Back awhile ago, I weighed a whole lot more than I liked. I managed to knock off a good deal of weight by walking every day, miles and miles every day. I whined about it a lot but I honestly enjoyed it most of the time – the day of the gustnado when I nearly got blown into the field, was soaked through in an instant and thought I was going to land in Oz (which wouldn’t be so awful, I’m a good witch, but still) – was not one of my favorites, although I’ve gotten a good bit of mileage out of the story of that experience.
Then along came Maverick. Mr Tiny Terror did not take kindly to spending hours in a crate while Mommah walked for 3 hours alone. He wasn’t able to go more than a mile – if that – guilt set in and I stopped going for my long walks daily. I went from 5 miles to 3, then to 2. By then he was able to go that far, but loose leash walking is an art I’ve yet to master with Maverick. (I never managed it with Max, either).
And then my back got the stupids, and all bets were off. So the pounds have taken the opportunity to take up residence on my hips once again – not as many but more than I like.
I know how to fix it. I just need to do it. So the “eat less, walk more” program starts anew. It’s too hot still for Maverick to go far, but once it cools off, he can easily do 3 miles with me. I just need to figure out this loose leash thing.
Yesterday some guy posted a video on Twitter (X) of J.D. vance getting on a plane with his GSD. I seriously want to meet the person who trained that dog! He had one finger loosely hooked in the loop of the leash. ONE FLIPPIN FINGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The comments were priceless, the original poster (Took me ages to figure out that “OP” meant “original poster” by the way) was not a fan and stated that anyone could see “that guy never walked a dog before.” He got schooled. Probably didn’t listen, but at any rate. The dog, I believe his name is Atlas, is beautiful and very well trained. Pretty sure he won’t go around biting any Secret Service men! (Or women) (That’s a topic for another day)
Our walk today was not an example of good loose leash walking. However, we aren’t as bad as we used to be and that’s something. The only real pulling was when he insisted on going to say hi to two boys, probably 10 – 12 years old. Yeah, he’s my social butterfly at times.
Suziecreamcheese Sings the Blues 
Good luck Suzie
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Is Maverick tired by the time you get home? Maybe the two of you could go for a walk, then you could go for another by yourself? Or get one of those swimming pools with a current so the two of you can exercise for hours bur never go anywhere! 😆
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He’s tired lately because it’s so hot, normally he’s tired because I let him sniff so much. I wish I could afford that kind of pool!
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I could send you a rabbit for Maverick to chase. I seem to have a surplus of them this year. 🙄
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We have our own!! And squirrels and chippermunks too!
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It makes you wonder what the coyotes are eating if we still have so many of these pests!
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Seriously!!!
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Yeah I need to get back to walking or exercising to my hooked on aerobics tapes again. But yeah too hot to walk outside. I’m sure you will tucker Maverick out with 3 mile walks :).
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I walk in pretty much any weather- I carry water and have more in the car. But it’s way too hot for Maverick.
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Gracie lunges at other dogs now, but avoids people. Most anti-social dog I’ve ever known. Even worse than I am (though it’s been quite a while since I lunged at anything).
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Maverick used to lunge at some dogs – were very good at avoiding them!
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I acquired a few pounds after I retired. Mr. Aitch actually wanted to eat lunch together! You know, real food: sandwich, chips, dessert. I was used to a yogurt, a bowl of real not instant oatmeal (yes, I love the stuff), or just an apple with peanut butter. I gained 15 pounds in four months and it doesn’t want to leave. COVID added another 10 pounds. I started walking with a few of the women in my neighborhood and lost seven pounds. One of the women moved, one has serious health issues, and the other died of cancer so I’m back to walking alone. Which I don’t do. Pepper hasn’t figured out the loose leash technique yet (not much practice on my part) so I just don’t walk anymore.
Now if we lived closer together…..
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I listen to books while walking. I used to listen to music but books feel more productive. I go to this really nice park and see pretty much the same people every day. Today I bumped myself up to 2.5 miles, pretty proud of that! You can do it too!
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