Walking for Life!

There are two separate realms of concern and at times failure of intuition, especially in relation to dogs and to human beings. There seems to be agreement that walking is good for dogs and for humans.

A general  view is: “dogs need to walk for exercise and mental stimulation“. The human interaction can be both positive and negative, from the dog’s world perception -real to dogs if sometimes not appreciated by humans. Dogs often do not have the iniative in these matters, particularly in urban and suburban settings. It is said they get bored with the sensory stimulation provided by the backyard.

There is much more to be said about dogs and exercise, as there is with humans. The benefits of walking seem surprising at first sight:

Walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers.

Unlike some other forms of exercise, walking is free and doesn’t require any special equipment or training. Physical activity does not have to be vigorous or done for long periods in order to improve your health. A 2007 study of inactive women found that even a low level of exercise – around 75 minutes per week – improved their fitness levels significantly, when compared to a non-exercising group.

Walking is low impact, requires minimal equipment, can be done at any time of day and can be performed at your own pace. You can get out and walk without worrying about the risks associated with some more vigorous forms of exercise. Walking is also a great form of physical activity for people who are overweight, elderly, or who haven’t exercised in a long time.

Dexter, Hannah and myself are now habituated to “strolling through”, as suggested by music of Silent Partner:

I gave up on Dire Straits and the “Walk of Life” I have used this song before. I like it because it raises the question, Where is home? Slum landlors, and thier ilk,associated with the Trump Administration, do not give a stuff about people and their homes.I suggest that the answer in the general sense is our planet Earth. The Walkabouts (great name) perform “Feel Like Going Home”:

PS: I think we very much need a 100 year strategic plan for Earth, in which people can participate by developing strategic plans for theirs homes and local communities. If “Australia’s dry June is sign of what is to come“, why is there so little urgency and coherence in doing something about it?