Adopt a Friend - "Panda" the party girl looking for a loving forever home.

               ADOPT A FRIEND

NAME:  “Panda”

COUNTY ID #:  A374789

AGE:  4 years old         

GENDER:  Spayed female

BREED:   American Bulldog and Pointer mix

WEIGHT:  Approximately 54 lbs

COLOR:  Black and white

HOBBIES: Playing ball and cuddling

PERSONALITY:  Fun and playful little girl.  She is polite and seems to do well with other dogs, children and cats

If you or anyone you know is interested in adopting the wonderful pet featured this week, please call the Prince George's Animals Management Facility in Upper Marlboro at 301-780-7201 to check on the availability. You may also visit www.pgamd.petfinder.com or www.petharbor.com to see many more precious pets that are available for adoption.

ASK FOR PANDA—ID#A374789

Exercise With Your Dog

Have a couch-loving canine – or one loaded with excess energy? Exercise can get the lazy moving and calm the hyper

Did you know that up to 40 percent of dogs in the United States are obese? Weight is considered such a vital sign of animal health and longevity that the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University has recently opened the country’s first obesity clinic for pets.

If you’re concerned about Fido’s weight — or if you have the opposite problem, a dog hyper from an overabundance of energy — exercise can help in both situations. It’s good for you, too: Research suggests that people who exercise with their dog are more likely to stick with it. So if you can find activities that you and your dog enjoy, you’ll both be healthier in the long run.

Easy Exercise

On foot. The simplest way to get more exercise with your dog is to take him for longer walks. If you can expand just one of his daily walks every day, each of you benefits. Challenge Fido and yourself to walk an extra 10 minutes every day for a week. If that goes well, you can add 10 more minutes the following week. Up for something more rigorous? Try taking your leashed dog along on a scenic jogging trail.

In the water. Do you have a water dog, such as a spaniel or retriever? A pond is a great place for a low-impact workout together.

Fetch. Does your dog understand the concept of retrieving a stick, a ball or a Frisbee and bringing it back? Some will happily play like this until your arm feels like it’s ready to drop off. Other dogs will run after the hurled object but may not be interested in returning it.  Still others will affect a, “You expect me to chase after that?” expression. If so, try something else.

Specialized Exercise

Agility. One of the most fun ways to exercise with a dog is in the sport of agility, where you train your dog to go over, under, inside, around and jump obstacles. Look for a local dog school or shelter to find a beginners agility class.

Biking and rollerblading. These activities can give you and your dog a good workout. Just don’t overtire him or exercise him during the hottest part of the day.

Hiking. Dogs love the smells of a new place and being with you. When you hike with your dog, be aware that rough terrain can be hard on his paws. Check them during the hike or if he starts to limp. If you plan to do rugged hiking with your dog, consider buying him a pair of doggie boots, pack a portable bowl, water and snacks for him.

Canine Superathletes

If you’ve seen dogs doing things like surfing, snowboarding and dock diving on YouTube, you know it’s possible. Yet your dog may not take to those sports naturally and may be downright frightened.

One rugged sport that is compatible with a pet’s natural tendency to run is skijoring, where your large-sized dog is harnessed to you while you ski cross-country. To get started, Google “skijoring club.” You’ll find them located in parts of the country where winters are snowy.

Remember, before you begin any new exercise with your dog consult your veterinarian to make sure your pet is healthy enough to enjoy it.