If Time Equals Money, What Does Doodle-Time Equal?

[Leslie and Halas]

I was thinking this morning about the value of time.  Specifically, the 10-15 minutes Halas and I spend on our morning walks.

For the last couple of months, if I leave the house for my morning workout, I take Halas for a walk when I get home.  After that, I get ready and head off to work.  So these walks mean that I get to work about 10-15 minutes later than I would otherwise.  I got to thinking this morning about that 10-15 minutes, and what it's worth.

Getting to work 10-15 minutes later doesn't have much of an effect on my work day.  I can stay a little later, take a shorter lunch, get in a little earlier another day, spend less time on DK during the work day, whatever.  I'm not working somewhere where I have to be there at a specific time every day, so I'm not in a situation where I could be fired for being late every day.  The 10-15 minutes is easy to make up, so it isn't really lost, which means that there's almost no value attached to arriving 10-15 minutes later for me.

But converting that 10-15 minutes to Doodle-Time, and spending it with Halas, increases the value.  That time becomes almost priceless.  He gets extra time outside and gets a little bit of exercise, and we get some good bonding time.  I think that bonding time is so important all through a doodle's life, not just when they're puppies.  So I really appreciate those extra few minutes walking with him.

Once tax season rolls around, it's dark when I leave for work, and dark when I get home.  I don't like to take him to the field behind our condo when it's dark out (critters), so our walking time is really limited then.  All the more reason to take advantage of daylight hours now, and go on as many walks as we can.

To summarize:  10-15 minutes at work = not really all that valuable.  10-15 minutes walking with Halas = priceless.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Your story is priceless:)  

[Penny, Comiskey & Beemer]

So totally agree...and I am lucky enough to spend 24/7 with my doodles!  Thanks for sharing.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Totally agree that doodle time is time well spent! Now is optimal for us a well, getting home after dark stinks.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Love this......I love walking Jack....such a great time. We walk the neighborhood Jack gets loads of love from the kids and I get to chat. We both look forward to our walks.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Great point, Leslie. The only time during every single day that matters to me is when I'm with my doodles. I've always claimed that work gets in the way of my life. I go to bed on Friday night thinking of all the wonderful things we could do with the boys over the weekend.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Best 45 minutes of my day!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I love this blog, Leslie!

My walks with JD every morning and evening are priceless to me. Beyond the exercise and the bonding time, it gives me a chance really see the world in all it's seasons, up close and personal, feel and smell the changes in the air as summer turns to fall, winter to spring, notice all the beauty of nature that I might not see otherwise, relieve stress, breathe deeply, look at the world through JD's eyes and share it with him, and reinforce his obedience training at the same time. I wouldn't trade that time for anything. It really is priceless.

[Leslie and Halas]

Thanks for reading, everyone.  It sounds like we all do the same doodle math.  Work has been really busy and kind of stressful lately, with the last couple of days making me want to kill some of my clients.  So it's been really great to get those morning walks in and to go home at lunch and see that fuzzy face.  Even if I'm still irritated at the end of the day, it goes away as soon as I walk in the door.  I do think that Halas definitely lowers my blood pressure and improves my mood.  But since Halas is the reason I'm here on DK (sometimes during work hours - gasp!), I'm not sure if it improves my work productivity. :)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I think there is probably a whole lot more value than most can even imagine.  I'm guessing lowered blood pressure, less stress, better mood, more productive once you arrive at work etc.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Let me know if you need an accountant on you team since we do math the same way :)