‘Get Fit with Fido’

When Sheila Drews saw the Chihuahua Terrier two years ago, it was “a blimp.”

The 7-year-old dog in need of a home weighed 34 pounds, about double where it should have tipped the scales. That didn’t stop Drews from adopting her.

“I saw this lump in a cage and I said, ‘I’ve got to have her,’” Drews said.

Fast forward to Monday night. Zoey now weighs 15 pounds and had no trouble keeping pace with other dogs half her age in “Get Fit with Fido” at Freddie’s Dog Park at the Kauai Humane Society.

Zoey ran, jumped, stretched, and even did a few squats to improve her hind legs during the hour-long class designed to improve fitness of canines and their owners.

Drews, too, kept the pace with her tiny companion on the first day of the six-week program.

“I think it’s good,” she said. “(Zoey) needs a little more training. She’s very happy. She’s not necessarily doing what she’s supposed to do,” Drews added, laughing.

The class, several months in the planning, is being put on by Becky Gagnon and Rose Murtagh. Gagnon knows dogs and operates “Happy Dog,” which offers positive reinforcement training, while Murtagh is a personal trainer and health coach of people.

Together, they decided a light-hearted class for dogs and people would provide bonding, socialization and yes, result in physical fitness, too.

“Have fun with your dog,” Gagnon said.

To emphasize that point, she said no choke chains are allowed.

“We don’t want any corrections done to these dogs,” she said. “It’s all for fun.”

They had that on a cool Monday evening.

It was pretty much like an exercise class you might find in a health club — but for four-legged furry friends running about.

They warmed up and warmed down. In between, they walked, jogged, stretched, squatted and tossed in other moves designed to improve flexibility, balance, strengthen core and boost cardio.

There were obstacles to go around and over. There were stations to visit and complete certain tasks. There was a time to charge ahead and a time for rest and recovery.

“We’re trying for full body fitness,” Murtagh said.

Throughout, there was plenty of praise and petting for the dogs.

The course is being held 5:30 p.m. Mondays. Dogs should be at least six months old and able to follow basic commands.

Tami Yamamoto and her three-year-old border collie Sadie sailed through the class, no sweat.

“I think Sadie did great,” she said. “We’re both going to get in better shape because of this.”

Yamamoto rides her horse in rodeos, and Sadie follows on trail rides, so both need to be well conditioned.

“She loves it,” Yamamoto said of Sadie.

Drews and Zoey will be back for more.

“She needs a little more acclimating to some of the things she has to do, which she’s not use to doing,” Drews said. “I glad she has friends here.”

There is room for more in Monday’s Get Fit with Fido class, which is weekly through April 21. Cost is $75. 346-7520