<

Once again we were inundated with entries to our Healthy Paws contest. As ever we were so impressed and inspired by the lengths that so many of our pet parents go to, to ensure that their four legged family members stay happy and healthy. We hope that by sharing these 5 winning entries you will be as inspired as we were!

Winning entry #1 – A healthy “tee”

All winter long, about every other day a group of us "old Timers" golf; about 7 or 8 of us with our dogs all running and wrestling for 18 holes of golf. Some of us bring more than one dog. After such a great workout all the dogs sleep well…and so do we!

James

Winning entry #2 – Spoiled? We refer to it as loved!

Our Golden Retriever, Casie is the light of our lives as she came into our house just 1 week after the loss of our beloved Golden, Reiley.  She fit in immediately and because Reiley passed away of liver disease, we are EXTRA vigilant with the health of our new puppy.  She gets fed an organic homemade diet with beef, tuna, rice, broccoli & sweet potatoes along with organic probiotics, digestive enzymes and bottled water.  She gets daily swims in our pool (the dogs get more use out of it than we do!) for 1-2 hours and she and I participate in a weekly agility class.  We also are members of a dock jumping club in our area which provides a LOT of running, jumping and mental exercise as well.  In the cooler months here in the desert we also go on daily walks in our neighborhood and weekly hikes in the mountain preserve.  We know she is spoiled but she deserves it all for the happiness she provides to us and our 3 year old daughter!

Lisa & Casie

Winning entry #3 – A balanced life = a healthy life

My Cody is only 7 mos. old,  but I’ve learned a lot about caring for a pet after having an Affenpincher for 12+ years. It’s the little things that add up that make a long term difference in their health leading into old age. Cody drinks only filtered or bottled water. My last pet (Annie) didn’t and constantly had GI upsets with an unknown etiology. Cody is bathed in natural shampoos with no added  chemicals. We feed him NUTRISH, made by Rachael Ray, and he is allowed no human food except occasional organic rice cakes. He loves them!!!

He gets plenty of exercise and sunshine daily. He sees his Dr. as ordered. And he gets his teeth brushed every night before bedtime.

And last but not at all least; he gets constant love and attention that includes training him to have manners as well as learning lots of new tricks.

BALANCE is what I’m trying to say here.  That’s what it takes to keep my Cody healthy; all things naturally good for him that will give him a long and full life.

Thanks from us both,

Cali and Cody

Winning entry #4 – From rescue to royalty

Both my dogs get special but practical care.  The get 2 checkups a year and baths and nails cut or ground every 3 months. In addition, they are fed BLUE, because it is a natural product, with no by-products, additives or preservatives.

They have regular dental cleaning and they have fun playing together in my yard with each other or other dogs we invite to join them, or taking daily walks with me.  I also carry Petplan pet insurance to cover major problems should they arise. Every day they get Synovi G3 and 2 fish oil capsules.

Most of all they get hugs and kisses, plus all the love I have to give.

Gypsy and Kona were both adopted; Gypsy at 13 weeks from a breeder. Kona was one and a half years old when she was rescued from a garbage dump.  They thrive on being together and they kiss each other all the time.  I give them the same care I gave my children growing up; besides, now they are the only children living at home!

Winning entry #5 – A healthy “couch potato”

Our dog Chocolate Lab Sam is spoiled rotten!  In addition to a raw diet,prime roast beef from the farmers market, weekends at the beach, total access to the couch, toys/bones all over the house, - well you get the

picture - It's a Dog's Life! 

We try to keep Sam as healthy and as happy as possible, but I worry about the time he is left alone while we are at work.  Recently, I checked into a few Doggie Day Cares in the area, but since Sam has not been neutered he wasn't welcome. I have started leaving Animal Planet on TV while we are at work and he seems to really like it!   When he watches TV, he thinks it's another window to the outside. I know this because when we were watching the Kentucky Derby, he kept looking out the other windows in our den for the horses.  I also feel some small comfort knowing that maybe sometimes during the day when he hears the people taking on TV, he

doesn't feel so alone as he would in a totally quiet house.   

Diane & Sam