Tag Archives: pets

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 9:23 More Fun. Fewer Expectations.

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Labrador Lesson for 2-24-23:

More Fun. Fewer Expectations

As Labradors, we love to move. We enter every walk with no expectations; we simply look forward to having fun with our humans. We understand that sometimes humans have expectations for their movement sessions. They want to jump over a certain fallen tree, or achieve a specific pace or distance. We know that having goals is important for humans, but we suggest you approach your movement session with an open mind and a positive attitude. Just because your movement session doesn’t meet your expectations doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun. Even though the large tree had been cleared, we still enjoyed chewing on the sticks the trail crew left behind.

Whether you have 2 legs or 4, look for the positive aspects of your movement. Focus on having more fun and fewer expectations.

 

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 7:23 Be Present

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Labrador Lesson for 2-10-23:

Be Present.

As Labradors, we are not fans of multitasking…we live in the moment, and we’re fully “present” at all times…whether we’re wrestling in the living room, having zoomies in the backyard, hiking with our humans, chewing on sticks, or eating a meal…we enjoy each moment.

We understand that humans sometimes get tempted by the appeal of multitasking, perhaps listening to a podcast or having a conference call while taking a walk, or listening to an audiobook while working out at the gym, but we encourage you to take a tip from us…try staying fully focused on your current activity. Enjoy what you’re doing and focus on your environment, including your 2- or 4-legged companions. We suspect you’ll enjoy your activity more, and that you’ll be more relaxed when you finish if you stay present in the moment.

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/