Pounds for Hounds Food Donation Totals Over 1500 Lbs!

You lose some… to win some! Morris Animal Inn’s Pounds for Hounds fundraiser had staff eating healthy and exercising to lose weight for a good cause.

This annual event, which took place over a three month period from January through March, is a popular weight loss inspiration for staff at Morris Animal Inn because it means more than just getting healthy: for every pound our staff loses, we donate 10 lbs. of food to an animal shelter. This year, our food goes to Eleventh Hour Rescue Animal Shelter in Randolph, NJ!

After months of hard work, weigh-ins and healthy eating, our staff went above and beyond for our highest total yet: combined we lost a total of 199 lbs! Our final donation to Eleventh Hour was 45 33 pound bags of Fromm dog food and 33 cases of California Natural canned food. Adding it all together, that’s nearly 1500 lbs of dry food, plus the 33 cases of cans!

This hard-earned food will be put to good use at Eleventh Hour Rescue, a shelter that focuses on saving animals from kill shelters and finding them foster and permanent homes.

This year, our Grooming staff participants topped our weigh-in charts with nearly 5% weight loss. Congratulations to our groomers and all our staff participants on taking healthy steps to help shelter dogs get healthy, too!

To help your dog get fit, sign up today for our next Kentucky Derby themed daycare fit camp! “A Week at the Races” from May 13-17 will have your dog racing to the front of the pack with treadmill trots, saddle pawlates, derby diving and homemade healthy treats. Call 973-539-0377 to book your dog a spot in the winners circle today!

 

Belle's Final Days of Canine Fit Camp at Morris Animal Inn

What a wonderful journey it has been at Morris Animal Inn! It was a commitment I made to be healthy and fit and I did it. Now I need to continue this journey even after my last day of fitness camp.

I have to admit that I was a little sad to leave the program because I had one-on-one counseling, support, new friends, great workouts, met my Valentine named Leo...hmmm... but at the same time, I think I am ready to continue this on my own. Being at Morris Animal Inn gave me a jumpstart to good health. I recommend that if you need to get healthy and fit that you give their doggie fit camp a try. Definitely worth it. If you see me running outside and rolling over, I am doing this purposely so everyone can see my new physique from my front end to my back end. :)

In case this is the first time you are checking in, my name is Belle, I am a fiesty two-year-old Bloodhound who came to Morris Animal Inn from Eleventh Hour Rescue three times a week for a month to get healthy and fit. I was at 124.8lbs but have lost more than 10lbs.

A huge thank you to all who have supported and followed me on my journey. I appreciated it so much. If I get a chance, I will stop in to let you know how I am doing. For now, wish me luck...Yeah!

   

Beautiful Belle and her Posse of Playmates

My journey continues! I began my third week of training and I keep getting stronger! Who knew I could have this much energy? Even after a full day of fitness, I still like to romp around at home with my foster brother!

  Belle and Beckett in the Aqua Center
taking a quick break in the Aqua center

I have a new favorite spot to hang out when I visit Morris Animal Inn – the Aqua Center! Beckett, my new Black Lab comrade, has been joining my swim sessions to help get me adjusted to the pool. I haven’t gotten the courage to test the waters yet, but I’m sure I will be doing cannonballs soon enough. Beckett is super popular and she’s been coming to the Inn for a while!

We've become best friends and she’s introduced me to all of her playmates in Group Daycare! She’s taken me under her wing to keep me motivated! Beckett is a great athlete and she encourages me to shed these pounds! 

Gal pals: Belle, Sam & Rosie

I love to mingle during Group Play! Each day I visit, I find new buddies to play with! I made new gal pals: Rosie, an Airedale Terrier, and Sam, a Yellow Lab. During playtime, we play together while the boys zoom around the yard – Girl Power!

My treadmill sessions have been going great! I’ve worked up to running 3mph on the Canine Treadmill! I never dreamed that I could run this fast. Back in West Virginia, the only time anyone saw me running was to find my next meal!

 I’m very happy with my progress for this week! I’m down to 121lbs and measuring 35 inches around my belly! For a bigger gal like me, losing close to 4lbs in three weeks is pretty good! I’ve been training really hard and I keep on slimming down so it must to be paying off! Keep checking back for more updates on how I’m doing with Fitness Camp! 

If you are interested in adopting me, contact Eleventh Hour at 
(973) 664-0865. 

Bloodhound Belle was Born to Run

Belle running on the Canine Treadmill

Hi there. It’s Belle again! I’m between workouts right now and wanted to let you know how I’m doing! I knew it would take some work to get into shape – I guess that’s why it’s called a ‘workout’ – but I never knew I could have so much fun too! No matter what new activity I try at Morris Animal Inn, I  am having a blast!

I’m usually at the Inn three days a week. I am starting to notice the difference in how I feel, both inside and out. Just last week on the treadmill, I was walking at a slow pace. This week, I was actually jogging a little bit! I am doing pretty well if I could say so myself.

I was a little nervous when my friends at Morris Animal Inn suggested I try Group Daycare. The first day, I stayed to myself because I was not sure if the other canines wanted to get to know me but the next time, I took a chance and introduced myself to a few furry fellows. I made so many new acquaintances. I enjoy spending time in Group now with my new playmates but my favorite time of day is spending time on the Trail Runs! There is nothing like being outside to breathe in all of that fresh air.

Belle running in the Front Yard with Morris Animal Inn's, Lisa

When I stepped on the scale last Saturday, I kept my fingers crossed that I had lost some weight. Manner’s and Fitness Program Leader Lisa said I weighed 122.4lbs. I'm proud to say that I've lost 2lbs and one inch around my belly in one week. With my training sessions and healthy meals, I'm losing weight at a great pace. I hope all of my hard work will pay off and I find my fur-ever home! I'm excited to see what the plan is for next week! Keep following my story so I can let you know too!

Interested in adopting me? Contact my friends at Eleventh Hour Rescue at (973) 664-0865.

Ain't Nothing But a Bloodhound...Much More Than That!

I am a two-year-old Bloodhound, who tips the scale at 124.8lbs. I have been feeling a little sluggish lately and my friends from Eleventh Hour Rescue told me that I would be visiting this wonderful place called Morris Animal Inn to get healthy and fit. This made me a little nervous at first because I had no idea what that meant. But I trust them and know they always do what is best for me.   

By the way, my name’s Belle! Please follow me through my journey at Morris Animal Inn. I enjoy making friends and I hope you will decide to be mine.

That's me greeting my new friend Jess.

As soon as I walked through the door of Morris Animal Inn, I felt like I was in a good place. So many nice people greeted me and I am getting so much attention. I wasn't sure I'd make friends but it seems like everyone is really eager to meet me!  I’m about to start my weight loss training program but let me tell you a little bit about where I came from...

Hey there! Just showing you my profile.

When I was in West Virginia, I was pretty lonely. I did not have anyone to play with or feed me and I had to find a lot of food on my own. I ate a lot of leftovers in outdoor cans outside everyone's houses. I realized that not everyone liked me sniffing around though, so I never got a chance to stick around for long. I hope someday that I will be able to make some friends, find a home and live happily ever after. Right now I am glad the people at Morris Animal Inn and Eleventh Hour Rescue is giving me a chance. 

I’m a lot slower than I could be. I want to get healthy and fit before I go home with a family!

Another one of my new friends. Her name is Lisa.

I’ll be working out three times a week. I'm looking forward to all sorts of fun activities such as trail runs, treadmill sessions and even swimming in the pool! Everyone at the Morris Animal Inn is going to keep me super busy and eating right so I can drop these pounds!

Stay tuned for updates on how I'm doing!

Interested in adopting Belle? Contact Eleventh Hour at (973) 664-0865.

Update on our Favorite Catahoula Mix!

Recently, Morris Animal Inn had a visit from a very special friend, Ginger. In the spirit of National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, we'd like to spotlight Ginger's inspiring journey.

When Ginger came to Morris Animal Inn in early June, she had endured a rough few months. In her home state of West Virginia, she was dumped at a shelter with one of her four month old pups. After watching her puppy be adopted, this Catahoula Boxer Mix waited for when it would be her turn to leave the shelter. Eleventh Hour Rescue came to help, bringing Ginger to New Jersey to begin her new life.

She came to Morris Animal Inn weighing a husky 91.6 pounds and measuring 30 inches around her waist. When Ginger began our Health and Fitness Program on June 4th, she loved it! Working closely with trainers Lisa and Michelle, she began to shed those extra pounds through healthy dietary changes and fun exercise activities such as agility, swim and treadmill sessions. Becoming a fast favorite of those here at Morris Animal Inn, Ginger was never too far from a reassuring back scratch which she enthusiastically returned with kisses.

On August 15, Ginger left Morris Animal Inn to stay at the Eleventh Hour location in Mount Olive to meet new potential adopters. We were sad to see Ginger leave but we knew that she would be able to meet new people that would love her as much as everyone at Morris Animal Inn does. Upon leaving, she had lost a significant 12.2 pounds and 5 inches from around her waist.

Ginger's visit in Mount Olive was brief as she was soon brought to a caring foster home. Her foster mom keeps up with Ginger's weight loss efforts and a nutritious diet. During Ginger's visit in October, she was looking slim and trim and weighing only 71 pounds. Ginger was able to safely lose 20 pounds since first coming to Morris Animal Inn! We are so proud of her success and how far she has come!

Adopting from a shelter can change a dog's life as well as your own so contact your local shelter today.

If you're interested in adopting Ginger, contact Eleventh Hour Rescue at 973-664-0865 or visit the Eleventh Hour Rescue website for more information.

Treat Tips

Some dogs do not adhere to the 24 hour clock we humans base our days on, but rather an internal clock with a milk-bone or juicy kibble bits representing each pivotal hour of the day. Like clockwork, you may notice your significant fuzzy-buddy sidling up to the treat stash or you may watch your dog morph from a slumbering angel to a slobbering and very vocal canine in a matter of minutes when that special time rolls around. Treats, whether you use bones, biscuits, or chicken strips, have become an intrinsic addition to the canine diet. Unfortunately, treats have also become the leading cause of canine obesity, transforming slender dogs into generously proportioned chubsters. To help keep your adorable pet as healthy and fit as possible, we’ve outlined some tips to help you tackle the tricky treat quandary.

Moderation

All dogs should enjoy an indulgence from time to time. That said it should be done so in moderation. It is often a good idea to break the treat into small pieces. Your dog will still savor each of those small bits and you can save money on treats by using less!

Count Calories
It is a good idea to check the packaging on your dog’s treats to find the calorie content in each treat. You might be surprised by what you find. The Woof Report suggests that treats should only take up 10% of your dog’s daily calorie count.

Healthy Alternatives
We often think our dog will only be attracted to juicy hunks of meat, but many dogs salivate over carrots, little slices of apple, and green beans. However, remember to steer clear of grapes or raisins, which can be poisonous to dogs. Try substituting these healthy, low-fat alternatives into your dog’s diet. Now that it's summer, try a small seedless slice of watermelon or even some crunchy ice cubes that will cool your dog off and keep him or her happily occupied.

http://www.dogtipper.com/

There is no doubt that treats make our dogs happy, so there is no need to deny your precious pooch tasty treats. Just remember that in order to keep your dog healthy and happy, opt for low calorie, low fat options, and use your treats sparingly. Most importantly, get the whole family on board. It won’t work if Grandma is sneaking extra bacon under the table! It takes all hands on deck to provide the best quality of life for our special four-legged friends.

Let's Get Physical!

While we humans may grumble and moan at the thought of getting off the couch to exercise, many dogs will jump at the mere suggestion of physical activity. This is fortunate since canine fitness is essential to the health of our wet-nosed friends. Dogs that exercise are more likely to maintain good body weight, less likely to develop heart problems, arthritis or diabetes, and often stave off boredom and depression associated with a sedentary lifestyle. If your playful pooch could use some more activity, read on about Morris Animal Inn's fitness offerings.

                                        

Fido’s Fit and Spaw Retreat

After the turkey scraps have been gobbled up and the eggnog has been licked off the floor, Morris Animal Inn starts your dog’s new year off right by nudging them back into shape. A week of nature hikes on our pastoral trail, daily swim sessions in our aqua center, treadmill walks and runs, and “doga” and “pawlates” in our play suites all work to stretch your dog’s ligaments and burn calories.

Although the fit retreat focused on activities and exercise, the group overall averaged a weight loss of 2% of their overall body weight in just one week! This is pretty impressive considering the fact that Weight Watchers encourages its customers to lose 10% of their body weight over the course of several months.

Take a look at this video clip of Fido's Fit & Spaw Retreat:

Summertime 'Fit and Fun' 

Due to the success of this year's Fit and Spaw Retreat and the growing demand for canine fitness programs in light of growing pet obesity, Morris Animal Inn will hold 2 weeks of 'Fit and Fun Camp' (June 20-25 and July 18-22) as part of our annual Summer Camps series!

These two weeks will be specifically tailored to canine fitness, all while having fun in the sun! Our canine companions can splash in the pool, walk on our shaded trails, burn calories on the treadmill, and race around our fenced in outdoor play yards with their other fuzzy friends! There will even be some fun sports-themed activities. Summer’s just around the corner and while your dog may not be losing weight to fit in a teeny weenie bikini, their overall health will benefit from the exercise and their minds will love the activity. Who wants to spend summer sitting in an air conditioned room anyway? Allow your pooch to get out and play!

Even if your pet can't make it to our fitness programs, or you have a cat who prefers working out solo, you can always add any of our canine or feline activities to your pet's lodging reservation with us. Join us in helping to keep our pets fit and healthy all year long!

Sources: vetinfo.com