LESSONS FROM BUDDY

This week, I'd like to share some lessons I've been learning from Buddy, our 14 month old Golden Retriever. I'm sure the Dog Whisperer would have lots to say about these things, but here goes anyway.

A cute little 2-month old puppy soon becomes a large force of nature, rivaling even the strongest willed and most energetic 3 year old child. In fact, it's pretty much like having another 3 year old, without the vocabulary. When you see "cute", unless you're committed to the long haul, turn around and run.

Human Lesson: Nothing will ever be as easy as you think it will be. (It's still worth it though).

Library Books are expensive when you have to buy them. Apparently, 50 chew toys aren't enough to satisfy this need. Any book left out on a counter sooner or later becomes number 51. After the second book, we use the cabinet now to avoid yet another $30 fee.

Human Lesson: Whatever your vice, don't just leave it laying around. I can always sniff out a leftover cookie, and I'm sure to make short work of it too. Just like Buddy and my books.

No matter how many times he's come up short, he's always going to try and catch that next bird that he scares up. You've got to keep a pretty tight rein on things, even when you're just out there for potty-time. At a newly trim 74 lbs, Buddy's quite a force to be reckoned with, especially if he gets the jump on you.

Human Lesson: Never give up, and keep reaching for that goal. Even if you don't make it, you'll get lots of exercise.

Finally, when we first got Buddy, we followed the directions on the dog food. That's what you're supposed to do, right? Wrong. With all the extra calories, and less activity due to the winter weather, Buddy was starting to get fat!

So on the advice of our vet, we slowly cut back his serving sizes, adding some vegetables like green beans and carrots to make up the difference. We also get him outside several times a day so he can really get moving. He even goes swimming in the pond (which is another story). It's been working too. Last weigh-in, he was down about five pounds!

Human Lesson:

Don't count on "regular" serving sizes and portions to keep you thin. We probably also need to get moving more ourselves.

Some people who've been moving include our Biggest Losers. Brian Bradley finished first this week, losing 4.6 lbs and 2.0% of his body weight. Lori Hollingsworth was second, losing 3.1 lbs and 1.9%. Matt Murphy placed third, losing 5.3 lbs and 1.6%.