Okay. I went for my check up. I stepped on the scales and almost got vertigo watching the digital readout soar upwards. My doctor blurted out in a very indignant tone, “Are you OK with this?”.
I love my doctor. She’s a wonderful person with whom to talk about things. I guess at some point we crossed the sharing boundary. I had gotten used to talking about life, family and current events and hearing, “Keep doing what you’re doing because you’re in good shape,” during my appointments. You know. Polite small chat. I did not get the memo that if I gained a few pounds (meaning 10 or 15 pounds) that I would be in danger of a good old medicinal beat down.
She proceeded to issue my free pass to the clue bus without hesitation. Increased weight added to a more sedentary lifestyle equals increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and on into what eventually became Charlie Brown’s teacher, “Blah, Blah, Blah…blah blah blah blah…blah…blah…blah… The words kept coming, “Now, you have a choice. Get a handle on this yourself or I can put you on a diet, new medication and refer you to a gym. Do you get what I’m saying?”.
Just as when my mom or dad used to shame me with words of reason, I had just as soon go outside, pick out a switch, bend over and prepare for the impact than to get a stern talking to. I’ve been served!
For me, the key to increasing my activity and decreasing my food intake is to find a way to make it interesting. Luckily, Tybee Island has lots of wonderful trails for walking and adventure and the beauty of our pristine island is intoxicating. For a list of exciting walking and biking trails go to Explore Tybee. I’ve come to love watching the wading birds feed and herons are my favorites, so I always hit the Heron Hiking Trail.
Now, when I need extra motivation I also love to stroll along the back river and take in the lovely flora that populates the yards of our vintage cottage homes. One favorite on my walks is the yard at Blue Heron Cottage. It’s one of those cottages that’s just right and the lush lawn and confederate jasmine always ups my heart rate!
So, there you have it. My plan to get a pat on my head for getting my weight back down instead of a one-two knock out punch from my doctor. Just in case, I might even work in a little bobbing and weaving on my walks. Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Gotta do the work to see the results.
It’s about being the best Cottage Cheese I can be so I can keep tossing up curds and doing it my whey!
I don’t get fireworks. Does anyone understand why humans seem to love loud noises they make for no good reason, but when we bark at something REALLY important (like that squirrel in the back yard) they tell us to be quiet? Annoying!!
Believe it or not there are a couple of things on Tybee Island that annoy me.
The first is running out of Beach Bum Biscuits. Fortunately, this can easily be remedied by a trip to Seaside Sisters. Disaster averted!! (Here’s a tip: You may want to send someone other than your mommy as mine never can hurry at this store.)
Secondly, Fleas and Mosquitoes. Tybee has them! Of course, you should be protected by your flea, tick and heartworm medications. The trick is to be sure your human is protected, too! You really don’t want them scratching all night and keeping you awake. My mommy and daddy like to use those clip on things because I like to lick.
Finally…and this one is a little more complicated…THERE ARE CATS ON TYBEE! I actually like cats OK, but Tybee has a lot of them and they tend to be very friendly! You will want to try and avoid them, but it won’t be easy. Start by keeping an eye out for yards with cat flags and statues. This is often a good clue that a few live there. When passing a yard like this move to the other side of the street and announce you have decided to take up jogging. I must warn you this won’t always work as some cats are persistent and your human may decide to even pet them! If this happens you’re caught. I have had the nightmarish experience of having three come up to me and actually rub themselves under my chin. If you have an experience like this what happens next is the most important part to remember. You must act extremely miserable ( hint: it won’t be hard). Now, your human should say how unbelievably good and brave you’ve been and give you a triple Beach Bum Biscuit reward (maybe those cats aren’t so bad after all!).
"Horace & Scruffy" photo by Barb O, Mermaid Emeritus
Until next time, keep those tails up and those noses down!
Wet kisses!
Maddie
PSSST….WOOF Alert! Maddie will be back for another Tybee visit in August! If you’re a member of the Pup-arazzi or just want to join Maddie’s Tybee Wag Pack let us know and we’ll give you tips on how to meet her. Who knows…you might even be featured in a future Pets and the City blog. Get ready to meet a real, live Tybee Pawty Girl! Peace Out, Bark Boys!
At Mermaid Cottages the mermaids really do make a difference…even the mer-puppies we sponsor make a difference since they are to be trained for service as Guide Dogs and Service Dogs for persons with disabilities.
Our current puppy in training is Boomer, a now 16 month old Golden Retriever. Boomer has spent his early development under the tutelage of his “Walker”, Sandy. Sandy, a very busy and accomplished executive, has raised and nurtured several puppies through their public socialization training and early harness skills development and now it’s time for Boomer to enter “Guide Dog College.”
By the time you read this Boomer will have boarded his flight from Orlando, FL to New York and upon completion of his studies he will be matched to a person with disabilities who is anxiously waiting this very gifted young lad.
Yes, Boomer is getting closer and closer to fulfilling his destiny. If we could ask him what he thinks about his life of service we imagine he might even quote Lady Gaga, “I was born this way!”
Boomer is leaving on a jet plane. His higher calling requires higher education and he’ll be trained and handled by the best. He’s got a very important forever friend waiting for him. He’s also got all of us wishing him well,too.
This is the day we celebrate…caring and sharing…devotion for the better good…with liberty and justice…for all.
Make a Difference
Mermaid Cottages offers our guests the opportunity to combine their vacation travel with volunteering on Tybee Island and giving back to the community. Participating in various local projects along side our Mermaids and Mermen allows our guests to not only experience authentic activities, but also gives them the chance to leave the island a better place. Our events change monthly and we are constantly adding on to what we’re doing. For more details or to sign up, please contact Diane at 912-313-0784 or diane@mermaidcottages.com
BEACH SWEEP!
The Tybee Beautification Association’s next BEACH SWEEP is Monday, July 4, 2011. We’ll meet at the Tybee Pavilion at 6:30 AM. Trash bags, gloves and trash grabbers will be provided. Come enjoy our beautiful beach, help us tidy it up and learn about the sea turtle nesting season that’s in full swing!
This is the best kind of a heaping, helping, holiday dish of COTTAGE CHEESE!
Come join us. Whip a few curds of your own and take pride in doing it your whey!
