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Not Wanting To Smile Is A Terrible Excuse

8/30/2013

28 Comments

 
PictureWhat kind of person would I be if these faces didn't make me smile?
Typist: Bethany
The number one reason why I take my fit dogs out is that when I see them sniffing and panting and strutting their stuff, it always makes me smile. I know that there are literally a million other reasons that they (and I) need to get out and move but I can excuse my way out of all of those. We all need fresh air? I can open a window or we can hang out in the yard. Exercise? We can go later or do extra miles tomorrow and eat less today. I could go on and on. (I will certainly someday be awarded an honorary doctorate in excuse making.) But when I think about Wilhelm's little legs cruising along the sidewalk, Brychwyn's tongue hanging out the side of his mouth and Huxley's fur brushing past my hand each time I swing my arm I get a euphoric feeling better than any high a runner has ever gotten and I know that we must go out. I have no excuse for not smiling.

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You mean you actually thought about not taking us for a walk today?
As an expert in excuse making, I do try to tell myself and the dogs we should stay inside. Sometimes even the dogs lay around lazily and assist my excuse making machine but they are usually very good at persuading me to get out. As a matter of fact, they have an amazing knack for getting me out and smiling when I really do need it most. Scientists will say it's the fresh air that brightens my mood and getting my heart rate up that clears my head. But I know better. It is these eternally happy boys attached to me by my waist/hands that instantly alleviate whatever reason(s) I was making up about not going out. And I never would have gotten up, moving, out in the fresh air if it weren't for the guaranteed smiles from being out and about with my dogs. If I weren't out with Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley, how would I positively know I would feel better? Answer that, science!
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All this fur flowing in the breeze guarantees a smile!
Yesterday, the not going out excuses were running rampant: it was raining and humid, I woke up with the sniffles, I had a ton of work to do, the house
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Who says dachshunds are serious dogs? Serious about smiling!
was a mess, I still haven't unpacked from our trip, the dogs were comfortable on their beds, etc, etc, etc. What I actually went out for was a croissant and a mocha but what a got was exercise, fresh air and of course, smiles. What I discovered as I was walking with my yummy coffee in my hand, mulling over the rest of this post, was not only do my dogs give me great pleasure while happily wagging their way through the neighborhood but everyone we meet smiles too. So I suppose I have a duty to not only excuse my way out of my own smiles, but those of my neighbors too. Oh, and I certainly never mean to discount the smiles on the dogs faces. No matter my expertise in excuse making, not wanting to smile is a terrible excuse.
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Now that we've had a walk there's no excuse not to join me on this very comfy bed for a nap!
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There it is! I have laid out the truth about our often reluctant FitDog lifestyle. While I definitely don't need any more excuses on my list, please share yours in the comments anyways. Maybe the reasons you use to not go out with your dogs will make me and others smile so you've got no excuse!

28 Comments
Slimdoggy link
8/29/2013 02:47:51 pm

I think you will have some competition on the excuse making award. But I back you 100% on the enjoyment I take/get from exercising with my dogs. Jack always has this big smile on his face when he is running and you can't help but smile with him. Maggie, who probably never was exercised in her life is now totally a runner and has the same big goofy grin that Jack has. Hard not to enjoy that time with them! Thanks for joinng the hop.

Reply
Bethany
9/2/2013 08:20:29 am

Well said, "it's hard not to enjoy that time with them." I hope people who let the excuses win and don't get out with their dogs enough see that!

Reply
Kristin link
8/29/2013 03:05:01 pm

Beautiful pups and beautiful smiles. My doggies make me smile too when we go walking. No matter how tired I am, I take them to a park every night to walk because the thought of disappointing them is inconceivable.

Reply
Bethany
9/2/2013 08:23:17 am

Yes! How can we possible disappoint those faces?

Reply
Paws and Pedals (Scooter and Kate) link
8/29/2013 04:03:33 pm

You've hit the nail on the head. Sure my dog's behaviour improves, sure I feel better for being active too, sure it's great for all of us to go outside the gate and socialize BUT the main drive would have to be the look of glee on my dog's face as he's hitting the trail. It lifts my spirits and I'm sure that it makes a lot of people happy that we see on our way. True Words........

Reply
Bethany
9/2/2013 08:37:56 am

A happy dog truly makes many people happy and when they're our own dogs, who love us unconditionally, of course their happy faces are all that matters!

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BoingyDog link
8/29/2013 04:25:36 pm

Great post and well-timed. On our after-work-walk today I was trying to snap photos of Kayo with her tongue hanging out. I got a decent pic! But I realized how much I love seeing her trotting alongside me, tongue dangling with the sides of her mouth pulled back into a smile. It's the greatest feeling! ;0)

Reply
Bethany
9/2/2013 08:51:40 am

The best we can do to love our dogs back just partly as much as they love us is to give them "that face" as often as possible! So glad you make this awesome blog hop your first. It's my favorite one!

Reply
Molly The Wally link
8/29/2013 08:21:25 pm

Happy pups! Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly

Reply
Bethany
9/2/2013 08:55:28 am

Thanks, Molly. Hope your weekend was tail wagging good!

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Taryn link
8/29/2013 09:20:34 pm

Really the only thing that stops me from getting the boys out for their walk is heat. They <i>hate</i> it when it is too hot and humid and often refuse to go. But, that's about it. Any other weather is fine. I credit having dogs with why I am still so slim well into my 50s. They keep me moving every single day!

Reply
Bethany
9/2/2013 08:53:41 am

Before I had Tynan, and my senior husky lived with my mom, I started to get really out of shape. I need dogs to keep me moving. What's the point without them?

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Dusty link
8/29/2013 09:55:16 pm

Wow, those are so cute puppies. My puppies make me smile when I reach home, wagging the moment I see them. They are so adorable and I make sure I do not miss their evening walk which they love so much

Reply
Bethany
9/2/2013 08:54:36 am

Thanks, Dusty, Sounds like your pups are lucky and fit!

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Rebecca link
8/29/2013 10:54:24 pm

I have always loved to hike and walk but find that I go more now that I have Teach asking all the time to get out. And my excuses sound about like yours ... to hot, to much to do, house a mess and so on ... but the bottom line is once I'm out there I'm sure glad I didn't let excuses get in our way. Teach is a much happier/healthy dog when we get out and walk (and a lot less whiny!).

Reply
Bethany
9/2/2013 08:56:34 am

Exactly. Once I get out, I can't even remember what my excuses were!

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Reilly and Denny link
8/29/2013 10:56:33 pm

I am with some others - the only time we don't go walkies is when it is too hot - with both my boys having big coats it would too hard on them - but that is also a good reason to get up super early and take them out while it is cool

Reply
Bethany
9/2/2013 08:58:10 am

Good for you (and your dogs!) I could never live somewhere hot because I am terrible at getting up early. That is one excuse the dogs and I agree on! They like to sleep in too.

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Jessica @ YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner link
8/30/2013 04:02:14 am

I am good at making excuses too. Must be a Northwest weather thing...It's too cold, It's too rainy, It's too hot :) I know that when we do make it out the door I end up smiling a lot too.

Reply
Bethany
9/2/2013 09:00:13 am

It's funny how with this relatively hot summer we have had, though, I have had less excuses to get out on the rainy days. On the hot days, we're just stuck. Rain dries off! Thanks for hopping by.

Reply
Diane @ To Dog With Love link
8/30/2013 09:47:06 am

I have plenty of excuses for not doing my own workouts, but when it comes to exercise with Rocco I can never resist his energy and always-on smile! It's definitely better to workout together! And just like you, we always meet people along the way who smile back!
Your pals,
Diane and Rocco

Reply
Bethany
9/2/2013 09:02:28 am

I no longer bother with workouts that don't include the dogs. I haven't the self-discipline. But making them happy is good for me, so I get plenty of exercise and smiles!

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Small Dog Tails link
8/30/2013 03:49:04 pm

I don't really have a chance to make excuses. The pup is very insistent on getting his walks. It's easier just to go out!

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Bethany
9/2/2013 09:03:11 am

Hooray for persistent FitDogs!

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Francesca Villa link
9/2/2013 04:04:06 am

Great post! Reminds me that I need to smile more!

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Bethany
9/2/2013 09:04:51 am

I'm sure Joker and Lupetto are happy to help!

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Emma link
9/2/2013 09:07:05 am

Our Mom is the problem, we dogs are simply worn out and we try to make excuses to not go for another walk but she doesn't listen and always makes us get up and take her out. Once we are on the road and warmed up, we are all happy to be out. You have to have a strong mind to be vigilant about exercise, our mom has it, us dogs could be couch potatoes if she would let us!

Reply
Bethany
9/2/2013 09:39:50 am

Our boys have couch potato days too, Emma. But we humans love to see you dogs smiling so we're going to keep dragging you out for walks! :)

Reply

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