The Joy of Walking Dogs in All Weather and Its Impact on Our Wellbeing

If we were sat having a coffee, I’d probably laugh and say my week is a bit of a patchwork. Monday to Friday I’m out walking dogs, whatever the weather decides to do, and at weekends I work in a garden centre. Somewhere in between all that, I’m also a pet portrait artist. It sounds busy, but honestly, all of it fits together in a way that feels very natural to me.

Being outdoors is the common thread. Whether I’m walking dogs through muddy fields, chatting to customers among the plants, or coming home to draw animals, nature is always part of my day. And I’m fairly sure that without it, I wouldn’t work — or cope — half as well.

Walking Dogs in All Weathers (Because Most Dogs Don’t Check the Forecast)

Dog walking means showing up regardless of the weather. Rain, wind, frost, mud — it’s all part of the job. Some mornings you step outside, take one look at the sky, and think right then… let’s do this. Dogs, of course, are delighted. If anything, some of them enjoy the walk more when the weather’s a bit dramatic. running frantically through the biggest puddles they can find.

Different conditions bring out different behaviours. Windy days can make dogs more alert or reactive, while rain often seems to sharpen their focus. Hot weather slows everything down — shorter shaded routes, more water breaks, and keeping a close eye on each dog’s comfort. Walking dogs day in, day out gives you a real understanding of how environment affects thoughts and behaviour.

That constant observation feeds directly into my work as a pet portrait artist. Understanding how dogs move, react, and express themselves in different conditions helps me create more realistic and emotionally accurate pet portrait commissions.

How Dogs Behave Differently with a Dog Walker

One thing people often find fascinating is how dogs can behave differently with a walker compared to their owners. It’s not a judgement — it’s just canine psychology. Dogs are incredibly sensitive to routine, consistency, and energy. With me, many dogs seem to slip into a calm, purposeful walking mode and then there are those that chance their luck....wanting to go only where they want to go!

They know what’s expected but don't always want to play by the rules. Some dogs that are boisterous at home become settled and focused, while others show confidence and curiosity that owners don’t always see. It’s all about trust and structure.

Spending this much time with dogs — especially breeds like Jack Russells, Rescue mix, and Bulldogs — has taught me to read subtle body language and expression. Those same skills are invaluable when I’m creating custom dog portraits, where capturing personality matters just as much as likeness.

Why Being Outside in Nature Makes Such a Difference

Being outside every day changes the way you see things. You start noticing small details — the shift of light through trees, the first signs of seasonal change, the way the same path feels completely different in winter compared to summer.

There’s something deeply grounding about walking dogs through fields and even through housing estates that have open areas......nature doesn’t rush, whatever the situ. It doesn’t overcomplicate things. It just gets on with what it needs to do. That steadiness is comforting, especially when life feels heavy or noisy.

A lot of my inspiration as an animal artist comes from these moments. The colours, textures, and natural movement I see on walks find their way into my drawings and paintings, keeping my pet portrait work rooted in real life rather than something overly polished or artificial.

Grief, Granville, and Keeping Moving Forward

Losing our boxer, Granville, now over 16 months ago, was heartbreaking. Anyone who’s lost a dog will understand how quiet the world suddenly feels. Routines vanish overnight, and the absence is everywhere.....even after all this time

Walking dogs has helped me through that grief in ways I didn’t expect. Some days are harder than others — certain dogs, expressions, or moments can catch me off guard. But being around dogs every day has also been healing. It reminds me why that bond is so powerful.

Granville shaped who I am — not just as a dog owner, but as an artist. Painting dogs, walking dogs, and spending time observing them feels like a way of honouring him. That emotional connection is something I carry into every pet portrait commission I create.

Weekend Life in a Garden Centre

At weekends, working in a garden centre gives me a different kind of grounding. Plants work to their own timetable, and you can’t rush them. Growth happens when conditions are right, not when you demand it.

It’s also where I get to connect with people. Garden centres seem to invite conversation — about plants, pets, weather, and life in general. Those everyday chats matter more than we often realise.

Between dog walking and garden centre work, I stay connected — to animals, nature, and people. That balance feeds directly into my artwork and how I approach my pet portrait commissions.

How Dog Walking Shapes My Pet Portrait Commissions

Walking dogs has made me a better pet portrait artist. Spending so much time observing dogs — how they move, how they hold themselves, how their expressions change — gives me a deeper understanding when I sit down to draw or paint.

When someone books a pet portrait commission with me, I’m not just copying a photograph. I’m drawing from lived experience. From muddy walks, joyful zoomies, quiet companionship, and real relationships with animals.

If you’re curious about commissioning a portrait, you can find more details on my👉 pet portrait commissions page:https://www.dogroseandcatnip.art/commissions

A Final Thought (Before the Coffee Goes Cold)

Being outdoors, whatever the weather, keeps me grounded. Dogs don’t worry about tomorrow. Plants don’t rush the seasons. Spending time with both has helped me through grief, creativity, and everyday life.

Walking dogs isn’t just a job for me — it’s part of who I am. And it quietly shapes everything else I do, including the pet portraits I create.

Thanks for sitting with me for a moment. Sometimes it’s nice just to share how all the pieces fit together.

Take Care! Lynda x