User post: If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise. -- Unknown

To the best of my memory, I've never had an overweight dog. But then, I've never owned a Beagle before, or rather a Beagle mix, such as my dog Lola, who is mostly Beagle. The first of this year Lola turned three, and it was about that time I noticed she had developed some pudge in her mid-section, and was it any wonder? This dog is a relentless foodie! She sits in front of the cupboard where I keep her dog treats and whines for a biscuit or chewie, and as she whines with her chocolate eyes fixed on me, guilt sets in and I cave into her begging.

So next thing I know, my lovable moocher is overweight , although thankfully not yet obese. What's an owner of a Beagle with an insatiable appetite to do? Well, in this case it was to take up brisk walking for about 40 minutes to an hour in an effort to melt the fat, and to my delight, it seems to have worked. She has dropped most of the weight with just a little bit more to go. And, I've benefited as well. My legs are better toned, I've lost about 5 unwanted pounds, and my energy level has improved somewhat.

A dog as a pet can bring many contributions to a person's life, one of them being that they have a tendency to get you out of the house. As a rule, a dog won't let you ignore their needs. They have a way of begging, whining, or just being a nuisance to the point that, if you're human at all, you can't possibly disregard them. Dogs are born with an enthusiasm for life and with energy to match. It behooves us, their caretakers, to provide them an outlet for play and exercise. So, for the dog's sake as well as your own, get out of the house, walk around the block, go to the dog park, walk the track around the football field-wherever you feel inclined, and get yourself and your dog moving. I can assure you, you'll both live longer and be happier. Now, that's what I call love.