There are habits, things we do everyday, which nourish our soul. These good habits are ways of bringing joy and goodness into our lives, no matter what might be going on. Good habits help to centre us in the heart of our lives, and to ground us in reality. For me, my dogs are one of my daily good habits which I don’t like to do without.
One of the best things about having dogs are the daily walks, which happen whatever the weather, whatever the season. Walking with my dogs is another of my habits, which I wouldn’t like to break. The exercise and fresh air nourish my body, and the company of my dogs nourishes my heart with fun and smiles. I always feel better after our daily walk.
I’m also addicted to being in nature, immersed in her moods and shifting colours, and her wild generosity. My habitual daily dog walks take me into nature and her soothing comfort. It’s a regular habit which helps me manage the stressful things life has a habit of throwing under my feet.
Whether it’s by the sea, in the woods, on the hills or by the river, I’m also addicted to capturing what a I see with my camera. Almost everyday I will take photos while out in nature with the dogs. The way the light falls over and through the world captures my imagination, leading me on into natures heart. The light changes with the time of day, and the time of year, never the same from one moment to the next, reminding me to savour things just as they are in the moment I find them. So as you can see I have quite a few habits, which thankfully are good for me.
Tumbling out of all of these habits, comes another, the habit of blogging about where I’ve been walking, of sharing my photos, and of following others in their daily adventures and habits. It’s such a lovely way to connect with others, and it’s definitely addictive.
So here are a few more shots of my wonderful dogs, who are the driving force, the muse, behind all these other good habits. They make me smile, and they take me out into the world on new adventures everyday.
Oh and did I mention I’m addicted to sunsets, especially if they fall over the ocean. Well that’s enough of my confessions for today, but if you want to see what habits others are sharing click here to the weekly photo challenge.
breathofgreenair 
You have happy dogs Seonaid : )
Lovely shots!
Thank you….they are a few of the many I take. Almost every time I’m taking photos the dogs are with me, so I catch lots of great shots, in lots of settings 🙂
Hi Seonaid! Your blog is brilliant! Please, allow me to nominate you for the ABC Award.
http://glorialana.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/inspirational-alphabet/
That’s very kind of you Glorialana, and what a lovely comment 🙂
Looks like lots of fun. Dogs are a wonderful excuse for getting out in all sorts of weather. Yours look wonderful.
janet
Janet, they are indeed lots of fun, and a great motivation for getting out and walking 🙂
You are spoiling us with such a stunning selection of images – your gorgeous dogs, the light, the forest, the seaside. Just lovely, Seonaid
Oh but isn’t it nice to be spoiled with things which are good for us 🙂
Lovely relaxed photos of your dogs, Seonaid. 🙂 They look to be having such fun.
Everyone’s having lots of fun…..and Beardies always look like their smiling…..which of course then makes us smile in return 🙂
Wonderful photos of your dogs in nature. I particularly like the gold-washed dogs on a golden beach in (I’m guessing) late afternoon sun, and the preceeding one of dogs ankle-deep in leaves on the trail. I walked and hiked a lot with my husky, and felt more in tune with nature as I watched her alert eyes, pricked ears and quivering nose.
Penny that’s so true, watching the dogs explore with their deeply curious nature deepens my connection with nature too. Willow in particular spends a lot of time looking up into the trees for squirrels, while Maisie like sniffing for rabbits…..Molly just copies the other two 🙂
You were spot on thinking the beach shot was taken in late afternoon sun….the light was starting to drop into the sea, and it turns beautiful colours as it does this. The shot at the end was taken about 40 minutes later slightly further along the same beach!
Amazing! Love the dogs and the stunning place you inhabit:)
Thank you, and I can only agree wholeheartedly about the dogs, and the wonderful countryside of the Lothians. I feel lucky every day 🙂
You’re certainly in the right place to feed your nature addiction…beautiful shots.Seonaid.
That’s so true, I’m not sure how I would cope with life deep in a city……I love to be in Edinburgh, but it’s a very small city….and very pretty, with lots of textures and history ( another of my addictions!)
What wonderful companions … lovely animals with such obvious personalities which are clearly reflected in the image you have provided. You are a lucky woman to have such lovely beasts as muses and close friends. I’ve enjoyed the way in which you suggest they provide the motivation for some of your best habits … keep in mind that you provide the motivation for some of their best habits as well. A very healthy synergy for all. D
That’s a great way of looking at it David….we encourage each other and everyone’s happy 🙂 connecting with life and nature is such a great way to stay as healthy as possible…..especially good for our emotional and mental health! We are lucky to have such great fun companions.
You have some beautiful photos of your lovely habit 🙂
Thank you…it is a rather lovely habit 🙂
You were nominated for the Sunshine Award.
Have a nice day!
That’s very kind, thank you 🙂
What will we do without our pets? They become such wonderful companions. Beautiful photos
Oh I don’t want to think of being without them….my world would be a much sadder place!
Oh such a lovely post, Seonaid! Your canine companions are a joy to behold!
Thank you, I think so too, but fear I might be biased! They make me smile many times a day 🙂
There are no better habits, are there? They give and give and give…and love them back we do. It’s impossible to be without those beautiful friends – I tried for one year, and that was the most miserable year in my life. Always one dog at a time…but after that devastating, lonely year I had to have two…
They are really gorgeous, your dogs. After I had lost Amanda, my beardie, I bought Mille and then Totti. My boys…
I can only agree Anna Christine, and I know that you still miss Amanda, despite your wonderful handsome boys.
We didn’t really mean to end up with three dogs…..but Beardies are rather collectible 🙂
🙂
They’re beautiful dogs and you photograph them so well too! I grew up with dogs and really miss having them. I’m not well enough to give a dog all the care and activities they need! I’m lucky to have my cats though 🙂
Thanks for the great comment Sarah, and I’m sad to hear you can’t have a dog, but cats are great too. We have two boys, but they don’t get much of a look in with photos, as the dogs steal all the glory 🙂 Both cats and dogs are great for our health, with the bond we make and the fun we can share together 🙂
They are very good for our health! Animals have great empathy. I did a bit of Riding For The Disabled and would love to do more as I’ve always loved horse riding. Some elements of my Crohn’s made that impossible, at least for now! I always love meeting dogs when I’m out by the local canal. Some owners are so worried about their often damp and muddy dogs coming over to say hello, but I love it 🙂 We’re certainly having great fun getting to know our new kittens!!
Wonderful! 🙂
Thanks 🙂
The dogs are so cute.
You can put them on an action and sell them very expensive on an action after those pictures of yours 🙂 😀
All the best and have a nice sunday, Seonaid.
Hanna
Thanks Hanna, glad you enjoyed the doggie photos. Don’t think I’ll be putting them up for auction though….they are too precious to me 🙂 Enjoy your Sunday too.
Beautiful photographs and I can so relate! 🙂
Thanks Amanda, it’s great to meet a fellow addict 🙂
Oh I’m so envious. I wrote about the fact I can no longer do exactly this. Your dogs are divine!!!!!
Oh such a scrumptious comment Mrs Carmichael, but I’m sorry to have fanned the flames of envy…….you’ll have another dog when the time is right for you 🙂
beautiful post, as always 🙂
Such a lovely comment, thank you 🙂
great posts.
Thank you 🙂
I am like you addicted to nature…
She is a very addictive habit 🙂
Beautiful shots especially the reflections.
Thanks Judy, dogs and beaches go so well together…..and of course I love the sea 🙂
Seonaid, these are definitely good habits 🙂 Thank you for being such a positive influence 🙂 Your dogs are beautiful, and if I could ever afford one I would like to have one of your puppies 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Thank you Paula, of course I have to agree about my dogs 🙂 Beardies are wonderful companions, loving to be with their people. Right now Willow is asleep across my lap. Unfortunately though there will be no more puppies from our dogs 😦
Give him a pat for me 🙂
I totally agree. Having dogs gives you habits, that are good for you.
I can only agree with you wholeheartedly 🙂
So good to see your dogs again – I love ’em 🙂
Aw thanks….it’s lovely to hear from all the hairy dog lovers out there 🙂
Ahh Seonaid I really enjoyed walking with you this mornng, your furry people are adorable. You have some lovely places to walk, are they nearby or do you have to drive to get there? I especially love the dogs on the hillside and of course your words are a perfect match. Happy weekend!
So glad you enjoyed the walk, it was lovely having you along 🙂
These shots were all taken on local dog walks, within maybe 15 mins of driving. Some of the woodland shots are just a 5 minute walk away. Oh and the hillside shot is taken on Aurthurs Seat, but at the back….where not many visit!
I always feel lucky to have hills, sea and woodland so close to us. it gives a lovely choice each day of where to walk 🙂
The dogs are to be thanked for developing such excellent habits! A delightful trio, inspiring trips to so many places of enchantment.
Indeed, I couldn’t have said that better myself 🙂
What a beautiful world you live in Seonaid and the light in your photos is exquisite. I love the photo of your dog walking among the trees such a peaceful setting and the golden light on the beach is stunning
Thank you, and I do feel blessed to live in such beautiful surroundings. So glad you like the light in the photos….light is the thing which fascinates me most. If you look closely at the woodland walk through the tree avenue, you’ll notice the other two hairy hounds in the distance, quite a bit further down the track!
I agree about the light aspect of photography it is a constant challenge and fascination. I had to go back and look again for your other 2 furballs. Great photo
This is a great take on the challenge. I especially like the photos of the dogs on the beach.
Thanks Suzanne, beaches and dogs seem to me to be made to go together….and as a bonus we catch some beautiful sunsets, and late afternoon light!
a lovely shaggy dog shot there xx
Shaggy dogs are the best, Scruffy Nellie!
I LOVE beardies:) They make those walks funny too!!
Yay, a beardie lover! And it’s so true that they make everything funny….especially walks:-)
I can’t wait to have another beardie! Keep the pics coming:) Thanks!
So you had one yourself…..boy/girl….name?
You’ll get a regular small dose here, but I don’t like to bore people with too many shots of my dogs!
I take some almost every day 🙂
I moved away, her name is Logan. Grey, 7 year old beardie full of sassiness …
What wonderful and nurturing habits you have confessed to, Seonaid. 🙂 I so enjoyed your photos.
Thank you, and as you notice it’s only good habits I’m confessing to today 🙂
Hehehe. What about tomorrow?
Lovely post. Beautiful dogs, wonderful words.
And what a gorgeous comment Mike!
What a great way to start any day! And end it, too. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your fluffy pup photos. What charmers. 🙂
My pleasure Brenda, and you’re absolutely right, they are a right bunch of charmers 🙂
🙂
Daily walks in nature with dogs and camera – can’t think of very many better addictions (ahem – good habits) to have.:-)
I can only agree 🙂 thankfully all these addictions seem to have only good side effects!
I love to see your dogs again. So sweet. I totally agree with the importance of that type of habits you mention. I don’t know if I manage to ground in reality with my drawing habit :D, but… it feels also great to have that escape. Thanks for sharing once again.
Oh I think painting is definitely grounding you in the reality of the here and now….as you focus on the paints and the water and the sweep of the brushes. It’s pulling your creativity down into reality…and then we all get to see your lovely creations 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed seeing the dogs again.
Your dogs make me smile; they’re so adorable. And I bet they are good walking companions. 🙂
That’s so lovely to hear, and yes they make great walking companions with all their wild mischief and energy 🙂
Gorgeous! I felt as though I was right there with you. This is one of your best posts yet.
Thanks Cynthia, it’s lovely to have you along with us 🙂