Sunday, August 1, 2010

They call them man’s best friend but as well as being a loyal mate, dogs can also be an essential weight-loss tool, writes Eve Dugdale

Most of us think about doing exercise in the evening or at weekends.

But then something vitally important crops up and said activity gets sidelined.

You know; the latest installment of ‘American Idol’, a brunch you simply can’t miss, a must-do trip to the beach because it won’t be cool enough for a visit much longer or Debenhams amazing 15-hour sale.

But what if you had a reason to exercise other than reducing your expanding waistline or losing that Dubai stone? What if another living being’s health and happiness depended on it?

No, not a pushy and expensive personal trainer who may reprimand you with a sprint up the stairs of the Burj Khalifa - someone far more loveable than that.

A dog. In the run up to Dubai Pet Show on Friday, organisers are raising the profile of dogs as ‘tools’ to get you in better shape.

We already describe them as ‘Man’s best friend’ and now scientist and Dubai Pet Show adviser Chris Charlton says, just like an apple a day can keep the doctor away, so too can a daily dose of dog.

He explains: “During a large-scale survey conducted over a five-year period, pet-owners made 15 to 20 per cent fewer annual doctor visits than non pet-owners.

The health gain didn’t end there - further results showed that the healthiest group (ie those who went to the doctor the least) was comprised of people who had continuously owned a pet.”

Chris says the reasons behind this varied - from a reduced risk of asthma in newborns exposed to dogs to lowered blood pressure due to increased cardiovascular exercise. And Jessica Sarginson, who became a dog owner for the first time just a few months ago when she bought Pekingese Frank, says she completely agrees with Chris’ words.

“Having Frank must have improved my health because I take him for two walks of 15 minutes or more twice a day.

When I used to just sit lazily full of dinner in front of ‘Eastenders’, I will now get up and take him for a walk after I’ve eaten,”
she says.

“Since there are no parks in Mirdif or anywhere in Dubai as far as I am aware that allow dogs, I have to walk the streets with him and to enable him to have a bit of a run around in the sand I have to run around with him too.

Have you ever tried running in sand? It’s not easy I can tell you so I’m sure it’s helping me get fit.”

Fellow dog walker Jehan Tajdeen says her fitness level has also improved since she bought Dalida, a Maltese, and George (left with Jehan), who’s a cross between a labrador and a saluki desert dog.

Along with husband Matt, she takes the two dogs for a strenuous 45 minute walk and jog in the evening.

But she says it’s not just exercising the dogs which keeps her fit and healthy. Jehan believes dogs keep you fit both physically and emotionally in other ways.

“Because George moults, I hoover thoroughly every single day so I do more housework!

“Matt’s a chef and he gets in late from work and if we didn’t have the dogs we wouldn’t go walking, he’d just go to bed.” she explains.

“They say that laughing and smiling is good for you too and the dogs make us laugh, just like kids do, so they keep us happy.”
Chris adds: “The fact is, having a dog around the house is great for the psyche of adults and children, alike, and the social support gained from relationships between dogs and their owners should not be ignored.”

There are many dogs requiring homes in Dubai but those tempted by the health benefits of owning one shouldn’t just dash out to buy a dog.

Instead, take advantage of local charity K9 Friends’ ‘walk a dog’ scheme.

Simply register as a dog walker and call in at their kennels in Jebel Ali whenever you’re free and fancy a walk.

For more details call them on 04 885 8031 or join the charity’s Facebook page by searching ‘K9 Friends Dubai’ on the site.

Dubai Pet Show takes place on Friday between 8am and 6pm at Dubai Festival City. As well as fun shows and educational stands, there will be competitions and activities. To register your pet to take part in the show or for more details visit www.dubaipetshow.com