New Years Resolutions - Take a Walk

As 2007 rolls in, you might be thinking of some New Year's Resolutions for you and your dog: Take a Walk.

Recently, I saw an article touting the benefits of walking your dog - for you! Kate Morris, publisher of the new ezine for dog lovers (www.bowzer.biz) cites the results of research at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The study conducted during 2006 measured the weight loss in pet owners who walked their dogs regularly. The average weight loss in participants was just over 15lbs each. Now you may be familiar with other studies showing the benefits of daily walking on your health. Wendy Bumgarner who writes on the benefits of walking in her Guide Book entitled Walking found that a moderate level of physical activity, such as walking 30 mintues a day, lengthened life by 1.3 years and added 1.1 more years without cardiovascular disease.

And the walk does such good things for your relationship with your dog. Cesar Millan in his philosophy of dog training emphasizes three components to fostering a balanced relationship with the dog - exercise, discipline and affection. (www.cesarmillan.com).

Those of us at Chic Paws may be too familiar with the affection component and not enough with the exercise component in this important balanced triad. However, the walk is the means to a consistently bonded relationship. It is somehow part of the pack mentality. The best way to start 2007 is developing a consistent walking schedule for you both.

Now of course, at Chic Paws we offer beautiful collars, leashes and harnesses to "mix it up" a bit when you go for your walk. You can choose from snakeskin collars and leads to gorgeous Swarovski crystal collars, lead and harnesses. The point is that taking your dog for a walk can be more fashion forward, fun and healthy. It doesn't mean taking that same old worn out nylon leash out of the drawer. Visit us at www.chicpaws.com in Collection II to see our new collar/lead sets that will keep you stylishly fit well into 2007.

Make your walk a special time - when you consider the benefits to both you and your dog why not do it in style!

Chic Paws is offering a 15% discount on all Collection II styles until February 14, 2007.