go down to the Humane Society of Vilas County and walk dogs for a couple of hours. Dogs still need walking in the winter.

Run Chief Run

I really love doing it. It is a chance for me to relax a little and enjoy the dogs enjoying the outdoors - and they REALLY enjoy the out-of-doors.

Mace
makes a snow face

The Humane Society has a nice outside fenced area where the dogs can run lose and let some of their energy out. They love playing in the snow and the cold doesn't seem to bother them much at all.

Go JoJo Go

After a nice run and romp in the "free zone" they are usually ready for a walk on the leash. It helps so much for their chances of adoption if they can walk nicely on on leash. They need practice, practice, and more practice - just like my dog, Asher.

Bear jumps for joy
"It's time for a walk!"

The fields and woods around the Humane Society are very nice and there are great little paths for exploring with the dogs. Even in the winter they have plowed some walking paths.

Duke
Something caught his eye

I try to walk each dog on the leash for at least 15 minutes. I know Cesar says a walk should be 30-45 minutes, but he's in sunny Southern California, not the North Woods of Wisconsin in January.

Properly walking a dog on a leash can drain a lot of the animal's energy as he must focus on what he is supposed to be doing.

Bullwinkle was made
for walking in the snow

The dogs at the Humane Society catch on quickly, in fact, many of them are much better leash walkers than my own dogs.

Rocky with a toy

Walking is great exercise for the dogs and their walkers. It's a lot more fun than doing sit ups in front of your television. I like walking the dogs because it calms my mind and allows time for daydreaming and creative thinking - until the dog jerks you pack into reality by alerting you to a squirrel. By the end of my 2-3 hours I usually have the whole world figured out, or at least the rest of my day.

If you have some time call your local animal shelter and see if they need a dog walker. Then get your snow boots, snowsuit and a bag of dog biscuits and Walk a Dog in the Winter.

For information on our local shelters:
Humane Society of Vilas County http://www.vilashumane.org/
H.O.P.E. Animal Shelter in Ironwood http://www.myhopeanimalshelter.org/

Don't forget about your own dog(s).

I know ours won't let us forget about this event.