Life as a dog walker is always fun, challenging, rewarding and active. It’s hard to think of another job with quite the same level of responsibility coupled with the same level of activity, fun and client interaction! I’ve been thinking a lot recently about how my job allows me to discover new things. Not just about the animals I care for but about the natural world too.
Dogs are animals driven by their noses. Since the turning of the season in September and October, all my doggy pals are a little less active on walks than usual. Most people would put this down to the turning of the seasons. It’s colder, darker and, as humans, we think of ourselves as slowing down in winter, snuggling up and taking things more slowly than usual: think mugs of cocoa and evenings in by the fire. But for dogs, Autumn is a time of heightened senses and interesting discovery. I’m convinced that what is slowing my dogs down on their walks is not the human habit of taking it easy and snuggling up in the colder months but the fact that there is so much more exciting stuff to stop and sniff!
When I walk dogs on pavements, they are as active as usual but get them in a cow field or anywhere near a hedgerow and sniffing becomes more fun than running about. I like to imagine what it must feel like for a dog who communicates through scent and how all the exciting smells must cause sensory overload during Autumn. The scents of fruit, damp flora, fungus and rotting leaves must be smelly heaven for a dog, especially when coupled with the scents of other dogs, cows and sheep. I’ve tried to take the time to sniff with my dogs this Autumn. Stop with them and sniff the Autumn scents. It’s interesting to see what dogs find enticing. And it’s led us to discover loads of new things together. Interesting fungi, fruit, birds and little hidden places few people would ever think to explore. I often come home from my walks with pockets of treasure – conkers, acorns and beautiful leaves.
Take a little time on your dog walks to appreciate what your dog is appreciating. You might look a little strange examining a pile of leaves with your dog or sniffing fallen logs but who cares?! I certainly don’t!
Posted on 04.12.2016 by Lisa
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