Roody's Boot-Camp Weight-Loss Update

Mom's Dachshund, little Roody, joined us just five days ago, but we immediately put him to work doing ranch chores - and we cut off the treat pipeline. He weighted in at 21.6 pounds on arrival. Today - to my delight - Roody weighed in at 19.4 lbs, an amazing 2.2 pound loss. As you can see from the photo below, he has already gained a semblance of a waistline.

Roody, five days after coming to fat camp

Roody is getting to be quite the old hand here already. He's perfectly comfortable with our gentler horses. Holly, the palomino mare below, is now 29 years old. Roody doesn't hesitate to go in with the younger, rowdier horses - but I discourage him and soon he, like the other dogs, will know which ones he can trust.

Roody and Hollywood Royal Lady

One of the greatest joys of being a ranch dog is rolling in muck and manure and dead things in the desert. After this week's rain, there's still some mud to be found and maximized. Roody has found his own technique of rolling, than scooting with his front legs collapsed beneath him like a folding table.

The other dogs enjoy having a new buddy.  Molly the McNab and Mattie-Kate the Papillon are happy to show him the ropes.

Roody's still too squatty-bodied to make it into the tack and feed room. Below, muddy-snouted Roody whines from the tack room step.

This morning's chores involved a lot of running back and forth to keep up. None of the property is level, but the little guy has a lot of heart and moved those short legs as fast as he could coming up the slopes from the barn. Yes, there's a Dachshund in that photo.  Little did he know he was running to the shed so he could have a bath before going in.

Lest you think that with all this exercise and sudden weight loss that we're starving little Roo-Roo, worry not. He still has free access to his healthy kibbles (we feed Nutro Ultra).  He's self-limiting his intake of them, as working dogs generally do. To his delight we've added Merrick Wilderness Blend canned food to his evening meal (one tablespoon). Roody also has constant access to hard, healthy chews - real beef bones, bully sticks and the occasional cod twist. What's missing are constant treats and sharing from the table. Mom loved surprising him with morsels - and those morsels added up. Now, his paw prints around the ranch are adding up. Today's morning feeding put a mile on his paw-dometer. We are constantly active throughout the day and now that the weather is tolerable, we take the dogs with us on each foray outdoors. With this program Roody will neither feel hungry nor will he overeat. 

If you're looking for a good, all-around kibble for your dogs, this one has what I look for: multiple protein sources to include salmon, fruit and vegetables, and free of corn syrup and other nasties: Nutro Ultra dry dog food (affiliate link). I've fed it for many, many years (supplemented by wet food and homemade food) and have been thoroughly happy with the results.

Another great side-effect of Roody's new routine is he is mentally stimulated. Before Mom's Parkinsons had advanced to her current level of disability, she walked Roody throughout her neighborhood. He had the chance to play with her friends' dogs, to socialize with human friends, and to see new sights. In recent months Mom has been unable to walk beyond her property. Now, Roody is challenged and engaged once again. He has quit his incessant barking. He misses Mom, still running out to my car to look for her - but we have given him as much diversion as possible, and with a little luck he will be able to visit her when she has been moved from the nursing facility to a nearby adult care home.

As for Mom, one of her first questions when we talk is, "How's my little boy?" I take the pictures of him to show her when I visit, and tell her about his day's adventures. She said last night she's happy for him. The strength and importance of the bond between an elderly person and their pet can't be overstated. Putting Mom at ease about the well-being of her little companion is critical to her own well-being as she transitions from independent living to a dependence on others.

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