The weather is finally to the point that most people are sporting shorts and T-shirts and their thoughts turn to the beach – bikini time! But I am not talking about You humans, I am talking about you and your dog!
No, your dog won’t be sporting a bikini this season, unless you are one of those owners that think dressing your dog up for no apparent reason and even than, I don’t think you will be taking them to the beach dressed like that.
Exercise and your pet are a very important factor of their daily life. Keeping your dog active helps them throughout stages of their lives. By doing a daily routine of walking or playing or better, both, will keep your pet from becoming obese and alleviate joint problems.
Speaking from experience of having two dogs; one which had both his knees operated on in less than a 6 week time span and one who has hip dysplasia, I have found doing a daily 15 to 30 minute walk has helped both of them a great deal.
I know that a number of you may have a senior dog, over the age of 8 and are thinking that they don’t need to be walked or are too old for this activity. You are wrong. Keeping your senior dog active is very important and does help with joint problems and weight.
I don’t take my dogs hiking or out running anymore, but because I have gotten them into a regular walk, even just a 15 minute walk on some days, has helped both my dogs a great deal.
Casey my 12 year old lab is showing signs of better mobility even just in the house. Sherlock who had both his knees done because of torn ACL’s last year is now more agile and almost able to do some activities that he hasn’t since the surgeries.
Dogs and cats are becoming obese and it is the number one concern among veterinarians and by doing a daily exercise routine it will help keep your pet at an ideal weight and help you at the same time.
By doing a daily routine of exercise, especially walking can also avoid certain joint problems too, which I learned when Sherlock tore his first ACL. The first question I was asked was, “Do you walk him daily?” and by my answer his physical therapist told me that I could of possibly avoided this injury if I walked him regularly and not just taking him to the dog park for exercise.
Yes my dogs are on supplements to help them with arthritis and their joint issues, but keeping them active with their regular walks has improved their mobility more than dropping a pill or two in their food.
By taking your pet walking, it also provides them with stimulation. It can become a social activity especially if you live in an active neighborhood that has other dogs being walked. Keep in mind, if you have dogs that are not “sure” of other dogs, always take proper precautions when out with your pet.
Pay attention to the weather when walking also. Never walk your dog that may have health issues in the height of afternoon when the temperatures may be at its highest. Early morning walks, late afternoon or early evenings are the best time to walk your dogs. If your schedule doesn’t allow for you to walk your dog at these best times, you can hire a pet sitter/dog walker to come in and walk your dog, or even better, get up a little earlier to get them out for a morning stroll.
A pet is a lifetime commitment. Taking 15 to 30 minutes of your day to show some love, create that bonding time and most important, to give your dog some activity is part of that commitment and responsibility. Make it a daily family activity. It is a known fact that “city” dogs get more exercise than “country” dogs. Why, because pet owners that live in the city have to take their dogs out to relieve themselves and those that live in the suburbs or more rural areas just let their dogs out, and don’t give them that daily activity.
No matter what, get out and walk! Your dog will be happier and healthier and so will you. I walk dogs everyday because that is my job, and when I get home I still take the time to walk my dogs. Now as soon as I walk in the door, my dog Sherlock is so excited because he knows we are going for a walk.
Have a Wonderful Pet Day Everyone!
It is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, visit your local shelter or rescue and open your home to a new kitty. Many senior cats need homes too, not just kittens. .
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June 2012
2 posts
I know this is not my typical blog that I post or write about, but I was asked by a friend to do a favor for a local family.
A local family’s son is in the hospital, not your typical hospital stay. He is in Dupont Medical Center in Delaware, not just for a couple days or a week, but for a year. A Full Year! Could you imagine spending a year in the hospital? Most people don’t like going to visit at the hospital let alone staying there for year.
This young man has had multiple surgeries, and with each surgery there have been complications; from having a feeding tube inserted to surgeries on his heart.
His name is Wesley and he is 20 years old.
This is a Card Campaign of Encouragement.
Below you can view the request I received written by an unknown person, but obviously someone that knows him personally. Read the note and take the time today and pick up a card of encouragement, of inspiration and mail it to this young man who is struggling for his life.
I ask that you forward this to all that you know and help reach the goal of 5000 cards for Wesley. Every little bit helps.
Wesley Schneeberger is a twenty year old young man who has been battling for his life for the past thirteen weeks at Dupont Medical Center in Delaware. He has had multiple surgeries on his heart, a feeding tube inserted to his stomach, and many complications with each of these surgeries. Wesley has had a tracheotomy to help him breathe. Therefore, he must use a typing device to communicate. Wesley has recently become agitated and angry, understandably so, for he can’t go home and has to spend at least a year in a hospital facility. All of this while waiting for a new heart.
Wesley loves rap music. He graduated H.S. from Coatesville, PA He loves the water, Stan’s boat and his dog Maddie. He is just the sweetest guy and has an awesome sense of humor! (I had him blinking signs..(and yes he told me i was a crazy lady in the first few minutes of us meeting!!)…Right now he is mad that he has been in DuPont for such a long time…(10weeks) he does not know that his stay is long term…He is very proud of the fact that we started selling tee-shirts for him….(he has one in his unit)….He is simple one cool kid.Can you please help Wesley by giving him some inspiration? He sure does need it now. You can do this by sending cards to him at:
Wesley Schneeberger
A I DuPont Children
1600 Rocland Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
CICU Room 2302
Thank you for doing this. It means so much to this young man’s family and hopefully will bring a smile to young man’s face.
