Menu

December 2 - Happy Holidays: A Time for Reflection and Renewal

January: 104.5 lb
Late August: 86.6 lb
Early October: 84.6 lb
Early November: 86.2 lb
Early December: 88.2 lb
Change from last weigh-in: +2.0 lb
Total weight lost: 16.3 lb
Percentage of body weight lost: 16%
Goal weight: 75 lb
Pounds to go: 13.2 lb

Well, as you can see, the last two months have been a challenge for our friend Blue. No getting around it, we've had some setbacks - interestingly at a time of year when most of us struggle with temptation and a few extra pounds.

HSSC serves the most dire cases of abuse and neglect in our community, and we never know what situation is going to walk in the door. This work is by nature unpredictable - who would have ever dreamed that Blue would still be waiting for a home after 400 days? When things don't go the way we hope, we have to accept the things we can't change, but change the things we can. It takes both hard work and teamwork.

First, I'll take on most of the responsibility for Blue's weight gain. I've been unable to keep up my Sunday morning hiking trips since my injury back in October and because of a change in my work schedule that has me traveling more and working longer hours. It also didn’t help, I'm sure, that I failed to come up with a plan B after Blue decided that dehydrated green beans, soaked in beef broth or not, weren't going to cut it anymore. My veterinarian has come up with excellent ideas for healthier treats. More about that in Facebook later this month.

Also, there are so many dogs at the shelter now that the Sunday morning field trip list has exploded at the same time that, because of weather and the Holidays, the group walk team has shrunk some. Because of this, Blue and I have decided to settle, for now, for short walks with his pals on some trails near the shelter rather than long hikes in the woods. My hope is to recruit some additional volunteers to take him out for longer walks during the week.

We also agreed that we must work together not to give Blue treats when he refuses to walk. "Planting" is Blue's way of getting his humans to give him an extra nibble here and there. Normally, when a dog simply refuses to move, luring him along with treats works pretty well. In Blue's case, because he really is pretty smart, he knows enough that anchoring his nearly 90 pounds of mostly solid muscle is a pretty good way to get a high-value (as in, high-calorie) goodie from a very busy staff member or well-intentioned volunteer. Since we're all on to Blue's little trick now, we'll be working together to find new ways, all positive and fun, to get him moving along.

There are other things we're going to be doing to get 2020 off to a good start, but you get the point. Check back here on Thursday, January 2, to learn how we did.

FINALLY, AND BEFORE I FORGET, TOMORROW IS GIVING TUESDAY!! Getting to $5,000 by the end of 2019 is starting to look as challenging as the Browns earning a spot in the playoffs. But they're not giving up, and neither are Blue and I. If you want to help us – and please remember that no amount is too small to matter – please click here.

Blue and I have committed to each other to get more active this Holiday season. Check Facebook next Monday for more information about that. (Unless, of course, one of you decides that Blue would be better off spending the Holidays on YOUR favorite trails. If you want to learn more about that, call the shelter at 1-888-LUV-THEM during open hours.)

Until next time, happy holidays, and thank you for all your support throughout 2019!

Ted

DONATE!

Return to Pound of Cure with Ted & Blue>>>

Contact Us

Humane Society of Summit County


©2024, Humane Society of Summit County. All rights reserved. Site by Kelly Creative Tech. Log in