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. 

 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I'm pretty sure she just hits the delete button when she sees an email from me. Or I may just go into spam by now...

[F, Calla & Luca]

Me too!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

As always you set such a wonderful example for the rest of us!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Any excuse....she must have this on her desktop....maybe even as her background photo!

;-)

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

OMD how did this make its way into a discussion on pudgy dogs, yiddish, and green beans!!!!   

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It's kind of like Rod Stewart. It seems to be appropriate in any conversation!

[F, Calla & Luca]

: )

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thanks Donna, I will pass the message along to my DH. :)

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Ooooooo, this one hit home.  Finnegan's beginning to look like a stuffed (and I do mean "stuffed") teddy bear. Part of it is his coat is longer but part of it is we're missing our long walks in the park and along the canal since it got cold.  It's so tempting to build a fire and relax.  TIme to man woman up and get walking again. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Cheryl, that fire does sound nice! We got our first little bit of snow today-just a trace be enough to make me want to hibernate!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Say it ain't so....no way is sweet little Tara F-A-T.  I prefer to say undertall, zaftig, or pleasingly plump. A diet before the holidays seems wrong to me, so I may be sending Vern there to collect the pudgy fatas sweetie :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oy vey, another shicksa speaking Yiddish! Oh wait, I forgot, you're Jewish by marriage!