People with Pets

I just wanted to start a group for all those animal lovers out there! I have a 12 lb chihuahua, myself. (I'm putting a picture of him in my gallery!) He keeps me walking at least 3 times a day. Unfortunate for my exercise, he's pretty small, so we don't go running. He does like to go hiking, though... which I'd like to do more often now that fall is here.

I want to hear about your pets and how, if in any way, do they keep you active? What kinds of activities do you do with them?

I have a 10 month old German shephard and so far she is my biggest support in becoming more active. Right now, we are walking 1.5 - 2 miles every other day, and she loves it. We started out slow and have gotten faster and faster. The faster she can trot along, the bigger the "smile" she wears. I love pets and totally agree that they can help increase your activity level. We also love camping and hiking together.

Oh that's great! My previous roommate had a German shepard puppy as well. Unfortunately, she isn't quite as active as you, but I'm sure your doggy loves it! How old was she when you started taking her running? My friend's pup is still figuring out the whole leash thing.

I definitely would love to start running. It's tough on my joints, but I feel like I get so much more exercise.

I have a Jack Russell Terrier and she keeps me very active.  They might be little dogs but they have a lot of energy and she keeps me moving all the time.  I don't see what all these people go on about how hard it is to have a JRT.  If you let them get there exercise like any other dog they are really great.  If you are looking for a dog that lays around all day long then they are not the dog for you.  But if you want a smaller dog but one that will still be able to go out running with you then a JRT is the dog for you. 

My JRT helps me keep with it all the time.  If I don't want to get up and get moving in the mornings (i.e. just being lazy)  She makes sure I get up and get moving.  I sometimes thinks she knows what my goal is and makes sure I don't fall down on my goal.

Right on!! I have an extremely energetic JRT as well. I totally agree that animals help u to keep active. My jack russell ends up eating at least 1/4 th whatever meal i eat & as you probably know they "force" you to get up & outta the house to burn off their (& yourS) ENERGY. He's good at reminding me about "walk time".  Ha ha!!!

Sounds like your JRT is the same, lol. They are extremely smart & inquisitive animals aren't they!

I have a JRT too! :) A boy, hes 2½ years old. He is a bit lazy in the mornings like me though :) Doesent wake me up really...Its more me waking him up ;) But then we have about 3-4 walks a day, so we burn energy...maybe thats why he's so tired in the mornings :P

me me i have three dogs. Yorkie (nami) Yorkie (sumo) Pit-bull (penny). I love all three of them. They're also all inside dogs perfectly trained with no potty mistakes:) I can't wait to go home and see them after work.

Awww! Do the yorkies and the pit-bull get along? I'm impressed that you potty trained two Yorkies!

yeah. their names are japanese b/c i live in Okinawa, japan. Penny is american. yes they love eachother so much that they sleep together. you have a 12lb yo quero taco bell?

I have an adorable, very sweet, 5 year old beagle. He does help keep me active! 

When you guys say you take your dog on 3-4 walks a day how long are the walks? We usually only do one walk per day anywhere from 20-45 minutes. I hope I'm walking him enough...

I have a zoo. :)

A great dane, a pitbull, a jack russell, 2 turtles, 8 fish, a cockatiel, 2 chinchillas and 2 chinese water dragons.

The dogs keep me active. Walking all three at one time is NEVER easy. Especially when they all decide that they want to jump around and play while still on leash and you're trying to hold all three of them. That's about 250 pounds of dog lol

And also, if anyone has any experience cleaning a 100 gallon turtle tank, thats enough exercise for a week. Unfortunately for me I don't have a pump to get the water out so I have to barrel the water out one by one. About 30 times. THEN clean it, then put all new water back in. 

That's just the dogs and the turtles. Don't get me started on the rest. 

But don't get me wrong! I wouldn't be without 'em! <3

Wow... def a zoo! I would love to have a great dane one day... how old is he/she?

I do have a 12 lb yo quero taco bell... you have no idea how often I hear that. :)

I walk my dog 3-4 times a day, for about 15 minutes or so. If I had a yard, I might walk him less... but I have to take him for a walk to use the bathroom.

Do you only let your dog go out to use the bathroom, yogarn?? Also, a 5 yr old dog prob needs less exercise than a younger dog.

He plays in the yard during the day when we're home and then I take him on one walk per day. I actually just took him to the vet for a check-up and he said he seems like he's getting the right amount of exercise, so I feel better about it. 

I would love a great dane someday, too! Or just more than one dog, I think he would like a buddy.

haha Trust me. It's a handfull some days but I wouldn't have it any other way! If you can manage two,you can manage three ;) 

I have an English Bulldog, which is impossible to workout with because they are the LAZIEST dogs ever.  And I have a Papillon which is sorta like owning a chihuahua, but she weighs five pounds so running is impossible.  I do take her on walks though.