Jenny Craig Candidate

I have never seen a wolf trudging along behind the pack in attempts to keep up. I've never seen any overweight animals in the wild.

Optimum health is essential to their survival skills-the physical exertion of the hunt and chase, bringing their prey down, it all takes a toned, muscular, well-appointed body and a sharp mind.

A far cry from close to 50% of our domesticated canine companions! Obesity is not only on the rise-it's higher than it's ever been in the history of the domestic dog.

The waddle is not a natural gait for any dog. (not even the Basset Hound)

One should be able to run their hands down the dog's side and feel ribs, not have to dig through body fat to 'find' them!

While it may be very well and good for us to lay around on the sofa munching on a bowl of Doritos (and tossing the odd one to the dog) the ramifications are not so comforting for your companion!

A dog needs exercise, more than just a walk around the block two or three times a day. Or a big fenced-in backyard. They need to run-chase, play. They need to exert themselves physically and be challenged mentally.

When I hear of a dog who is a poor eater, the first question I ask is what kind of exercise the dog is getting. When I hear about a dog who is destructive in the house-the same question comes to mind.

Predators/scavengers are genetically programmed for the hunt, the chase and the bringing down of their prey. A dog owner who can employ all these events into a walk, will never have a dog who is a picky eater.

Nor will they have an over-weight dog...or any of the ailments that go along with or are exascerbated by obesity-diabetes, joint dysfunction, heart disease, orthopedic issues.

There's even a pill out now for treating over-weight dogs--Slentrol.

I say, shame on any vet who prescribes it.

There are too many armchair owners-too many fair-weather walkers. It's far easier to throw the dog a treat (or three) or to put the dog into the backyard than to grab the leash and head outside for an hour's exercise.

Not always convenient to put aside an hour a day to enjoy the outdoors with your dog. To play, to discover. to bond. Find that trigger for your dog-that game it just loves to play until you're worn-out! A frisbee, a ball, jogging, whatever it might be.

A necessity for the responsible dog owner and for the healthy, well-balanced dog!