V13I2 (Apr/May 2011)

Animal wellness

april/MAy 2011

Animalwellness For a long, healthy life!

Special issue

Living pawsitive!

cancer PREVENTION & TREATMENTS

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SUPERFOODS

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Contents April/May 2011

features 18 Spring into fitness

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Biking or jogging with your dog can be excellent exercise and lots of fun, but remember to keep his comfort and safety in mind.

22 Bug bites

Some dogs are hypersensitive to insect stings and bites. Learning to recognize the signs of anaphylactic shock can be a life-saver.

26 Top 4 superfoods

Want to help prevent cancer in your canine? Look no further than your fridge.

Adding these phytochemical-rich foods to his diet will help reduce his risk.

29 Armed with antioxidants

They’re crucial to good health, but some vets feel they interfere with conventional cancer treatments. Find out why, and how an integrative approach with antioxidants can actually extend life expectancy.

34 On the fly

Flyball is an exciting canine sport that’s growing in popularity. Could your dog compete?

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39 Healing connection

The fields of animal behavior and energy work come together in this practitioner’s approach to helping dogs and cats.

40 Get growing

Healthier eating and greener lifestyles, coupled with a soft economy and soaring food prices, are prompting a renewed interest in vegetable and fruit gardening. Follow these 10 steps to a nutritious Victory garden for you and your dog.

44 Bone up!

Bone cancers are common in dogs.

Holistic therapies, when used with conventional treatments, give these pooches a better chance at beating the disease.

46 Saving lives

Check out an organization that aims to bring down the puppy mill industry, one rescue at a time.

50 “I’m here to see Sparky”

From veterinarians to groomers to massage therapists, animal care professionals offer mobile services to cater to the needs of their four-footed clients and their families.

56 Get outside

Regular outdoor time for fresh air, exercise and mental stimulation is vital to your dog’s happiness and well being.

68 He bit me!

You may think your dog is too wellbehaved to bite someone, but there’s no guarantee it won’t ever happen. Here’s how to protect yourself, and your dog.

88 A passion for helping

Helping people and animals is all in a day’s work for this supplement company.

Flyball Photo: © Kyle Lehrmann

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54 Warm & fuzzy 60 Talking with

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89 Communication 94 Passages

Departments

96 Book reviews 105 Tail end

8 Editorial

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12 Mail bag 49 Product picks

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64 Animal Wellness resource guide

92 The scoop 98 Ad spots 102 Classifieds 104 Events calendar

To sign up go to onlynaturalpet.com/signup or call 888-937-6677 animal wellness

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Get your 3rd year for $1!

Buy a 2-year subscription to Animal Wellness Magazine for $34 US ($48 CAN) and get the 3rd year for only $1!

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for the 3rd year

Topics include: product recommendations integrative Vet Q & A gentle training, and so much more!

Call or go online today – your animals will thank you!

1-866-764-1212

Editorial Department Editor-in-Chief: Dana Cox Managing Editor: Ann Brightman Senior Graphic Designer: Meaghan McGowan Cover Photography: Anna Shakina Tail End Illustration: Leanne Rosborough Columnists & Contributing Writers Marisa Bojiuc Ana M. Cilursu, MD Audi Donamor Sara Jackson Debbie Jacobs Deva Khalsa, VMD Marcia Martin, DVM Lynn McKenzie Shawn Messonnier, DVM Sandra Murphy Barbara Nefer Lisa Ricciotti Julie Sabin Colleen Sayers Sherri Stanczak Debbie Swanson Susie Yakowicz

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disease prevention natural diets and nutrition natural health care

Volume 13 Issue 2

9am– 5pm E.S.T.

www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

On the cover photograph by:

Administration & Sales President/C.E.O.: Tim Hockley Office Manager: Lesia Wright Circulation & Communications Manager: Jamie Conroy Operations Director: John Allan IT Manager: Rick McMaster Administrative Assistant: Libby Sinden Submissions: Please send all editorial material, advertising material, photos and correspondence to: Animal Wellness Magazine, 202-160 Charlotte St. Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 2T8.

We welcome previously unpublished articles and color pictures either in transparency or disc form at 300 dpi. We cannot guarantee that either articles or pictures will be used or that they will be returned.

We reserve the right to publish all letters received.

Email your articles to: jamie@redstonemediagroup.com.

Anna Shakina

Regular outdoor time is vital to your dog’s health and happiness, and this little one having fun at the local park would surely agree. Exercise keeps your canine companion fit and agile, while fresh air, sunshine and contact with the earth enhance his overall well being. Just as importantly, playing outside with your pooch is a perfect way to bond more closely!

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animal wellness

AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

Advertising Sales National Sales Manager: Ann Beacom, (866) 764-1212 ext. 222 annbeacom@redstonemediagroup.com Western Regional Manager: Becky Starr, (866) 764-1212 ext. 221 becky@redstonemediagroup.com Classified Advertising: Lesia Wright classifiedads@animalwellnessmagazine.com To subscribe: Subscription price at time of this issue is $19.00 in the U.S. and $26.00 in Canada, including taxes for six issues shipped via surface mail. Subscriptions can be processed by: Website: www.animalwellnessmagazine.com Phone: 1-866-764-1212 US Mail: Animal Wellness Magazine, PMB 168, 8174 S. Holly St., Centennial, CO 80122 CDN Mail: Animal Wellness Magazine, 107 Hunter St. E., Unit 201. Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9H 1G7 Subscriptions are payable by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, check or money order. The material in this magazine is not intended to replace the care of veterinary practitioners. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor, and different views may appear in other issues. Redstone Media Group Inc., publisher of Animal Wellness, does not promote any of the products or services advertised by a third party advertiser in this publication, nor does Redstone Media Group Inc. verify the accuracy of any claims made in connection with such advertisers.

Refund policy: call or write our customer service department and we will refund unmailed issues.

Dealer Inquiries Welcome: Animal Wellness Magazine is available at a discount for resale in retail shops and through various organizations. Call 1-866-764-1212 and ask for dealer magazine sales, fax us at 705-742-4596 or e-mail at sales@animalwellnessmagazine.com.

Animal Wellness Magazine (ISSN 1710-1190) is published six times a year by Redstone Media Group Inc. Publications Mail Agreement #40884047. Entire contents copyright© 2011. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, without prior written permission of the publisher. Publication date: March 2011.

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editorial Back to the basics

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t’s almost that time of year! Time to decide what goodies to plant in the backyard garden. Everyone in our family gets a say in the matter. Last spring it was three different kinds of heirloom tomatoes, organic English cucumbers, zucchini, carrots, rainbow Swiss chard and a variety of herbs. Since we don’t have much space (or sun), my husband built some strategically placed raised beds. I’ve been overfilling them ever since. Actually, I blame the mushroom compost for my Jurassic Garden because it seems whatever I plant takes up three times as much space as I planned.

I’ve noticed the animals in our home love the garden as much as I do. I’m never alone when I go out to weed because the dogs and cat always come too. As I work away, I throw the ball around for the dogs. After a few minutes, they settle down in the grass close by, waiting for a stray carrot or cherry tomato to get tossed their way.

Our cat, Katy, watches the dogs’ antics from her perch on a rock with a mixture of interest and disdain. But I think it’s she who loves the garden most. Freshly picked veggies left on the counter can often be found half eaten by our so-called carnivore.

In this issue of Animal Wellness we celebrate the value of good food and exercise, and the role they play in helping

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prevent cancer and other diseases. Audi Donamor’s article on Victory gardens and Dr. Deva Khalsa’s “Top 4 superfoods” offer you great advice on nutrition, while Marisa Bojiuc’s tips on exercising with your dog, “Get outside” by Sara Jackson and Debbie Swanson’s “On the fly” will leave you feeling motivated and ready to enjoy the warmer weather.

You’ll also notice in this issue and subsequent ones that we’ve included an official Feline Wellness section for all the cat lovers out there. Your feedback told us that you love Animal Wellness for both its canine and feline content so we’ve added more pages to bring you both!

Happy Spring to all,

Dana Cox Editor-in-Chief

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contributors 1

1. Veterinarian Dr. Deva Khalsa, VMD, CVA, authored Dr. Khalsa’s The Natural Dog and co-authored Healing Your Horse: Alternative Therapies. She lectures internationally and is a professor at the British Institute of Homeopathy. She has almost 30 years of experience in holistic modalities. Turn to page 26 for Dr. Khalsa’s article on superfoods for cancer.

2. Veterinarian Dr. Shawn Messonnier authored the Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats, The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs, and 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog. He’s the pet care expert for Martha Stewart Living’s “Dr. Shawn – The Natural Vet” on Sirius Satellite Radio, and creator of Dr. Shawn’s Pet Organics. His practice, Paws & Claws Animal Hospital (petcarenaturally.com), is in Plano, Texas. For his advice on antioxidants in cancer treatment, check out page 29.

3. Audi Donamor has been creating special needs diets for cats and dogs for many years. Following the loss of her beloved golden retriever, Blues, she founded The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund through the University of Guelph’s Pet

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Trust. She is the only two-time recipient of the Golden Retriever Club of Canada’s Silmaril Kennel Trophy for the Human/ Animal Bond. In this issue (page 40), she shows you how to create a Victory garden for you and your companion.

4. Lynn McKenzie is an Animal Intuitive and publisher of The Divine Mission of Animals newsletter. She helps others attune and awaken to the teachings and wonder that all sentient beings wish to share. Lynn offers nationally available teleclass training on healing and communicating with animals, and a self-study audio program on crystal healing for animals (AnimalEnergy. com). See page 89 for her article on animal communication miracles.

5. Barbara Nefer is an animal lover and freelance writer living in Celebration, Florida. She shares her life with three cats, two horses, and a Quaker parrot.

On page 46, Barbara profiles Puppy Mill Rescue, an organization devoted to saving and rehabbing puppy mill dogs.

6. Sara Jackson lives on a 12-acre farm in American Canyon, just out-

side the Napa Valley. She is a graduate of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and has a BFA in Screenwriting. She is a freelance writer and has written a number of short stories, two scripts and a book called Jack’s Dreams Come To Life (sarajacksonwriter. com). Turn to page 56 for her article on the importance of outdoor time to dogs.

7. Debbie Swanson is a freelance writer living near Boston. She contributes regularly to many animal magazines, and lives with her family and a collie named Duncan. In this issue (page 34), Debbie looks at the popular sport of flyball.

8. Marisa Bojiuc is a freelance writer from Marina del Rey, California. She is interested in animal health and behavioral issues, the conservation of endangered animals and environmental sustainability in the 21st century. Turn to page 18 for her article on biking and jogging with dogs.

9. Debbie Jacobs lives in Vermont with two cocker spaniels and two border collies. She has trained dogs in obedience and ability. She works with her local animal shelter on abuse and neglect

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cases and is currently rehabilitating Sunny, a border collie that survived a hoarding situation discovered after the hurricanes in New Orleans. For advice on what to do if your dog bites someone, read her article on page 68.

10. Colleen Sayers is the owner of Paw-sibly The Best pet sitting service in Boston, Massachusetts. She has been in the pet sitting business for over 15 years. She has written articles for a

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local animal publication and is working on a book that includes memoirs and stories of her clients and their animals.

On page 22, Colleen offers advice on allergic reactions to bug bites in dogs.

11. Ana M. Cilursu, MD, is President of Bone Cancer Dogs, Inc., an organization dedicated to funding research, awareness and education about canine bone cancer while offering hope and support to those coping with the disease. She is the owner

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and moderator of the Bone Cancer Dogs Yahoo Support Group at pets.groups. yahoo.com/group/bonecancerdogs. For more information, visit bonecancerdogs. org. Turn to page 44 for Dr. Cilursa’s article on bone cancer in dogs.

Sandra Murphy lives in St Louis, Missouri.

When she’s not writing, she works as a pet sitter. For this edition, Sandra writes about the growing trend of mobile animal services – see page 50.

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mail bag I was thrilled to receive my new issue of Animal Wellness especially when I saw the article on prolotherapy (Feb/Mar 11). My holistic vet did prolotherapy on my young greyhound and it was successful. Another vet had recommended surgery but we are glad we tried prolotherapy. She never had another problem with her shoulder. I hope more pet owners will consider this treatment before resorting to surgery. I realize sometimes surgery is necessary but this is another option to keep open.

Sharon Haugen Vice President, Nevada Greyhounds Unlimited

Editor’s note: While there are times when surgery is the only choice, modalities such as prolotherapy offer a much less risky option and are often very successful.

For years I have read your magazine and have considered it one of the best and most credible resources for information in helping me raise my dog.

I was very disappointed to see the recipe you ran for “Caught Ya Cod” on page 27 of the Dec-Jan issue. It has red bell pepper, cayenne pepper and black pepper -- all toxic to dogs.

How could you miss this? Please inform your readers of the dangers this recipe would pose for canine consumption.

Festive L. Francolino, via email

Editor’s note: We forwarded your question to Audi Donamor, the author of the article, who responds as follows: “There are many people who feed both red peppers and green peppers to

FLARE

their dogs. The freshly ground pepper is ‘optional’. One could write an entire article about the uses of different peppers! Red pepper is not toxic to dogs. There are many resources that list both red and green peppers as healthy vegetables for dogs. Perhaps you thought I meant hot red peppers rather than red bell peppers? If your dog or cat has arthritis, you can remove the red pepper strips and tomato from the ‘Caught Ya Cod’ recipe, before serving to your animals.”

Note: the third edition of Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats states that green, red, orange, yellow or purple bell peppers are among the “bestliked veggies that can be fed raw to dogs”.

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animal wellness

Ûk`Ûkm[`ÛYkÛladYhaYÛgjÛkgd]© Thank you for your article about pet ramps and stairs in the o`al]Ûx December/January issue. I ÝÛ ÛlgeYlg]k Ûl`afdqÛkda[]\Û¨]imYdÛlgÛ initially purchased a telescoping ramp for my dog but he refused to have anything to do ÛÛÛl`j]]Û[mhk© with it. An acquaintance showed me the collapsible stairs sheÝ~Ûj]\ÛZ]ddÛh]hh]j Ûkda[]\ÛaflgÛl`afÛkljahk bought from Pet Loader and I gave them a try. While Rufus can still hop in or out of the carÝ~£ Û[mhÛ^j]k`ÛhYjkd]q Û[`ghh]\ when necessary, I feel using Ý~ÛlYZd]khggfÛhYhjacYÛÛ the stairs is preventing stress to his joints, especially since he’s in the car daily. ÝÛ~ÛlYZd]khggfÛ[`a[c]fÛZgmaddgfÛhgo\]jÛ¨gjÛ~Û is sturdily s good traction and This ramp provide appedPets.com) constructed (Handic

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Karen Teitel and Rufus, via email

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My dog Scout was the smartest most beautiful border collie that ever lived. Yet he didn’t make it to his 13th birthday and many of his years weren’t good. Here is a list of my mistakes. I know it won’t bring my boy back but it might help other dogs have a better and longer life.

• Do not over-exercise a puppy.

• Don’t use tennis balls. They are very abrasive.

• Don’t use flea and tick remedies like Frontline or Advantage.

• Stop the vaccinations.

• Feed a healthy diet.

When I was a child, I grew up with a dog named Whiskers. She never had a vaccination. She hunted for rabbits and had plenty of table scraps.

She lived to be more than 18 years old and was a furry red ball of fire until the day she died.

Julie E. Predmore, via email

Editor’s note: We’re sorry you had to

ANIMAL WELLNESS

learn these lessons through experience.

You’re not alone, but as more and more people become aware of the benefits of natural health for dogs and cats, stories like yours will become rarer!

From our Facebook page: Awesome article on pet emergency (Feb-Mar)! Thank you so much, love it.

Nancy Hassel Our German Shepherds, Gretchen and Luke, are both shelter dogs,

saved before their time was up. They have added more joy to our lives and opened our hearts more than we could have ever imagined. They love car rides and hiking, and just being with us as a family.

Debbie Moore

Thanks

everyone for your Facebook comments! Check out page 36 to see more of what people have been sharing!

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yakkity yak Ripley goes home Ripley is one lucky little poodle. The canine star of Ripley’s Big Bash! last December had an undecidedly unlucky start in life. Just a month before, workers at St. John Parish animal shelter in LaPlace, Louisiana, found him in a ditch.

His hair was so matted he could no longer walk and could barely eat, and his coat was full of cockroaches. A local vet shaved more than two pounds of hair off him. He was named Ripley because “Believe It or Not!” there was a dog under all that hair.

After several weeks of TLC at My Heart’s Desire animal shelter, Ripley became a healthy, well-mannered dog who, just a few days before the holidays, went home with his new family, Joy and Mike Tingle of Houma, Louisiana.

“We feel like we won the lottery,” says Mike, adding that more than 50 people were in line for the poodle and hundreds more had shown interest in his adoption. “We visited him a couple times, then filled out the paperwork and waited. It was a wonderful morning when we received the phone call.”

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! gave the couple a certificate for six spa and grooming sessions for Ripley, and made a

donation to My Heart’s Desire as a thank you for helping to save the homeless ragamuffin. The company also supplied a limo so Ripley and the Tingles could go home in style from the Big Bash event.

Ripley’s unbelievable story, which received international attention, will be featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not! 2012 annual. “We are happy to have been able to help him out,” says Tim O’Brien, VP of Communications for Ripley’s. “His story is one of survival and overcoming incredible odds.” ripleys.com

Lab still tops

Rooting for the underdog

For the 20th year in a row, the Labrador retriever is the country’s top dog, according to the American Kennel Club.

Here’s a complete list of the ten most popular breeds:

Pitbulls get a lot of bad publicity. But Tommy and Sharon Athanasiou are doing something about it. They started creating original, specially themed artwork on T-shirts to help people spread a “wearable” positive message about the breed. Pitbullshirt.com offers many T-shirt designs and donates 10% percent of proceeds each month to a different pitbull rescue group or educational organization.

1. Labrador retriever 2. German shepherd 3. Yorkshire terrier 4. Beagle 5. Golden retriever

6. Bulldog 7. Boxer 8. Dachshund 9. Poodle 10. Shih tzu

Filtered tap water is a healthier choice for your companion (and the planet) than bottled water.

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Soft kitties and homeless dogs Penny may cringe every time Sheldon asks her to sing “Soft Kitty” in The Big Bang Theory, but Kaley Cuoco (below), the actress who plays the guys’ beautiful and feisty neighbor in the hit CBS comedy series, is actually a lifelong animal lover.

When Kaley broke her leg in a riding accident last summer, she and her boyfriend, Christopher French of the group Annie Automatic, used the time she spent recovering to create a playful version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” to draw attention to the plight of homeless animals.

By purchasing the digital single of their song at iTunes, AmazonMP3 and other online music stores, you’ll be supporting The Humane Society of the United State’s work for homeless dogs. humanesociety.org

A champion for beagles When LA attorney Shannon Keith (left) learned that two beagles were being retired from a research lab and needed homes, she went to their rescue straightaway. The dogs she saved had never seen the sun or walked on grass, since they had lived almost all their lives in a lab.

Thanks to Shannon, Freedom and Bigsby are now free and the latter already has a new forever home. But Shannon didn’t stop there – when the lab told her they would be retiring more beagles, she founded the Beagle Freedom Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing beagles used in animal experimentation at research labs – check it out at beaglefreedomproject.org.

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yakkity yak Heroes and winners Seven outstanding animals and people were honored for their heroic deeds during the ASPCA Humane Awards Luncheon last November. The annual ceremony recognizes animal heroes who have demonstrated extraordinary efforts, as well as individuals who have made a significant impact on the lives of animals during the past year.

The winners included Pearl (below), a search-andrescue Lab who traveled to Haiti with her handler last year to save earthquake victims. Pearl and other teams dug through concrete and debris – as far as four stories below the surface – and helped bring 12 people to safety.

Bones star Emily Deschanel was one of many celebrity presenters at the Genesis Awards.

25 years of celebration The 2011 Genesis Awards, held on March 19 in Los Angeles, was a landmark event – it was the 25th anniversary of the ceremony, which is hosted every year by the Humane Society of the United States. The Awards celebrate those in the news and entertainment media whose works and actions have increased public awareness of animal protection issues.

Nominees for recognition at this year’s ceremony included DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon, HBO’s True Blood, Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, The Oprah Winfrey Show and Dr. Phil. Celebrity presenters included Betty White, James Cromwell (Secretariat), Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory), Will Estes (Blue Bloods), Carrie Preston (True Blood) and many others.

Watch our Facebook page and our upcoming June-July issue for the details on this year’s winners!

Before putting your dog on heartworm medication, find out whether or not you live in a region of high risk for the disease.

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Living in luxury We love pampering our pooches! According to the latest Spending and Saving Tracker from American Express, nearly 50% of dog guardians intend to pamper their canine companions in 2011. Here are some findings: • 44% plan to buy doggie gifts for special occasions such as birthdays.

• Dog guardians spend an average of $101 on their dogs each month.

• Slightly less than half (48%) purchase dog toys each month.

A giving heart

Shelter standards

The average teenager is mostly interested in dating, music and partying, but Devon MacPherson isn’t your average teen. The 19year-old Canadian animal lover is launching a new charitable project called Giving for 31.

“During May, I will be visiting a different charity every day for a month in order to raise awareness of the many causes to support,” Devon explains. “Therapeutic Paws of Canada, Devon and her Jack Russell, Zoey. the Humane Society, and the Community Association for Riding for the Disabled are three of them.” givingfor31.com

Most shelters do their best to properly look after the animals in their care, but standards vary. The Association of Shelter Veterinarians has released its new “Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters”, the first report of its kind. These guidelines are the outcome of two years of work, including an exhaustive review of scientific literature by a task force of 14 shelter veterinarians.

They are intended as a positive tool for shelters and communities to review animal care, identify areas that need improvement, allocate resources and implement solutions so welfare is optimized, euthanasia is minimized, and suffering is prevented. sheltervet.org

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Biking or jogging with your dog can be excellent exercise and lots of fun, but remember to keep his comfort and safety in mind.

by Marisa Bojiuc

Spring’s here, and it’s time for you and your dog to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Long walks are a favorite form of human/canine exercise, but for those looking for something a little more aerobic, biking and jogging are often the activities of choice.

Big wheels Many dog guardians believe biking with their canines is a great way to release energy, especially for a dog that has been stuck in the house all day. Dr. Annie Harvilicz, founder and chief medical officer of the Animal Wellness Centers in Southern California, agrees that it’s an excellent way

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to exercise your dog, but that you need to pay close attention to make sure he doesn’t get too tired. You’ve probably seen people whizzing along on their bikes with dogs running relentlessly by their sides, tongues hanging out and looking beat. “Imagine having to run alongside a friend riding a bike,” Dr. Harvilicz says. “It can be exhausting.”

Before starting to bike with your dog, Dr. Harvilicz highly recommends a thorough veterinary examination, including blood work. “We need to make sure the internal organs are functioning properly so we don’t overstress the system,” she says. “The heart and lungs are especially important when doing any high-energy activity such as running.”

Physically pre-training a dog for bike riding is mandatory at all ages, but starting him at a younger age is best. However, keep in mind that over-exertion can impede the proper growth of bones, ligaments, tendons and joints in puppies, causing problems in adulthood. “Dogs of different sizes have growth plates that close at different times,” says J. David Sessum, veterinary technician at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. “You should consult with your veterinarian for the best time to start strenuous activity with young dogs.”

“Much as children should not lift weights I feel growing puppies should not be given high-impact exercise,” adds Dr. Harvilicz. “In other words, don’t take puppies on long, fast bike rides on rough surfaces like roads and sidewalks.”

The best recommendation is to start training your puppy by having him walk short distances alongside the bike. To avoid accidents and injury to either yourself or your dog, he should be trained to heel, to walk beside the bike without any tension in the lead, and not react to sudden noises or distractions such as cars passing by, other bikes and dogs. “Start with short distances and gradually work up to the distance you desire,” says, Dr. Harvilicz. “Make sure your dog is fully trained before attempting to take him on long rides, and be patient with him. You should use a harness instead of collar to avoid damage to the neck or trachea (windpipe).”

Small breeds should never walk or run alongside a bike, especially those that have really short faces, such as pugs and bulldogs. These brachycephalic breeds have more of a tendency to overheat and get exhausted. “Their little legs have a hard time keeping up,” adds Dr. Harvilicz.

Put on your jogging shoes While biking may be easier for people, jogging is actually easier for dogs. “After all, they have been doing it for thousands of years,” says Dr. Harvilicz.

“Dogs need exercise just like people and jogging is a good way to do this,” adds David. Again, although jogging may not be as physically strenuous as running alongside a bike, David recommends having your dog checked over by a vet before starting such an exercise regime. “Older dogs need to have a physical exam to make sure they are healthy enough for strenuous activity and don’t have any underlying conditions such as heart disease.” He also animal wellness

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Avoid any strenuous exercise, including biking or jogging, during hot humid weather.

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warns that some breeds are better suited for jogging than others. “Larger dogs do well with jogging. Small dogs may have a more difficult time due to their short legs. Short-muzzled dogs should be evaluated to make sure their airways can handle strenuous activity such as jogging.”

As with bike riding, proper training is crucial. “Heel is a great command so the dog stays next to you while running,” says David. “And tripping or pulling the dog will not be a concern. The standard six-foot leash allows dogs to move freely on a relaxed lead.”

Additional tips • Avoid any strenuous exercise, including biking or jogging, during hot humid weather. “Since dogs can only cool themselves by panting, they can get heat exhaustion a lot faster than humans can,” says Dr. Harvilicz. Warning signs of heat exhaustion include excessive panting, sloppy gait, an extremely red tongue, slowing down dramatically and head bobbing.

• Even if the weather isn’t hot, keep an eye on your dog, regardless of how well trained and fit he is. Dogs can’t tell you when they are tired or not feeling well, so it’s necessary to be fully aware of his condition during exercise.

“Evolution demanded that these pack animals never show signs of weakness or fatigue so they hide it as long as possible,” explains Dr. Harvilicz..

• Hot asphalt and sharp gravel can hurt your dog’s feet. He may need boots to protect his pads.

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• “Food should be avoided before strenuous activity,” says David. “A large meal followed by exercise can lead to gastric dilation and volvulus syndrome (GDV), known as bloat, which usually requires surgical correction.”

• Make sure to take water along. “Water can be given at any time, as long as the volume is limited to small amounts at each offering,” advises David.

• Take plenty of breaks so you have the opportunity to assess your dog’s energy level and give him a chance to rest and have a drink of water.

• “Consider jogging [or biking] with your dog when vehicle and pedestrian traffic are minimal,” says David.

Now that the weather’s warmer and the days are longer, you and your dog have the perfect opportunity to improve your health and enhance your bond by exercising together. Jogging and biking can be a part of the fun and fitness, as long as you start slowly and always take your dog’s safety and comfort into consideration.

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Some dogs are hypersensitive to a variety of insect stings and bites.

Learning to recognize the signs of anaphylactic shock can be a life-saver.

by Colleen Sayers

O

ne summer afternoon, I decided to take the dogs to the beach at Humarock, along the shore in Marshfield, Massachusetts. My Uncle Jerry owns a house there and Cal, my puggle buddy, and Sophie, my sweet Labrador, absolutely love it. We enjoyed a perfect day and had a ball running along the water and swimming. We were there for a few hours and eventually the dogs wore themselves out and napped on my uncle’s deck.

As we were getting ready to leave, I noticed a horse fly in the car. I opened the windows, thinking the fly would find

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its way out. I heard Cal making weird chewing noises, as if he had something in his mouth. When I turned around to see what it was, I saw the horse fly sail out of his mouth and out the window. I thought it rather funny that after all that chewing, the fly got away.

What’s happening?

We’d been driving about ten minutes when Cal started acting strangely. He was leaning against the back seat looking lethargic. I was glancing at him in the rear view mirror when he started acting as if he was about to vomit.

I pulled over and he vomited in the car. I opened the door to let him out and he began stumbling around as if disoriented. Then, to my horror, Cal collapsed on the side of the road.

In a panic, I picked Cal up, ran to a house and asked where the nearest veterinarian was. Fortunately, it was only half a mile up the road. The vet took Cal in right away. He noticed the right gland in Cal’s throat area was swollen, his skin was very pale, and his heart rate was slow. They immediately treated him for an anaphylactic reaction from being bitten by the horse fly. Within minutes of getting a histamine and steroid shot, Cal was completely fine and back to his old self.

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Bees, wasps, hornets, horse flies, certain varieties of spider … mosquitoes and scorpions may all cause anaphylaxis.

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Can other bugs cause this reaction?

I was curious to see which bugs can cause this type of reaction. I found that bees, wasps, hornets, horse flies, certain varieties of spider such as the brown recluse or black widow, mosquitoes and scorpions may all cause anaphylaxis.

Many dogs don’t have this reaction and can be perfectly fine aside from some pain and swelling in the area of the bite. But other dogs with hypersensitivity, particularly smaller breeds, can experience a more dangerous reaction.

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Signs of anaphylaxis Problem is, you can’t be watching your dog every moment of the day, nor are many of these potentially dangerous insects and arachnids easily spotted.

Chances are, what happened to Cal won’t ever happen to your dog, but it’s still important to be able to recognize the signs of an anaphylactic reaction: • Fatigue • Drooling • Vomiting

• Trembling • Trouble breathing • Inability to walk

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These are all signs the dog is going into shock and requires immediate emergency care. Anaphylaxis can come on very quickly and may result in death if not treated at once. If the wound is visible, try to remove the stinger (if the dog was stung by a bee, wasp or hornet). This can prevent any more venom from getting into the wound.

Act quickly The first step is to get your dog to the vet right away.

Before you arrive, says veterinarian Dr. Mark Newkirk, homeopathic remedies can be administered to help alleviate the dog’s discomfort.

• Cold compresses are good for easing pain.

•B efore applying remedies, make sure to clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water.

Being aware of the dangers of anaphylactic shock doesn’t mean being paranoid about every insect or spider you see near your dog. In the majority of cases, there’s nothing to worry about. But it’s always wise to be informed, just in case!

• Aconite can be given for shock and fear.

• Traumeel and Arnica are good for wounds.

• Apis can be given for bee stings.

Dr. Newkirk warns, however, that homeopathic remedies cannot be solely relied on in a case of anaphylactic shock. In an acute life-threatening situation like this, conventional drugs such as antihistamines, steroids and epinephrine usually have to be used, depending on the state of shock and its cause. These drugs are given by IV in emergency cases.

If the bites aren’t that serious and the dog isn’t in shock, several natural remedies can ease his pain and help with healing.

• Aloe vera is great for soothing discomfort.

• Tea tree, red alder and Echinacea are good for wounds because they have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and help prevent infection while promoting the healing of damaged tissue.

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BY DEVA KHALSA, VMD

Want to help prevent cancer in your canine?

Look no further than your fridge. Adding these phytochemical-rich foods to his diet will help reduce his risk.

Y

our mother knew what she was talking about when she told you to eat lots of fruits and veggies. Research on cancer and nutrition in people has shown that eating fruits and vegetables – especially “superfoods” containing phytochemicals – significantly decreases the risk of cancer.

Since phytochemicals work at a cellular level, and canine cells function exactly the same way as human cells, these foods can also help prevent cancer in your dog.

What phytochemicals do Phytochemicals are organic compounds found in plants.

They both prevent and fight disease and have been used as medicines for millennia. When Hippocrates said “Let food be thy medicine” he probably never imagined his words would be proven in scientific laboratories 2,000 years later!

The potential for cancer begins when carcinogens damage and alter the DNA in cells. This modification remains

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latent until conditions promote the creation of a cancer cell. The tumor-suppressor gene p53 then plays a vital role in the body’s struggle to stave off cancer. This gene monitors the biochemical signals in cells that indicate a DNA mutation in progress. It creates proteins that instruct the cell to either halt the growth cycle or self-destruct.

If this fails, the immune system has an opportunity to eliminate cancer growth. Research has proven that proper nutritional support with phytochemicals helps prevent a cell from developing into a malignant cancerous growth.

How does eating superfoods with phytochemicals change the course of this dreaded disease? Certain phytochemicals help cells dump carcinogens and toxins much more quickly, thus decreasing the potential for permanent DNA damage. Other phytochemicals support more general cell functions while some give the immune system a super boost.

Four for your fridge 1. Kale: The dark vibrant greens in kale leaves are rich in cartenoids, which travel throughout your dog’s body (and yours!) to scavenge free radicals and clean up “after the party”. Kale is also rich in elements that reduce the risk of cancer. Scientists have found that certain specific compounds found in kale – glucosinolates, cysteine sulfoxides and sulforaphane – clear carcinogenic substances more quickly. One study found that when dogs with cancerous tumors were fed kale, their tumors were smaller and grew more slowly than those in dogs not fed kale.

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Broccoli: Compounds found in broccoli act as modulators to the immune response system with antiviral, antibacterial and anti-cancer activity. Broccoli has a sizable quantity of sulforaphane that boosts your dog’s protective cellular enzymes and flushes out the toxins that cause cancer. A recent study at the University of Michigan found that sulforaphane targets specific cancer cells that aid in tumor growth.

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3. Berries:

All berries are packed with phytochemicals that work to prevent cancer. Red raspberries, blueberries and strawberries contain ellagic acid, found to slow and sometimes stop tumor growth. Black raspberries contain very high concentrations of phytochemicals called anthocyanins; these slow malignant cell growth and curtail the blood supply to cancerous tumors.

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4. Garlic:

A host of studies provides evidence that compounds in garlic work to effectively inhibit the cancer process. These studies reveal that the benefits of garlic are not limited to a specific carcinogen, tissue or species. Peeling and dicing garlic releases an enzyme called allinase and starts a chemical reaction that creates a cancer-fighting compound called diallyl disulfide. It takes about 15 minutes for this reaction to occur.

We’re told that people can decrease their cancer risk by 30% if they eat several servings of brightly colored fruits and vegetables a day. It’s no different for our dogs. Then again, while some dogs eat anything and everything, others are so picky it’s difficult to get them to try anything new. The simple recipes accompanying this article help you sneak better health into your best friend’s diet, and have him enjoy it!

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Red raspberries, blueberries and strawberries contain ellagic acid, found to slow and sometimes stop tumor growth.

Starting your dog on healthy foods and snacks when he’s young will increase the likelihood that he’ll learn to enjoy and even beg for them. But if he’s old and set in his ways, and you can’t sneak one by him, a supplement can help. For example, Vital Vities by Deserving Pets was especially formulated to be chemoprotective. It contains pure powdered raw kale, beet, carrot, broccoli, cranberry, blueberry extract and alfalfa extract along with immune boosting vitamins D3, C and E, and selenium. Bon appétit!

Simple but powerful These easy recipes and snack ideas contain a punch of cancer fighting goodness.

Healthy omelette Beat 3 or 4 eggs. Mix in ¼ cup of finely chopped kale and ¼ cup of finely chopped broccoli. Place 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan and scramble the mix over medium heat.

Cool and serve.

Broccoli bones Remove the stems from broccoli and cut them into bonesized pieces as snacks. You may be surprised to find that your dog will enjoy his broccoli this way.

Berries and yogurt Mix ¼ cup fresh or frozen and defrosted berries into ½ cup of plain yogurt.

Garlic topping Let one clove of garlic sit on the cutting board for 15 minutes after dicing. Prepare your dog’s meal and add the diced garlic as a topping. Garlic has excellent chemoprotective effects.

Chemoprotective foods protect the body from diseases like cancer through antioxidant or immune boosting properties.

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These valuable nutrients are crucial to good health, but some vets feel they interfere with conventional cancer treatments. Find out why, and how an integrative approach that incorporates antioxidants can actually extend life expectancy.

by Shawn Messonnier, DVM

C

hances are, most of us will eventually have to deal with a diagnosis of cancer in a beloved dog or cat.

Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are still the most commonly used conventional therapies, but holistic veterinarians are seeing increased success when they combine these therapies with natural remedies – including supplements such as antioxidants.

In some cases, people may decide not to choose conventional cancer therapy for their animals, or the treatment may not even be available (for example, there are no conventional therapies to help many animals with liver cancer). Even if someone is willing to spend several thousand dollars on conventional treatment, many animals with cancer have a survival rate of only six to 12 months.

In contrast, most animals treated with an integrative therapeutic approach that uses natural therapies to support the immune system, kill cancer cells, prevent

further spread of the disease, minimize side effects from conventional therapies, and allow for detoxification of the patient, have a greater chance of living longer than the expected six to 12 months. In my own practice, cancer patients treated with an aggressive integrative protocol typically live 12 to 24 months or longer!

What are antioxidants?

Simply put, antioxidants are vitamins, minerals or supplements such as coenzyme Q10, quercetin, curcumin, resveratrol and others that remove free radicals from cells.

Free radicals form as part of the normal cell life cycle, especially during cell damage or death. Increased free radicals, if not removed by antioxidants (either supplied by the body or through supplements), will ultimately cause the patient’s death.

Antioxidants are important in helping treat patients with cancer. But there is some controversy surrounding the animal wellness

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There are no valid studies showing that the use of supplements, when properly prescribed and used under medical supervision, make cancer worse or interfere with conventional treatments. use of these nutrients during traditional cancer treatment.

I’ll explain why – and provide you with information you may not get from your conventional veterinarian.

Why the controversy?

Most conventional doctors feel (without any proof to back up their feelings) that antioxidants should be avoided during conventional cancer therapies because the supplements might hurt animals by interfering with the treatment.

Here’s the reason for the controversy. Supplements, particularly antioxidants, inhibit cellular oxidation. Too much oxidation causes inflammation and cell injury that left unchecked can damage a cell’s DNA and cause it to transform into a cancer cell. The good news is that any

supplements that dampen this process should be helpful to any patient, especially one with cancer. The bad news is that some conventional therapies cause extra oxidation in cancer cells to kill them. The theory is that if supplements inhibit this process, the cancer cells won’t die. Could antioxidant supplements prevent chemotherapy and radiation from working properly and make the cancer even worse?

So what’s the truth?

There are no valid studies showing that supplements, when properly prescribed and used under medical supervision, make cancer worse or interfere with conventional treatments.

1. While radiation therapy kills cancer cells by causing oxidation, most chemotherapy drugs do not.

Therefore, with rare exceptions, there is no need to worry about supplements, particularly antioxidants, interfering with conventional chemotherapy.

2. In people, we know that so-called cancer-preventing diets high in antioxidants (particularly natural sources such as fruits, vegetables and natural supplements) are likely to minimize the formation of cancer. This is because antioxidants prevent excessive cell oxidation leading to cell (DNA) damage, inflammation, chronic disease and/or cancer.

3. Cancer cells do not behave like normal cells. If they did, they would never become cancerous. So in theory, what we think might happen to a normal cell doesn’t happen to a cancer cell.

Simply put, antioxidants are vitamins, minerals or supplements such as coenzyme Q10, quercetin, curcumin, resveratrol and others that remove free radicals from cells.

30

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4. Patients

who are nutrient-deficient or have poor immune systems do worse when treated with conventional therapies than patients who have stronger immune systems and better nutrient intake.

In my own practice, patients who are placed on supplements and a better diet generally do much better when treated with chemotherapy and radiation than other patients. It’s important to boost the animal’s strength, health and immune system to help him better withstand conventional therapies and help him stay in remission once those therapies are no longer needed. The greater the animal’s debilitation, the greater the chance therapy will fail.

5. Finally,

the only reported studies that showed supplements (antioxidants) increased cancer growth are those in which individual synthetic vitamins were taken at high doses (in effect, the supplements acted like drugs). There are no valid studies in either people or animals that show the use of supplements and diets, when properly prescribed and used under medical supervision, made the cancer worse or interfered with conventional treatments. In fact numerous studies, as well as my own clinical experience, show the exact opposite!

In short, all the evidence we have, both in vitro (test tubes) and in vivo (living patients), shows that properly prescribed antioxidants increase the death of cancer cells and reduce their spread. In other words, most patients benefit from antioxidant therapy. Doctors should prescribe them for most if not all their cancer patients to improve their prognoses!

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Photo: © Kyle Lehrmann

Flyball is an exciting canine sport that’s growing in popularity. Could your dog compete?

by Debbie Swanson

Photo: © Mark Fletcher

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Photo: © Ken Gee Photography

M

elinda Vernon knew her smart, active border collie needed more to do than just chasing a ball in the backyard. When she discovered flyball, she decided to take Laney to give it a try.

“When we were training and Laney was using her brain to learn the sport, she would sleep on the way home in the car,” says Melinda. “We knew then we had found the right sport for our dog!”

Now, ten years later, flyball is a part of their life. Originally from Texas, Melinda has been the North American Flyball Association’s Region Director out of Boulder, Colorado since 2005. She now has three dogs that compete in flyball.

“We have toy poodles, beagles, basset hounds and bull dogs competing, as well as border collies, terriers and retrievers.”

What is it?

Flyball is a relay race-style event that combines several activities most dogs already love: running fast, jumping over things and retrieving balls. Organized into teams of four, dogs run one at a time down a 51-foot course, jumping four hurdles along the way. At the end of the run, each dog releases a ball from a flyball box, catches it, then returns over the same four hurdles, carrying the ball.

The next dog in the team must wait until his teammate

Photo: © Kyle Lehrmann

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returns before beginning his own stint. The fastest team to finish the course, without errors, wins.

Sound complicated? For many dogs, it’s the perfect combination of mental challenge and physical exercise.

Is flyball for your dog?

“One of the great things about flyball is that any dog can enjoy and excel in it,” says Elizabeth Currin, NAFA Regional Director out of Houston, Texas. “It’s not just for a particular breed or group of dogs. We have toy poodles, beagles, basset hounds and bull dogs competing, as well as border collies, terriers and retrievers.”

Dogs should be in good health and about one year old before starting flyball, to ensure their bodies are able to handle the extensive jumping. They should be accustomed to following commands, particularly the recall command.

They should also be well socialized, with no aggression issues toward other dogs or humans.

Flyball dogs should also be capable of maintaining an active lifestyle outside of formal training and classes.

“Keeping a flyball dog in shape is part of the sport,” says

Elizabeth. “People keep their dogs fit by running, biking, use of a treadmill or playing ‘chuck it’. Along with exercise, a good diet is important, just like it would be for a human athlete.”

Getting started A good first step is to attend a local flyball competition to see the sport in action. If there is nothing in your area, a YouTube search will yield plenty of videos posted by proud handlers.

If you decide that all that leaping and ball-chasing is just the thing for your dog, look for a flyball club in your area – the NAFA website (flyball.org) includes a feature that

Whether your dog comes in first or leaves the track in search of his own ideas, be sure to give him lots of praise.

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ANIMAL WELLNESS

Euri, Age: 4 Posted by: Bobbi L

We asked our Facebook friends to share some of their favorite smiling pet photos… and we love what we have been seeing! We couldn’t resist sharing some of them with all of our readers. Be sure to head over to Facebook.com/AnimalWellnessMagazine and become a fan to share some of your own photos and connect with our community of animal lovers. You’ll find all kinds of tips, photos, videos and stories. Plus enter to win some great prizes! And who knows—your best friend could appear in a future issue of AW soon!

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allows you to search for a group near you. Once you locate a club, you’ll find classes, demos and help getting set up on a team.

Each dog pairs up with a handler, who can be yourself, a family member or friend. The handler should be someone who has good control of the dog, and is comfortable being around multiple dogs. The level of activity you can expect to engage in yourself varies, but it doesn’t have to be strenuous. “Some (handlers) run down to the start line and back with the dog, which can make the dogs faster,” says Melinda. “Most of us are not in that sort of shape, so we release our dogs and move over for the next handler and dog. We have someone in our region that handles their dog from a wheelchair.”

Once he’s begun learning, the time it takes for a dog to be competition-ready varies. Some pick it up quickly, while others take longer to become experts. The important thing is to have fun and enjoy the socialization and exercise along the way.

Photo: © Kyle Lehrmann

Photo: © Ken Gee Photography

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His first event The first day your dog runs in an event will be an exciting one. Whether you’ve had to travel to the event or are competing near home, try to keep your dog to his normal routine as much as possible. Remain relaxed; your dog will pick up on any tension you may be feeling.

Be prepared for anything at your first event. “I like to tell first time flyball people that there is nothing that hasn’t been done before,” says Melinda. “At my very first

tournament with my golden retriever, my husband was watching from the top corner of the bleachers, where he wouldn’t risk distracting our dog. It’s our turn, and I send my girl down the lane. She takes all four jumps beautifully, triggers the box and gets the ball – but instead of returning down the lane, she runs up the bleachers and gives the ball to my husband with all the enthusiasm and joy she can muster. The crowd is laughing and cheering her on.”

Whether your dog comes in first or leaves the track in search of his own ideas, be sure to give him lots of praise.

He’s worked hard to get to this point, and there will be plenty of opportunities to try again.

Fun and friendship Many people enjoy flyball for the opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals. Most events include tailgating or eating out. Friendships quickly form, both within clubs and across the country.

“When my father passed away, the first people to offer to take care of my dogs, house and everything were my flyball friends,” confides Melinda. “The first people to send flowers to my Mom were my flyball team. We are family.”

If you’re looking for a way to keep your dog physically and mentally fit, while making new friends and having lots of fun, why not give flyball a try?

Photo: © Kyle Lehrmann

Photo: © Kyle Lehrmann

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Photo: © Martin Sulkes

connect ion Healing

The fields of animal behavior and energy work come together in this practitioner’s approach to helping dogs and cats.

by Ann Brightman Judith’s intuitive gifts and lifelong love of animals brought her to where she is today.

“A

s a child, I had a very special connection with dogs and cats that were strays and had a rough start,” says Judith Levy, a behavioral/energy practitioner for animals and their people. “I was able to feel what they felt and had an innate understanding of how to help them.”

When she grew up, Judith earned degrees in Special Education and Behavioral Psychology. She also studied the works of many prominent Animal Behavior Specialists. “I developed behavioral programs for children, but there was a void,” she explains. “I wasn’t fulfilled because my passion for connecting with animals was not being met.”

Judith began informally developing behavioral programs for dogs and cats, and was gratified when the first cases she worked on met with success. So in 2000, she became a professional animal behavior consultant. At the time, she was also on a healing journey of her own, one that incorporated an integrative approach using a variety of modalities. “The results were profound and I felt led to develop the use of these modalities for animals.” After extensive training, Judith now offers Reiki, Meridian Tapping Techniques (MTT) for People and Pets™, and Bach Flower Essences® as well as Behavioral Consultations for Cats and Dogs that address a range of issues, from fear and anxiety to elimination problems.

Sally, an abused five-year-old coonhound from a puppy mill, is just one Judith’s many success stories. “Sally

found no joy in treats and did not play or join with other dogs or people at all. Her reaction to affection was to wince, run away and bark. Behavioral intervention alone was not going to work because the trauma she had endured was so severe that almost every stimulus in the environment was a trigger for her fear.”

Judith started Sally on a desensitization program and complemented it with Reiki, MTT and Bach Flower Essences. “Within several weeks, Sally began playing with resident dogs and taking food from people. Her progress was steady and positive until she began to make regular and relaxed physical contact with her guardians.”

Judith shares her life with two dogs and two cats of her own. “I also initiate monthly distance Reiki healings for all animals in shelters and rescues on Facebook [Judith Levy…Wellness for People and Pets]. The pool of energy practitioners is more than 25,000. I offer regular behavioral presentations and consulting tips to animal guardians in the Pittsburgh area, and plan to soon begin a series of tele-seminars for animal guardians.”

Seeing how her work helps animals and their people gives Judith immense satisfaction. “The greatest joy for me is identifying where the root of the problem is, and developing a behavioral/energy practices program to help correct it. When a behavioral issue is confronted with this whole system approach, the results bring joy and comfort to all.” animal wellness

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Who needs a bowl? The author’s dogs sample greens straight from the garden.

BY: AUDI DONAMOR

A trend towards healthier eating and greener lifestyles, coupled with a soft economy and soaring food prices, are prompting a renewed interest in vegetable and fruit gardening. Follow these 10 steps to a nutritious Victory garden for you and your dog.

D

uring the two World Wars, the public food supply was under a lot of stress. Many people planted backyard Victory gardens of vegetables, herbs and fruit to help supplement their diets and to share with others. In 1943, Americans planted over 20 million Victory gardens, accounting for nearly one third of all the vegetables consumed that year!

We can all claim victory when we grow our own food.

Whether you grow herbs in a flower box, plant an apple tree or some raspberry canes, or design and build an entire raised vegetable garden complex, you can help feed your family, human and canine, save money, and reduce your carbon footprint.

By the end of World War II, even the USDA had jumped on the Victory garden bandwagon. They began to issue free “how to” gardening booklets, held gardening seminars, and even sponsored contests for the best homegrown produce.

Today, Victory gardens go by many names: edible gardens, organic gardens, 100-mile gardens, survival gardens, kitchen gardens, healing gardens. New gardening blogs and websites are popping up every day, and in 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama planted a 1,100 square foot kitchen garden on the White House lawn.

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Raised beds are easy to maintain and yield an abundance of produce.

Create a raised vegetable garden

1

Dream, visualize and draw the shape of your raised bed. Think of your new raised garden as a really special “gift box”.

2

Measure the space you have to work with. It may be in your backyard, or on a patio or balcony. Start small. You can always go bigger later. Remember your drawing? Well, now’s the time to add your measurements to it. This will help you figure out how much material you will need to make your bed, including wood and soil.

3

Decide what to use to make your raised bed. Lumber is easiest, but make sure you don’t choose “treated” lumber. Old wooden railway ties are popular and look fabulous, but they are soaked in creosote that will leach into your soil and plants. The bottom line is you can choose anything that will hold dirt, but think of health and safety too.

4

It’s time to go shopping. Let’s say you choose wood to build your raised garden. You can have pieces cut to size for you, or you can buy them and do it yourself. Keep in mind that raised beds need to be about 24” high so you have lots of space for the soil.

5

Once you have all your supplies, it’s time to start building by connecting all your pieces. 4X4s are perfect to use as posts and corners. Connect your pieces with long sturdy nails or preferably screws.

6

Your garden bed frame is now built and looks good and strong. Now consider gardening plastic, a weed mat or even pond liner to line the frame. Make sure you get a great fit.

7

Pick the right location for your garden frame and lay it down. Be careful about placement before moving to the next step. Ideally, the garden should be in a sheltered spot where it will reap the benefits of six hours of sun each day.

8

Fill your garden frame with soil. Consider 1/3 rich compost or manure (or a combination), and 2/3 potting soil. Or try sea soil – it’s amazing.

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Add some organic fertilizer.

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10

Plant your garden, water it well, feed with organic fertilizer when needed – and watch it grow. Lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini and other squash, green beans and carrots are good vegetables to start with. Also consider herbs such as parsley, rosemary, oregano and thyme. Keep in mind that many vegetables are subject to pests and disease, so you’ll

Simple sauce with tomatoes

The fun part is when you can harvest your vegetables and benefit from the taste and nutrition of fresh, organically grown produce! The following recipes can be enjoyed by both you and your dog.

Zucchini cakes

Ingredients

Ingredients

• 4 cups tomatoes • 1 clove garlic, finely minced • 1 tablespoon first pressed olive oil • 1/2 cup fresh parsley • 5 basil leaves, fresh, finely sliced, or 1 teaspoon dried basil • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, finely sliced and packed, or 2 teaspoons dry oregano • 1 teaspoon sea salt • Fresh ground pepper to taste (optional) • 2 tablespoons sugar (leave out if preparing for dogs)

• 1 large zucchini, finely grated • 3 whole eggs • 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt • 2 tablespoons first pressed olive oil • 1/4 cup tomato sauce

Instructions 1. P reheat oven broiler. In a medium sized bowl, combine grated zucchini, eggs, parsley and sea salt. In a large pan, heat the olive oil on medium high heat.

Instructions

2. A dd the zucchini mixture, and make sure it reaches the outer edges of the pan.

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium sized pot over medium high heat.

3. Reduce the heat to low. Gently cook the cake.

You can lift the pan off the stove from time to time, to ensure all the liquid is evenly heated.

The cake should be a bit “wet” in the middle, but the edges should have a golden tinge.

2. Add garlic and sauté gently until golden brown in color, then add the remainder of the ingredients, mixing well.

3. As soon as bubbles appear on the surface, turn the heat down to a low simmer, and let the wonderful aroma waft through the house for about one hour.

4. This sauce can be served as a meal topper for your dog’s regular food, or try spooning it over some ground meat.

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need a good gardening book or website to help you with any problems.

animal wellness

4. T ransfer the cake to a cookie sheet, place under the broiler and cook until firm. This will only take a couple of minutes.

5. Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool. Cut, top with tomato sauce and serve. For an extra treat, add some grated Parmesan cheese.

Apple Betty Rescue ... is only the beginning.

Sometimes it seems they rescue us as much as we rescue them.

This is a traditional apple Betty recipe that passes the test for people and dogs. Please ensure you read the instructions thoroughly before preparing – changes are noted when preparing for either people or dogs.

Ingredients • 8 cups red apples with peel, cored and thinly sliced (peaches can also be used) • 3/4 cup sugar (omit when preparing for dogs, and use 1/2 cup local honey instead) • 1 tablespoon whole grain flour of your choice • 1 teaspoon cinnamon, or more to taste • 1 cup unsweetened, unsulphured dried cranberries

Topping • 1 cup rolled oats • 1/2 cup brown sugar (omit when preparing for dogs) • 1/2 cup whole grain flour of your choice • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder • 1/4 cup melted butter (vegetable oil can be used in place of butter) Additional ingredients for people only • 1½ teaspoons dark cocoa (do not give cocoa to dogs!)

• 1 teaspoon double strength pure vanilla extract or pure vanilla powder

And then they destroy the house when you’re gone.

It’s not that they want to be bad, their actions are their words. You have to listen.

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Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9”x12” baking dish.

2. Core and slice the apples.

3. Blend sugar and cinnamon with flour, and combine with apples in baking dish. (If preparing for dogs, drizzle honey over apples in baking dish, then sprinkle flour and cinnamon on top.)

4. Add cranberries. Combine topping ingredients so crumbs are formed, and sprinkle on top of the apple mixture.

5. Bake for 45 minutes.

6. Allow to cool completely before serving to your dog. Try adding a dollop of goat yogurt for an extra special treat. For the human members of your family, try a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Pioneer Pet Products, LLC (866) 317-6278 pioneerpet.com

animal wellness

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Bone up!

Bone cancers are common in dogs.

Holistic therapies, when used with conventional treatments, give these pooches a better chance at beating the disease.

by Ana M. Cilursu, MD

W

hen Georgina took Tinker to the vet because the elderly Pomeranian cross was limping, she was not expecting the diagnosis to be osteosarcoma.

“I thought for sure it was just arthritis or a sprain, so I couldn’t believe it when the vet told me it was cancer. I thought it must be a mistake.”

theories include repeated minor traumas to the bone, prior radiation, genetic predisposition, possible exposure to certain unknown viruses, alterations in cell molecules, presence of metallic implants, and other possible factors or combinations thereof.

But the vet was right. Each year, over 8,000 dogs are diagnosed with osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone cancer in dogs. It typically occurs in middle-aged and older dogs, and is more prevalent in large and giant breeds, although smaller breeds and mixes can also be afflicted. In 75% of cases, the dog’s limbs are affected; the remaining 25% occur in the skull, ribs, spine, scapula, pelvis, jaw bones, digits and nasal cavity.

Because so many cases occur in the limbs, one of the most common early signs is a limp or slight favoring of the affected side. Guardians often report that the limp developed fairly suddenly, and in some cases is associated with physical activity such as running or fetching. The lameness may be intermittent. Since the disease occurs primarily in older dogs, the symptoms are usually attributed to sprains, arthritis or pulled muscles. At this stage, many dogs are prescribed rest and anti-inflammatory medications that can help relieve the symptoms for a while, but this only delays the correct diagnosis.

Many potential causes The causes of canine osteosarcoma are unknown. Current

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Signs to watch for

“The three best homeopathic remedies for bone cancer are Silicea, Phosphorus and Calcarea Carbonica.”

In other cases, guardians may notice a “hard lump” on the limb. The two most common places for bone cancer to develop are on the forearm bone (radius) near the “wrist” (carpus), and the upper arm bone (humerus) near the shoulder. Other common sites include the lower thigh bone (distal femur), the lower limb bone (tibia) near the “ankle” (hock), or near the “knee” (stifle).

The symptoms associated with bone cancer in other locations vary depending on the area involved.

• Swelling around the mouth, jaw or face, trouble chewing or swallowing food, drooling and nasal discharge may be early signs of facial bone involvement.

• A “hard lump” on the skull or along the rib or spine may indicate bone cancer in these sites.

Diagnosis and treatment The simplest way to diagnose the cause of persistent lameness, pain or swelling is with an x-ray. The changes characteristic of bone cancer can be seen fairly early on.

Once the diagnosis is made, there are numerous options for management. Treatment revolves around managing the pain, dealing with the cancer, strengthening your dog’s immune system, and providing him with quality of life. In addition to a traditional oncology approach, which may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and/or medications to manage the pain, there are also some holistic therapies showing promise.

Poly-MVA, pain management, cryotherapy (ice), IV vitamin C therapy and probiotics to prevent and treat infections secondary to chemo,” she says. Dr. Danoff feels that Poly-MVA and IV vitamin C are the most effective forms of immune support for dogs with bone cancer.

“Antioxidants also help to support the immune system.”

Veterinarian Dr. Deva Khalsa uses homeopathy, Chinese herbs and Double Helix Water for her bone cancer patients. Double Helix Water contains stable water clusters that improve the immune function of white blood cells (doctordevadoublehelixwater.com).

“The three best homeopathic remedies for bone cancer are Silicea, Phosphorus and Calcarea Carbonica,” adds Dr. Khalsa. “Usually, one remedy is chosen above the others.

For example, the typical golden retriever personality, effervescent and loving, indicates Phosphorus, while the typical lab personality, dependent and down to earth, fits Calcarea Carbonica. Silicea is indicated for poodles and great Danes.”

If your dog is ever diagnosed with bone cancer, try to find an integrative vet who is open to both conventional and holistic treatment options. “Don’t believe any of the recommendations against alternative supplements in conjunction with chemo,” says Dr. Khalsa. “Sometimes this just comes from a vet who is prejudiced against holistic therapies.” The fact is, holistic treatments have a lot to offer to canine cancer patients!

Holistic medicine addresses the “whole” individual from a physical, emotional and spiritual perspective, and seeks to find the underlying cause of the problem. Although getting rid of the symptoms of disease is important, it is also recognized that the symptoms may be an integral part of the healing process. A holistic approach that combines the best of both worlds (conventional and alternative) is called an integrative approach.

Holistic therapies Veterinarian Dr. Kim Danoff utilizes a whole arsenal of holistic treatments when dealing with dogs with bone cancer. “I use a grain-free diet, antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, Chinese herbs to break up bone stagnation, animal wellness

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Saving Lives Check out an organization that aims to bring down the puppy mill industry, one rescue at a time.

by Barbara Nefer

Those puppies in the pet store window are adorable, but there’s a sinister secret behind them – puppy mills.

These disreputable facilities treat dog breeding like an assembly line operation, placing volume and profit above animal welfare. Female dogs are often bred every time they come into heat, and puppies are weaned from their mothers too early. Awareness of this industry is growing, but many people still don’t really know where pet shop pups come from. Jean Kenney was one of them, even though she used to work closely with pet stores.

“I had my own dog, a Yorkie, and I was making and selling designer pet beds,” she explains. “At the time, every

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mall had a pet shop with tons of cages, and they bought my beds. I delivered them, saw the puppies on display, and never thought about where they came from. It just never occurred to me.”

“With all the news coverage, I would say 20% of puppy mills have gone out of business in the last 12 years.”

It was the late 1990s, a time when the internet was ushering in a new information era, so Jean did some online research. “When I found out where those puppies came from, it sounded so horrible. I hit myself on the head and said, ‘This has been going on right under your nose and you never thought about it.’ Here I was in the industry, with no idea. I knew that I had to tell others.”

Taking action Jean’s desire to help puppy mill dogs manifested into Puppy Mill Rescue, a non-profit organization that launched in 1998. Her first act was to save six Missouri dogs from an auction. Jean took the dogs into her home, and soon learned the special challenges of working with animals that have never been socialized or housebroken.

“None of them had been out of their cages, so basically I had to rehabilitate them,” she says. “If you’re going to rescue puppy mill dogs, you have to know how to do that because they’ve never been in a home before.

Half the job was done by my own dogs showing them how to behave in a household, but there was still a lot of poop on the floor!”

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Since she had learned so much from the internet about puppy mills, Jean decided to harness this tool to teach others. “I put up a website [puppymillrescue.com] and it was like a snowball, just getting bigger and bigger.”

To date, about 2,000 dogs have been saved through Puppy Mill Rescue’s efforts. The dogs are placed in foster homes for rehabilitation, and are transported to new adoptive homes through a group called Truck-NPaws, which can deliver them safely right across the country if necessary.

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National exposure Jean’s work caught the attention of the National Geographic and Animal Planet cable channels, which led to two television shows. “On one of them, we went undercover into the mills,” she says. “They hide out in the boonies, so we pretended to be breeders and went in and bought dogs from them.”

Jean is heartened by the fact that this increasing exposure is hurting the mills. “With all the news coverage, I would say 20% of puppy mills have gone out of business in the last 12 years,” she estimates.

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best treatment possible for the rest of their lives.”

Volunteer Ruthie with rescue dogs Fawn and Mikail.

Puppy Mill Rescue regularly posts news on its website and educates the public in various other ways. “We’ve put up billboards in the middle of puppy mill country to reach people traveling through,” Jean says. The ads call attention to the problem and include a toll-free number for more information.

The dogs will remain in their foster homes indefinitely if they are not adopted. However, Puppy Mill Rescue retains guardianship, and the dogs must be returned to the organization if the caretakers cannot keep them for any reason. “We take them back, even after many years, if necessary,” Jean explains.

“We had one dog, Radar, come back after seven years because the man who was caring for him lost his job and home. He had another dog he did not get from us, and we took in that one, too. We were able to place her with another rescue organization, and Radar is here with me.”

A lifelong commitment

Jean says it used to be rare for people to return dogs, but the rough economy has changed that. It has also slashed donations, which limits the number of rescues the group can take in. “This is a very expensive operation if you do it right,” she explains. None of the bare bones staff receives any pay, so all the funds go directly into caring for the dogs.

The group rescues as many dogs as possible, although its capacity is limited by the fact that it is strictly no-kill, unless an animal’s suffering cannot be relieved, and has a policy of providing lifetime care. “People who adopt usually want puppies, but we tend to get the older ones,” Jean says. “They are more damaged and often need a lot of vet care. We want to be sure they get the

Jean plans to continue her rescue and education work, but she hopes it will someday be unnecessary. “There are hundreds of thousands of dogs, but the problem stops if we educate enough people,” she says. “If they stop buying pet store puppies, the puppy mills go out of business.”

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animal wellness

Product picks VERY EVOLVED

It’ll soon be time for fleas, ticks and mosquitoes again. Get your dog ready for the onslaught with a handy spray bottle of Ticked Off! Tick and Flea Repellent from Deserving Pets. This all natural, chemical free product features Southern Red Cedar Oil as its active ingredient.

A light misting provides allday protection for your dog, yourself and your children. It can be sprayed directly to skin or clothing, and won’t stain fabrics. Misting your dog’s bedding every week is also recommended.

1 bottle – $29.99 deservingpets.com

Diseased meat, cruel factory farm processes and unclean by-products are just a few of the things you need to question when buying dog food. One company that steers clear of all of this is Evolution Diet. This humane, clean and wholesome food doesn’t include meat and features high protein whole grain/ whole bean ingredients, pure vegetable oil, vitamins and herbs. Choose from kibble or canned foods.

Gourmet Pasta Kibble – 5lb to 40lb bags: $17.75 to $72.45 Moist Dog Food – 12 cans: $27.15 24 cans: $43.95 evolutiondietstore.com

IT’S LIKE MAGIC!

STRONG SUPPORT

You want your dog to feel comfortable in her own skin. DERMagic Peppermint & Tea Tree Oil Shampoo is a great way to help her. It combines calming distillates of peppermint, tea tree, lavender, chamomile and rosehip seed oils with the conditioning properties of aloe vera, vegetable glycerine, oat extract and wheat proteins. It soothes your dog’s skin, eliminates odor and stimulates healing. Use with DERMagic Peppermint & Tea Tree Oil Conditioner for the best results.

Shampoo and conditioner combo – $32.95 dermagic.com

Healthy joints will help your dog stay active and happy for years to come. Dog RX Cartilage, Hip & Joint Health Support Factors from Wellytails is a savory gravy nutritional supplement mix for your canine. It contains hyaluronic acid, glucosamine HCL, chondroitin sulphate, MSM, Omegas 3 and 6, and New Zealand green-lipped mussels. Mix with water to make a delicious gravy or sprinkle directly on food.

345 grams – $36.95 wellytails.com

REPEL THOSE BUGS

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“I’m here to see From veterinarians to groomers to massage therapists, a growing number of animal care professionals offer mobile services to cater to the needs of their four-footed clients and their families.

BY SANDY MURPHY

Gunner gets groomed by Rick Arevalo of Aussie Pet Mobile.

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A spacious van carries all the equipment needed to make personal visits.

“M

y dog should have a check-up, but she’s terrified of going to the vet clinic.”

“I have a Shih-tzu that needs regular grooming, but I’m a senior and don’t drive anymore.”

These are just two people who would benefit from the many mobile animal services springing up across the country. These businesses and organizations cater to people who, for one reason or another, need help transporting their animals or caring for them at their own homes. They’re also invaluable to those with busy schedules who just don’t have the time to shuttle their animals back and forth to appointments.

Here’s a look at a few mobile services that can make life easier and more enjoyable for you and your companion.

“Dogs and cats can be stressed at the prosepect of going to the veterinarian’s office.”

Veterinary house calls “Dogs and cats can be stressed at the prospect of going to the veterinarian’s office,” says Dr. Patrick Mahaney, an integrative veterinarian who makes house calls.

“For some animals, it’s one of the few times they get into the car or pet carrier. Even properly seat-belted, an anxious dog can injure himself during a trip to the vet’s office.” Veterinary house calls can be a godsend to easily-stressed animals or those who are older or have health issues that may be compromised through exposure to other animals.

Veterinarian Dr. Aleda Cheng uses a combination of Chinese and Western medicines, special diets, vitamins and acupuncture when making house calls on her cancer patients. “T is a golden retriever who was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma of the spleen,” she says of one of her home care patients. “She is symptom free and the tumor hasn’t spread. She is on a maintenance protocol with acupuncture treatments every few months and a decreasing need for herbs and supplements.”

Home grooming When Lynn Edwards took Dirty Dogs Pet Services on animal wellness

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Lynn finds dogs are more cooperative when groomed at home. the road, she groomed dogs for elderly clients or stayat-home moms with young children – both groups had trouble transporting their dogs to the grooming salon.

Lynn finds dogs are more cooperative when groomed at home, and Rick Arevalo of Aussie Pet Mobile agrees.

Aussie’s vans are equipped with hydraulic lifts so dogs are raised to tub level – this means they aren’t stressed by having to jump into the tub, and their people don’t risk hurting their backs by lifting them. “Everything we do is in the best interests of the dog,” says Rick.

Aussie also works for the best interests of the planet; solar panels supply power for keeping the van cool during grooming appointments, and the company uses all-natural shampoos and even recycles clipped hair. “We have been

Mobile services ASPCA Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinics, aspca. org /aspca-nyc/mobileclinic Aussie Pet Mobile, aussiepetmobile.com Dirty Dogs Pet Services, dirtydogsonline.com Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, lapoflove. com Dr. Patrick Mahaney, patrickmahaney.com Chris Shaughness, pettherapyservices.org Royal Paws, royalpaws.com Second Chance Sheridan Cat Rescue, sheridancatrescue.org Yoghund, yoghund.com

quite active in sending hair to help in the absorption of the Gulf oil spill,” says Rick.

Helping the elderly In Sheridan, Wyoming, volunteers from Second Chance Sheridan Cat Rescue provide an Elderly Services Program so older folks can keep their cats. Volunteers visit people’s homes to clean litter boxes and help with nail clipping or trips to the vet. For seniors who can’t get out to shop for their companions, volunteers will bring them cat food and litter. “We ask people to pay for the food and litter but hope to get to the point where this isn’t necessary,” says owner Rachel Kristiansen. “Our service is otherwise free, though some people do make a donation. And it’s not limited to those who adopted their cats from us.”

Volunteers can also help with other issues. For example, client Lynn Lillibridge asked for assistance with two fighting cats. “We used massage techniques and essential oils, learned the types of food and litter they prefer and taught them to use a scratching post,” says Lynn. “Now the cats are happier and healthier.”

Mobile massage therapy “Most of my clients are dogs,” says masseuse Chris Shaughness of Pet Therapy Services. Chris brings her massage expertise right into the homes of her animal clients. In her experience, the dogs love it. One Corgi client ran to his bed when Chris arrived and snoozed through the massage. “Of the dogs I massage, most are older with arthritis or have had ACL (knee) injuries,” says Chris. “I’ve been working with a collie every month for the past six years, starting when he was two years old. He has some limping so his owner takes him to a chiropractor every month. I give him a massage before he goes, to make the adjustments easier.”

Hospice at home

Cats especially appreciate being cared for close to home.

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When animals get old and start to ail, multiple vet trips are sometimes necessary – and that just adds to the stress. Dr. Mary Gardner’s practice, Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, focuses exclusively on end-of-life issues. She works with families in their homes to assist animals with pain management and appetite stimulation, and helps people know when it’s time to say goodbye. Wound dressing, fluid therapy and other treatments keep the animals comfortable in their own environment.

“When the time comes for euthanasia, we go back to the home to perform that service,” says Dr. Gardner. “Clients appreciate this so much because they do not have to make that dreaded last drive to the vet, and the dog or cat is with his family in his own home. Just as importantly, the client doesn’t have to walk through an office lobby in tears after the euthanasia, and try to drive home.”

It’s the ice cream truck!

One of the main reasons for using mobile services is to save time. But some services are geared toward just brightening your dog’s day. Canine companions in New Hampshire, for example, know that when they hear an ice cream truck, they won’t be left out. Located in Exeter on the seacoast, Yoghund creates organic frozen yogurt treats for dogs. The treats are carried by a local vendor with two fleets of ice cream trucks traveling in three territories – customer Sue Onufer says her 14-year-old beagle loves having these delicious treats delivered almost to their door.

Spay and neuter clinics To help control animal populations, the ASPCA offers mobile spay and neuter clinics in New York’s five boroughs. Each mobile unit has the ability to operate on

25 dogs and cats per day. Low income families or those with pit bulls or pit mixes are eligible for no-cost surgeries.

Microchipping is available as well, and all animals are tattooed to identify them as spayed or neutered.

Limo service Limo service is not just for humans. When necessary, you can hire companies that will safely transport your animal companion long distances. “Our dogs were with me in Vancouver but needed to be with my husband in Los Angeles,” says Dianna Davis. “I didn’t want to put them through the stress of flying so I booked their trip with Royal Paws, an animal transport company. They used two drivers in an SUV – professionally trained dog handlers – so my dogs were in LA the following morning, even after a three-hour delay at the border.”

Photos posted on Facebook by the company allowed Dianna to follow her dogs’ journey. “Your dog can have his own food, bedding and toys, walks every few hours and is never left unattended,” Dianne says. “The price can be hard to swallow, but when you add up the cost of doing it yourself, there isn’t that much difference. It’s door to door service. It’s peace of mind.”

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warm & Fuzzy

Angeltherapy

Angel has been a godsend to her guardian.

by Sherri Stanczak

M

y youngest son moved out last fall. Even though I’m very proud of him, it still makes me feel sad. I am also faced with a lot of health issues. I have Multiple Sclerosis and a rare spinal condition. I live with chronic pain and am on so much medication that I’m not able to work or drive.

But it’s not all bad. When my dad’s friend Gene found out about my condition, he decided I needed a puppy.

He and his partner Beth breed Yorkshire terriers, and gave me a beautiful puppy from one of their litters. I fell in love the moment I laid eyes on her. She was so spunky and cute!

I named my new puppy Angel, and she has truly been an

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angel in my life. Not only does make me laugh with her adorable little ways, but the way she looks at me and cuddles up to my sickly body makes my heart melt.

One day, when the pain was so severe I began crying, Angel jumped up on my lap, trying to figure out what to do for me. I couldn’t believe it when she actually started licking my tears. I couldn’t help but smile. What a special puppy! She has blessed my life in so many ways.

When I first talked to my husband, Mike, about getting a puppy, he was a little reluctant. He felt we were on the go too much to have a dog: boating, flying and other activities on the weekends. It took me awhile to convince him I needed this puppy to fill my long days while he

She has given me a reason to get out of bed each morning. was at work. I also told him we could take Angel boating and other places with us.

Not only has she won over my husband, my parents and my sons, but she is also wonderful with my two little granddaughters. What a special dog I have!

It didn’t take long for Angel to win Mike over. She now meets him at the door every day with her warmest greeting. As her tiny tail wags, she dances in a circle on her hind legs and pats his leg with her front paws. He can’t resist bending over to pet her. Angel hasn’t slowed us down either, and has become quite a boating dog.

Angel has definitely livened up our household. She has given me a reason to get out of bed each morning, especially on days when the pain is so great it’s hard to get up.

Since Angel has been with me, I have been able to quit taking a couple of my medications. I know it’s because of her. She has a tendency to keep me a little more active and has put a permanent smile on my face. They say that laughter is the best medicine! She has taken my mind off of my pain and given me a reason to keep on trying. She has been really great therapy for me.

I really believe in angels. I believe they come to help us through our trials or guide us in the right direction. My Angel has definitely done that for me.

Angel loves the outdoor life.

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get outside!

Regular outdoor time for fresh air, exercise and mental stimulation is vital to your dog’s happiness and well being.

by Sara Jackson

“W

ho wants to go out?” It’s a question that usually elicits an enthusiastic response from your pooch, complete with furiously wagging tail and lots of excited barking. The reason? Most dogs just love to go out! In fact, they actually need time outdoors for their physical and mental well being.

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Daily outdoor time provides exercise and helps with weight control. Dogs that spend most of their days inside can easily gain weight because they spend a lot of time lying around dozing, often out of boredom. Obesity is as dangerous for dogs as it is for people, and can lead to a host of health problems. Regular exercise outdoors helps maintain a healthy body weight and keep the dog in good condition. Some breeds, in fact, such as border

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collies, huskies, beagles and other working or sporting dogs, need plenty of outdoor activity in order to stay happy and well-adjusted.

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Regular time outside gives your dog exposure to fresh air.

Depending on where you live, outdoor air quality is generally better than indoor air quality – except on hot, humid days when smog might be an issue. Otherwise, unless you live a green lifestyle and use mostly natural materials and cleaners in your home, you and your dog may be exposed to a host of indoor air toxins, ranging from household cleaners to the chemicals that off-gas from plastics, carpets, upholstery and so on. Letting your dog spend a good chunk of time outdoors every day helps reduce the amount of time he’s exposed to these toxins.

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Being outdoors helps reduce boredom, anxiety and depression. If dogs don’t receive daily doses of outside stimulation, they can get restless and develop behavioral problems and aggressive tendencies. “If we don’t keep their minds occupied or give them opportunities to release their physical energy, dogs will release that energy in other ways,” warns animal behaviorist Dr. Suzanne Hetts. “You might look for signs the dog is bored or doesn’t have enough to do. Maybe he’s putting on weight because he’s not getting enough exercise.

Maybe he’s showing other signs of stress or becoming anxious in other environments because he’s not exposed enough to different situations.”

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Sunlight is a valuable source of natural vitamin D for your dog. Spending time outdoors in the sun will give your dog an extra boost of this valuable vitamin, which is vital for bone health and helps maintain the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio in the body. While lying near a sunny window can help with this, the glass absorbs some of the sun’s radiation, so it’s not as good as being outdoors. Just remember there’s also such a thing as too much sun, especially if your dog is light-colored and/or has a pink nose or a thin coat.

Skin cancer can be an issue in dogs.

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Coming into direct contact with the earth is important to your dog’s health and happiness. Everyone knows that dogs love rolling in grass or digging in dirt, but why exactly do they do it? One theory is that they are instinctively seeking out the earth’s magnetism. Being indoors cuts us and our dogs off from this natural magnetism, which plays an underestimated role in our health and well being, while exposing us to manmade forms of electromagnetism that interfere with the earth’s magnetic current and may cause us to feel rundown, low on energy and stressed out. Letting your dog walk and roll on the earth can help rejuvenate him.

But I don’t have time!

When the weather allows, get your dog outside as much as possible, whether it’s for a walk, a game of fetch or just to roam around the yard or lie in the sun for a couple of hours. Ideally, you should stay with him when he’s in the yard, but if you’re like most people you probably don’t have hours to spend outside with your dog every day. If he likes being outdoors for long periods when you have other things to do, you need to provide a safe environment for him.

Yard safety The first rule is to never let your dog run free. Make sure he is securely contained in an exercise pen or a Fort Knox-type fenced-in yard. An ideal yard should contain a six-foot fence and a locked gate.

• Individual dogs vary as to how long they want to, or should, stay outside.

According to Dr. Hetts, factors to consider include the weather, your dog’s age and breed, and whether or not he really likes to be outside for long periods.

“Some toy breeds are a little fragile or may not have much hair, like the Chinese crested,” she says. “Very young puppies can’t thermal-regulate their body temperature.” Elderly dogs also shouldn’t be left out for long periods.

• Do not tether your dog on a long lead then leave him alone – it could get animal wellness

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Being outdoors helps reduce boredom, anxiety and depression. wound around a tree or other obstacle and causing choking or other injury.

• Always make sure he has adequate shelter from heat and cold, an endless supply of fresh, clean water, and a few toys to play with.

• Ensure the weather is nice enough for your dog to stay out!

If it’s very cold, raining or extremely hot and humid, do not leave him out for long periods.

• Dr. Hetts advises against leaving food outside because it can attract strays and wild animals.

• Clear the yard of potential hazards such as sharp edges, toxic or thorny plants, wasp nests, stagnant water, etc. Dr. Hetts warns that uncovered lawn edging can be a danger. “Dogs might also be exposed to bee stings. Or they can chew or ingest things they shouldn’t and perhaps get a foreign body stuck in their intestines.”

• Make sure your dog is microchipped and has an up-to-date   ID tag with two current phone numbers.

•A nimal theft is a growing crime. Ensure all fencing and gates are secure and locked.

• Check on your dog often when he’s outside on his own.

It’s not a good idea to leave your dog outside when you’re away.

If you have to, give him the option of being able to get in and out of the house via a doggy door. This is especially useful if the weather suddenly changes while you’re away. “Toni dug her way out from under the fence in a storm because she was so scared of the thunder,” says Noreen. “I was at work when the storm hit, and came home to an empty yard. It took us a couple of hours to find Toni. My parents finally found her trotting along a busy highway about a mile away, wet and disoriented.”

A better alternative to leaving your dog out when you’re away is to hire a pet sitter or ask a friend or family member to come by a couple times a day to take him for a walk or into the yard for half an hour. And try to spend some outdoor time with him yourself when you get home and on weekends. It will benefit him both physically and mentally, help him gain healthy social skills, and develop a stronger bond with you.

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     



    

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     

  

 58

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

I

nspired by the heartache of losing her beloved dog Mercy after a routine dental procedure in 1992, Lise Guerin was determined to find another way to maintain the dental health of dogs and cats. After numerous consultations and rigorous testing with medical professionals on different continents, Leba III was created from a combination of safe and effective herbs, including mint (Lamiaceae) and Rose (Rosaceae) stabilized in 25% ethyl alcohol (human, food grade) and distilled water.

The herbs are the active ingredients, changing the chemistry in the mouth, stimulating the enzymes and causing the tartar to soften and fall off. “It works with the saliva by stimulating the good flora,” Lise explains. “You hear a lot about probiotics now, because we know that to maintain health in a live system, you fight bad bacteria with good bacteria.” When you use a product with an antiseptic, it kills both the good and bad bacteria and puts the chemistry in the mouth even more off balance. Leba III has a different action.”

By 1994, veterinarians all across Canada were buying Leba III to use in their practices. Soon, the product was available in the U.S. and was being distributed to pet stores and sold directly to consumers.

Helping other animals and protecting them from what happened to Mercy means the world to Lise. “We received an email recently from a customer in New York whose dog had terrible teeth and breath. She wrote, “It has been life changing as we now allow her to sit with us for hours instead of minutes! Thank you for making such an easy to use and effective product.” Testimonials won’t bring Mercy back, but they celebrate her memory.

For more information on Leba III visit www.lebalab.com or call 1-866-532-2522.

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Holistic Veterinary advice

Talking with Dr. Marcia Martin

Veterinarian Dr. Marcia Martin is a holistic veterinarian practicing at The Holistic Medicine Center in Mobile, Alabama. Her new clinic offers state of the art diagnostics and 24-hour care as well as acupuncture, chiropractic and classical homeopathy. Dr. Martin is also the author of Quit Your Belly Aching, a homeopathic guide to colic treatment in horses.

For more information on holistic healthcare for cats and other animals, read her blog at drmarcia.wordpress.com

My seven-year-old mixed breed female dog was recently diagnosed with hip dysplasia. I have her on one chew a day of Glyco-Flex III, and half a tablet of Deramaxx.

She only limps after I take her walking or running and I am trying to cut down on both those activities. Is there anything else I can do other than surgery to make her more comfortable? And if I went for surgery, is there any guarantee it would be successful?

Without having seen your dog’s radiographs, I cannot say with absolute certainty what course of action would be best. But in general, hip dysplasia responds beautifully to properly applied acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Therapy.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, degenerative joint disease is referred to as Bi Syndrome, which translates as rheumatic pain. There are three basic patterns constituting Bi Syndrome in small animals: Cold Bi, Fixed Bi and Boney Bi. It is important to recognize which is present in your dog, because the treatments are different. A well trained veterinary acupuncturist can make this determination along with a TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medical) diagnosis.

Once the diagnosis has been made, an acupuncture point prescription is developed to specifically address the

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syndrome. Acupuncture is more effective when combined with Traditional Chinese Herbal Formulas also aimed at treating the type of Bi syndrome causing the problem. Other options that can help are stem cell therapy or prolotherapy.

I would not discontinue exercise, as it is important to keep the joints moving to maintain strength and flexibility. You might decrease the length or speed of the walks you are taking so your dog’s joints are not overly strained.

Three vets have told us our dog is allergic to foods. We’re not sure which ones, and it is costing us a lot of money that we don’t have anymore. We have tried all kinds of foods as well as steroids and drugs. Nothing seems to be working. She is itchy, pulling hair out of her hips and chest, and her feet are a mess. The only thing I found that works is OTC cream for ringworm, which takes the red out and stops the itch. She is 14 now and has some life left, but not like this! What can I do?

Veterinarians like to blame food and fleas for itchy dogs as those are the only allergens we have any control over. Allergic skin disease is probably the bane of most veterinarians’ lives because it can be so unrewarding to treat. Even veterinary dermatology specialists will tell you that skin disease can only be managed and rarely cured.

So what you are going through is pretty typical.

The unfortunate thing is that I don’t have an easy, quick or inexpensive answer for you. Referral to a board certified veterinary dermatologist is often the best way to go and although the initial consult may be expensive, you may save money in the long run by getting a more accurate diagnosis. Dermatologists can offer other treatment options such as hyposensitization shots.

In my experience, removing processed foods and poor quality dry kibble from the diet often helps. I usually recommend fatty acid supplementation and quercitin to help decrease inflammation. Helping the liver to detoxify the body is another area that needs to be addressed, usually through a supplement that contains milk thistle.

Leaky gut syndrome is a recognized contributor to allergies in both humans and animals. An unhealthy gut allows inflammatory proteins to leak back into the bloodstream where they stimulate an immune response and inflammation. To help prevent this, I generally recommend supplementing with digestive enzymes and probiotics.

If you have a veterinarian in your area trained in homeopathy or Traditional Chinese Medicine, you might seek him/her out for a second opinion. I find both these modalities to be effective in treating skin problems.

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My ten-year-old shepherd/husky cross has started having seizures. They only happen at the end of the month and very early in the morning. He is taking medication to control the seizures but it hasn’t helped with the severity; it only stops the cluster effect. Are there any alternative therapies we can try?

When discussing seizures, we need to better define what it is we are actually talking about. The term “seizure” can refer to epilepsy or active seizure disorder.

Idiopathic epilepsy generally occurs in young animals and represents an inherited metabolic defect. Acquired epilepsy can occur in dogs of any age secondary to a brain injury that causes scarring.

When dealing with epilepsy, treating the seizure is actually treating the disease. Active seizure disorder refers to a variety of medical conditions in which the seizure is a symptom of a larger disease process. This means treating the seizure is simply treating a symptom and not the actual cause. A sudden onset of seizures in an older large breed dog would make me start looking for those underlying causes: brain tumor, hypothyroidism, liver disease, etc.

If your dog suffers from active seizure disorder and not epilepsy, this may explain why seizure medication alone is not completely controlling the seizures.

You should consider a consult with a veterinary neurologist who may be able to help uncover the true cause of your dog’s seizures, allowing treatment of both the cause and symptom. There are many choices in conventional drug therapy, although different strengths and combinations may need to be tried to achieve greater control of the seizures.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine have a long history of effectively helping reduce both the frequency and severity of seizures in dogs. In TCVM, internal wind is considered to be the cause. There are four basic patterns of imbalance associated with the development of internal wind. Liver fire causing wind, and liver yang rising are considered excess patterns causing seizures. Deficiency of spleen, kidney or liver yin can also cause internal wind and seizures. A final pattern is phlegm misting the portals of the heart. Each of these imbalances requires a different acupuncture point prescription and a different herbal combination. A veterinarian with advanced training in acupuncture and herbal medicine would be able to provide proper treatment.

Vaccines are proven to contribute to seizure activity.

Therefore, I would err on the side of caution and discontinue all vaccines.

We have a six-year-old Australian shepherd cross named Denver. He suffers badly from a combination of allergies and what our vet feels is a cyclical viral yeast infection. This affects both his feet and ears. He constantly chews at his feet until they are raw, and shakes his head and scratches his ears. The latter has resulted in several hematomas.

Our vet put him on Prednisone for one year, which only masked the symptoms. We decided to take Denver off all medication and follow holistic treatment. We have had him on AOX/ PLX (eight per day), BHI Allergy (four per day) and BHI Inflammation (four per day). This has decreased the symptoms somewhat but not in a substantial way. We are completely lost as to what to do next. Any ideas?

From what you have given me, I cannot tell whether your dog is under the care of a properly trained holistic veterinarian. I do think this is important. The products you have

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listed are homotoxicology products.

Homotoxicology is a theory of disease developed by Dr. Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg. It’s loosely based on homeopathy. Dr. Reckeweg believed that illness was the body’s defense against toxic substances (homotoxins) that threaten to overwhelm the intercellular matrix. Treatment is aimed at draining organs and tissues of these toxic byproducts and helping the body detoxify. Each of the medications contains multiple homeopathic remedies in multiple strengths. So it is a bit of a shotgun approach, much like prescribing multiple antibiotics in the hopes that one is correct.

Classical homeopathy was founded by Samuel Hahnemann in the 1800s and the principles he outlined are very clear.

Disease is an energetic mistunement of the vital force, and can be cured by giving a similar energetic disease in an ultra-dilute solution known as a homeopathic remedy. To choose the appropriate remedy, you must look at the entire case and pick symptoms characteristic of the individual disease.

This symptom picture is then matched as closely as possible to a single homeopathic remedy. The remedy is given and the effects closely monitored.

Classical homeopathy can be very time intensive and requires patience as the remedy is given and allowed to act. But in my experience it is probably the only modality that can cure skin disease.

That doesn’t mean homotoxicology can’t be helpful. It can definitely decrease symptoms, make the animal much more comfortable and decrease the need for steroids and other immuno-suppressive drugs.

Very few veterinarians in the United States are properly trained in classical homeopathy, but finding one would be my recommendation if you want to continue on the homeopathic path.

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ALBERTA

www.AnimalParadiseCommunication.com • 703-648-1866 Communication, Counselling, Back Flower Remedies, Tellington TTouch.

Steven Marsden, DVM Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic Edmonton, AB Canada Phone: 780-436-4944

V IRGINIA

ARIZONA

www.AnimalParadiseCommunication.com • 703-648-1866

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INTEGRATIVE VETS

Sue Becker

Kitchener, ON Canada

Phone: (519) 896-2600 Email:

suebecker@cyg.net

Website: www.suebecker.net

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WASHINGTON

Communications With Love Amboy , WA USA Phone: (360) 247-7284 Email: morgine@tds.net Website: www.theanimaltranslator.com

Judy Stolz DVM ND Arizona City, AZ USA Phone: (520) 494-9571 Website: www.drstolz.com

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Tree of Life Veterinary Care Courtenay , BC Canada Phone: (250) 338-2316 Website: www.animalhealingchoices.com Gail Jewell, DVM Kelowna, BC Canada Phone: (888) 622-8300 Website: www.holisticvet.ca

Advertise your business in the Wellness Resource Guide 1-866-764-1212

alternative therapy - behavior practices - communicators - holistic healthcare - integrative vets

CALIFORNIA

CONNECTICUT

Acupuncture, Chinese herbals, Tui-na

ILLINOIS

Caroline Goulard DVM CVA (949) 813-4107 Aliso Viejo, CA USA Phone: (949) 813-4107 Email: c.goulard@cox.net Website: www.carolinegoularddvm.com

Holistic Veterinary Center Calabasas, CA USA Phone: (818) 880-0838 Website: www.holistic-vet-center.com EverGlo-Naturals Gloria Dodd, DVM Gualala, CA USA Phone: 707-785-9171 Email: everglo@mcn.org Website: www.holisticvetpetcare.net

Home Vet Weston , CT USA Phone: (203) 222-7979 Website: www.homevet.com

Ness Exotic Wellness Center Lisle, IL USA Phone: 630-737-1281 Email: nessexotic@aol.com

IOWA

Homeopathy and nutrition for dogs, cats & horses.

Phone consultations available.

Shingle Springs Vet Clinic Shingle Springs, CA USA Phone: 530-677-0390 Email: drb@deanbaderdvm.com Website: www.deanbaderdvm.com

Specializing in Holistic Analysis for pathogens, allergies, chronic degenerative diseases, etc.

Affordable Holistic Animal Therapies West Hollywood, CA USA Phone: 323-304-2984

Aquapuncture, Cancer Therapies, Chiropractic, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathic, Nutritional Balancing, Phone Consultations

NEW YORK

Animal Holistic Care Mark Haimann, DVM Floral Park, NY USA Phone: 718-631-1396

ONTARIO

Janet Knowlton, DVM Almonte, ON Canada Phone: 613-253-7473

Integrated Veterinary Clinic Sacramento, CA USA Phone: 916-454-1825

Holistic Animal Care Stephanie Chalmers, DVM, CVH Santa Rosa, CA USA Phone: (707) 538-4643

Mark Newkirk, VMD Margate Animal Hospital & Alternative Care Center Margate City, NJ USA Toll Free: (609) 645-2120 Phone: (609) 823-3031 Website: www.alternativevet.com

SmithRidge Veterinary Services Dr. Marty Goldstein South Salem, NY USA Phone: (914) 533-6066 Website: www.smithridge.com

Creature Comfort Oakland, CA USA Phone: (510) 530-1373

Coddingtown Vet Clinic Santa Rosa, CA USA Phone: (707) 546-4646

NEW JERSEY

KENTUCKY

Horizon Veterinary Services Susan Maier, DVM Simpsonville, KY USA Phone: (502) 722-8231 Email: horizonvetserv@yahoo.com Website: www.horizonvetserv.com

Burgess Veterinary Mobile Services Dundas, ON Canada Phone: 905-379-3824 Website: www.burgessvet.com

MASSACHUSETTS

Essex Animal Hospital Janice Huntingford, DVM Essex, ON Canada Phone: (519) 776-7325 Email: essexanimalclinic@cogeco.net Website: www.essexanimalhospital.ca

Family Veterinary Center Haydenville, MA USA Phone: (413) 268-8387 Website: www.famvets.com Canterbury Tails Vet Clinic Ware, MA USA Phone: 413-967-4545

Parkway Veterinary Hospital West Roxbury, MA USA Phone: (617) 469-8400

Acupuncture, Animal communication, Flower essences, QXCI Biofeedback therapy,Reiki Nutritional Counselling

Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Conventional & Alternative Medicine & Surgery, Holistic Medicine, Physio & Rehab Therapies

Advertise your business in the Wellness Resource Guide 1-866-764-1212

animal wellness

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integrative vets - natural product manufacturers/distributors - natural product retailers -

Guelph Animal Hospital Guelph, ON Canada Phone: (519) 836-2782 Email: info@guelphvet.com Website: www.guelphvet.com

Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Massage, Therapeutic Nutrition, Traditional Chinese Medicine

North-East Newmarket Veterinary Service

Sasan Haghighat (Hyatt), D.V.M., C.V.A. Autumn Drouin, D.V.M., N.D.

Acupuncture, Bach Remedies, Chiropractic, Clinical Nutrition, Herbs (western and chinese), Homeopathy, Homotoxicology, Integrative Medicine, TCVM.

Cynthia Harcourt, DVM Queensville, ON Canada Phone: (905) 478-1995

Homeopathy, Nutrition, Food Sensitivity Testing, Flower Essences, Herbalism, TTouch ( +# +* ! &% ( "% . % &%

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UTAH

UTAH

Providing holistic pet care with Acupuncture, Chiropractic, CranioSacral, Homeopathy, Herbs, Traditional Chinese

www.ambertech.com

Shannon Hines DVM Orchard Animal Clinc Centerville, UT USA Phone: (801) 296-1230 Website: www.outskirtspress.com/ holisticpetcare

VIRGINIA

Paws to Heal Vet Clinic Vienna, VA USA Phone: (703) 938-2563 Email: info@paws2heal.com Website: www.vetrehab.org

NATURAL PRODUCT

MANUFACTURERS & DISTRIBUTORS

ARIZONA

Azmira Holistic Animal Care Tuscon, AZ USA Toll Free: (800) 497-5665 Phone: (520) 886-8548 Email: info@azmira.com Website: www.azmira.com

CONNECTICUT

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Dr. Shawn Messonnier Paws and Claws Vet Clinic Plano, TX USA Phone: (972) 712-0893 Email: shawnvet@sbcglobal.net Website: www.pettogethers.net/healthypet Integrative health care for pets.

ILLINOIS

Oscar Newman aka CoCo Therapy Geneva, IL USA Phone: (630) 697-5566 Website: www.cocotherapy.com

NEW YORK

Holistic Petcare

for all your pets Nutrition & Supplies

BY WHISKERS

OPEN NOW TORIA, IN AS ENS! QUE

1-800-WHISKERS • 212-979-2532

19-25 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria, NY 11105 • 718-626-8590

WWW.1800WHISKERS.COM

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BRITISH COLUMBIA

Cranimal aka I & W Research West Vancouver, BC Canada Phone: (360) 326-6446 Email: info@cranimal.com Website: www.i-and-w.com/ www.cranimal.com

CALIFORNIA

Pet Kiss Inc. Palmdale, CA USA Phone: (661) 949-7374 Email: petkissproducts.com Website: www.petkiss.com

P.O.R.G.I.E. Pet Ownership Requires Getting Informed and Educated

Animal Lovers Pet Shop Torrance, CA USA Toll Free: (888) 544-0490 Phone: (310) 378-3052 Email: animallovers.petshop@bizla.rr.com Website: www.animalloverspetshop.com

PENNSYLVANIA

TEXAS

NATURAL PRODUCT RETAILERS

A HEALTH STORE FOR PETS Natural & Organic & THEIR PEOPLE Products 951-784-9070 www.porgienaturalhealth.com

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Rockledge Veterinary Clinic Rockledge, PA USA Phone: (215) 379-1677 Email: rockledgevet@aol.com Website: www.rockledgevet.com

Amber Technology LLC Lake Point, UT USA Toll Free: (877) 727-8243 Phone: 801-966-8895 Email: customerservice@ambertech.com Website: www.ambertech.com

COLORADO

Holistic Pet Inc. Arvada, CO USA Phone: (303) 888-5101 Email: service@holisticpetinfo.com Website: www.holisticpetinfo.com

Only Natural Pet Store

Visit our online store for a huge selection of natural products for your pets!

1-888-937-6677 www.onlynaturalpet.com

- reiki therapy - schools & wellness education - supplements - trainers & behaviorists

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

REIKI THERAPY CALIFORNIA

OHIO

PetMassage, Ltd. Toledo, OH USA Toll Free: (800) 779-1001 Phone: (419) 475-3539 Email: info@petmassage.com Website: www.petmassage.com

SHELTERS & RESCUES MASSACHUSSETTS

Grey2K USA Somerville, MA USA Toll Free: 866-2GREY2K Phone: (617) 666-3526 Email: christine@grey2kusa.org Website: www.grey2kusa.org

COLORADOt

SUPPLEMENTS CALIFORNIA

TEXAS

Caly Lehrer, RMT Raw diets • Supplements • Grain-free treats

Your Spiritual Guardian for Animal Wellness ~ LONG DISTANCE ~ Journey™ Processes and Reiki Sessions For Animals and Practitioners

303.862.5424 www.PeaceByPeace.net

P.O. Box 630632, Littleton, CO 80163-0632

UĂŠĂŠ

SCHOOLS & WELLNESS EDUCATION

UĂŠĂŠ Ă›>ˆÂ?>LÂ?iĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŽĂ“ĂŠÂœĂ˘ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂŁĂŠ}>Â?Â?œ˜°

Pick up & delivery available in Houston, TX

WASHINGTON

DERMagci Skin Care for Animals, Inc. Bellevue, WA USA Phone: (425) 637-4643 Email: info@DERMagic.com Website: www.DERMagic.net

COLORADOt Well Animal Institute Brighton, CO USA Phone: (303) 514-0076 Email: info@wellanimalinstitute.com Website: www.wellanimalinstitute.com

Cycles-of-Life Newbury Park, CA USA Toll Free: (800) 498-6640 Phone: (818) 889-9344 Website: www.cycles-of-life.com

MINNESOTA

Wapiti Labs Inc. Ham Lake, MN USA Phone: (763) 951-7754 Email: info@wapitilabsinc.com Website: www.wapitilabsinc.com/animal

TRAINERS & BEHAVIORISTS CALIFORNIA

The Inquisitive Canine Ventura, CA USA Phone: (805) 650-8500 Email: joan@theinquisitivecanine.com Website: www.inquisitivecanine.com

Advertise your business in the Wellness Resource Guide 1-866-764-1212

animal wellness

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me!

He bit You may think your dog is too wellbehaved to bite someone, but there’s no guarantee it won’t ever happen. Here’s how to protect yourself, and your dog.

by Debbie Jacobs

M

elinda was shocked when her Pomeranian cross snapped at her five-year-old grandson, Bryce.

“Petey is normally so friendly with everyone,” she says. “But this time, something went wrong.” Luckily, Bryce wasn’t injured but the incident made Melinda think. “What if we were out walking and Petey bit and hurt a child? Would I be liable?”

The answer is yes. Whatever a dog’s breed, size or temperament, they all have teeth and they can all bite. The consequences of your dog biting someone can be far reaching. It could result in a crippling lawsuit, and/or an order to have your companion put down.

Accidents aren’t always unavoidable, but it’s important to do what you can to prevent a biting incident and protect yourself and your dog.

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• If you think there’s the least chance your dog might bite or snap at a stranger, don’t let anyone – especially children – pet him when you’re walking him. Don’t let him roam free and keep him on a leash at the park and in other public areas.

• Rabies vaccines are currently required by law every one to three years, depending on which state or province you live in. Keep your dog’s rabies shots up to date, and keep the paperwork for proof.

• Find out if your homeowner’s insurance covers you for dog bites. There are breed exclusions in some policies.

• Many animal control laws don’t differentiate as to why a dog has bitten someone. Believe it or not, a woman in New York City had her dog cited for biting a man who held her up at gunpoint!

• Talk to the victim. Regardless of whose fault you perceive a dog bite to be, the victim will be feeling a mix of emotions – and pain – and ultimately as the injured party they can decide whether or not to take a legal course of action or settle it personally. If they require medical attention, offer to pay for it, even if you believe your dog was provoked.

• Consult a professional trainer who uses positive reinforcement methods. He or she can help eliminate or minimize the chances of your dog biting someone.

An animal behaviorist can also be invaluable.

• Learn something about canine body language. Most dogs give indications that they are uncomfortable, angry or afraid. Learn to recognize the signals a dog gives before he resorts to biting – e.g. lifted lips, ears that are back, tail tucked between the legs, etc.

As Melinda realized, even a nip from a small dog is a red flag. Don’t ignore the issue, or the next time it occurs, your dog’s fate might be taken out of your hands. “I talked to a trainer and she said Petey didn’t have enough experience with young children,” says Melinda. “Like most five-year-olds, Bryce is loud and active, and it was making Petey nervous. Bryce and I worked with the trainer to help them both respond more appropriately to one another. Bryce learned to be gentle when petting the dog, and Petey learned that my grandson wasn’t a threat.”

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CASE STUDY

Tia’s

last chance How neoplasene, a controversial botanical cancer treatment, helped this French bulldog regain her health.

by Lisa Ricciotti

Back to good health, Tia once again enjoys playing in the garden.

A

nother operation was not an option. Tia had barely survived surgery to remove a breast tumor. Now, four months later, the cancer was back and growing rapidly. Aside from a grapefruit-sized external lump, Tia’s health was good, yet we knew she’d die soon if the cancer wasn’t stopped. An oncologist said neither chemotherapy nor radiation would help. And did I really want to put my 11-year-old French bulldog through either? There had to be an alternative.

New hope In 2003, Terrence Fox, PhD, a retired chemist who turned his attention to botanical medicine, introduced a game-changer in cancer treatment – neoplasene. While

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a controversial therapy, neoplasene is now listed as an option by Canine Cancer Research USA, and its use is growing among holistic veterinarians.

Neoplasene is a new twist on an ancient herbal remedy.

Long before Columbus reached our shores, native Americans were using the bloodroot plant (Sanguinaria canadensis) to treat warts and tumors. Pioneers and doctors picked up the practice, then around 1850, Dr. Weldon Fell added zinc chloride to bloodroot paste for better results. Commonly called black salves, these bloodroot treatments remained outside mainstream use, although some practitioners reported extraordinary results, including Dr. Ingrid Naiman in her 1999 book Cancer Salves.

Dr. Fox took the healing properties of bloodroot to a new level with a formula that uses a derivative of bloodroot (not the entire plant), halogens and water.

While bloodroot black salves are escharotic, burning healthy and unhealthy flesh away indiscriminately, neoplasene is preferential, targeting only cancerous cells. Dr. Fox claims that neoplasene eliminates tumors by a process called apoptosis, which he likens to cancer-cell suicide. In simple terms, neoplasene makes cancerous cells lose the abnormal property that gives them immortality. The switch is re-activated that lets them die, as cells normally do in a continuous process of death and regeneration.

Dr. Fox claims that neoplasene eliminates tumors by a process called apoptosis, which he likens to cancer-cell suicide.

Too good to be true?

Neoplasene can be applied externally as a paste, taken internally, injected into tumors or a combination of these. Its action is described as “melting away” cancer cells without harming normal cells, unlike the less discriminating effects of chemotherapy. It’s also significantly cheaper than chemo.

I was skeptical, but had to investigate. Fortunately, Drs. Steve Marsden and Joanna Milan, my vets at the Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic in Alberta, Canada, have used neoplasene and said Tia would be an excellent candidate – although her tumor was at the outer limits for the size they’d normally treat.

Dr. Marsden, known internationally as a veterinary educator in the use of complementary and alternative therapies, began mixing up his own cancer salves in 2002. He says early results were “variable”, but experience taught him the salve seemed to work best on external tumors with well-defined edges, while making very inflamed tumors worse. Now that neoplasene is available, he uses it selectively when people want to avoid the toxins of chemotherapy, when tumors can’t be easily removed surgically, or when anesthesia risks are too great. animal wellness

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“We’re picky,” Dr. Marsden explains. “It’s not the first choice for every patient, but in the right cases, it gives good results.” Dr. Milan notes people must be aware that after the tumor is gone, a wound remains – and if it’s large, healing can be lengthy. “It takes a dedicated, responsible owner, one who’s willing to invest the time in multiple vet visits for bandage changes and to do proper at-home care. You can’t just put neoplasene on and walk away.”

Notable success stories include a Doberman who had surgery for fibrosarcoma on his jaw. Three tumors later reappeared on his neck and were successfully removed with neoplasene. Asked if he believes neoplasene spares healthy cells while killing cancerous ones, Dr. Marsden hesitates, then gives a qualified yes: “It seems to, but I don’t know why. There’s still no scientifically valid research out there on neoplasene.”

Treatment tips Dr. Marsden reassured me Tia would experience short bouts of discomfort, but no serious pain, so I took the plunge. My dog friends strongly disagreed with my decision, but it paid off. Tia turned 12 last fall and she’s still going strong, almost a year after her predicted demise. Looking back, the hardest thing was dealing with my emotions and doubts, especially when faced with Tia’s huge ugly wound. But I have no regrets.

pain if applied incorrectly. Tia experienced one of the scarier effects when her wound site haemorrhaged one night, resulting in an overnight stay under emergency care for blood loss.

Experience counts. Find a vet who has used neoplasene before or can consult with one who has. You’ll need reassurance that all is okay as the tumor dies, sloughing off ooze that looks like blood but isn’t, then blackening and eventually falling off. (Do not pick it off!)

Use the right stuff. Buck Mountain Botanicals (buckmountainbotanicals.net) is currently the only source of neoplasene. Black salves claiming to have the same properties don’t, and can be harmful.

Neoplasene’s fast; healing isn’t. Used directly on tumors, you’ll see results in two to three days. Generally only one application is needed. Dr. Marsden says the biggest mistake he sees is using too much neoplasene too often.

However, Tia’s large wound took over a month to heal; and for several weeks we were at the clinic almost daily for bandage changes and wound therapy. Later, I took this on at home. Be sure you have lots of time, and the stomach, for proper after-care.

If you’re considering neoplasene, here are some tips to help you through the treatment process:

I can only vouch for the success of neoplasene when applied directly to tumors. Dr. Fox advocates using it internally, during treatment and forever after, but Dr. Milan feels that could be too toxic. And Dr. Marsden cautions that injecting neoplasene directly into tumors is extremely painful.

Don’t go it alone. Neoplasene is powerful stuff. Vet care and advice is essential. Possible complications include infection, loss of appetite or vomiting and/or excessive

Neoplasene will probably remain a controversial remedy for some time to come, but it certainly gave Tia a new lease on life, when it seemed nothing else would.

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Feline wellness

feline wellness Hip, cool and healthy!

Special dental issue

Therapy cats

Claws out!

The latest on declawing legislation

Brushless

dental products Keep her teeth clean the easy way

raw bones for kitties The best

FelineWellness.com

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Moorea brings comfort and companionship to nursing home residents.

BY SANDRA MURPHY

Dogs aren’t the only ones that make good therapy animals. Meet some friendly felines who visit hospitals, nursing homes and schools to brighten the lives of seniors, children and patients.

M

oorea’s calendar is quite full. Every Monday for the past six years, she has visited the residents of Remington Club Health Center in San Diego. She spends two Thursdays a month at Redwood Terrace visiting seniors, and one Saturday holding court in the lobby or visiting the Alzheimer’s wing at Belmont Village. One Tuesday a month is devoted to making room-to-room visits at Care Meridian, a small ten-bed facility for brain trauma and spinal cord injury patients.

“It’s all in a day’s work for a busy therapy cat!” says her person Nancy Denen.

Crystal the Persian visits with her friend Florence at a senior’s facility. feline wellness

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What are therapy cats?

The visits Moorea makes are largely social and called “pet provided therapy”. In this type of therapy, handler and cat visit directly with children, residents or patients. In “pet assisted therapy”, the handler steps back and the cat works with a physical or occupational therapist to restore or improve specific physical abilities in a patient. Stroke patients, for example, might exercise an uncooperative arm by brushing the cat’s fur.

Therapy cats can also help children improve their reading skills. While we humans may jump in to help a child with the pronunciation of a word or tell them to “sound it out”, cats like Ben and Cleo simply put a helping paw on the page. “Cleo’s 14 now,” says her person Michelle Cardosi.

“She likes sitting on her pillow and letting the kids come to her, instead of going room to room.” Cleo started doing visits when she was three months old – her early experiences helped her later pass a temperament test to become a certified therapy cat through Love on a Leash.

Cats on staff

Make sure your cat is comfortable with car rides, strangers, loud noises, dogs, birds, fish tanks, and furniture like wheelchairs, walkers and IV poles.

At Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, residents in each unit were asked to decide if they wanted an animal. “We’re part of the Eden Alternative, a philosophy that understands it’s important to give residents the chance to care for other living things,” says Helene King, communications coordinator for the center. “We now have eight cats who live at Levindale. It’s common to walk around a corner and see a cat hanging out in the hallway or in a resident’s room. Our cats also make our employees feel great.”

Even when a cat is thinking about retirement, he might be called back to active duty by popular demand. Take Lucky, a Delta Society cat who recently cut back on his visits. “After all, he’s 17 now,” Elaine Kahn says. “But then we got an email from a woman in the navy. She somehow found out about us on the internet and asked if we could do a few visits to one of her relatives who lives nearby. So I guess it’s time to get Lucky’s vest out again.”

With all the love and petting they receive, therapy cats seem to have it made. Nancy agrees: “After a visit where Moorea has snuggled with so many people, I tease her that I want her job!”

Love on a Leash Carmen is one of eight feline residents at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital.

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Ben was adopted by Rachel Cawley when he was nine years old. Ben is read to twice a month by the students

Is your cat a candidate?

If you think your own cat might be a good candidate for therapy work, join an organization such as the Delta Society (deltasociety.org) or Love on a Leash (loveonaleash.org), both for the training and the liability insurance.

• The most important consideration is temperament.

“At our assessment, the woman looked at Jake and said, ‘You know, when it comes to cats, they either hate doing this kind of work, or it’s like they’re born to it,’” says Koshka. “Jake is the second type.”

• Make sure your cat is comfortable with car rides, strangers, loud noises, dogs, birds, fish tanks, and furniture like wheelchairs, walkers, and IV poles.

A nurse’s aid cuddles one of Levindale’s cats.

at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School. When not at school, he visits the Mountain Communities Hospital.

Rachel says his most touching visit was with a blind woman. “Ben reached out with a paw to get onto her lap.

She cuddled him and kissed the top of his head. Other visiting animals had kept their distance and the woman thought they were afraid of her blindness. At our next visit, Ben remembered her.”

Crystal and Jake Janice Knafla’s Persian cat, Crystal, loves her twicemonthly visits to the mental health ward at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City. Once a month, Crystal also puts on a fashion show and models five or six outfits Janice has made for her. She’s earned five advanced degrees with Love on a Leash – her other visits include schmoozing with fire fighters at the local station house, and visiting the elderly in a nursing home.

Jake, an Abyssinian, has just finished his training and is ready to start doing therapy. He was certified through the Delta Society. Koshka Koh wants to take Jake to visit children with cancer at Dana Farber Hospital. “We met a little girl who was afraid of cats – she was able to pet Jake and was so proud of her accomplishment,” says Koshka. “When we had our assessment, our evaluator said it was like we we’re psychically connected. Even though we haven’t been on an official visit yet, we’re definitely a team.”

• Michelle advises using a harness and leash for your cat. Expose her to as many new environments as possible, and start her early in life, if you can.

• Mesh-enclosed strollers are not only good transportation, but they also protect cats from being stepped on or grabbed by over-eager fans.

Make sure you’re the only one to lift your cat in and out of the stroller — this is your cat’s quiet spot for a rest between visits, and strange hands reaching in could be scary.

• Don’t worry about being shy or not knowing what to say to a patient or resident. Once you meet a cat lover, you’ll be busy answering questions about your kitty!

Cleo is a “reading cat” for Love on a Leash.

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Give brushing

the brush-off

If the thought of cleaning your cat’s teeth makes you cringe, no fear. These easy-to-use dental products will help keep her mouth healthy without any hassle.

BY HEIDI HOFF

H

igh dental vet bills prompted Michelle to get pet insurance, especially since her eight-year-old cat, Jynx, is prone to plaque buildup. “He’s had dental surgery before to remove plaque and he’s due for the procedure again, at a cost of $600,” she says. “I do what I can to help remove the plaque from his teeth, but I have to admit I’m a bit lax when it comes to his oral health.”

Michelle isn’t alone. While most people do their best to stay on top of their cat’s health, dental care sometimes fall by the wayside. Brushing a cat’s teeth is not easy to do, especially if he doesn’t enjoy it – and few cats do.

So besides feeding a healthy diet, what can you do?

Fortunately, there are some effective products on the

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market that can help keep your kitty’s pearly whites their whitest, with no brushing required.

• “ Many studies indicate that people are not able or do not want to brush their cat’s teeth,” says Pamela Bosco, president of Pet King Brands. “A brushless oral care system is the best option available to overcome that compliance hurdle.” The company’s Biotene Drinking Water Additive features a patented mutanase and dextranase enzyme system that removes plaque biofilm before it turns to calculus on the teeth. “Together, mutanese and dextranase effectively inhibit and reduce plaque formation,” says Pamela. All you need to do is add some to your cat’s water bowl each day.

• “Many people are afraid to put their pets under anesthesia for good reasons,” says Walter Duberry, Sales Manager for LebaLab Inc. “Some veterinarians suggest Leba III instead of a periodontal cleaning.” Leba III’s active ingredients are all human grade and include herbs from the mint and rose families. They stimulate the good flora in the mouth; dropped on the tongue, the liquid will mix with the saliva, reaching all the teeth. It comes in a spray bottle with a complimentary dropper, making it easier for cats.

Leba III is not antibacterial and has no chemical components.

• Prevention is an important key to ensuring your cat’s optimum oral health.

A product called Triple Pet Plaque Off from Benedent Corporation can be added to drinking water to help eliminate plaque, tartar buildup and odor. “It works like chamomile tea works on us,” says Jorge Zarur, the company’s Marketing Director. “It promotes better digestion, and when that happens, the breath improves dramatically and the waste and the urine stop smelling as bad.” he active ingredient in the product is yucca shidigera. “This plant was used T as soap by native Americans some 200 years ago, because of its cleaning, oily properties,” says Jorge. “These properties will remain in the animal’s mouth so when he chews his food, it’s going to rub that oil against the plaque, eventually removing it and preventing it from forming again. It’s not magic; it’s just Mother Nature doing her job”.

Companies:

Ark Naturals, arknaturals.com Benedent Corporation, triple-pet.com LebaLab Inc., lebalab.com Petzlife, petzlife.com Pet King Brands, petkingbrands.com

• If your cat is a little on the stubborn side and you find yourself running out of tartar prevention options, relax. Petzlife’s Oral Care Gel with Wild Salmon Oil is one product that can be simply smeared on your cat’s lips to help to combat tartar buildup. “Bacteria hardens into plaque, which in turn becomes stubborn tartar,” says company owner Bud Groth. “The gel’s all-natural ingredients are what work to remove the bacteria. We combine neem, thyme and rosemary oil, as well as grapefruit and grape seed extracts, and blend them with pure human grade alcohol.” Most cats are attracted by the addition of the salmon oil.

• Another way your cat can enjoy the benefits of brushing without the hassle is to use brushless toothpaste. The Breath-Less Chewable Brushless Toothpaste from Ark Naturals is like a treat that cleans teeth. “The outside contains chlorophyll, cinnamon and vanilla for immediate breath freshening,” says Susan Weiss. “The inside contains three bacteriasts designed to disrupt the growth of oral bacteria. It’s a rice-based, highly digestible vegetarian product.” Though the product is geared towards dogs, it is also safe for cats. Remember, human toothpaste is harmful to cats so stick with a product specially made for small mammals.

Your cat depends on you to maintain her overall health. Use a brushless dental product every day and visit your veterinarian for regular dental checkups and you’ll not only save her the pain of periodontal disease, but you won’t need to rely on pet insurance for expensive dental surgery. Your cat – and your wallet – will thank you! feline wellness

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The fight against the inhumane practice of declawing is slowly gaining ground, thanks to new legislation. BY: JEAN HOFVE, DVM

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any people think declawing is no big deal – it’s just like having your fingernails cut, right? Wrong!

Unlike human fingernails, cats’ claws grow directly from the last bone of the toe. That means the entire bone must be removed to prevent the claw from re-growing. Each toe – bone, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, skin and all – is severed at the first joint. Declawing is essentially amputating a third of the cat’s paws.

Not surprisingly, surgical declawing has been controversial since it was devised in the 1960s. And the debate has only grown more contentious over the years. Opponents say declawing is cruel. Defenders (mostly veterinarians) say it is not.

cruelty statutes. The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) responded by filing a lawsuit, alleging the new ordinance was illegal under existing California law because it infringed on the practice of a state-licensed profession. The Superior Court agreed, and the ordinance was voided. West Hollywood appealed, and the ruling was reversed by the state Court of Appeal, thereby upholding the ban. The CVMA appealed again but the California Supreme Court refused to hear the case – in effect affirming the ordinance.

Declawing is illegal or considered inhumane in dozens of countries around the world. Even in countries where declawing is still legal, such as New Zealand, Thailand and South Africa, it is “just not done.” Declawing is common only in the United States and Canada.

But the CVMA didn’t stop there. It introduced legislation at the state level designed to stop other cities from outlawing declawing by preventing municipalities from making any laws restricting such licensed professions.

While concealing the bill’s true purpose, the CVMA garnered support from other licensed professions, such as dentists and physicians. The legislation passed, was signed by the governor in July 2009, and was scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2010.

Here, in recent years, the long war over declawing has shifted to the legal field, at least in California. In 2003, West Hollywood passed an ordinance banning declawing within the city limits, based on animal

Thankfully, this delayed effective date provided a window of opportunity for declaw opponents. Led by Dr. Jennifer Conrad of The Paw Project, a non-profit organization that inspired the original West Hollywood

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law, ordinances to ban declawing were introduced in several cities in California.

By the end of 2009, seven cities had joined West Hollywood in making declawing illegal within their city limits: Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Culver City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa Monica.

Only Malibu failed to approve it; the city later passed a resolution condemning declawing, but it has no legal effect on veterinarians performing the surgery.

The CVMA vehemently opposed each ordinance, while ban supporters passionately defended their position. Nevertheless, every city council and board of supervisors – once they truly understood what declawing was and how it affects cats – overwhelmingly (often unanimously) supported a ban. It was crystal clear to these local legislators that declawing is in fact animal cruelty, and should be prohibited.

What did these council members and supervisors see that veterinarians don’t seem to get?

• In 2006, the USDA amended the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit declawing of exotic carnivores (including big cats). It reasoned that declawing “can cause considerable pain and discomfort to the animal and may result in chronic health problems.”

Domestic cats are, anatomically, small versions of big cats such as lions, jaguars and bobcats. But domestic cats are very good at concealing pain and illness; and their size can make problems less obvious.

• Medical complications from declawing are common. Scientific studies have found post-operative complications in up to 83% of cats (not surprisingly, complication rates were highest at veterinary teaching hospitals with students performing the surgeries).

Humane alternatives In 95% of cases, people have their cats declawed to protect their household furnishings from scratches and snags.

• Buying a few scratching posts can do the job humanely. Place the posts in the same room as your furniture, and rub some dried catnip on them to encourage your cat to use them.

• Put some machine washable slipcovers over the furniture you want to protect.

• If all else fails, shut your cat out of the living room when you’re not around to monitor him.

“My view is that if you care more about your upholstery than your cat, then you shouldn’t have cats,” says Sheryl, who shares her home with three feline friends. “Mine sometimes scratch the furniture, but it’s a small price to pay for the joy of their companionship.”

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Some problems, such as bleeding or lameness, occur immediately after surgery, but others (such as arthritis due to altered gait) may not be apparent for years. That time lag allows for an intellectual “disconnect” between declawing and later problems.

• The potential for behavioral complications following declawing is the most hotly contested issue in the entire declaw debate, though perhaps the least important.

Oddly, both sides use the same studies to make their points. For instance, declawing opponents cite research showing that up to 33% of cats developed a behavior problem (primarily biting or not using the litterbox) after being declawed; but declawing defenders find reasons to disbelieve or ignore that data.

Very little research has been done on declawing for several years (other than on new drugs or techniques) and there has been no research on behavioral effects in the last decade. To declawing opponents, this seems like willful ignorance – a desire not to know any more about

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the effect of declawing on cats. It’s clear to many that the long-term consequences are severe, and many (perhaps most) declawed cats experience chronic pain. Research on phantom pain in humans, for instance, confirms that 100% of amputees have phantom sensations, 40% of which are painful. Declawed cats have had multiple separate amputations – how could they not have pain?

Unless and until adequate research is done, these questions are unlikely to be resolved. To stop declawing, animal advocates have relied on educating the public; but that’s a frustratingly slow process.

The legal arena has been more productive, not only for awareness and education, but for serious progress toward the goal of a declawing ban. This is the case even when legislation fails, as it did in Connecticut in 2008. But veterinarians are more organized and have more money available for legal fights. How will it end?

We can only hope that the well being of cats will be the ultimate winner.

purrfect products No more scooping Ask a cat lover what her least favorite task is, and she’ll probably say “scooping the litter box”. The Litter-Robot makes daily litter cleanup a thing of the past. This automated self-cleaning litter box features a patented litter sifting system and a large capacity waste drawer that only needs to be emptied once every few days – and it’s as simple as changing a kitchen garbage bag. Odor is dramatically reduced, and litter costs can be reduced by up to 50%.

Comes in three colors. $329.99 litter-robot.com

Fountain of health One way to get your cat to drink more is to offer her moving water. The Stainless Steel Drinking Fountain from Pioneer Pets provides your feline friend with continuously aerated water. It also features a replaceable charcoal filter so the water stays clean and pure, while the stainless steel bowl helps prevent the growth of bacteria. The sleek and attractive raindrop design means it will blend in comfortably with your kitchen décor. $89.99 pioneerpet.com

Keep her contained Green goddess A lot of cats are prone to hairballs, but a daily helping of fresh tender cat grass can help eliminate the problem. Priscilla’s Kitty Grass is special blend of natural wheat, oats, barley and rye. The grass not only aids your cat’s digestion and minimizes the risk of hairballs, but is also a good source of protein, vitamins and chlorophyll. Kits include a pot, dish, seeds and organic potting soil.

1 kit – $7.95 kittygrass.com

Now that the weather’s getting warmer, your kitty might be hankering to get outside. Purrfect Fence gives him some outdoor freedom and fun while keeping him safe. This cat fence enclosure system can be installed free-standing or added to an existing fence or wall.

The fencing material is flexible so most cats don’t like climbing it; for those who do, the special Cat-Proofer extenders will buckle under their weight and return them safely to the ground.

Free-standing system with gate – $995 Existing fence conversion system –$295 purrfectfence.com

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BY: DEVA KHALSA, VMD

Raw bones help keep your cat’s teeth clean and her gums healthy, but it’s important to give her the right kind. Poultry necks are the best choice – here’s why.

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our cat’s dental health can have a big impact on her overall well being, so it’s important to make sure her teeth and gums are in good condition. One way to do this is to give her raw bones to chew on. But not just any bones.

In the neck Raw poultry necks are the best bones for cats, and can play an integral role in their dental hygiene. Necks are made up of cartilage, ligaments and tendons that act as a form of natural dental floss, while chewing the muscle meat can also help keep teeth clean. The process of grinding and crushing the cartilage actually massages the cat’s teeth and gums, cleaning away food residues and helping eliminate tartar development. This in turn prevents plaque formation, bad breath, dental cavities and gingivitis.

Because poultry necks are made of cartilage rather than bone, they’re soft and spongy rather than hard. Easy to find varieties include chicken, Cornish game hen, turkey and duck necks. Smaller cats may like Cornish game hen

necks. In fact, these smaller necks often serve as a good first bone for any cat. Once she becomes accustomed to them, she might prefer the meatier turkey and duck necks.

Larger poultry necks can also be cut into smaller, easy to handle pieces. Turkey necks can be cut into half a dozen pieces and then sliced in half again, yielding a semicircular tube. Duck and chicken necks can be cut into a few portions. As your cat gets used to handling and chewing on the necks, you can increase the size of the pieces.

If you’re cutting up the necks, be sure not to go too far and make the pieces too small. While our finicky felines are less likely than dogs to gobble down an entire hunk of neck, it’s best to avoid bones of a size that will tempt them to swallow without chewing first. After all, it’s the chewing that cleans their teeth.

Introducing raw bones Some cats will go into overdrive at first sight of a poultry

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neck, just as if they’re auditioning for a part in Born Free. Our little carnivores instinctively know how to crush and chew a bone! It’s a good idea to get kittens started young with poultry necks so their teeth stay healthy.

It might be difficult to get some adult cats eating bones if they’re not used to fresh meat or already have bad teeth or a dental problem.

If your cat displays any discomfort with raw necks, have your veterinarian do a thorough dental exam. When cats have a great deal of tartar and gum recession, it’s not a bad idea to have their teeth checked and cleaned first, then use poultry necks to continue maintaining dental health.

If your cat remains unimpressed with your new and wonderful idea, entice her by sprinkling a little tuna juice on the necks the first few times. You can also sprinkle the necks with dry powdered liver or catnip, or rub some canned food on them. A finicky feline may require a few attempts, but don’t give up.

Treats & Chews. The Healthy Choice.

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No cooking Never cook and never microwave poultry necks. The benefits of eating bones are greatly reduced by cooking them, and it can actually © Bravo! Raw Diet 2011 create dangers. Poultry necks are safe for cats because they’re made of spongy cartilage; cooking them renders them tougher and more brittle, which means they’ll break apart into large chunks more easily. Your cat might swallow a piece that’s too large to digest, necessitating a trip to the veterinarian. Cooking also changes the natural calcium so

Bravo!Õs new line of all-natural treats are on every catÕs wish list. You can choose from a wide variety of protein types. They are all single ingredient products loaded with cat appeal and healthy ingredients. But chose wisely, there are many good choices. To find a Bravo! retailer near you, go to www.bravorawdiet.com.

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it is almost unavailable for absorption, doing away with that vital source of mineral availability. Microwaving is ever worse: it denatures the protein, destroys the natural enzymes, and also renders the calcium in the bone unusable by the body.

Poultry necks make ideal snacks for your cat.

Never cook or microwave them! feline wellness

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If you have a cat with a gastrointestinal problem or impaired immune system, and you’re worried about bacteria, drop the neck in a pot of boiling water for a second. (Most cats like their food better if it’s not cold from the refrigerator anyhow, so you can always place the neck in some warm water or drop it – for just a second – into hot or boiling water.) My cats like it when I cut a chicken neck into a few pieces, turn on the broiler and put the pieces in the oven for just a second or two on each side. Again, never leave the necks to cook for a long time; it makes the cartilage hard and the necks will not digest easily.

However you decide to serve poultry necks, supervise your cat while she’s chewing them until you know she’s got the drill down pat.

I’ve been recommending poultry necks for over 25 years, both as a healthy and delicious snack and as a preventive dental measure. I have never encountered a problem with my patients eating them. In fact, most commercial feline treats are loaded with synthetic ingredients I would not recommend, while poultry

They’re good for her!

Poultry necks provide your cat with nutritional as well as dental support.

• The calcium in raw necks is more digestible than most common calcium supplements.

• A chicken or turkey neck has a calcium/phosphorus ratio of about 1.75 to 1.00.

• Poultry necks contain protein, potassium, zinc, copper, magnesium and manganese.

• They give cats a much-needed external source of arginine, an essential amino acid.

necks provide cats with healthy and essential nutrition (see sidebar).

Most adult cats will happily eat a poultry neck every day, but even twice weekly will give her dental protection.

Either way, it’s all for the best if your cat decides that poultry necks are the highlight of her day. They’re easy to find, inexpensive, easy to prepare and healthy to boot.

And you know the old saying: “A poultry neck a day keeps the dentist away!”

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health products & services/communication

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helping

A passion for

by Ann Brightman Making a difference in the lives of people and animals was Ken Meares’ motivation for his business.

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strong desire to help others can take someone a long way in life. Ken Meares is one such individual.

When he and business colleague Miles DuPree founded Great HealthWorks in 2003, his main motivation was to help people achieve and maintain good health, as naturally as possible. “I have a long background in health, fitness and wellness, and have studied ongoing health trends,” says Ken. Another motivation behind the company was Ken’s discovery that green-lipped mussel extract from the waters of New Zealand is an exceptionally good source of essential fatty acids. “Its uniqueness and effectiveness is found in the patented extraction process,” explains Jeff Roman, the company’s VP of Business Development.

“Nowhere else in the world are these mussels found.

Basically, the plankton in the waters in New Zealand has high antioxidant properties. The mussels eat the plankton, the mussels are harvested and we then extract their oil. This extract has 30 different essential fatty acids as opposed to the two found in many typical fish oils.”

Great HealthWorks started out by making a human supplement called Omega XL, using green-lipped mussel extract. “There are over 12,500 studies and published articles on Omega 3s,” says Jeff. “Omega 3s are scientifically proven to have many benefits including heart health, joint health, mental clarity and the reduction of inflammation in the body. It was an easy decision to

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search for an effective Omega3 for humans and animals, especially when the FDA has now allowed a qualified claim that diets rich in Omega 3 essential fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.”

“It was natural that the passion for helping others would lead to helping people and their animals, so last year we started developing Mussel Dog,” adds Ken. Sourced from the same waters as their human product, Mussel Dog is a plankton-based Omega 3 fatty acid offering high levels of antioxidants. It’s formulated to offer dogs natural support for their joints, skin and cardiovascular systems.

In creating this product, says Jeff, the company did extensive research using available studies and veterinary testing. “We are very methodical and deeply concerned about safety and purity in all our products,” he says.

“We look forward to expanding the Mussel Dog line into a multi-product division through our new subsidiary, Great PetWorks, and we will continue focusing on care through quality natural and organic pet supplements and accessories.” The company has also recently established a partnership with the American Humane Association, an organization dedicated to protecting animals and children from abuse and neglect.

“We love the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people and animals,” says Jeff. Ken agrees, adding that few things are more precious and special than the love and attachment we share with our canine companions.

communication

It’s a miracle!

An animal intuitive shares a few of the most amazing stories from her career.

by Lynn McKenzie Starlight returned to her guardians as a gray and white kitten.

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an contacted me about her great Dane, Godiva, to see if I could help when the young dog’s failing health became critical. Godiva had been diagnosed with a number of health conditions (including seizures) and was taking four or five medications to deal with them. Even so, she just seemed to be going downhill.

Jan wanted to know if we could check in with Godiva through animal communication and gain some insight into why this was happening.

Godiva didn’t give me much of a charge on this, so I knew it had to be something else. I asked her to send me more information, and she showed me the image of a collar.

I asked Jan if Godiva wore a collar. She gasped and said “Yes, and it has a red heart on it; it’s her vaccination tag.”

From the first moment I connected with Godiva, she kept showing me the image of a red heart breaking. Jan was taken aback because she loves heart motifs and collects them, and had recently been given a red one from one of her best girlfriends.

He concluded that Pinky was now disease free and seemed to be in perfect health.

animal wellness

Godiva was telling us, in a way she hoped we’d understand, that she was reacting poorly to her vaccinations. This

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information gave Jan a significant insight that she took back to her vet, enabling Godiva to live a much more comfortable and healthy life.

I can’t say miracles like this happen every time I communicate with an animal, or even most of the time.

But I’ve certainly seen enough of them in my career to know they can occur. It’s amazing how a simple animal communication and healing session can reveal things about an animal’s well being that may never be discovered any other way.

Pinky’s recovery Another miraculous situation that comes to mind involves a cat I worked with called Pinky. Her guardian, Pam, had taken her to the vet because she was not

feeling well. Her vet diagnosed Pinky with a liver disease that, unbeknownst to Pam, was normally incurable and terminal. Worried about how Pinky felt about her illness, and hoping she could get well again, Pam consulted me.

I went to work, communicating with and doing as much healing as I could on Pinky. I gave her information about what was going on, letting her share her thoughts and feelings, and clearing any energy imbalances and blockages.

It was more than a year later when I heard from Pam again, and this time it was about another of her cats. At the beginning of the session, however, Pam told me that the last time she’d taken Pinky to the vet, he did a double take and said, “I can’t believe Pinky is still with us.” When Pam replied that Pinky had been doing really well and seemed to be feeling fine, the vet decided to re-test her for the disease she’d previously been diagnosed with. He concluded that Pinky was now disease free and seemed to be in perfect health – rather surprising, as there is no known cure for this form of liver disease. Needless to say, Pam chocks it up to a miracle.

Starlight returns Another experience I see as miraculous revolved around a cat named Starlight. Her story involves the “life, death and rebirth” cycle and the happy reunion that came at the end of it.

Starlight’s guardians contacted me last summer when, in the twilight of her life, she had gradually started to slow down and it was apparent she was heading toward her transition. In many ways it was a sad time, but Starlight, who was the matriarch of her cat tribe, shared with us that she planned to reincarnate rather quickly and would return soon as a gray female kitten, possibly with a little white on her (she was also a gray cat in her current life).

A communication session helped Starlight’s guardians find her.

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Her guardians were naturally anxious about how they would manage to find her and were worried they might miss her return. But Starlight gave us some specific details about how and when she would return, and asked

Godiva was telling us, in a way she hoped we’d understand, that she was reacting poorly to her vaccinations.

her guardians to stay centered in their hearts and try to keep their “heads” out of the process.

In a spirit communication session following her transition, Starlight made it very clear that she would be born within a 45-minute drive of her guardians’ home, and would make it very easy for them to spot her.

A number of months later, Starlight’s guardians contacted me. They had found a litter of kittens born within the same time frame and area that Starlight had indicated. Out of the seven kittens in the litter, six were black and white – and one was a grey female with some white. Talk about easy to spot! The couple had found their Starlight, and they were reunited early this year.

These are just a few of the animal communication miracles I have experienced over the years. Incidentally, I don’t personally “create” these miracles – rather, I’m simply the facilitator for the divine energy I allow to flow through me. It’s truly amazing what animal communication can accomplish! animal wellness

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the scoop Bugs away They may be tiny, but biting insects are a major nuisance. Animal Sense Pet Products Inc. introduces Heavenly Organic ECOSPLASH to its line of products.

It’s a botanical-based insect repellent with certified organic soybean oil (a natural repellent) as a key ingredient, and a blend of certified organic essential oils, including lavender and cedarwood. Good for repelling mosquitoes and blackflies as well as fleas and ticks. animalsensepetproducts.com

Healing current If you have animals, you know injuries happen.

Electro-Acuscope/Myoscope Therapy helps accelerate the body’s natural healing processes, producing faster recovery time with non-invasive, drug-free treatments. The system uses electricity to reduce pain by stimulating the nervous system without puncturing the skin. It also helps increase range of motion and speeds rehabilitation. currentsuccess.net

Skin soother Seasonal allergies, exposure to lawn or pool chemicals, and other environmental irritants can cause your dog a lot of skin discomfort. To help him get relief from itching, swelling and related issues, Earth Heart Inc. offers Guard Well, a mist made from pure essential oils such as niaouli, ravensara and frankincense.

It’s easy to use, won’t stain or harm materials, and can be safely sprayed directly on a dog’s bedding. earthheartinc.com

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Implants for animals Neutering can be traumatic for you and your beloved companion. Neuticles are testicular implants for animals created to aid neuter-hesitant animal guardians when neutering their companions. They provide an alternative to the traditional form of altering, allowing your animal to safely and simply retain his identity.

Neuticles are warranted for the animal’s lifetime – to date, over 230,000 people have gone this route with their companions. Available in three models. neuticles.com

Healthy trends

17 million strong

Americans spent more than $18 billion dollars on pet food in 2009, according to the American Pet Products Association. And newly released trends show consumers are purchasing more healthy pet food products than ever before. “The more ingredient scares and speculation pet owners experience, the more they seem to search for better and safer foods,” says veterinarian Dr. Francisco DiPolo. “As they learn about mainstream food product realities, it’s no surprise that sales of organic pet food alone reached an all-time high of $84 million in 2009.” It’s a trend that’s expected to grow.

This year marks the 15th birthday of Petfinder.com, an online searchable database of adoptable animals that has so far found homes for more than 17 million animals since its inception in 1996. In celebration of the occasion, the organization has set a goal to find homes for another 2.5 million homeless animals this year alone. It’s also planning a nationwide adoption event this summer that will bring hundreds of animal shelters and rescues together to further promote adoption.

At your fingertips Wouldn’t it be great if you had instant access to your dog’s ID, medical history, emergency contacts, insurance and vet info all in one place? The new “My Dog” app gives you this and more. It allows you to create and share your dog’s profile, upload his photo, keep track of his weight, and send details to your vet, trainer or boarding facility with the press of a button. The app also includes a National Guide to Dog Friendly Places, and a Pet Travel Guide & Tips. doginfousa.com

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passages

BY: JULIE SABIN

Cecil’s last moments gave his guardian a special gift of hope.

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hen I was nine, I would lie in bed at night, thinking about death. What happened after you died? I didn’t buy the idea of Heaven taught at Sunday School – the grand joyful place in the sky with pearly gates and a seat at the right hand of God. It didn’t seem likely. Just another story concocted by the grownups, like Santa Claus and the tooth fairy.

I imagined dying would feel like permanent dreamless sleep. Eyes closed and that’s it. No feeling and no thoughts. Black. Forever. After all, where did the phrase put to sleep come from?

Never-ending darkness is what I thought about as my husband, Pete, and I stood in the veterinary hospital’s waiting room. Pete held our bulldog, Cecil, and I looked

around the room full of animals and their people. Their eyes met my mine before looking away. My tear-stained face announced what was to come.

Three years earlier, we’d brought Cecil home to be a companion to our first dog, Huxley. A scrawny ten-week old pup, Cecil quickly transformed into a 50-pound ball of muscle. Looking at him, I had to laugh. His wide grin and two-toned face, one half white and the other half brown, reminded me of a clown.

But the clown had a serious side when it came to chasing balls and cars. One afternoon, Cecil escaped the confines of the yard and chased after a delivery truck, putting us on a path that ended here in the waiting room.

When the vet tech walked in and motioned for us to follow her, my feet rooted to the floor as if the electrical connection from my brain had failed.

I took a deep breath. One step…then another. Following the tech, I turned and looked at Pete. He pulled Cecil tighter to his chest.

We walked through the exam room door. Cecil yelped. His high-pitched screech bounced off the bare walls

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and his eyes darted around the room.

Squealing and squirming, he tried to break free of Pete’s arms. Panic clawed its way from the depths of my intestines to the back of my throat.

Dear God, what are we doing?

Dr. Shannon stood on the other side of the exam table.

“Put him down. He’s so used to being poked and prodded. I think that’s why he’s afraid.”

Was that really why? How could she be so sure?

She held a syringe in her left hand.

“Let’s give him a sedative. It’ll calm him down.”

She was right. Cecil had been poked and prodded excessively. After he was hit by the truck, he endured numerous procedures: emergency surgery, a leg amputation, steroid shots, chiropractic care and acupuncture.

We agreed to everything the doctors suggested, hoping to cure his chronic pain. Yet, we’d still ended up here and Cecil seemed to know what was coming.

Dr. Shannon injected him with the sedative. The yelping stopped. His eyes closed and he lay curled on the floor. Low rumbling snores kept pace with his breathing. His body relaxed for what seemed like the first time in a year.

Tears flowed down my cheeks, burning my skin. I looked at the doctor and saw water behind her glasses. “I’ll give you some time,” she said as she slipped out the door.

I sat on the cold cement floor cradling my little buddy. The rhythm of his

snores did nothing to soothe the hurt in my chest. I couldn’t catch my breath. The word “heartbreak” ran through my mind, and how accurate the term really felt.

Cecil’s head was wet from my tears.

I stroked his velvet, triangle-shaped ears and fiddled with his paws. I breathed in his earthy smell, wishing to imprint it on my brain.

“You’re such a good boy,” I said as I hugged him. “You’re not gonna feel bad anymore, I promise.”

Dr. Shannon walked in the door.

“Are we ready?” she asked, holding the needle in her hand.

I nodded. “I love you, buddy,” I whispered in his ear.

I never saw her stick Cecil with the needle, yet I knew the exact moment when she did so. As his spirit left his body, my eye caught movement in the air, so visible, tempting me to touch it. It lifted off like a carnival balloon you accidentally let slip out of your hand. You know it’s too late to grasp, and as it peacefully floats away, it leaves you feeling a mixture of sadness and awe.

The moment of death wasn’t anything like I imagined at nine years old or saw in movies as an adult. It wasn’t lights out at the end. There was no last breath.

No open sightless eyes. The moment of death was a sendoff.

Cecil’s soul visibly left and headed somewhere, leaving his shell of a body behind. In my grief, there was a sense of beauty. Here was my proof of the Other Side. The last minute of Cecil’s life was his special gift to me, and I’ll be forever grateful.

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Book reviews Title:

The Real Poop Scoop on Pet Sitting

Author: Bonnie

Best

If you’re an animal lover who has ever wanted to run her own business, you might have considered pet sitting. In The Real Poop Scoop on Pet Sitting, professional sitter and former vet tech Bonnie Best tells you everything you need to know to start your own pet sitting business – and make it successful.

The book opens with an honest look at how to determine if pet sitting is really for you (for example, it can entail odd hours, as well as working weekends and holidays, so forget the 9 to 5 regime). The remaining chapters are devoted to setting yourself up in business, and the supplies and resources you’ll need, as well as marketing strategies, day-to-day management, customer service and tips for controlled growth. You’ll also find suggestions for minimizing stress and maintaining balance in your personal and work life.

Both informative and eye-opening, this book springs from the experiences of a long-time pet sitter, and is a must-read for anyone considering a career change in this direction.

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Training your dog doesn’t have to be hard work. In The Love That Dog Training Program, Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz -- trainer to President Obama’s dog Bo – provides you with a comprehensive five-week training program that will result in a happy, well-behaved canine companion.

And it only takes ten to 20 minutes a day!

Using trust and treats rather than force and punishment, Dawn shows you just how powerful positive reinforcement can be, whether your dog is a puppy or an adult (even one with bad habits). She discusses the effectiveness of reward-based training, then takes you through five weeks of instruction, from potty training and crating to everyday commands such as “sit” and “down”. There’s one week devoted to verbal cues, and another to establishing a strong training foundation.

Later chapters take you a step further with training games and activities, clicker training and tricks and more useful tips.

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Separation anxiety can be a major stressor for both you and your dog. You can’t stay home all the time, but how do you reassure your dog that you’ll be back and that he doesn’t need to fret or engage in destructive behaviors?

This question is answered in Don’t Leave Me! written by Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Nicole Wilde. This interactive guide book leads you through a step-by-step process to solving separation anxiety. Learn how nutrition and exercise can help, and how you can build your dog’s confidence. Nicole also gives you creative management solutions and behaviour modification protocols, and talks about both alternative therapies and conventional medications that can help calm your dog.

The book includes real-life stories from experts who helped their clients alleviate separation anxiety in their own dogs, and how they did it. It’s an invaluable guide for anyone whose dog doesn’t like being left alone.

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Classifieds Animal Communicators CAN WE TALK? Animal and Soul Communicator, Janice DeFonda says, “Yes! Bless your Hearts and Souls through the communion this connection can provide. Share your Love, laugh, cry, grow and expand the depth of your understanding with your Animal Friends.

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Phone Consults (315) 329-0116 angelwhispurr@gmail.com www.ark-angels.org END OF LIFE DECISIONS – Gain Peace of Mind knowing what your animal friend is truly feeling and desires as the time nears for passing. Receive Support, Compassion & Understanding. Animal Communication with Love.

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Call (519) 896-2600 suebecker@cyg.net www.suebecker.net JANET DOBBS – WORKSHOPS AND CONSULTATIONS. Animal communication, Animal/human Reiki. Deepening the bond between animals and humans. For information about hosting a workshop in your area. janet@animalparadisecommunication.com, (703) 648-1866 or www.animalparadisecommunication.com

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animal wellness

SHIRLEY SCOTT - Internationally known Animal Communicator & Clairvoyant connects with your pets here or in spirit. She reads emotional/behavior/health problems, provides classes & workshops in animal communication & training. www.animaltalkhealing.com (509) 526-5020 INGRID BRAMMER – On-line classes, on-site workshops, and home study programs available that will teach you how to intuitively communicate with animals with explanation of how it is possible.

Contact Ingrid (705) 742-3297 or ibrammer@sympatico.ca or www.animalillumination.com CAROL SCHULTZ - Animal Communicator/Interspecies Life Coach. Interactive, compassionate and insightful Consultations and Healing for all animal species.

(815) 531-2850 www.carolschultz.com Founder/ Director of www.AnimalSpiritNetwork.com online learning institute, Animal Healing Arts Education and Professional Development.

BARBARA ELLIS – Would you like to enhance the harmony and understanding in your interspecies family? Questions for Nature?

Consultations are provided with – and promote – respect, wisdom, appreciation and integrity. www.interspecies-inspirations.com (541) 773-5175 ANIMAL HEALINGS – Animal communication/animal Reiki healing: all species. Thom and Jonquil help resolve behavior problems, learn about healthcare/enrichment needs, find lost pets, end of life/ grief issues. Email & interactive sessions: (941) 321-8484, www.AnimalHealings.com

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GENEFLORA FOR PETS – Naturally Building Your Pet’s Health With Every Scoop. Recommended by Veterinarians, Groomers, Breeders and Animal Lovers Just Like You! www.Cycles-of-Life.com or call: (800) 498-6640.

CANADIAN ANIMAL MASSAGE & BODYWORKERS ASSOCIATION www.c-amba.org A growing group of qualified, complementary practitioners working to maintain the highest Standard of Ethical Practice for the benefit of and respect for the lives we impact.

CRANIMALS.COM - The benefits of cranberry and other dark berries are the antioxidant-boosting key to unlocking the full potential of your dog, cat or puppy. Buy online www.cranimal.com/buyNow.html AZMIRA HOLISTIC ANIMAL CARE The award winning leader in Natural Foods, Supplements, Herbs, Homeopathy, Flower Essences and Organic Topicals. Since 1982.

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INTERNATIONAL ASSN. OF ANIMAL MASSAGE & BODYWORK www.IAAMB.org Professional association supports, networks and promotes complementary care for animals through continuing education, website, referrals, newsletters, insurance, conferences, lobbying and credentialing. Welcome practitioners of animal massage and bodywork.

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(519) 776-7325 Essex ON. essexanimalclinic@cogeco.net www.essexanimalhospital.ca GUELPH ANIMAL HOSPITAL Offers a full range of conventional veterinary services as well as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, herbal and nutritional. Dr. Rob Butler is certified in veterinary acupuncture and is also trained in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. By integrating conventional and complementary therapies, treatments can be tailored to the individual needs and preferences of the animal and client. Guelph Animal Hospital (519) 836-2782 www.guelphvet.com NEWKIRK FAMILY VETERINARIANS AND ALTERNATIVE CARE CENTER - Dr. Mark Newkirk, Alternative Cancer Therapies, Nutritional Supplement programs based on your own pets’ blood tests, Chiropractic, Aquapuncture, Herbal, Homeopathic, Ozone Treatments, Laser Pain Therapy, Bach Flower therapy, Applied Kinesiology, NAET (allergy elimination),.

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FOR ANIMALS NEEDING HEALING AND SUPPORT – Reiki (distance and in-person), Flower Essence and essential oil recommendations, Telepathic connections – contact Alison at alkruk@earthlink.net or visit www.alisonkruk.com Small classes also offered.

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COMPANION ANIMAL TOUCH & THERAPIES - Hands-on training for small animal massage therapy providers at locations in IL, WI, VA, and NC. Learn to work with animals safely, effectively, and professionally from an experienced instructor. info@companionanimaltouchandtherapies.com (847) 782-1963 (voice) www.companionanimaltouchandtherapies.com (847) 782-5725 (fax)

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ANIMAL LOVERS PET SHOP - We provide an extensive assortment of organic, natural and holistic foods and supplements for dogs, cats, reptiles and birds as well as toys. www.animalloverspetshop.com (310) 378-3052

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ANIMAL HEALING ARTS TRAINING & CERTIFICATE STUDY PROGRAMS - Animal Spirit Healing & Education® Network provides distance learning and on-site courses in Animal Communication, Shamanic Animal Healing, Animal Reiki, Grief Support Skills, Flower Essences, Aromatherapy, Species Behavior, and Holistic Animal Health. Learn more at: www.AnimalSpiritNetwork.com or contact Founder, Carol Schultz, (815) 531-2850, info@animalspiritnetwork.com

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Animal Wellness Magazine reserves the right to refuse any advertising submitted, make stylistic changes or cancel any advertising accepted upon refund of payment made.

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103

Events Animal Communication Advanced I The Deepening Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary, Spotsylvania, VA May 13, 14 & 15, 2011 Requirements: The Basic 2-day course.

You may also take this workshop if you have completed a beginning animal communication course with another teacher.

This class is for those who have completed the Basic 2-day Animal communication course and wish to continue to deepen their connection with animals. Leave the hustle and bustle of your day to day life behind for a few days and connect deeply with all that is.

This class is for those who want more knowledge, direction and inspiration to deepen their connection and experience.

As you continue to open your heart to heart connection with animals and all that is, you will gain more experience, knowledge, guidance and inspiration. You will learn from the master teachers: the animals themselves. Janet will guide you, but the animals will teach you. We won’t stop there. That is just the icing on the cake. As we continue to go deeper you will learn how to open to all that is, including domestic and wild animals, plants, trees, and all of creation. This will be a time of fun and surprises. Discover your power animal. Come experience the magic.

AC102: Animal Communication – Level 1 Teleclass Series Instructor: Kristin Thompson Tuesday evenings (6 weeks) beginning May 17, 2011 Internationally available teleclass series This 6-week long teleclass is an opportunity to open yourself to the wonderful and insightful world of communicating with animals.

• Broaden your awareness of animals and their ideas, feelings, thoughts, and viewpoints.

• Learn the foundation skills to telepathic communication with animals and how to access those skills.

• Experience exercises to open your intuitive channels to send and receive messages with animals, both in your presence and across distance.

• Become aware of potential barriers to interspecies telepathic communication that may come up for you and discover ways to move beyond those hurdles.

• Enjoy expanded exercises while sharing experiences with others during the 6-week teleclass and receive mutual support between phone sessions in a dedicated e-mail community of likeminded classmates.

• Practice and deepen these new skills and integrate them into your life with animals.

For more information: Carol Schultz 815-531-2850 carol@animalspiritnetwork.com http://tinyurl.com/l7crcj Animal Communication: The Basic Course June 11-12, 2011 Vienna, VA & Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary You will be lead through the basic steps of animal communication with guided meditations, enlightening discussions and telepathic exercises. You will build and form a foundation as you learn various ways to receive communication from animals. This 2-day workshop will give you an overview of what animal communication is and how you already communicate with your animal companions, animal friends and even wild animals.

janet@animalparadisecommunication.com www.animalparadisecommunication.com Animal Communication: The Essentials by Teleclass Thursdays at 8PM Eastern Time June 16, 23, 30 & July 7 Teleconference So you have completed the Basic 2-Day Animal communication Workshop and you would like more practice and experience. Maybe you are not feeling confident enough to participate in the student practice group on-line. Maybe you are ready to go deeper with your communication with the animals. No matter what level you are, this is the course for you.

This course consists of 4 lessons and corresponding homework assignments.

Lessons will be sent to you via email once a week, giving you enough time to complete the homework before the next class. Each lesson will help you deepen your connection with animals as you learn what ways you receive information from the animals best. Each week you will practice with different animals, build your confidence as well as your ability to connect with the animals on a very deep level in any situation.

Upon completing all of the homework assignments students will receive a certificate of completion.

For more information: Janet Dobbs 703-648-1866 www.animalparadisecommunication.com

For more information: Janet Dobbs 703-648-1866

Post your event online at: animalwellnessmagazine.com/events 104

animal wellness

Tail end

Boys will be boys

by Susie Yakowicz

A

s the mother of two teenage sons and a teen daughter, I am familiar with a number of typical boy and girl habits. But I never associated my dogs’ behavior with their genders. After all, I’ve owned a graceful female pooch with a penchant for belching, as well as a burly spirited male who cowered in a corner at the faintest crack of thunder.

Then along came Riley, our two-year-old golden retriever, who’s all boy. In fact, if he didn’t have four legs and fur, I’d swear he was a human boy, curiously similar to the ones living in my house. Which makes me wonder…did he pick up a thing or two from the kids?

Take, for example, his eating habits. The only event faster than the family dinner hour is Riley’s dinner minute.

Surely he learned how to devour his food so ravenously by watching the boys on pizza night. Only for Riley, every night is pizza night. Later, while the boys’ insatiable appetites prompt them to scour the pantry for a snack, Riley grazes the kitchen floor, lapping up everything from bread crumbs to dead ladybugs – and leaving behind sticky saliva for my socks to absorb.

Of course, I’d rather deal with sticky saliva than the sticky subject of haircuts. Riley doesn’t care for them

any more than my older son, who puts up a fight at the mere suggestion of a trip to the salon. At least Riley waits until he’s in the shop, behind the counter. That’s when he morphs into the doomed victim in a horror flick. Howling and thrashing, he scrambles against all odds to break free of the groomer’s tight grip. Only the lure of a treat (or six) keeps him from demonstrating his agility skills with the doggie gate.

Probably the most obvious habit Riley shares with the boys, though, is making a mess. From video games strewn across the basement floor to backpacks and papers cluttering up the kitchen counter, the boys are perfect role models for disorder. So Riley must make them proud.

Every day, he empties the toys from his basket and carries them off, one by one – the stuffed frog, the balls, the bones, the furry duck, the squeaky toys, the throw rope, the Frisbee, and his favorite, the “indestructible” (but now completely tattered) canvas cat. By evening, dog toys are scattered throughout the house, hardly a room missed. If only the boys were role models for picking up. . .

But when bedtime finally arrives and I bid my kids goodnight, I realize just how blessed I am, despite their “typical” ways. Likewise, as I see Riley to bed, I smile at the quirky canine who completes my life. “See you tomorrow, Ri,” I whisper, blowing him a kiss. He plops down lazily on his Scooby Doo blanket and answers me with a long, loud grunt. Then, in true male fashion, he’s out like a light.

If you have an amusing story you’d like to submit, send it to: Tail End, at submissions@animalwellnessmagazine.com

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Take A Bite Out Of Cat And Dog Dental Troubles by: Bud Groth

Here’s an idea to chew over: You are now able to prolong your pet’s life while improving its health and breath. How? By protecting your cat or dog from oral disease.

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3. Besides causing receding gums and tooth loss, the infection may enter the bloodstream, potentially infecting the heart, liver and kidneys. “Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets,” agreed Dr. Henry Childers, DVM, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

What are the symptoms indicating potential problems? Bad breath, pain around the mouth, swelling or irritation of the gums, bleeding, swelling around the jaw or nose, fever, lethargy, pain when eating, or refusal to eat.

A solution: Until recently, the only way to remove plaque and tartar has been a visit to the vet for a dental cleaning. This usually involves the use of a general anesthetic, and that can be a problem. Anesthetic reactions can cause injury and even death. Statistics indicate that over 50,000 dogs and cats die every year, and 1.3 million are injured (some permanently), just from anesthesia!

“Fortunately, we now have an additional tool in our dental tool chest,” states Dr. Joann Baldwin, DVM for 30 years at Cardinal Animal Hospital.

“Now there’s a safe and efficient way to control plaque and tartar without your pet undergoing anesthesia.”

Bud Groth is getting a licking from “Lucas,” Michael Vick’s former champion fighting dog rescued by Best Friends Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Lucas is licking away Groth’s tears, shed at the sight of the dog’s fighting scars. Groth loves pets and says, “Pet owners should be concerned if any pet product uses the statement ‘Not for human consumption.”’

“Safe and efective dental health products, like PetzLife Oral Care, are part of the missing link in holistic pet health care,” states Animal Doctor syndicated columnist Dr. Michael Fox. Used daily, PetzLife Oral Care spray or gel can help remove plaque and tartar, control bacteria and eliminate bad breath, and you don’t have to brush. The active ingredients are a blend of herbs and oils including grapefruit seed extract, a natural compound known for killing bacteria.

The ingredients are 100 percent natural and “human grade,” so they’re perfectly safe for dogs and cats. Over 1.5 million bottles have been sold without one injury or death, and are now available in over 10,000 retail stores and all PetSmarts and over 6,000 vet clinics.

PetzLIfe also produces @-Eaze Calming Support for Pets. When applied directly or mixed with foods or treats, @-Eaze works within minutes to help promote a restful relaxed state without causing reduced alertness. It helps relieve stress and anxiety in pets. In addition, the company also offers a complete line of shampoos, conditioners, aromatherapy mists, flea and tick repellent, de-wormer and low fat treats.

Made in USA

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enter 20% code: â&#x20AC;&#x153;WELLNESSâ&#x20AC;? on the first page of the checkout or call and mention code.

100% Natural, uniquely formulated with L-Theanin a natural occurring amino acid in green tea, that helps promote a restful relaxed state without causing reduced alertness.

Relieves stress and anxiety in pets.

Made in USA

Specially formulated to peak the senses without alcohol or detergents. One spray will convince you this is the finest combination fo your special pet. Great for daily refreshing, between washings and for bedding

The Miraculous healing power of Cranberry seed oil has been added to a pet shampoo combining Honey Quat, Karate & Soy into the most luxurious Shampoo available on the market.

The Healthy, low-fat Rewards for in-between meals or training. Free of unwanted additives that strain the body.

PetzLife FIT-TREATZ Fresh Chicken Snacks, contains only high-quality ingredients that are approved for human consumtion.

Flea and Tick Repellent Protectz is an herbal product that repels fleas and other biting insects, including ticks.

Does not contain any chemicals.

This combination contains herbs that aid the body to cleanse, and demulcents to help soothe the mucous membranes, thus causing no discomfort.

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