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| Liam as a youngster. |
Animals know they
need sunlight to stay healthy. In fact, their fur collects and stores
vitamin D from the sun, releasing it slowly as needed. Whether it is 10 degrees
or 90 degrees outside, my dogs seek out the sun. Even while indoors if there is
a swathe of sunshine to be found anywhere on the floor I’m sure to see one
soaking it up! My kitty is often curled up on a sun-drenched window sill.
Ranch life makes it easy for my dogs to get all the exercise
and sunshine their loving heart’s desire. Granted, the majority of pet owners
don’t live in the country, but you still can and should apply all of the eight
great Laws in your pets’ lives – it just might mean being a little creative!
Making sure they get the sunlight they need and desire
during the winter months takes extra care, especially in certain sun-challenged
geographic locations like our former home of western Washington. But it’s still
feasible by grabbing an umbrella those rainy days or bundling up and heading
outside with your dog on sunny days. That natural dose of vitamin D and exercise
are great for you, too, and what a wonderful
time for bonding and to do a little training!
In spring and summer it doesn’t require much effort to
enjoy the sun’s healthful benefits, save for protecting our skin from too much exposure. Speaking as a person
who is painfully hyper-sunsensitive, there are safe chemical-free topical
products as well as a certain type of fabric from which a line of clothing is
made that offer the needed protection. I still take in those wonderful rays as
much as sensibly possible!
I hope you too will take
advantage of the lovely sunny days where you are and get outside with your dog
to take in the sunshine!
