The Vet says I'm "Too Fluffy"

[Linda and Murphy]

Murphy here,

Tuesday I got to go doggy daycare at my vet's. I love doggy daycare. I played and played, got covered in dirt and mud, and I got a bath before my mom picked me up. (They never let my mom see me like that.)

When mom picked me up, Dr. Chris told her "Murphy is a little too fluffy."

What does that mean? I know I looked really great after my bath and blow dry allover. (I love that.) But too fluffy?

Dr. Chris then said something about "100.9 lbs" and a "diet". She must have been talking about my mom because my mom always talks about diets so I'm sure she could use one.

The next morning there wasn't much kibble in my bowl. When my mom gave me my really good treat- I get that every morning she goes to work- it WASN'T my really good treat. It was APPLE. WTD???

Now, I don't mind a bite of apple occasionally when mom is eating one. BUT it is definitely not up there with my really good treats. So I ate the cat's kibble.

Last night, my bandana came in the mail. Mom put it on me and took my picture. I found a new way to wear it, though. I think I can store treats in it if I can FIND any in this house...like monkey cheek pouches. A Dood could starve here.

This morning it was more APPLE. This is worse than when that foster dog was here. I'm gonna have to start countersurfing. Sure wish I could open the refrigerator. I know there is cheese in there.

Any tricks from you Doods out there would be greatly appreciated.

Your starving pal,

Murphy

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Murph, I am so worried that my mom will cut down on my food! Ned and I are both very fluffy - but Ned's fluffiness IS is fur. My fluffiness is in question. When my mom adopted my I weighed 55 pounds and now I weigh 63 pounds! My mom keeps asking everybody if they can feel my ribs and do they think I am 'fat' cause I have gained so much weight. I try to tell her I was skinny and sad and underfed. So far she is falling for it, but I am not sure I can keep that one going much longer.. I like the way you are using your bandanna. I am going to do that with mine too. Any crumbs are yummy. Clancy

[Deborah & Emmett Vaughan]

Hey guys its me - Angus. I was just told that I am at least 10lbs too fluffy (only the doctor didn't use that word). She just grabbed by skin and jiggled it. My foster mom tries to give me carrots and green beans, too and those silly brothers of mine Emmett and Boomer eat it. Just goes to say that Tennessee boys know better than Georgia boys about what makes good food. My mom says she hopes I get adopted being too fluffy. I don't care because I like her house she has comfy furniture and I know where the cat keeps her food, too. We all need to get together and set this DIET thing straight.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

DIET I know the dreaded word - my mommy and the vet have said it to me a few times to. The vet even had the NERVE to jiggle what she called "extra" under my leg - HUMPH - I bet I couild jiggle her in a few places too!! My mommy cut down on my food and I don't get as many treats. I know she has tried a diet to but my human sisters even laugh at her and tell her she never sticks with it! Why do I have to??? I bet they don't know I try to sneak treats off the counter and in the trash sometimes --- ssshhhh don't tell OK??"? We "fluffy" doods got to stick together!! And personally I don't think you are fat at all - you are fluffy!!! Just like me ;-)

[Melissa & Porter]

Murphy,
I am on a diet too. Trying to drop "about 4 lbs." The human meanie of one of my doggie friends said I might be fat, so Mom brought me to the nutritionist guy who runs Pro Pets in the next town.
Apparently dog-torso skin is not supposed to slide and slosh over dog ribs. Ugh whatever. My skin dances I tell you.
So Mom listened to him because I play so much and fall and hurt my legs too often in her opinion. She thinks it might be because of my "fluff" and likely some biomechanics too...you know being a short big dog.
It has been a couple weeks, and I now paw and growl at the cabinet that holds my Fromm. (I used to ignore my food for hours.) I also don't take treats as gently as I used to. I don't look any different, but my check-up is not for another couple weeks. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hey, Murphy, I got too fluffy last spring and my mom put me on a diet, too. But I don't get apples, or any other fruits & vegetables, 'cause I hate them all! I only get protein foods now, and my kibble. Hardboiled eggs are yummy, and I get a chopped egg on top of my food a few times a week.
But I heard that some doodles like carrots and green beans, and those are good snacks for diets. They help fill you up without filling you out, my mom says.
Also, my mom started taking longer walks with me & palying ball with me more often, too. Sometimes, being too fluffy has benefits!!!!
I lost 7 lbs in the last 6 months. And it didn't hurt a bit!
Good luck from your friend,
Jackdoodle

[Phoebe's Mom]

Oh Murphy, it does sound like your mom is starving you. I wish I had some ideas for you but the warden here--I mean my mom--keeps me pretty lean. I mean she metes out those treats like they were gold or something. Peanut butter is a gift (I love my human brother for introducing it to me). Now that I am on an occasional Pepcid for a delicate tummy, the warden has gotten even worse so it is pumpkin treats and a rare piece of cheese for me. Good luck with that countersurfing...maybe your mom will forget to put something away and you'll get lucky.

Your friend,

Phoebe

[Linda and Murphy]

Clifford, I'm with you on the carrot, Dood. And I love peanut butter. I can leave one foot off the scale. I already know touch and spot! Mom says I can get a haircut next week. Gosh I hope that works.

I'll tell mom about the Senior food. I don't know what that word means but I heard it a few weeks ago when she was home sick with the flu. (she was really sick and didn't even take me for a good walk or to our Saturday trailhead markedt,) She got something in her email about "Senior Match" (is that some kind of fun game like tennis?) She mumbled something about "dying of the plague and just to cheer me up I get this. I didn't even know there was such a thing ....much less that I was on it"
"Senior" didn't seem to make her better.

But she's better now..and tomorrow is MurphyDay!

your pal.
Murphy

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Murphy, dood, I've never had apple but it doesn't sound as good as peanut butter and banana in my kong. Mom tried to give me raw carrot once but I showed her what I thought of that! Maybe the vet just doesn't realize how tall you are and she looked at her chart wrong - after all, us doodles are really lanky and she probably looked at the shorty column on her weight chart. If that doesn't work, next time leave one foot off the scale - everyone will be amazed at your weight loss!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Hi Murphy, The vet told me the same thing about Kona, but seriously it was right before he went to the groomer. He looks so much skinnier now I want to take him back to that mean ole vet. Kona runs 5 days a week with my husband... 3 miles a day. How could he be too fluffy? He gets no treats, no people food, just 1 cup o Orijen in the morning and 1 cup at night. The puppy is eating almost twice that much at 10 weeks! This food stuff is crazy.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

My vet said Webber had to loose a few pounds too. I tried to argue that it was his coat, but she didn't by it. So, since he was on Orijen, I just switched him to the Orijen senior and fed him a 1/2 cup less. He didn't seem to notice the change. Apples, carrots, and sweet potatoes for treats. He lost weight, so I am just keeping him on the senior formula with an occasional bowl of the Adult Orijen. Good luck Murphy!