Go Easy on the People Food

Summer is the perfect time to spend with your pets. I see people walking or running with their dogs – even walking around the yard with their cats; I see dogs with their heads out car windows, smiling; and sitting on the grass with their owners, relaxing in the sun. Even putting together media pieces at work I see animals all over the vet catalogs, and I can’t help but think of the great old days when I had my dog.

Tootsie, our beloved Shih Tzu, did all sorts of tricks. Of course there’s the usual roll over and sit. But we also trained her to respond to “jump” in Spanish. We’d say “Ariba!” and she’d be on two feet like that. She was also great at fetch, she was a second doorbell, and you’d know if there was a storm coming because she’d be hiding under the bed.

Tootsie loved American cheese, but did not like low fat. Whenever my mom was cooking and wasn’t sure if the cheese was regular or low fat, she’d ask Tootsie. If Tootsie didn’t eat it, it went back in the fridge. McDonald’s cheeseburgers and fries, and fried rice from our local Chinese place, were also Tootsie’s favorites.

Over two years ago Tootsie passed on. Feeding her people food, we think, might have been partially to blame. A note for pet lovers: as much as you want to treat your pets well and give them good food, people food is probably not the best. Exercise is also important. All of us were very busy toward the end of Tootsie’s life, and didn’t have as much time to spend with her as we once did. So, unfortunately, she would lie around a lot.

As for me, I will definitely get a dog again some day. To those who have dogs – and other pets, too – cherish them, take good care of them, and take them to the vet regularly!

-Aaron