The Unexpected Health Benefits of Pipe Smoking - For a Dog

Like some others of us on the forums, I'm a bit of a dog lover. My current beast four-legged companion is a miniature pinscher named Connor, who will be turning 10 this fall. I've had him since he was eight weeks old, and I've enjoyed every minute of my time with him. Needless to say, watching him grow old has been a bittersweet experience. He's slowed down quite a bit in the last couple of years, gained weight, and developed arthritis in on hip. But surprisingly, things have changed for the better ever since Dad took up the pipe
I'm not allowed to smoke in the house, so while it's warm I've done most of my smoking outside. Three or four times a week I've loaded up a pipe and taken Connor out to the park behind our house. We spend a good hour or more out there - me, wandering around aimlessly while I puff away, and him, running around in the grass and trees. At first his running was limited to the first ten minutes or so of our time outside, but gradually his stamina has improved. He's lost a lot of weight, and you can tell he's moving around much more easily than before. Today I packed my big old Rossi freehand up and we spent almost two hours out there. The only time he stopped running was when he found an interesting smell that he just HAD to stop and investigate (and maybe add too lol).
I can't say if smoking a pipe has been any good for MY health, but it's certainly improved the health of my little boy :clap:

I've got a feeling the whole experience is good for you too!

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It's been good for both of us. I'm amazed at how much more I'm enjoying all of my time with Connor now that he's in better health. He's acting like a dog half his age. Although, I could sure do without the return of the classic min-pin stubbornness :roll:

Are the benefits from smoking or from exercise? Sounds like you are smoking and the dog is exercising. How has the trip to the park affected your health?

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Oh, definitely from exercise, and yeah, mainly the dog benefits that way. I work in the flooring department at one of the big-box hardware stores. I get more than enough exercise each day with all the lifting and walking I do during my shift lol. As for how the trips to the park have affected my health, it's done wonders for me mentally and emotionally. Like several other forum members have noted, smoking my pipe gives me an hour or so of concentrated "me" time and has become almost a form of meditation for me. It helps me relax and I find that my relaxed state of mind carries through to the rest of the day.
And seeing a ten year old dog sprint full-tilt across the park for no more reason than the sheer joy of being able to do so, can't help but bring a smile to Dad's lips :D