Happy New Year, Pup Parents! We hope you had a joyous holiday season. Our latest issue of the monthly newsletter for busy dog lovers focuses on the growing (pardon the pun) issue of overweight dogs. Look for reports on other canine health issues, such as changes in dog dental care and preventative care, in the future. As always, we love to hear from you. Please let us know if you have questions or concerns that you'd like to see addressed in upcoming newsletters. Don't hesitate to contact Newsletter Editor Kellye Crocker at kelcrocker@mchsi.com.

Happy New Year, everybody! If you haven't done so yet, please fill out and turn in your 2008 day care contract as soon as possible. Also attach a copy of your dog's vaccination records. State law requires these records-and we must ensure that Greenbelt offers a safe, healthy environment for all of our day care “kids.” If you need another copy of the contract, contact Kellye at kelcrocker@mchsi.com and she can email you one.

January also is the time for renewing permits for our many dogs that take field trips to the Raccoon River Dog Place in West Des Moines. You can pick up the form at our office or, again, email Kellye and she will send you a form. (Usually you can also download it, but Sally Orties, who oversees the park, recently sent an email saying the forms aren't downloading well right now.) The cost of the permit, which is good for the calendar year, is $15 for West Des Moines residents and $30 for others.

We want to make life as easy as possible for you. Again this year we're happy to file your dog park paperwork and pick up your 2008 tag. We need your completed form, vet records showing that your dog is current on rabies and distemper/parvo vaccinations and your check. Let us know if you have questions.

We strive to make Greenbelt your dog's home away from home. My staff and I are always open to your ideas and feedback. Thank you for sharing your dear dogs with us!

Just like their owners, many dogs are battling the bulge these days. Unfortunately, ailments that plague overweight people, such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, also affect portly pups. But January offers a clean slate (at least mentally and on your new calendar). It's a great time to evaluate your dog's health. Get started with this handy Q & A:

Run your hands along your dog's sides. If you can't feel his ribs, he's probably overweight, according to Holly Frisby, DVM, in an article for animalplanet.com. Another indicator: if your dog doesn't seem to have a waist.

Talk to your vet about a weight loss plan individualized for your dog. As with people, slow, steady weight loss is healthier and most likely to last, Frisby says. Your vet may have you continue with the same food but feed less of it or recommend a special “diet” dog food. You may need to increase feedings-two to four small meals a day-to ward off hunger. Frisby also recommends a multi-vitamin and fatty acids. Talk to your vet about these supplements.

Frisby says table scraps, usually high in fats and sugar, are “a no-no.” However, if you want to feed treats, limit them. They should never make up more than 10 percent of your dog's diet, she says.

Frisby recommends new toys, grooming your dog and exercising together as great substitutes that will help you enjoy each other and get your dog's mind off food.

Again, talk to your vet about your dog's specific physical condition, health and age. Don't over-do it and rest if your dog begins to pant heavily or show other signs of fatigue. In general, Frisby recommends leash walking for 20-60 minutes a day, five days a week, to start.

Getting your dogs adequate exercise-and playtime-is an important aspect of CityplaceGreenbelt's program. We take dogs on walks through the neighborhood, let them run at the dog park, throw balls in the backyard and encourage active play on-site. Please talk to the staff if your dog has specific exercise needs or is starting a weight loss program.

Here is the link to the full story by Holly Frisby, which also includes information on weight loss medications: http://animal.discovery.com/guides/healthcenter/dogs/nutrition/reduction.html

• For ten tips on helping your dog lose weight as well as the calorie counts of popular commercial treats, see this USA Weekend article by Jean Carper: http://www.usaweekend.com/04_issues/040321/040321eatsmart.html

• You also may want to read a 2005 New York Times story, “Dieting is Becoming a Dog's Life.” http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/08/fashion/thursdaystyles/08sside.html

Breeds More Likely to be Overweight: Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Pugs, placeStateChihuahuas, Dachshunds, small terrier breeds, Basset Hounds.

Pet ownership in placecountry-regionAmerica-and spending on veterinary care-has reached an all-time high, according to a story in USA Today last month. The number of homes with pets increased from 58.3 percent in 2001 to 59.5 percent. (By the way, about 35 percent of placecountry-regionU.S. households have children.) A survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association also found that about two-thirds of pet-friendly households had more than one pet; and just over 20 percent had at least five. Although more households own dogs (43 million) than cats (37.5 million), pet cats outnumber dogs, 81.7 million to 72 million.

• Politics-for the dogs? You're probably sick of all the political ads, mailings and phone calls, but did you miss this? The Caucus blog from The New York Times recently reported a round up of news about the presidential candidates' dogs. (Will cats get equal time?) Find out which candidate owns five dogs, including one he saved from choking. And which one vowed, “I'll make a great president for dogs?” http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/17/its-no-longer-a-dogs-world/

• Pooch party crashers. The puppy most assuredly was not invited to the catered dinner for wedding guests, but his “parents” brought him anyway-and guess who scampered onto the white couches-after frolicking in the outdoor pond? And then there was the woman who brought her puppy-uninvited-to a meeting in her bosses' home. These are just two examples in the story “Who Invited the Dog?,” which ran recently in the New York Time's Fashion & Style section. Apparently as more people adopt dogs and other animals, they also need a lesson in pet etiquette. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/fashion/13pet.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&em

• In the money. Buckshot, Katie and Obu-Jet-a Beagle and two Lab mixes who live in Maryland-made headlines around the world when they recently inherited an $800,000 estate. Their owner, Ken Kemper, left them a house in Hagerstown worth $400,000, where they now live with a caretaker, and the rest of their assets. Kemper had adopted all the dogs as strays.

The Maryland dogs are not as wealthy as a certain white, 8-year-old Maltese named Trouble, though, who received $12 million when his ex-con “mom,” Leona Helmsley died. (Helmsley aka “The Queen of Mean,” by the way, left only $10 million each to her brother and two grandsons and a mere $100,000 to her chauffer.)

And even though he's not dead yet and has a long-time girlfriend, American Idol Judge Simon Cowell recently vowed to leave his estimated $200 million fortune to his dogs. “There'll be some very rich poodles in Beverly Hills,” he said, according to World Entertainment News Network.

Though money is necessary and certainly nice-who wouldn't want more?-the adage about it not buying happiness is true. (Just ask Britney Spears.) The value of living with a wonderful dog (and receiving all those stinky kisses)? Priceless. Wishing you and your dog a Happy New Year!