This post is in conjunction with James Wellbeloved but all thoughts are my own
You might know that this month is National Walking Month-perfect timing since one of my favourite things to do in the summer months is to get outside in the sunshine. Walking is one of my favourite, low impact ways to exercise and does wonders for my mental health (the vitamin D fix doesn’t hurt either!)
Those of you who follow me on Instagram will also know just how much I love spending time with my two dogs: Bella and Stevie (another of my favourite self-care choices!) and now since my little boy Jude has arrived; walking them both with him has helped me get outside and gently ease myself back into things after my C-Section.
We’re so lucky that since we moved to Henley-in-Arden that we’re surrounded by beautiful walking routes-and for my two pups, there’s nothing better than stretching their legs by roaming through fields and exploring my favourite scenic spots!
In today’s blog post, I’ve teamed up with James Wellbeloved to share some pics that capture my dog’s favourite outdoor adventure, including my own tips for getting outdoors with your canine companions!
Stevie’s Grain Free Journey
Since I’m gluten free myself and blog a lot about digestion, I thought I’d share my dog’s gut health journey too! Of my two dogs, Stevie has struggled with her digestion since we adopted her. Part of this is that when we took her in whilst living abroad, her tail had cruelly been docked really short which caused problems with her muscles when going to the toilet. Along with this, she seemed to be really prone to upset stomachs and just generally didn’t seem as healthy poo wise as Bella.
Our groomer actually recommended we look into grain free food when my other dog Bella developed skin issues and it turned out to be the key to improving Stevie’s digestive health!
Of course, unlike humans, our dogs can’t tell us what ingredients they think they’re intolerant to or get tested in the same way-but I found going grain free meant the dog food they consumed was naturally healthier. What’s more, despite being fussy, James Wellbeloved grain free dog food is one of the few varieties of dog food that they’ve both really enjoyed and absolutely demolished! Some grain free versions really aren’t the most palatable but this absolutely isn’t the case with James Wellbeloved and, true to its name, my dogs have become true fans!
Our Outdoor Adventure
‘The Mount’ in Henley in Arden is one of our favourite walking spots for an outdoor adventure! We begin with a walk along the stream and I was very impressed at our pram’s first attempt at being off-road; it seemed to glide effortlessly over the cobbles and grass. There’s sheep in the adjacent field which I love to walk alongside and watch!
Next to the stream is the entrance to the expansive fields where our dogs can roam free (these are public access and being off leash is allowed). On this occasion, we had the field to ourselves which both dogs loved!
Top Tips for Getting out with Your Dogs This Summer
-Research dog friendly walking routes near you. The National Trust has a list of dog-friendly properties near you but we also look for dog friendly pubs. We’re members and have made the most of this list! However, often the rules change in summer (for example, I’ve found when visiting beaches the rules are different in the summer months) so do your research
-Always check the rules for being off-lead. We always make sure it is okay to do so before letting our dogs off lead and always make sure it is a safe and open area.
-Consider your pet’s diet to make the most of your outdoor adventures during the summer month. Strangely, one of the things that originally seemed to set off Bella’s skin issues was grass-but since going grain free, she’s not had any more allergic reactions. What’s more, Stevie has been much healthier and enjoyed our walks much more.
-Hydration! We always carry collapsable dog bowls and a cooling water bottle to make sure everyone has plenty of h20! This is vital for me too as having Crohn’s puts me at risk of dehydration.
-Look into dog tech! We use a dog activity tracker to make sure our dogs are getting enough exercise and to remind us to get outdoors more often!
I can’t wait to explore the outdoors, even more, this summer with Bella, Stevie and Jude! I’m also looking into a baby carrier which hopefully will make it easier to do so! Let me know where your favourite place to take your dogs is in the comments below!
Your dogs are the cutest! I had no idea it’s National Walking Month. I love exercising and being outdoors. It definitely helps me with my mental health. Henley-in-Arden is just down the road from me (I’m in Redditch!)
You are so lucky to have such beautiful country side to go walking. The fresh air must do the dogs so good.
Aww they look like they love the great outdoors! I love the sound of the dog activity tracker.
It sounds like you have been having some lovely family adventures out and about already! There is so much you can do with your dogs when summer hits, you just need to make sure you are prepared for the weather.
Getting mobile is definitely a big help when recovering after a c-section, and how cute are your dogs?!!!
Your dogs are so cute! I love walking but would love a dog as they’re a great excuse to go on longer walkers during the summer x
Aw wow its great that you live in such a beautiful area where you can let your dogs off the lead safely. Theres so many roads around here that I dont feel comfortable doing it with our daisy xxx
Great tips! I love your dogs by the way. It makes me a bit jealous that you can take your dogs outdoor and let them off without a lead without having to worry about their safety. I wish we had an area like that. I’m planning to take Charlie (my Corgi) on a hike this summer and hopefully it’ll go smoothly. Thanks for this post!
It was really insightful.
Thanks for such a nice content.
Cheers
BTW if anyone interested more have a look https://petcareio.com/ thanks