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Writer
 
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Last Login: 12/29/2007 11:08:35 AM
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 Last year at this time my dog, Eddie, was overweight, and I’d helped get him there. He’d whine for food, and I’d give him treats. He’d whine for more, and I’d head for the never-ending doggie cookie jar. When he wasn’t whining, he was lying around, thinking about whining for food. Then one day I tried to pick him up, realized he was almost 40 pounds, and decided I had to take action. I asked Dr. Sarah Abood, a nutritionist at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, to help. She set up a weight-loss program for Eddie, told me how I could help him shed the extra pounds, and gave me a list of acceptable treats for Eddie. By early January, Eddie had lost nearly 7 pounds, and Dr. Abood gave him the go-ahead to try maintaining his weight. To read more on how Eddie lost the weight, catch up on my weight-loss blog. Every day Eddie gets the same amount of dog food. In addition to that, his treats are only carrots, broccoli, and string beans. Changing his diet was just the beginning. We also made a commitment to exercise: We walk about three miles most days. Eddie loves to walk. He loves to meet the neighbors, the neighbors’ dogs, and especially the neighborhood cats. When he’s just exploring our yard, he loves to chase squirrels and chipmunks. He has energy now and loves to be on the move.  I just weighed him and he’s down to 30.5 pounds. He is still driven by food, but we’ve used that drive, and his new love for carrots, to teach him a few tricks. He looks great and he’s regained that playful, affectionate, and charming personality that disappeared when he was concentrating so much on filling his face.
When we started a year ago, my goal was to be Eddie’s weight-loss buddy. I think it’s the walks – and the carrots – because I’ve lost a few pounds, too! So now I’d like to ask, what’s happening with you and your dog? Are you working on a weight-loss plan for your dog? Do you have any success stories you’d like to share? Do you have problem areas or things you’ve struggled with? Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is an ongoing process. And that process only gets easier if you have someone to share it with. Take it from me and my weight-loss pal Eddie!
Janice
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 4/22/2009 8:21:46 AM
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Congratulations on Eddie's success! My dog also has a weight-loss success story, she went from nearly 45 pounds ::yikes!:: to 27.
We knew she was a bit plump but one day we took her in to our vet and he said that her health was starting to take a toll because of her weight. We enrolled her in the vet's Pudgy Pooch program, and she was able to lose the weight in about 10 months.
We starting going on mroe walks, and cut down on the treats, but she never was a really big treat lover. I think it was jsut the exercise that made all the difference. Plus, i had the chance to spend more time bonding with her
I could never get her to like vegetables, though. Did eddie jsut love them from the start or was there some sort of trial period??
...BeagleBabe
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Writer
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Last Login: 12/29/2007 11:08:35 AM
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Hi, BeagleBabe. Wow, that's great! I'd love to know more about the Pudgy Pooch program. Did the vet recommend different food for her? Was there a regular weigh-in component? Did you follow a specific exercise program?
In Eddie's case, monitoring the food I gave him helped a lot, but the biggest part.... and the best part, I think, ... was the consistent exercise. We got to bond, too, and our walks continue to get longer and have become the best part of my day.
As for the vegetables... It took just a little while for Eddie to make the transition from dog treats to carrots. Eddie is a chow hound. If carrots and string beans were the only treats being offered, Eddie learned to appreciate them. When it comes to food, Eddie's kind of a "love the one you're with" dog.
Thanks for sharing!
Janice
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Writer
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Hi, I received an e-mail from Carole about her dog, Chloe. Despite Carole's efforts to monitor Chloe's food intake and to make sure that Chloe get exercise, Chloe is able to maintain her weight.
Carole asked about a food and exercise calculator to help her figure out how much food Chloe should eat and how much she should exercise.
My only experience with a calculator like that was for my own food and exercise program. I'd received a recommendation from a nutritionist I visited with, and I've since found others by searching the web for a food and exercise calculator.
I just tried searching for food and exercise calculator for dogs. The good news is that I found one; the bad news is that it seems complicated.
I took Eddie to visit a veterinarian/nutritionist, and she took that complicated equation and made it pretty clear for me.
Not only that, she had reference material that she could use to calculate the protein and fat content of dog foods. Not all dog foods are the same, and some diet foods provide less protein at the same time they are providing less fat.
We went through several bags of different brands before we settled on the one that seemed to offer the best combination of nutritional value and taste for Eddie.
She calculated exactly how much of that food Eddie should get each day. We follow her instructions on how much Eddie gets, rather than the suggestions on the bag. One other thing she suggested was spreading out his meals -- some for breakfast, some when I go back to work after lunch, and some at dinner. Honestly, that hasn't worked perfectly. More often than not, he has his dog food finished by lunch, but after that, it's usually carrots, string beans, or brocolli.
If you have any ideas for Carole, please feel free to share them!
Janice
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Last Login: 11/30/2007 9:53:53 PM
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I have a weightloss success story as well. I have a 4 year old dachshund who has been "weight challanged" since he was a year old. I'd tried all sorts of dog foods, increasing exercise, reducing treats, etc and couldnt get anything to work. I even put him on the prescription weight loss formula foods and nothing helped. A few months ago I switched Oscar over to Chicken Soup light formula dog food. I also cut back on treats and try to increase exercise as much as I can (which doesnt always happen sometimes). I knew that he'd lost weight from being on his diet. I didnt realize how much weight he'd lost until I was going through some pictures the other day, he is like a whole different dog. Oscar went from 21 pounds to 17 pounds. He has a lot more energy and seems so much happier now.
Ashley, Oscar, Jaxx, and Mia
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Writer
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Congratulations, Ashley and Oscar. What a great story!
I know what you mean about the weight loss making Oscar happier and more energetic. Eddie had turned into a giant log. The only time he'd be animated was when he was begging for food. Now he has a sparkle in his eye and he does tricks for attention (and carrots). He loves to go for a walk. He's a new dog!
When your dog is happier, it makes you feel good about all the things you've done to help! As for Oscar's daily exercising, sometimes it's just not possible. The days are shorter now, and, in my part of the country, so much colder. My doctor suggested that do what you can. Some exercise is better than none.
I'm not familiar with Chicken Soup light formula dog food. What made you give that brand a try and where did you find it? How did you know how much to give Oscar?
Again, congratulations, Ashley, and thank you for sharing.
Janice
Janice
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Writer
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All of a sudden, I'm having difficulty sticking with my commitment to walking Eddie about three miles every day. Here's what's happening...
It's barely light when I leave for work in the morning and dark when I get home. Every day is very cold and either snowing or raining. Snow is nice to walk in; cold rain... not so much.
Shopping ... I'm always shopping, either for groceries or gifts.
Holiday visits ... sometimes with friends; sometimes work-related events.
End of semester rushing ... I'm taking classes, and the closer to the end of the semester, the more time needed for studying and finishing projects.
For the last two evenings, I just came home and crashed on the couch.
I'm trying not to make excuses; I'm just reporting that I'm afraid that I'm getting out of the habit of walking every day. Classes will be over this week; the holidays are just minutes away; but the long, dark, cold winter... here in the Midwest, we've got months more of winter wonderland weather... and I find it hard sometimes to push myself out the door. Does anyone have ideas that will help?
Janice
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Supreme Being
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Last Login: 11/15/2009 9:19:59 AM
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I know what you mean, I hate to take star out in the cold but its been warm here like 80 degresse which is a change from 40's all day. I Dont walk star because my mom wont let me out of the house so for him to get exersie , I give him a toy that we can both play with and he pulls one way, and I pull another way and we chase each other (this helps to keep going if you have music on) and after a while you will get tired and then you know that your dog is wore out, but for my dog , it takes like 3 hours to wear him out and he is 12 years old.
playing and chasing is just as good exercise as walking.
"Every time you smile, I smile, every time you shine I shine for you.- Taylor Swift." "Did it again, I got it all wrong, if felt so right I can't believe it, all the mistakes that went on for to long wish there was a way I could delete it, ay, ay, ay.- Shakira"
6/26/09, Forever & Always. I love you Daniel. =]
~Carrie, Star and Daniel~
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Writer
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Last Login: 12/29/2007 11:08:35 AM
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Thanks so much for sharing. I'll give that a try. Eddie's much younger, so it will probably take a little longer. From the picture, I can see that your dog is very cute!
Janice
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Congratulations!! Your dog looks great and you must definitely b a very responsible owner. I wish more ppl in the world was like you, since i see everyday how dogs are abandoned on streets.
Well, a was in a similar situation when i found james. But what he actually needed was to gain weight, so the vet gave him a special diet. So he recuperated and now looks good. We go jogging everyday and comes with me to my basketball practices, etc I try to take him with me as much as i can . I think that's good cuz it improves the relationship between your dog and you
 James
animal abuse is cowardice
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