Healthy Hound – Summer Tips and Trips for a Healthy Pet

It’s not uncommon to find humans hitting the gym this time of year to “get fit” for the summer season. Though they may not be strolling down the beach in a bathing suit any time soon, you should also think about your pet’s health and fitness this time of year. Morris Animal Inn and our sister organization, Morris K9 Campus, are pleased to provide events, trip ideas and tips to help you look out for your furry friend this summer.

Buy healthy food for your pet. Fresh produce is an easy find this time of year, but what about healthy alternatives for your dog? Morris Animal Inn will be coming together with local vendors at the Morristown Farmer’s Market this summer to provide healthy treats, like dog granola, for your pets. Stop by the market at the Morristown Parking Authority public parking lot on Saturday, June 15 between 8:30 am – 2:00 pm to find healthy foods for you and your pet all in one place.

Get all your training and pet behavior questions answered. Our sister facility Morris K9 Campus in Randolph is pleased to have Dr. Ian Dunbar visiting on June 15^th and 16^th. The celebrated Veterinarian, Animal Behaviorist and author will be hosting a Fun and Games Dog Training Workshop both days, during which he will teach participants many ways to keep dogs active. For pet owners who may have questions for Dr. Dunbar about their pet’s behavior, he will also be hosting a Q&A session on Saturday, June 15 from 7 – 9:30 pm. For more information on both sessions, visit www.MorrisK9Campus.com.

Keep your pet active. A pet that is left to their own devices all summer long may experience loss of energy or worse, take out pent-up energy on your couch cushions. Morris Animal Inn offers day care and lodging services to keep your pet busy while you’re working, away on vacation or just looking to venture out for the day. By offering group and private play sessions outside, indoor pool swims, treadmill sessions and healthy treats, we work to keep your pet active, healthy and happy. These activities will help provide both mental and physical stimulation for your dog; just what they need to stay fit this season. 

To schedule your pet a stay at Morris Animal Inn, or to learn more about our upcoming events, call us at 973-539-0377. We look forward to seeing you and your pet this summer!

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. 

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.

A Dog-gone Good Time with Dog Walks/Runs this Fall

Looking for fun and active ways to spend time with your dog this fall? What better way than to participate in a dog walk? It's a great way to enjoy the beautiful autumn weather while supporting a canine cause! We've put together a list of upcoming local dog walks.

Mutts Marathon - September 16, 2012 from 11:00AM to 3:00PM

400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ

The Mutts Marathon benefits the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge Inc.

Activities include a Dog Walk, Dog Costume Contest, parade, vendors, a BBQ and more!

19th Annual “Grateful” Dog Walk & Pet Fair - October 6, 2012 from 10:00AM to 3:00PM

Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ

The entrant with the most pledges for the "Grateful" Dog Walk will be featured as the 2013 Honorary Chairdog in next year’s logo, on t-shirts, bandanas, promos and billboards throughout Monmouth County!

16th Annual Hounds and Harriers Run - October 7, 2012 at 9:30AM

South Mountain Reservation, Crest Drive, South Orange/Millburn, NJ

This 3 mile run takes place on shaded park roads. Many prizes will be awarded by size of dog, veteran dog and more! A Paws from the Past run will also take place for those older dogs who can no longer run 3 miles due to age or disability.

St. Hubert's 5K-9 Run & Walk - October 13, 2012 from 9:30AM to 12:00PM

434 South Street, Morristown, NJ

Benefitting the St. Huberts Animal Welfare Center, the 5K-9 run and walk is 3.1 miles long and takes place on the trails of Loantaka Park in Morris Township. Entrants receive a T-shirt, dog bandana, and goody bag while supplies last.

FOSRAS Heart & Sole Shelter Walk - October 14, 2012 from 10:00AM to 2:00PM

Duke Island Park, Bridgewater, NJ

This 3 mile will take place in the Apple Grove Section of Duke Island Park. Top fundraiser will receive a $250.00 gift card and second pace will receive a $100.00 gift card!

9th Annual Dog Walk - October 14, 2012 from 11:00AM to 3:00PM

Community Park North Brunswick, Route 130 South, North Brunswick, NJ

This event is rain or shine and activities include a Dog Walk, games and a costume contest!

2012 Howl and Hike Dog Walk and Family Fun Day - October 14, 2012 from 12:00PM to 4:00PM

Horseshoe Lake, Succasunna, NJ

Along with the scenic trip around the lake, this entertaining day includes crafts and games for all, the Bow Wow Bazaar with vendor shopping, the Pet-I-Cure Boutique for the Pooch Spa, the Smooch A Pooch Booth for some doggie kisses and Adoption Alley to meet pets for adoption.

Bark for Life of Morristown - October 27, 2012 from 12:00PM to 3:00PM

Sunrise Lake, Lewis Morris Park, 270 Mendham Road, Morristown, NJ

This non-competitive dog walk and event is in an effort to raise funds & awareness in the fight against cancer.

Aqua Massage: Making Your Dog One Happy Hound!

 

At the end of a stressful week, sometimes the only thing you want to do is relax and get a massage. Those peaceful minutes of quiet can relax even the most stressed individual. Well, Spot wants to try it out too and at Morris Animal Inn, she can!

Our Aqua Massage is great for relaxation and dogs of any age can feel the results. Age puts stress on the body and for older dogs, the Aqua Massage is a wonderful way to relax and relieve growing pains. Arthritic dogs feel these effects as well and though the Aqua Massage is not therapy, these dogs experience therapeutic results during this recreational activity. For pets needing assistance into the Aqua Massage, there is an automated lift.

Some of the many benefits for dogs include:

• Relax and tone muscles, increase flexibility and aid in the speed of recovery following injury or surgery.
• Build the immune system to fight infection and sickness.
• Enhancement of overall physical performance.
• Relieve some discomfort from arthritis and hip dysplasia.

Call our Client Care Specialist at 973-539-0377 to schedule your pup's Aqua Massage session today!

DOGGIE DAYCARE: WHERE WE ARE AS CRAZY ABOUT DOGS AS YOU ARE

We know that you'd love to spend every moment of the day with your pet. Unfortunately, the ever-present occurence of your job seems to interfere with that wonderful dream. Where your pet will stay when you are not home is a problem faced by most pet owners at some point in time. There is a solution which benefits both your schedule and your pet's well-being -- DOGGIE DAYCARE! Whether you feel your dog needs extra playtime, exercise, attention or simply some fun, Morris Animal Inn is the place for your pet!

What makes Morris Animal Inn daycare unique is our variety of options for each dog:  1) Private Daycare - for the dog who prefers people, 2) Group Daycare - for the social, dog-friendly canine, 3) Manners - for basic lessons in obedience and 4) Poolside Group Daycare - for the water-loving pup, which is available everyday all year round. All of our daycare guests receive premium care, activities throughout the day, a snack and time to relax in a luxury suite. 

We believe that interaction and activity leads to a healthier and happier pet. The various activities offered at Morris Animal Inn are customized to fit each pet's individual needs. Each dog's temperament is unique, therefore each dog's daycare experience must be unique as well and we aim to place them in activities and groups (if group daycare is selected) with companions of similar spirit.

For those who choose private daycare, our Pampered Pet Sessions give special attention to your furry friend. It can include a game of catch, quiet cuddle & or a brisk walk on our nature trail. 

Indoor and outdoor play and exercise time is available along with toys and treats. Pups who are super swimmers or even just doggie paddlers will enjoy our poolside group daycare. Would you like to have a more polite pooch? Morris Animal Inn's professionally trained staff will teach and reinforce basic manners to your best friend during Manners Daycare. We make learning fun!

Group play can be a wonderful way to socialize your dog through supervised playtime. The average dog to counselor ratio at Morris Animal Inn is 5 to 1 and dogs are placed by size, similar play style and temperament to ensure a fun and safe environment.

Use this service once a month when your house cleaning service is scheduled, once a week when you know you’ll be working long hours or every day to keep your Best Friend active and content. Simplify your busy schedule by letting us occupy your dog! We invite you to call (973-539-0377) or come in for a tour of our facility with one of our experienced Client Care Specialists. They will provide you with comprehensive information and assist you in selecting appropriate activities for your furry friend.