Feed Your Good Dog

Positive Thoughts | Positive Actions | Positive Results

TGIFYGDF…Thank Goodness It’s Feed Your Good Dog Friday!

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Happy and Healthy…Start Walking or Running and Get On Track!

By: Jared Denson
FYGD Contributor

We all want to live happy, healthy lives (or so I hope). One way to get on track is to begin walking or running daily. Whether your goals are weight-loss, toning, or just to clear the cob webs from your head, walking or running can help you reach your objectives. Through my experience as a long-time runner and veteran of the 10K Atlanta Peachtree Road Race, I’ve come to identify a couple tips and resources that will definitely keep you on track.

  • Check out Running in the U.S.A. or the Road Runners Club of America. These are in my opinion the most useful running resources on the net. They have all sorts of useful information about running. For example, Running in the U.S.A. lists races all over the country…click on the map to find a race in your area.
    Running in the USA race locator
  • Find and attend a race in your own neighborhood! All you have to do is navigate to your state on Running in the U.S.A. and it shows all the known races nearby. Many of the races have small entry fees with proceeds benefitting a good cause. If you’re aiming towards a main goal, it’s easier to stay on track.
  • Set small, incremental goals for yourself. Just because you can’t finish a 5K today doesn’t mean you will never be able to!
  • Be consistent. Try and find a partner – you will motivate each other!

Remember to always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program, and also remember to stay hydrated! In addition, you can check out our February 25th TGIFYGDF post for the CDC’s article on Healthy and Nutritional Tips.

Be good to yourself…
And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!

Wednesday Wide Smile

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By: Jared Denson
FYGD Contributor

100th Birthday Celebration – Skydiving!

What did you do for your last birthday? I’m no adrenaline junkie, so last year I was completely content with a lazy day lounging around the pool, sipping on an ice-cold beverage and going out to my favorite restaurant, The Melting Pot, with my family and friends. Welcome Fred Mack, a 100 year-old WWII engineer from Newton Square, PA. On Sunday, March 20th, this thrill-seeking senior citizen, with clearance from his cardiologist, traveled to Free Fall Adventures in Williamstown, NJ to undertake what is believed to be the Guinness World Record for the oldest person ever to sky dive.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t think you will ever catch me in free-fall at 13,000 feet at my young age, let alone on my 100th birthday; if you do, you can probably bet it would be my last!

“I’ve been waiting to do this for 5 years” Mack said. His cardiologist, Dr. Elliot Gerber, cleared Mack to skydive 5 years ago for his 95th birthday. On his 100th, his friends and family watched from the ground as he completed an impeccable landing in an open field.

“I cleared him last time, this time they didn’t ask for me to sign off,” Dr. Gerber joked. “Fred has been my patient for 20 years and he is in great shape. He is an amazing man.”

Fred is an amazing man. The former airplane engineer helped design the P-40 plane used in WWII and was a competitive skier until he was in his 90’s! Fred’s contributions to our country and his live-first, die-last spirit are what reinforced to me that life should be about celebration.

After the trip, Fred was asked how he felt; he simply replied, “I’m still alive”. Fred has outlived his two wives while several members of his family lived past 90. Good genes you say? Probably so. But it is his joy, in particular, that I believe has helped him to live such a long and prosperous life. The pure happiness and love of life Fred has is something we should all strive for at any age.

You can watch Fred fulfilling his dream below!

Source: CBS Philly

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!

How to Help Japan

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We all want to help the people of Japan, but some of us may not know how. Here’s an article by Jessica Dickler, staff writer for CNNMoney.com from March 12, 2011 with good information on how to help and some suggestions on where to give.

Japan earthquake: How you can help

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — After the fifth largest earthquake in history struck Japan, many Americans have been eager to help — but donations can be tricky, particularly in the earliest phase of the recovery effort.

Despite the massive destruction seen in Tokyo and the surrounding area, “at this stage it’s very difficult to say the extent of the need,” said Andrea Koppel, a spokeswoman from the American Red Cross.

Daniel Borochoff, president of the American Institute of Philanthropy, advises those ready to make donations to “wait and see how the situation develops and step forward when clear charitable needs arise.”

An immediate response is not necessarily best, he says. “It’s ok to get assessments on the situation and then send contributions.”

Impact Your World – CNN

For those who intend to help victims of Friday’s 8.9-magnitude quake, experts advise following these guidelines in the days ahead:

Who to give to

Patrick Rooney, executive director of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, recommends giving to reputable aid organizations, like the Red Cross and Save the Children, because those organizations already have a presence in the impacted area and their response will likely be faster and more efficient than other organizations that are not on the ground.

“They have the experience and infrastructure necessary to provide help,” he said.

The Japanese Red Cross has already deployed 900 rescue workers to the affected region today and the American Red Cross has emergency responders on standby, Koppel added.

What to give

“Give money, not food, water and clothes,” Rooney advised. “There’s a much higher shipping cost for supplies and it’s easier for disaster organizations to get cash and use it as they need to.”

In addition, it can be difficult to determine what supplies will be most needed, particularly in the early stages of a recovery effort, and in the case of Japan, there are many supplies already on hand.

Currently, a Red Cross warehouse in Malaysia is fully stocked with enough relief supplies to aid 5,000 families, according to Koppel.

What to avoid

Unfortunately, an influx of websites that are not legitimate often crop up in the wake of natural disasters, soliciting for charitable donations to aid victims.

“I guarantee websites pop up in the next 24 hours that are likely to be fraudulent,” Rooney said. Read more . . .

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!

TGIFYGDF…Thank Goodness It’s Feed Your Good Dog Friday!

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Here’s a motivator to get out this weekend and take a walk! At Webshots.com, people share their walks from all over the world. Not only do the beautiful images delight, but the shared photos also give us a glimpse of activities and events that are taking place in other parts of the world.

Webshots.com invites you to share your walk at their blog….

Photo walks, a popular activity among photo-sharing communities, let us all be a part of something no matter where we are in the world. By taking a walk this weekend and sharing the pictures with us, you’re contributing to a global mural of life.

So put on your walking shoes, grab your camera and go for a walk. You’ll be surprised at the photographic opportunities that present themselves. We’d love to see all of your photos as you can submit as many as you like!

Please tag your photos with Weekend Photo Walk 167 and then post your links in the comment section. Your entries won’t be judged—this is just for the fun of it!

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!