My Name is TaraBear and I'm a Chubby Doodle

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

 Don't let this happen to your doodle!

Last time you saw Tara she was partying hard on her 4th birthday. Well all that has come to a quick end. Yesterday I posted a video in the Grooming Group for a DK'er who was concerned about her doodle's weight. After watching it I gave Tara the exam. OMCD! (Oh My Cubby Doodle!) I'm guessing she is about 2 pounds overweight which is quite a bit for a 20 pounder. The equivalent of your 100 pound doodle being 10 pounds over. She has lost her hourglass figure and her ribs have disappeared.  So the diet started yesterday, right in time for the Holidays! :(

Here's the video (please ignore all references to Purina!!):

Then I received a Newsletter from Tara's vet today which contained this article (excerpts as I removed the parts about having your vet advise you about diets and food :) stressing the importance of proper weight for our dogs. Also giving me a jab for killing Tara with too much food!!!!  So "we" at least the "me" part of  "we" are determined to find Tara's ribs and get her hourglass figure back. Tara on the other hand is threatening to rehome herself! I see I have my work cut out for me!!

 

Obesity in Dogs

Is Your Dog Overweight?

Obesity is on the rise, and not just for humans. Dogs are increasingly overweight and even obese. In the United States, an estimated 43 million dogs are overweight or obese - that’s over half of all dogs! And it is not just dogs in the United States that need to lose a few pounds - canine obesity is also a problem in Canada, Europe, Australia and other countries worldwide.

Canine obesity increases the risk for osteoarthritis, insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory problems, kidney disease, some types of cancer, and cranial cruciate ligament injury. Thanks to these increased health problems, overweight dogs face a decreased life expectancy of up to 2.5 years.

Even if your dog is just a couple pounds over his ideal weight, those few pounds could make a big difference to your dog's health. For example, a 7lb Pomeranian is considered to be a “healthy” weight and the equivalent of a 145lb, 5’ 4” human female. An extra five pounds on the Pomeranian, however, is the equivalent to a 249lb female, which is more than 100lbs over the female’s ideal body weight. Just a few extra pounds really will make a big difference for your dog’s health.

Why are so many dogs overweight? Unfortunately, some pet owners are literally killing their dogs with too much food and too many treats! For example, only one ounce of cheese for a 20 pound dog is the equivalent of 1.5 hamburgers for the average woman! While dog owners may never intentionally mean to hurt their pet, overfeeding, lack of exercise, and poor dietary choices have led to a pet obesity crisis.

A lack of outdoor exercise is also a problem. Busy pet owners who work long hours simply don’t have the time to take their dog for longs walks, runs or play fetch. Together, too much food and a lack of exercise is the perfect recipe for dog obesity.

Early intervention will help overweight dogs get healthy. 

 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I was answering to Karen's attempt to "set up" Tara....

"I think Tara will love the GBA group! There are a couple of hot boy doodles in So. Cal (and one's a mini!) who will probably be joining, among others!"

"I think Tara will love the GBA group! There are a couple of hot boy doodles in So. Cal (and one's a mini!) who will probably be joining, among others!"

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

TaraBear, I am so sorry that your MOMMY felt it necessary to humiliate you to get a point across about FAT dogs. We know you are not Chubby, you are perfect! Besides, you don't have the capability of opening treats and over indulging now do you, maybe we should just have a little Mommy/treat intervention.

You can come and stay with Daisy and me until your Mom gets her bad habit under control. I might even consider a road trip to pick you up, I think, you, me and Daisy could take a trip to the oceans edge to get some running in.

I looooooooooooooooooooooove you Ricki

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Lisa you are such a troublemaker!  I suppose you want me to change the title to" My Name is Ricki and I am an Over Feeder!" No way because I'm planning to blame DH. :)

Hey, Daisy's mom! It's me, Tara!! I'll be watchin' for you and Daisy out my front window!! Hurry!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

You know I'd come in a heart beat cause I LOVE YOU TARA BEAR and you live in my very favorite place.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Good idea, I blame my DH for my weight issues too, the late night snacker he is!

[Kathy, Harley & Roxie]

God forbid someone perform this exam on me!!!!!  lol...epic fail

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

 LOL! Kathy, poor Tara just thought I was giving her a nice massage! Little did she know....

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Green Beans are the answer.  Just cut her kibble back a little bit and add the green beans with every meal.  Cut out the treats or keep to a minimum.  We got 3-5 lbs off Gracie Doodle in no time back when we needed to.  It has worked on everyone's dog that we have recommended and when it hasn't it is usually because someone is sneaking treats!!!  Tara Bear...you can do it!!!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Nancie that would be great! I'm going to try it. Tara's not a big veggie eater but she does like green beans! Now I just need to convince DH to stop the cheesefest he has with her EVERY DAY!!  It's their "bonding time"!  Oh brother!  Wish me luck!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Oh wow...the cheese is what is doing it.  Gracie still has green beans at every meal and since she doesn't need to lose weight any longer we just increased her kibble back to where it should be.  I am militant on the treats but DH is a sneaker!!!  Why is it that men think the Doodles will love them more if they give them treats???  We use the frozen cut green beans and just zap them in the microwave and throw them on the top of her kibble.  Gobble Gobble!!!  Yummmmm

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Oh boy, Monty might be in trouble as well. He just had his haircut but I can't feel his ribs and the hourglass shape is not very prominent either. I think the tummy looks okay, though. He's not a big eater, so I think treats are to blame. After dinner he automatically goes over to the kitchen and gazes at the pantry door until I give him several different treats. Auggie usually finishes Monty's kibble. I'm joining the Green Beans Anonymous group...

[F, Calla & Luca]

Calla needs to join the group although she looks much thinner after today's spa day. I don't think she lokes string bans but she loves grass, the lawn variety. Does anyone know a good source preferably canned, low sodium :-)