Throughout my 30 New Years, my most frequent resolution has been to lose weight. I start strong, cranking that elliptical up to level 11 and learning to love the taste of lemon juice with cayenne pepper. The borderline fainting and bottoming-out blood sugar is just proof that I am New Years resolved, right? RIGHT??

Wrong. Without fail, February always found me at the same weight, or maybe heavier, bearing the immeasurable weight of failure and low self esteem. But last year, I realized, that the goal is not to lose weight, but rather to raise my self-esteem. The two are not mutually exclusive, but one should not hinge on the other. So for the first time, I made a different resolution. 

In 2013, I resolved to only buy cosmetic and hygiene products that were cruelty free. My definition of a cruelty-free brand is one that is not testing on animals and also not selling in China (where animal testing is actually required by law). That meant giving up MAC, Bumble and Bumble, and Aveda. If a brand says they are cruelty free “except where required by law”, that means they pay for animal testing in China. I do support brands that are cruelty-free and not selling in China (even if their parent companies do), like NARS and Urban Decay. The teenage clerks at the Body Shop and the nubian rasta goddess working in the cosmetics aisle at Whole Foods became my new best friends. My existing friends were a huge help too! Karen founded Verve Organics, a boutique line of organic, all-natural scrubs and beauty products, and Marchelle owns Bluxom Salon here in San Diego, specializing in sustainable and cruelty-free products like Kevin Murphy.

Anyway, I made this resolution after crying my eyes out watching a video of beagles seeing sun and grass for the first time after being rescued from a research testing facility, where they had lived their lives in cages, subjected to daily torture. So... I did it for the dogs. And I realized this year that dogs deserve a fresh start too! Here are my top 5 New Years Resolutions for your furry friend (You can borrow them too):

1. Get In Shape. Work it out. Get your blood pumping and your systems running like well-oiled machines. You will sleep harder, feel better, and look great in that new skinny harness. 
2. Eat Right. Read up about kibble and the health hazards, and resolve to make better choices in 2014 (no, this does not include switching from dog poo to feral cat poo.) If you can’t eat a raw diet, at least switch to a kibble that doesn’t include grain, which isn’t biologically appropriate, and isn’t doing anything for your waistline.
3. Go Cruelty Free. Most conventional products for pets AND humans are tested on animals, but there are lots of alternatives! This will be tougher for your human friends than for you, so be extra nice to them.
4. Be More Social. You might not get enough canine socialization, especially if you are an only dog. Playtime with other dogs is vital to a balanced emotional state. Doggie Joggie is lucky to operate in San Diego, California, with tons of off-leash dog parks and beaches (and 10+ months of 75 and sunny, thankyouverymuch). If dog parks aren’t an option, join a puppy meetup group or have supervised playdates at other dog’s houses.
5. Remember to give back. If you love people, volunteer your time as a therapy dog. Many hospitals and veterans groups would love to meet you! And remind your owner to help out at rescue adoption events or the humane society. If you don’t have that much time, you can donate toys, bedding, or pet food. 

There you have it. I actually don’t have a resolution yet for this year!, so leave me a comment below if you have suggestions for me. Here is to a happy, healthy, and cruelty-free 2014!