The Daily Quote podcast pageThe Great News Podcast pageThe Great News LetterVoicemail feedback line – 1-877-636-1474CONTACT MEWelcome to The Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I’m your host, Andrew McGivern, its October 9th and today National Pet Obesity Awareness Day. Pets come in all sorts of shapes and sizes... but sometimes those shapes and sizes get a little too shapy and sizy?If your dog looks a little too comfy on the couch or your cat’s been eyeballing the treats a bit too much, today’s the day to give that a second thought.In light of today's theme, I’ve picked a quote from veterinarian Dr. Andy Roark:"Your pet is a part of your world, but to them, you are their whole world." Dr. Roark’s quote is a beautiful reminder of how much our pets rely on us. We’re the center of their universe, from belly rubs to breakfast time. It’s not just about food and shelter; it’s about companionship, care, and trust.But here’s where National Pet Obesity Awareness Day steps in. If we’re their whole world, it’s up to us to make sure that world isn’t filled with too many treats and not enough exercise. We all know how easy it is to spoil them—it’s like they’ve mastered the art of guilt-tripping us with just one look! Those puppy dog eyes and well timed whines... and the oscar goes too...But true love means making sure they stay healthy.It’s tempting to think that love equals food, but just like with us, too much indulgence can cause health problems for our pets. And if you’re feeling bad about cutting back on those extra snacks, remember that being their "whole world" means they look to you for more than food. They want your time, your attention, and a little bit of fun. So maybe today, instead of an extra biscuit, take them on a longer walk, throw in a bit more playtime, or even teach them a new trick.At the end of the day, loving your pet means taking care of them—whether that’s a scratch behind the ears, an extra game of fetch, or making sure they stay fit and healthy. They trust us to make the right choices for them, so let’s make sure we live up to that role.Our dog, Pepper was getting a little... roundish around the middle. My wife mentioned it to me and said no I think it is just her body type. Then my brother noticed it and I said she is just big boned... he smirked and said... Yeah that's it.I had a vet appointment that week so I asked the vet and she confirmed that Pepper was indeed 8 pounds overweight.Since exercise wasn't an issue we eliminated her lunchtime meal and several weeks later she is back to her slim self again.The point is sometimes you aren't even aware that your pet is getting a little beyond their optimal weight.So today... take a close look and see if you need to make some dietary or exercise adjustments to maintain a healthy companion.That's it for today. I’m Andrew McGivern signing off , reminding you that when you’re the whole world to someone—four-legged or not—it’s worth keeping that world as happy and healthy as possible. Catch you tomorrow, same pod time, same pod channel for another Daily Quote!