Under current restrictions, going for a daily walk without my friend to tag along, I feel very envious of dog owners. In addition to the social company, exercise, and general health benefits dog ownership can bring, there is plenty of evidence that dog ownership comes with mood-enhancing benefits for us, humans.
Walkies is great fun for your overall fitness and catching up with other dog walkers. Last week I spotted a young girl running with her baby in a buggy and the dog running alongside, a fantastic work- out for everyone!
Whether we take our dogs out for exercise because they need it, or enjoy the walk, dog owners seem to spend more time walking than non-pet owners, at least from what I've observed from my office window. They also get to meet up with other dog owners, so even in Lockdown, they have their little doggy community to meet up with and have a good old chat while their dogs run around and let off some steam.
Because exercise is good for our health, owning a dog is beneficial to the dog and owner and nature's sights, sounds, and even smells positively influence their wellbeing and ours.
I confess that I'm dreaming of dog ownership. Still, for the time being, I'll have to be content with making a fuss of the wonderful canines I meet when I'm out walking or enjoy watching an assortment of dogs with their owner's taking some exercise early in the morning in the field behind our house.
I'm not a morning person, and like my resident felines, I enjoy a slow, gentle awakening, so I'll stick with my cats for now.
Martha the Boxer's photographs by kind permission of her owner Mark, Director, Atlas Photography, Salisbury. www.atlasphotography.co.uk.