How Your Dog Can Help You Reach Your Fitness Goals

As 2009 ends and 2010 begins, so many resolutions are made (and quickly broken). If your resolution is to get fit in 2010, here are a couple of ways that owning a dog can help you keep from breaking your resolution.

1. Exercise: both you and your dog need it. Your dog wants it! Why not help your friend out. Walking is great exercise and simple to do. You don't need any special equipment (except good shoes) and you don't need a club membership to do it. There are also other ways to exercise with your dog. Why not go outside and toss a frisbee or her favorite toy. Go to the dog park and run around (both of you!) Or, if you're ready and your dog is ready, go for a run or bike ride. Just make sure you know if your dog can handle it. For example, I'm a boxer and have a short snout. Short snouted dogs like me (pugs, boston terriers, etc.) have a harder time breathing and can overheat. So, please know your dogs limitations.

2. Happiness and less stress: Being happy and stress free will help you keep your resolution. And owning a pet has been shown to relieve stress. Why wouldn't it. We're there when you need a friend, always willing to give you a "kiss" or just a wag of the tail to let you know we love you. And we don't care if you have taken a shower or made your bed! It's no wonder they call us man's best friend!

So grab the leash and get going!

Saying Goodbye to 2009 and Hello to 2010

Wow, another year has come and gone. I'm a year older and a year less puppylike (translate as I don't get in nearly as much trouble as I did a year ago!). It's been a fun year with many ups and downs but mostly ups. So, here are some of my favorite things:

For my collar and lead needs, nothing beats the stuff I wear from a tail we could wag and they have matching belts for you humans!

Some of my favorite toys are my katie's bumpers and my toys from canine genius. I also like to play with my chuck it!

I like the dog park a lot. I get to meet lots of other dogs and people! Maybe when it warms up a little more Joe and Laurie will take me again.

And, I'll eat just about anything they give me! Laurie's very careful to make sure I eat good stuff and not things that will hurt me. I don't get many people food scraps but that's ok. I know they're not real good for me.

We support our local pet stores. We try to buy local when we can.

And now onto 2010. Who knows what adventures (trouble) I'll have. But, I'm a dog and I'm ready for anything!

Happy New Year and wishing you all a prosperous 2010!

Love,

Stella