Waiting

Poor Jade has to poop, but I can't bring him outside until the guy comes to pick up our lawnmowers (they need to be fixed up a little). The guy said he would be here by noon, so that's 14 more minutes. Poor Jade - nobody likes to hold it!

Jade and the Greatest Dog Food in the World

The amazing food that Jade has been on since September (Innova EVO Reduced Fat) is now hosting a contest of sorts to dogs who have really been changed by this food!

http://www.evopet.com/community/evo-difference_may_C.asp

Jade is a perfect example! Last fall, we started doing daily intervals of walking and jogging for short distances. Eventually, Patrick and I were biking three miles every day with Jade up until the snow came. The low-impact aerobic exercise, which built up to long-distance trotting combined with the grain-free food to build beautiful lean muscle mass while it helped him shed the pounds slowly and healthily.

Grain (particularly corn and rice) is found in every grocery store brand of dog food (as well as some higher end pet foods), and is not even a part of a dog's natural nutritional requiements. It is added to fill the dogs up and causes allergies in thousands of dogs. It was actually a product of grain that was part of the cause for the initial pet food recall. Luckily, there is no grain in Jade's food. :) His food has the highest meat content out of any dog food on the market, which is why it is so great. I recommend it to everybody I know! It is so worth the money because you only end up buying dog food every 6 to 8 weeks. The nutrients are more concentrated, so the dog actually eats significantly less and fills up on healthy stuff, not grain-based fillers, such as corn.:)

Below are a few photos of Jade that were taken last Summer when he was at his heaviest weight (over 120 pounds), as well as photos from just a few weeks ago, where he is now in the best shape of his life at about 92 pounds! :) :)

Looking back at photos that I took, I never really "saw" just how overweight he was. I truly didn't. I mean, I knew he had some weight to lose, but I seriously didn't "see" how big he was. I don't know how else to explain it.

The difference is astounding and makes me so happy. Jade is in better shape now, at almost 6 years old, than he has ever been. He is noticeably happier and more comfortable, and he has much more energy. I am so thankful to have my healthy puppy back. I just had to share my experience and the photos and ramble on like the crazy dog lady that I am. Thank you for tolerating it, haha.

THEN

(Summer 2006)

NOW

(Almost a year later)

True Puppy Love

Hahaha, Jade and Patrick are so cute!

Patrick just got here, and I opened up the door because Jade loves to run out onto the sidewalk and greet him. He's his favorite boy in the world! Anyway, just now, when Jade ran out, he ran right up to the truck and plopped his but down on the ground and wouldn't move - meaning, he wants to go for a ride! Right now!

So, Patrick walked back to the truck, told him to hop in and is taking Jade for a quick little ride "around the block" this very moment. Okay, I'm way out in the country so, technically, we dont have "blocks," ha, but you know what I mean.

Not many people would do that!

How did I get so lucky to have a boy in my life who loves my pup as much as I do? :)

<3 <3

Gravel Bed Trek

Here are photos from our trek through the gravel beds Monday evening. We were there from about 6pm until the sun was gone, which was about 8:30pm. It was such a gorgeous, mild evening. We were all exhausted when we finally got home! :)

* * * * *

From the beginning...

I always call Jade back to me, randomly, just to work on his recall. He's so good! As soon as he gets to me, I love him up and then give him a pat on the bum and tell him to get going so he can run off ahead again. He's so enthusiastic and happy when we're outside. :)

Check out that slinky boy! He's so fit and healthy now - Ugh, it just makes me so happy that I could talk about it forever!

My fiance, Patrick, shooting Jade up on top...

He's so easy to photograph - Every look is beautiful!

"Well, are ya comin'?!"

Haha - Look at those jumbo ears! They're like parachutes! <3

Dobie Art

I did these this morning. :)

You're probably thinking, "What in the world is Jade doing?!"

The answer is this: gnawing on a holistic beef knuckle, haha.

I love the blade of grass on Toby's tongue, here, haha.

Shake, shake, shake! My new camera is so fast and my prime lens is so accurate that it captures blades of grass flying up in the air. LOVE!

Gravel Beds

My mom and I took Jade and Toby for a walk in the woods and along the powerlines until we reached one of our favorites spots - the gravel beds! The air was chilly and the sun only peeked out a couple times, but it was a lovely little excursion. My legs were really sore yesterday evening! I felt like I had just gone horseback riding after not having gone in a long time, hah.

Last night was our second-to-last intermediate obedience class, and all of the dogs (and people - haha) did well. I'm sad that we have only one class left! The session passed so quickly! Every evening when class was over, I have said to Patrick, "Wow - That was a fast class!" Jade has learned so much in this class, and I am so anxious/excited to move on to the next level, as well as to our next level of agility! :)

Patrick and I don't have anything to do today. I am just working on a few paintings, so I think we might run to the farm store so I can buy a super long nylon training lead with the intentions of working with Jade in more public places. Fun, fun! I think I'll bundle up and take Jade for a nice long walk. My sister, Kat, is giving Toby a bath right now, so maybe once Toby's dry, we'll all go for a nice walk. Let's hope the rain stays away!

The photo above is of Jade and my butt, haha. Doesn't Jade look cute? Okay, maybe my butt does, too, haha.

On to the photos - compliments of Patrick, of course. <3

Kate with Pretty Miss Bella - the only girl in our group of three boys!

Liz and Blue

Jade heeling very nicely!

Blue and all of his handsomeness.

Bella is one of the most expressive dogs I've ever seen. She's so cute!

Cody and his momma bouncing through the ladder

Sorry this is such an unflattering photo of Bella, Kate, but it's so funny! :)

Cody on the wobble!