Happy New Year!!
My number one resolution is to get your pets fitter and healthier. In the unequivocal lyrics of Olivia Newton-John’s smash hit “Let’s get physical, physical, let me hear your body talk”. (Actually with hindsight I have realised that fitness was not completely what Olivia was on about. Nevertheless as a ten-year-old I loved the video and 30 years later, on YouTube – found I still do.)
With 60% adults, 40% of dogs and 25% cats overweight it is time to exercise more/ eat less and there is no better stimulus than a new calendar year. The good news is that many of you will have a shiny new gym membership card by now. The bad news is that statistically, 67% of them will never be used after February! So stop kidding yourself, wasting money and instead join a growing band of dog owners in a new sport for 2013. In fact I reckon most dog owners have already started training without even knowing it. Just by losing your pet on a walk and breaking into a jog to catch the wee beggar, you have started CaniX!! The sport that involves running with your dog. Ok, the idea of CaniX is to run with not just after your dog but why not get competitive and sign up for a 5km this year. See the website for local events – cani-cross.co.uk.
Let’s be honest most Terriers never learn to walk at heel anyway, so why not harness up your JRT and get going today. Running is cheap, we live in the most beautiful part of the UK and your dog is raring to go. Don’t just dog walk through 2013 – race you!
Ben Hynes is a veterinary surgeon at Abbey Vets, Abergavenny
