1011 Upper Middle Road E. 905-849-4722 www.oakvilleshops.com CA$H FOR GOLD & JEWELLERY 905-337-0051 LONDON GOLD SNA NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR 2010 ONTARIO'S TOP NEWSPAPER - 2005-2008 Split decision Sports Upper Oakville Shopping Centre A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 49 No. 154 "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2011 48 Pages $1.00 (plus tax) Dieting dogs in biggest loser contest By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The traditional New Year's resolution involving weight loss will be unnecessary for a group of Oakville pooches who have already shed the pounds due to a Biggest Loser contest. The contest sees veterinary clinics across the country challenging their furry clients to lose excessive weight. "At the end of the It was taken up by animal clients and their program, which will owners at the Bronte be this month, we Road Animal Hospital. tally it up and see The contest began who has been the in April and will finish most successful." up at the end of this month. Heather Ashcroft, Heather Ashcroft, Bronte Road Animal who works at the vetHospital erinarian hospital, said pet obesity is an issue in North America with a lack of activity or too much food causing weight gain in pets in much the same manner it causes problems in humans. The contest is getting people excited about pet weight loss with 13 dogs participating in the Bronte Road Animal Hospital challenge. "We had the overweight clients that we are dealing with come in for a weighing at the beginning of the program. They are put on a diet food, which is preferred by our vet, and they come back in for monthly weigh-ins," said Ashcroft. "At the end of the program, which will be this month, we tally it up and see who has been the most successful." See Excess page 7 ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER BIGGEST LOSER? A biggest-loser contest has been running at Bronte Road Animal Hospital with the aim of getting client animals to lose weight. Results are posted on the Hall of Fame wall at the vet's office. Winter Bridge Lessons www.maclachlan.ca Mississauga-Oakville Bridge Centre FOR BEGINNERS...8 weeks, $185.00 FOR "RUSTY" PLAYERS...8 weeks, $185.00 Monday evenings 7:30, beginning Jan. 23rd Monday mornings 9:30, beginning Jan. 23rd Wednesday afternoons 1:30, beginning Jan. 25th Tuesday evenings 7:30, beginning Jan. 24th BRIDGE GAMES FOR NEWER PLAYERS... Wednesday evenings at 7:15 - ongoing weekly · Thursday mornings at 9:00 - ongoing weekly Friday mornings at 9:15 - ongoing weekly And The American Contract Bridge League Pre-school to Grade 12 · Happy Holidays from our family to yours! Please call (905) 820-5728 www.raynerbridge.com