New Year Equals New Beginnings
As I say goodbye to 2013 and prepare to usher in 2014, I look back at the past year and think about things I would have liked to change and things that I am so blessed to be a part of. When I reflect on events or situations I am not so pleased about, I try to design a plan to remodel the incident so it becomes a learning experience. I like to then immediately reflect upon things that I am so proud of, personally and professionally, which gives me motivation to change other things for the better. Sometimes we do not realize that something is a problem until it slaps us in the face. This is exactly what happened to me, numerous times, this past year. You see, I hear quite often from clients that they do not feel there are any options for an animal emergency center located in the downriver/Monroe area. I personally experienced this when I was unable to offer 24 hour care to one of my patients and the owners were not able to take the dog anywhere else. I thought this is something I would love to change and anyone who knows me knows that I am impatient, so an idea needs to turn into reality within a short period of time. In addition, the sooner we are able to offer emergency services the quicker more pets can receive the care they need during “off” hours. I started exploring this complaint and it was true. There are not any emergency clinics all the way from Toledo north through the entire Monroe City and County and all the way through the downriver area of Wayne County as far west as Ann Arbor and north to Allen Park before we encounter one. So many people have expressed it as a concern over the years that I felt it was important to pet parents to have a “local animal emergency” to call and/or take their pets to that is not so far away from their homes. This is how the Ash Veterinary Clinic and Emergency Center was born. We have only been a 24/7 clinic for about 2 months now, but the response from the community has been impressive and the clients have been more than comforted knowing that Ash Veterinary Clinic is there for your needs anytime of any day. This was one of the biggest things I wanted to accomplish this year and because of perseverance and the cooperation of my wonderful, talented and selfless staff, this idea has transformed into a real operating and functioning facility and the start of a dream I have had for the clinic and the community.
I open with this experience to give a recent and real life example of how a thought of change for the better, can be more than just a thought. Change does not have to be “big”. Small changes can be just as important and lead to bigger changes. Changes can be for yourself or someone you love, like your furry child. Remember they cannot make changes on their own. They rely completely on you to make them happy and healthy creatures.
One of the most common New Year’s Resolutions for people is to lose weight. More than 50% of our pets are overweight as well. Planning an exercise program can be as simple as a dedicated walk every day. Even if they or you do not need weight loss, exercise is always good for the body and soul. It is a way to release good endorphins which naturally elevates your mood and it is good bonding time too.
Along with exercise we should mention a change in diet. For some, it is just a change in the amount that is needed and others a total change in the kind of food being fed is needed. There is so much information on nutrition which is another article by itself. First, make sure the food you are feeding is a name brand food, not an off brand or bulk, and make sure it has the AAFCO statement on it. This is a voluntary group of food makers that guarantee the ingredients they use are of superior quality and safe for your pet’s consumption. You can usually find this on the back or side of the bag. Second, do not be fooled that expensive means better quality. Many pricey foods do not comply with the AAFCO statement; therefore, they are not recommended for feeding. Third, do not go to the pet store to find a new food and buy in the same day. Write down some choices you like and your first call should be to your veterinarian and ask what their opinion is of the foods. Remember, your doctor is an expert on nutrition and is highly educated in ingredients unlike the stock boy or cashier at the pet stores. Fourth, do your own research on the foods and check the list of recalls available at AVMA.org. Last, follow your gut feeling and know that, in general, almost everything is ok in moderation. This means, in spite of ancient beliefs, corn is not a bad thing to have in dog or cat food. It does have nutritious value. Chicken, beef and pork also have nutritious value and unless your pet has an allergy to these things, they are fine ingredients to use.
In spite of all the confusing information surrounding the kind and brand of pet food you feed, more often than not the problem is 100% related to the amount of food being fed. People generally over feed their pets. The amounts that are listed on the bags are usually much more than the average pet needs. I suggest, to my pet owners, to decrease the amount the bag says by 1/4 or more depending on your pet’s body style and activity level. I find that we often “forget” or do not count the other things we give as added calories. Remember that every treat, dental stick, and each bite of table food has calories. If you are giving these things, you have to decrease the amount of kibble you give. Free feeding is only ok for those pets that have ideal body weight and graze all day. If your pet is even slightly overweight, you really must measure the food and feed pets separately. I understand how much more time this may take, especially in a multi cat household, but the benefits on the overall health of the pet is undebatable.
So as 2014 approaches, try to take a simplistic and positive path to making changes. Think about the things you want to change and focus on those things that will benefit you and others alike. Break down your larger goal into smaller doable goals and tackle each one individually. Not only do you feel a sense of accomplishment, but also gain motivation to do more. You and your pets will feel better and this will continue to snowball into better and more positive changes for everyone.
