Thanks so much for being here... I hope this finds you healthy, curious and seeing the world through the eyes of your furry best friends --- full of wonder, adventure and fun, and full of happy rolls in the grass and sunshine!
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A Pawsitive Pathfinder is someone whose heart is called to make the lives of our beloved companion animals the healthiest, happiest, and longest it can be… Someone who helps their furry friends live their best lives, while living their own.

The Anatomy of a Dog Walk

We’ve all heard that walking more- getting your steps in- is a boon to improving our overall health. …We park farther away from a store's front entrance so we can walk a little more. We use walking desks with walking pads at the office. And we take the stairs more often. …We do all of these things to attempt to increase our activity and keep our body in better health, longer.
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As a dog owner, want to know how to get those steps in and help your dog do the same vital thing? Take your dog for at least one good long walk a day. It’s really good for you, and it’s vital to your dog’s physical and mental health, as well.
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Long is a relative term, of course, depending on your dog, it’s breed, size, and current health status. But for our purposes here, consider “long” to be longer than the journey to the corner to just pee and/or poop. Consider a long walk to be just a bit more involved than that.
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A good walk, for your dog, is, well, anytime. Let’s face it— if a dog enjoys “the walks” (unfortunately not all of them do), then in their eyes anytime, going anywhere, is a good walk. 🦮

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But a walk is not just a chance to find a place to “do their business”. A good walk is also a chance for them to “see” the world, an opportunity to socialize, to get some exercise, to release some stress, to bond with you, and yes- to do their business.
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A walk that truly benefits a dog, and gives them everything they need on a regular basis to stay healthy and happy, both physically and mentally, consists of three phases.

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The first phase is an obvious one— usually, a dog is “all business” about finding just the right spot to leave their mark on the world. 😉 You know this is true because it’s also most often when they are literally pulling you along. After all, you wouldn't poop just anywhere, would you? …This first phase is, of course, The Elimination phase. 😆

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The second phase of the walk is what I like to call The Love Letter phase. 💌 …Ever watch a dog out on a walk? I mean, really watch them?... They are genuinely smitten with the world and everything in it! We should all be so blessed to know such simple joy!! 🐶
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This part of the walk is all about the brain games, getting a feel for what’s been going on in the neighborhood since they were last out (or discovering what’s been going on before they got there if it’s a new place for them), and reading all the”pee-mail” along the way.
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Did you know that a dog’s nose collects upwards of 75% of the information they get from the world around them? …The area of a dog's brain responsible for processing smells is proportionally larger than that in humans. With it, dogs possess 50 times more scent receptors than we do. As a result, they can smell 10,000+times more than what we can (no kidding!).
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SO, the stroll you go on with them is as important an exercise in keeping their brain active and fit, as it is giving them a chance to get the gossip on the street or leave their mark on the world! 😎
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The Third phase of the walk, The Move It or Lose It phase, is all about keeping their muscles and joints healthy, flexible, and supple. This is usually my favorite part because the sometimes frantic nature of the first two phases often leads to a nice relaxed pace going on into the final phase. Though this part of the walk is often at a slower pace, it is definitely just as important as the other two parts of the journey. Moving more, and more often, is a huge component to keeping your dog as healthy as possible for as long as possible. 🐕

Incidentally, this is also true for you. So the longer you are able to stretch this phase out, the better for both you and your dog. 💯

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If you are not a dog owner, you can still benefit and participate in this kind of movement. Ask a neighbor or friend who owns a dog if you can take them for a walk. Odds are in your favor that not only will they happily say yes, but the dog will become your best friend because you took the time to take them out for one of their very favorite things to do. (Bonus points if you bring the treats, too! 🧡🐶)

Daily walks are not just about physical exercise or getting out just to go potty; they are integral to a dog's mental health, social skills, and overall happiness. Ensuring your dog gets regular walks each day can lead to a healthier, more balanced, and well-adjusted member of your family pack. 🐾💚🐾
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Thanks for reading this issue of The Pawsitive Pathfinder: Family Edition. And if there are other topics you'd like to talk about, or have thoughts you'd like to share, please hit REPLY on this email and let me know. 🤓

Until next time...

🐾 Furry (and Fluffy) Fun Facts 🐾

Did you know?...
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🐑 President Woodrow Wilson kept a flock of 48 sheep on the White House lawn to keep it trimmed!
🐕George Washington named his coonhounds Drunkard, Taster, Tipler, and Tipsy.
👿John Adams had a dog named Satan.
🐐President Abraham Lincoln, and his family, had a menagerie of pets while in the White House. They had rabbits, turkeys, horses, and two goats, one of which was even allowed to ride in the Presidential carriage.
🦡Theodore Roosevelt was also known for having many pets while in the White House. His pack included snakes, dogs, cats, a badger, birds, and guinea pigs.
🐕‍🦺 Soviet Union Premier Krushchev gave President John F. Kennedy a dog name Pushinka, one of the puppies of Soviet Space Dog Strelka.

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Hey there! I'm StacyLynn. The Furry Kidz Call Me 'AuntieMom.' After a decade of professional pet sitting, I've been adopted by many furry friends. They've helped me to grow, taught me a lot about what makes our four-legged companions happy and healthy, and enriched my life in countless ways. I've become a fierce advocate for their health and well-being, on a mission to help more pet parents support their furry kidz in living longer and healthier lives. I'm the OG Pawsitive Pathfinder.

🤓 Thanks for reading! This is one of the few places we can connect and share knowledge without the constant onslaught of social media distractions, so I truly appreciate you and your time and attention! 🧡

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