Gimme An “R”

Posted Dec 1, 2006 by Patty Kim

Updated Dec 1, 2006 at 08:16 PM

This may sound lame, but guess what today was? A rest day.

No, I didn’t take the day off of work. But I did take the day off from working out.

So do I feel guilty? Nope!

I ran only four miles yesterday, but the first 5K was crazy. I made it to 3.1 miles in 20 minutes, 29 seconds. That’s not going to break any world records, but that was a speed workout for me!

By the end of the day yesterday, my legs were stiff. Today, they are a bit sore.

So taking the day off from running sounded fabulous to me. Plus, I got more sleep.

But the ultimate validation?

Today I got to hang out with Bob Harper, one of the personal trainers on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.”

He was in town promoting Diabetes and You: Step It Up to Get It Down, a national diabetes education campaign.

During our interview, he told me that I look great. Love you, Trainer Bob!

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Working Owners, Help Your Animals Get A Social Life

Posted Dec 1, 2006 by Kristen Levine

Updated Dec 1, 2006 at 01:10 PM

Beyond the daily demands of our bosses, working pet owners face issues closer to home: How do we keep our pets content and out of trouble while we’re away?

The challenge is especially clear with pets that are new to our households.

And it is even harder when you have two jobs.

“Sometimes, I have time to run home to give my pets fresh food and water as I run between jobs,” says Genesis Alvarez of Tampa, caretaker of three cats, a dog and a macaw.

Good intentions aside, many working professionals forget to consider the needs of a pet that stays home alone all day. While pets can be very adaptable and respond well with a regular routine of what to expect, other pets may not fare as well being left alone for long periods.

Anxiety, depression and boredom can lead to illness or negative behavior, including aggression and destructiveness.

“The challenge is [that] leaving your ‘kid’ at home makes you feel horrible,” says Paul Mann, founder of FETCH! In Home Pet Care, a national franchise offering in-home pet care and dog walking.

“Pet owners need options that make them feel comfortable about leaving their ‘pet-kid’ home alone during the day.”

Many pets fare well for four to eight hours a day.

“I used to feel so guilty leaving Sampson home alone,” recalls Scott McGregor, manager at the Oldsmar Chili’s Restaurant. “Having a roommate who has another dog makes things easier - but when we lived alone, he would freak out.”

When no one is home for six to eight hours or more each day, pet care options should be seriously considered.

Generally, dog owners can choose day care or in-home care for their pet.

Daily pet care isn’t much of an issue for cat owners, since most cats sleep 18 to 20 hours a day, and cats tend to be independent.

“The pet owners’ thinking has progressed from getting a doghouse for our dog to bringing them to a kennel, now to taking them to a day care facility - all of which is convenient for the owners,” Mann points out.

“At-home pet sitting is convenient for pets, too, and often better for them.”

Another benefit is that many pet sitters offer additional services such as bringing in the mail, taking out the trash and watering plants.

Weighing The Cost
For most people, cost and trust are the big issues when it comes to choosing a pet sitter.

But the cost may be worthwhile if the pet destroys carpet, furniture, shoes or other items while you are gone.

Veterinary bills can also mount if your pet needs treatment for anxiety, depression or injuries resulting from destructive behavior.

There’s also the intangible value that comes from having the peace of mind from knowing your pet is in good hands.

So, which pet care option is best for you?

Enrolling dogs in a day care program provides a healthy, social environment and exercise. The costs generally are reasonable, and many facilities are conveniently located.

In-home pet care has its advantages, too.

“With at-home pet care, pets get to stay in their own environment, which makes them both healthy and happy,” Mann says. “Better pet sitters employ large groups of sitters, and this ensures that each sitter has dedicated, quality time for each pet.”

Pets that stay home avoid exposure to common canine illnesses such as kennel cough and canine influenza and don’t risk canine altercations.

So Happy Together
Regardless of whether you opt for pet care, Mann suggests these ways to help you pursue your career while keeping your pet happy:

•Exercise daily. Dogs need a minimum of three brisk walks of 20 minutes or more each day to exercise joints, release built-up energy and promote proper metabolism.

For indoor cats, take 10 minutes each day to get them moving using cat toys or string.

High-strung, hyperactive or even aggressive pets are often quite calm and relaxed after a good day’s workout.

•Remember your pets are social creatures. Find ways for your dog to socialize and be entertained every day, such as a trip to off-leash parks or recreation areas where they can run and play with other dogs.

New pups or kittens, adopted pets and those received as gifts especially benefit from daily interaction with humans and other pets.

•A good diet matters. Your pets will be far happier and healthier if you feed them a brand pet food designed for their specific size and/or breed, while keeping meal portions in moderation.

•Add creature comforts. Designer pet beds and indoor pet bungalows in an area of the house unencumbered by street traffic and other noise can help a pet nap more soundly.

•Catnaps and sound sleep matter. Your pet needs rest, just like you.

•Obedience training can help. Training improves communications between you and your dog. It can help you resolve many problems and avoid others.

•Keep music playing. While you’re away, play soothing music on a continuous loop, such as New Age, soundscapes or classical, in a pet-friendly room of the house.

•Consider pet management options carefully. Be aware of the pros and cons of pet day cares and in-home care from a professional pet sitter.

While FETCH! In Home Pet Care does not offer services in the Tampa Bay area, it does offer the following recommendations for pet owners seeking a reputable, licensed pet sitter.

•Go to http://www.petsit.comto find a qualified, licensed pet sitter in your area.

•Request three references, and call all of them.

•Make sure they are fully bonded and insured.

•Confirm the sitter has undergone a criminal background check and has had proper training.

•Pre-interview the sitter with pets present to establish comfort level.

•Ensure sitter is available seven days per week by telephone and e-mail.

•Be sure the company has a backup sitter.

CRITTER CALENDAR

Humane Society Christmas Trees

Buy your Christmas tree from the Humane Society of Pinellas, 3040 State Road 580, Clearwater, and help the homeless animals at the same time. Through Dec. 17, pick up a tree from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For information, call (727) 797-7722, Ext. 233.

Petco Dog Adoptions

Lost Angels Animal Rescue is hosting dog adoptions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Petco, 13127 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Lost Angels is a nonprofit group that supports no-kill shelters. For information, go to http://www.lostangelsanimalrescue.org or call (813) 514-0595.

Yappy Hour

Lap up the fun at another Yappy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at New World Brewery, 1313 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City. There is a $5 cover, and guests must be at least 21. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome. For information, call (813) 231-9199 or go to http://www.barkofthebay.com.

Microchip Day

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is offering microchipping for pets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 9 at 3607 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa. The cost is $15 for each dog or cat microchipped and includes lifetime, national registration with 24PetWatch.  Pets should be on a leash or in a carrier. For information, call (813) 876-7138 or go to http://www.humanesocietytampa.org.

Kristen Levine can be reached at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); or fax to (727) 934-6451.

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Lasagna For One

Posted Dec 1, 2006 by Janine Dorsey

Updated Dec 1, 2006 at 12:43 PM

I know, I know, I am starting to really repeat myself.

I need to branch out and try some new lunches. Maybe that will be my new year’s resolution?

I the meantime, I have this awesome veggie lasagna. But I can’t taunt Marty with its goodness because he isn’t here today. Wah.

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Travel Trouble

Posted Dec 1, 2006 by Chris Chmura

Updated Dec 1, 2006 at 09:26 AM

Flights to Chicago’s O’Hare airport are being cancelled as snow and ice blanket the Midwest. The FAA says delays for those flights that are actually taking-off will average 4 hours 19 minutes.

Interestingly, Chicago’s Midway Airport is another story altogether. There, the FAA reports delays of fewer than 15 minutes. The first Southwest Airlines flight from Tampa to Midway is actually scheduled to arrive 25 minutes early.

Huh?

Anyway, if you have travel scheduled to that neck of the woods of the next few days, many airlines are offering the option of one free change to your ticket. A quick search reveals United, U.S. Airways, American, and Delta are allowing customers to change or cancel their itineraries without the usual fees, which are hefty to say the very least.

Check your airline. And, do some research BEFORE calling.

Don’t look at it as a frustrating interruption. Look at it as an opportunity to go somewhere else, switch to a direct flight, or gain some extra airline miles.

When flying from Washington, D.C. to Tallahassee one time, a Delta Air Lines agent told my wife, “I can get you to Las Vegas.” (The weather was nasty and some flights had been cancelled)

My wife will tell you she now regrets not saying, “Okay, send me to Las Vegas.” 

I can only imagine the Delta folks in Las Vegas when she would have arrived and said, “which gate is the flight to Tallahassee?” That would have been priceless.

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A gain. A loss. Both simultaneously.

Posted Dec 1, 2006 by jriley

Updated Dec 1, 2006 at 02:03 AM

Excuse the delay.  My wife Jennifer fell, and cracked a rib in the process. With taking care of her, and work, and assorted lunacies to handle, well, the blog post fell by the wayside.

Since last we talked, we had Thanksgiving happen. You know, the Pilgrims and the Indians, and we give thanks for…oh, who am I kidding? We know what Thanksgiving is. It’s the day we celebrate one of the things that Americans do best – eat.

And that we did at the extended Hartnett/Knoll family feast. I am usually the cook, and though this year I was not alone in my labors, still, I did pretty good in the kitchen this year. Here’s what I brought to the table:

Home smoked turkey breast
Sausage and cornbread stuffing
Oyster/spinach/sourdough stuffing
Mashed potatoes (store bought)
Whipped sweet potatoes with pears (marshmallow topped, of course)
Green beans
Cranberry/tart cherry sauce
Biscuits (store bought)
Pumpkin pie with real whipped cream
Holiday cake with bourbon sauce

No, I have no dietetic cooking secrets. I am of Julia Childs’ school of butter, by God, and lots of it. Eggs, too. Butter and eggs together. Cream, too.

Um, John, I hear you say, uh, what about, well, you know, THE WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE????

Yeah, I know. I did come into this telling Sheila, our nutritionist that I would be good about eating, but that all bets were off for the two holidays.

Actually, I did well on the eating. Yes, I did have more to eat, and yes, I did surrender to the traditional post-holiday turkey sandwiches. And yes, given the hectic hullabaloo, and family, and in laws, and grandbabies to fuss over, and Jen cracking her rib, I didn’t exercise much for almost a week. (“Much”? Try, “not at all”.)

However, I have learned to moderate my eating, and to accompany my food with lots of water. Wine. Whatever. I ate a lot of different things, but not a heck of a lot of any of it. This stood me in good stead, as you will see.

In any case, this brings me to my current stats:

Weight: 219; a gain of 1 pound since last week. For me, over a Thanksgiving holiday, that’s fan-freaking-tastic! 16 pounds down since the start of the Challenge.

Still, it’s a gain, and so I am back to the straight and narrow. I will hope to have better news all the way around to report next time.

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