FEEDING YOUR DOG - Judgment

There is a saying that "If your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise." I like it, but I'm also saddened by it. I'm saddened because I do think it's harmful to make your dog overweight. We've created a relationship in which our dogs depend on us for everything. When we give too much food and treats, and too little physical exercise, the harmful effects of too much body weight on our dogs' frames and organs are our fault. I'm also saddened by the mean judgment of it all. Humans are always meanly judging other humans in an effort to make themselves feel better about their own faults.

I am sometimes judged as having a "vicious dog" because Foster looks like one of the several dogs described as "Pit Bull." My dogs are each a wonderful weight and they have excellent coats and cardiovascular fitness, but I am not judged as a great dog owner because of that. If my dogs were overweight, I'm sure I'd hear about it.

The judgment I care about the most is a judgment I'll never receive - the judgment of my dogs. My dogs don't judge me daily. They appreciate everything I give to and do for them. It's sentimental, I know, but it is one of the clearest facts in my life. So, I judge myself, and I feel how and with what I nourish my dogs is paramount. Without their health, there is nothing, and much of their health comes from how I feed them. They depend on me. I hope I'm the best person for the job!