#HillsPet redefines love by helping our pets achieve healthy weight loss

May 4, 2014 Kristen Carr

In our society, FOOD = LOVE. We may deny it, especially the healthiest of us who eat to live rather than live to eat (can't we do both?), but we still link food and love together.

• Food provides comfort when we're sick or sad.

• We enjoy romantic meals with our partners.

• We reward our children with candy and treats for a job well done.

• We bring a welcoming platter of cookies to our new neighbor.

When we give from the heart, we often give food. Especially when it comes to our pets. They can't communicate in words how they feel about us, and though we try to tell them how we feel, we're never quite sure if they grasp the depth of our devotion. What's the sure-fire way to show our pets how we feel? Give them food! Those purrs and wagging tails say it all. Our pets love food as much as we do.

When does treat-giving and table scrap-sneaking get out of control? When our pets reach an unhealthy weight. This weighty problem can spiral out of control quickly, before we even notice.

Changing our feelings about food and love would be next to impossible. We don't want to deprive our pets of what they love, and we don't want to deprive ourselves of the affection we receive when we make our pets happy. Thankfully, Hill's® has formulated a program of food and treats that do not require us to deprive our furry friends: Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution.

If your pet is overweight and you don't want to curb the food affection (who does?), this is a viable solution to consider. For pets on this program, it's not as much about the quantity of food provided (thought there are feeding guidelines, of course), but it's about feeding your pet a food that will help your pet's metabolism move things in a lighter direction. You don't have to withhold food! Awesome!

Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution is a proven weight loss program:

• 88% of pets lost weight in two months at home

• clinically proven to safely provide 28% body fat loss in dogs in two months and 29% body fat loss in cats in two months

• nutrition that helps pets feel full and satisfied between meals

• clinically proven to avoid weight regain following a weight loss program

• 80% of pet owners would recommend Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution to friends with overweight pets

This program is available for both dogs and cats and requires veterinary approval. But Hill's® is making it easier for Well Minded readers to get started with their Tell-a-Friend Program. Just by filling out a form (link below), you'll receive a $25 Wellness Visit rebate AND a $25 rebate for Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution food–a $50 value. And, please, tell a friend by sharing this post. Hill's® wants all of our readers and friends to benefit from this offer. Here's the link:

Hill's® Rebate and Coupon

So let's redefine love. Keep giving those treats, but make sure they are the right ones. Because EXTRAORDINARY NUTRITION = YOUR PET AT HIS VERY BEST. If that's not love, I don't know what is.

i didn't know we had a cat and other inspirations from my daughter

April 29, 2014 Kristen Carr

Somehow children can cut to the chase of complicated situations.

This past week has been a bit emotional for our family. On top of our busy circus escapades, we said goodbye to visiting family, which was really tough. We're also going through some family drama that I won't bore you with. Suffice it to say that I've been a bit emotional. There's also some tough stuff happening to some longtime friends that weighs heavily on us, which I'll choose not to exploit. Oh, and some disheartening news on another front. You don't want the details. Trust me.

It's been a rough week.

My hubby, Big, who typically trudges through like a champion, shed a few tears as his brother drove away after a week-long visit. My attempts at comfort were appreciated, but only Campbell, our five-year-old daughter, could do the trick with her infinite wisdom.

If you want to see someone, just see them.

Daddy, I know you're so sad about your brother leaving. What you should do is just pretend he's still here. Then you can see him whenever you want. Any time. That's what I do about the cat. Because Mommy won't let me get a cat, so I pretend I have a cat, and then I can see him any time. His name is Shadow, and he's really cute and I love him. So if you want to see someone, just see them.

Duh. Why didn't we think of that?

So now I know we have a cat. But we don't, really, and if you've been following along for some time you know that there's a good reason why we don't have a cat.

The moral of the story? Fake it 'til you make it. It's okay to feel sad for what you've lost. And sometimes it's okay to pretend it's there, if it makes you feel better.

Thanks, Cam.

think YOU have a cool cat? check out "my name is bob" book review and #giveaway

April 24, 2014 Kristen Carr

Since the day my children were born, we've read bedtime stories every night. A few we just read once, but most we read over and over. It can get a bit tedious on my end, reading the same story over and over. My children are unrightfully impressed when I have a book memorized and can recite it for them. Needless to say, I'm always happy to fold a new favorite book into our lineup of regulars. I'm even more happy when the book is entertaining to someone over the age of eight (me). And when it features an animal? I'm sold.

This week our family was introduced to "a street cat named Bob" of children's book, My Name is Bob due out in early May.

My Name is Bob was written by the author team of James Bowen and Garry Jenkins, writers of the original A Street Cat Named Bob. They did a fantastic job of adapting the story for children. My littles, Porter (7) and Campbell (5) were touched by the tale of sweet, funny Bob, so–yes–we've read the book several times, now. I'm not sick of it, yet, nor do I expect to be any time soon.

I'll try not to spoil things for you, but, as you might expect, Bob's life isn't worry-free. He meets some tough times, and these issues Bob faces are thought-provoking for my kids. They ask questions about his situation while we're reading and even days after, which I love. It lets me know that we're reading a book that is getting them thinking. The story is told in such a way that my littles can empathize with Bob's plight and root him on to better times.

Gerald Kelley's charming illustrations bring Bob's world to life.

The best part? My Name is Bob is based on a true story. That always seems to make things more interesting for our family. There's even a whole spread in the back of the book that shares actual photos of Bob and his real-life person, James.

The publisher, Barron's Educational Series, summarizes the book:

Bowen inspires young minds by retelling his tale from a new perspective, Bob's. My Name is Bob explores what life was like for Bob before he met James. After his world is suddenly turned upside down, Bob finds himself living alone on the street. However, Bob's luck seems to change when he meets a street meow-sician named James. Along the way Bob learns that what started off as quite a cat-astrophe all worked out in the end. This uplifting tale of true friendship and second chances will be adored by both children and adults for years to come.

Check out the book trailer featuring James Bowen and Bob:

Did I mention that the real-life Bob loves to wear scarves, as pictured? What more do you need to know?

Aren't you excited to check it out for yourself?

Well, you're in luck. We're giving away two copies of My Name is Bob to two lucky winners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Connect with Barron's Educational Series, Inc., on Facebook and Twitter and connect with James and Bob on Facebook and Twitter.

I was provided with a preview copy of My Name is Bob in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

wordless wednesday: from the inside

April 9, 2014 Kristen Carr

if bear can do it, any pet can: gaining back your friend with #HillsPet

April 8, 2014 Kristen Carr

Although summer is approaching and we may be thinking about how we are going to get swimsuit-ready in a hurry, it's not about appearances for overweight cats and overweight dogs. It can be a matter of life and death. So as we're contemplating how to minimize our winter layers, let's discuss cat weight loss and dog weight loss, as well.

Even just a couple of extra pounds on a cat or small dog can cause serious health concerns. And if the pet packs on even more than that, the problems compound tremendously. It can be difficult to deprive our pets of the food and treats. For some, meal time and treat time are the highlights of their day. I can remember how my father used to call our dogs after the human dinner: "leeeeeeeft-OVERS!" He'd actually make them a plate of whatever food we hadn't consumed. I cringe when I think about it, now. I'm certain that the joy he felt when he saw those wagging tails was even greater than that of the furry diners. He was making them happy, which made him happy. He didn't think about the cost to their health.

I know. We love them no matter what. Absolutely! But shouldn't we love them into health?

I wish Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution had been around then. I'm not certain it would have curbed my father's habits, but I'm sure it would have helped manage our pets' weight. Though our pets were quite active and only slightly pudgy, some animals get caught in a cycle of inactivity and overeating that becomes more serious. Their lifestyle suffers as they continue to eat the amount and types of food and treats they are accustomed to, gain weight, have difficulty moving, and then become increasingly sedentary. They just don't feel good, and it's no fun to run and play when you're feeling weighed down. This can affect the interactions we have with our pets, and it can effect their longevity. Our pets deserve an active life filled with love and fun. No one wants to lose a friend at all, much less prematurely.

I was touched to tears when I heard about Bear, a dog who got stuck in this cycle. When things really seemed hopeless and his family was running out of options, their vet recommended Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution. And (SPOILER ALERT) it saved his life. Check out Bear's Story:

One of the main reasons this diet was so successful for Bear is that he wasn't deprived. He got to eat a healthy portion of food and even received treats. So how does it work? Hill's® explains "while eating Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution, an overweight animal's metabolism changes to act more like that of a lean animal." And that efficient energy metabolism profile is maintained even after the "excess" weight is lost. Hill's® adds that this program "provides clinically proven nutrition that naturally activates metabolism to burn calories and regulate appetite." Truly amazing. I'm so happy for Bear and his family.

And he's not the only one! Check out Gracie!

If she's not bikini-ready, I don't know who is!

Like any successful diet, it's not about deprivation. It's about health. And we all could use a treat now and then.

A diet with treats? Sign me up! Oh, whoops...it's not for me...sign your pet up!

Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution has been formulated for both cats and dogs. Please check out the following links for additional information.

is your pet overweight? let's get real with #HillsPet #giveaway #sponsored

10 Simple Ways to Help Your Overweight Dog

Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution Website

Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution for Dogs

Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution for Cats

Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution Ratings and Reviews

This post is sponsored by Hill's. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Food, but well minded only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., is not responsible for the content of this article.