Hi, have you ever had a pet? Since the weather is getting nicer here in NY, I see many people walking with their dogs on the street. Also, I sometimes happen to see people carrying their dogs in a shoulder bag in a subway. Anytime I see a dog in a bag, I think how good as gold she is in a bag -- never trying to rap and get out.

My parents have a dog (miniature dachshund) named "Maron" which means a "chestnut" in Japanese. They named him so because his hair is chestnut brown color. When I was in Japan, I usually took Maron for a walk every evening. Especially in the summer, it feels great to walk with being exposed to a night breeze. So no matter when I come across people with their dogs, they remind me the moment.

I did some research about walking with our dogs. Here are some tips for it:
*Water -- Carry water for both you and your pet.

*Rest Stops -- Find a shady spot and take ten. Play with the dog, talk to other walkers, and cool down a bit.

*Carry a pooper scooper -- Many carry plastic bags that newspapers sometimes come in.

*Identification -- Every dog should have a couple of forms of identification. Name tags and collars get lost.

*Is your Dog ready? -- Consider if the dog is healthy enough, has the desire, and is trained enough to walk the distance at your side.

Does anyone follow these tips when you walk with your dog? Me? I don't have any ID tags for my dog; therefore I think I should get one just in case.

As you know, walking is a great exercise not only for us but also for dogs. If you need a company to walk with, let's take your dog with you. Or your dog may take YOU for a walk!

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