I am trying to come up with a successful solution to a challenge I have recently encountered. I admit it has me stumped. I can’t seem to find a good, balanced answer although I have tried a few different approaches.

You see, my pet and companion, Bo, has become increasing chubby in the last year or so. He is just down right hefty these days. He and Miller, the younger of the chocolate labs, used to be close to the same size; but now Bo is about a half a body bigger. It has gotten to the point where he can’t do the things he used to do.

I watched him try to run through the field the other evening. The sight looked more like a big brown log with legs moving at a quick waddle!

Others have noticed, too. I have taken to warning Bo when the kids come to visit that somebody will likely mention his obvious weight gain. I don’t know how much it bothers him, but I don’t want him to be caught off guard.

As his owner and friend, I feel I should right this situation, but I am losing optimism. For the sake of the dog’s health, I have tried some different strategies to slim him down; but nothing, as of yet, has resulted in any noticeable difference. He is not exactly cooperative, either. He just might pitch in and help a little if he had to wear a swim suit in public like the rest of us.

At first, I thought it wouldn’t be that big of a deal to help Bo shed some pounds. Since he can’t exactly serve himself, I would simply limit his intake of dog food by feeding him less. The weight came off, alright, but the wrong dog lost it. Miller thinned down while Bo continued to creep upwards on the scale. I suppose he was eating his own food, then helping himself to Miller’s as well.

We’ve cut out food scraps and, when I limit him to one scoop of dog food in the evenings, he complains. Sometimes he gets downright bossy. He constantly bugs me until I put something else in his food dish. I just can’t stand the thought of him being truly hungry, and he seems to know how to make me give in and dish out a little more. We’ve tried changing to a “healthy diet” brand in hopes of tipping the scales in the right directions, but it didn’t seem to make a difference. More recently, we have changed to yet another type of food that we thought he might not care for. If we can find something he doesn’t like, maybe he will naturally eat less. I can’t tell that this strategy has had any bearing on the big picture, or the big body, either.

I know Bo needs more exercise but he prefers sleep and slumber. He likes to walk in the field in the evenings, but he won’t even try to run when a mamma cow comes at him - that is getting dangerous for him. He still likes to chase a tennis ball but has to take it easy doing this. His arthritis acts up when he overdoes it, or even when he doesn’t do much of anything.

So, I am at a loss, here. What I’m looking for is the right combo of diet and exercise for him. I am ready to try something new. I wonder if there is a Zumba fitness group he could join, or if Dr. Oz has a diet plan? I wouldn’t be opposed to Bo going on “Dancing with the Stars,” and dancing his way trim, or possibly guest starring on “The Biggest Loser.” No, on second thought, he’d be traumatized by weighing himself while millions tuned in. He’d likely be better suited to be the new Slim-Fast spokesperson (“spokesdog,” I mean). Now that I think about it, my hefty pet would be a perfect assistant to Jerrod. Bo would gladly eat Subway sandwiches every day! He loves bread.

Seriously, if anyone can help this owner learn a new trick to take some weight off an old dog, I could use some tips!

Annette Rowe is a freelance writer from rural Gentry and a speech-language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by email at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 4 on 04/10/2013