Snow is fun!

Snow day- for Curley it means having fun. Just watching him exploring about brings smiles to my face.
Despite Curley's daily walks, he struggles maintaining a healthy weight. Being a conscientious mother, I am not just monitoring his food intake, ensure he gets to walk at least 2 miles daily-I am being active.
Curley does certainly not enjoy his strict diet, but his health is important to me. I tried green beans, didn't work. He is a picky eater, won't even touch his dry food if mixed with. Someone recommended pumpkin puree, he loves it. I use it as a filler (as contains fibers). I selfishly want Curley to live a long healthy life. I also recommend bones (femur bones which I cook thoroughly and remove marrow) or deer antlers as a substitute to treats. He is not only a powerful chewer, but he appears to be constantly hungry. When given a bone or antler, Curley will entertain self: he absolutely loves them. Better than caloric treats, bonus- it will keep him busy and clean his teeth. Great!
I will admit it took me a long time to see Curley as having a weight issue - don't be in denial! I am to blame. I assumed that because I walked him daily for 2-3 hours, he could have treats. I overfed him. Since my awareness, he lost 3 lbs and looks healthier.

Lucky dog

Today, Curley and I went out for a walk earlier. We got up at 6 am, met with our friends at 6:15 am. Our dogs, I would say are happy and lucky. Lucky as I don't believe everyone takes the time to take their dog out for long walks. I unfortunately know of many dogs in my neighborhood that are maybe left out for 5 min before their companion leaves for walk and when they return later in the evening. Some may consider that providing a roof and food is sufficient, or rather is already a lot. In some ways it is, especially as I understand many dogs are without home. However, I believe dogs require time to exercise and expand their energy. While some dogs are more easy going, others require exercise, whether a hour walk or running about. When I first got Curley, I knew I was getting a high energy dog, I ultimately had to make adjustment to my schedule, made a point to get up earlier and go on walks for an hour before work. It helped with anxiety separation, as well as made me realized there is more to life than work. I also believe it made our bond stronger. I am less stressed, we relax together. We are both happy. I will say my dog is certainly a reason I stay fit, all these walks. I aim in winter to walk him for 2 hrs a day, 2 long walks a day. In summer as it stays light out longer, we do more. Walking together had the effect to make us connect more, relaxes me, tires him (prevents him from getting bored and destroying things around-he ripped my mattress twice). It works for us.

Early walk

Today, I got up at 6:30 am to take Curley to a play-date with his friend, Jane, a lab mix. This is the time when my dog and I bound. There is almost nobody out, we get to enjoy the moment, listening to the birds, while enjoying our quiet walk in the woods. Even though it is chilly out, we don't care, we know this is our time. Curley starts his day with adventures, smelling around, finding a stick to carry around proudly... Something that never seems to amaze me is how Jane and Curley greet each other; happy to see each other. I feel lucky and grateful to experience these precious moments with my dog. If it wasn't for my dog, I certainly would not be out that early walking through a forest preserve. Instead, I'd be missing out, still in bed awaiting my clock to force me out to get ready for my hectic day. In other words, I wouldn't be "living". Since Curley came into my life, he taught me to appreciate these moments of solitude while experiencing nature. We'd walk and I'd hear birds singing, realizing that this is life.

Black dogs are dogs too.

For the past month, I have been fostering Tommy. Tommy is a sweet lab mix, which we rescued. This dog like many others taught me lessons about life. I've always been an animals lover, rescuing wild birds which I bring to a state licensed rehabilitation, turtles, feral cats... Since I got Tommy, the question which came to mind is why does it appear that there is a prejudice against black dogs. I grew up with a black lab, this is probably why in the first place I felt the need to rescue Tommy. He reminded me of my "Dog". Many rescues that I came in contact as a mean to find him a permanent loving home, kept saying that it would take time as being a bigger size dog and "black". My question is why? Does it matter that much, isn't a dog, a dog? In the world of rescue, this is referred as the "black dog syndrome" or as the "BBD" syndrome (big black dog).