The BC SPCA Paws for a Cause is our first walkathon and we are very excited. I have been dying to give back to my community focusing on what really matters to me, animals. What I really love about Paws for a Cause is that we are walking for animals; not just companion, but farm and wild as well. It’s a chance were we can be apart of a much needed fundraiser for an organization that is vital to each community. The campaign stretches to 39 communities across BC from June to September.

We aren’t taking any chances so we have started our extreme training to make sure we are physically ready for the Paws for a Cause event…yes we know it’s a walkathon, but you haven’t seen us walk

Keep in mind when you watch this video that we are in fact trained professionals and do not, I repeat do not, try this at home.

The money raised will go the BC SPCA, some examples of where the money goes are:
* $40.00 feeds a litter of puppies for one week.
* $84.00 feeds and cares for a cat for one week
* $120.00 covers emergency response for animal rescue for one night.
* $10,000 pays for investigating and prosecuting one animals cruelty case.

Money raised will also help build awareness on animal welfare, promote adoption etc..

Our personal goal is $1000.00, which in our eyes seems very attainable. All we ask is for a donation that is affordable to that person, whether its $5.00, $10.00, $20.00, we will be happy with any amount.

The big day for Paws for a Cause walkathon is September 13 2009, Our park is the beautiful Jericho Park in Vancouver, BC. For more info please visit Paws for a Cause and help support team Dog Quality.

I watched a touching video today where a family shared their memories of their two cocker spaniels. I felt moved by being able to share in these moments, but also saddened because it made me think about my own dogs and the heart break I still feel over the loss of Churchill my French Bulldog who left us last summer after 12 wonderful years. Inspired by the video I saw and swimming in my own memories, I decided to create my own tribute to honour Churchill and the love that he and Mackenzie (my Pug) shared.

This video shares with you some special moments I was fortunate to have had with my boys. It will never be the same without Churchill, but I feel comfort in knowing that his memories will carry on and I am able to share some of them with you in this video.

Thanks for watching.

Definitely not something you hear much about but certainly no less important. Beth Davidow, a blogger at seattlepi.com, explains that a blood donor clinic for cats and dogs is important because like humans they need blood transfusions. She continues, “Dogs and cats are subject to many of the same injuries and diseases as people and thus blood products are an important treatment, especially in the emergency unit and in our ICU”.

Blood donor programs are also useful for cats or dogs who suffer from Anaemia – low red blood cells that cause weakness and shortness of breath. They help provide blood transfusions in instances of natural clotting problems or unnatural cases like when an animal eats rat poison. I know that with our aging 13 year old Pug there may be instances where surgery is needed and knowing that there is a supply of blood available to allow for such things puts my mind ease. This is a program that we must continue to support so that the supply remains accessible year after year.

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Mackenzie is the kind of Pug that takes time to smell the roses, someone who appreciates the early signs of spring, a ray of sun or the dewy grass. You can’t rush Mackenzie and you’ll often find him staring off into the sunset wondering how life made him the man he is today.

Trouble seeing the video? Click here

Living in Canada and dealing mainly with Canadian and U.S. dog owners I forget about all the great stuff the United Kingdom does for dogs. The PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity, caring for more than 350,000 pet patients belonging to people in need. Recently they ran a program helping overweight pets to lose weight and in fact made a contest out of it. Participating in the contest, which consisted of a 100 day diet and fitness program devised by vets, was 5 obese dogs and one cat. Many of which were in their senior years.

The winner of this contest was a Labrador Retriever by the name of Keano (great name by the way) who began the contest at more than 100 pounds, which means that he was approximately 55% overweight. Losing 22 pounds earned him the skinny crown that he deserves.

Second place went to a 7-year-old German Shepherd by the name of Alfie who joined the program at over 125 pounds, approximately 55% overweight. Alfie missed the top spot by only a couple of pounds as he lost 20 pounds (19% of his body weight) and 6 inches off his waist by participating.

Tinks, the lone cat in the contest, fared exceptionally well, even at he young age of 13-years-old. Tinks was a shocking 96% overweight at 23 pounds, but left the program with a waistline that was 2 inches shorter and a body that was 2 pounds lighter.

It is hopeful that all the participants will continue to see the benefits that exercise and a healthy diet can bring, and if these results are possible within just 100 days, then think about what can happen over the next 6 months.

The bottom line is that no matter what age your pet is you can make a significant difference in their happiness and well-being by keeping them active and making sure they have a healthy diet. The benefits that controlling their weight can bring are absolutely endless, from preventing diabetes and heart problems, to keeping their spirits up and stimulating their minds.

Mackenzie (my pug) could be a poster child for weight-loss. By around 8 years-old he started gaining weight. He was getting older and has an enlarged heart. This meant that he would hyperventilate quite easy…it became a vicious cycle where I was too worried to walk him for fear that he was straining his heart, but by not walking him he was gaining weight which in and of itself put strain on his heart. Thanks to a wise vet we found the magic solution. We put him on a special diet food and I took him for walks early in the morning and at night when it was much cooler. The walks started very slowly, shorts walks that gradually grew in distance as Mackenzie became fitter and lighter.

Long story short – he went from being 31 pounds to 20 pounds and became a whole new dog. His energy shot up, his health dramatically improved and he has kept the weight off to this day, 5 years later.

I am a big believer in keeping your dog active and controlling their weight is one of the major benefits.

Do you have a dog with a great weight-loss story? If so we’d love to hear it.

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Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of www.DogQuality.com, a site focused on products that help older dogs enjoy life.