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The Year of the Dog Forecasts
Good Health
 Happy New Year 4704! The Chinese New Year on January 29 celebrates the
Year of the Dog (Bing Xu, pronounced "bing shoo").
The twelve animal signs of the Chinese zodiac provide a fun way to classify
yourself.
For example, people born during Dog years (1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970,
1982, 1994, 2006, etc.) may be described as great humanitarians, loyal, honest,
and courageous. They also may be described as dogged, guarded, defensive, and
bossy. No matter which sign you were born under, the Year of the Dog is a good
reminder of how important our pets are to our health and well-being.
Enjoying the health
benefits of pet ownership
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has summarized the tangible
benefits of having a pet. These include:
- Decreased blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride
levels
- Increased opportunities for exercise, outdoor activities, and
socialization
The companionship of
having a dog, cat, or other pet also provides emotional benefits for people at
any stage of their life.
Losing weight through
dog walking
Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia have reported that being
responsible for a dog is a simple and effective weight-loss method. Starting
with 10 minutes a day, 3 times a week, the study participants increased
their dog walking habit to 20 minutes a day, 5 times a week. The health
benefits were tangible; participants lost an average of 14 pounds during
the 1-year study.
Also, Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine reports that dogs
can benefit from a daily exercise routine. For example, your dog may be
overweight if its:
- Waistline is noticeably wide, especially from above.
- Belly is sagging or wobbly.
- Ribs are difficult to feel.
If you and your dog are unaccustomed to a daily exercise plan, start off
slowly, and gradually increase the time and pace. You may want to use a
tool, such as a pedometer or online calculator, to track the number of
minutes, your weight, and pace (speed, uphill, downhill) to find the resulting
number of calories burned.
Creating a routine
Do you need extra incentive to start good exercise habits? Think about
the impact on your wallet if you had to do as the Romans do! Rome's city council
recently passed a by-law that requires dog owners to exercise their pets
regularly. Also, in Turin, Italy, the fine for
failing to walk your dog at least 3 times a day is $598 (500 euros).
Keep these tips in
mind as you begin your canine exercise habit:
- Breathe deeply. If either you or your dog are unusually tired
or have trouble catching your breath, slow down or stop for a moment.
- Pace yourself. Slowly build up your endurance and pace by making
the walk a daily routine.
- Stay safe. Seek out dirt paths or grassy areas in neighborhoods
or parks that are well-lit. Keep your dog on a leash, and put reflective
material on both you and your dog.
- Mind the weather. If it's unusually hot or cold out, make your
walk shorter, or find a place where you and your dog can play inside.
- Drink plenty of water. Provide fresh water for you
and your dog before and after exercising.
And have fun! Being
outdoors gives you and your dog new sights, sounds, and smells to enjoy. Use this time with your dog to get a fresh perspective and good
companionship. Your dog will love you for it!
For more information
Both you and your dog
can benefit from good physical health and good dental health during the Year of
the Dog (and every year!). You might find the following websites useful:
Pets Need Dental Care, Too at
http://www.petdental.com/
Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco at
http://www.c-c-c.org/culture-resources/
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