MY JOURNEY IS NOT OVER

My journey is far from over, in fact it's just beginning. My time at Morris Animal Inn has been wonderful. I've been fortunate enough to live in the lap of luxury with friends to exercise me everyday. I've learned the importance of fitness for canines. Yes, we can become overfed or inactive and no, that is not good! Even if it's only one walk a day for 30 minutes, it is essential to get off one's furry hindquarters and be active! If your owner doesn't have time, (we know how busy life can get) Morris Animal Inn will gladly do the work! With a canine treadmill, play yards to romp in, a nature trail, aqua center, and more, there is no shortage of physical activity here, trust me, I know! I lived it all for a month! 

Remember that healthy eating goes hand in hand! I enjoyed low-fat snacks that were surprisingly scrumptious like green beans, rice cakes, and pumpkin puree. I ate a dry Eukanuba blend for sensitive stomachs and the staff made sure to feed me the appropriate portion size (check with your vet on that one).

Overall, I lost 5 pounds and 3.5 inches from my waist line!! To put that in human terms, losing 5 pounds for a dog like me is equivalent to a human losing around 20 pounds!!  I'm extremely proud of myself!!

Last night I made my debut at Eleventh Hour Rescue's Muttini Mixer. It was really fun and I was able to get dressed up!

I'm very lucky because Morris Animal Inn is going let me stay a while longer with them. I'm still looking for that special owner to bring me home and love me furever! I promise to shower you in kisses, walk with you, play with you, protect you and love you till I'm old and grey. I promise I won't give up on you, so please don't give up on me. Will you give me a chance?

If you are interested in adopting me, please contact Eleventh Hour Rescue.

THE END OF THE BEGINNING

This week is my last week of weight loss camp at Morris Animal Inn. My, how quickly this month has blown by! 

Yesterday was a triumphant day! I went into the pool, on my own, without the help of flexi-leashes! Now that I'm used to swimming and have gotten really good at it, it has become an activity I eagerly await! I'm proud of my new-found aquatic skills! I'm a very calm swimmer, I cut through the water smooth as a fish. I feel as light and weightless as those skinny poodles I see prancing around.

Today, I started working on some basic manners training skills. You see, this Southern gal is about to make her debut this Thursday, June 28 at Eleventh Hour Rescue's 2nd Annual Muttini Mixer Yappy Hour! The Manners Program Leaders, Michelle and Lisa, are teaching me to be a well-behaved lady! I feel like Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady! I'm very excited because the theme of the Muttini Mixer is a luau so I get to wear a cute Hawaian outfit! Ooo la lei!

I'm keeping the toes on all my paws crossed that I meet my forever family at the mixer. Wish on a star for me tonight!

NOT TOO HOT TO TROT!

I'm not sure if any of you have noticed but it's been REALLY HOT lately!! Being from the south, I'm used to high temps, but I thought that by moving up north, I wouldn't have to deal with that anymore. WRONG!  The summer's are just as hot and the humidity...yuck...don't even get me started!! While I'm still going on nature walks since the path is shady and cooler, I've been spending a lot more time indoors working out.

Yesterday, Zeke and I played together in one of the indoor play suites. We jumped and danced around, chasing toys and playing tug of war! Best of all, it was nice and cool the whole time!

I'm slimming and trimming my waist-line! So far, I have lost 3.2 pounds and 3 inches from my waist line. To some, that may not seem like a lot but I'm doing it in a slow and healthy way. To put it in perspective, we can refer to an example from Dr. Ernie Ward, veterinarian and founder of The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. He says, "Every excess pound on a female Lab is equal to 4 to 5 pounds on a 5’ 4” female or 5’ 9” male."  (Check out Dr. Ernie Ward at Morris Animal Inn).

Since I'm almost the size of a female Lab, for me to lose 3 pounds is equivalent in human weight to me losing between 12 and 15 pounds. Smaller portions of healthy food and regular exercise, much like in the human world can also work wonders in our doggie world of weight loss. Three weeks down, one more to go!

Stay cool everyone and have a safe and wonderful weekend!

GINGER'S TREADMILL WORKOUT

Check me out on the treadmill! I sure can move! (And I look pretty good too!) Even when it's too hot outside, I can still get my workout on the treadmill inside their nice cool, air conditioned building.

I like exercising on the treadmill but I like giving free kisses to my awesome trainer even more! She's the best!!

Don't forget, if you are interested in adopting me, contact Eleventh Hour Rescue and please take the time to view my adoption page. I would truly appreciate that. :)

GINGER TRIES AGILITY

Today starts my third week at Morris Animal Inn. We decided to begin the week a little differently. Zeke and I went outside and tried some simple agility. With Lisa and Michelle guiding me (and some low-cal treats for enticement) I jumped over my first agility jump! It was thrilling!

With the right encouragement, I might be a natural! Zeke and I even jumped together!

After jumping back and forth, I got a little tired so I tried to sneak some treats out of Michelle by begging. I do this by putting my two front paws together while I sit on my back legs. Michelle was impressed and was not expecting that from me. I know how to get a thing or two! I'm crafty and learn things very quickly.

Next, Zeke and I cooled off our little dog feet in the kiddie wading pool and sipped from the cool refreshing water to wet our whistles. Later on, I will tackle the canine treadmill and go for a long walk on the nature trail.

Toodles friends! Till next time!

GINGER'S NEW FRIEND

This week, I made a new friend. He's a black Lab, named Zeke! He is a very sweet guy who's athletic and sporty but calm. I like his gentle nature and I immediately felt comfortable around him. He gives me my space and I give him his but we also have a lot of fun chasing each other around. We've been playing together in the outdoor play yards, running in and out of the kiddie pools getting our paws wet. The two of us enjoy going on long nature walks together and we chat about how much we want to catch the chipmunks and squirrels that dart by!

Zeke is younger than me and has always lived in New Jersey so he likes listening to my stories about West Virginia and all the experiences I've been through, having puppies, living in a shelter, traveling across state lines. Zeke tells me that he respects me as an older woman (as best he should) and that makes me happy! He tells me that he can help show me how to workout and get a fit bod like his!

Don't worry everyone, I'm no cougar! Zeke and I are just pals! Sheesh! (Don't forget, I'm spayed now!)

It's splish splash time! Aqua center, here I come!! Cowabunga!

NEW WEEK, NEW GINGER!

My second week has started off with a bang! I feel lighter and more rejuvenated than I've felt in a long time! Yesterday, I frolicked and ran around the large front yard on a long lead. We brought some of my favorite toys, stuffed pig included, and played chase.

I dipped my paws in the kiddie pool for the first time and then jumped out and rolled around on the lawn. It felt so good to wiggle on my back on the soft, warm grass! That's my version of pure bliss and happiness! What a life!

This morning I went for another swim. I'm getting very good at it! It's also nice to know that I have a life vest and two of my human friends supporting me with Flexi Leashes.

Even though it's drizzling a little bit today, I still had fun racing around the front yard again! When I get tired, I like to lay down under the shady pine trees. Ahh yes....

I'm about to hit the treadmill, catch ya' later!

1 WEEK DOWN! 3 MORE TO GO!

It's just about the end of my first week here at Morris Animal Inn and I'm happy but exhausted! I think this fitness camp is starting to work!

The weather today has been sunny, warm and beautiful! I've been relishing all my free time outside in the play yards and on the nature trail. This morning, I went outside and played tug of war with a rope toy and I ran around with my new favorite squeaker, a blue stuffed pig! Now that I'm losing some weight, I'm discovering all this extra energy! It's fun to chase and run after toys!

I had my usual morning run on the treadmill and I'm getting really good.

This afternoon was my first group play session! I'm a little bit bossy in the play yard. Next week I'm going to meet some more dogs!

My snack today was cottage cheese!! I gobbled up every last bit of it! I loved it! I will let you know more about my weight-loss journey on Monday! Happy Friday everyone! I'm pooped! (No pun intended)!

GENTLE GINGER

Don't tell anyone...but I think I'm starting to win over all the hearts of the people working at Morris Animal Inn! They always stop by to say hi to me and scratch my back. Naturally, I reward them with kisses!

My exercises have continued. After breakfast, I had my treadmill session and then I played outside with my buddy Jess again. I like running after the balls she squeaks and throws for me but for some reason after I retrieve the ball, she wants me to bring it back to her. That just doesn't make sense to me! She gives such encouragement though so I guess I'll do this a few times.  I like playing with the squeaky toys out in the yard and shaking them around, it gives me a sense of purpose.

After my treadmill and play session, I spent some time resting in my suite and snacking on my healthy treat. Today it was pumpkin puree. I'm glad they switch things up! I love being surprised by food and discovering that healthy food can be yummy too!

This afternoon I spent more time gallivanting in the play yard, exploring the play equipment and the comfortable, soft K9 grass. Right now I'm off to the treadmill for another workout! Let's see who I can kiss this time while still moving... XOXO!

WORK IT OUT!

Getting up this morning was not easy! The Kuranda bed and lambswool mat make for a very comfortable night's sleep. I could have slept in all morning! At the light of day I was brought a healthy breakfast by one of my new friends! If anything could wake me from my peaceful slumber it would be food. (I suppose that's how I got to this full figure in the first place.)
Then, another one of my friends, came to my suite and took me outside for a quick potty break. Michelle is going to be working closely with me along with Lisa and Jess to help me lose this extra weight I waddle around in. I'm so happy they will all be helping me!

First off, we started with some simple stretches to loosen up my muscles which aren't very limber. They tell me I will limber up soon the more I work with the fitness team! I can't wait! Next, I strutted my stuff on the treadmill. It took some getting used to but I caught on pretty quickly. The trick is to keep moving! But I have to say, my favorite part was when Michelle bent down next to me and I could lick her face while simultaneously walking. If I can lose weight while continuously giving kisses, I will be one happy camper. Giving kisses is my favorite thing to do! Afterwards, I got to rest in my suite with a healthy snack of green beans. For the record, green beans are quite delicious! They're no collard greens, but this northern variety will do!

This afternoon, I took my first swim ever with Michelle and Jess guiding me. The pool is heated so the water is nice and warm but refreshing at the same time. Since it was my first swim, they suited me up in a doggie life jacket which I thought really brought out the dark tones of my fur, if I do say so myself. For an extra safety precaution they attached two flexi-leashes to the strap on my lifevest. I splashed furiously for the first minute or so until I got the hang of it and then my instincts kicked in - I was doing the doggie paddle! Awesome!

Right now I'm relaxing in my suite. Swimming took a lot out of me! Later today, Jess told me she would let me run around in the play yard all by myself with her. She said we might even play ball! I'm loving this undivided attention. Well, gotta go! I'm going to nap until it's time to play. I need to get my beauty rest!

MEET GINGER!

Greetings! Ginger here! I'm about to embark on a month-long weight loss challenge at Morris Animal Inn. Everyone is so sweet at the Inn! I love showering all of my human helpers in kisses! They helped me settle comfortably in a large suite! I have my own Kuranda bed, a comfy lambswool mat to rest on, and my own food and water bowl! Everyone keeps stopping by to pet and cuddle with me. I feel so popular! However, I should explain that I have not always felt this way nor has life always been this kind to me.

Photo by Kaylin

As a Southern gal, I was born and raised in West Virginia. The people who owned me used me to produce several litters of puppies and then abandoned me and one of my 4-month-old puppies. I don't know why they gave up on me.

I spent the next few months at a shelter in West Virginia with my little pup. After only a few days, my baby was adopted but I wasn't. Days, weeks, and months would go by and I would watch them load the van but I never seemed to be chosen. Last Friday when I woke up, I knew something was different, I could feel it in the air. Sure enough, that Friday, I was the one that got to ride in the van! All of my shelter friends happily wished me luck and said goodbye to me. The next phase of my life was about to begin!

Eleventh Hour Rescue took me under their wing and transported me north all the way to New Jersey. The car ride was super fun! I relaxed and snoozed in the back seat while my sweet chauffeur, Kaylin did all the work. She was so kind, taking me for a long walk at a park along the way!

Ginger with her new friends

When I arrived at Morris Animal Inn a couple days ago, there were so many nice people waiting to see me! I felt like a celebrity! It was so wonderful to be welcomed by so many gentle, loving arms! Kaylin told me that the people at Morris Animal Inn are going to help me lose weight over the course of a month so that I'm healthier. I would love to lose some pounds because I have so much energy and really want to move around but my large figure is slowing me down! I weighed in today at a whopping 91.6 pounds and my waist measures 30 inches! For a Catahoula Leopard Boxer mix, I'm a little too heavy. (It was probably all that good Southern cookin' and not enough exercise!) That's why I'm staying with the kind people at Morris Animal Inn. They will keep me exercising and eating right so I can move around better and become healthy. I can't wait! Stay tuned to keep up with my progress through the month of June!

High paw!

(If interested in adopting Ginger, please contact Eleventh Hour Rescue )