A Dog Is For Love

Walking The Dog is Better Exercise Than Going to The Gym!

In that case I should be fit as a fiddle! This article appeared in www.upi.com.

The average British dog owner gets more of a workout walking his dog than someone with a gym membership, a pet healthcare expert said.

Research indicates dog owners exercise their pets twice daily for 24 minutes each time, totalling more than five hours a week, The Daily Telegraph reported Friday. In addition, dog owners take Fido on three long walks a week, adding another two-plus hours to the total.

By comparison, pet-less people spend about an hour and 20 minutes exercising, whether in a gym or on their own, the British publication said.

A spokesperson for pet health expert Bob Martin said the difference seems to be a matter of perception - going to a gym can seem like a chore while walking the dog could be considered fun.

"A couple of short walks a day soon adds up and this research shows that it amounts to more time than people spend in the gym," the spokesman said.

Martin's study of 5,000 people, including 3,000 dog owners, indicated 86 percent said they enjoyed walking their dogs daily, while 22 percent said it could be a chore.

By contrast, 16 percent of respondents said they enjoyed exercising in the gym while nearly 70 percent considered it a chore.

The survey showed 60 percent of pet owners said they always go for a walk with their dogs, even when pressed for time while 46 percent of gym-goers said they often find other things to do to get out of exercising.

Faith - An Inspirational Story of a Dog with Two Legs

A friend sent me this truly inspirational story by email and it is so wonderful, I simply had to post it on my blog!

 

This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002. He was born with 2 legs. He of course could not walk when he was born. Even his mother did not want him. 

 

His first owner also did not think that he could survive and he was thinking of 'putting him to sleep'. But then, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him. She became determined to teach and train this little dog to walk by himself. She named him 'Faith'.
  
In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfboard to let him feel the movement. Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and reward for him for standing up and jumping around. Even the other dog at home encouraged him to walk. Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his hind legs and to jump to move forward. After further training in the snow, he could now walk like a human being.  
    
Faith loves to walk around now. No matter where he goes, he attracts people to him. He is fast becoming famous on the international scene and has appeared on various newspapers and TV shows. There is now a book entitled 'With a Little Faith' being published about him. He was even considered to appear in one of Harry Potter movies.
  
His present owner Jude Stringfellow has  given up her teaching post and plans to take him around the world to preach that "even without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul". 

    

In life there are always undesirable things, so in order to feel better you just need to look at life from another direction. I hope this message will bring fresh new ways of thinking to everyone and that everyone will appreciate and be thankful for each beautiful day. Faith is the continual demonstration of the strength and wonder of life.

 

 

Dogs and Fireworks

Bonfire night is coming up this week, on November 5th, and for many dogs and their owners fireworks are a nightmare, causing stress and anxiety for days on end as people celebrate with a bang!

My dog Hazel has always been frightened of fireworks. She would tremble all over and climb on me, or else take cover under my desk or therapy couch. Over the last few years I have seen many TV episodes of "The Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Milan. I think he is amazing and it turns out that every time there is an anxiety problem with a dog, it is the owner that needs training! With this in mind, I realised that I must be contributing to my dog's anxiety about fireworks.

On the basis that I convey my energy to my dog, I need to give out the energy of calm-assertiveness in order that my dog can be calm-submissive. In the past I was comforting her, telling her it was OK and that mummy was looking after her! I have to be honest and admit that I liked protecting her and the feeling of her cuddling up to me for safety. In the light of my new learning, it was my responsibility to assume the role of leader of the pack. I had not been fair on her and had not given her what she needed in the past.

This all happened a couple of years ago when there had been firework displays and firework parties in the neighbours' gardens for a few days running. I took the normal precautions of drawing all the curtains and having the TV on quite loud. When we heard the first bangs go off, Hazel's ears pricked up and she came to me for reassurance. In order to convey calm-assertive energy, I did not look at her, I relaxed my body and gave a yawn. I made sure I was utterly unaffected, unconcerned and chilled out. I said nothing and did not touch her. Amazingly, there were no trembles and after a while she laid down. Then I started to give her a nice brush and she accepted this very calmly. Later the noise was more intense and she did climb up and spread herself over me. I allowed this but again did not speak, fuss or look at her.

This was our best bonfire night ever. Hazel was calm and confident - it was as if she knew she was in good hands. So often our behaviour with our dogs is about what we need from the relationship rather than what the dog needs. As a dog lover I need to give my dog leadership and balance through my thoughts and body language. I should not indulge her fears and anxieties because it makes me feel needed! In having a dog, I make a commitment to take care of her needs but there is no reciprocation in the dog/human relationship. My needs are my own responsibility.

Over the last two years our firework nights have been less stressful with this approach. She has not come to like it but we manage the situation much more successfully now that I don't indulge Hazel and feed her fears.

Daisy's New Jumper

I never thought I would dress my dogs but I couldn't resist buying Daisy a lovely red jumper for the Christmas season. I bought her a hat and booties as well but she wouldn't keep them on - she is a girl of style and I think she knew she looked silly. But she does look a treat in her jumper and I think she knows it!