This is our dog Cooper. Today is his 8th birthday.

As he is my first dog, these eight years also mean eight years of morning walks almost every day for me. Hundreds of sunrises and even more grey skies.

Morning walks have become one of my daily rituals that I don’t want to miss. No matter what the weather’s like.

Today’s morning walk was full of these moments I love about morning walks. Wonderful views, a happy dog and lovely encounters with other morning walkers.

I didn’t expect that walking the dog would not only connect me with nature or the nearer surroundings, but also with people. Especially with those who also have dogs.

On most days this means a friendly hello, sometimes the latest local news, and on very special days, maybe when it’s raining so hard that no one is out but those with dogs, a deep conversation about what really matters in life.