Is Winter Getting You Down?

Hi there

Winter is the time of year that lots of people are affected by SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Having lived in the UK for most of my life, I know exactly what this feels like. Cold, dark, grey days, sometimes going for longer than a week before seeing the sunshine. It can get you down, everyone feels much better when the sun is shining and you can feel a bit of warmth on your back when you go out.

I must admit, I found it hilarious when we first came to live in Australia to find that this affects people living here too. I just couldn't understand what they were talking about, perhaps if you live in Tasmania, Victoria or Canberra, yes I'd have more of an understanding. However, probably six years into my time living here I was starting to get it. The difference between the long, hot, bright sunny days of Summer and the shorter, greyer days of Winter, I began to see why people were affected here too.

What has this got to do with our pets you might be thinking? As most of us know, our pets can pick up on the way we feel. If you are a Friends fan, you might remember the episode when Joey broke the dog? For those of you that don't know, Joey was feeling depressed and so his friend Phoebe decided to lend him a dog for company to cheer him up. Instead he depressed the dog! So for our little furry friends it's a double whammy, not only are they picking up on how we feel but they can also be affected from stark difference between Summer and Winter. What can we do about it? You can get SAD therapy lamps for your home, this has been proven to help with increasing energy during the winter months. Getting out and about can also help, quite often you find that although the house is cold, it really isn't too bad outside. Going for a walk gets you feeling alive again and our dogs love to go out, smell the air and get exercise come rain or shine. Growing up, we took our dogs out every single day, come rain, shine, snow or frosty days it was part of their routine and they loved it.

If you get home from work and you just don't have the energy or inclination to walk the dog I can help. While you are at work or if you just need a break, I can come round and take your dog for a walk. I service the Blackwood to Happy Valley suburbs and it would give me great pleasure to walk your dog. If you are not keen on your dog going out while the weather is cold, I can come round and play with your dog so that they get the exercise that they need to keep them fit and healthy.

Here is a great article with further information if you are interested.

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/dog-depression-and-canine-seasonal-affective-disorder/

At K9 Walkies this week, for regular readers, I walked Blue on his own this week. He didn't make it easy as he wanted Mum or Dad around but once we got going he was loving it. We also had a last minute overnight booking for return guest Layla at the doggy hotel. She has already booked her long Winter break in August. Slots are going quickly, but I still have availability for the July school holiday. If you need a home from home with one on one attention, we only take one dog at a time, then look no further than K9 Walkies for your dog's holiday. While you are away, rest assured that your dog will be well looked after guided by their usual routine.

Thanks for reading

Regards, Kath