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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 19, 2018)
20 Wednesday, September 19, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Paw Prints Jodi Schneider McNamee Columnist Exercise your dog this season Whether you’re a pet parent to a Great Dane or a Chihuahua, regular exercise is vitally important for your dog’s health. Obesity in pets is on the rise and is associ- ated with several medical complaints including osteo- arthritis, cardiovascular dis- ease, liver disease and insu- lin resistance. Your pooch’s exercise requirements will differ by age, size, breed and diet, but most veterinarians will agree that a dog needs daily exercise, broken up into two or three sessions, usually no less than 45 minutes a day. An exercise session can be anything from a brisk walk to a game of catch or a run, but you should try to mix both physical and mental stimula- tion as well as a potty break. The breed of dog you have, as well as its level of fitness and age, will also determine how long and how vigorous your walk should be. A dog that doesn’t receive sufficient exercise can easily become bored or destructive. Dogs love to check out the sights and smells and really look forward to spend- ing time with you. And right now, the leaves are changing, the weather has cooled off and outdoor activities for dogs have jumped into sea- son! Rather than sit inside and play with the same old toys, you and your dog can dig into these fun activities that take you on new adven- tures that will give Rover and you lots of exercise. Many state parks offer great hiking trails to enjoy with your dog. First, be sure to pack a small backpack to store water for you and your dog, as well as a leash and a collapsible water bowl for your pup. When going hiking at a state park or even on the Peterson Ridge trail in Sisters make sure your dog is up to date on all vaccines and always check for ticks after your adventure in the woods. Fall is often signaled by the appearance of pumpkins throughout the land, and one of the biggest fall treats is to go and search for your own pumpkin. Because most of these pumpkin patches are outdoors, dogs are often allowed to accompany you, but it might be worth check- ing with the farm ahead of time to be sure. He’ll enjoy the exercise and excitement of the large orange balls while you search for the per- fect ones for your family. Hay rides are also a fun treat for the family as you ride through farm fields and mazes in a trailer pulled by a truck or tractor. Your dog will love all the scents and sights while touring around the farm. The cool air in his face will also be a treat unlike the heat of summer. Make sure you keep him on a leash, so he doesn’t get any ideas of chasing after any wildlife or farm animals on the way. Fall is a great time to Sunset Serenades visit a beach or lake since the peak season is over and fewer people are around. Let your dog dig in the sand and splash in the water. The beach or an open grassy area is also a great place to play fetch. One last note about visiting areas with large bodies of water: consider outfitting your pet with a life jacket. Use the fall months to set your pet on the road to health. It’s cooler and more comfortable than the height of summer for outdoor activ- ities for dogs, so it’s the per- fect time to start a new exer- cise routine. With the right nutrition and a brisk walk every day, your dog can get to a healthy weight before Thanksgiving. Just because you might put on a few extra pounds around the holidays doesn’t mean your dog has to as well. Who knows, helping PHOTO BY JODI SCHNEIDER Mia and Ollie getting some exercise on an excursion to a pumpkin patch. him exercise might be just what you need to keep your- self motivated, too. Fall is the perfect time of year to be active with your dog and create fun memories together. While you’re out and about, be sure to cap- ture your moments and share with others to hopefully encourage them to be active with their dogs, too! ADVERTISING in The Nugget WORKS! A Lesson Learned About Marketing “As a rmal mstatm brokmr in Sistmrs Country for a numbmr of ymars, I dmcidmd to start advmrtising pmriodically in Th e Nugget a couplm of ymars ago. Th mn I dmcidmd to takm a brmak bmcausm I wasn’t surm I nmmdmd to spmnd thm monmy. It didn’t takm long for mm to rmalizm, whmn my businmss fmll off , that thmrm was a dirmct corrmlation bmtwmmn advmrtising in Th e Nugget and not advmrtising. So I dmcidmd that a regular presence in the paper was a necessity and wise investment year-round and I havm bmmn on a wmmkly contract mvmr sincm. Th m fact that Th e Nugget is a wmmkly community nmwspapmr and has a shmlf-lifm of a wmmk and bmyond is a grmat valum comparmd to daily papmrs. 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