Beagle Diet Progress - October Updates

     So it's been a while....

     As far as my knee goes, I'm feeling a lot better. I only take the pain medicine every now and then. At first I would take 1/2 tablet every morning. You only take it once a day because it's really strong, and actually the Doctor said that the 1/2 tablet was slightly more than what I should have but it was okay. I was also taking another medicine everyday too for pain. And the Doctor gave me these chewable supplements to help my knees and other joints feel good despite my arthritis.

     I feel old.... there's really no getting past it. But I don't have to let it keep me down.

     I started going for slightly longer walks in the morning. It's much cooler now since the Summer is over. A little chilly some mornings but I can handle it.

     Anyway, during the past few months while I've been recovering from my partial-tear ACL injury I've watched what I ate and I've tried to stay motivated. Mom tries to remember to pick up the food dish at night before it gets too late. She said that for people, you have to stop eating a few hours before you go to bed otherwise you just pack on extra weight from the food you ate because you didn't have enough time to digest and use it. She thinks it might be similar for Beagles -- well, for dogs in general but in my case for Beagles specifically.

    The thing is, I'm not hungry during the day. I try to eat but I just don't want anything. Mom laughs because if she offered me something other than my regular food she's certain I'd be hungry for it!

    I'm trying to drink more water too... I don't know if Beagles store water-weight like people, but Mom talked about that too and so she makes sure the water dish is always clean and full. Zoya makes a mess... she drinks from the water dish but it's like she has no clue what she's doing! Slop! Splash! Slop! Splash! Slop! Splash! and then when you check, half the water is on the floor around the dish and the other half is all over her face!

    Mom knows this though, that's why she tries to clean the dish as soon as Zoya finishes.

    So we lost track of my Beagle Diet.... we were tracking the days and weeks but we lost track because so much time was spent just HEALING.  It's okay.  It doesn't matter where you start or continue something, what's important is that you start and/or continue it to the end.... right?

    What else is knew...?

    Mom and Dad had to go away for a week last month, and that wasn't too bad. I don't like when they go away though. The boarding place is nice, and they make sure Atom, Zoya, and I are all together... but I want my own bed and my own toys and everything. Also... there's no TV in the pet hotel. We have our own room that we share, and we get to play in an indoor play area.... but there's no TV. I like the TV. Mom leaves it on all day for us.

    Anyway, I went for a short walk this morning. It was about 15-18 minutes. Mom guessed but she lost track because she wasn't sure what time we left the house. It was me and Zoya though, and we took a few pictures. I feel like I'm still making progress. Even though I was stuck for so long after I hurt my leg, I don't feel like I gained weight. I don't know if I lost much, but I feel okay considering I'm still "big"....

First, a few with fun stamps and decorations...

Me and Zoya

Me and a rabbit...

Me and another rabbit... 

Me and Zoya just hanging out...

Watching cars drive by as everyone leaves for work...

Just me... I think this is a good angle for me.

Diet & Exercise: Week 3 Day 2

     It's getting humid again. I could feel it this morning during our walk. It's okay, but the humidity makes me feel tired quicker. Dad decided to not do his yoga workout this morning so we slept in a little later. Mom fixed breakfast and lunch for her and Dad then took me (and Zoya, of course!) for a 28-minute walk.

     I'm still not really eating all the food I'm "supposed to" every day but I'm trying. Mom says she thinks I'm making progress -- I hope so!!  Zoya, Atom, and I are going to see our doctor (vet) for a regular check-up and teeth cleaning next week. I hope she notices my efforts.... I will be so disappointed if I'm not making any progress :-(

    Mom says it's common for people to feel discouraged at times during their diet and exercise plans. She said that when you first start out, you have this motivation because it's something "new" and you are excited to see results. But results are usually slower than people like so they often lose momentum at times. Mom said that maybe it's the same for beagles...

   If that's the case, at least I know to expect the occasional blah day :-)  And as long as I have my Mom to walk me... or Dad when he can.... and I have Zoya for a walking partner.... I will be all set! I know that if I just stick to it, I will see results eventually and I KNOW that my results will be measurable, even if not yet.

Accountability Pics for Week 3 Day 2

The official Accountability Pic for today

7 June 2012 ~ Week 3 Day 2 of my Beagle Diet

Usually when we walk, I manage to remember that I need to walk on the left or right side of "obstacles" so I don't get caught...

But occasionally I forget!

I got stuck on a tree and Mom had to help me get free...

The humid weather brings out more smells!

Lots and lots of interesting stuff!

What's back there...?  I'll check it out!

Relaxing during the walk.

There were actually two cats watching me through the window behind where I sat.

That's right, cats... revel at my awesomeness... 

Walking close to Zoya...

She kept tripping over me, but it's not my fault. All the good smells led me right under her feet!

Zoya really doesn't get it... but she's patient so that's good.

Up ~ up ~ up we go!

I handle stairs well, even though my hip bothers me at times.

Mom said she thinks I'm limping less and less, so maybe it's getting better from the extra walking.

Zoya, watching as I roam around and sniff stuff...

    And that's it for today!  I didn't feel much like sitting still for the close-up pictures so Mom could only take  one and it wasn't that great. Maybe tomorrow I'll be more in a picture-taking mood! Until then :-)

Jake's Diet: Week 3 Day 1 - Real Friends

     Today is the first day of my third week on this diet! I don't think I've lost a ton of weight yet, but I'm definitely feeling a lot better and I think I've lost at least a little. Maybe I will lose more inches than pounds... I'm fine with that too!

Accountability Pic for Week 3 Day 1

     I wanted to talk about friendship today. When I was little, it was just me, Mom and Dad. Actually, at first it was just me and Mom - Dad was away. Then Dad came home and we moved to a new place. Then Dad had to go away again. He's in the Army and that happens.

    When Dad was gone the second time, we got Zoya. This was something Mom and Dad planned, it wasn't like Mom was sneaking in random new dogs every time Dad had to go away :-)

    Zoya was all grown up though.... she had weird habits and weird behaviors and she did everything.... weird. She chewed stuff whenever Mom was out, and she was scared of the rain (or any noise, really). She liked to eat books, which didn't seem to make Mom very happy. But over time Zoya got comfortable and we became friends. I think it's probably like that for kids (the human kind), when parents have kids already the kids have to learn to like each other since the parents want to be together. Or when people have children and adopt more. Or even when people have children then have more children later. I had to learn to adjust and be nice with Zoya, and she had to learn to relax and trust that we were a good family.

    Anyway, now we're pretty close. Atom came later, right before Dad went away again. Mom jokes that he needs a new job where he doesn't have to go away or he has to make more money because we are such a big family. But Mom works too and we do all right, so she's just kidding.

    Zoya doesn't do the same stuff I do. When we go out for walks, I like to sniff everything but Zoya just walks around like she's lost. Sometimes, though, she tries to sniff things too. I think she's trying to see what I like to do, to see if she will maybe like it too. 

    Zoya's interests are a lot different from mine... she likes to chew things and tear paper and she likes to roll around. Sometimes I roll around with her to see if it's fun. Because my body is shaped different, it's hard for me to roll around like she does... but I TRY and that's what is important :-)

Sometimes Zoya just stands still and waits while I sniff everything...

Other times, Zoya tries to sniff the same stuff and see what I like about it.

She doesn't really get it... but she tries anyway.

That's what a real friend does - they try the stuff YOU like to do, because they love you and want to share in the stuff you enjoy. The stuff that's important to YOU is important for a reason.

It doesn't matter if your friend understands, what matters is that they try because it's important to you and you are important to your friend.

Sometimes.... Zoya gets into the sniffing a little bit more and she gets sidetracked.

In this picture (above) she was sniffing the grass with me, but me and Mom turned and Zoya kept going straight!

She reached the end of the leash and realized she was alone - then she came running after us!

     My Mom likes to watch shows in Japanese. She studied hard and still studies sometimes, she says "to maintain" and "to progress" in her skills. I don't get it, but that's fine. She likes to watch shows in Japanese, but Dad doesn't speak any other languages. BUT.... Dad loves Mom very much, so he will watch shows with her even if he doesn't understand. Sometimes Dad will say a funny word and it makes Mom laugh. She says, "It's funny you remember some things, but it's also interesting that you remember how to use it correctly!" Mom also studies the brain and stuff like that so she has all sorts of interests in behavior and thinking and learning.

But it's not a one-way street!

    Dad likes football and sports and videogames, and because that stuff is important to Dad.... Mom takes the time to watch sports, learn about football, and sometimes even play videogames too! Mom says that when you care about someone, you care about ALL of that someone. You want to know what they like and what they don't like, and when they have interests - even if they're boring to you - you take time to share in those interests so that person knows they are important to you also. Then, they will want to share in your interests too...

    It's like that for me and Zoya. We weren't always close, but now we've been together for over 7 years and we have become close. We're a family! Zoya tries the things I like - such as sniffing the grass, or the plants, or the sidewalk.... and I try to stay close to Zoya because I know she gets lost easily and whenever she's lost she feels afraid. 

Pictures from Today's Walk

We stopped for a minute to rest and take a few pictures.

I heard something!

There was a man sitting on his "porch" right near us... that's not surprising because a lot of people like to be outside in the morning...

But it was funny because he chuckled at us trying to take pictures :-)

Mom explained that they're "accountability pictures" for my diet and he seemed to understand and think that was neat.

Yes, it is neat.

As am I.... a neat beagle.

A neat beagle, named Jake.... on a journey to health and fitness. Losing weight, getting stronger, reclaiming my flexibility.... 

And just enjoying life!

This picture was taken in a different spot with a bit more sun.

I like my shadow in the grass...

I ran around a bit this morning... I like that a lot!

There were birds everywhere, but they move too quick for me.

I'll get faster... just you wait!

Sniffing stuff...

And more sniffing... this requires a lot of focus, but it's also very calming.

Like beagle meditation!

And another accountability pic for today since it's a sort of "milestone" for me :-)

Jake's Diet - Week 2 Day 7!!!

I've done it!

I have made it a whole 2 full weeks! Tomorrow I begin Week 3,

and that's really exciting :-)

    My walk this morning was about 25 minutes. It's gray out, like it's going to rain, and it's also cold. Mom took me and Zoya around for 25 minutes and we took some pictures, sniffed some stuff, got some fresh air, and renewed our energy for the day. I can't be the only one that feels refreshed from morning exercise!

Accountability Pics for Week 2 Day 7 ~ 5 June 2012

Sometimes I like to walk ahead...

Sometimes I fall behind and have to run!

I'm a Beagle. I won't apologize for that.

I simply MUST sniff, smell, investigate, and sometimes taste everything!

** psst! Check out the top-right pic, "Beagle stance" ;-) **

These are from our rest during the walk.
Mom likes to take a rest and take a few pictures.

When we finished, we actually walked by where Dad was parked. He was leaving for work so

we got to say good-bye!

     Anyway, yes... I truly believe that exercise is best done in the morning, and best before, while, or just as the sun comes up so you have the energy boost from the first morning sunlight. Exercise in the morning helps set the pace for the rest of your day and it can make you feel more energized, happier, and more balanced and calm. All of that is, obviously, good stuff! And the people around you will appreciate your better calmer mood too ;-)

It's cold today, and gray.

I think it might rain, but for now it's just not sunny.

Me and Zoya...

You know... I should have tried becoming a model....

Maybe it's just me, but I think I really have something here ~ I mean, look at the natural poses!

Yes.... I completely missed my chance at becoming a male model...

But! No regrets, right?

If I spend my life regretting what I could have, should have, or just plain didn't do... 

I'll just waste precious time that could be used for doing other things!

Do you like that purple flower? 

I thought I'd smell it, but it didn't smell nice. I wasn't impressed...

I think all flowers should be pretty and smell nice.

But at the same time, if all flowers are pretty and they all smell nice, we may appreciate them less, so perhaps it's for the best.

Me and Zoya again...

Life is Full of Decisions - Beagle Diet Week 2 Day 6

     Life is full of decisions. Although the shortest distance from one point to another is a straight line, very few of life's paths are straight. They look more like... well.... like this....

Sometimes the path you're on curves so much you can't see around the bend...

You need to trust that everything will be okay, and keep going!

Most paths in life are not straight...

There are curves, bends, turns, and bumps.

There are road signs and stop lights and cross walks and detours...

Sometimes a road seems like it's going to be straight but as you travel along that road you learn there's a turn at the end where you don't know what's next...

Sometimes there are turns along the way, and you have to make decisions.

Having a friend, partner, or buddy can help!

Here (above, right) me and Zoya talked it over and decided to keep going straight instead of turning when an opportunity presented itself. It's a good thing, too! If we had turned right when we had the chance, we would have made the walk shorter :-)

And sometimes your path has obstacles...

You have a choice: 

(1) You can let the obstacle deter you from continuing and just stop all progress.

(2) You can try avoiding the obstacle and go around, possibly missing opportunities or taking longer to accomplish a goal.

Or (3) You can tackle the obstacle, work with it not against it, and get past it without trouble, then continue on your way!

     When you find an obstacle in life, if you try fighting it you're going to feel like you're pushing against a brick wall. Rather than trying to "push" the obstacle out of the way, and instead of taking longer to go around the obstacle, you can try just climbing over it. That works for me!

Mom said, "I thought dogs liked fire hydrants?" 

Zoya said, "I like them!"

I guess they're a nice color... but I find the smells in the grass and bushes much more interesting!

As we walk, we get tired. The sun was coming up while we were out this morning.

When me and Zoya get tired, Mom said we walk closer together...

And closer...

And closer still!

Until eventually we're leaning on each other.

That's a good support system!

Accountability Pic for Week 2 Day 6

I really appreciate all the support everyone has given me through Facebook, Google+, Instagram, and my Blog and Email!

This picture is the same as the next one, but the next one is using the RISE filter on Instagram to give it a sort of morning glow... Nice, huh?

I feel like this needs a Haiku (俳句) haha

How about..... this one from Basho:

古池や

蛙飛び込む

水の音

The old pond;

A frog jumps in ー

The sound of water.

A collection of poses from this morning, with the morning sun fresh on my face!

Exercise in the morning is the best!