A new year brings lots of thoughts about what lies ahead in the coming year and whilst we like to think that it is all positive, for some of us the new year can feel a bit of an anti-climax and those ‘January blues’ kick in for no known reason and we look to what we can plan and explore to make us feel brighter and lighter in our step.
Pet therapy to help the January blues
Words & pictures by Zoe Noyes Photography
B
EING with a pet can be one of those opportunities to take stock of what we would like to do and to sit there in the comfort of our own home. Snuggling up to our pet or having it on our lap to stroke has been reported to raise your serotonin which is a nerve transmitter associated with calmness and can make us feel like happier people even if we don’t realise it at the time. This could be a pet as small as a rabbit or guinea pig but more likely to be your feline or canine companion. It was only when I was looking on Facebook the other day that a post popped up and a lady commented that ‘having a dog could give you the reason to get out of the house, to help alleviate depression or to de-stress, for exercise or to fulfil the desire to be out in nature’. This statement is most likely to be true for having dogs but as mentioned before, it can be our smaller companions that help too. Being out in the fresh air is good for the mind and soul as well as the body and having a route to plan where you can exercise well and let your dog off the lead so they feel as invigorated as you, can be very rewarding. At this time of year, we can get some of those wonderful cold air, blue sky, sunny days and around Stamford there is so much beautiful countryside to see. SO WHERE COULD YOU GO? Burghley Park - acres of parkland where if your dog is on their lead, you can be on or off road. Whilst many people prefer to use fixed leads for walking their dog, an extendible lead can be useful at a place like this to allow them the freedom to run but still be on a lead. www.burghley.co.uk/ visiting/visiting-overview/ Hills & Holes, Barnack - there are several entrance gates to this open space and then gates between each quarter, allowing you the freedom to let your dog forage and investigate all of the wonderful smells of the flora and fauna (and other dog scents too!). However please be careful at this time of year as sheep will be grazing in certain areas and then your dog MUST be on a lead. Signage is regularly updated at the entrances to tell you where the sheep are. www.fbhh.org.uk/?page_id=37 Rutland Water - a plethora of walks as well as activities to engage you with being in the great outdoors either with or without your canine companion. Please note dogs must stay on their leads and some areas are restricted. www.rutlandwater.org.uk/visitor-info/permits-openingtimes/ Fineshade Woods - a fabulous array of woodland with a variety of walks as well as routes for cycling. Dogs are allowed off lead once you are within the woods themselves and there is plenty for both owner & dog to discover www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-8d7gjr
32 Main Street, Great Casterton, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 4AA
A VETERINARY PRACTICE WITH A DIFFERENCE Tel: 01780 763180 www.stamfordvets.co.uk 36
STAMFORD LIVING JANUARY 2018
Hills & Holes, Barnack