Menu

A shelter-based wellness journey


Blue, a Great Dane/Pit Bull Terrier mix awaiting adoption at the Humane Society of Summit County, and longtime shelter volunteer Ted Moore are teaming up to make a big change for their health and help other pets awaiting adoption along the way. Follow their journey to wellness through exercise, eating better, and other lifestyle changes through Ted's monthly blog. Cheer Ted and Blue on and help shelter pets in the process by giving in honor of the progress they make to reach their $5,000 goal. All funds raised will support health care for animals awaiting adoption at the Humane Society of Summit County.

Support our Wellness Journey

January 7 - Out with the Old, In with the New

January 2019: 104.5 lb
December 2019: 90.2 lb
Total weight lost: 14.3 lb

Thank you to everyone who followed and engaged with the Pound of Cure monthly blog posts and weekly (more or less) Facebook updates on the journey to better health Blue and I took throughout 2019. It was fun and exciting for both of us to share our adventures, whether it was on the scales at the shelter or at my doctor's office, on some of the most remote and rugged backcountry trails Summit County has to offer, and everywhere in between.

Although the ...

Read more…


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 ...

Read more…


November 6 - We're Back!

January: 104.5 lb
Late August: 86.6 lb
Early October: 84.6 lb
Early November: 86.2 lb
Change from last weigh-in: +1.6 lb
Total weight lost: 18.3 lb
Percentage of body weight lost: 18%
Goal weight: 75 lb
Pounds to go: 11.2 lb

So, a setback. No way around it. October, beautiful as it was and always is around here, was a bump in the road.

For both of us.

Now what?

Well, Blue and I took a little walk yesterday and had a chat about what we needed to do to get back on ...

Read more…


October 9 - Got Lemons? Make Lemonade.

First things first:

January: 104.5 lb
Late August: 86.6 lb
Early October: 84.6 lb
Total weight lost: 19.9 lb
Percentage of body weight lost: 19%
Original goal weight: 85 lb
New goal weight: 75 lb
Pounds to go: 9.6 lb

How. About. That?

For the first time since this project began 10 months ago, Blue is now single digits away from his ultimate goal weight. After last month's setback, that's a big deal, as I think you would agree.

Again, because it just can't be said often enough, thanks to the staff ...

Read more…


September 18 - Blue Goes to the City

We mentioned in last week's Facebook update that Blue's hiking life would be in for a big change the next time he hit the Buckeye Trail (BT). Well, this past Sunday, for almost 6 miles, it did.

As a reminder, the BT loops around the entire state of Ohio for over 1,400 miles. In fact, it's the longest marked, continuous loop trail in the world. Some parts wind along wild and remote forest paths. Others follow roads, streets, and multi-use trails like the Towpath. Shifting gears from lightly-traveled, quiet paths to busy streets and trails shared ...

Read more…


August 29 - Just Keep Climbing

January: 104.5 lb
Early August: 86.5 lb
Late August: 86.6 lb
Total weight lost: 17.9 lb
Percentage of body weight lost: 17%
Original goal weight: 85 lb
New goal weight: 75 lb
Pounds to go: 10.6 lb

Anyone who's done their best to set and achieve a fitness or health-related goal knows the feeling. You stay focused, relentless, and diligent as you work as hard as you know how to cross the finish line. And yet, when it comes time to measure progress, despite all that effort, you realize you've hit a bit ...

Read more…


August 22 - Back to Normal

The kennel cough quarantine, expertly managed as it was, certainly turned Blue and my hiking plans inside out for a long time. But we're finally 99% back to normal.

I'll be out of town this weekend, but Blue and I will be back on the trails over the Labor Day holiday. Stop by Facebook on Tuesday, September 3, for the Grand Finale of our Northern Buckeye Trail section hike.

Before that, check back here and on Facebook on Wednesday, August 28, for a year-to-date fundraising recap, Blue's August weigh-in, and tips on safe and fun hiking with ...

Read more…


August 7 - We've Arrived! (Sort of)

January: 104.5 lb
Late April: 97.6 lb
Early June: 91.4 lb
Early July: 87.0 lb
Early August: 86.5 lb
Total weight lost: 18.0 lb
Percentage of body weight lost: 17%
Original goal weight: 85 lb
New goal weight: 75 lb
Pounds to go: 10.5 lb

Dr. Melisa Kauffman, the Shelter Veterinarian for the Humane Society of Summit County, took a look at our boy Blue last week after he clocked in at 85.6 pounds. As she put it, "Blue is looking great and his overall health has improved greatly. Twenty pounds ago, 85 ...

Read more…


July 10 - Back on the Trail

About a month ago, life at the Humane Society of Summit County was temporarily interrupted by an outbreak of canine infectious tracheobronchitis, commonly known as kennel cough. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Melisa Kauffmann, the shelter's veterinarian, the employees followed rigorous feeding, sanitation, quarantine, and other infection control protocols. This, combined with the staff's unlimited patience and dedication, kept the situation under control.

Earlier today, the first step in returning to normal was announced. As of tomorrow, Blue and his friends will be able to leave the shelter for their beloved field trips.

I'll be ...

Read more…


June 27 - Taking a Break

Those of you who have been following the Pound of Cure find-a-forever-home-for-Blue/fundraiser program have probably been wondering what Blue and I have been up to lately. The answer is, suspending our hikes while Blue and his pals got through the outbreak of highly contagious upper respiratory disease (commonly known as "kennel cough") that hit the shelter a few weeks ago.

This was a serious health emergency for all the dogs, even those that were seemingly disease-free. It required the staff to quarantine the sick animals, close the canine side of shelter to the public (including volunteers), and work meticulously ...

Read more…


Contact Us

Humane Society of Summit County


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