My New Year’s Resolution For My Dogs

Sure we all have those usual new year’s resolution: going back to the gym, cut carbs from our diets, take on an interesting class, grow the numbers on our savings account and on. This year, I decided to add more to my list: my loving dogs! They are a part of my every day life and I couldn’t live it without having them waking me up early every morning with licks and waggling tails and heart-warming love. After all, my dogs’ life-long endeavor is to be my loving friends and loyal companions, and so, the least I can do is bring an extra wag or two to their world. Here are my resolutions to make this year my dogs best year ever:

I am going to spend more time with my dogs: life is not easy for anyone, there is family to take care of, work schedule, school reading, and some ‘me time’ as well that sometimes leave us with so little time to spend with our furry babies. This year I am setting aside extra time to spend with my dogs and simply enjoy their company and their silliness.

I am going to boost the diet of my dogs: by keeping on focusing on including more ‘good stuff’ to their diet such as baby carrots, peas, cottage cheese, cooked chicken (no salt, no spice), coconut oil, apples (without seeds), oatmeal, peanut butter, and cooked meat (no salt, no spice). I will also count kibbles portions, no ‘eyeballing’ food allowed. I don’t want my dogs to miss out on important nutrients or end up overweight.

I am going to have more fun with my dogs: inside the house and outside home. Walking, hiking, taking them to new dog parks, going to the ‘dog lake’, playing frisbee or fetch. These all are great way to bond with them. Bringing them new toys when I get home, teach them new tricks increasing mental stimulation and keeping their brains active and healthy. And every time we are having fun, I am going to take lots of pictures with them, so I can ‘record’ our great moments together!

I am going to practice good hygiene habits: by keeping the practice of daily toothbrushing, crucial to keep my dogs teeth clean and healthy and tartar and plaque at bay. I will also groom my dogs daily. A 5-minute brush can accomplish so much, it removes excess fur from the coat, it helps distribute oils from the skin to the fur keeping the coat shiny and healthy, and is a bonding activity that demonstrates to my dogs how much I love them by taking care of them.

I am going to plan regular visits to the vet: yearly examinations by the veterinarian are a key component for my dogs health. Medical conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and obesity are common in aging dogs and much easier to manage when detected in early stages of the disease process. Veterinary visits are also a great time for me to ask for advice or get an expert opinion on any behavioral issues that might be of my concern.

These are just some of my new year’s resolution for my dogs and I but definitely not all there is. I want my dogs everyday life to be the most awesome one! I want them to feel their best physically and mentally, and I want them to know, every day of their lives, how much I love them and how special they are to me!

How about you? What are your New Year’s Resolution for your dog??