A quickie on canine obesity

In preparation for the arrival of my pup, I've been doing a lot of research on Golden Retrievers and their potential health issues. One of those health issues is a predisposition to become overweight, which can lead to, or at the very least exacerbate, other ailments like hip dysplasia. So, I'm prepared to do my part to make sure my pup stays lean and mean.

Anyway, at the risk of jumping on the "Let's cure America of obesity" train, I thought I'd mention that February is National Canine Weight Check month. Yes folks, even America's dogs are fat. Apparently, at least 40% of our dogs are overweight or obese.

"A recent study conducted by Pfizer Animal Health found that veterinarians consider 47% of their patients overweight or obese but only 17% of dog owners think the same."

Why the difference of opinion? Well, could be denial...or could be that we Americans like our pups with meat on their bones and so don't consider them overweight...just "spoiled".

At any rate, I'm a big proponent of keeping yourselves and your pups healthy and fit. I encourage you to visit this website to learn more about how to assess your dog's health.

Or, if you don't feel like it, just grab your pup and go for a walk!

The squeaky toys are getting restless...

Crate?...check.
Pup food?...check.
Stuffed animals?...check.
TREATS!?...check.
Puppy?...umm...wait, wasn't there supposed to be a puppy?

Ok I PROMISE there actually will be a puppy announcement any day now. She's long overdue, but at least it's given me time to clean up the place for her...so she can tear it apart when she arrives :-)

For now, I suggest you stare longingly at the basket of toys and the empty crate, just as I do every night...and remember how tidy things appear right now for this will soon be a distant memory...

Anxiously Awaiting Pup

It’s January 8, 2008, and I’m an expectant momma (so to speak). I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new pup (a.k.a. furkid) – an American English Golden Retriever.

Don’t scoff – furkids aren't so different from the human kind. I’m preparing the “nursery” (an XL crate that will go at the foot of my bed…until she whines and I cave and I end up tossing the bed out the window and sleeping in the crate, holding her), researching optimal puppy diets and supplements (is 3 months too early for glucosamin & chondroitin to promote optimal joint function?), and puppy proofing the apartment (since when have I had so many LOOSE CORDS!). Shut up I am not neurotic. Okay maybe.

Listen, this is a big step for a, ahem, 31 year old (damn near 32). I can’t even keep plants alive (well, I didn’t used to be able to like 10 years ago and I haven’t even bothered to try since). And…I’m a New Yorker, and we’re notoriously late bloomers when it comes to committing to things.

So that’s why I’ve called this blog “Growing up with pup” – because with a little luck and a whole lot of effort and patience and sticktoitiveness, we’ll be living and learning and growing a lot over the coming years. This blog will recount the story of our lives together.

I hope you’ll join us on our journey – it’s sure to be a fun ride (umm, hellllooo…golden retriever in tiny studio apartment? No writer needed - these stories will create themselves.).

Stay tuned…