WALKIES – most four-legged friends’ favourite word!

January is Walk Your Dog Month – a whole month dedicated to getting our furry friends out and about enjoying a walk.

With many people marking the start of the new year with new year’s resolutions to get fit and exercise more frequently, what better way to improve your wellbeing – and your dog’s – than by enjoying the great outdoors?

Earlier this month, we asked you to share photos of your dogs on their favourite walks.

Carr Mill Dam, Billinge Hill and Newton Park were popular destinations as were Havannah Flash towards Blackbrook, Clinkham Woods and Sankey Valley Park.

Walks in Cromdale Grove and Daisyfield woodlands were also among the favourites with some dogs.

A recent study by outdoor retailers GO Outdoors and mental health charity Mind revealed that nearly half of Brits (49 per cent) have experienced challenges with their mental health with 61 per cent agreeing that the outdoors is where they feel the most content.

And more than half of dog owners in the UK (56 per cent) say they find outdoor activities more enjoyable with their dogs.

Here are a few of your four-legged friends on a walk – running in the fields and woods and splashing in muddy puddles.

Don’t worry if you didn’t get chance to share a photo of your dog - there’s still time to send one in using the link at the bottom of the page.

Community answers

Walk Your Dog Month

"Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk this January"

We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.

From Bernadette Davies

What's your dog's name?Davies

Where in St Helens do you live?Thatto Heath

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Harley only has a little walk as she gets tired quickly but she loves to stroll in Thatto Heath ParkHarley only has a little walk as she gets tired quickly but she loves to stroll in Thatto Heath Park

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Harley loves to go to Thatto Heath Park

From Ste Dunn

What's your dog's name?Teddy

Where in St Helens do you live?Clockface

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Enjoying Clockface and Bold CollieryEnjoying Clockface and Bold Colliery

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Sutton Manor Colliery and Clockface / Bold Colliery

From Ste Dunn

What's your dog's name?Tess

Where in St Helens do you live?Clockface

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Dream, Sutton ManorDream, Sutton Manor

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Sutton Manor Colliery and Clockface / Bold Colliery

From Joseph Thompson

What's your dog's name?Olive

Where in St Helens do you live?St Helens

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Olive the cocker spanielOlive the cocker spaniel

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?All the walks in St Helens are brilliant especially Carr Mill Dam

From Caroline Barrow Paton

What's your dog's name?Suki

Where in St Helens do you live?Blackbrook

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Suki enjoys little walks and runs on Bosworth field in all weathersSuki enjoys little walks and runs on Bosworth field in all weathers

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Sankey Valley and nearby fields

From Alex Hewitt

What's your dog's name?Charlie

Where in St Helens do you live?St Helens

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Charlie posing for a photo after running round at the parkCharlie posing for a photo after running round at the park

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Any of the great parks we have locally

From Ela Jedrzejewska

What's your dog's name?Dexter

Where in St Helens do you live?St Helens

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Dexter at Sutton ParkDexter at Sutton Park

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Sutton Park, Sherdley Park, Bold

From Dennis Deluce

What's your dog's name?Fudge

Where in St Helens do you live?St Helens

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Taken in the Chantry at St Helens cemetery on Remembrance Sunday last NovemberTaken in the Chantry at St Helens cemetery on Remembrance Sunday last November

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Around the cemetry, Victoria Park and Bishop Road

From Mike Owen

What's your dog's name?Jasper

Where in St Helens do you live?Garswood

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: This is Jasper playing at the beach, his favourite place.This is Jasper playing at the beach, his favourite place.

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Anywhere with water

From Mike Owen

What's your dog's name?Willow

Where in St Helens do you live?Garswood

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Willow likes walking in the woods where it is quietWillow likes walking in the woods where it is quiet

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?In any woodland

From Russ Neale

What's your dog's name?Ben

Where in St Helens do you live?Blackbrook

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Ben loves going out for a walkBen loves going out for a walk

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Sankey Valley Park

From Chris Doyle

What's your dog's name?Muffin

Where in St Helens do you live?Blackbrook

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Muffin with a stickMuffin with a stick

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Linear Park

From Danuta Brown

What's your dog's name?Harry and Ralph

Where in St Helens do you live?Thatto Heath

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Out in Sherdley ParkOut in Sherdley Park

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Taylor Park or Sherdley Park

From Ian Parto

What's your dog's name?Pepper

Where in St Helens do you live?Windle

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Pepper looking for a play mate on the field in WindlePepper looking for a play mate on the field in Windle

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?The big field that backs on to Windle Brook

From Christopher Shaw

What's your dog's name?Millie

Where in St Helens do you live?Sutton

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Wearing a coat in the coldWearing a coat in the cold

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Sherdley Park

From Lisa Gearing

What's your dog's name?Duke

Where in St Helens do you live?St Helens

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Duke at Clinkham WoodsDuke at Clinkham Woods

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Clinkham Woods

From Martin Stocks

What's your dog's name?Dudley

Where in St Helens do you live?St Helens

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Dudley loves splashing in muddy puddlesDudley loves splashing in muddy puddles

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Carr Mill Dam and Spike Island

From Paula Terry

What's your dog's name?Benji

Where in St Helens do you live?Parr

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Benji loves to go for a walk to Havannah Flash towards BlackbrookBenji loves to go for a walk to Havannah Flash towards Blackbrook

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Havannah Flash towards Blackbrook

From Diane Harrison

What's your dog's name?Poppy and Pixie

Where in St Helens do you live?St Helens

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Poppy and Pixie at Carr Mill DamPoppy and Pixie at Carr Mill Dam

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Carr Mill Dam

From Gerald Murphy

What's your dog's name?Ted

Where in St Helens do you live?Sutton Manor

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Ted, my stepdaughter's Japanese Spitz, loves our usual  walk in the Daisyfield woodland area, Sutton ManorTed, my stepdaughter's Japanese Spitz, loves our usual walk in the Daisyfield woodland area, Sutton Manor

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Daisyfield woodland area, Sutton Manor

From Jonathan Ruddock

What's your dog's name?Brie and Bruce

Where in St Helens do you live?Grange Park

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Brie (left) Bruce (right) on their winter holiday in Glenfinnan, ScotlandBrie (left) Bruce (right) on their winter holiday in Glenfinnan, Scotland

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Billinge Hill is our favourite local walk

From Karen Shaw

What's your dog's name?Daisy

Where in St Helens do you live?We live in Parr

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Looking for Santa down Sankey ValleyLooking for Santa down Sankey Valley

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Sanky Valley, Carr Mill and Newton Park

From Leanne Carey

What's your dog's name?Skip

Where in St Helens do you live?Windle

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Skip posing for the camera before chasing all the seagulls on Crosby BeachSkip posing for the camera before chasing all the seagulls on Crosby Beach

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?We love to walk in the Lake District and on beaches however we also love our walks through Eccleston fields

From Catherine Anne Evans

What's your dog's name?Brutus Jr

Where in St Helens do you live?Earlestown

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Brutus Jr with Holly and Peppa all ready for a muddy walk down by Sankey CanalBrutus Jr with Holly and Peppa all ready for a muddy walk down by Sankey Canal

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Anywhere - he just loves the fresh air!

From Jessica Thomas

What's your dog's name?Walter

Where in St Helens do you live?Clock Face

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Walter bird watching on the farm after his run around the fieldsWalter bird watching on the farm after his run around the fields

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?On the farm

From Lauren Williams

What's your dog's name?JerryLee

Where in St Helens do you live?Marshalls Cross

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: JerryLee enjoying the great outdoorsJerryLee enjoying the great outdoors

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?JerryLee loves to go to the woods and the beach

From Maria Estrella Parker

What's your dog's name?Hunest

Where in St Helens do you live?St Helens

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: An action shot!An action shot!

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?We love to go to Carr Mill Dam, Billinge and the beach

From Mark Garner

What's your dog's name?Frank

Where in St Helens do you live?Haydock

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Frank is a guide dog puppy who we will training until he is ready to go into advanced guide dog training.Frank is a guide dog puppy who we will training until he is ready to go into advanced guide dog training.

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Sankey Valley Park

From Ashlea McDonagh

What's your dog's name?Amber

Where in St Helens do you live?Haydock

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Amber enjoying a cold January walkiesAmber enjoying a cold January walkies

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?We like to walk around the Haydock section of Sankey Valley and go to feed the ducks

From Julie Haime

What's your dog's name?Megan

Where in St Helens do you live?Cromdale Grove, Parr

Share a photo of your dog, or you and your dog, out for a walk

St Helens Star: Meg collecting sticksMeg collecting sticks

Where do you and your dog like to go for a walk?Meg and I walk round the field and woods on Cromdale Grove. She loves sticks!