Tag Archives: dog

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 11:23 Spring is Coming. Beware of Ticks.

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Labrador Lesson for 3/10/23

Spring is Coming. Beware of Ticks.

A reminder from the Labs before you opt outside to enjoy Spring hiking, biking, walking, or running…while ticks don’t have an official “season,” the arrival of warmer temperatures means ticks will be more active. The humans spotted the first ticks of the year on Puddin the yellow lab this week. Spring IS a great time for hiking…with, or without Labradors, but when you step off the paved path, you step up your risk of an encounter with ticks…that doesn’t mean that you should be afraid to get outside and get moving…but it does mean you should be aware of the danger of ticks…check out the TickEncounter Resource Center @tick_encounter for tips on tick bite prevention and post-bite resources…and check yourself (and your dog(s)) after each hike / walk / run / outdoor adventure. Also, consider tick repellent; avoid tall grass and overgrown vegetation if possible; and talk to your vet about the Lyme Disease vaccine for dogs. Whether you have 2 legs or 4, awareness is key for a safe, healthy Spring Season!

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 10:23 If You Eat Crap, You May Feel Like Crap

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Labrador Lesson for 3/3/23;

If you eat crap 💩 you may feel like crap.

The Labs enjoy quality dog food and healthy snacks…they also have a tendency to eat whatever temptations they find on the ground, including, but not limited to, rabbit poop, deer 💩, sticks, acorns, and stink bugs…when they consume too many of these found objects, their digestive systems don’t function well…that was the case for Maggie earlier this week after she discovered some rabbit poop in the backyard. While Maggie has recovered, she wanted to share this lesson with our human followers because they’ve heard humans occasionally eat food (or consume beverages) that we know won’t agree with our systems, then whine when we don’t feel our best.

Whether you have 2 legs or 4, consider what you put in your mouth, and how those foods or beverages are likely to impact your body. No judgment here…sometimes you REALLY want the ice cream…even if you’re lactose intolerant…just know that what you consume has a direct impact on how you feel.

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 8:23 Share the Trail with Humans

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Labrador Lesson for 2-17-23:

Share the Trail with Humans.

As Labradors, we love hiking the local trails with our humans. Whether you naturally keep right (like Maggie) or meander around the trail (like Puddin), when you encounter oncoming humans, step off to the right to give them space. Believe it or not, not everyone wants a close encounter with someone else’s dog. And not all dogs want a close encounter with someone else’s human.

Whether you have 2 legs or 4, Share the Trail so that ALL trail users can enjoy their outdoor movement experience.

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 6:23 Make Time to Play

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Labrador Lesson for 2-3-23:

Make Time to Play.

As Labradors, we make time to play every day…whether we’re wrestling in the living room, having zoomies in the backyard, or hiking with our humans, we enjoy our movement and play time.

We understand that humans sometimes get caught up in “crushing” their movement or workout goals, but we encourage you to take a tip from us…make time to play. Whether you have 2 legs or 4, it’s easier to make movement part of your lifestyle if movement feels less like work and more like play!

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 5:23 Help Keep Us Safe

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Labrador Lesson for 1-27-23:

Help keep us safe.

As Labradors, we don’t always make the best decisions. So we ask our humans to help keep us safe. If we’re not in our fenced in backyard (or in the house), we’re on leash…why? Because, left to our own devices, we might chase a rabbit 🐇, spook a deer 🦌, or encounter a skunk 🦨 or porcupine! We’ve also been known to eat things we shouldn’t eat. Plus, we’re lovers, not fighters, and we’d rather avoid unfriendly dogs.

If you’re a dog who makes questionable decisions, ask your humans to help keep you safe. And if you’re a human with dogs in your life, do your best to keep them safe and healthy!

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 4:23 Remember to Have Fun

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Labrador Lesson for 1-20-23:

Remember to have fun.

As Labradors, we don’t read the news, but we see just enough television and social media to know that there is no shortage of negativity in the world. Take a tip from us: focus on the positive and remember to have fun. Our fun times include walking with our humans (on leash, for their safety); chewing sticks; and watching deer and turkeys. We also love frolicking in the snow, but even when there’s no snow, we remember to have fun when we get outside.

Whether you have 2 legs or 4, remember to have fun…in your movement practice, and in the rest of your life. Focus on the positive and create fun times whenever possible.

Moving2Live Presents Movement is a Lifestyle on PTCT7 – Show #6 – Meredith Wille, Steel City Canine Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine

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After a summer of logistical delays, we’re back with a new episodes of Movement is a Lifestyle on Peters Township Community Television – check out our conversation with Meredith Wille of Steel City Canine Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine because Movement is a Lifestyle for those with 2 AND 4 legs! Steel City Canine Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine offers rehabilitation programs for dogs with injuries, and healthy pet programs to help prevent injuries and maintain or improve your dog’s health. Check out the episode today!

Movement is a Lifestyle Features 1:21 Chica (Repost)

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Moving2Live is a podcast about movement and exercise for professionals and aficionados.  We also have Movement is a Lifestyle Features. Each week, we publish a brief highlight of a 2- or 4-legged mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click MIAL Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Chica

Where do you consider “Home”? Colorado Springs, CO

What are your three favorite movement activities? Trail running, frisbee (although I have been retired from this activity with concern for the jumping/twisting at my age), and playing in the snow

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? Last week I went with my humans to the Never Summer Mountain range. What is nice about that location is that their hut system allows canines (many hut systems do not). We were able to explore the Nokhu Crags and there was so much snow in June! Our cabin was right next to the creek so I had cold water accessible and could wade if I wanted to. We spent all day running and hiking, then when my humans would glissade the decent I could chase them.

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? When I complete long runs (15+) or run on a hot day, my Mom will take me to get a pup cup from an ice cream stand in Manitou Springs, CO. Manitou is the starting point for a lot of our runs, and the owner is a local runner too. He has a pup cup that is one scoop of vanilla ice cream.

What is your favorite thing to eat? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Popcorn. I eat no human food except for the occasional pup cup and popcorn. When I hear the microwave starting, I run into the kitchen.

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? Every year on my birthday I do a new movement activity. Last year, for my 12th birthday, I summited 12 different peaks in Colorado. This year, when I turn 13, we are going to find a 13er to do.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? I think it can be overwhelming for people to start a new activity to create a lifestyle change. When my human, Melissa, started running it was when she adopted me. So she had a structure in place to keep her running since I always wanted to get out. If people don’t have a structure to support their movement, it is difficult to keep going. Additionally, being patient is a big obstacle. A lot of times, dogs, included, we just want to do everything right away. But new movement takes time, training, and patience.

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? The year I turned 10 was my biggest summer. I summited Pikes Peak (local 14er) 7 times and I had two runs that were over 30 miles. I call that my Banner Summer.

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? I love my humidifier. My humans don’t know why. But they set one up in the bedroom and I love to nap right below the mist, especially after a long run. Rest is especially important and I always take a day off after a hard activity.

What is your favorite spot within an hour of where you are currently living? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) My favorite summit is a peak in Colorado Springs called Cameron Cone. About halfway up (less than one hour run) there are two rock formations called Gog and Magog. There is always a great view up there (see attached picture with the rainbows)

Contact information for Chica:
Chica does not maintain her own social media accounts, but you can follow her through her Mom, Melissa Stapanowich at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstapanowich/

Movement is a Lifestyle Animal Features 1:21 Maggie the Black Lab

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Moving2Live is a podcast about movement and exercise for professionals and aficionados.  We also have Movement is a Lifestyle Features. Each week, we publish a brief highlight of a 2- or 4-legged mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click MIAL Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Moving2Live’s Maggie the Black Lab

Where do you consider “Home”? Finleyville, PA because that’s where my person is. I was born in Ohio.

What are your three favorite movement activities? Hiking/Running/Fartlek with my human staff. Wrestling with Puddin the Yellow Lab. Wriggling (snaking) on the floor.

Describe your “Best Day Ever” Breakfast. Nap. A berry and a lick of yogurt. Fartlek with the staff and Puddin in the park. Nap. A bite of carrot or bell pepper. Nap. Dinner. Nap. Sleep.

What is your favorite snack/treat? Tough call…tie between berries, carrots, and bell peppers…oh, pumpkin is great too…

What is your favorite thing to eat? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Plain nonfat Greek yogurt (the Staff lets me have a lick at breakfast time). My Fromm dog food is pretty good too; the staff alternates between 3 varieties.

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? I’m a live-in-the-moment sort of dog, so nothing on my bucket list, but I’m looking forward to many Mt. Mingo Summits this year.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people or animals to move more? It sounds like humans make things too complicated…scheduling workouts and classes…don’t they realize they can just get outside and move???

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? Being responsible for leading the staff on a hike in the snow…the humans couldn’t figure out where the trail was, but I convinced them to follow me, and I was right!

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Is this a trick question??? Napping, of course!

What is your favorite spot within an hour of where you are currently living? (Note: it does not need to be outside of your house) Mingo Creek Park…especially when it’s really cold or raining hard, because then we have the park to ourselves

Contact information for Maggie:
Maggie does not maintain her own social media accounts, but you can follow her through Moving2Live at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mov2liv/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movingtoliv

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_mov2liv

Movement is a Lifestyle Features 15:20 We Want Your Pet’s Story

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Moving2Live is a podcast about movement and exercise for professionals and aficionados.  We also have Movement is a Lifestyle Features. Each week, we publish a brief highlight of a 2- or 4-legged mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click MIAL Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: We Want Your Pet’s Story – Scroll down for 3 Dog Stories for Inspiration…but we’re not just looking for dog stories…bring us your cat tales, goat diaries, horse lore…you are only limited by your imagination…let the profiles below of Nala Rae, Chica, and Malee inspire you…then submit a questionnaire for your animal friend…

Nala Rae’s Profile:
Where do you consider “Home”? North East, Pennsylvania

What are your three favorite movement activities? Jumping to catch my ball, running with the hooman cousins, and protecting mine house from the stray cats!

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? The hoomans took me to some strange big house once. There were other hoomans and they threw some circle thing for me! There was another dog there too, but she was old and wasn’t happy about how fast I was! The only downside to this place was it took 4 hours to get there! That’s a lot of running for this metal thing we were in!

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? Peanut butter on the bananas is the best!

What is your favorite thing to eat? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Peanut butter and those cold sweet potatoes! Thems are yummy in my furry tummy!

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? I’d love it if my hooman would let me run in the mountains, but she says we don’t have any that’s easy to get to.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? A leash really holds you back, somedays!

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? I once ran as fast as possible from a bee. I left my hooman because I was so scared. That was pretty crazy because I went to someone else’s door and I thought it was mine, until my hooman found me!

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? I love to bite frozen peanut butter out of my bone toy while the hooman does my hip therapies! Helps me to ignore her and I get food!

What is your favorite spot within an hour of where you are currently living? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) I had lots of fun working at this place my hooman’s dad kept calling Pet Supplies. I get to meet all the hoomans, while babysitting mine! She falls a lot, so I gots to be there to help her up or keep others away.

Contact information for Nala Rae:
Nala Rae lives with her hooman, Hallie Buckel, who we Featured on 6/4/20. You can follow Hallie at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halbuck2018/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ChristianChronicIlls/

Chica’s Profile:
Where do you consider “Home”? Colorado Springs, CO

What are your three favorite movement activities? Trail running, frisbee (although I have been retired from this activity with concern for the jumping/twisting at my age), and playing in the snow

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? Last week I went with my humans to the Never Summer Mountain range. What is nice about that location is that their hut system allows canines (many hut systems do not). We were able to explore the Nokhu Crags and there was so much snow in June! Our cabin was right next to the creek so I had cold water accessible and could wade if I wanted to. We spent all day running and hiking, then when my humans would glissade the decent I could chase them.

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? When I complete long runs (15+) or run on a hot day, my Mom will take me to get a pup cup from an ice cream stand in Manitou Springs, CO. Manitou is the starting point for a lot of our runs, and the owner is a local runner too. He has a pup cup that is one scoop of vanilla ice cream.

What is your favorite thing to eat? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Popcorn. I eat no human food except for the occasional pup cup and popcorn. When I hear the microwave starting, I run into the kitchen.

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? Every year on my birthday I do a new movement activity. Last year, for my 12th birthday, I summited 12 different peaks in Colorado. This year, when I turn 13, we are going to find a 13er to do.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? I think it can be overwhelming for people to start a new activity to create a lifestyle change. When my human, Melissa, started running it was when she adopted me. So she had a structure in place to keep her running since I always wanted to get out. If people don’t have a structure to support their movement, it is difficult to keep going. Additionally, being patient is a big obstacle. A lot of times, dogs, included, we just want to do everything right away. But new movement takes time, training, and patience.

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? The year I turned 10 was my biggest summer. I summited Pikes Peak (local 14er) 7 times and I had two runs that were over 30 miles. I call that my Banner Summer.

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? I love my humidifier. My humans don’t know why. But they set one up in the bedroom and I love to nap right below the mist, especially after a long run. Rest is especially important and I always take a day off after a hard activity.

What is your favorite spot within an hour of where you are currently living? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) My favorite summit is a peak in Colorado Springs called Cameron Cone. About halfway up (less than one hour run) there are two rock formations called Gog and Magog. There is always a great view up there (see attached picture with the rainbows)

Contact information for Chica:
Chica does not maintain her own social media accounts, but you can follow her through her Mom, Melissa Stapanowich at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstapanowich/

Malee’s Profile:
Where do you consider “Home”? Central Coast NSW Australia

What are your three favorite movement activities? Running, Swimming (if there is a stick to rescue and destroy), and more running

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? Gee, I think nearly every day is a vacation for me. When we do go to another house there’s always either a beach or a forest nearby to explore (and room to run

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? What is this question? Am I supposed to get treats? Rob doesn’t feed me before or after I do any running. Can you please tell him I need more energy

What is your favorite thing to eat? Note: it does not need to be healthy. It’s probably easier to answer what I don’t like……. ahhh nothing really. Rob makes my meals and puts in all sort of yummy stuff (which is all pretty healthy). I do really like Kefir or yogurt with fruit.

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? Covid sucks, I want to camp in the forest and race against the fluffy dogs again

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? They need to live for the moment a lot more and not worry so much, also they only have two legs

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? I’m a sled dog. Last year Rob and I were rookies of the year at our club. I get to run through the forest as fast as I like and Rob is there just behind me. He’s much better now since he got the scooter thing cause before it was just like dragging around an anchor (he’s sooo slow just using his legs)

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Massage, I get all my human friends to do it to me. I like sharing this so when one stops I go to the next one.

What is your favorite spot within an hour of where you are currently living? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) Strickland forest is just 5 minutes away and I love running the trails there (and occasionally I get to chase a wallaby).

Contact information for Malee:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therelaxeddog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therelaxeddog

Website: https://www.therelaxeddog.com