so you wannabee a Domestik Goddess?

Geocaching? Hiking? Camping? If you’re having great outdoor adventures with your dog these days, you might want to think about a bit of high-tech help in case Rover goes roving and gets lost in the woods.

Hear Now makes a dog collar with a GPS system and 2-way radio built right in — just think, you can call your dog from a range of up to 12 miles depending on the terrain! And of course the GPS system lets you pinpoint his location and bring him safely home.

For urban runaway pups, where buildings and radio interference can get in the way of tracking, there’s the Pet Cell.

Don’t laugh! Yes, it looks about as silly as anything I’ve seen in the pet supplies line, but that’s mostly because it’s pink. Basically, the cell phone on the dog’s collar will automatically answer when you call from one of several pre-set numbers, and you can talk to your dog.

Imagine — “Get off the couch, Rover!” Or, if the dog is lost, “Come home now!”

No, seriously, for a dog that suffers from separation anxiety when you’re away at work during the day, this might prove to be a useful tool.

Again, there’s a GPS system to help track a lost dog, but the PetCell has an added feature that looks like a practical idea — three “speed dial” buttons so anyone who finds your lost dog can call up your home number, your cell number, or an emergency contact, all with the press of one button.

Today is a day of rest, and I’m about ready for it! Time for a bit of a progress report…

After last week’s weight loss of 3 pounds, I expected to lose only a pound or so this week, and that’s exactly what happened. The quick loss that comes early in an exercise program has a lot to do with water loss. Fat comes off more slowly.

I also know from experience that muscle weighs more than fat, so the bathroom scales don’t always reflect the good news as your fitness level increases.

And that’s where the tape measure comes in…

I measured all the key points before I started the Walk for Weight Loss — chest, waist, that frustrating chubby belly, hips, upper arm and thigh — and now, after two weeks of walking, every one of those measurements is showing a satisfactory loss of inches. Even if I hadn’t measured to be sure, the fit of my favourite jeans is telling me that my waist in particular is getting trimmed down already!

That’s quite inspiring… so, in the next 2 weeks, I’ll make a real effort to watch my diet better, too.

Does This Dog Make My Butt Look Fat?

And here’s an extra bit of incentive to slim down — I’ve been asked to do a dog obedience demonstration at a fundraiser for the SPCA.

It’s almost like it’s “meant to be,” too, because the event is on September 28 — the final day of my 4 Week Walk for Weight Loss.

The dog I’ll be working with is my slim handsome greyhound — and let me tell you, there’s nothing like a long-legged athletic dog to make the owner look, er, a little chunky!

Also, I’m actually a very shy person, so getting up on stage in front of a crowd is difficult for me… If I can look trim and fit, it will give me a much-needed boost in confidence to get up and perform in public.

Wish me luck!

Technorati Tags: walking, exercise, health, weight loss

This is Riley, a 7-year-old Lab-Husky mix.

His turn-ons include taking long walks in the woodlot, dining on anything that looks remotely like it might be food, and crafting a furry blond cover for all dark furniture, carpets, and clothing.

This is a dog who sheds, baby!

And this is the FURminator in action —

And this link right here goes to Amazon, where we picked up Riley’s big yellow FURminator for 39% off.

It’s not cheap, but one good dog grooming with this thing can save you many long hours of pushing a vacuum cleaner… or chasing your shedding dog around the house with the vacuum’s upholstery attachment.