Here’s a hot take: you matter too. If you’re feeling dizzy, exhausted, or like your head is full of cotton candy, skip the long walk. A grumpy or distracted human makes walks stressful. Your dog can smell your stress—literally, they can smell your cortisol.
No shame in a “parking lot picnic”—drive five minutes, sit on a bench, let your dog sniff one bush for ten minutes. That counts as an adventure. The goal is connection, not distance.
And for the love of all that is holy, don’t scroll your phone the whole time. Look up! See that squirrel? Your dog sees it. Being present makes the walk safer because you’ll notice the broken glass, the loose off-leash dog, or the goose that wants revenge.
Is It Safe To Walk My Dog Right Now | Detroit Chinatown