In an effort to get healthier, Jeffrey and I are, once again, trying to eat better and exercise every day. The food is the easy part, the exercise not so much.
Because dogs.
The dogs spend the day in our bedroom (a BIG improvement over spending the day in crates, mind you.) They have our bed, blankets, pillows, a chair, central air, sunlight, food and water. It’s a day of luxury for them – every single day. As soon as we get home, the dogs are let out of the room and into the yard to do their business. Once we let them out, we change into workout gear and head to the basement for our daily exercise.
But the dogs will have none of it. No more than 10 minutes into our workout routine, they start circling and whining and staring at us with judgemental puppy eyes, aghast that we would choose to do anything other than pay attention to them. Harvey tries to climb on the treadmill (while its on) and/or insists on being picked up by whichever one of us is on the stationery bike. Rita circles us, then the basement, then does “threat squats” to let us know she will pee on the carpet if we don’t go upstairs immediately and let her out again, because it’s been almost 11 whole minutes since she’s been outside. They are needy, selfish, little brats and have decided that even 30 minutes a day is too much for us to spend not catering to their every desire. It makes it very difficult to exercise for any length of time, uninterrupted.
So the next time I step on the scale at my doctor’s office…I hope they realize that every pound I’ve gained is really a pound of love for my dogs.
Idle Eyes and a Dormy 
can you leave puppies upstairs with the basement door closed? that way you and jeffrey can get your ME time in without the children underfoot.
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You underestimate our dogs’ ability to howl incessantly for long periods of time through doors, walls, and floors when they’ve been closed away from us. It is mind numbing.
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OMG!! Those dogs know who runs the household! I find it funny. You probably find it frustrating.
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I should exercise again, but it’s too hot and humid to go walking after work or even at sunset.
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We are lucky to be able to have a treadmill and bike in our cool basement.
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Are you able to walk with them?
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When there’s no heat warning and it’s not 90 degrees and humid, we are. Right now, walking outside would be unbearable for all of us.
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That picture is heart-breaking. Just what kind of ‘loving’ owner would allow it to happen?
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I agree
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OK, here’s a way to exercise and cater to their needs: get some kind of dog backpack/carrier that you can wear, put the dogs in them, carry them as you exercise. It will increase the weight and boost your exercise value. I mean, it’s an idea. Don’t know how well the pups would like it, but at least you’ll be holding them. Good luck!
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Harvey MIGHT like that…Rita would kill herself trying to wriggle free.
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A variation of the “dog at my homework” excuse.
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Will they let you walk them? Maybe get some walking gear and walk outside. For me? The weather is way too hot outside to walk. Way way too hot. I am sweating just thinking about it.
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They will (and love it) but for the reasons you stated, none of us want to deal with the ugly weather.
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Limits ! Remember always thems with two feet outvote thems with four.
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We lost that battle 12 minutes after we brought them home.
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