Today was the Balmoral Burn – a race up the steepest street in Mosman, to raise money for hospitals (see www.humpty.com.au) .

There was a category for pet and owner, although the majority were dogs, going by the names on the result list.  And there’s a great picture at the website of dogs and their owners.

Somehow I think both Spike and I need some more training before going in the event next year – I had a go by myself, and ended up walking the last half. Pretty embarrassing.

A study by the University of Western Australia  found that dog owners are 68% more likely to perform the recommended level of physical activitiy in a week, than non-dog owners. 

And that owning a dog cut the risk of heart disease, Australia’s leading cause of death.

The vet at the end of my street, Mosman Vet, was just awarded an AVA/Pfizer Practice of Excellence in Customer Service Award for 2005.

They definitely deserve it. They’ve expanded their practice to include new deluxe multi-level enclosures, will vaccinate at home, offer puppy training and dental treatments, and always offer great service and great products at the front desk.

 They also have a Pet Slimmers Club to help the chubbiest pets can back to a healthy weight. The biggest losers will go into the Hills Pet Slimmer of The Year Competition. Unfortunately I have to say Spike has potential for improvement in this area – the recent rain has meant we skipped a few walks, and he’s looking a little solid.

 Congratulations!

Spike is now onto his seventh jar of peanut butter.

Unlike Bingly down the road, who scratched the roof of his mouth trying to claw the peanut butter out of his mouth after an errant piece of toast and peanut butter, my dog Spike is a complete addict.

He seems to lie in wait until one of my boys accidentally leaves the cupboard door open, then rushes in to grab his prize and disappears down the yard. The first I usually learn of it is when I find the mangled, empty jar out on the lawn.

Today was a little different – he brought the empty jar in to my bedroom to show me. Probably his way of saying "look what I get up to when you don't give me a walk at the right time". Almost as bad as the (single) time he caught a mynah bird, and brought in inside to show me.

Spike apparently grabs the plastic jar and squeezes it until the screw-top lid pops off. Then (judging by the state of the jar), he squeezes the jar until all the peanut butter oozes out.

I had warned the kids not to leave the cupboard open. And Spike has experimented with a jar of vegemite and tomate paste, but those were once-off meals. He always seems to return to his favourite, peanut butter.

Yes, I think it's finally time to put the peanut butter up high. And to buy it in a glass jar. Such a waste of good cupboard space.

I guess it's a change from the avocadoes that drop from the neighbours tree, overhanging our yard.

And I won't talk about my favourite box of chocolates he stole from the coffee table. 

Most people know that Australia is getting fatter. The 2001 National Health Survey (NHS), showed that 2.4 million Australian adults were estimated to be obese – 16% of men and 17% of women aged 18 years and over, had a BMI of 30 or more. And now we're passing our bad habits on to our best friends.

Apparently Australia has one of the world's highest pet obesity rates, especially with dogs. 40 per cent of domestic dogs are becoming obese, with matching higher rates of diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

Insufficient exercise and overfeeding are the obvious causes.

Treats are a standard reward technique during training, but need to be included in calculations of a dogs daily intake.

People often think a dog should eat as much and as often as they do, despite weighing a fraction of an adult person's weight.

I know my labrador has mastered the "I'm hungry" look, even when he doesn't need it. And my poor next-door-neighbour cattle dog is suffering from arthritis.

Don't let it happen to your dog.