Product of the month

Vet Balance - Canine Wellness Formula

Do you take a daily multi-vitamin to maintain your health?  Doesn’t your four-legged pal deserve the same?  Studies show that nutritional supplements for dogs can help them live longer, healthier lives.  You have probably seen the endless offerings at pet stores; This pill for a shiny coat... This pill for healthy joints... This pill for improved digestion.... This pill for arthritis...Etc.  We have done the research for you and found a single supplement that supports the entire well-being of your dog:  the ‘Canine Wellness Formula’ by Vet Balance. Kirby swears by it!

Developed by a veterinarian with 27 years of canine nutritional experience, this supplement provides a balanced, palatable blend of nutrients known to produce optimum fitness and health in growing and physically mature dogs.  Antioxidants, probiotics, digestive aids, omegas and joint supporting ingredients combine to give your dog:

• Stronger Muscles
  
• Healthier Skin & Coat
• Enhanced Immunity
• Joint Protection
• Weight Control
• Antioxidants
• Digestive Aides
• Improved Health
  

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ASK THE EXPERT

Is your best friend ready for fun in the sun this summer?

We all want to look our best for the summer season, and our 4-legged pals are no exception.  This is the perfect time to size up the situation and reap the benefits of a healthy weight for your dog!

Over 30% of dogs in the U.S. can be classified as clinically obese, and many more are a bit rounder than they should be.  This is serious stuff.  As few as 3-5 excess pounds on a medium sized dog can put them at a significantly increased risk for serious medical conditions.  Bear in mind, 5 extra pounds on a Puggle is the equivalent of 30 extra pounds on the average person!  Diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart disease and even some forms of cancer have been shown to be much more prevalent in dogs who are overweight.  Maintaining a healthy weight has also been proven to increase a dog’s lifespan by as much as 2 additional years – the equivalent of an extra decade in “human years”!

Your dog’s veterinarian is the best source for help in determining your friend’s ideal weight.  Breed specific weight charts are also available to provide baselines.  In general, you should be able to easily feel (but not see) your pet’s ribs on each side.  When viewed from the side, your dog should have a “tucked up” belly, and a waistline should be visible when you look down on them from above.

Overindulgence is the most common cause of weight gain, but sometimes a medical condition is to blame.  Before embarking on a weight loss plan with your pet, it is best to consult with your veterinarian.  He or she will be able to determine a healthy target weight to aim for, as well as discussing dietary options and possible testing for endocrine disorders such as a low thyroid level or overactive adrenal glands.

How can I do this? When your best friend is gazing up at you with love and longing it can be close to impossible to resist reaching for that bag of treats.  A few suggestions:

1. Try some love and attention instead.  Go for a walk, play a favorite game, have an ear scratching session.
2. Set out the measured portion of food for each day in advance, but do not give the entire amount in a meal.  Throughout the day, when you simply MUST give a food treat, offer a kibble or 2 from this bowl. Your dog will be excited about getting “treats” and you will still be in control of the daily calorie limit.
3. Try carrots, celery pieces or even broccoli. These are crunchy, fun to chew, and low in calories.

Working closely with your pet’s healthcare team will ensure that your dog attains a healthy weight safely.  You and your best friend will enjoy increased vitality, higher energy, and more precious time together in good health!

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DID YOU KNOW

Kirby’s Weight-Loss Secret

Substituting steamed veggies for a portion of your dogs daily meals is a great way to shed excess pounds. (Great tip: Costco sells a frozen 6lb bag of mixed broccoli, carrots and cauliflower for under $6!). You can try coating the veggies with a bit of Honest Kitchen dehydrated raw food to tempt your dog’s taste buds (Just $2.99 for a 4oz pack at Dioji). Bikini weather here we come!

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Inside the Club

Sunday, May 23rd 9:30am
Dioji Puppy I Training Class

A six week course begins for dogs who have either completed our Puppy I class and would like to continue learning or for puppies 4-7 months new to training.  Includes 2 days of puppy daycare!

Sunday, May 23rd 10:45am
Dioji Adult Basic Obedience Class

New six week course begins for dogs over 7 months of age who have either never had a training class or could just use a refresher.

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Barkimonial

Willie and Pearl LOVE everything about DIOJI!!!

They named just a few of their favorite things....

1. They LOVE us! (what's not to love?) We are cool dogs!

2. Willie gets to swim and dive in the pool...extra points for that!!

3. Pearl gets to hang with her peeps. The humans, who give great belly rubs, and offer a loving hand when she nudges them for attention. Pearl was a rescue dog, and not very social. After 3 years of visiting DIOJI, she is confident, no fear aggression, and a very playful, HAPPY dog. It has done wonders for her!

4. While we were out of our home during the SB Tea Fire (6 months), we spent many days there, overnights, or just for play. They were very accommodating to many animals who had no where to go.

5. When we come for overnights, or extended dog-cations, we sleep with HUMANS as well as our dog pals. Of course we do!!! And we love all of the humans that sleep over with us. Major snuggle time. Pearl usually likes her own bed. Willie sleeps around...

6. When Willie had a boo boo, they took him to our Veterinarian who put a silly bandage on his tail!

7. The TOYS!!! For Willie and Pearl, the lobby is like ToyLand. Pearl has a bit of a problem trying to steal the toys, but we are working on that. Mom is a sucker for the cool new toys, too!

8. Clean, not smelly. DIOJI is sooooo good about keeping our areas very clean, and disinfected. Who needs cooties?

9.  The new delivery van is spacious and safe. They deliver us home in style! Door to door.

10. Bath time. Although we pout when we get baths at home, we LOVE getting pampered at DIOJI. The furminator has given Pearly a very stylish look, and really cuts down on the shedding at home. Our mom loves that! (Pearl has a crush on Sam...)

11. Our playmates! All of the dogs that we love to run with! Just look at our cool playground....!!!! There is always some tail-wagging action going on, though we secretly relish those rare moments when we all take a big nap!

12. The webcam! So mom can peek in on us while she is away. She spends a LOT of time looking for us on the webcam when she is out of town!

13. The FOOD. Willie's new favorite is the Honest Kitchen stuff that you mix with warm water. He loves it so much that he stole the box off of our kitchen counter, took it out in the yard and we ate most of the box!!! I like to blame Willie, but I couldn't hide my garlic burps.  Pearl's Guilty garlic burps!

14. We have found that DIOJI is our HOME, and we feel safe and secure.

15. DIOJI is the happiest place on Earth.

Happy Wagging Tails of Love,
from Willie and Pearl

Email info@dioji.com if you have a barkimonial you would like to share.

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The Dioji Family

Tanya

Dog Associate

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Pets of my own: Bayley the Dalmation and Bella the chihuahua. I am also an avid equestrian so I have the opportunity to know and love many wonderful horses.

Something people may not know about you: I like olives in my ice cream and I can't whistle.

Favorite activity with the dogs: Pool time! I love getting in a swimming with them! The ones that are usually tentative will jump in with you.

Favorite Dioji moment:Dioji is full of fun moments. My favorite moments are when the dogs recognize you and make it a point to come up and say hello. Watching the dogs when their human arrives to collect them is also pretty neat. It's like arrivals at the airport and it makes you all warm and fuzzy.

Ideas for future Tribone topics? Email susan@dioji.com.