3S ~ Sunday. August 22, 1999 — North Shore News ping the fat off Fide wi Jcai ucha canine connection Were asp In “NICE dobie, how much does he weigh?” the man asked, referring to my doberman Alex. “He's about 80 pounds,” | replied. “Marcus here is a Rottweiler ... 140 pounds,” he said, brimming with pride. Marcus waddled out from behind the tree and I gasped. north shore news pETs His huge beliy hung well below his rib cage. His back end was shaped tke a bos. “He’s nora dog, he’s a pot bellied pig!” [ immediately wished FP hadn't said chat our loud. Obesity is a growing prob- lem among our canine com- panions (pun intended). It is estimated thar well over 30% of our beloved dogs are obese. repared ect feature, Good Taste... Rite WHuHGCtie cb According to iny ver, Dr. Terri Clemett from the North Shore Veterinary Clinic, most owners are not aware their dogs are over-weight. “It can be very difficult to get some owners to believe that their pets have a weight problem,” says Dr. Clement. We'd all like to believe we are doing our best to keep our pet healthy. Some dog owners contuse the fatty deposits on a dog's bodv as muscle. Others think that certain. breeds, such water dogs, are supposed to have an extra layer of body fat to help them float. Sorry folks, but water dogs and working dogs do not have an exera laver of fat. If vou want to see what a working water dog should louk like. visit Alex, the District of North Vancouver Fire Department’s former arson- sniffing black Lab. Alex’s lean body and strong muscles are not hidden behind a layer of extra fat. Alex belongs to fire- fighter Simon Jung. “Pcople often don’t believe chat he’s a black Lab,” Simon comments. More important than appearance are health issues revarding obesity. An over- weight dog often cannot enjoy lite as oa dog should. Overweight dogs may suficr the same health ailments as overweight people. It takes more efforr for them to move which puts strain on the dog’s joints which could lead to an increased risk of arthritis, dise disease or liga- ment problems. Obesity can create unscen dangers such as cardiovascular problems. The ine’ Jence of congestive heart failure and hypertension may increase in’ obese — dogs. Digestive problems can occur such as constipation and flatu- lence. There may be a lowered resistance to infectious diseases in obese dogs which could icad to health problems and chron- ic nesses. An overweight dog may also have a shorter life span. An overweight dog looks like a sausage — there is 0 vis- ible indentation of the waist between its rib-cage and its hips and no prominent tuck-up of the stomach between the base of the rib cage and the front of the hips. With a fit "dog, you should be able to teel | its nibs easily. Once you make your way through the fur, the dog should feel like it has a T- shirt covering its ribs — not a fleece pull-over. When you watch a fit dog watk away from you, there is no layer of fat which wobbles from side to side across its back. By putting your dog on a dict and giving it ample exer- cise, those health risks can be reduced and in some case: eliminated. in some cases abe sity may be caused by hormon- .- al problems, many of which are 4 treatable with drug therapy. In either case it is impera- tive thar you consult your ver’ before you embark on a weight reduction program with your pet. It's safest if the. weight drops. off gradually over a. longer period of time. Under proper guidance and supervi sion, your dog will soon be healthy, happy family member. —foan Klicha is the owner. & of Sierra K9 training. You ca e-mail ker ar . The. North Shore: News welcomes cominents in th foven of a letcer to the editor. - Complete mechanical & electrical repairs repairs JEEP OWNER OWNERS — by factory trained technician p IMPEX AUTOMOTIVE 41664 West 14th Sireet Tel: 985-6237 (off Pemberton Ave., entrance at rear) , Visit our web Site: ag gn gn ng = wa (tert August 21: to: September 6th. at th The BC ‘Hydro Home - _ Showcase will feature over - - eae Bq 60 different exhibits with a © . focus on home ideas and - . Come August 27, you won't have to wonder what a restaurants menu is like. We'll publish them in our new Dining Guide, and yeu will have a chance to win gift certificates to every participating restaurant in town. " renovations. As weil, visitors to the showcase building can enjoy daily demonstrations and shows on the. ° Now you gee ‘5 days of fun and magic at Disneyland. Park in Southern California for, the price of a 3-Day Disneylande Flex Passport for Canadians only. But only for a limited time. And you get, Early Adinission into the Park and Magic Foature* Be one of the first to explore the new Varzan” °s Treehouse. And enjoy your classic Bisnoyiand favourites. Call your travel agent now. “Your choica of Morning Breakfast, Wakoma te Disneylond Tour or A Wolk tn Wolts Footsteps Yous. Offer geod through Dacomber £7, 4 fond . io chngi Sor oskiciors sop fey Admission det nal apeccs day, + hn Teszan™ Edge: Rica Burroughs, lnc. © Burroughs ond Disnay. All Rights Reseeved. 1999, Atboctions und entortornment subject