After performing to crowds of his fans, Derek Hough knows that Luna, his dog, will be waiting for him when the curtain closes and the house lights come up. For him, having his dog on the road with him and his wife is a blessing. As he travels from city to city, Hough has found that this one item has become a key necessity.
Through his partnership with Greenies, Derek Hough graciously took some time out of his busy schedule to chat with me. Although a hotel room might not necessarily have all the comforts of home, Hough appreciates that having Luna along for the ride is vital.
He said, “we are on our tour, traveling across the country, and Luna, one of our dogs, is with us. It is pretty amazing to have her with us because she brings that simple sense of happiness and shares that love with us.”
While the unconditional love between dog and pet parent is heartwarming, the responsibilities of having that four-legged family member on tour are more than playtime and cuddles. Hough appreciates that keeping Luna happy and healthy is key to everyone being content.
For him, it is about routines, but one aspect is a necessity that pet parents may not consider when traveling. Beyond having consistent food and schedules, those dog walks need a key aspect.
Hough shared, “One o the biggest challenges of going on tour with an animal is finding grass. That is part of our thing while traveling. Where is the nearest patch of grass?”
Beyond that green space, Hough said the routine involves aspects that he applies to his daily life. “Routine is so vital because touring is grueling. Eating the right food, staying super hydrated, getting good sleep and having the right nutrients for all of us is very important.”
For Luna, Hough relies on Greenies Smart Essentials. He said that is has the “tail wagging flavor” that Luna loves. Specifically, he said, “it is formulated for the six vital areas of her health. Also, it is good for consistency and convenience. The dry formula is great for us on the road, too.”
Derek Hough finds ways to find the joy during the holiday season
From the twinkling lights to the holiday carols, many people think that the holiday season brings everyone the merry and bright. For Derek Hough, he understands that the joyfulness of the season can sometimes fade into some reflection. The Utah native reminisced about the coziness of the season. The temperatures can be brisk in the snow, but the warmth within the home is fulfilling.
At the same time, Hough appreciates that some people can experience heartbreak and loss. He does not shy away from any of his feelings. He believes that being willing to express all those emotions allows him to better appreciate the relationships in his life.
With Luna by his side, he has an instant boost of merry. Hough said, “Luna is undoubtedly a bundle of joy on four legs. Watching her interact with everyone is a reminder of how much joy she brings to all of us. I think that any dog has a great way of helping you, grounding you, and being less worrisome.”
Hough believes that having a dog helps people be more present in the moment. In a phrase that holds tremendous meaning, he said, “whatever we focus on is what we feel right now, and where we focus goes our energy flows.”
The simplicity of that sentiment helps people shine a light on their best selves. Whether it is giving yourself grace in the moment or giving of yourself to others, focusing that purpose helps to quiet the other chaos.
Specifically, Hough went back to a saying that he has shared before, “the secret of living is giving.” Whether it is the holiday season where people choose to give forgiveness or anytime of year where people lend a hand in good faith, that ability to give yourself permission to give and forgive is fulfilling.
In the spirit of one year ending and another beginning, I asked Derek Hough to reflect on his past year. He said, “It has been a very fulfilling year, but I think that we will have a little down time for the holidays. We have gone to 100 cities on this tour and then there was Dancing with the Stars. It has been jammed pack. But, I love what I do and it brings me so much joy. It does not feel like work when you love what you do so much.”
In many ways, that sentiment of fulfillment and love goes back to the connection that pet parents have with their animals. It is one of the reasons why choosing the right food, like Greenies Smart Essentials, helps to keep them at their best. After all, don’t we all want to help support those who bring us unconditional love and joy in our lives?