For some of us, Autumn is descending

The temps are starting to lower in the Northeast and I find myself grabbing a jacket on my way out the door for Bella's first and last walks of the day. This time of year is my favorite for those long nature excursions.

When the weather is hot I love to take my dog to White's Pond up in the Sudbury/Concord area. In the fall however, I want lingering strolls under canopies of colored tree branches and vast expanses of rolling hills with lots of space for my pooch to run and play.

It's finally cooling down enough so that our dogs are less at risk of summertime ailments like heatstroke but still keep an eye out for muscular tears, broken bones and abraded paws. Dogs will sometimes push themselves too hard and after a summer of 85+ degree days.... the cooler temps will have them thinking they are invincible and able to run a marathon!

I would love for everyone to write in and post a comment with their favorite fall walks/runs/trips so we can share them with all the readers! Take care everyone and enjoy the weather!

Labor Day Safety Tips!!!

Hello everyone! Bella and I are on a mini vacation.... from each other. While I am in Denver fulfilling some work obligations Bella is staying in Cambridge with good friends Michael and Elizabeth and in between late night anxiety attacks and vomiting from separation anxiety and treat overload ...she seems to be handling the time apart better than I expected.

For those of you traveling with your pets or just hanging out in your back yards...follow these safety tips to keep everyone safe and happy!!!

• BBQ's are fun but keep your pooch away from the brownies, chocolate chip cookies, onions and grapes! All cause bad bad tummies and potential lethal vet visits!
• Alcohol.... yeah, one or two (okay 3-4) are great while sitting back with friends BUT keep your glasses and bottles out of reach of the pups... the sweet mixers and tasty hops can be appealing to even the most staunch goody two shoes of your canine bunch! Alcohol can't be metabolized by the delicate canine system and will result in much more than a nasty hangover and hankering for a bit of the "hair of the dog that bit you" the next morning!
• Heat!!! Keep them hydrated and in the shade! We often forget that our dogs bodies run at a temperature hotter than our own...add in that fur and the inability to sweat and you have DANGER. They maybe our best friends and want to go everywhere with us BUT be their best friend in return and keep them out of hot cars and the hot sun this weekend. Heat Stroke can cause serious irrevocable problems including but not limited to brain damage and death. Play it safe. If there isn't a constant cool water source and shade...leave them at home next to the AC with a bone and the remote tuned into into animal planet!
• Over exertion.... sometimes our canine athletes just don't know when to stop. With the over stimulation of having you home for 3 whole days combined with extra family, friends, snacks and fun filled activity...a dog is bound to push itself. Check the paws for injuries like tears, worn spots, burns, punctures, etc. Pay attention to any lameness or limping.... they may have pulled or torn a muscle. Don't hesitate to give that athlete a time out so they can recover and a little mini canine massage! Bella loves them!
• Have Fun!!!

Marathon Paws will be back in business on Tuesday Sept 4th in Boston. We look forward to seeing you all around!!!

We are back online!!!

Due to some blogging technical difficulties we have been offline for several weeks but I am now happy to say that everything is resolved and we are back!!!Keep tuned in for great tips, products,recipes, and fun stuff from Marathon Paws!!!!


Bella and Michele