As winter approaches and the holidays are right around the corner, we all must remember to take care of ourselves. Although it might be cold out and blustery, a simple walk outside can help you feel more awake, healthier and happier. I know many of you see that Tom walks me many times a day. I can't tell you how those walks influence my entire mood, whether it's stopping by a bush for a smell, or visiting a tree for a tinkle, or smelling the pantleg of a human who owns dogs, it keeps me happy.

Humans need to understand dogs don't have cellphones or the ability to constantly be on social media to connect to others, so every sniff we get in or every time we pee out in the open we're communicating with our canine friends. It's important to get out and greet others, now I know you humans don't meet other humans the way we dogs do, which I think is a good thing. I am not sure people would look appropriate coming up behind someone and sniffing them. The holiday season and even the winter weather can cause anxiety and bring up feelings of loneliness and isolation, so even if it is cold out, bundle up and get out there and connect. They say 20 minutes of sun and air a day can be a way to keep depressive and negative thoughts from taking over our mind-set. Tom often puts on his earbuds and plays music as he walks. It makes the time go faster and the music he listens to helps him reflect and as he says, it's fun!

Join Tom and me for a walk sometime and next time you're sitting in the house and looking out the window at the winter scape, grab your gloves, hat, and coat, pick a musical album from your past to listen to and get outside! Sometimes we need to force ourselves to get out and breathe in the air, meet people and take a tinkle.

Getting out is key during the holidays.