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Ok guys. No more excuses. The turkey and stuffing are long gone (well, not so much from our waistline) and the tree has been recycled. It's time to shed the holiday weight. Chances are you are not the only one in the family who has gained a bit over the winter. We commonly see weight increase in pets as well. There is only one sure fire way to shed those holiday pounds - exercise. Research proves that using the buddy system significantly improves your ability to stick with the program. You may even have a buddy or two in your home right now! I'm willing to bet they would be thrilled to embark (pardon the pun) on a walking regimen with you. Once you begin a regular walking program, it will be tough to look into Fido's big beautiful eyes and say, not tonight my friend.

Exercise is not only important for your pet physically, but mentally as well. An unexercised dog is often unhappy, unfit and behaving badly. Dogs, like people need regular exercise regardless of size or age. A regular routine of walking will help socialize your pet as well. Think of it as going to a bar or mall for the afternoon without the calories or dent in your wallet!

I know what you are thinking, so how do I get started on changing my life and my pet's life for the better? Here are a few tips to help you along:

• Start with short walks and gradually work up to longer sessions. Some people find it beneficial to break up the walk into several 10 minute sessions instead of one 40 minute session.
• Begin slowly and work up to a faster pace. Your pet should be leashed at ALL TIMES. Allow your pet to relieve himself prior to the walk. When you have started, it should be all about the walking. No butt sniffing, chit chatting or exploring. If your pet becomes distracted, give him a gentle tug on the leash with a strong "NO". If you are consistent, he will soon realize he should be walking without the pit stops.
• Avoid walking in extreme heat or cold. Be mindful of hot pavements. They can cause burns to your pet's footpads.
• Bring plenty of water for yourself and your pet.
• Wear reflective clothing if walking at night.

Walking with your pet will not only improve your mental and physical well being, but allows you alone time to bond. I am willing to bet in just 1 week, you will be looking slimmer and feeling great! Remember, you are your pet's best friend. Give him AND yourself the gift of health.

**If your pet shows any signs of distress or you suspect your pet may be ill, CONTACT THE HOSPTIAL IMMEDIATELY**

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and the Cat Fanciers' Association warns cat owners: Easter Lilies can be deadly for your cat!!!

Happy Spring! This time of year it is important to discuss Easter lilies. Ah, they sure are lovely. Unfortunately, they are absolutely deadly to your cat. This beautiful plant can cause damage to your pet's kidneys. After eating as little as 1 leaf, your pet can develop kidney failure resulting in death! After eating a portion of the lily, you will see vomiting and severe depression within 2 hours time. The vomiting will subside, but your kitty will not eat and continue to become more depressed. CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY if you know or suspect your pet may have eaten any part of an Easter Lily. Damage may be reversible if treated early.

The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) has partnered with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center to help raise awareness among cat owners nationally about the dangers of toxic plants as well as offering safe alternatives.

According to Michael W. Brim, Public Relations and Marketing Director for the Cat Fanciers' Association, "Part of being a responsible pet owner is to educate yourself on the many different health issues facing your pet. Removing dangerous plants from your cat's home is an important part in having safer, healthier and happier pets."

To help educate cat owners about the dangers of lilies and other plants, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and CFA have developed online materials including photos of common types of dangerous lilies and a list of non-toxic plants. To download the materials visit www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control or www.cfa.org/articles/plants.html.

GLORY LILY Gloriosa Superba	TIGER LILY Lilium tigrinum	STARGAZER LILY Lilium orientalis
RUBRUM LILY Lilium speciosum rubrum	ASIAN LILIES Lily asiatic delicious	ASIAN LILIES Lily asiatic montreaux

Ladybug Graham, a Norwich terrier, died at the age of 5 months after ingesting sugarless gum with xylitol. She weighed 9.8 pounds. Only one wrapper was found. Her family created a website at www.ladybugslegacy.org to inform pet owners of the dangers of xylitol.

Absolutely! Many people are unaware that Xylitol, a chemical commonly found in sweeteners such as sugar free gum is extremely dangerous to dogs. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has witnessed a staggering increase in the number of reported Xylitol toxicities in the last few years.

Xylitol is absorbed very slowly in humans, so it does not generally affect our blood sugar. In dogs however, the chemical is absorbed very rapidly. This leads to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and, if not caught early, seizures and death. In addition, xylitol has been known to cause liver failure and deadly bleeding disorders.

Very little Xylitol is needed to cause these very serious problems in pets. It is estimated that as little as 1 or 2 pieces of gum can cause symptoms in a 20 pound dog.

Symptoms of Xylitol toxicity include, but are not limited to: vomiting, diarrhea, sudden onset of weakness, seizures and collapse. There is no specific test for Xylitol toxicity. If you feel your pet has eaten a product containing this chemical, call you veterinarian immediately. If caught early, your pet's chance for recovery can be excellent.