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These Fit Pets Are Leaders Of The Pack

Photo by KRISTEN LEVINE

Misty, right, is the grand-prize winner — canine category — in a national fittest pets competition.

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By KRISTIN LEVINE

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 26, 2009

Misty, a fitter, trimmer golden retriever from Holiday, has lots to wag about these days.

She is the grand-prize winner — canine category — in Hill's Pet Nutrition's America's Fittest Pets Contest, a national competition.

Amazingly, two of the five finalists hailed from neighboring New Port Richey: Cody and Moe, both Labrador retrievers.

The contest is part of a pet obesity awareness and prevention program created by the American Veterinary Medical Association/Hill's Alliance for Healthier Pets. It encourages pet owners to work with their vet's office to change their pets' lifestyles and feeding habits so they can lose weight. The program encourages regular veterinary weigh-ins, monitored feeding, including the introduction of Hill's Prescription Diet r/d brand pet food, and regular physical activity.

"I used to love playing with Misty as a puppy but as she got older she didn't want to play as much," recalled 8-year-old Tabatha Davis. "When my mom and I would take her to the park or for a walk, she would get tired very quick so we would have to go home."

Tabatha's mom, Dorene, took Misty to their veterinarian at All Pets Hospital. Hill's Prescription Diet and exercise were prescribed. Through a carefully tracked program, Misty went from 118 pounds to her goal weight of 78 pounds!

"I learned how unhealthy it is to let your dog get overweight and eat table scraps," Tabatha said.

Jan Wrubel, owner of Cody and Moe, feels like a big winner, too.

"Cody was waddling on walks, he was so fat," Wrubel said. "He had no energy."

She started Cody and Moe on a doggy diet in March. Every two weeks, she took them to the vet to be weighed, measured and encouraged to keep up the good work.

Ironically, Misty, Cody and Moe were all coached by the same veterinary health care team at All Pets Hospital in New Port Richey.

"Obesity in pets can lead to diabetes, heart disease, and osteoarthritis, just like in humans," said veterinary technician Kathy Barnoski, who runs the clinic's weight management program. "It can also lead to kidney and liver problems as they get older."

Cody and Moe have each lost about 20 pounds and are approaching their goal weight.

"I'm so proud of them and hopefully they'll live longer and be happier," Wrubel said.

The finalists received a 15-month supply of Hill's Prescription Diet pet food and a trip to Orlando, where the winner was announced. As grand-prize winner, Misty will be part of a national ad campaign.

The other grand-prize winner, feline category, was Thomas, an American Shorthair cat owned by Sharon Decuir from Fort Worth, Texas.

For information about the AVMA/Hill's Alliance for Healthier Pets or the America's Fittest Pets Contest, pet owners are encouraged to talk to their veterinarian.

Veterinary health care teams can request a 2009 Obesity Awareness and Prevention Kit by calling 1-888-7-PETFIT or visiting www.PetFit.com.

Write to pet-lifestyle expert Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; e-mail kristen@fetchingcommunications.com.

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