Happy National Dog Day—from the trail! 🐾

While most of the neighborhood was still sleeping this morning, Freedom and I were already out celebrating National Dog Day the way we know best:

One foot and one paw at a time.

We headed out for our early-morning walk/run, and somewhere along the way I started thinking about all the dogs who have shared this journey with me.

Because Freedom isn’t the first dog who’s gotten me moving.

Over the years, my dogs have walked with me, run with me, exercised with me, practiced Doga with me, trained with me, played with me—and sometimes simply reminded me that getting outside and having fun together can be one of the healthiest things we do.

🐾 My four-legged fitness partners through the years

There was Scout.

Liberty

Skyler

Sandy

Candycane

Benji

Monty

Sammy

Each one had a different personality. A different story. A different way of being part of my life.

And I have the pictures to prove it. 😄

Some of these photos are from walks.

Some are from runs.

Some are from Doga.

Some are from training and exercise.

And I’m sure there will be a few where we weren’t doing anything remotely resembling exercise. 😂

Because that’s part of healthy living with your dog, too.

Sometimes you move together. Sometimes you train together. Sometimes you simply have fun together.

And through all those years and all those dogs, I’ve learned something:

Your dog doesn’t care about your pace.

Your dog doesn’t care whether you ran a mile or walked around the block.

Your dog doesn’t care whether your Doga pose was Instagram-worthy.

They’re just happy you’re doing it together.

And maybe that’s one of the greatest gifts our dogs give us.

They get us moving.

They get us outside.

They make us laugh.

They give us companionship.

They teach us to pay attention to what’s happening right now.

And sometimes, without our even realizing it, they help us become healthier, happier and more active ourselves.

Today, Freedom carries that tradition forward.

This passed weekend, I overheard a veteran saying he needs to get a dog......he needed that companionship and possibly assistance of a service dog to live the life he fought to have in this great country we call America!

This morning it was just the two of us, a leash, a dark trail and another walk/run together.

Tomorrow it’ll be something else.

But whatever we’re doing, we’ll keep doing it the way we’ve always done it:

One foot and one paw at a time. 🐾

Happy National Dog Day to Freedom—and to every dog who has ever walked, run, stretched, played, trained, explored or simply sat beside me along the way.

And Happy National Dog Day to your four-legged best friend, too. ❤️

Now tell me: What’s your favorite way to get healthy, happy and active with your dog?

Until next time have a happy and healthy tail wagging day,

enjoy National Dog Day with your #BFFF,

Pamela and Freedom