Splash the Mutt

Total Weight Lost

9.5 pounds

How Long Did it Take?

7 months

Why I Wanted to Lose Weight

I wasn't really looking to lose weight, I just love to walk. I am a 9 year old black lab mutt and my human Mom started a walking program in February. She started taking me along and I am so happy to get out and get some fresh air! The smells! The sounds! The sights!

My Exercise and Diet Journey

Her and I both have bad knees, and when we started it was about 30 minutes, slowly building up to well over an hour. Walking has given us both more energy, strengthened our legs and the weight loss takes pressure off our knees. It is 'family time' for us, and we don't really think of it as exercise, it is just fun.

My diet has not really changed. A half can or doggie burger when Mom has dinner and dry kibble whenever I want it. We walk several times a week, for about 60-90 minutes at about a 3.5 MPH pace.

Lessons learned

Walking is an easy exercise, something everybody can do! I am learning that other dogs have the right to be on the road and in their yards (but it is a tough lesson) and that all humans are there for their own purpose, not just to pet me.

Wendy Bumgardner, Walking Guide, says:

Congratulations on making yourself and your human healthier and enjoying the walks! You can help your human keep off as much as 14 pounds a year, according to studies.