The human based problem of guilt also played a large role. By fostering lots of Boston Terriers, it takes away a lot of attention from my personal dog, Dusty. This has led to Dusty, over the last couple of years, taking advantage of the leftovers in the food bowls, the extra tastier special foods and the like.

In the process of providing special diets for several older, sick, or slower eating dogs, this meant the food bowls stayed down a lot longer. Some of the dogs refused to eat outside their ranking in the “pack”, which meant they would not eat unless the higher ranking dogs ate first.

The result (and only I can take the blame here), is a large dog that should weight about 70 lbs weighing in at almost 95 lbs!!!! Not paying attention to what the extra amounts were doing to him has resulted in this over weight condition.

This  8+ year old dog has a bad knee, is on pain medications and suffering from arthritis, greatly affecting his desire to move about anymore than he has to.  We are now forced to find other diversions for him rather than giving him treats. While focusing on all of the medical needs of the fosters, rule number one of fostering was broken… Take care of your personal dogs first.

Failing to reduce the calories of his food resulted in a very dangerous weight problem. Learning to overcome guilt, not paying more attention to a loyal companion, not spoiling him with food, focusing on the health issues. How many of you dear readers can sympathize with this dilemma?

For fast eating pups you can buy “a slow bowl”. The ridges prevent a dog from eating too fast. This should train a dog to, after several months, eat slower... Even when not eating from the slow bowl.  Dusty has never been a fast eater so that has never been a problem.

While looking for solutions to the feeding problem of slowly reducing the dogs intake, and increasing  the pain medications....

We have come across these possible solutions of keeping him moving, slowly reducing his intake, and adding to his amusement. They are low cost ideas and might also work for a fast eating dog.

• Split up the kibble into a cupcake pan, placing a few kibble in each cup.

• Split the food up in separate bowls and place them in several locations so that your dog has to find the food to eat.

• He already is being fed away from other dogs and not let in with the others until all of the food bowls are picked up. 

• We have also found it beneficial to spread the food on the floor in a trail so the dog will have to eat a kibble every few steps.

• Never been one to feed dogs from the table. Whatever we are eating, he is not allowed to have any at that time. However, in not wanting to waste leftover food, I have been guilty of adding it to his feedings (we feed twice a day only, with no snacks or treats during the day). Now we must reduce his “measured” daily rations by any added food.

If I want my Dusty to live a long and healthy life, then I must learn how to set limits or the vet bills will continue to mount up and his health will continue to deteriorate   The moral of this story is, please do not do what I have done..