TV Show Casting Call for Obese Pets

We try to feed our pets healthy food, and the proper amount.
We walk our dogs, and provide our pets play time and exercise.
We participate in FitDog Friday, K9Kamp, and even use cool apps like Slimdoggy!
And some people hike, swim, surf, run, and do sporting activities with their pets.


But what if you had a pet who was seriously overweight, despite your best efforts? Or if you adopted a pet with obesity who didn't respond to your efforts? What if you needed extra help for your pet?

Would you consider participating in a TV show?

Punched in the Head Productions, which produces TV series for MTV, Bravo, Sundance, and the Cooking Channel, is holding an open casting call for owners of obese pets to be considered for a new national cable series. In the show, animal fitness and nutrition experts will help the pets get down to a healthy size. Cats, dogs, bunnies, pigs, and other pets are included.

I wasn't able to preview an episode of the show, so I'm not sure what the tone is like, but if you would enjoy the opportunity to be involved in a national television program, this may be for you. On the other hand, you may have to open your life up to scrutiny and transparency. But if you want to help an extremely obese animal get in shape, the new television program could help.

To audition, submit your name, age, phone number and two photos of yourself and your pet, and a short description of your current situation to castingfatpets@gmail.com. But hurry! They are looking for the right pets to help right away.

FitDog Friday is co-hosted by Peggy's Pet Place, Slimdoggy, and To Dog with Love. Join our blog hop!

Want more positive pet tips, good news, and special offers? Fetch my free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets. Kelly and Ike hope to see you there!

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Gizmo does Great Kamping!

We couldn't do K9Kamp without the support of our awesome featured bloggers.
Today please meet Gizmo from Terrier Torrent. Gizmo is a faithful Kamper...can't you tell?!

Gizmo is already an active pooch--he participates in many great activities and has a mom who keeps him fit and healthy. He even got the canine athlete seal of approval from Slimdoggy during a recent visit to BarkWorld!  So adding more activities onto his day was a challenge...but he did great! One of the specialties over at Terrier Torrent is geocaching.  What is Geocaching? I admit, I had to look it up to get a better understanding, but I discovered:
*It's like a treasure hunt using GPS
*A chache is a small, hidden containter
*It's a great activity to do with your dog!

Gizmo gets to run through trails, and sometimes without trails, helping his mom search for the hidden cache. What could be more fun?


Gizmo even went kayaking as a K9Kamp activity. Balancing on the kayak as it glides and rocks through the water is wonderful for your dog's core.  If you want to see what it might be like for you and your dog, don't miss the great video of Gizmo kayaking! I only wonder, there in Florida, did you see any alligators, Gizmo?

Thank you to Beth and Gizmo for participating in K9Kamp and being such great Kampers. I'll continue to feature more K9Kampers in future posts here, and also on Kol's Notes.
Keep fit with your pup--it's good for both of you!  See ya next K9Kamp!

Want more positive pet tips, good news, and special offers? Fetch my free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets. Kelly and Ike hope to see you there!

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Chase me if you Can

According to the American Heart Association, 80% of Americans don't make exercise a regular habit, and 14% say they don't like to exercise. I'm a little surprised by those figures. Actually, I thought it would be higher! I really don't enjoy exercising. I don't know many people who do! Well, I'm sure you're out there somewhere, you wild and crazy people who think it is fun to be achy, sweaty, out of breath and in pain. But one thing I do like is the feeling of doing something healthy for my body. I can't say I feel good, refreshed or energized physically after a workout like some people say they do. But I feel so darn good mentally. So I guess I have to take what positives I can out of the experience!

I wish I could be more like my dogs. They're always up for exercise. They both love their walks, runs at the park, and play time. When I say "Time for a walk!" they don't grump and complain about how they had a hard day and they're too tired and just leave them alone already. They jump up and dance around, spin around at my feet while I try to hook up the leashes, and bolt out the door enthusiastically, dragging me less-enthusiastically behind.

So I'm trying to learn from my dogs what makes exercise fun. And it's perfect, because that's the theme of K9Kamp this session---Fitness Fun and Games. Here's a game I played with Kelly and Ike.

Have you ever played "chase" with your dogs? We do, and they love it! And it's so much fun, I barely realize that I'm actually running and burning calories!
1. Find a place where you can run, weaving around trees, patio tables or other obstacles. You can do this indoors too. We have a natural circuit from our living room, to the hall, through the kitchen, through the dining room, back to the living room and hall and around again!

2. Start running! Most dogs don't need any encouragement to play along.

3. Change directions frequently. Try to fake them out. Make zig zags. Keep them guessing. It's so much fun because usually my dogs outsmart me! haha

4. I guarantee you, you will quit before your dogs do. I usually end up in a heap on the floor with the dogs begging for more!

Another game:
Play in the leaves!

What are some games you play with your dogs? Join our FitDog Friday hop, sponsored by Peggy's Pet Place, Slimdoggy, and To Dog with Love.

Want more positive pet tips, good news, and special offers? Fetch my free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets. Kelly and Ike hope to see you there!

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Let's Move....Pets Move!

One of our Featured Bloggers for K9 Kamp last session was Steve Pelletier. Many of you probably know Steve and Slimdoggy Jack. They're very active, promoting health and fitness for your dogs, and very helpful and kind too.












They do a bang-up job over at Slimdoggy, so I hope you pay them a visit.
Slimdoggy Jack was once a hyper, obese, unhealthy rescue dog...and now he's at a healthy weight and a strong workout buddy!

 In addition to sharing detailed accurate and helpful posts on fitness and pet food ingredients, Steve created the Slimdoggy App. This is a useful tool for determining how much your dog should eat, based on calories consumed and activity level. It's a great way to help keep your dog at a healthy weight. To check it out, you can see the Slimdoggy Widget on our sidebar.

And now, Steve has pioneered Pets Move, an online community to help encourage each other to get our pets fit!

"It is costing pet owners time (their dogs life spans are shortened by 2 years) and money (hundreds if not thousands of dollars each year) to have an overweight dog." Steve says. "This is a serious, yet manageable problem to address." Pets Move provides fun tracking tools, leader boards and prizes, and a member community all of which help support people as they begin their efforts to get their pets more fit. You'll meet new friends and improve your dog's health, and your own as well!

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You can register on the PetsMove.org site and then log & track your dog’s activities.  But instead of calorie counting, you'll collect "paws" and will use these paws toward reward prizes throughout the program. Also, enter the Pets Move video contest for a chance to get a custom pet fitness and feeding program, some great canine fitness products, and a chance to appear on The Pet Show with TV personality and veterinarian, Dr. Katy Nelson on ABC TV in Washington DC.

Steve says, "We humans are stewards of our dog’s health and well-being and overall, as a nation (and a world) we are failing our beloved pets.  With Pets Move, we aim to change that."

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Last Stop on the Fun and Furry Blog Tour!

Today is the last stop on the Fun and Furry, Fit and Healthy Blog Tour. We had a lot of fun visiting around, and answered some great questions and met a lot of new friends. Today we are thrilled to wrap up our tour with a visit to Fidose of Reality, a canine-centric online magazine where dog lovers of the highest order unite!

Thank you everyone for a great tour and for checking out The Dieting with my Dog Guide to Weight Loss and Maintenance! In case you missed any, here are all the stops:

The Dieting with my Dog Guide to

Weight loss and Maintenance

9/9 Launch giveaway!

9/11- Kol’s Notes

9/13- Pet Health Care Gazette

9/16- Rumpy Dog

9/18- Heart Like a Dog

9/19- The Dog Ring

9/20- I Still Want More Puppies

9/23- Cindy Lu’s Muse

9/25- My GBGV Life

9/27- Pooch Smooches

9/30- Fidose of Reality


AND check back tomorrow for prize winners of one free Dieting with my Dog Guide book, and one Dieting with my Dog Guide Fun & Furry Gift pack!

Want more positive pet tips, good news, and special offers? Fetch my free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets. Kelly and Ike hope to see you there!

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Fun & Furry Fit & Healthy Tour Stop #6- I Still Want More Puppies

Fun & Furry, Fit & Healthy Blog Tour continues with I Still Want more Puppies!

AJ, the tremendous Tavish and the beguiling Bella have questions for me there, including...
Have I ever thought about writing Fitness with your Feline??

Please hop over to I Still Want More Puppies and visit us on the tour!

Want more positive pet tips, good news, and special offers? Fetch my free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets. Kelly and Ike hope to see you there!

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Blog Tour Stop #4-- Heart Like a Dog

Jodi, Sampson and Delilah are hosting us on our tour today over at Heart Like a Dog. This is a blog where you will always leave feeling like you've just had an interesting chat with a friend (while two dogs are lounging at your feet.) So please do stop by.

Don't forget to check out the book! In The Dieting with my Dog Guide to Weight Loss and Maintenance, you'll hear from Annette and Snoopy about running...

...and Chester and Gretel on snowshoeing! There's an activity for every dog and their humans. So get fit with your best friend!

The Dieting with my Dog Guide to Weight Loss and Maintenance.

Want more positive pet tips, good news, and special offers? Fetch my free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets. Kelly and Ike hope to see you there!

 

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August is Senior Pets Month - Caring for your Aging Pet

There’s just something about a puppy. That “new puppy smell”, their cute miniature features and their high energy can leave us swooning. But whether you start with a puppy or adopt an older pet, there comes a time for all pet owners when it becomes important to learn how best to care for a senior pet.

Blogpaws, a pet-focused social media company, has declared August as Senior Pet Month in honor of our oldest furry friends. They offer tips for helping your pet age into their golden years, and ideas for how best to care for them once they get there.

The first step to helping your pet have a graceful and healthy transition into old age is to know any health issues that could arise. Research your pet’s breed to know what to prepare for, as everything from joints and muscles to skin, fur and teeth can age differently from pet to pet.

One of the most important ways you can protect your pet as they age is to keep them healthy and fit. Feeding your pet an appropriate diet is a must for a dog or cat of any age. The type and amount of food you give them should be influenced by their size, breed and activity level. Talk with your vet about your pet’s specific needs, and be sure to read the labels on bags of pet food to know exactly what you are feeding your pet. Protein is an important element in your aging pet’s diet, as it supports muscle mass.

A healthy diet plus regular exercise can help ward off obesity, which is crucial to your pet’s long-term health. Extra weight can put more pressure on aging joints and muscles, a strain that can be prevented by keeping your pet active as they age. If your pet starts to become less active, you may want to reconsider the amount and type of food that they eat on a daily basis.

Any changes in your pet’s behavior or diet should always be discussed with your vet. Regular veterinary visits as your pet ages can help to prevent potential illness and weakness, keeping your pet happy and healthy into their senior years. 

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FitDog Friday- Sneak Peek

I couldn't think of a better place to share a sneak peek at my new book cover, than with my friends here on FitDog Friday! Ever since I wrote Dieting with my Dog, people have been asking me for more practical tips and how-to's for losing weight and getting fit with their dogs. I'm excited to announce that The Dieting with my Dog Guide to Weight Loss and Maintenance will be released mid-August. Yes, that soon! (And a big thank you to Jodi from Kol's Notes for help designing the cover!) The book features sections on running, hiking, backpacking, swimming and more from your favorite bloggers, all experts in getting fit and having fun with their dogs. AND exercises you can do with your dog. One of the most important sections shares tips on how to maintain your weight loss. So keep checking back and I'll soon have more news and an exciting contest where you can enter to win a copy!
 

This is a blog hop! FitDog Friday is co-hosted by Peggy's Pet Place, Slimdoggy and To Dog With Love.

Want more positive pet tips, good news, and special offers? Content not already on the blog? Fetch our free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets! Kelly and I hope to see you there!

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Around the Campfire, K9 Kampers Tell All!

FitDog Friday is sponsored by Peggy's Pet Place, Slimdoggy and To Dog with Love.

If time flies when you're having fun, we must have been having a lot of fun because K9 Kamp flew by in a wink of a puppy dog's eye!

1. How much fun did we have? How did Kamp go? What did you learn? In addition to our regular FitDog Friday blog hop, today's the day for all Kampers to post your results and link up. And if you didn't have a chance to join in the fun, link up anyway with any fit dog topic. Don't forget to check out all the activities that kept our K9kampers busy.

2. What? Awards too? Yup! All K9 Kampers were so amazing, on Wednesday we'll be announcing our annual Kamp awards! Last year we had awards such as Most Stylish Kamper, Abs of Steel Award, Most Creative Kamper, and more....see what you or your favorite bloggers won!

3. Still Time for Prizes! We've got a great K9 Kamp prize package for one lucky winner worth more than $200, from our sponsors  EzyDog, NiteIze, and Only Natural Pet Supply. There's a leash, toys, books, and much more. Entries close Tuesday June 25 at 12 NOON PST. Enter at http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.ca/p/k9-kamp.html or http://kolchakpuggle.com/k9kamp. We'll announce the prize winner on Wednesday.

5. How'd we do? So before we go, we'd love to hear from you--what worked, what didn't work? Any tips for how we can make K9 Kamp even more motivating and exciting? We'd love to hear your suggestions and are always working to make K9Kamp the best it can be.

6. See you in the fall! The next K9 Kamp will be in October. Everyone can join. See you then!

 2. Can't wait for Fall? We've Got Mini-Challenges! Kelly and Koly believe that fitness is a year 'round consistent need, not just a special occasion. So to keep the K9 Kamp fun rolling between Kamp Challenges we're excited to announce that You Did What With Your Wiener is joining our K9 Kamp Team with the new monthly "Keeping Up With K9 Kamp" mini-challenges! Mini-challenges will be easy ways to help you make sure your pet's fitness is on track. Visit FitDog Friday on the first Friday of every month to get the new challenge. Welcome Jessica, Chester and Gretel!

Join the blog hop!

Want PAWsitive pet tips, good news and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Fetch our free newsletter! Kelly and I can't wait to see you there!

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K9 Kamp- The Challenge

Welcome to K9 Kamp, sponsored by Peggy's Pet Place and Kol's Notes! We're so excited that you've joined us. K9 Kamp is open to EVERYONE, and we're going to have a great time!

Each year we've issued a fitness challenge for you and your dogs, and we have to admit they've gotten pretty creative. This year we've decided to make our challenge just as fun, but more flexible. We believe that fitness should be an everyday focus, but it means something different to everyone. You should do the things you and your dog love to do together. But we won't let you off THAT easy!

THE CHALLENGE:
 Get active with your dog in the way of your choice, 30 extra minutes at least 3 times a week*
AND Our THEME for you to focus your challenge activities around is summer sunshine! The weather is turning nice (when it's not too hot!) and it's a perfect time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and boundless possibilities with your dog.

Possible Activities:
Walking
Running
Agility
Swimming
Training exercises
You name it!

(*Please consult your veterinarian if you have ANY questions about your dog's health or fitness capacity. Adjust times to you and your dog's needs...for some senior dogs or dogs with certain conditions, it may not be safe to get active for as long, while dogs who are already active may require more.)

C'mon Mom, let's get moving!

Okay so simply decide upon your activity or activities, keep track of your progress, and report in on ANY FITDOG FRIDAY and link up to let us know how it's going. Then, on June 21 come back on the last day of Kamp and share your results. How did it go? What worked for you? What didn't work?

What else is going on?
*We'll feature posts on fitness and nutrition to keep you going.
* 14 Featured Bloggers will also be posting about their Kamp experience on their blogs
* We'll introduce you to our 14 Featured Bloggers in longer interviews throughout the year!
* Our Official Trainer, K9 Fit Club, will offer exercise instruction How-To's for you to follow along
* Don't miss special tweets and tips that might pop up on social media
*Oh yeah, and we have a great prize package valued at more than $200 including:

An EzyDog Vario6 Leash & Fold-a-Bowl

A NiteIze LED glowing fetch ball & collar charm

A Natural, chemical free pest tag (can be used on its own or in conjunction with a traditional flea/tick preventative)

A copy of my book Dieting With My Dog

A bag each of Kol's Veggie Snacks & Green Bean Crunchers

An assortment of active toys, such as ball, frisbee, tug etc.
How do I enter the contest?
JUST VISIT OUR RAFFLECOPTER ON OUR K9KAMP PAGE TO ENTER!


Those Featured Bloggers Must be pretty special. Who are they?

Pocket & her Dad from Small Tales: the big adventures of tiny terrierists

Pamela and Honey from Something Wagging This Way Comes

Snoopy & Annette from Snoopy's Dog Blog

PupFan, Bella & Tavish from I Still Want More Puppies

Pam & Oskar from Pet Blogs United and the Daily Oskar

Jodi, Sampson & Delilah from Heart Like a Dog

Liz and Daisy from Woof Woof Mama

Steve, Jack & Maggie from SlimDoggy

Diane and Rocco from To Dog With Love

Jackie & Rita from Pooch Smooches

Cinny, Baby Pom & JR from Whirlwind of Surprises

Jessica, Chester & Gretel from You Did What With Your Wiener

Beth & Gizmo from Terrier Torrent

Emma and her Mom from My GBGV Life

We love getting fit and healthy with our dogs. We're looking forward to an awesome K9Kamp this year. Hear that whistle blowing? Time to get moving! Feel free to leave a comment and let us know why you are joining in, and what activity you are planning on doing to keep fit?

Want pawsitive pet tips, good news, and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Subscribe to my free newsletter.  Kelly and I can't wait to see you there!

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