Pet Pointers: New Year’s resolutions
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On Jan. 1st, many of us make resolutions that we just never seem to be able to keep. But if you make a promise that involves your pet it may be easier to stay on track.
One of the most common resolutions is to start exercising and stick to it. Try this: start with a short ten minute walk, every day for a week, with your dog. Add five minutes each week until you reach 30 minutes. Vary your speed, your route and your rate of difficulty. Don’t worry, most dogs can keep up, or you’ll just have to carry them home.
Chose a healthier diet of quality fruits and vegetables for you and a higher quality food for your pets. Better food is easier for pets to digest and will make cleaning the litter box a little easier.
Get a jump on your schedule. Make all your vet appointments and plan out the year's dosing of heartworm preventative in your new day planner.
Lots of people promise to quit smoking. Pick a day and just do it. Talk to your doctor about ways to make quitting easier. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for your pets. Second hand smoke can have negative effects on their health as well as your own.
One tool that helps me stay focused is keeping a resolution journal, where you track your daily progress and make note of small goals you achieve to keep you going.