For example, all dog owners know that their dogs love to go for walks. Walking has been found to be a great way to maintain a healthy body, and did you know that walking in 10 minuet increments during the course of the day is actually the best way to reap the rewards? Dogs are smart and already know this, which is why they love to go for walks all day long! They don’t just go on one long walk in the morning! Nope, ask them if they want to take a walk and you can bet they will be up for it anytime of day.

But walks are just one of the many examples of things we can learn from our pet for a more healthy lifestyle. The book isn’t a long one, but it does give a lot of great facts (and talks about health myths as well). We really enjoyed reading it, and have been trying to take more cues from Baby the Maltese. Seems to be working too!

You can find Fit As Fido: Follow Your Dog to Better Health through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iUniverse, or directly from the author (you can get an autorgaphed copy that way). If you want more great tips and information about the book, be sure to visit the Fit As Fido website.

Legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia that have a dog and are a family member that is at least 18 years of age or older at time of submission are eligible for entry.  Dog owners who wish to submit their photos for this competition should visit www.bowwowmillion.com and follow the Contest entry form and upload a digital photo which includes both the owner and Look-A-Like.

There will be eight weekly competitions held during the contest entry period in which contestants can enter by region. Every audience member can vote up to five times for their favorite contestant every week. At the end of each week, the judges will determine the top scoring entries that will advance as Semi-Finalists.  Thereafter, all Semi-Finalists entries will be judged by a selection committee who will determine the Finalist entries so a nationwide audience can vote for its favorite Finalist.  Each and every audience member can vote up to five times for its favorite Finalist. At the end of this round, the Finalists with the highest votes from audience voting participation will become eligible for the National Championship where a panel of judges will determine the Grand Prize winner and Runner-up winners.

Twenty Semi-Finalists will each receive $500 cash, and those who are declared Finalists will receive an expense paid trip for two plus their “Pooch”, which includes airfare and accommodations to Los Angeles to compete for the National Championship.  After the judging is over, one finalist will be declared the national Look-a-Like Champion and will win the Grand prize of $1 Million Dollars an each Runner-up winner will win $5,000 cash plus a one year supply of dog food.

I sure wish that I looked like one of my pets! A million dollars would be so much fun! Do you look like your pet?

Walker, a Caribbean flamingo, explores his habitat at SeaWorld in Orlando.  Hatched just four weeks ago, Walker eats plenty of fish, krill, hardboiled egg and cereal and as an adult will feed on a special diet formulated just for flamingos.  In fact, the trademark bright pink color of Walker’s future feathers is caused by carotenoid pigments that occur naturally in a variety of plant and animal life and are responsible for the red and orange coloring in many birds.  SeaWorld’s avian experts expect Walker to grow into his adult plumage in about three years.  To learn more about Caribbean flamingos, go to SeaWorld.org.

We tried to find a rescue group to take the little family so they could hopefully find a loving home. Sadly, shelters and rescues are full of cats and are already full. So here is a bit of a reminder to please spay and neuter your pets… it’s so sad that these gorgeous kittens won’t know the fun of having a human servant! They sure are cute though, aren’t they?

The premier episode featured a segment about pet grooming that was very interesting! Here are two clips from the show. And if you would like to learn more about The Lazy Environmentalist, visit the website here.

Could this squirrel be any cuter? I think not!

This is a great product for dogs who suffer from stress and anxiety!

They offer three great ways to use DAP. First, a diffuser that plugs into the wall and lasts for one month. We used this in the room our dog sleeps in. It’s best to start using it two to three weeks before a noisy event for full effect. This is also good for bringing a new dog into a home, and separation anxiety.

Secondly, a spray that can be used with the diffuser. The spray can be applied to a dog’s crate or bedding. This would be perfect for travel, or trips to the vet.

Third, the DAP collar. Each collar lasts for a month, and is a perfect way to make sure your dog gets the benefits no matter where he may roam. It’s great for walks, vet visits, ect.

They are available through your veterinary clinic, and if you would like to learn more they even have a free number that you can call to speak with a vet tech! 1-800-276-8197. You can also learn more by visiting the website.

Lots of people travel over Memorial Day weekend. Whether you’re visiting family or checking out a new vacation spot, does your cat or dog join you? Kelly enjoys coming along to her “grandparents’ ” summer place on a mountain lake. She loves riding in the car, but we’ve learned that long drives don’t always go smoothly.

Here’s what you need to know when taking your pet on a road trip.

1. Pack a goody bag.
You’ll need to bring a leash, plastic bags for curbside cleanup, a familiar toy, a container of water and a bowl. Any old plastic container will do. I bought a portable nylon travel bowl that folds up neatly for storage. It’s also a good idea to put together a basic first aid kit. And see that your pet is wearing a collar with up-to-date ID tags.

2. Exercise before you leave.
Make sure your dog has enough time outside or your cat has an opportunity to use the litter box before you leave. Take your dog for a nice long walk or play vigorously so she’ll rest on the trip. Feeding just before you leave only increases the odds of needing more pit stops along the way!

3. Designate a travel place in the car.
Make sure your pet is not crawling all over and distracting the driver. Some pets do well in a crate or pet carrier. Wire barriers can confine a dog to the rear of a vehicle. Other pets enjoy being closer to the action. Kelly’s doggy bed is on the back seat. She enjoys catching the view out the window, and her own bed makes her feel secure.

4. Plan for breaks.
Don’t expect to make record time. If your trip is more than a few hours, you’ll need to stop for fresh air and a little exercise.

5. Be mindful of the heat.
Keep the car well ventilated. Never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle. Even with windows cracked open, temperatures build up fast. If you have to leave your pet in the car for a few minutes, Pets on the Go suggests parking in the shade and using a small, battery-operated fan to keep the car cool.

Kelly and I wish you safe and happy travels!

Peggy Frezon, freelance writer and pet lover, has owned dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, hermit crabs, turtles and fish. Visit here twice monthly to read helpful tips on caring for your pets and check out her blog.

From 4-7pm, Bostonians are welcome to bring their pooches by Luna Boston’s boutique at 205 Newbury St. to shop brand new handbags and accessories from Rebecca Minkoff, Treesje, House of Harlow & more.  A Luna Boston stylist will be on-hand to help you update your wardrobe for summer with the latest trends, and twenty-five percent of all proceeds made during the event will be donated to help CAPS in its mission to protect companions from cruelty and inhumane breeding practices in Pet Shops and Puppy Mills.

In addition, delicious doggy treats from the South End’s Polka Dog Bakery will be served to all four-legged guests, while their owners can enjoy some post-work wine.

Can’t make it over to Newbury St. with your furry friend?  You may miss out on the vino and treats, but you can support the cause online by entering code “CAPS” during checkout at LunaBoston.com anytime on June 12th.

For more information about CAPS and how you can help, please visit www.caps-web.org.

This is a small video that was made to help prevent the irresponsible actions of pet owners. This was made for KARE, an animal rescue center in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It’s message is universal though, and hopefully people will remember that we are responsible for the animals in our lives.