I know, it's not a very flattering picture. I've spent the entire afternoon researching canine obesity and it isn't a pretty picture either. It seems that 25 to 50% of all American dogs are overweight. The good news is that it can be fixed. The bad news is that if it isn't fixed we put our dogs at risk of many ailments. PLEASE, don't kill your dog with love. I've noticed that a lot of dogs that are adopted from GRRMF do gain weight. You are not helping your dog by allowing this to happen. A healthy dog is a happy dog. Substitute treats with a belly rub or some quality time.

Fortunate for Cody, he is on his way to a younger, slimmer self. My Mother-in law remarked only today that Cody seems more "energetic". This after only two weeks of being here. He really is a sweet boy. To read more about canine obesity, click on one of the links at the bottom of this page.

 Cody has been with us for three weeks now and what a difference it has made! He is more active and raring to go! He LOVES to go on his walks. He has gone from Mr. Fraidy Cat to Mr.Friendly.He loves to greet strangers and their dogs. He's actually started playing with my guys and you would think he's been here forever.He's also quite comical with some of his mannerisms. Have you ever seen 150 lbs. of golden "rumbling" after a tennis ball? You really gotta love those Goldens. Good news is that every time he "rumbles" after one of those balls he's burning calories. I'll try and get him weighed this week and see how much weight he's lost. I know it will be slow, but already I can see improvements. The more he loses, the more active he'll be and the more he'll lose. It's a win, win.

I'll post Cody's new weight and some new photos next week If you're interested in Cody, be sure to get your application in and mention Cody. He is a very nice dog and I don't think he'll be around long. For an application click HERE.

 Big changes for the Cody Bear in the last month. He is now being fostered by Linda and Bill who run what we lovingly call the "Sarasota Fat Farm". Linda has taken in 3 fosters now that had a combined weight of 402 lbs. If anyone can slim the "Bear" down it's Linda. She did a great job with Cleo and our recently adopted "spotlight dog of the month" Alexis.

Linda says that she weighed Cody this weekend (6/16/01) and he is down to 136 lbs. This may seem like a lot, but when you come in at 150 lbs. this is great. Cody is not going to lose 60 lbs. in a year and this is why we consider him a special needs dog. Whomever adopts Cody will have to watch his diet for at least a couple of years. Linda says that he is getting up now with much less effort. I'm not sure if we can attribute that to the diet or the fact that he's now living with a couple of very cute females. All you guys can relate <smile>.

After living with Cody for a month, this is Lindas evaluation : Cody loves other dogs and cats are no problem. He loves all adults (except Vets) . He will tolerate children (read as he goes under the table when enough is enough). If Cody Bear had his choice, he would like to go with a couple whom children only visited, and please, no people that wear white lab coats to torment him <smile>. Sounds like the kind of place I'd like to live!