Caution! Wide Load!

The dog days of summer have added a few pounds to my dog. Charlee turned 6 last Friday and she no longer requires the daily rigorous aerobics of her youth. This is the first summer that she has been left home for hours at a stretch while we went to the beach, and unfortunately it has started to show. In the past if I was going to be gone for more than 5 hours or so, Charlee and I would be up at the crack of dawn for at least an hour of off-leash aerobics. This pre-dawn workout was just the beginning. Two or three more sessions would usually follow every day.

This summer has been quite hot and her exercise requirements are now that of a normal dog (not the destructive Energizer Bunny of yore) , and it hasn't been as imperative that I get her out and about as much. Not so says her swelling middle.

My three kids all think they are doing her a favor and continuously buy her love with left overs. It's a wonder she isn't any bigger. At her spring vet appointment I was told she should lose 5 pounds. I can safely say those 5 pounds are not gone, and they gained a few friends.

A few years ago when she was fit and trim and we were taking agility classes, my trainer told me she needed to loose at least 5 pounds. We went on a special diet which included canned pumpkin with no sugar added for filler, but the rest of the family felt bad for her and just fed her more claiming she was hungry. It really is important to get the whole family on board when a dog goes on a diet.
Was she hungry, or does she just know how to play to a crowd? I pick the later.

We are starting agility again in the fall, so the way I see it, we need to let go of at least 10 pounds, and take my nearly 60 pound dog to under 48 pounds. She is a big dog so it will be a challenge. I will not work her in agility until she has taken off some weight. It would put too much stress on her body.

Happy Birthday Charlee! Her present is a stricter diet and more scheduled exercise for the two of us of,
and one of these. I will report back soon on her "review" of this new toy.

For more info fetch this!

It basically says, less food more exercise!

Remember the old saying...If your dog is fat, YOU need more exercise.

This blog is dedicated to my friend Nathalie- an expounder (thank you thesaurus!) for fit and trim dogs everywhere!

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