New Year's Resolutions for Pets?

For most of us, the new year is a time to take stock, review our lives and set goals for the coming year. Besides my annual goal of taking at least one great trip, I'm going to be working on two other goals, both involving my dogs.

My first resolution is to get back in the habit of walking my dogs at least once around the block, every day. Twice would be better. That would give us a total of four miles a day.

You're probably wondering what kind of active dogs I have that need that much exercise. The truth is, they're Cavalier King Charles spaniels, small dogs who are equally happy snoozing on the sofa as they are going for a walk. The youngest, 3-year-old Harper, would absolutely prefer the walk, but she doesn't demand it.

I know, though, that going on at least one daily walk is not only better for her physically, it's also important for her socially and mentally.

She and our middle dog, Twyla, who is almost 10 years old, check their "pee-mail" as obsessively as I check my friends' Facebook updates or read my Twitter feed.  On one recent walk through Lake Forest's Hidden Lakes neighborhood, Harper got to meet two new dogs and two old friends, fellow Cavaliers Lucy and Charlie. Both times, the tails were wagging nonstop. When we got home, Harper was happy to settle back onto the sofa and wait patiently for dinner.

Of course, I have an ulterior motive as well. When people exercise with their dogs, they both lose weight and keep it off. With all of the hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and sweets around at this time of year, I'm making a pre-emptive effort to keep the pounds away.

Exercising with a dog is a good idea because it builds on the human-animal bond, has positive associations for both participants, and because one partner—the dog, in case you weren't sure—never makes excuses for not going. People stick to the routine because they love their dogs and see that they are happier and healthier with regular walks.

My other reason for walking Harper more frequently is that it will help me with my second resolution: getting her certified as a therapy dog. Harper meets most of the qualifications, but she still has the bad habits of pulling on the leash and jumping up on people she meets. Long daily walks will allow us to address the first problem, as well as to work on the second problem when we meet new people. We're also setting up a couple of private sessions with area trainer Maryanne Dell, an expert in pet-therapy work. She's going to help us identify ways Harper can turn her pretty-good manners into pretty manners all the time.

If you are smugly thinking that you don't have to exercise or train your pet because you have a cat, think again. Just because cats sleep 18 hours a day doesn't mean they don't need a little daily action. Fat cats are more prone to arthritis, diabetes and other weight-related health problems, and bored cats are destructive cats.

Spending just five minutes once or twice a day playing with your cats, providing  them with interactive toys and letting them work for their meals by putting their kibble in a food puzzle or placing small amounts throughout the house so that they have to look for them are great ways to keep your furry predators' minds and bodies agile.