When Parental Unit and I read this article published in yesterday's Huffington Post, and then saw the accompanying video from The Wall Street Journal, we became concerned. A recent study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention showed that over one half of all dogs and cats in the U.S. are either overweight or obese. To this I say: "Yikes-we're following in our humans' footsteps"! And of course, this increasing pet obesity rate leads to a plethora of related ailments like diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems-sound familiar?
Read the full article here: www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/23/pet-obesity-overweight-dogs-cats_n_827017.html
And according to this article, guess who's responsible? It's mostly you Parental Units out there who both overfeed Fido and Kitty, and fail to ensure they get enough exercise. No offense to some Parental Units, but going for a daily walk with your dog is not only necessary for the dog, but great exercise for you as well (Hehehe). So why not take the pledge right now: I promise that I will take my beloved pooch for at least one, 30 minute walk every day...even if the weather isn't perfect or I just don't feel like it! And depending on your dog's energy level, build up from there. I know that my preferred daily walking schedule is a 45 minute to one hour walk in the morning, and another 20-30 minute walk in the evening.
(Now, Parental Unit must admit that we don't always go for that second walk in the winter...)
I think I can safely speak for my fellow canines...we live for just a few simple things in our short lives: being with you, going for walks (with you) and eating food. So why deny us something so basic to our physical and mental health like taking us for a daily walk-it nabs two of our favorite things at once!
Read the full article here: www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/23/pet-obesity-overweight-dogs-cats_n_827017.html
And according to this article, guess who's responsible? It's mostly you Parental Units out there who both overfeed Fido and Kitty, and fail to ensure they get enough exercise. No offense to some Parental Units, but going for a daily walk with your dog is not only necessary for the dog, but great exercise for you as well (Hehehe). So why not take the pledge right now: I promise that I will take my beloved pooch for at least one, 30 minute walk every day...even if the weather isn't perfect or I just don't feel like it! And depending on your dog's energy level, build up from there. I know that my preferred daily walking schedule is a 45 minute to one hour walk in the morning, and another 20-30 minute walk in the evening.
(Now, Parental Unit must admit that we don't always go for that second walk in the winter...)
I think I can safely speak for my fellow canines...we live for just a few simple things in our short lives: being with you, going for walks (with you) and eating food. So why deny us something so basic to our physical and mental health like taking us for a daily walk-it nabs two of our favorite things at once!
How many of you will join us and take the pledge today?
2 comments:
We join the pledge!!! Well, we have been doing it for ages but we are never sick of it!
~ Mika and Eva
We join the pledge too. It's so sad to see how unhealthy some dogs become. One of my neighbors has a lab the same age as my older one - and the neighbors all think that he's "elderly" because he's obese. It makes me sad...
I like your pledge.
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