JAN  2015

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

With the holidays behind us, and a whole new year of hope and promise ahead, now's the time to set some goals and develop a plan for the things that matter most in 2015.  

 

In this issue of the Spotlight, we include two articles about New Year's Resolutions that we hope will help you not only achieve the goals you set, but also bring more joy and contentment into your life and the lives of your beloved pets.

 

We want to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best in the coming year. May 2015 be a year of joy, prosperity and peace for you, your loved ones, and our nation.

 

 

There's always something fun and exciting going on at Bewaggle, and we're excited to share our news and information with you. Read on and share in the excitement!

 

Wishing you the very best of the Season,

Marianne  

Marianne Carlson, Co-Founder
Bewaggle, LLC

407-729-2242 

 

Article1Set Goals that Help You Both
This year, when you set your New Year's Resolution, we want to encourage you to include your pets in the goals you set. Your pets probably need more exercise too, and they may need to lose some weight.  
If your New Years Resolution is focused on your health, why not include your pet's health too?  

As you develop your plans for improving your health in the coming year, include activities that can improve your pet's health as well. Dogs and humans can all benefit from a brisk walk every day, and that might be a place to start.  Small dogs and cats can benefit from indoor games that get them running, jumping, and having fun while they get the exercise they need.  

If your pet is overweight, it can be a serious risk to his health. You can include a weight loss plan for your dog or cat in your New Year's Resolution this year.

Maybe what they need most is to learn some better manners, and that would be a great resolution for the new year.  
The point is, we all can stand some improvements, and this is a great time to reflect on how to best achieve some goals that can make us all healthier, happier, and better citizens.  

If you need ideas or tips for setting some positive goals for your pets, give us a call.  Or if you need help implementing the goals you want to achieve, we can help with that too.

 

Being overweight puts your pet at greater risk for a number of serious health problems including heart disease, stroke, digestive problems, and many forms of cancer, just to name a few. And let's face it, he didn't get overweight by raiding the refrigerator while you're not around. Pets only eat what we feed them, so if yours is overweight, you have only yourself to blame. Here are a few tips to help you bring his weight under control.

  1. Ask the vet. The first step is to determine how much weight he needs to lose. In small breeds, a couple of pounds can mean the difference between a healthy pet and an obese one. Talk to your vet about your goals and strategies before you begin.
  2. Read the labels. Pet foods vary enormously, and what is an appropriate serving size for one brand, may be way too much of another brand.  The size of the serving isn't determined by the size of the animal; it's determined by the composition of the food.  The only way to know how much to feed your pet is by reading the labels and following the directions.  (Over time, you may determine that a slight variation from the recommendation is needed, but we recommend following the recommendations exactly for at least a month.)
  3. Use a measuring cup. Don't just pour what looks like a half a cup into his bowl.  If you do, you will almost certainly feed him too much.  And even a little bit extra will cause problems, when it happens at every meal.  Always measure his food. Always. At every meal. 
  4. Subtract for treats.  If the dog food bag says he should get one cup a day, then one cup a day is it.  If you are supplementing his meals with dog biscuits, treats, snacks, people scraps, chew toys, or any other consumable products, remember that those products have calories.  If you're adding treats, you must subtract from the recommended serving size of his regular meals.
  5. Be prepared for a shock. Most people are totally shocked to discover how much they have been overfeeding their pets. They look at the recommended serving in the bowl, and they feel it's just nowhere near enough food.  Yes. It's enough. Truly.
  6. Don't reward begging. If your pet is overweight, you've probably given in to him in the past when he begs for a bite of your sandwich or a tasty treat from the bag. It's hard to resist, but you must! Begging happens because it works. If you stop rewarding him, he'll eventually stop begging.  And if the scrap or the treat he's begging for isn't part of the daily plan, you must not cave in. Often, begging is a sign that he's looking for attention (and not just treats), so give him a toy or some playtime with you instead of food. 
Remember that your pets rely on you to keep them healthy. It's your responsibility and your duty. Don't let him down by allowing him to get (or remain) overweight. And if you need advice or guidance, we can help.  But the very best place to begin is with your vet.
Article2aBewaggle is HIRING!

We need some great pet sitters who live in West Volusia or Seminole County.  The ideal candidate will:
  • Be a true animal lover, first and foremost!
  • Have at least 10 years work experience. Not necessarily in the animal care industry, but we need people with a proven track record of excellence and professionalism.
  • Have complete control over their own schedule.  We can't work around school and work schedules, as our clients' needs have to come first. This could be a great fit for retirees and the self-employed!
  • Have basic computer skills and a functional home computer and printer.  (A smart phone is not a requirement, but it's a huge advantage.)
If you or someone you know would like to get paid to play with pets, all the information and the application are available on our website. Click here to learn more.
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In this Issue




Oh For Barking Out Loud!
Professional Pet Sitter
Oh for Barking Out Loud! 
is the Bewaggle blog, where we post articles relating to the care and enjoyment of your pets. Here's a sample from our recent posts:
 
 

In this post, we list the 10 dog breeds that have the longest life expectancies. Oddly enough, the oldest dog on record was not one of those breeds, which just shows you what an impact care and nurturing can have on a pet's longevity.
Read more...

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