Black Girl in a Doggone World™

Black Girl in a Doggone World™

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Black Girl in a Doggone World™
Black Girl in a Doggone World™
My dog needs to lose 5 lbs, and I should too
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My dog needs to lose 5 lbs, and I should too

The most enjoyable way to go on a weight loss mission with your pup

Shamontiel L. Vaughn's avatar
Shamontiel L. Vaughn
Jun 23, 2022
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Black Girl in a Doggone World™
Black Girl in a Doggone World™
My dog needs to lose 5 lbs, and I should too
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Photo credit: Tamas Pap/Unsplash

When my dog, Junee, had her annual wellness exam, I wasn’t totally surprised when the veterinarian said she wanted her to lose a few pounds. I knew she’d creeped past that weight where I could easily “feel the ribs.”

My crossbreed is mixed (I’m guessing) with Hounds and Dachshunds. According to the American Kennel Club, a Dachshund’s maximum weight should be 32 lbs, and Black and Tan Coonhounds are somewhere between 65 to 110 pounds. While all the crossbreed apps point to my dog as a Coonhound, there’s no denying her face has a Dachshund breed somewhere in the bloodline. Somewhere over the past year, she stopped growing taller and started growing wider — not quite fat, but a lil’ thick in the middle.

Although my vet’s original suggestion was to cut her food supply down one-fourth of a cup, I already knew that wouldn’t do me any good. She rarely eats half of her breakfast food, but she demolishes her dinner. So she’s not even eating her full bowls to begin with. (She will never leave a jerky treat within sight for more than five seconds though.)


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As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage from purchases with my referral links. I know some consumers are choosing to boycott Amazon for its DEI removal. However, after thinking about this thoroughly, I want to continue promoting cool products from small businesses, women-owned businesses and (specifically) Black-owned businesses who still feature their items on Amazon. As of the first date of Black History Month 2025, each new post will ALWAYS include a MINIMUM of one product sold by a Black-owned business. (I have visited the seller’s official site to verify that Amazon Black-owned logo.) I am (slowly) doing this with older, popular posts too. If you still choose to boycott, I 100% respect that decision.
Gerrard Larriett Aromatherapy Pet Care Store Vitamin & Essential Oil Dog Sunscreen and Skin Conditioner - SPF 30
Gerrard Larriett Aromatherapy Pet Care Store Vitamin & Essential Oil Dog Sunscreen and Skin Conditioner - SPF 30

My vet looked at me apologetically and said, “You may need to walk her a little longer. I know that’s harder to ask someone to do. Twenty minutes when you’re already working can be a lot. But if it’s not the food, then it’s more exercise.”

I nodded. I knew exactly how to get myself prepared to walk longer while still being productive as a full-time freelancer. Here are the five things I’m doing.

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