It struck me while out walking my dog, Holly, this morning how wonderful it is to have a dog and to have a reason to be out walking every day.
The dog's joy is obvious as she runs free across the fields, weaving and winding, sniffing and following interesting scents and bounding here, there and everywhere with her tail high and her ears back.
As she races backwards and forwards enjoying the fresh air and the chance to run wild I realise how rewarding and how much fun it is having a dog.
I appreciate her a little more every day.
The simple pleasures in life are often the most rewarding.
Seeing her enjoy her freedom makes me happy and reminds me that there is more to life than the everyday stresses and strains of modern life.
My pleasure is just as great as hers.
Walking a dog brings many benefits, physical, mental and emotional.
When I'm out walking the dog my mind clears and I'm able to think.
Striding briskly across the fields I'm reminded of how lucky I am to be alive and healthy.
To have the energy to walk as far as I want, to enjoy time with my dog and to feel the vitality of walking whatever the weather and whatever is going on in my life.
Walking wakes your body up and energises you.
It gets your circulation going, makes the blood pump round your body and makes you feel alive, and grateful to be so.
The exercise and the fresh air feel so good and so healthy.
Being out in nature is refreshing and where I live I'm able to fully appreciate the beautiful views, the sweeping English countryside, the blue skies, the green fields, the red poppies, the birds swooping in the sky.
And, the absolute peace and quiet of the countryside.
In the city we enjoy exploring new neighbourhoods, searching for some green space to throw the ball.
We never fail to find something of interest on our jaunts together.
We are, perhaps, a little more able to put life into perspective when out walking.
Biologically, you are reducing the cortisone and other stress hormones in your body with a brisk walk.
The chance to still your mind and realise your place in the bigger scheme of things is very centring.
I often use my dog-walking time to reflect on issues that I need to deal with.
Being out in nature with my faithful four-legged companion gives me a unique perspective on life, love and the universe.
Dog walking with a friend is fun too and offers the opportunity to share the experience, the exercise, the views and the exploration, and gives time for in-depth conversation.
Together, you have the chance to look at the bigger picture of things, and to let the conversation take a different turn as a result of the stimulation of the great outdoors, and the exercise.
My heart warms when I see my dog bounding towards me, her tongue lolling out, waiting for my approval to go bounding off ahead again.
The sheer enjoyment of our walks together makes this one of life's most simple but most valuable pleasures.
Our walks bond us together and we both look forward to them, regardless of the weather or the time of day.
And of course, all this walking is healthy exercise and will hopefully keep us dog-lovers fit and trim, as well as happy.