This is a picture of Madison Before and After. When Madison came back to us in January 2003 she weighted 92 pounds. She waddled, not walked, and running was nearly out of the question. If she lay down for any length of time she limped when she got up. She had so little energy that she had been put on thyroid medication in the hopes of revving her up a little.


Today after a lot of hard work, Madison weighs 62 pounds. She walks at least three miles a day—when she isn’t chasing after errant little puppies or swimming in the ponds. I can’t remember the last time she limped. She is off thyroid replacement and although she is still struggling with skin problems in the folds the fat left behind, she is for the most part happy and healthy.


In recognition of Madison’s accomplishments, she would like you to stop what you are doing RIGHT NOW and go and give YOUR dog a big hug and a kiss. And then step back and ask yourself if he/she is fat. If you can’t be objective, then ask your vet. Or if you are getting this because you are a puppy raiser, then ask Kerry. And listen to what he or she says. NO excuses.


If your dog is fat, resolve to make a difference:

  1. First of all, no table scraps ever. Never. Not from you, not from your spouse, not from your kids and not from your friends. Never.
  2. Second, what’s up with dog biscuits these days? Have Burger King and McDonald’s brainwashed Milk Bones into supersizing everything? I’m as in to doggie joy as anyone, but I don’t see that my dogs get a lot more joy out of a taste then the arm-sized dog bones that are being sold today. Dog treats should be no bigger then the tip of your little pinkie. Charie Bears are good, and so are cat treats which come in nifty little containers for packing around. If you get bigger treats or want soft treats, then break them up into appropriate sized pieces. Training with food? Most dogs work just as well for the kibble out of their breakfast or dinner bowl as for any expensive, caloric and less nutritious “treat.”
  3. Weight follows the rule of supply and demand. Its fine to limit supply, but its still got to get burned up. Every dog should be out in the fresh air with a loving human for an hour a day, rain or shine. Hey, it probably won’t hurt your waistline to get out either. If no one in your home has an hour a day to spend with your dog, why do you have one?
  4. Set a goal. Ask your vet what an ideal weight is, then figure out how to get from here to there. You will need to know what to feed, how much to feed and how many times a day to feed. Once you get on a schedule stick to it and don't give more food because your dog is being good or looks hungry or looks sad or it’s a special day. Weigh your dog once a month and make the changes you need to get to your goal.

All in all, it won’t happen overnight, but then Madison didn’t gain 30 pounds in a day, a week or even a year. Your dog didn’t either. Getting your dog lean will give him/her more energy, reduce joint and bone problems and give you both longer to enjoy each other.
Madison says thank you and sends you and all your furry friends lots of puppy kisses.

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