Thursday, December 2, 2010

Bony!

I like my dogs kept skinny. Not quite as skinny as some people, but none-the-less I like to feel ribs.

My mother constantly refers to my dogs as bony – she says we are all bony (truth in jest). Oh well, her opinion. :) The vet always calls vet techs in to see Ike and Bug – to see what dogs *should* look like (their opinion - I obviously agree!). The physical therapist think Bug looks like a corgi should – if they are meant to last.

I feel comfortable about my dogs being skinny, but it does make some people uncomfortable. A lot of people are used to dogs being pleasantly plump and that is what they visually and tactilely prefer.

Recently we had friends up for the weekend. The wife asked if Bug had previously broken his rib or done something to make it feel it feel the way it does. Huh? Those are his ribs! I guess maybe she never felt a skinny dog before? I thought it was pretty funny.

10 comments:

Kathy Mocharnuk said...

I think it is a shame how plump so many dogs are kept and the owners feel they do that out of love....when you know how much that extra weight can sap their energy and predispose them to injuries and make it hard for them to do all they would want....
Now I just need someone to control my diet -carefully plan it-to keep me in peak shape, LOL.

Jules said...

Food = love for many people.

I wish someone could stop me from reaching for the sweets. I have a terrible sweet tooth!

Sara said...

My dogs are kept lean. No doctor has ever told me it was a problem.

Jules said...

I think vets would like to see more lean dogs - it is just hard to get owners to comply and I swear some vets have given up!

Taryn said...

I do the "rib test" every few days. It doesn't take long for a few extra snacks to add up.

I think vets have to walk a fine line when it comes to discussing whether a pet is fat or not. Many owners get VERY indignant when they are told to cut back on the food. Same for doctors when they tell a mom her kid is fat.

Jules said...

Agreed - I know my mother and MIL get very offended when I tell them their dogs are fat. It's as though I am telling them they are fat. I think they feel an implied criticism of their dog-owning skills!

Brittany said...

I totally understand, I keep Jasmine (cardi) between a lean 28-30# and one of the vets I work with keeps telling me my dog should weight 35+.. Um NO, you're used to seeing FAT obese Pemi's not Cardi's, and she does agility. I do not want a fat corgi doing agility, I want a fit & muscular Cardi. No Pudgee the Whale in my house.
Yes most people get offended when you tell them their pet is fat but people need to hear it in my opinion.

Dexter said...

My mastiff is pretty skinny compared to most mastiffs I see. The vet says he is just right and that I should keep him that way. He comes from show stock and it appears to me that they really beef up the show dogs. Not good for their overall health. Lean and mean will keep a dog healthier.

Mango Momma

Natasha said...

I'm definitely big on keeping my dogs skinny. It's great how you keep your dogs at such good weights, especially considering their breeds; I hardly ever see slim schnauzers and corgis! People are just so used to seeing overweight dogs.

Nancy and Stewie JRT said...

I just tell folks that Stewie is an athlete in training, and that shuts them up! It's the truth!