With the new year comes New Year’s resolutions! In this edition of Pet Pointers, Lisa Chelenza has a few of the most common resolutions with some advice on how you can incorporate your pet to help you follow through.

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On January 1st, most of us make several New Year’s resolution that we just never seem to be able to keep.

One of the most common is to start an exercise regime and stick to it. Try this: Start with a short ten minute walk every day with your dog for a week, and add five minutes each week until you reach thirty minutes. Vary your speed, your route and your rate of difficulty. Don’t worry - most dogs can keep up, or you’ll just have to carry them home.

Chose a healthier diet of quality fruits and vegetables for you, and a higher quality food for your pets.

Get a jump on your schedule. Make all your vet appointments and plan out a year’s worth of Advantage and Heart Guard dosing in your new day planner.

Lots of people promise to quit smoking. Pick a day and just do it. Talk to your doctor about ways to make quitting easier. Second hand smoke can have negative effects on the health of your pet.

One tool that helps me stay focused is keeping a resolution journal, where you track your daily progress and make note of small goals you achieve to keep you going.