Loss of dog = loss of steps

So sorry to read about your pupper

If you're tech savvy, there are apps that turn walking/running into games - 'The Walk' and 'Zombies, Run!' can both be used while walking. I guess even 'Pokemon Go' would give you an excuse to get out and about too.

I'm so sorry.

Had the same problem after putting our 14 year old lab to sleep last May. I still walk/jog to the gym but lose out on another 4000 steps wandering the streets with the dog. I just try and force myself to walk round the block but more often than not, stay in the warm and dry and tell myself I will get out more when its lighter in the evenings ................. :-)

Im so sorry about your dog. We lost ours a few years back and it was devastating, still miss him. I tried contacting a rescue shelter after I lost mine asking if I could volunteer since it was just down the road, unfortunately that rescue never got back to me. But it’s maybe worth a try if you have one close to you. my mother and I used to just walk around befriending other people’s dogs for a while till we eventually got a new doggo.

losing a fur baby is heartbreaking. i am so sorry for your loss.

when you are ready, go to the shelter and see about finding a new pup for your family. especially a mid age or older one, who are adopted less frequently, and will LOVE to go on walks with you

i adopted rylie, a jack russell yorkie mix (which means hes part demon dog lol), a few weeks after i lost my beloved renji (mini schnauzer). Hes no renji, but in his own, schizophrenic way, he helped me heal. We also have 2 other dogs -an 18 year old standard poodle and an 8 year old german shepherd.

I set a timer for 30 minutes to 1 hour and walk around my house when I don't walk outside. I listen to podcasts.

It is hard to lose a long time companion. (hugs). The best way to honor her is to go to the nearest shelter and volunteer to walk some of their dogs. When the time is right, you will be able to open your heart to another.

denisek3 wrote: »

Thanks all for the kind thoughts and suggestions. I've decided to volunteer at the local humane society as a dog walker. It will only be once a week (to start), but that's one more day of additional steps - plus, helping a dog escape the confines of a cage for a few hours will be therapeutic for us both. And I hope to get in a little dose of dog loving again.

Great plan

It took me YEARS to get over the loss of my dog. I moved right after he died and was not in a place to get another dog. And still am not, as my OH and I cannot resolve our differences regarding indoor/outdoor dogs. So we got a cat

But I am sure I would have gotten over the loss much faster if I had been able to get another one.

If you're not ready to adopt another dog, have you thought about volunteering at a shelter? They could always use dog walkers.

I'm sorry about your loss. I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet.

Volunteering at the shelter is a great idea, but as you said, it doesn't help with the day to day exercise. Have you thought about asking a family member to walk with you? Husband or child or good friend? My husband and I walk our dog together twice a day. It is a good time to reconnect after a busy day. Sometimes we talk a lot, sometimes we just walk together in silence, but at least we are together. I could get better exercise without him, since he walks slowly, but I enjoy spending the time with him, and I know he needs to move as badly as I do. I like to think that even after our dog passes, we'll continue to walk regularly. It feels so good to stretch the muscles at the beginning of the day and after an evening at the computer or in front of the television. I enjoy experiencing nature in all seasons, watching the changes in our neighborhood as spring blossoms grow or Christmas decorations appear. When it's freezing outside, I enjoy getting bundled up and watching the stars at night. In summer there is something so peaceful about wandering at night. It would be good to see if you can get someone to do that with you, until you decide you are ready for another dog.

I understand how walking around the neighborhood without your beloved dog is hard. sigh. I'm so sorry. sounds like you're trying most everything. There is walking around the mall..I've seen exercisers doing that. The youtube suggestion is a good one.. I just looked that up yesterday with cold weather keeping me inside..it was fun because you're doing it with the group in the video.

I’m sorry about your dog, but while your heart heals have you thought about volunteering at your local shelter to walk dogs. It would be a win win!

I am sorry for your loss. they are such huge parts of our life and routine, it's devasting when we lose them.

Lost my 13 year old lab last March, the last year with him he was my entire life (caring for him and his growing needs). Losing him I had to quickly make plans to keep busy. I threw myself into physical activity with all that time (and no commitment to going home right after work to care for a dog). I kept the walks and adding the gym, then a running program. And it really kicked off my entire weight loss journey after putting on 35 or so pounds the last few years. There have been some set backs with injuries making me rely mostly on walking for exercise VS running/gym. I also threw in some yoga.

I still haven't added another dog nearly a year out. Mostly anxiety and stress over "picking the right one". which is silly but i tend to overthink things and become paralyzed at the though of making a decision. IF things go well i hope to bring home a puppy late summer (but we'll see, so many things could still happen). Which will make balancing physical activity and puppy activity more difficult but i'll be in maintenance so hopefully it works out!

denisek3 wrote: »

Thanks for the continued suggestions and thoughts. I went for a walk this morning this morning with my husband for the first time since our dog died and it felt good, even though it was cold. We talked about doing it more regularly. We like our neighborhood in part because most of the dogs do seem to already get walked. I think I'm going to work out more at home (apps/youtube videos) and seek new classes at the gym since regular dog walking isn't going to happen anytime soon.

TeaBea wrote: »

I'm sorry for your loss.

You might check out walking style workouts on YouTube....Leslie Sansone or Jessica Smith. The temp here is 9° so indoor workouts keep me consistent.

https://www.youtube.com/user/walkathomemedia

I agree, Leslie Sansone is awesome!