On Monday, October 21, I woke up at 4 a.m. to an unusually quiet house. My Dutch friend Rolf, who had spent the last 10 days visiting, had already left for the airport the night before, heading back to Brussels. The only companion left in the house was my dog, Charly, who was still fast asleep in the living room.
As I prepared my breakfast—a leftover serving of ojingeo bokkeum (a Korean dish of stir-fried squid, vegetables, and udon noodles)—I turned on the news. According to my go-to meteorologist, John Elliott, it was going to be a perfect day for a walk: sunny, clear skies, and temperatures hovering around 80 degrees—pretty remarkable for late October.
Charly, my coonhound, seemed to pick up on the energy, her ears perking up as she realized a walk was in the cards. But lately, due to lingering back issues, I hadn’t been able to take her on our usual walks. Instead, I’d been letting her chase squirrels in the yard or take a trip to the dog run.
But for the past 10 days, it was a different story. Rolf, full of energy and enthusiasm, had taken over the morning walk routine. Every day, he’d get up, drink his coffee, take a shower, and then leash up Charly, heading out for a 45-minute stroll around the neighborhood. Charly loved it—her tail would wag furiously as soon as Rolf called her name, and off they’d go.
As a parent, you can probably appreciate how refreshing it is to have a little time to yourself while your dog gets some exercise. With Rolf handling Charly’s walks, I had some rare downtime—time to relax, read, or simply enjoy a quiet morning.
This got me thinking: walking a dog isn’t just good for the dog—it’s good for the owner, too. Studies show that regular walks can have significant health benefits, both physical and mental. For one, walking releases endorphins, helping to boost your mood and reduce stress. Plus, the exercise itself is invaluable, providing an easy way to stay active and improve cardiovascular health.
Dog walking also offers an opportunity for socializing. I don’t always talk to my neighbors, but during one of Rolf’s walks, he came back to tell me that he had exchanged a friendly “hello” with a woman from the house next door. Apparently, this small interaction had left quite an impression on him. “She said ‘Good morning,’” Rolf reported, surprised by the friendliness.
I was a bit embarrassed by his comment. I hadn’t spoken to this neighbor in years, and her name completely escaped me. “Yeah, I’ve meant to talk to her,” I admitted, “but I’ve been busy.”
Rolf’s surprise at the exchange highlighted how walking a dog can help break down social barriers. It’s easier to engage with people when you have a common reason to be outside, whether it’s your dog or simply the shared experience of a morning stroll.
Even more personally, Rolf pointed out that walking could be good for my back. I’d been cautious about overexerting myself, but the idea of walking through the neighborhood, seeing other dogs, and getting some fresh air was appealing. “You could bring your phone just in case,” he joked, adding a note of caution.
Of course, I wasn’t about to leave the house without my phone—just in case my neighbor’s “Good morning” turned into something more intrusive. After all, this is America, and you never know when a simple greeting might warrant a call to the authorities.
Still, there’s no denying that walking Charly brings a sense of calm and benefits beyond just the physical exercise. It helps both of us get out, enjoy the fresh air, and perhaps even form some unexpected connections along the way. And who knows? A few more walks could even help heal my back.
Related topics:
Abandoned Dog Finds Comfort in Human Attention
Husky Owners Create Hilarious Halloween Costume
Rescue Mission Saves Senior Dog Found in Shopping Cart
