V7I6 (Dec/Jan 2005-06)

animal Living pawsitive!

â„¢

wellness For a long, healthy life!

SPECIAL ISSUE

DIANE KEATON Why she's

"GOTTA GIVE"

to the animals

Is Fido

STRESSED? Take our test to find out

5 steps to a healthy IMMUNE SYSTEM Are his toys safe?

INDOOR CAT happy & healthy

DEC./JAN. 2006

Display until Jan. 20, 2006

$4.95 USA/$5.95 Canada

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 6

How to keep your

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allergies scaly skin

lethargy

GAS

bloating

excessive shedding

aching joints

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“PROZYME is one of my top ten, sure-fire, could-not-practice-without natural products! It is inexpensive, easy to administer, safe and effective.

PROZYME is also one of my main natural alternatives for improving many different maladies.“ William G. Winter, D.V.M., author of The Holistic Veterinary Handbook.

PROZYME is beneficial for dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, horses and exotics, and is available from your veterinarian or veterinary/pet supply catalogs.

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People who love thEei.™ r pets, love PROZYM

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contents 36

Photo: Lon Jones – Helen Woodward Animal Center

24

82

features 18 Supplements to

strengthen her immune system These health-enhancing nutrients fight disease and boost wellness

Photo: Kenny Williams, If Your Horse Could Talk

22 The feline perspective

4

Immune support for your kitty

24 Keeping your

indoor cat happy and healthy Is Fluffy bored?

Here's what to do

36

Diane Keaton When it comes to animals, she's just "gotta give"

40 Toy story

Are his toys safe?

42 Make a list and check it twice

... to ensure a safe & stress-free holiday!

44 Delicious holiday

baking for your four- and two-legged friends Try these scrumptious festive recipes

59 Is Fido stressed out?

Here's how to help him relax

animal wellness

Click on the coloured tabs to view our regional editions for this issue.

ONTARIO REGIONAL SECTION

59

Click on this icon to visit featured links

66 Indoor gardening

brightens up the winter months for you and your animal

80 Fluff's adventure

has many counting their blessings A lost kitty is happily reunited with his human family

Bringing the outdoors in

77 Remembering

Hurricane Katrina A tribute to the animal rescuers

82 The eyes have it

Is it as bad for him as it is for you?

R E GIONAL S ECTION

Create a visual tribute to your best friend

changes a chimpanzee's life

Second-hand smoke

CALIFORNIA

companion with a scrapbook of his very own

98 Cataract surgery

An intro to iridology for horses

86

93 Celebrate your

A ground-breaking operation restores Jacky's vision

ATLANTA

REGIONAL SECTION

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contents columns 12 Yakkity yak 30 Dr. Martin Goldstein 56 Best behavior!

90 Animal passages

Volume 7

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Dana Cox SENIOR EDITOR: Ann Brightman LOS ANGELES REGIONAL EDITOR: Tasha Hardy SOUTHERN ONTARIO REGIONAL EDITOR: Ann Brightman ATLANTA REGIONAL EDITOR: Nannette Ferrell SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Yvonne Hollandy GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Stephanie Wright PHOTOGRAPHY: Lon Jones, Helen Woodward Animal Center ILLUSTRATION:

101 Animal

communication

104 Book reviews

Leanne Rosborough Ray McGirl

114 The tail end

COLUMNISTS & CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Marnie Astley Michelle Bernard Sharon Callahan Audi Donamor Denise Fleck Martin Goldstein, DVM Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D Andy Lopez Gail MacMillan Shawn Messonnier, DVM Paul Owens Julie Pasquinelli Gillian Ridgeway Lisa Ross-Williams Sheri Speede, DVM David Termine

departments 8

Editorial

96 What’s gnu?

10 Pony express

106 Ad spots

39 Product picks

113 Classifieds

ADMINISTRATION & SALES PRESIDENT/C.E.O.: Tim Hockley OFFICE MANAGER Lesia Wright INFORMATION SERVICES DIRECTOR Vaughan King BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Natalie Stephenson ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Joanne Rockwood MARKETING & SALES ASSOCIATE: Jeremy Slotegraaf

71 Wellness

resource guide

SUBMISSIONS: Please send all editorial material, advertising material, photos and correspondence to Animal Wellness Magazine, 164 Hunter St. West, Peterborough, ON, Canada K9H 2L2. 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: submissions@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© 2005. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, without prior written permission of the publisher.

Publication date: November, 2005

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NATIONAL SALES MANAGER: Lesley Nicholson (866) 764-1212 LESLEY@ANIMALWELLNESSMAGAZINE.COM WESTERN REGIONAL MANAGER: Becky Starr (213) 793-1867 BECKY@ANIMALWELLNESSMAGAZINE.COM CANADIAN REGIONAL MANAGER: Anne Gibson (866) 464-5214 OR (416) 504-4310

Photo: Lon Jones – Helen Woodward Animal Center

Our Cover: Diane celebrates her Helen Woodward Humane Award with Walter, the furry companion of Sherry Kline. Walter came to live with Sherry after his guardian died.

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Issue 6

AGIBSON@ANIMALWELLNESSMAGAZINE.COM CALIFORNIA SALES & EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE: Tasha Hardy (213) 804-7025 TASHA@ANIMALWELLNESSMAGAZINE.COM GEORGIA REGIONAL MANAGER: Nannette Ferrel (770) 374-3966 NANNETTE@ANIMALWELLNESSMAGAZINE.COM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REPRESENTATIVE: Suzanne Pieper (707) 331-0356 SUZANNE@ANIMALWELLNESSMAGAZINE.COM CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Lesia Wright CLASSIFIED@ANIMALWELLNESSMAGAZINE.COM

TO SUBSCRIBE: Subscription price at time of this issue in the U.S. $19.95 and Canada is

$24.95 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, 164 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9H 2L2 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. 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.

Printed in Canada

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Dinosaurs Didn’t Wear Glasses This is the second in a series of the Functional Foodz ads presented by Solid Gold Health Products for Pets.

The first ad was our Dragon’s Teeth Biscuit (for large and medium size dogs) and Dragonette (for small dogs), which contain xylitol, a natural sweetener from the birch tree. It is used in chewing gum, candy and toothpaste. Xylitol helps to prevent plaque and cavities from forming on the teeth.

See research details from the Department of Health in Finland and Sweden.

Now, Solid Gold introduces the Dyna-Bone Biscuits with lutein and astazanthin. More vision is lost due to the “blue light” entering the eye. The macula part of the eye protects the eye from deterioration. When the macula pigment density fades, so does vision.

Consuming lutein and astazanthin from food sources, slows down the progression of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Solid Gold uses green ingredients high in these two properties – olive oil, green apples, alfalfa, broccoli and green tea to reduce the risk of developing these eye problems. (Ref: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2001). These ingredients help to absorb UVD light and dangerous, free radical molecules. In some cases, 25% of the cataracts stabilized and did not worsen. (Ref; Journal of American College Nutrition, 2000).

The other ingredients in our Dyna-Bone Biscuits are oatmeal, which empties the stomach slowly- thus, eliminating a glucose spike- a necessity for diabetes. We use ginger for sensitive stomachs. Also, used are tomatoes, with lycopene for heart, circulation as well as the reproductive organs.

Solid Gold developed the concept of Functional Foodz for Pets.

Functional Foodz means that not only do the ingredients have beneficial properties, but they also go well beyond this to enhance optional functions of the body.

Other ingredients- spelt, an ancient grain. St. Hildegard, 800 years ago, praised spelt as being the best of the grains. Spelt is an excellent choice for dogs allergic to wheat. We also use blueberries, cranberries and alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E.

� � ����������������������������� � � �������������������������������������������� Solid Gold is the only dog food company that is a member of the Organic Trade Association, the American Nutraceutical Association, the Medicinal Food Association, and the Nutraceutical Foods Association and the Life Extension Association.

Solid Gold Dyna-Bones are available in 1 pound jars and 2 1/2 pound re-useable buckets.

For a catalog or store near you call or email us at: (619) 258-7356 or (619) 258-1914 (M-F 10-5 PST) or E-mail us at dane@solidgoldhealth.com or www.solidgoldhealth.com Solid Gold Health Products for Pets, the Holistic Animal Nutrition Center 1483 N. Cuyamaca El Cajon, CA 92020 animal wellness

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EDITORIAL Keeping it simple Normally, it’s at this time of year that we stop and take a few minutes to reflect on months gone by and thank the powers that be for all of our blessings. But this year has been anything but normal. Starting with the Tsunami in Southeast Asia, followed by Hurricane Katrina and a grand scale earthquake in Pakistan, we’ve witnessed some of the world’s most devastating natural disasters. As a result, we’ve had plenty of opportunities to step back and humbly consider our own lives; to realize that every day we get to spend with our loved ones is a gift.

Of course, our animal companions already know this. Why else would they come running to the door each and every time we walk through it? Or curl up beside us after we just shooed them off the counter?

So this holiday, more than ever before, I’m taking my cue from the animals. I’m not going to sweat the small stuff. I’m going to keep things simple and stay focused on what’s important. I’m going to make lists but I’m not going to freak out if I don’t get everything crossed off in a single day. I’m going to turn my holiday baking – including the animal treats in this issue – into a family event instead of cramming it in somewhere between midnight and three in the morning. I’m going to hum Christmas carols while I’m stuck in traffic rather than bang the steering wheel and mutter “C’mon!” under my breath, and I’m going to save myself some time by shopping on-line.

If you’re looking to simplify your life this year, I’d highly recommend all of the above. I’d also like to point out that we’ve introduced a new time-saving measure in Animal Wellness. Our new logo, shown here, indicates at a glance articles related to both dogs and cats. Look for it throughout the magazine if your home includes one or both species.

And remember, Animal Wellness makes a wonderful gift for someone in your life. At 50% off the cover price, you can keep it simple and save money too.

No matter how you choose to reflect on and celebrate the past year, we wish you a safe, peaceful holiday season.

Blessings to you and yours,

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animal wellness

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Black Forest

Lower fat and protein with venison and herbs for the management of canine obesity. Also excellent formula to mix with real meat. Highest ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids.

Dakota Bison

Alternative protein source also includes sweet potatoes, oats and wild salmon oil.

Wild and Natural

Highest protein and fat, designed to simulate the diet of wild canids. Created for service animals, climate stressed dogs, show dogs, wolves, wolf hybrids, canine enthusiasts requiring higher levels of nutrients.

Wilderness Elk and Salmon

A taste of the great northwest. Herbal hypo-allergenic formula with alternative meat sources. A great formula for all dogs.

Serengeti Herbal Felid

Created to simulate the natural diet of wild cats in a dry form. Contains the building blocks necessary for thick, vibrant fur and a strong immune system and excellent muscle tone. *Not established as an essential nutrient by AAFCO.

www.timberwolforganics.com animal wellness

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pony express dear animal wellness magazine . . .

Your Publisher’s Note “The Journey” really touched me (Volume 7, Issue 5). In your expression of love for Sabrina, you beautifully conveyed how those of us who embrace our pets as family members feel.

Your wonderful magazine, which just keeps getting better with age, is a real-life testament to Sabrina’s legacy. Thank you for sharing your feelings with us, your readers.

Karen White, Bermuda

Publisher’s Note: We were so deeply touched by the notes we received regarding Sabrina’s passing. Thank you, Karen, and to everyone who wrote and called. Our readers are the greatest!

After reading about the great benefits of owning a dog or cat I became even more outraged regarding the high incidence of dogfighting in America. Not only do the inhumane criminals brutally train and mistreat fighting canines, they also abduct stray dogs and cats to be used as bait to be painfully torn to pieces by the traumatized fighting canines. This

atrocity is deplorable and must be stopped for good. It is a crime against nature.

Brien Comerford, Glenview, Illinois

Editor’s Note: We agree. The good news is that various animal welfare organizations are attempting to stop this practice. The HSUS, for example, is working to pass the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, which would implement felony-level penalties to those involved in dog and cock fighting. You can find out more, or send a message to your Congressperson, by visiting www.hsus.org/legislation_laws.

As a veterinarian, I am concerned about the advice given in your Oct/Nov ‘05 issue by behaviorist Suzanne Hetts regarding a “shy” cat. The first step should have been a thorough exam by a veterinarian to assess the cat for physical problems, such as pain. Even in a cat this young, conditions such as mild but chronic bladder inflammation, or dental disease, can result in significant behavior changes.

Only when possible medical causes are ruled out should this sort of situation be considered purely behavioral.

Jean Hofve, DVM, Jamestown, Colorado

Editor’s Note: You make a valid point, although our columnists for the “Best Behavior!” column are under the assumption that the animals’ physical health has been checked out, and they are therefore addressing behavioral issues only. Nevertheless, it’s a good reminder of how health can affect behavior.

Mr. P came to me ten years ago, at which time the vet I took him to estimated that he was between two and three years of age. He is a mini poodle who had been abused and passed to five different families in a short period of time. He came to me and we bonded almost immediately. We survived many ups and downs together, including his melanoma and my major surgery. We are each other’s spirit!

Not long ago, Mr. P fell ill and I first took

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 10

animal wellness

him to my local vet on an emergency visit.

They examined him and dismissed the problem as a back problem, advising pain killers, anti-inflammatories and cortisone. Being of a different mindset, I refused the treatment and took him up to see Dr. Marty Goldstein, who has been treating him for the past nine years or so. He examined Mr. P, ran some in-house blood work and found he was in renal failure.

Dr. Marty made the decision to put him on certain holistic treatments and to pump him full of antibiotics. Additionally, he ran the titer for leptospirosis, not really thinking that it would come positive. But it sure did! Not only did it come back positive, but it showed three different serovars. Please remember that the lepto vaccine does not protect against all the serovars and is, therefore, virtually ineffective.

We spent four consecutive days at Smith Ridge Veterinary Center in South Salem, N.Y., where Dr. Marty and his staff kept Mr. P on IV for approximately five hours each day.

We were waiting and hoping that he would respond to the treatment and not be in true renal failure. Lo and behold, he did respond with what Dr, Marty called “amazing results.”

By the time the diagnosis of lepto came back from the lab, we had already undergone the life-saving intensive IV treatment. It had now been four weeks since the near fatal diagnosis. Mr. P is now cured of leptospirosis, a potentially life-threatening illness.

Edith Lowenthal, via e-mail

Editor’s Note: Thanks for sharing your story. It’s worth repeating that having a dog vaccinated against leptospirosis doesn’t guarantee protection from the disease. Given the negative effects of over-vaccination in general, it’s always wise to think carefully before having your animal immunized against any but the core vaccines.

Omission: Thanks to Lee Godden who photographed the image of Rachel Gilligan, DVM in our Vol. 7 Iss.4 article on Hospice Care. A photo credit was inadvertently left out of the spread.

Address your letters to Editor, Animal Wellness Magazine, and send to

PMB 168 8174 S. Holly St., Centennial, CO 80122 164 Hunter St. West, Peterborough, ON K9H 2L2 or by email to: info@animalwellnessmagazine.com www.animalwellnessmagazine.com US:

CAN:

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Actor Alec Baldwin honored

Photo provided by PETA

On September 10, actor Alec Baldwin (Hunt for Red October, Second Nature, State and Main) received the Linda McCartney Award, established in 1999 in honor of longtime animal rights activist, Linda McCartney. The awards ceremony was just one highlight of PETA’s 25th Anniversary Gala, which was attended by many other celebrities, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Sean Astin and Jillian Barberie. Also part of the evening’s events was a silent auction, the proceeds of which were donated to the Katrina relief effort (see page 77 for more on Katrina).

Alec Baldwin proudly displays his Linda McCartney Award at PETA's 25th Anniversary Gala, while Heather Mills McCartney looks on.

How many dogs?

Photo: Troy Snow – Best Friends Animal Society

A world record was set on August 11 when John Garcia, a caregiver at Best Friends Animal Society, walked a total of 25 rescue dogs simultaneously for one kilometer. Although three dogs dropped out after that point, John continued walking the remaining 22 until he reached the one-mile mark. The dogs were afterwards put up for adoption and many have already found loving new homes. Meanwhile, hopes are high that John will make the Guinness Book of World Records – Guinness is currently reviewing the results. www.bestfriends.org/guinness

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John Garcia and his canine pack head for the finish line.

The sound of music Swiss hikers are being advised to sing while making their way through the mountains in order to avoid unexpectedly surprising a brown bear that has been spotted in the region. Bears have been extinct in Switzerland for over a century, but it’s believed this one, which evidently has little fear of people, migrated from Italy. Hikers are even being given leaflets printed with popular songs, although officials claim the bear has not been seen since the singing started. Perhaps he just doesn’t like music.

Ananova

Canine takes the train When Mike Taitt became separated from his Labrador, Archie, on a railway platform in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, he feared he’d never see his dog again. To his amazement, he later received a phone call from railway staff informing him that Archie was waiting for him at a station down the line, just three miles from home. It seems the clever canine, when he found himself alone, simply boarded the train and headed home on his own.

Ananova

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Yakkity Yak First canine voter?

In an effort to protest the bureaucratic bumbling he ran into while trying to divide his land, New Zealander Peter Rhodes successfully registered his dog, Toby, to vote in that country’s general election. After submitting the Jack Russell’s application form to the election office, complete with a paw print signature and a job description of “rodent exterminator”, Rhodes received confirmation of his companion’s registration, together with a voter’s card. To date, though, Toby hasn’t yet exercised his new rights.

Ananova

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Hope for rare cheetahs Cheetahs may be the world’s fastest moving creatures, but it isn’t saving them from possible extinction. In the 1970s, the number of Asiatic cheetahs was estimated to be from 100 to 400; today, thanks mainly to poaching, fewer than 60 remain, mostly on Iran’s arid central plain. But there’s a glimmer of hope. Two groups of these rare cheetahs, including five adults and four cubs, were recently spotted in central Iran. The Environment Protection Organization of Iran has joined forces with the United Nations Development Program and the Wildlife Conservation Society to protect the cats.

Do you have allergies?

If so, you’re not alone. Roughly half of all Americans between the ages of six and 59 suffer from allergies of one form or another.

The good news is that companion animals don’t top the list of triggers.

Of the ten most common substances causing reactions such as asthma, hay fever and eczema, those most likely to trigger allergies included dust mites, perennial rye, ragweed and cockroaches, with about 25% of the population testing positive to each.

Although dogs and cats are also on the list, they cause fewer reactions than might be expected.

Yakkity Yak Going ape You probably know that chimpanzees are our closest living relatives, but you may not realize just how close. When scientists recently deciphered the primate’s DNA and compared it to ours, they found the two to be 96% to 99% identical, confirming the fact that humans and chimps evolved from a common ancestor. It’s hoped the discovery will prompt humanity to make greater efforts to save wild chimps.

Meanwhile, governments from nearly 30 nations, along with scientists, environmental organizations, and representatives of business and industry, have signed the world’s first Declaration on Great Apes. This landmark move came on the last day of the Great Ape Survival Project (GRASP) Conference in September, when plans were made to protect gorillas, chimps, bonobos and orangutans, all of which are under threat because of habitat loss, disease, hunting and illegal trade. The declaration promises financial support for ape protection, help with law enforcement in areas prone to poaching, and the provision of sustainable benefits to local people.

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Yakkity Yak

No price too high

Universal microchip scanner needed

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The Crystal Import Corp., U.S. distributor of DATAMARS SA

Microchipping is one of the most popular ways of providing ID for animals, but there’s a catch. The U.S. is one of the only countries in the world that does not have a universal scanner that can read all microchips.

Many chips are encrypted and can only be read by proprietary technology. What this means is that your animal’s chip may not be readable by shelters or rescue organizations that only have one scanner. The Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families, whose members include the Humane Society of the United States, is calling for manufacturers to permit the use of a scanner that can read all chips, and that it be made readily accessible to shelters, vets and others.

Visit www.readallchips.com for more details.

While on holiday in the Azores recently, British couple Jonathon and Nicola Cooksley fell in love with a starving Portuguese pointer puppy who followed them back to their hotel after a day trekking across an extinct volcano. They dubbed him Mears and decided to adopt him, despite the fact that it ended up costing them a total of £4,000. Mears was flown to Britain and is currently spending six months in quarantine before joining the Cooksleys at their Dorest home. Nicola makes the 30-mile trip to the kennels every day to visit him.

Ananova

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Supplements to

strengthen

her immune system

by Shawn Messonnier, DVM One of the most common questions people ask me is: “What do you recommend to boost my animal’s immune system?” I am most often being asked to prescribe something for infectious diseases (especially feline respiratory disease, kennel cough, and distemper), as well as cancer, mange, and conditions in older animals, although nutritional supplements for the immune system are very important for any ailing animal. In this article, I’ll discuss some of the more commonly used immune-boosting supplements, along with recommendations on how to keep your animal’s immune system as healthy as possible all year round.

Why support the immune system?

Photo: Hildegard Franks

Many people mistakenly think that if their sick animals take all their prescribed medications, they’ll get well. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. While drugs and natural therapies can help kill infectious organisms and even combat cancer, a healthy immune system is needed to return the animal to wellness. In researching my new book The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs (New World Library, February 2006), I came across a very interesting statement. With cancer (or really any disease), it doesn’t matter how much chemotherapy, surgery or radiation we use: if the animal’s immune system is not functioning properly, he will die! That’s a pretty powerful statement, and shows just how important the immune system is in helping animals recover from disease.

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The right supplements, combined with natural food and a decreased animal wellness

reliance upon vaccines and anti-parasite products and other medications, can also help prevent (or at least minimize) many of the diseases we see in animals. Minimizing stress and the harmful environmental chemicals found in certain diets and medications go a long way towards keeping the immune system healthy and functioning properly.

gamma. Arabinogalactans have strong immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory properties. They can be used as part of an integrative approach to cancer treatment, and any other time immune stimulation is needed (for example, in viral, bacterial, or fungal diseases). Arabinogalactans are among the supplements I use in all my cancer patients.

Common immune-enhancing supplements

• Purine nucleotides are the final class of supplements that can provide immune system support. These compounds are involved in virtually all cellular processes and play a major role in structural, metabolic, energetic and regulatory functions. Like arabinogalactans, they have been shown to

There are many different supplements that can support the immune system; these are just a few of those most often prescribed.

• Antioxidants are among the most commonly used supplements and can help animals with a variety of medical disorders. They are useful whenever disease is present and immune support is needed.

Antioxidants include specific vitamins (such as vitamins C and E) and plant and animal compounds (bioflavonoids like grape seed extract, quercetin, coenzyme Q10 and ginkgo biloba) that are responsible for maintaining health. Technically, they do not boost the immune system, but rather clean up the oxidizing chemicals that cause cell damage. Antioxidants also decrease other chemicals that can damage cells, such as histamine, interleukin, and tumor necrosis factor. As animals age, their antioxidant needs increase, so it’s probably wise to consider antioxidants as part of the supplement protocol for all older animals.

• Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida) is the most familiar immune stimulant. It also functions as an antiviral and antibacterial herb.

Echinacea contains a number of classes of pharmocologically active chemicals, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, caffeic acid, essential oils, alkylamides, and polyacetylenes. Echinacea in either herbal or homeopathic form is one of the immune-boosting supplements I use in sick animal patients.

• Arabinogalactans are polysaccharides mainly derived from the larch tree (Larix occidentalis). Studies show that these compounds may enhance natural killer cells and cause a release of interferon

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stimulate the activity of natural killer cells.

Purine pyrimidine complexes are the active fractions found in colostrum, the first milk produced by mammals. Colostrum contains cytokines and other protein compounds that can act as biological response modifiers. Research supports its use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis as well as other autoimmune conditions. Nucleotides may also play an important role in essential fatty acid metabolism, and may have a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. Nucleotides are usually given to animals in the form of colostrum or a product called Transfer Factor.

Five ways to maintain a healthy immune system While supplements can be used in times of illness, maintaining a healthy immune system is crucial for decreasing the incidence and severity of disease. Follow these five tips to keep your best friend healthy.

1

1. Feed the most natural diet possible. Learn to read a pet food label and avoid foods with chemical preservatives (BHT, BHA, ethoxyquin) and animal and plant by-products. These can all damage the immune system and do not help maintain health as much as foods made with natural preservatives and no by-products.

2 3 4 5

2. Minimize vaccines. Most animals do not need annual shots.

A simple titer blood test can determine which vaccines your companion needs.

3. Minimize chemical use. I prefer not to use chemical flea prevention products unless absolutely necessary. Monthly heartworm medication is preferable to the six-month injectible preventive.

4. Give vitamin and mineral supplements (whole food products are best), antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids to help maintain a healthy body.

5. In dogs and cats ten years of age and older, administer choline supplementation to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (cognitive disorder).

By following these tips, and turning to additional immune-enhancing supplements if your animal is ill, you and your vet can work together to help your four-footed friend recover and maintain good health.

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DR. SHAWN MESSONIER IS THE AUTHOR OF The Arthritis Solution for Dogs, The Allergy Solution for Dogs, 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, AND THE AWARD-WINNING The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats. HIS VETERINARY PRACTICE, PAWS & CLAWS ANIMAL HOSPITAL, IS LOCATED IN PLANO, TEXAS.

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“You are what you eat” applies to cats and dogs, too!

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Grumbles was a young neutered tabby I adopted from an area animal shelter. Within two days, he came down with a serious case of calicivirus.

At the time, I also had two other cats. Poppy, who was on a raw diet, had a strong immune system and was unaffected by the virus.

But Ms. Priss was a dyedin-the-wool “kibble head” and contracted as serious a case of the disease as did Grumbles.

Because I had signed an adoption agreement for Grumbles, promising to bring him in for Photo: Lucinda Korman antibiotic treatment should he contract calicivirus, I stopped by the shelter for the necessary medication. However, I opted to treat Ms. Priss with herbs and holistic care. I found she recovered more rapidly than Grumbles.

A cat’s immunity can be influenced by a variety of factors.

Annual vaccinations, poor quality food, pesticides, stress, and poor indoor air quality can damage his immune system and should be eliminated or minimized. It’s also important to feed a healthy, natural, meat-based food – you can either opt for a raw meat diet, or a high quality canned product with no artificial additives. Finally, supporting your cat’s immunity with the following supplements will help him better withstand illness, and stay healthy and happy.*

22

animal wellness

perspective – immune support

for your kitty

Enzymes

Essential to life. Cause chemical reactions in the body responsible for everything from digestion to muscle contractions.

Antioxidants

Fight infections by neutralizing free radicals before they damage the body’s cells.

Immunomodulators

Herbs that help the immune system balance itself.

Astralagus

Immunostimulant and antioxidant

Brewer’s or nutritional yeast

Bursting with B vitamins and essential amino acids that boost the immune system

Boneset

Immunostimulant and antioxidant

Vitamin C

Immunostimulant and antioxidant

Cat’s claw

Immunostimulant and antioxidant

Chickweed

Immunomodulator, immunostimulant and antioxidant

Couch grass

Immunostimulant and antioxidant

Dandelion

Immunostimulant and antioxidant

Echinacea

An immune booster, but can suppress immunity if not used properly

Vitamin E

An antioxidant that protects tissues from free radicals.

Also a known blood thinner; don’t overdose. Use natural source vitamin E or wheat germ oil.

Garlic

An immune suppressant, though useful when used short term or externally for infections. Has been known to cause Heinz body anemia when used long term to control fleas.

L–lysine

Appears to halt viral replication. Useful for cats with FHV-1 and upper respiratory infections. Fish, turkey and lamb all have high lysine levels.

MSM

Natural immune stimulant

Nettle

Immunostimulant and antioxidant

Oregon grape

Immunostimulant and antioxidant

Parsley

Immunostimulant and antioxidant

Yarrow

Immunostimulant and antioxidant

*Please consult a holistic vet before starting a supplementation program for your cat. In the case of an autoimmune disease, Echinacea and astragalus, as well as reishi and maitake, should be used with caution; they can suppress the immune system if not prescribed correctly.

MARNIE ASTLEY

HAS BEEN PRACTICING RAW FEEDING

AND THE USE OF MEDICINAL HERBS FOR OVER YEARS.

SHE

30

LIVES AND GARDENS WITH HER FELINE

FRIENDS IN SOUTH-EASTERN

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23

Keeping your

indoor cat happy and

healthy

L

by Michelle Bernard

Like many people, Charlotte keeps her cats indoors. “We live near a busy highway, and there’s a woods behind us with skunks and coyotes,” she says.

“We keep Nicky and Sheba inside for their own safety.” But, as Charlotte has discovered, indoor cats have their own problems. “Nicky is gaining too much weight and Sheba gets bored and restless. I sometimes wonder if I’m really doing the right thing by keeping them in.”

If you also have an indoor

Photo: Lauren Amber

cat, you may have similar

24

concerns about his mental or physical well being. Do indoor-only animal wellness

cats have special nutritional requirements? Are they more prone to obesity than cats that can go outside?

And how do you prevent boredom? Here are some ways to help keep your indoor feline healthy and contented.

small animals several times a day, usually after expending a great deal of energy during the hunt. Ideally, you should feed your cat two to three small meals a day.

Keep kitty entertained

Feed meat, not grains

Playing with your cat is a great form of bonding, and helps burn off energy while alleviating boredom. There are many types of interactive toys on the market.

Several pet food manufacturers now offer special formulas for indoor cats, claiming that they crave grains and greens. But keep in mind that all cats are carnivores. Carnivores eat meat, not grain. Because of the cat’s unique physiology, animal proteins and fats provide him with a better source of energy than carbohydrates. If you want to keep your cat lean and active, feed a food that has a high percentage of meat protein and as little grain as possible.

One very popular toy is a laser light. Most cats will

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Give him greens Some cats do crave greens. You can fulfill that desire while keeping your houseplants intact by growing a pot or two of wheat grass. To keep your cat from digging in the pot before the grass is grown, cover it with plastic wrap and keep it out of his reach. When I grew grass for my cats, I kept one available to eat and another one growing. Using a heavy clay pot will prevent an exuberant cat from tipping it over. Some cats will vomit the grass back up. This is completely normal, as long as it is not excessive. Cats sometimes use grass as a purge.

Nix free-feeding “Free-feeding” (leaving food available to your cat 24/7) is an unhealthy practice. Unlike grazing animals, which eat most of the day, no carnivore has food available to it all the time. Leaving out dry food for your cat to “graze” on will likely result in obesity. An obese cat is going to be less active and is prone to many chronic and costly diseases, including diabetes. In their natural environment, small cats kill and eat

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Nap time If you think your indoor cat spends too much time snoozing, keep in mind that most cats, even if they have outside access, sleep an average of 15 hours a day. They tend to enjoy short bursts of activity throughout the day, and spend the rest of their time napping or grooming. Young cats are usually more active than older ones, and seasonal changes will trigger an increase or decrease in their energy levels.

chase the red dot from the laser with wild abandon. Just be careful not to shine the light directly in his eyes, and if you are playing with more than one cat, take care that you don’t cause collisions.

Another good interactive toy is a fishing pole with a feather attached to the end of the line. Cats love motion and are attracted to feathers. Because of the string, you should not leave this type of toy available to your cat when you’re not around.

My cats love their Dipsy Doodle Tiger Toy, a miniature version of a toy used to entertain tigers (and other big cats) in zoos. It’s a large, durable wood and rubber mobile that hangs from your ceiling and includes a dangling catnip mouse (www.dogdoors.com).

Cats usually love those tiny fur mice that are available for about a dollar in most pet stores. They also love other lightweight objects that they can bat around, like ping pong balls, rolled up balls of paper, or even the plastic rings from milk jugs.

A simple cardboard box or paper bag (do not use plastic) can provide days of entertainment.

Get him up to scratch You must have at least one scratching post, both to provide exercise and to keep your cat from shredding upholstery. If

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animal wellness

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Is your heart set on a Persian or Himalayan Persian, but you can’t find one at your local shelter?

Are you looking for an ethical, dedicated breeder who cares about pet health as much as you do?

Then you are invited to visit Crystal Pond.

Dedicating her life to raising healthy, purebred Persians that meet the CFA standards, Crystal Snow has managed to provide an all natural home life for her kittens. Her focus is on ethics, respect and dedication to improving the overall health of the breed.

How is Crystal Pond different from other breeders?

• responsible breeding • a loving environment • raw, species appropriate diet • no commercial foods • natural medicines • homeopathy & herbal healthcare • holistic education & studies

What does Crystal Pond offer the guardian?

Crystal dedicates a vast amount of time to her adopters providing continuous support. Her greatest hope is that people start educating themselves and take charge of the health of their animal companions, and she is there to help. In her opinion: “There is no better feeling than being able to heal and watch the natural medicines and wholesome, fresh foods work right before your eyes – all it will cost you is using your very capable mind.” Her website also serves as an extensive resource for the adoptee including articles, links and testimonials which serves as an outlet for her natural studies.

Crystal Pond

Persians in BiColor and Himalayan CFA Registered & Shown • PKD Negative (Via DNA Testing)

A very special “Thank You” from Crystal: Dr. Gloria Dodd, DVM of Everglo-Natural Veterinary Services, CA For all your guidance and experience of 45+ years of veterinary service. Helping me to understand how to build true health in my animals through natural health care. You gave me the confidence to follow the less traveled path and succeed. You are so far ahead of the times and you are by far, the greatest gift to man and the animals. Thank You Glo – love ya ;-)

Dr. Anne Rylestone, DVM and the Girls at Canterbury Tails Veterinary Clinic, MA A very supportive and caring bunch who health check the few little ones I produce each year before they leave for new homes. Thank you for admiring and appreciating the hard work and effort I put into raising naturally.

Dr. Stuart Hodder, DVM of Bliss Pond Veterinray Services, MA A dedicated veterinarian who has a niche for chronic cases from cats to horses and is responsible for introducing me to Homeopathy as a safer alternative to healthcare. Who’d have thought after walking into your office with an extremely ill dog, feeling helpless, hopeless and crying, that I would be where I am today – empowered with knowledge and helping others.

Crystal Pond, Massachussetts • http://calicogypsy-ivil.tripod.com • crystlkitty@usadatanet.net animal wellness 27

you are creative, you can make your own. I made a combination scratching and climbing apparatus by covering a 5’ wooden stepladder with sisal rope. You can also wrap a 4” x 4” post with sisal fabric and attach it to a base. Quality scratching posts are also available at pet supply stores. A word of caution: look for a post covered with sisal fabric or rope. A carpeted post can inadvertently train your cat to shred your rugs.

Let the outdoors in I cannot stress enough the importance of fresh air and sunshine. Whenever possible, open your windows and let the fresh air in. Be certain your screens are secure so your cat can’t fall out or escape. Several companies manufacture window inserts that allow your cat to go outside on his own “porch.” When I lived in the city, I made my own kitty porch by sticking a dog crate out the window like an air conditioner. A screened-in porch is ideal, but be certain the screens are secure and watch them for any tears.

During the winter, when it’s too cold to open windows, I set up what I call a “kitty beach.” I take two clip-on lamps (purchased from a hardware store), insert 100watt full-spectrum bulbs, and clip them to a secure

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animal wellness

location. I then put a large piece of sheepskin (the “beach”) under the lamps. The lights are on timers so they come on early in the morning and again later in the day when the light starts to fade. I never come home to a dark house and my cats lounge happily on their “beach”, toasting under the lights.

Keeping cats indoors might seem unnatural, but it’s often necessary in order to protect them from traffic, predators and infectious disease. With a little creativity and commitment, and by trying to see the world from your cat’s perspective, you can create an indoor environment that not only honors the true feline nature, but also meets his nutritional and psychological needs without sacrificing his safety.

MICHELLE BERNARD, AUTHOR OF Raising Cats Naturally, HAS SPENT OVER A DECADE RESEARCHING NATURAL HEALTH FOR CATS.

A AMERICAN SHORTHAIR CATS, SHE HAS BEEN KEEPING HER OWN CATS VIBRANTLY HEALTHY SINCE 1993 USING A RAW MEAT DIET, HOMEOPATHY, AND PLAIN COMMON SENSE. MICHELLE IS RENOWNED FOR HER SOUND APPROACH TO REARING CATS AND HER WRITING ON MANY ASPECTS OF HOLISTIC CAT CARE. SHE OFFERS NUTRITIONAL AND NATURAL HEALTH CONSULTATIONS FROM HER HOME IN NORTH CAROLINA. WWW.BLAKKATZ.COM FREELANCE WRITER WHO BREEDS

animal wellness

29

holistic veterinary advice

talking with

dr. martin goldstein

Q

I have two 14-year-old Balinese cats. Both have special dietary needs. One has a chronic kidney infection and the other a chronic urinary tract infection. These conditions have been controlled with great success by feeding them Innova’s Senior Diet for the past seven years. Then I became concerned about what I would feed them if there were a disaster and I didn’t have access to their special foods. After picking up Animal Wellness at the local health foods market, I became interested in raw food diets. But I have yet to see any of these companies offer a diet for my special needs cats.

Could you give me a recipe or refer me to a source?

A

In the “ultimate plan”, feeding raw is the diet for your special needs cats. Although conventional medical wisdom says that raw meat/high protein is a no-no with kidney problems, I have seen chronically elevated renal values normalize on these diets. If you choose this route, however, it should be done under close veterinary supervision.

Q

In April, I took my 19-year-old male cat, Wilson, to see the vet because of a urine and stool accident outside the box. The vet ran a complete blood work analysis and everything looked great except he had slight indications of the start of kidney disease. The vet recommended a prescription food. Upon returning home, Wilson had diarrhea. He was put on medicine. Later, I noticed spots of diarrhea around his box. Returning to the vet, Wilson was found to be constipated. After many trips for laxatives, enemas, and diet changes, the vet felt he possibly has colon cancer and to euthanize.

For about 1½ months, I have increased Wilson’s fiber and fed meals often. I still give Petromalt as a laxative. He has more good days than bad. He continues to be sociable and loving. His stool habits are not regular and when he does pass them he strains and they are large. Lately, his appetite is decreasing and he is losing weight. Any suggestions?

A

I think it’s great that Wilson has made it to 19.

With the levels of disease now in animals, this has

30

animal wellness

become much less common. A primary factor of his problems is age-related and that should be taken into account. For kidney support, I strongly recommend a kidney glandular supplement and a homeopathic combination remedy that contains homeopathic kidney (such as Professional Health Products Renal Drops). A good source of vitamin A, such as cod or fish liver oil, could help. For intestinal support, I use Acetylator by Vetri-Science Labs and the herb slippery elm. There are also some good non-petroleum-based hair ball/laxative products for cats.

Q A

I just got two kittens and was wondering if vaccinations are absolutely necessary, or are there more natural ways one can boost an animal’s immune system?

There is so much information available on vaccinations, especially their harmful side effects and how most recommendations are overkill. Animal Wellness ran a series of articles on this subject earlier this year (Volume 7, Issues 2, 3 and 4). I personally believe in the most minimal program possible. This would include the vaccines considered “core” for where you live, each given once at about 12 weeks of age. After that, I would recommend titer monitoring, if available, or the assumption and acceptance that the vaccines are good for life. For rabies, you’ll need to vaccinate as the law deems.

Q

I have three cats who suffer breathing difficulties. There is a definite “rattle” with the sound of mucous blocking their airways, as well as a deeper sound produced in the lungs. All three have had bloodwork done. Two show exposure to heartworm as well as toxoplasmosis; the third was negative for all the “bad stuff.” However, she developed almost total blindness since kittenhood, and is fairly obese because her activity level is so low and she likes to eat. All cats were taken from feral cat colonies. I have mild asthma symptoms as well, and use two products which are very helpful. These are “broncholair” (freeze-dried nettle, GP butternut, etc.) and NAC+ (an amino acid). I have been tempted to give

holistic veterinary advice TRAIN & RESTRAIN WITHOUT PAIN!

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Jerking on a solid leash to stop your dog from pulling hurts your dog, and you. 63% of dogs have neck, spinal cord, skeletal and esophagus injuries that are caused by the use of traditional strap or leather (solid) leashes.

Make it a pleasure to go for a walk again! these products to my cats, but am fearful to try it. None of the vets here know anything about these products for animals and the companies tell me they have not been tested for animal use. I do not wish to use steroids because of all the side issues. Can you help?

A

Much of what I do and use in my practice I have learned from human products that I either tried myself or which I heard or read about and used on patients with their guardians’ permission. For cats, I would typically cut doses to one-fifth or one-quarter of that recommended on the label. I have used all the ingredients you mention and have not noted problems. For the conditions you describe, we also use both homeopathic Cough and Bronchitis by BHI/ Heel. You could add in Seven Forests’ herbal formula Astragalus 16 for chronic respiratory problems, or their Pinellia formula for asthmatic respiratory signs.

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My sister’s dog (half German Shepherd), who is six months old, has had a bladder infection since he was born. He leaks urine all the time and is on antibiotics.

Do you have any suggestions?

HydroDog is...

If this is truly from birth, it sounds as if it may be more of a congenital/structural problem. If it really is an infection, then a culture of the urine with sensitivities to antibiotics should handle it.

Alternatively, we use one of many combination homeopathics available for bladder problems. We would also use an herbal formulation for kidney/ bladder problems containing uva ursi, juniper, parsley and dandelion. Olive leaf extract and oregano oil are two natural products great for infections.

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A Q

You can try a product called Incontinence Drops by Professional Health Products. If that doesn’t work, then try homeopathic estrogen or estradiol. Either of these can be used in conjunction with Vetri-Science Lab’s Bladder Strength.

My five-year-old male cat, Casie, was diagnosed with feline coronavirus, indicating a high risk of FIP. I took him to our veterinarian because he had been losing weight/not eating enough, so our vet placed him on a re-hydration program (IV) for two days and nights. For five days/nights he was administered Prednisone and still has to complete the antibiotic Baytril (50 mg once a day).

I need to know if there are any holistic alternatives or even other conventional treatments that might help him. I realize FIP cannot be cured, but is there some regimen that will help him besides “hand-feeding” to assure he receives the proper nutrients? I am currently giving him Hills Diet a/d.

A

In my experience, FIP is nearly 100% fatal and within a short time frame. However, we are currently working with a cat diagnosed with the abdominal, effusive form of FIP, which has done damage to his kidneys. After half a year, he is still with us. He has been receiving interferon and epogen injections from the guardian’s local veterinarian, a low dose of cortisone, and a comprehensive supplement program including Isatis and Astragalus, both by Seven Forests, combination homeopathics Grippheel and Inflammation by Heel, and kidney glandulars and Vetri DMG by Vetri-Science Labs. If he can acclimatize to it, getting your cat off commercial food and onto a more home-prepared, especially raw meat diet, would really help.

Q

My 12-year-old female Aussie had a six pound tumor and her spleen removed. Results came back malignant but they do not know where the cancer is. She is feeling good and has a tremendous appetite. She is on home-cooked diet with human grade canned food, astragalus, vitamin C, fish oil and medicinal mushroom mix. I’m thinking about giving her Essiac but that might be overdoing it. She developed vasulitis two weeks ago. My vet put her on antibiotics and it is now making a scab. The sore is about three inches wide and three inches long. The outside of the scab is still red. Is there anything I can give her to help heal this up?

A

The scab will most likely heal in time, especially if you

32

animal wellness

animal wellness

33

holistic veterinary advice continue to support her immune system. I don’t feel you would be overloading her with the supplements you listed, and that you could probably add several more of the many now available for immune support or with anti-cancer properties. Specifically for the wound, you could use vitamin E, both orally and topically (from puncturing a capsule), 3% hydrogen peroxide (which cleanses, oxidizes and oxygenates), and topical gels such as calendula or arnica.

Q

I have a wonderful golden/terrier mix, Abigail, who has just been diagnosed with a lung tumor. The vet said it was most probably malignant, and that dogs do not tolerate conventional treatments well (chemo/ radiation/surgery). No testing/biopsy has been done.

Is there any kind of holistic/homeopathic treatment that might help in reducing the tumor or at least halting its growth? After one month, Abigail had a second x-ray and it showed the slightest growth in the tumor. Since it appears to be slow-growing, I am hoping that we might have an opportunity to pursue some effective alternative treatment.

A

Here are a number of products that I have subjectively seen to be successful with lung tumors: Pneumotrate

by Progressive Labs, Pneumodrops by Professional Health Products, Poly MVA, the herb artemisinin, and Seven Forests’ Astragalus 16 herbal formula. I have also seen primary and solitary lung tumors surgically removed as a very successful adjunct.

Dear Readers: The brand names I recommend in my column are suggestions only. There are other brands with similar formulas. As with any product, it’s important to buy a brand you can trust.

DR. MARTY GOLDSTEIN HAS BEEN PRACTICING HOLISTIC VETERINARY MEDICINE FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS. BASED AT SMITH RIDGE VETERINARY CENTER IN SOUTH SALEM, NEW YORK, DR. GOLDSTEIN IS THE AUTHOR OF The Nature of Animal Healing, PUBLISHED BY RANDOM HOUSE. Editor’s Note: This column is for information purposes only.

It is not meant to replace veterinary care. Please consult your veterinarian before giving your animal any remedies.

For a listing of holistic veterinarians, please refer to our website at www.animalwellnessmagazine.com.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS FOR DR. GOLDSTEIN’S COLUMN TO: DR. MARTIN GOLDSTEIN, E-MAIL: INFO@ANIMALWELLNESSMAGAZINE.COM WE REGRET WE CANNOT RESPOND TO EVERY QUESTION.

34

animal wellness

animal wellness

35

Diane Keaton:

When it comes to animals, she's just

“gotta gotta give”

by Dana Cox

Photo: Lon Jones – Helen Woodward Animal Center

When Diane Keaton showed up for a tour of the Helen Woodward Animal Center, a revolutionary facility in Rancho Santa Fe, California, general manager Mike Arms knew about as much about the actor, director and producer as you and I. But after chatting together as they walked around the Center’s spacious grounds, Mike discovered the talented celebrity really loved animals, and he knew he’d found the important spokesperson he’d been looking for.

“It wasn’t just words; you could feel how much she loved the

36

animal wellness

animals,” explains Mike. “When I asked her if she would be willing to be the spokesperson for our Home 4 the Holidays program, without hesitation, she said ‘Of course’.”

From that moment on, the actor found herself speaking out on behalf of all the animals sitting in shelters who needed new homes, drawing attention to their plight and encouraging people to adopt during the busy holiday season rather than buy from pet stores and puppy mills. Not surprisingly, Mike Arms was thrilled with Diane’s commitment. “She was tremendous with helping to get the message out. Even though I knew how

busy she was, she never said no. That’s just the type of person she is.”

Modest about her role with the HWAC, Diane feels thankful for what animals have brought to her life. “Animals bring you a sense of wonder,” she says. Helping them is second nature to her.

Red, a Corgi mix who was found on a street in Austin, Texas, and Sweetie, a Newfoundland that she adopted through Newfie Rescue.

Her feelings for animals go way back, she says, to her childhood, when various members of the family would bring strays home.

This desire to rescue animals stayed with her throughout the years.

“Animals bring you a sense of wonder.”

To recognize the star’s efforts on their behalf, the HWAC awarded Diane with the Helen Woodward Humane Award this past July. With a raft of acting awards and nominations under her belt, including an Academy Award for Annie Hall and a Golden Globe for Something’s Gotta Give, you might think this latest accolade paled in comparison.

But the actor says she was honored by the event. “I’ve received so many awards in my lifetime,” said Diane, “but this is the one that I want my children to remember me for.”

In addition to her adopted son and daughter, Diane shares her life with

“I wanted to have my own shelter with my sister,” says Diane. “But I realized I could never raise the needed money.” When a friend recommended HWAC, the actor felt compelled to check it out.

The rest, as they say, is history, and Mike Arms couldn’t be more ecstatic. “Diane’s helping us raise awareness by doing interviews and Public Service Announcements encouraging people to adopt. Last year, with her help, we had over 1,800 shelters around the world registered for Home 4 the Holidays, and we did 313,000 adoptions.”

In addition to her work with HWAC, Diane also took time out of her busy schedule to shoot a public service announcement aimed at helping out the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina. Her simple and heartfelt plea for the animals displaced by this terrible disaster struck a chord with animal lovers everywhere.

Diane graciously receives the Helen Woodward Humane Award from Mike Arms, General Manager of the Helen Woodward Center.

“She’s so intelligent, so bright, and so full of energy,” says Mike. “No matter how busy she is, she’ll always make time for the animals.” animal wellness

37

helen woodward animal center About the Helen Woodward Center: The HWAC is much more than a shelter.

In addition to taking in and adopting out animals (about 2,000 annually), the Center offers therapeutic riding for the physically and mentally challenged, and runs a pet therapy program. “We go into hospitals, hospices, youth centers and bring that unconditional love that only the animals can deliver,” says Mike. “In some elderly centers, a dog might be too big for a senior lady to pet, but a little bunny sitting in her lap might be perfect.

Harriet, the cockatoo, brings that unconditional love to people who are paralyzed from the neck down, because she’ll rub against their faces.”

The Center also teaches children about sharing the earth with animals through their summer camp program. This year, they had to cut off enrollment at 1,055 kids. “This is what facilities should be doing all over the country,” says Mike, “because if we don’t start with the children of today we don’t do anything about changing tomorrow.”

Club Pet, the Center’s boarding facility,

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animal wellness

raises revenue to help orphaned animals, while the Center’s small animal hospital, which it owns but leases out to a referral practice, provides care to locals. Beside the small animal practice is a large equine hospital, which is used by about 50 accredited equine vets.

Education Service. Every other month, groups from all over the country visit HWAC to learn how to be more successful at what they’re doing.

In the main facility, staff run another program called Animeals, a take-off on the Meals for Wheels program for humans. Animeals provides pet food for people who currently receive Meals on Wheels. Mike and his staff created the program after discovering that shut-ins were eating only half of the meals they received, so they could share the other half with their only source of companionship – their animals. Volunteers collect food donations from bins in big food stores and HWAC delivers the food to about 270 Meals on Wheels recipients.

“Nobody goes hungry,” says Mike. “This program should be all over this country.”

The HWAC’s Home 4 the Holidays program, a seasonal international adoption promotion, has grown exponentially since it’s inception in 1999. “For many years, many shelters wouldn’t adopt out during the holidays because they said it was impulse adoption, and the animals would come back post holidays,” explains Mike. “But the adoption return post holidays is actually lower than at any other time of the year – we checked that. If someone comes to your facility to adopt, you have the opportunity to educate them and to match them up with the right pet, and to make sure the animal is spayed or neutered. By turning people away, you don’t stop them from getting a pet. You only stop them from where they’re going to get the pet.”

Finally, the Center acts as a resource to other facilities, sharing what they’ve learned through their Animal Center

HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS RUNS NOVEMBER 7 JANUARY 6. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.ANIMALCENTER.ORG.

TO

awm Product Picks The right moves

A gift from nature

Most dogs, as they age, will suffer some degree of arthritis, joint or hip pain.

Breeder’s Choice addresses the problem with their Active Care line of food and treats.

These high quality products contain therapeutic levels of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate right in the formula to help repair and maintain your canine companion’s joints. Active Care can be fed to all breeds and ages of dog. Food flavors include lamb and rice and chicken, while the treats include nutritious chews and biscuits.

Dry: 4.4, 15 or 30 lb bags: $8 - $38 • Canned: $1.50 - $2.00 per can Biscuits 24 oz: $9 - $11 • Chews 16 oz: $19 - $21 www.breeders-choice.com

Flower essences are one of nature’s gentlest and most effective healing therapies. Prepared especially for animals by renowned animal communicator Sharon Callahan, Anaflora Flower Essences address the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of dogs, cats, horses and other animals. There are well over 100 individual essences to choose from, as well as more than 30 special formulas that combine the energetic effects of several flowers to help with a range of conditions and problems, from aggression and allergies to stress and grief.

Individual essences: $14.95 Essence formulas: $16.95 www.anaflora.com

Baking for Bowser

Healthy and convenient

Oven-ready cookie dough for dogs? Why not? Diva Doggie presents Bowie Wowie, a line of all natural refrigerated cookie dough in four flavors, including Oatmeal and Peanut Butter. All you do is place the dough rounds on an ungreased baking sheet, pop them in the oven, and voila – in around 20 minutes, you have a batch of delicious, healthy, fresh-baked treats for your pooch. The cookies contain no sugar, salt, by-products or artificial flavors, and can be stored up to six months in a sealed bag or container.

8.5 oz: $4.95 - $7.95 www.bowiewowie.com

More and more people are realizing the benefits of raw food for their animal companions. Nowadays, feeding raw is as convenient as it is healthy. Nature’s Variety offers a full line of raw frozen diets for dogs and cats in easy-to-serve patties or medallions.

Made from 95% high quality meat, organs and bones, and 5% fruits and vegetables, these diets contain all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients your animal needs to stay in peak condition. A variety of meats are available, including beef, venison, lamb, turkey and organic chicken.

3 lbs: $10.99 - $13.99 6 lbs: $19.99 - $25.99 www.naturesvariety.com

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Toy story:

SAFE?

Dog photo: Natalie Stephenson

Are his toys

by Ann Brightman

T

he holidays just wouldn’t be the holidays without some brand new toys for your four-legged friend.

Before heading to the pet store to stock up on playthings for your favorite pooch or kitty, however, keep in mind that not all toys are created equal. Many poor quality toys just aren’t made to withstand a dog’s teeth

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or a cat’s claws and may come apart easily, causing a swallowing or choking hazard. Others are made from toxic materials that can be equally dangerous if chewed or ingested. Similarly, many household items that you think might make good playthings for your animal can also be hazardous. By learning what to look for when

shopping for (or making) toys, you not only ensure your best friend hours of fun and entertainment, but also his health and safety.

Many toys that are ideal for cats aren’t safe or suitable for pooches. Take balls for example. Golf or ping-pong balls may be ideal for frisky felines to bat about, but are too small for a dog and could get swallowed or caught in his throat.

What’s the toy made from? For dogs, anything made of plastic should be avoided, since most canines like to chew and sharp teeth can shred most plastics. Steer clear of all toys made from PVC, for both dogs and cats.

This type of plastic leaches toxic chemicals which can cause a variety of health problems when chewed, licked or mouthed. It’s also a good idea to stay away from painted toys, unless you are absolutely certain the paint is non-toxic. Wooden toys are another no-no, since wood can easily splinter when chewed.

Rawhide treats and toys of various shapes and sizes are widely sold in many pet stores, but they’re an unwise choice for your canine companion. Not only are they often treated with toxic chemicals, but broken chunks can damage a dog’s GI tract. Larger pieces can even cause intestinal blockages.

Toys containing squeakers are usually fine for most cats, but they don’t make the best dog toys, especially for larger breeds. A lot of dogs will try to tear these toys apart in an effort to extract the squeaker, which they may then swallow. Either stay away from squeaker toys, or only let your pooch play with them under supervision. Discard the toy as soon as it shows signs of coming apart.

Hard rubber is a good material for dog toys. It’s a tough, natural, durable substance that can’t easily be destroyed, even by the most persistent chewer. A perennial favorite is the Kong; it comes in all sizes and can be stuffed with treats for hours of entertainment. Rubber toys in the shape of bones are also suitable.

Another good option for canines is a thick, stout rope toy with knotted ends. It’s ideal for tug-of-war games,

but shouldn’t be left for the dog to chew on, as the rope can fray and shred over time.

Tennis balls are a popular dog toy, and perfect for games of fetch. Again, though, chewing shouldn’t be encouraged; the fuzz on tennis balls is quite abrasive and can actually cause wear to your dog’s teeth. It’s also a good idea to discard tennis balls as soon as they show signs of being split or punctured.

Soft toys for young children are usually made from non-toxic materials and are free of small parts, like eyes, which can be swallowed. For the same reasons, they can also make good toys for some animals. Most dogs, however, should be supervised when playing with stuffed toys, since these products are easily torn apart. Fillers are often made from nutshells or polystyrene particles, which won’t do your animal any good if eaten. Replace soft toys as soon as they tear or split.

Empty cardboard boxes are a post-holiday fact of life. But don’t throw them out! They make excellent cat toys – felines love to climb inside boxes and play hideand-seek with their human or four-footed friends.

Conversely, cardboard boxes aren’t as good for dogs, since most canines will opt to tear and chew them rather than hide inside them!

It goes without saying that string, elastic bands, ribbons, yarn, cords and similar items should be kept well out of reach of both dogs and cats. If you buy a cat toy with a string or wire attached, be sure to supervise your kitty when she’s playing with it, and put it away the rest of the time.

The best cat toys include cloth or knitted catnip mice or balls. Make sure mice don’t have small parts that could come off and be ingested, and check the toys periodically to make sure the yarn or cloth isn’t tearing or unraveling.

If you’re playing Santa to your furry buddy this year, take the time to make sure his new toys are both safe and non-toxic. That way, you’ll both have a happy and healthy holiday season!

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Make a list and check it twice...

SAFE & STRESS-FREE for a

holiday!

Dog photo: Marc Polla

by Denise Fleck

Consider leaving the tree undecorated for a day or two to get your animal used to it and to satisfy his curiosity before you add the trimmings. Take special care that he doesn’t drink the tree water, as this can cause severe stomach upsets, or worse.

Decorate wisely Make your decorations critter-proof. Cats in particular are attracted to shiny balls and ribbons. Place these items high up on the tree, or don’t use them at all. Monitor all animals around tinsel, hooks and breakable balls – during the holidays, veterinarians report an increase in emergency treatments for dogs and cats that ingest these objects, causing choking, intestinal blockages and internal bleeding.

P

Put yourself in your dog or cat’s paws. Near the end of each year, boxes are dragged from the garage or attic and unusual things happen in the home. A tree is brought indoors, and shiny, dangly things are hung all over it.

There’s always food on the counter or baking in the oven, and lots of people coming and going. These sights, sounds and smells can be exciting to our four-legged friends, but their perspectives on how to deal with them may differ from ours. It’s therefore important to carefully consider your animal while preparing for the holidays, so that the season is as safe and enjoyable for him as it is for you.

Tree tips Think when choosing the perfect location for your Christmas tree. Blocking the window your dog watches the mailman from is not an option. He could accidentally tip the tree over and get hurt. Also be sure to anchor the tree to a wall or ceiling hook, especially if you have a cat who might consider it a feline playground.

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Never tempt your four-legged friend by placing food under the tree or by hanging dog biscuits, candy canes, popcorn garlands or anything tasty or aromatic on the branches. It’s also a good idea to ask gift-bearing friends if their packages are animal friendly. Anything with an attractive smell could entice Rover or Fluffy to unwrap the gift and consume the contents. And refrain from decorating with candles unless you are 100% sure they won’t pose a fire hazard to human, canine or feline.

No shocking experiences Chewing on wires can cause severe electrical shock and burns which could be deadly to your dog or cat. It may require you to perform rescue breathing or cardio pulmonary resuscitation on your animal. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), one out of four additional animals could be saved if just one pet first-aid technique was applied prior to getting professional veterinary help. Enrolling in a pet first-aid class will teach you these life-saving skills should the need ever arise. In

the meantime, tape wires to the floor or baseboards and conceal them under the tree skirt. You could also try spraying wires with bitter apple, hot sauce or peppermint to deter chewing. Better yet, never leave plugged-in wires unattended.

Take away the toxins Place holiday plants out of reach. Potentially harmful species such as poinsettias, holly, pine cones and mistletoe can cause problems ranging from diarrhea and cramps to severe intestinal blockages, or even death.

Learn to spot the signs of sudden injury or illness.

If your animal is unusually thirsty, lethargic, vomiting or lacking appetite, it could signal poisoning or some other urgent problem. If you suspect your animal has ingested anything harmful, call your veterinarian or Poison Control immediately. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the quickest route to the closest veterinary emergency center in case your own veterinarian’s office is closed when trouble strikes.

It’s party time!

Holiday parties will be on everyone’s calendar, but an influx of unfamiliar people can disrupt your animal’s stable environment, while New Year’s Eve fireworks and other loud noises can scare him. Some animals may try to escape the chaos by slipping through an opened door, so make sure your dog or cat is micro-chipped and wears an ID tag. Be extra cautious as to his whereabouts when people are coming and going, make sure doors, gates and windows are closed, and instruct visitors to leave your animal alone when he’s sleeping or eating.

Shutting your dog or cat in a room by himself when visitors come may result in resentment of guests and the development of spiteful habits. Instead, raise a well-socialized animal and keep him on a leash or at your side as company comes and goes. A good idea is to devote playtime with your dog or cat before guests arrive. Not only will he adore the attention, but he might be tuckered out enough to settle down before the doorbell rings. Stock up on toys you can fill with peanut butter or healthy treats to keep idle minds and bodies busy.

Nix the rich treats When guests arrive, kindly instruct them not

to feed your dog or cat. An hors d’oeuvres or cocktail sausage from even a few people can leave your pet with an upset stomach. Resist serving items with toothpicks that could be dropped and cause harm your animal if ingested. Don’t leave food unsupervised and don’t be tempted to share rich gravies, sweets or alcoholic beverages with your furry friends. Cooked bones can cause choking or internal damage if Dial this number swallowed, fried foods can bring Post numbers for your on pancreatic disorders, while veterinarian, the nearest veterinary high sodium foods, such emergency center, and poison control as ham, can cause digestive centers on you refrigerator. Poison control help upsets. And remember that lines are not free, so have a credit card ready. the caffeine and theobroAnimal Poison Control (ASPCA) mine in chocolate are toxic (888) 426-4435 to dogs.

National Animal Poison Control Center (900) 680-0000 Finally, despite your hectic Pet Poison Helpline holiday schedule, try to (800) 213-6680 stick to your animal’s routine bathroom breaks and mealtimes.

Your furry, four-legged friend loves you unconditionally, but he depends on you to keep him safe, contented and First aid for Fido in good health!

For an animal first aid and CPR class near you, contact: DENISE FLECK, FOUNDER OF SUNNYThe Red Cross (nationwide) DOG INK, HAS TAUGHT PET FIRST AID (202) 303-4498 AND CPR TO THOUSANDS OF ANIMAL www.redcross.org GUARDIANS THROUGHOUT THE LOS Pet Tech, Inc. (nationwide) ANGELES AREA. SHE IS AN ADVOCATE (760) 930-0309 OF ADOPTING SENIOR PETS AND HAS www.pettech.net BEEN DOG MOM TO MANY. DENISE Sunny-dog Ink (southern CA) IS A VOLUNTEER WITH AKITA BUDDIES (818) 951-7962 RESCUE, A BOARD MEMBER OF THE www.sunnydogink.com BUMPER FOUNDATION, AND THE DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL WELFARE FOR HER NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL. SHE LIVES IN SHADOW HILLS, CALIFORNIA, WITH HER HUSBAND PAUL AND THEIR CANINE FAMILY.

Going away?

If you’re traveling during the holidays and need to board your animal, make sure you choose a reputable kennel.

Walk through the facility with your companion prior to leaving him there. This will give you a good sense of how the staff interacts with your animal, what the kennel is like, and where your dog or cat will sleep and exercise. Better yet, find a qualified pet sitter to visit your companion in the safety and security of his home environment. animal animalwellness wellness

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Delicious holiday baking for your fourBy Audi Donamor

Carob Zucchini Mini Muffins for Party Pooches Ingredients 2 eggs 1 cup yogurt, e.g. Balkan style, goat or sheep 1/2 cup safflower oil, or other oil of your choice 2 cups grated zucchini 1/2 cup sun dried cranberries, with no added sugar 3 cups whole grain spelt flour 1/2 cup carob powder 1/2 cup finely ground Brazil nuts 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/2 teaspoon Celtic sea salt 1 teaspoon aluminum free baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda Hint: Use organic products, whenever possible.

Having a special party?

Lightly grease a 9 x 13 pyrex dish, spoon in your batter, and bake in the oven for 45 minutes. To make sure your cake is done, test with a toothpick. A clean toothpick signals a cooked cake. Want a cake with extra pizzazz?

Garnish with low fat cream cheese and carob chips.

For a twist, add 1-1/2 to 2 cups of oatmeal to your batter, and you will be all set to make delicious drop cookies for your canine companion. Lightly grease cookie sheets or cover them with parchment paper, and then drop dough by the teaspoon onto the cookie sheets. In no time at all, you will have lots of treats to share with the neighborhood pooch patrol. Follow the same baking instructions as given for the mini muffins.

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 oF. Combine eggs, yogurt, safflower oil, and grated zucchini. Fold in 1/2 cup sun dried cranberries.

Combine all dry ingredients, then add to wet ingredients and mix until thoroughly blended. Lightly grease mini muffin tins, and fill each cup almost to the top.

Bake for 20 minutes in pre-heated oven. Let muffins cool completely and store them in an airtight container or a ziplock bag in the fridge.

This recipe makes 48 or more mini muffins. Muffins and dough freeze beautifully, and you can cut the recipe in half.

For a gluten free treat, try quinoa or brown rice whole grain flours.

Do you have extra carrots or apples on hand? They can always be used alone or in combination, instead of zucchini. And for your human family members, try adding 1/2 cup honey to this recipe.

Carob packs a lot of punch Not only is it rich in natural sugars, carob contains all of the principal minerals and vitamins, including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, magnesium, and iron. Carob pods were used as far back as ancient Egypt, where they were combined with porridge, honey and wax, as a remedy for expelling worms. Carob is great for calming a sick tummy, and it’s nice to know that even though it looks like cocoa and can be used like cocoa, it does not contain any of the dangerous ingredients, like theobromine, which can be fatal to our animal companions.

and two-legged friends Cinnamon sizzles Cinnamon tastes terrific but did you know that it also helps to treat nausea and flatulence?

Even the oil found in cinnamon has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. While in the Western world, the inner bark of cinnamon is used to treat gastrointestinal problems like indigestion and diarrhea, in the Eastern world, cinnamon is known as an energizing herb, and is used to treat kidney conditions and asthma. The next time you or your companion has arthritic or rheumatic pain, think about making a compress, using a diluted cinnamon tincture.

Cram in the cranberries

The skinny on selenium The American Association for Cancer Research has reported that the consumption of selenium may help to prevent certain types of cancers. Since natural forms of selenium are considered better than synthetic forms, Brazil nuts go straight to the top of the list. For more information about selenium, check out the article “SELENIUM – good for you . . . good for your companion!” in Volume 7, Issue 4, of Animal Wellness Magazine.

Cranberries have a long history of helping to prevent and treat urinary tract problems. At first it was believed that cranberries acidified urine, but more recent research has shown that cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, which inhibit the growth of E.coli in the urinary tract. Some studies suggest that cranberries help to promote a healthy gastrointestinal system, and can also help reduce dental plaque.

Cranberries are rich in citric, malic, quinic, and other acids, and also contain flavonoids, anthocyanins, ellagic acid, vitamin C, and are a rich source of polyphenolic antioxidants, which may help to protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Last but not least Ginger has long been recognized as a remedy for nausea, and helps to stimulate digestion, reducing stomach and intestinal gas and cramps.

Celtic sea salt is a source of essential minerals and trace elements, and is free from pesticides, herbicides, and harmful chemicals. Don’t be put off by its pale gray color.

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Tuna Loaf for Fantastic Finicky Felines Ingredients 1 can tuna, packed in water (alternatives include salmon, mackerel, sardines and pollack 1 teaspoon organic kelp 1 teaspoon organic catnip (extra parsley can be used in place of catnip) 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped 1 cup organic quick oats, e.g., Robin Hood Organic Quick Oats contain no pesticides, fertilizers, growth regulators, chemicals, additives, or preservatives.

2 eggs

Fashionable Functional

COMFORTABLE! The Hug-A-Dog® Walking Harness Built with your dog’s comfort and safety in mind. Form-fitting, easy-on, no straps to untangle or rub your dog. Tranfers “pulling pressure” to body of harness.

Many colors and patterns.

We can fit any breed from teacups to giants! www.hug-a-dog.com 800.444.9475 Mention ANIMAL WELLNESS for free shipping!

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 oF. Lightly grease a loaf pan, e.g. glass pyrex. Combine tuna, eggs, kelp, catnip, and parsley, in a food processor, blender, or mixer. Fold in quick oats, until all ingredients are well combined. Spoon into lightly greased loaf pan.

Bake in pre-heated oven for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely, before storing in the refrigerator. Garnish tuna loaf with parsley, cranberries, and a sprinkling of kelp, before serving to your feline friends.

The trouble with onions Onions are for us, not for our animal friends. Raw or cooked, one quarter cup can make a 20 pound dog sick. Onions cause toxicity by oxidizing hemoglobin in the red blood cells. When hemoglobin oxidizes, it forms clumps that can’t carry oxygen very well.

These small clumps are called Heinz bodies, and can be seen in red blood cells when viewed under a microscope. When veterinarians see Heinz bodies in many red blood cells, they strongly suspect onion toxicity. The signs of onion toxicosis are the same as anemia and low oxygen in the body – lethargy, weakness, red urine, decreased stamina, and pale or bluish gums, especially with exercise.

I know what you’re thinking... this recipe looks and smells so good, that you want to make it for your human family.

Here’s how:

Tuna Loaf for you and your human friends 1 large can (430 g/15 oz) tuna, salmon, or cooked chicken or turkey, left over from a fabulous holiday feast 3 eggs 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1/2 cup finely chopped celery Fresh ground black pepper, to taste 3/4 cup Balkan Style yogurt or sour cream 3/4 cup bread crumbs (homemade are best . . . try Challah)

Combine all ingredients, and turn out into a lightly greased loaf pan, and follow baking instructions as above, but leave in the oven for an extra 15 minutes.

Pass the oatmeal Did you know that oats contain an antioxidant, and that they also have a higher proportion of fat and protein than other grains? Oats also have a high silicon content, which makes them beneficial to bones and connective tissues. Oats are known to soothe the digestive and nervous systems. They are low in starch and high in mineral content, particularly potassium and phosphorus. Oats also contain calcium, magnesium, are rich in vitamin B, and provide a good source of iron. On top of all this, oats help to cleanse the intestines of impurities, and are recognized as a strengthening cereal.

“I know it’s raining, but can we PLEASE go outside?”

Spice it up!

Parsley is rich in iron and vitamin C, and contains pro-vitamin A. Add calcium, phosphorus, and manganese to the mix, and you can see why parsley is considered one of the most concentrated food sources.

Sea kelp provides iodine to the body, for efficient function of the thyroid gland, which has a significant influence on overall health. It also contains protein, calcium, sulphur, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and vitamins A, B, E, and D. In most animals, catnip has sedative qualities, similar to valerian, but for cats, catnip causes a “Let’s get up and go” feeling of euphoria, as a result of nepetalactone, which just happens to mimic a cat’s sexual pheromones. Catnip also contains vitamins C and E, magnesium, manganese, and flavonoids. Catnip complements fennel, helping to alleviate an upset stomach, and prevent nervous vomiting. For motion sickness, try a teaspoon of catnip, with a sprinkle of ginger.

AUDI DONAMOR

HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY CREATING SPECIAL NEEDS DIETS FOR

DOGS AND CATS FOR TEN YEARS.

Now WETTER is BETTER! Thanks to Diane’s Little Lambs & Raingear Cruelty-free, manmade materials 100% waterproof natural rubber Full net lining and non-slip sole

831-621-1732

www.dianeslittlelambs.com Overnight delivery available.

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Pet Air PET AIR® Balances “Real Citrus & Natural Botanicals.” Protects the air you share with your pets. Remove odors, pet dander, and REPELLS insects too! HOLIDAY GIFT BOX includes: Airomamister time-release machine with 7.5 oz refill and 4.6 fl. oz. (take anywhere) Long Lasting & 100% effective. Aromatherapeutic: Cheers, Calms and Comforts you and your pet’s personal atmosphere. Toll free: (800) 945-0190 or visit www.austinrose.com

Chez Puppy Animal Wellness readers love these all-natural gourmet treats! Elegantly packaged, perfect for holiday gifts. Homemade with wholesome ingredients like oatmeal, flax, and garlic. Gift baskets, wheat-free treats, toys and accessories available. Percentage of proceeds donated to charities. Special offer! 15% off – coupon code: “animalwellness”.

Exp.12/31/05. (866) 900-CHEZ www.chezpuppy.com

K9 Fusion Anyone who dared to play their Beatles records backwards will love this music CD & bonus Qicktime video. K9 Fusion is real music written and recorded by dogs. Seen on National Geographic, Animal Planet & heard worldwide on the radio.

WWW.K9U.NET (866) K9TUNES WWW.TOWERRECORDSCOM CDBABY.COM Makes a great gift for people & dogs.

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Little Lotus Hearts Little Lotus Hearts™ believes the holidays are all about family, so what better time to honor your wonderful animal companion. For details on our services, please visit us at www.littlelotushearts.com or contact us at (800) 713-0569 or by email at info@littlelotushearts.com. We look forward to your visit. How Do You Define Family…sm.

Woof Cosmetics Woof Cosmetics offers an irresistible and innovative line of grooming products for dogs. A scientific and holistic approach came hand in hand to create our pet care line. Our formulas are blended with botanical extracts, shea butter, and pure essential oils. Available in 3 great scents, and cool packaging! Visit us at woofcosmetics.com, or call (514) 223-0796.

“Bit o’ Luv Treats!”

Bit o’ Luv™

Dogs are woofing and jumping for Bitoluvs, 100% meat, chicken or beef liver, dehydrated to perfection, lightly spiced.

Perfect for spoiling or training. Melts in your dog’s mouth, not in your hand. Inspired by MaLassie & SirLaddie, LaPetite Ranch, Northwest WA. Order at www.bitoluv.com.

www.bitoluv.com

Rover Wrap A pocket for your pooch! The encased bag-like design of this cozy fleece blanket is Patent Pending.

Does your fur baby shiver, love to snuggle, get scared? Slip them into a RoverWrap. Fashionable solid colors or fun prints; sizes fit most lap dogs. Made in America, veterinarian recommended. www.roverwrap.com. (435) 884-0713.

All Smiles Dog Bakery

Bow Haus Inc.

We pride ourselves on providing organic dog treats with no added salt, sugar, chemicals or synthetic preservatives. We want you to be confident that when you give your dog our All Smiles Dog Bakery treats not only are you providing a healthy treat, Your Dog will be All Smiles! For further information: info@allsmilesdogbakery.com www.allsmilesdogbakery.com.

(703) 443-8220.

Creators of unique and innovative products that transcend current expectations in pet gear design.

Featuring the award winning HAUS – the hip alternative to the traditional pet crate. This chic pet abode provides the privileged dweller with a safe, comfortable enclosure while dually functioning as a stylish side table. (888) 588-2295 www.bowhaus.ca

Buddy Belt

animulets animulets™ – fine healing jewelry for pets and their people.

Handcrafted and beautifully finished with 14k gold and/ or silver. The animulet’s™ design features a prominent healing gem with a Swarovski crystal. A sterling silver lobster clasp attaches to the pet’s collar ring.

People accessories. animalamulets.com Ph. (805) 967-0406

Save your pet’s neck! With a neck collar you feel less in control and dogs have a tendency to pull and choke as a result. Buddy Belt was created to be easy to put on, eliminate stress on the neck, provide flexibility and ensure security. Essential to the design is a single buckle which is fastened between the shoulder blades with the animal’s front legs extending through the collar underneath.

Great for all types of animals. (416) 503-1632 or www.buddy-belts.com

The Plant Mill Gifts & Garden Art The Plant Mill Gifts & Garden Art, your first and last online destination for the very best in unique, quality gifts and accessories for people who love their animals. www.theplantmill.com Post Falls, Idaho (800) 641-0809.

Old Dog Cookie Company

Sherpa Pet

Diabetic dog cookies and arthritis relief dog cookies. ALL NATURAL, HERBAL NUTRITIONAL DOG TREATS. Each product specially formulated with known ingredients that are essential for promoting wellness. Our Cookies combine the gentle healing properties of herbs with foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Old Dog Cookie Company www.olddogcookie.com

The Legacy pet carrier is in style in any season. Safe and secure, the carrier is perfect for pets up to 16 pounds. The Legacy Ultimate fits pets up to 19 pounds and has a front and top entry. The accessory clutch is great for toiletries and grooming supplies. See the entire Sherpa collection at www.sherpapet.com

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Healing Dog Oils and Tag Pendants for Dogs.

A beautiful terra cotta heart clips to your dog’s collar ring and holds the healing essences of specially crafted vibrational healing oils. Custom hand blending ensures these oils are infused with the highest healing potential and pure love. Choose from Joy, Peace, or Uplift. $19.95 Healing Dog also offers Gemstone Natural Healing Collars.Vibrational Healing Sprays, Shampoos, Soaps and Dog Inspired Note Cards. (866) 230-5838, www.healingdog.com info@healingdog.com.

Gulf Island Dog Biscuit Co. Gulf Island Dog Biscuit Co.’s bakers have donned their elf hats and baked our first GRAIN FREE holiday treat. We took three flavours and combined them in one bag. Wild salmon rosemary “dogs”, organic molasses apple flax “holiday shapes” and organic sweet potato cranberry “squares”. We ship worldwide or check out www.gidbc.ca for your nearest retailer.

The Puppy Shop Fantastic Dog Fashion Apparel available for the holiday and winter season. Elegant, practical, and whimsical styles for the mini toy dog to the medium sized breed. Featuring sweaters, jackets, coats, booties, tiaras, charms... all at ThePuppyShop.Com – “dressing one dog at a time” http://thepuppyshop.com

Soggy Dog Soggy Dog water repellant seat covers. No more tangled, filthy blankets that won’t stay in place! Prevents sand and hair from weaving through fabric. The majority of hair and dirt shakes off. Machine wash and dry. Lightweight and easily secured by ‘fitted’ elastic corners. Eliminates tangled, hairy blankets. info@soggydog.ca www.soggydog.ca

UFlash.com PolyBriteTM Illuminated Leash and Dog Collar Keep your pet visible and safe. PolyBrite’s patented illumination technology emits a bright red light making your dog visible up to 360° and up to a mile away. Steady or flashing modes.

Replaceable battery. Retro-reflective and self-illuminated. Visit www.uflash.com to order.

Electromagnetic Biofeedback Institute Give your Community the Gift of Health! BICOM 2000 Today’s Veterinary Treatment For Allergies and Chronic Disease. Ask your veterinarian about BICOM 2000 Therapy. New to the US, BICOM therapy is a 30 year standard in Europe.

Contact us at: www.bicomresonance.com, www.bicom2000.com and (800) 750-7170.

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Buddhabag Buddhabag, Meditation Sack for the Enlightened Pet. Meowed for and barked for by name – Buddhabag provides luxurious napping in simply the finest faux fur. Available in six different colors and 100% machine washable. To locate a retailer near you, log onto www.buddhabag.net or call (773) 523-0500.

Doggie Duffle The Doggie Duffle is the ultimate 4-in-1 travel accessory for you and your pet. It protects a vehicle’s interior while providing a larger lounging area for your dog. It fits most vehicles through the use of snaps and straps. To view the many options that the Doggie Duffle provides, visit www.doggieduffle.com.

Pet Naturals Calming Formula for Dogs and Cats. The Holidays can be especially stressful for pets.

Fortunately, now there’s Calming Formula for Dogs and Cats from Pet Naturals of Vermont. These safe, non-drowsy, drug-free formulas contain a blend of ingredients proven to help pets feel more relaxed and at ease. Call (888) 340-1995, or visit www.petnaturals.

Animal Communication: Making the Connection Want to know what your animal is thinking?

Have fun learning this unique step by step process that will help you reawaken your innate ability to communicate with animals. 17 interesting and easy to navigate video sections that let you learn at your own speed. The perfect gift for you or the animal lover in your life. Available in CD ROM or DVD, www.IntegratedAnimal.com (503) 704-7499.

100% Natural For Pets Cold temperatures, ice, salt, and home heating bring special hygiene needs for your pets. 100% Natural For Pets products are effective yet natural, consisting of botanical ingredients. These high quality plant extracts, essential oils and resins contain soothing, moisturizing, and protective properties. We are a totally NATURAL company! Distributor inquiries welcome. natural4pets@aol.com (888) 569-8731

The Apawthecary by Grubby Paws Natural Paw Balm and Bona Fido Soap for dogs, thoroughly tested on humans, now approved for dogs. Balm sooths salt burned paws and “hot spots”. Soap comes in Cedar (bug repellent), Tea Tree (healing) and natural. Shampoo is sulphate free and pH neutral.

(800) 561-5053 www.grubbypaws.biz

Essex Cottage Farms This season, Essex Cottage Farms ‘Holiday Cake Mix’, the perfect gift for the dogs in your life! A unique gift that will make a delicious treat for your dog. Easy-to-prepare, not only is it delicious, it’s also completely balanced when fully prepared.

Unique, Delicious & Nutritious – an ideal gift for this Holiday Season! For the nearest Retailer or to place your order, please visit our website: www.efarms.ca or call: (866) 530-0032

Purrfectplay Purrfectplay crafts dog and cat toys exclusively from sensuous dye-free organic materials. We use only the freshest organic catnip and build our toys to endure hours of bliss filled play. We understand your pets deserve the very best. 5% of sales shared with no-kill/rescue organizations. Visit us at: www.purrfectplay.com or call: (219) 926-7604

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Oxyfresh

Gourmutt’s Bakery Gourmutt’s Bakery Specialty Cookies.

Gourmutt’s Bakery all-natural dog treats come in a multitude of adorable shapes for all occasions and holidays. All treats are made with 100% human-grade ingredients with no added sugar, salt or chemical preservatives. Even the colors used are natural! Gourmutt’s Bakery, LLC (919) 870-8220 www.gourmuttsbakery.com

Mutt Lynch Winery The ULTIMATE holiday gifts for dog loving, wine drinking friends and family! Mutt Lynch wines combine seriously good wine, with DOG labels guaranteed to please any dog guardian. Why not include our Unleashed Wooden Gift Box for the perfect holiday surprise. (707) 942-6180. www.muttlynchwinery.com

Paw Prints Jewelery

Fresh Breath Could Mean a Longer Life for Your Pets.

Research shows that proper oral care may extend your pets’ life.

Oxyfresh offers a unique pet care line featuring Oral Hygiene Solution – safe, effective and easy to use. Distributorships available for those who wish to earn extra income. (877) 896-6516 www.oxfreshglobal.info

Nature’s Variety Nature’s Variety® Dry Roasted Treats make delicious holiday gifts for your pets! These natural, nutritious dog treats are slow roasted with no preservatives to maximize nutrient retention. Dry Roasted Treats include: Ham Bone, Lamb Bone, Beef Stix, Turkey Breast, and more! Find a retail store near you on our Store Locator at www.naturesvariety.com.

Searching for a unique gift? Pawprints Jewelry offers the perfect gift for any pet lover. Give a pet's pawprint, miniaturized and captured forever, in a .999 pure silver pendant. Includes Impression Kit you can wrap as a personalized gift. It's more than a piece of jewelry! www.PawPrintsJewelry.com (866) PAW.PRNZ (729.7769)

The Wholistic Pet Wholistic Run Free is a Premium, Human-Grade, synergistic blend of powerful nutraceuticals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that provides the most comprehensive line of defense against existing joint injuries and arthritis. Consists of a triple combination of USP-standardized nutraceuticals, including MSM, Chondroitin & Glucosamine along with additional antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Contains no fillers or synthetic ingredients. Just sprinkle on food and watch your pet Run Free! www.thewholisticpet.com

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JMS Ventures, Inc. Handmade beaded leather collars & leashes. Handmade in Africa, the beading on these one-of-a-kind fine collars is done by Maasai “mamas” working in their home area. Buckles are solid, hand-cast brass. Prices range from $18.50 - $70. JMS Ventures, Inc. [Vienna, Virginia] (703) 319-7935 info@thekenyancollection.com www.thekenyancollection.com

Art By David

Tobz Corporation

David’s oeuvre utilizes visual and performing arts to create living works. To view or purchase his other works please check out the website at: www.artbydavid.com.

Ten percent of all prints sold will be donated to the Catherine fund and ten percent to Katrina. Horse, oil on canvas $250 per print. Contact Anthony Riley (951) 413-4079 anth1y@gmail.com.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT. Authentic Illuminated Dog Collars and accessories to keep you and your dog safe. Brightest and safest collar on the market.

Visible over ¼ mile. 200 hour Replaceable Battery.

Completely washable. Stay active, stay out, stay safe. Tobz Corporation www.tobzpet.com

Murphy’s Bone Publishing presents...

A fun-filled children’s book/CD that teaches canine care and safety through music. “’Murphy’s Safety Songs’” is delightful!” – Betty White, Actress/Animal Lover. www.murphysbone.com Murphy’s Bone Publishing, P.O. Box 56835 Sherman Oaks, CA 91413 (818) 906-8196 toll free (877) 811-BONE (2663) $19.95 US “Murphy” makes a wonderful, unique holiday gift!

Pawprints Literacy Plus Foundation PURR-FECT GIFT! “Pawprints,” by Ina, the off-beat, up-beat book of short tails for animal lovers of all ages!

“Provocative!” “Visual.” “Enchanting.” “Potpourri of charming stories, delightful, a surprise on every page… vivid observations of life, created from a very different, engaging point of view.” Editor, Griffith Park Sierra Club Newsletter. Click the “Shop now” button on www.InasPawprints.com

Heavenly Paws by Lynda Austin A true story of the reincarnation of a dog. This book portrays how the love bond and cycle of life are never broken. My dog’s return was a whisper from God. Just as the leaves fall, buds sprout and leaves appear again.

This is a comforting book for anyone who loves animals. Visit www.heavenly-paws.com. Available at authorhouse.com and amazon.com.

Larz Pet Gear At Larz Pet Gear we have designed all of our products with you and your dog’s health and comfort as the primary consideration. Unique tools that Train, Restrain, and are always Humane. 10% Discount for Animal Wellness readers. Use coupon code “AW” at www.larzpetgear.com or call toll free (866) 843-0981

Well Healed Pet RAINDROP TECHNIQUE KIT: Aromatherapy, VitaFlex and massage combine to apply 9 essential oils/oil blends,& 2 massage oils for physical, mental and emotional balance for you or your companion animal. Kit price varies between $89.50 and $117.76 + shipping. $20 DVD or VHS for dogs or horses sold separately. Contact: WellHealedPet@aol.com or (800) 646-4942.

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Heart of My Heart

Steve's Real Food

“Santa’s Little Helper” pet necklace designed exclusively for Heart of my Heart Pets created with Fine Sterling Silver and genuine Swarovski Crystals.

With interchangeable charms for Holidays or special occasions and adjustable for a perfect fit. $60.00. Visit www.heartofmyheartpets.com for more great gift ideas .

Steve’s Real Food has new packaging. The new royal purple heat sealed 2.5 lb. package has a reseal able zip lock. The heat seal and zip lock prevent frost while the purple blocks sunlight that causes oxidation. A window in the front lets you see the handy kibble shaped product in the bag. (888) 526-1900 www.stevesrealfood.com

Hug-A-Dog Harness

Lucky Dog Biscuits Tested by thousands of canine connoisseurs, our biscuits win approval from the first whiff to the last crunch. The reason: We take great care to make them fresh, flavour-packed and nutritious and we know homemade BBQ and pizza sauces, saskatoons, herbs and sweet potatoes appeal to the most discriminating biscuit hounds.www.luckydogbiscuits.com

Sojourner Farms Monzie’sTM Organic Cookies for Dogs are delicious snacks made with the finest human-quality, organic ingredients – and cut in the shape of a heart to represent the love and care that goes into baking every batch. Our savory recipe combines the sweetness of molasses with rich sesame for a wheat-free, corn-free, low-fat dog snack that’s as tasty as it is healthy!

Visit www.monzies.com

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You wear a seatbelt. So should your dog. Combine the easy-on, stylish Hug-A-Dog® Harness with the security of the Doggie Catcher™ restraint belt for the ultimate in travel comfort and safety. Harnesses can be custom-made to fit any breed.

Mention Animal Wellness for free shipping! www.hug-a-dog.com (800) 444-9475.

Pawbreakers ‘Pawbreakers! The Catnip Candy for Cats’ are an all-natural, 100% edible toy ball and catnip treat rolled into one. All play and almost no mess makes even the grinch happy! Check out our snazzy Santa Paws Surprise Sacks and all the wonderful customer comments at www.pawbreakers.com or call (877) CAT-TOY-1

Animal Wellness Magazine The greatest gift for the animal lovers on your list is now available at 75% off newsstand price! In 2006, Animal Wellness Magazine will continue to offer the highest quality health & lifestyle information anywhere! Don’t miss this exclusive chance; wrap up the gift that brings a long, healthy life to animal companions – naturally!

See our subscription card for details.

Art by Mel Have your beloved pet immortalized for a lifetime by having a masterpiece painted in either acrylics or colored pencil.

Award winning artist will paint your pet at a reasonable price from photo(s). Gift certificates available! Makes great Christmas or Birthday gift. Call (225) 223-4010 or visit www.artbymel.com

The Honest Kitchen The Honest Kitchen offers Smooches, a healthy treat for the holidays! Made with 100% Human Grade Barley, Chicken, Molasses, Eggs, Cranberries & Parmesan Cheese. These gourmet hand-made cookies are irresistible for even the fussiest hounds. Visit www. thehonestkitchen.com to order direct (Animal Wellness readers – enter coupon code AWM409051405 for a 5% discount) or find a store in your area.

Tel: (858) 483-5995

Holistic Pet Care By Whiskers For all your pets’ nutrition & supplies. We serve dogs, cats, birds, small animals and fish! We offer vitamins, herbs, supplements, raw food diets, treats, toys, books, videos, CD’s and cleansers. Also, products for skin care, allergies, bones & joints. Free Delivery. Call (800) WHISKERS for our mail order catalog or shop online at 1800whiskers.com

Sojourner Farms Biscuits are made with simple, honest ingredients like whole wheat flour, sesame seeds, and blackstrap molasses. No preservatives and nothing artificial. Available in whole wheat, savory garlic, and peanut butter – dogs will sit, stay, speak and roll over to get their paws on these tasty treats! Visit www.kungfufido.com

Petlane Petlane provides unique, healthy, safe and enjoyable products to help pets and their people live life to the fullest. Don’t waste hours trying to find something fresh and new – we’ve got it! Also, Petlane offers the leading edge direct sales business opportunity in the industry. Visit us at www.mypetlane.com/boyer.aspx or call (866) 738-2384 for a catalog.

Canidae Pet Foods Canidae’s Gourmet, multi-meat based all natural treats are designed for all size breeds. Snap-Biscuits are specifically designed to snap into 4 separate biscuits.

Original Snap-Biscuits – Made with chicken, turkey & whole grains. Valuable herbs, fruits & vegetables.

Balanced Omega 6 & 3 fatty acids. Essential vitamins and chelated minerals. Natural skin & coat conditioners & naturally preserved! Visit www.canidae.com

Amy's Place Inc. Pet Cuisine “Treats so good...you can’t not love ‘em” ‘em”™ Featuring healthy, all natural treats for your horse or dog companion.

Amy’s Place also created Barn Bash™ and Bow Wow Bash™ cake kits for those special occasions you want to celebrate. Cat and bird treats coming soon! Contact us at: (800) 667-8427 www.AmysPlaceInc.com

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Continued from page 62

NEED A PET RAMP?

of mental and physical exercise is proving successful for many dogs that were once unable to get their impulses under control.

PawSteps™ is a convenient, lightweight ramp that provides easy, pain-free access to RV’s, cars, beds, couches and chairs for smaller, older arthritic or disabled pets.

The soft touch Appropriate touching can not only help lower your dog’s stress hormones, it also can help bring down your own blood pressure! Dr. Rebecca Johnson, director for research at the Center for the Study of Animal Wellness at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, and her colleague, veterinarian Richard Meadows, have been researching how gentle touching and stroking affects dogs.

Their preliminary findings show positive changes in the production of stress-relieving chemicals such as serotonin, beta-endorphins and dopamine, and a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol.

Other studies have shown that animals exposed to rougher touching, such as fast, hard patting or fur ruffling, can suffer health and behavioral problems, making them more susceptible to chronic illness and stress-related problems as they age.

FEATURES • lightweight • portable & durable • carpet snaps on & off for easy cleaning

Healthy touching pays off in another way as well. Biofeedback and other brainwave tests have shown that gentle touching heightens the brain wave patterns associated with learning and logical thinking. In other words, soft touching and stroking can make your dog smarter!

• no assembly required • lifetime warranty

1-877-472-9783 Fx: 949-458-7280 P.O. Box 3655 • Laguna Hills, CA 92653

www.pawsteps.com

Stress affects us all, and our companion animals are no different.

Recognizing stress and implementing stress-reduction techniques not only helps dogs live longer and healthier lives but will also cut down on the number of “badly-behaved” dogs turned in to shelters. Best of all, it strengthens the canine-human bond and helps ensure your dog remains your best friend.

Photo: Nan Kené Arthur

Helping dogs learn how to "chill out" should be the goal for relieving the everyday stress and anxiety that most dogs face when living with humans.

NAN KENÉ ARTHUR IS A CERTIFIED PET DOG TRAINER. SHE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING FIELD FOR MORE THAN 17 YEARS, WORKING WITH DOGS AND CATS IN SEVERAL SHELTERS IN THE SAN DIEGO AREA. SHE HAS FOSTERED MORE THAN 70 DOGS AND OVER 100 CATS, AND SHARES HER HOME WITH THREE DOGS AND THREE CATS. WWW.WHOLEDOGTRAINING.COM animal wellness

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Best behavior! otherwise marking their territory) are quite common and usually easily correctible.

The most common behavioral reason for litter box problems is that the box is not meeting the cat’s needs. Location, size of box, number of boxes, type of litter, depth of litter, cleanliness, privacy, and accessibility are all factors that need to be considered in creating a cat-friendly litter box. When the litter box is not suitable, cats may find other locations that better meet their needs.

First, analyze why the soiled locations are more appealing to the cat than the litter box. While cats have their own individual preferences, most cats prefer soft-feeling substrates, and will often relieve themselves on carpets, beds, piles of clean clothes or furniture if the litter particles are too coarse. Switch to a fine-grained litter if this is the case.

If the location of the box is difficult to reach, or is in an area where the cat spends little time or that allows him to be “ambushed” or surprised by marauding dogs, children or other cats, he may cease to use it.

This may also happen if the cat has been frightened or startled for any other reason while in the box. Choose an area that is somewhat private yet easily accessible.

A location near the soiled area may be best, if possible.

In general, avoid using a cover, keep the box scrumptiously clean, and provide at least as many boxes as there are cats in the family. These boxes should not be located right next to each other, as this violates the privacy criteria. Use about 1½” of litter in the box, although some cats like litter a bit deeper, especially if you use a liner. It’s possible that a deeper layer of litter helps prevent the cat from catching his claws in the liner; this really bothers some cats, while others don’t seem fazed by it.

While medical problems can cause litter box problems, cats do not relieve themselves outside the box out of spite or revenge, or to purposely tell owners they are ill, or that something is wrong. Neither are stress or environmental changes generally causes of litter box problems, unless they specifically impact the cat’s elimination habits. Conflicts between family cats can contribute to these problems, and appropriate behavior modification techniques must be used to improve these feline relationships.

Never punish the cat, or take him to the box to show him what he’s supposed to do. Neither will help and will likely make him want to avoid the box even more. For more information, see our booklet Cats Come Clean: What your cat wants

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Best behavior! you to know about litter boxes; it’s available at www.AnimalBehaviorAssociates.com.

Dear Gillian:

Q A

My three-year-old chocolate Lab loves kids and always rushes to greet our little guests with boisterous kisses.

Sometimes he doesn’t know his own strength, and his greetings can be too aggressive for little ones. How can I get him to be gentler with young children?

Even though you are having a bit of trouble making sure your Lab realizes his own strength, it is nice to know that he loves kids. It is always best to teach your dog an alternate behavior, rather than focusing on trying to reprimand him for his action. Try teaching your dog to sit while in the company of small children. Practice it over and over again, using a reward such as a tasty treat. The more a behavior is rewarded, the more it is likely to occur. If you repeat the word “sit”, and reward him for it, that is the behavior that will occur when he is with kids. If you reprimand his boisterous behavior, it will often agitate him more, and will not help him understand what is best. He can’t rush forward if he is in a sit.

To make it more fun for the kids, teach your Lab to shake a paw. After you have taught him this word, you can involve your guests by letting the children offer the reward for sitting and shaking a paw. Over time, this will become what is called a default behavior, which means your dog will tend to do this first, before rushing forward. Why? Because he has been rewarded for it repeatedly in the past.

If you continue to have difficulty, you can put your dog in another room while your guests arrive and get settled, then bring him out on a leash until he has managed to settle down a bit. You don’t want him to continue his past behavior. Also, if you know that children will be visiting, it might be worth taking your dog on a nice long walk prior to the visit, to wear off a bit of his energy first.

Remember to supervise all dealings between children and your dog. By practicing the alternate behavior and rewarding it, you will soon see your dog responding in a more appropriate manner.

IF

YOU HAVE A DOG OR CAT WITH A BEHAVIORAL ISSUE,

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO:

BEST BEHAVIOR,

AT

FEEDBACK@ANIMALWELLNESSMAGAZINE.COM.

Editor’s note: This column is for information purposes and is not meant to replace behavioral training. To properly address your animal’s needs, please consult a behaviorist.

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Is Fido

STRESSED OUT?

Here’s how to help him relax

by Nan Kené Arthur, CPDT Oh, those wild and crazy dogs and puppies! How we love their energy, but regret the repercussions of all that arousal! Tugging on clothes, biting the leash, chewing everything in sight, and good old-fashioned body-slamming akin to WWF Wrestling are some of the more common complaints brought to behaviorists and trainers. Many other dogs end up being surrendered to shelters because their guardians can’t cope with their “unmanageable” behaviors.

These wild antics are often labeled “impulse control” issues or even impulse aggression, but are they really as simple as that? Are these dogs so “out of control” that they animal wellness

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can’t calm down and relax? Why is it that when good-intentioned dog parents exercise their antsy canines more, they seem even more impulsive?

What’s going on?

Test your dog’s stress levels Circle the number that best fits your dog: Poor = 1

Fair = 2

Good = 3

Very Good = 4

Excellent = 5

Dog is relaxed with all noises/sounds

1

2

3

4

5

Is at ease around all men

1

2

3

4

5

Is calm around toddlers/babies

1

2

3

4

5

Never jumps on people

1

2

3

4

5

Loves attention from strangers if you are present

1

2

3

4

5

Is comfortable being touched all over

1

2

3

4

5

Is relaxed around all other dogs

1

2

3

4

5

Unperturbed by delivery people

1

2

3

4

5

Happy being left with someone he/she knows

1

2

3

4

5

Comfortable being left with a stranger

1

2

3

4

5

Will eat no matter what is going on

1

2

3

4

5

Is calm in crowds of people

1

2

3

4

5

Will allow anyone to approach you and remains friendly

1

2

3

4

5

Never displays belly when people approach

1

2

3

4

5

Allows hugs from strangers

1

2

3

4

5

Never begs or barks for attention

1

2

3

4

5

Is able to sleep while you are away from home

1

2

3

4

5

Rarely shows signs of stress – e.g. excess panting, yawning, sniffing, shaking, etc

1

2

3

4

5

Never growls or shows teeth to strangers

1

2

3

4

5

Has never submissively urinated

1

2

3

4

5

Never looks frightened when leaving the home

1

2

3

4

5

Never hides behind you in public

1

2

3

4

5

Never chews or licks himself excessively

1

2

3

4

5

Doesn’t tuck his tail when outside the home

1

2

3

4

5

If you answered: Mostly 1-2 – Your dog needs a stress reduction program Mostly 2-3 – Could use some behavior modification in troubled areas Mostly 3-4 – Not too bad, but there’s room for improvement Mostly 4-5 – Good for you! Your dog is relaxed!

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The answer is often stress. Although many dogs seem to “have it made” with their comfy homes and fancy beds, not to mention being fed, walked, fluffed, and pampered beyond the dreams of many humans, they can still suffer from stress.

Thankfully, animal stress is now being studied in greater depth. Science is learning more about how stress (good and bad) can affect animals, while behaviorists and trainers are beginning to understand that many impulse control behaviors might actually be stress-related.

What is stress?

Stress comes in two forms: good stress, such as when you are newly in love or starting an exciting new job, and bad stress, which is brought on by fear, worry or anger. Either way, the sympathetic nervous system releases adrenaline and other chemicals into the bloodstream, causing the heart, lungs and blood pressure to “stand on the gas” and get ready to take action. When this happens, other things start to shut down. Digestion is slowed or inhibited, the immune system is depressed, and even growth, as in a puppy, can be stymied to conserve energy in case he needs to flee or fight. This same process also happens during aroused play.

Of course, the stress response was never intended to keep running for days on end. It evolved to help animals protect themselves or to flee from danger. This is not always an option when dogs are confined by leashes, doors and fences, or when the same stressors keep presenting themselves day after day, perhaps in the form of the mailman or visits to the dog park.

Constant adrenaline rushes can deplete the body of natural chemicals, such as serotonin and endorphins, that help dogs calm down and relax. This depletion eventually generates physical and mental fatigue, which further stresses the body and mind and can even lead to muscle and brain atrophy if allowed to continue.

Mounting evidence indicates that the continual states of stress seen in dogs in kennels and shelters causes

Photos this page: Nan Kené Arthur

such an upsurge of chemicals from the sympathetic nervous system, that even once the stressors are removed, it can take days and sometimes weeks for the good chemicals to return to normal. This is also true of pain, fear, aggression, excess exercise and states of high-arousal play.

What are the signs of stress in dogs?

Common indicators of stress often include red eyes, panting, diarrhea, dilated pupils, sweaty paws, muscle tightness, drooling, shivering, vomiting, and drinking excess water, to name just a few. Dogs will also display behaviors that express anxiety, including biting the leash, jumping on people, reactivity towards people or other dogs, pacing, digging, barking, and excessive tail wagging.

It’s easy to mistake many of these signs for impulse control issues, or even over-friendliness. Unchecked, however, they become learned behaviors. Helping dogs learn how to “unwind” requires behavior modification and training, together with a good stress reduction plan that includes lifestyle and environmental changes.

Dogs that have been called impulsive in the past might just be bored and looking for ways to have some fun.

Stress reduction tips There are a number of simple ways to reduce stress in your dog’s life.

• First and foremost, reduce your own stress! Learn to breathe deeply around your dog and allow him to actually hear your breath. This will help both of you relax.

• Respond, don’t react. Even if your dog just destroyed your favorite pillow, the solution calls for calm. If you pay attention to mistakes, you will get more of the same. It’s far better to take a deep breath and plan to manage or prevent these situations in the future.

• If you haven’t already done so, switch your dog to a high-end diet without corn, wheat or soy. This will help calm him from the inside. Studies also show that lowering the carbohydrates in your dog’s diet can help slow him down a notch or two.

Providing fun outlets, such as wading in pools, can help dogs relieve some of their stress as well as provide mental stimulation; all of which add up to a more relaxed dog.

• Add environmental enrichments to your dog’s world. Things like toys containing food (Kongs stuffed with treats, for example), pits for digging, wading pools and mental exercises such as clicker training and search games can help your dog re-channel some of his energy rather than do the things that drive you crazy.

• One of the simplest ways to encourage calmness is to reward it whenever you see it. If you see your dog resting quietly, take the opportunity animal wellness

61

Photo: Nan Kené Arthur

to reward the behavior. You can simply smile and say “good dog” in a quiet voice, walk by and drop a treat at his feet, or both.

Make sure your voice is calm and resist making eye contact.

This will give your dog the message that all he has to do to get your attention or a food reward is to kick back and relax!

Learn canine body language You will really help your dog travel the road to calm behaviors by learning to understand and use the language that canines understand best: body language. Norwegian dog trainer Turid Rugaas has studied the physical behaviors and body language of dogs for many years. She coined the term “calming signals” when referring to the displacement behaviors dogs use to communicate with other dogs and humans. Unfortunately, humans don’t always grasp the meaning of these signals, which only adds to the dog’s anxiety. “Nobody understands me,” is the underlying message from many dogs.

The most frequently used “calming behaviors” seen in dogs are: • Tongue licking • Sniffing the ground • Scratching as if they have fleas (when you know they don’t) • Shaking like a wet dog • Yawning – wide, sometimes shaky yawns • Multiple eye blinks • Averting eyes – not making direct eye contact • Doing something else – it might look like you are being ignored Dogs use these behaviors to tell us and other dogs that they are uncomfortable or are trying to resolve what is going on.

Here are two dogs doing the calming behavior of sniffing the ground. When people learn to recognize these behaviors, they are able to encourage and reward those calming behaviors. This, in turn, reduces the everyday stress that dogs encounter living with humans.

To further help your dog relax, you can “mirror” many of the calming behaviors back to him. For example, try yawning several times when your dog seems anxious. Don’t cover your mouth, since you want your dog to see the gesture. Most dogs will yawn back and start to settle down. For this approach to work, you need to detach yourself when you mirror these behaviors. Don’t make eye contact, and don’t touch or talk to him.

The truth about exercise It’s natural to assume that the more exercise you give your dog, the calmer he’ll become. In actual fact, trainers and behaviorists see many dogs that are “out of control” even though they’re getting lots of exercise each day. Many experts are now saying that balance is the key to keeping your dog in good physical condition. That way, you don’t add extra stress by over-taxing his body or encouraging high arousal states of play, both of which are capable of triggering a stress response. Providing a balance Continued on page 65

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animal wellness ��������������������������������������

No allergies in this family.

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Lamaderm is the only lamb and rice formula that contains none of the ingredients that dogs are most allergic to. There’s no wheat, no corn, no dairy products, no poultry, and no dried yeast.

Lamaderm contains lamb, one of the most nonallergenic meats and ground brown rice, the most digestible of all grains. With Lamaderm, your dog will get more nourishment from his food and feel relief from food allergy symptoms.

• helps to avoid dry, itchy and flaky skin • beneficial for intolerance to gluten* • added vitamins and chelated minerals • hormone and antibiotic free Lamb & Venison • made in a Certified Organic Facility

Now available from Natural Life, the ORIGINAL producer of hypo-allergenic pet foods, ACD ® Venison Meal & Rice.* This newly formulated Alternative Companion Diet is guaranteed to alleviate food related allergies for dogs with sensitivities to corn, soy, wheat, dairy, yeast, beef and pork. ACD ® is quality you can trust, made in a Certified Organic Facility.

animal wellness 63 www.lamaderm.com • 1-800-367-2391 • www.nlpp.com

RELAX ON A MAT Dogs are often conflicted when told to do things like “lie down” when they feel anxious about the environment. Your dog may comply with your wishes, but may not really be relaxed. This exercise will help him learn how to relax on his own.

You will need:

Reminders: • Breathe!

• Don’t make eye contact, talk to, or touch your dog during this exercise.

• If your dog jumps on you, gently stand up (don’t make eye contact) and allow him to slide off.

• If your dog chews on the leash, use a taste deterrent, or buy a chain link leash for this exercise.

• Sit back in your chair so you are not looming over your dog.

• Have all your equipment ready before you bring in your dog.

• End each session with a release phrase, such as “all done.”

Method: 1. Before bringing your dog into the area, place the mat by a chair and put about ten treats on it. Bring him in on the leash and sit down in your chair. Let your dog find the treats, allowing enough leash for him to move around but not away.

2. Start to drop more treats on the mat, one at a time. Resist dropping them if your dog is staring at you – you want to reward calmness, not fretting over food. Reward any calmness, including sniffing or yawning, by dropping more treats on the mat.

3. Most dogs quickly learn that calmness results in a reward. Once you see your dog start to calm down, delay the treats until he lies down, then start dropping them again.

4.

If he shows any signs of stress or increased activity, or if he doesn’t lie down after you stop the food for a minute or two, end the exercise and try again when he is more naturally relaxed – in the evening, perhaps.

5. After 20 to 30 treats, release your dog and practice in a different location.

After you’ve succeeded in a couple of locations, you can start to slow the treats down; just don’t hold out too long in the early stages.

6.

If your dog gets up before you release him, take a deep breath, turn your head away and stop dropping food. He should quickly remember that lying down made you drop the treats, and offer that behavior again.

7. Keep the sessions short (two to five minutes) and try them in lots of different locations to make this a strong behavior. It won’t be long before your dog gets the message that when he lies down, great things happen!

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Photo: Nan Kené Arthur

• A portable mat, such as a bath towel.

• About 100 to 150 pea-sized high-value food rewards, in a container that is easy for you to reach into.

• A six-foot leash attached to a soft buckle, limited slip collar, or body harness.

• A quiet place to train.

Continued from page 62

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of mental and physical exercise is proving successful for many dogs that were once unable to get their impulses under control.

PawSteps™ is a convenient, lightweight ramp that provides easy, pain-free access to RV’s, cars, beds, couches and chairs for smaller, older arthritic or disabled pets.

The soft touch Appropriate touching can not only help lower your dog’s stress hormones, it also can help bring down your own blood pressure! Dr. Rebecca Johnson, director for research at the Center for the Study of Animal Wellness at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, and her colleague, veterinarian Richard Meadows, have been researching how gentle touching and stroking affects dogs.

Their preliminary findings show positive changes in the production of stress-relieving chemicals such as serotonin, beta-endorphins and dopamine, and a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol.

Other studies have shown that animals exposed to rougher touching, such as fast, hard patting or fur ruffling, can suffer health and behavioral problems, making them more susceptible to chronic illness and stress-related problems as they age.

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Stress affects us all, and our companion animals are no different.

Recognizing stress and implementing stress-reduction techniques not only helps dogs live longer and healthier lives but will also cut down on the number of “badly-behaved” dogs turned in to shelters. Best of all, it strengthens the canine-human bond and helps ensure your dog remains your best friend.

Photo: Nan Kené Arthur

Helping dogs learn how to "chill out" should be the goal for relieving the everyday stress and anxiety that most dogs face when living with humans.

NAN KENÉ ARTHUR IS A CERTIFIED PET DOG TRAINER. SHE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING FIELD FOR MORE THAN 17 YEARS, WORKING WITH DOGS AND CATS IN SEVERAL SHELTERS IN THE SAN DIEGO AREA. SHE HAS FOSTERED MORE THAN 70 DOGS AND OVER 100 CATS, AND SHARES HER HOME WITH THREE DOGS AND THREE CATS. WWW.WHOLEDOGTRAINING.COM animal wellness

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Indoor gardening brightens up the

winter months for you and your animal

by Andy Lopez

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I

love to garden year round. It helps that I live where the weather allows it, but even if you have winter in your region, you can bring your gardening hobby indoors so that your human and animal families can continue to enjoy its many benefits. Growing your plants organically adds even more advantages, and also helps protect your health and that of your four-footed companion. Whether you decide to invest in a greenhouse, or create a simple windowsill herb garden, it’s easy to bring the outdoors in when the weather turns frosty.

Considering a greenhouse?

A greenhouse is your main tool for year round gardening. Many ready-built models are available; just pick one that fits your budget and space requirements.

You can also build your own, or have a carpenter make one for you.

Dogs and cats benefit

from the aesthetics of plants as much as we

Greenhouse gardening requires plenty of sunlight, so location is a very important factor.

Greenhouses also require fans, heaters, vents and sprinklers, so look into this before you buy to make sure you’ll have everything you need. If you plan on growing year round, you will also need an indoor growing light to provide the right amount of light needed for healthy plant growth. Not enough light is just as bad as not enough food.

do, and will especially appreciate it when

everything is cold and frozen outside.

Depending on the size of the greenhouse, you can share it with your animal companion. Dogs and cats benefit from the aesthetics of plants as much as we do, and will especially appreciate it when everything is cold and frozen outside.

Be sure to carefully supervise your animal’s forays into the greenhouse, and – most importantly – make sure any toxic plants are out of his reach. Keep the greenhouse off-limits to your animal when you’re not around.

What can you grow in the greenhouse?

You can either start new plants or bring some of your outdoor garden plants into the greenhouse for the winter – animal wellness

67

Two tips for indoor plants 1. Do not use chemical fertilizers. The high

all you need to keep them flourishing is a good grow light.

Annuals like impatiens, petunias and coleus are favorite outdoor selections and can provide massive quantities of color inside as well. With a greenhouse, you can have these year round, provided you have the proper lighting set-up.

nitrogen is bad for your plants and will cause problems with pests and diseases. Avoid chemical pesticides as well. They are harmful to people and animals.

Other plants you can grow indoors during the winter include hibiscus, Mexican heather, passion flower, Mandevilla hybrid, geraniums (my favorite), succulents and many others that you can start from seed.

2. All plants (especially roses) hate being

Herbs such as rosemary over-winter well indoors and can be taken outside and planted in the garden again come spring.

root-bound, so re-pot them once a year.

Replant then in a clay pot that is several inches larger than the original container, making sure it has a drainage hole in the bottom. Cover the hole with a piece of rock to keep the potting soil from washing out. Remove the plant from the old container, and loosen the roots at the bottom. Place an all-purpose organic potting mix in the bottom of the new pot and set the plant in the pot to make sure it’s neither too deep nor too high. Once the depth is right, fill in around the root ball with more potting soil and water slowly to settle the soil.

With a greenhouse and a grow light, your family and animal companions can also enjoy fresh, nutritious, organic vegetables year round.

There are basically two types of roses that grow well inside: miniatures (including miniature standards) and hybrid teas. These are grown in greenhouses before they are sold so they already like the environment. All plants hate inadequate lighting, especially roses, which need a minimum of five to six hours of direct sunlight each day (or a grow light). Place the lamp directly above your plant no more than two feet away. If the plant isn't getting enough light, the buds will bend over; if the lamp is too close, it will burn the leaves. Get a full spectrum lighting system. As well, be careful with over-watering. Yellow leaves are an indicator of this problem. Make sure the soil is dry before you water – don’t water if the soil is damp. Never allow roses to stand in water; use a "humidity tray" of gravel in the saucer to keep the roots out of standing water.

Don’t forget to include some plants that your animal companion can browse on,

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69

such as organic catnip, wheatgrass, oat grass or barley grass.

Providing fresh greens during the winter not only boosts his health but will help discourage him from sampling your other plants.

Bringing greenhouse plants into the rest of your home There are many clever ways to display plants around the house, whether you place them on windowsills, arrange them on furniture, or hang them from the ceiling (ideal if you have an agile cat who likes to nibble). Here’s the secret: keep some plants in the greenhouse and some inside the house, and rotate them. This way, they will always look beautiful.

Dwarf trees such as grapefruit, lemon and orange can easily be raised in the greenhouse and then brought out during the warmer months. Miniature houseplants can also be fun and are great for indoor decorators. Dwarf geraniums, for example, will bloom over and over again and come in endless varieties.

If you want to try your hand at bonsai, start with common

bonsai plants that will survive indoors. Indoor bonsai are suitable for those who can grow houseplants but who don’t have the commitment, time, or facilities to grow the more difficult outdoor bonsai.

Again, remember to consider your four-footed friends when decorating your home with plants. Keep poisonous plants out of their reach (or avoid them altogether if you don’t have a safe place to put them) and make sure to pick up any fallen leaves or blossoms as soon as they appear. And don’t forget a few pots of edible cereal grasses for your companion to graze on through the winter.

Happy growing…organically of course!

ANDY LOPEZ, ALSO KNOWN AS THE INVISIBLE GARDENER, HAS A DEGREE IN HORTICULTURE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA AND HAS BEEN SPECIALIZING IN ORGANIC GARDENING FOR MANY YEARS.

HE HAS WRITTEN SEVERAL BOOKS, The Organic Growers' Manual AND Natural Pest Control: Alternative to Chemicals for the Home and Garden. HIS RADIO SHOW, DON'T PANIC IT'S ORGANIC, AIRS ON CRNI. NET EVERY SATURDAY AT 10AM PST. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NATURAL PEST CONTROL, VISIT WWW.INVISIBLEGARDENER.COM. INCLUDING

Talkin’ Pets ................with Jon Patch “Talkin’ Pets” offers live, fun-filled discussions about pets and our other friends in the animal kingdom. Host Jon Patch and his expert guests have made this program America’s favorite pet show!

Jon is joined frequently by expert guests in the veterinary and animal behavioral fields. Breed and medical tips are weekly features as well as updates in animal news. Environmental tips and advice on how to make our environment a safer, more enjoyable place to live.

America’s Favorite Pet Show!

HEARD IN OVER 100 CITIES NATIONWIDE!

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animal wellness

2005 SCHEDULE NOVEMBER Toxic Toys vs. Good Toys DECEMBER Top 10 Animal Gifts for 2005

Stay tuned for next year's schedule!

To find a radio station in your area, go to:

www.talkinpets.com or email

jonpatch@talkinpets.com

ANIMAL WELLNESS MAGAZINE

Inside this issue:

• Integrative Veterinarians • Holistic Healthcare • Natural Product Distributors, Manufacturers & Retailers

• Internet E-Tailers • Shelters & Rescues • Trainers & Behaviorists • Communicators

Integrative Veterinarians

KENTUCKY

BRITISH COLUMBIA

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

MASSACHUSETTS

Autumn Drouin, DVM, ND North-East Newmarket Veterinary Service Newmarket, ON Canada Phone: 905-830-1030 Email: drautumn@sympatico.ca Website: www.holistic-vet.ca Bach Remedies, Clinical Nutrition, Herbs, Homeopathy, Physical Therapies

Cynthia Harcourt, DVM Queensville, ON Canada Phone: 905-478-1995 Homeopathy, Nutrition, Food Sensitivity Testing, Flower Essences, Herbalism, TTouch

Treeoflifevet@shaw.ca

CALIFORNIA NEW JERSEY

Mark Newkirk, VMD Margate Animal Hospital & Alternative Care Center Margate City, NJ USA Phone: 609-823-3031 Website: www.alternativevet.com Aquapuncture, Bach Flower Remedies, Cancer Therapies, Chiropractic, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathic, Metabolic Balancing

NEW YORK

ONTARIO

Essex Animal Clinic Janice Huntingford, DVM Essex, ON Canada Phone: 519-776-7325 Email: essexanimalclinic@cogeco.net Website: www.essexanimalclinic.com

East York Animal Clinic Toronto, ON Canada Phone: 416-757-3569 Email: eyac@ca.inter.net Website: www.holisticpetvet.com Acupuncture, Bach Flower Remedies, Chiropractic Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Reiki, Therapeutic Nutrition

Wellness Resource Guide

Wellness Resource Guide

Secord Animal Hospital Dr. Joanna Milan Toronto, ON Canada Phone: 416-486-1700 Email: secordanimalhospital@yahoo.ca Acupuncture, TCM, Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition and Flower Remedies

PENNSYLVANIA

RHODE ISLAND

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

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

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

TEXAS Harwood Oaks Animal Clinic Bedford, TX USA Phone: 817-354-7676 Website: www.harwoodoaksanimalclinic.com Acupuncture, Bowen, Essential oils, Nutritional support

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Wellness Resource Guide

Integrative Veterinarians - Holistic Healthcare Dr. Shawn Messonnier Paws and Claws Vet Clinic Plano, TX USA Phone: 972-712-0893 Email: shawnvet@sbcglobal.net Website: www.pettogethers.net/healthypet

Ojai School of Massage Ojai, CA USA Phone: 805-640-9798 Website: www.ojaischoolofmassage.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

NEBRASKA

150 hr. small animal & 233 hr. equine massage certification programs.

Integrative health care for pets.

VIRGINIA NOVA SCOTIA

Mandala Riding & Awareness Centre Olga Comeau Hampton, NS Canada Phone: 902-665-2101 Email: mandala@ns.sympatico.ca Website: www.mandalariding.com Tellington TTouch Practitioner for horses and companion animals. Certified EAP Equine Facilitator.

Holistic Healthcare OHIO

ALABAMA

Integrated Touch Therapy Circleville, OH USA Toll Free: 800-251-0007 Phone: 740-474-6436 Website: www.integratedtouchtherapy.com Animal Massage Workshops

OKLAHOMA BRITISH COLUMBIA

CatSu Herbal Health Products Inc. Armstrong, BC Canada Toll Free: 888-662-2878 Phone: 250-558-6559 Email: catsu@catsu.com Website: www.catsu.com Unique Herbal and Natural Products, Healing Touch for Pets

IDAHO

Anima!

McCall, ID USA Phone: 208-634-1449 Email: anima@ctcweb.net Long distance intuitive consultations with kinesiology on any issue. TTouch, Reiki and Sound Tune-ups

ILLINOIS

CALIFORNIA

Emelio of CertiďŹ ed Paws A mobile pet massage therapist Los Angeles, CA USA Phone: 323-481-6495 Email: certifiedpaws@yahoo.com Website: www.certifiedpaws.com Bonnie Blumenfeld, RVT NewCastle, CA USA Phone: 916-663-2293

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Dachshund Orthopedic Disc Group Linda Stowe Champaign, IL USA Phone: 217-359-7148 Email: lstowe@uiuc.edu Website: www.dodgerslist.com

ONTARIO

Help fight dachshund disc disease

MASSACHUSETTS

PENNSYLVANIA

Holistic Healthcare - Natural Product Manufacturers, Distributors & Retailers

Wellness Resource Guide

QUEBEC

K9 Companions Helen McGraw Cantley, QC Canada Phone: 819-827-1467 Email: K9comp@travel-net.com Website: www.k9-companions.com Syn-flex liquid glucosamine for pets, TTouch

TEXAS

Holistic Animal Intuitive Marti Miller Austin, TX USA Phone: 512-740-3750 Email: marti2heal@austin.rr.com Website: www.marti2heal.com

CALIFORNIA

Specializing in nutrition, health issues, behavior, and euthanasia decisions.

PolyMVA Chula Vista, CA USA Toll Free: 866-426-5272 Phone: 619-628-4743 Email: info@polymva4pets.com Website: www.polymva4pets.com

Transfer Factor Gitta Vaughn San Antonio, TX USA Phone: 210-394-0738 Email: gittavaughn@earthlink.net Website: www.gittavaughn.com

Dharma Dog Sonora, CA USA Phone: 209-532-5081 Email: DharmaDog@pacbell.net Website: www.dharmadog.com

Patented, natural formulas support and educate the immune system.

WISCONSIN

Raw diets, supplements, training, treats & toys, flower essences, homeopathic remedies

CONNECTICUT

Internet E-Tailers SitStay.com Toll Free: 800-SIT-STAY Phone: 402-467-3426 Email: darcie@sitstay.com Website: www.sitstay.com

ILLINOIS

Natural Products -

Manufacturers, Distributors & Retailers

ARKANSAS

The Holistic Horse Ashdown, AR USA Phone: 877-774-0594 Email: info@theholistichorse.com Website: www.theholistichorse.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

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

BRITISH COLUMBIA Gulf Island Dog Biscuit Co. Richmond, BC Canada Phone: 604-276-9799 Email: info@gidbc.ca Website: www.gidbc.ca Grain-Free - using organic ingredients, no perservatives or additives

MAINE

Dakota’s Dejeuner Portland, ME USA Phone: 207-773-4344 Email: deedee@dakotasdejeuner.com Website: www.dakotasdejeuner.com Wean & aid your pets off commercial food onto a raw diet with all natural, homemade Dakota’s Dejeuner!

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Natural Product Manufacturers, Distributors & Retailers - Communicators

Wellness Resource Guide

MARYLAND

SOUTH CAROLINA The Nautical Boutique and Bakery for Dogs

(410) 326-9294 Fax: (410) 326-9295 clipperscaninecafe@mac.com

WISCONSIN

Boston Terrier Club of America Phone: 724-883-4732 Email: btcaresc@greenepa.net

NEW JERSEY

Essential Oils for healthy/happy pets. Young Living member #787163

NEW MEXICO

Trainers & Behaviorists Shelters/Rescues American Brittany Rescue Toll Free: 866-BRIT-911 Phone: 510-582-2714 Email: rhonda@americanbrittanyrescue.org Website: www.americanbrittanyrescue.org

Animal Avengers Los Angeles, CA USA Phone: 323-655-4220 Email: admin@animalavengers.com Website: www.animalavengers.com All breed rescue

Golden Retriever Club of Greater LA Rescue Los Angeles, CA USA Phone: 818-700-5200 Email: Hurd@pacbell.net Website: www.grcglarescue.org

OREGON

Natures Balance to Equine Care Estacada, OR USA Toll Free: 866-821-0374 Phone: 503-630-3744 Email: info@NaturesBalanceCare.com Website: www.NaturesBalanceCare.com

CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA

American Shih Tzu Club Phone: 760-942-0874

NEW YORK

Columbia-Willamette Beagle Rescue Portland, OR USA Phone: 503-243-4619 Email: rescue@cwbeagles.com

PENNSYLVANIA

BarfDirect provides raw diets, dehydrated diets, supplements and treats for your companion

The Well-Healed PET Claire Coppola Kinnelon, NJ USA Toll Free: 973-769-0907 Phone: 973-492-8450 Email: claire@canine-site.com Website: www.canine-site.com

Alaskan Malamute Mt. Gilead, OH USA Phone: 419-512-2423 Email: shaman@brightnet.net

OREGON

14520 S. Solomons Island Road Solomons Island, MD 20688

BarfDirect.com Savage, MD USA Website: www.barfdirect.com

OHIO

ILLINOIS

Communicators BRITISH COLUMBIA

Animal Energy Lynn McKenzie N Saanich, BC Canada Phone: 250-656-4390 Email: lynn@animalenergy.com Website: www.animalenergy.com International Animal Intuitive, offers nationwide consultations in animal communication and energy healing

CALIFORNIA

Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the USA Phone: 773-281-5569 Weimaraner Club of America Phone: 618-236-1466

MASSACHUSETTS

SASKATCHEWAN

NEW JERSEY

Urban Carnivore, The Saskatoon, SK Canada Toll Free: 888-665-0856 Phone: 306-665-0856 Website: www.urbancarnivore.com Call for a retail location

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Portuguese Water Dog Basking Ridge, NJ USA Phone: 908-303-3345 Email: pwdrescue@aol.com

NEW YORK

Greyhound Rescue & Rehabilitation Cross River, NY USA Phone: 914-763-2221 Email: greytest1@aol.com

Donna McDonald Certified in Animal Communication, Tellington TTouch & Animal Massage phone: 650.712.0237 ext. 3 fax: 650.712.0460 animalsthink@aol.com www.animalconsciousness.com

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

Communicators

Nationwide consultations, Workshops/Training

MARYLAND ������ ���������� ����� ������ ������ ������������ � ���� ���� � ������������ ���� � ��������� � ������ � ����� � ��������

���������������������������������� ������������

Jean Connelly Companion Animal Care Sherman Oaks, CA USA Toll Free: 818-204-0632 Phone: 818-785-4218 Email: jeanconnelly@earthlink.net

ONTARIO

Sue Becker Kitchener, ON Canada Phone: 519-896-2600 Email: suebecker@cyg.net Reg’d. Practitioner of Bach Flower Remedies, Tellington TTouch

MONTANA

OREGON

NEVADA

QUEBEC

NEW YORK

WASHINGTON

Animal Communication, transition and Grief Support, emotional and behavioral Problems, Pet sitting in THEIR home

ILLINOIS

Wellness Resource Guide

Carol Schultz Plainfield, IL USA Phone: 815-254-8325 Email: carol@carolschultz.com Website: www.carolschultz.com

Morgine Jurdan Communications With Love Amboy, WA USA Phone: 360-247-7284 Email: morgine@tds.net Website: www.communicationswithlove.com Workshops/Training

Janice DeFonda Can We Talk Syracuse, NY USA Phone: 315-329-0116

WISCONSIN

Usui Reiki Master & IET (Integrated Energy Therapy) Practitioner - energy healing with Love

animal wellness

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REMEMBERING HURRICANE KATRINA

Photo: Noah's Wish

Above: Noah’s Wish rescue team coax stray dogs to safety. Right: Kit Boggio carries an abandoned dog into the rescue boat.

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This photo and above: Troy Snow – Best Friends Animal Society

Above: This pit bull was stranded on top of a car. When he saw Best Friends’ rescue boat, he jumped into the water and started swimming desperately toward the boat. Don’t worry, the rescuers got him – he’s safe now!

W

e knew it was coming but no one was prepared for the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Katrina. Many families lost everything, and just at a time when people needed the comfort of their animals the most, government rescuers forced them to leave their companions behind. Separated from their beloved people, thousands of animals perished or took to the streets until animal organizations arrived to try to manage the crisis.

Animals of every kind arrived in record numbers at various shelters, where they received treatment, food and water until their humans, hopefully, could find them.

Volunteers came from all over the continent to help care for the animals, and provide comfort in these difficult emotional times. While some animals have been reunited with their families and others have been put in foster care or up for adoption, many still sit waiting for a familiar face to walk through the door.

Angered by the way officials handled the rescue and supported by major animal organizations, Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) and co-sponsors Christopher Shays (R-CT), Barney Frank (D-MA), Don Young (R-AK) and James Oberstar (D-MN) introduced legislation to ensure federal officials will not separate people from their animal companions when disaster strikes.

The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act) requires local and state emergency preparedness authorities to include in their evacuation plans how they will accommodate household or service animals in case of a disaster.

Photo: Troy Snow – Best Friends Animal Society

Photo: HSUS

1-847-637-DIVA (3482)

www.bowiewowie.com DISTRIBUTOR INQUIRIES WELCOME

Above: A cat who suffered chemical burns is bathed by a volunteer at the Lamar-Dixon temporary shelter in Gonzales.

Left: This little guy, dubbed Goofy by his rescuers, was picked up from the hood of a car surrounded by floodwaters. He was brought back to the Best Friends Hurricane Relief Center, and given a bath.

Guess what? He's not grey: he's all white underneath that mess. animal wellness

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Photo: Troy Snow – Best Friends Animal Society

Photo: Noah's Wish

1

2 Photo: Noah's Wish

Photo: Troy Snow – Best Friends Animal Society

4

3 Clockwise from top left: 1. An injured dog received medical treatment from a volunteer veterinary team. 2. Aggie Liccriadi is reunited with her dog, Baby, at the Best Friends Hurricane Relief Center. 3. Noah's Wish and Animal Control officers in Slidell, LA worked together to save animals from flooded homes. 4. Safe at last, this rescued beagle waits to be reunited with his family.

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Photo: HSUS

Photo: Troy Snow – Best Friends Animal Society Photo: Noah's Wish

1

3

We would like to acknowledge the following Animal Wellness Magazine advertisers for their contributions: BUNGALOW ART

2

Clockwise from top left: 1. Major Townley Hedrick of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, helps rescue an abandoned pup. When Best Friends director of operations Paul Berry asked the Major if there was truth to the shoot to kill order of animals, Major Hedrick replied "No sir, exactly the opposite, I've instructed my men not to harm any animals." 2. Three weeks after evacuating New Orleans, Manuel Barbre is joyfully reunited with his dog, Chip, at the Lamar-Dixon shelter. 3. A newborn kitten rests at Noah's Wish shelter.

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79

Fluff’s adventure has many

blessings counting their

by Julie Pasquinelli

II

t was a dark and stormy night (really!) in June 2005, when Cathy Stacey’s beloved cat, Fluff, disappeared.

Fluff found his way back home thanks to Pets 911.

There was still no sign of him the next morning, so Cathy and her family sprang into action. They printed posters offering a reward for Fluff’s return, listed him with shelters and vets in the area, registered him with online pet finding services and even walked door-to-door to ask neighbors if anyone had seen the missing feline.

Unfortunately there was no sign of Fluff anywhere. As time went by and the missing cat still hadn’t returned, Cathy and her family resigned themselves to the idea that their beloved Fluff had fallen prey to coyotes, which happens very often where they live.

The whole family was heartbroken.

Then fate stepped in to lend a hand.

On September 8, Cathy received a phone call, and the story of Fluff’s three-month-long adventure unfolded!

It turns out a caring woman had fed a cat fitting Fluff’s description for quite a while. When she saw the cat’s health going downhill, she decided to take him to a veterinarian. Through the vet’s office, the cat made his way to a local pet rescue organization called Sun Cities Spay-a-Stray, and

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they found him a caring foster home.

The story could have ended there but, as serendipity or fate would have it, a friend of the foster home remembered seeing Cathy’s ad for a “long-haired, white, blue-eyed cat” on PETS911. com. Figuring there aren’t many cats fitting this description roaming free, she got Cathy’s number from the ad and called her.

After three months of searching for her beloved friend, Cathy was thrilled to “pick my baby up and take him back home!”

Cathy and her family realize they are lucky and admit they have a lot of people to thank for that…the woman who was kind enough to feed Fluff, the vet who decided to help him get better instead of putting him down, Sun Cities Spay-a-Stray for finding him a foster home and of course PETS911.com for offering the free lost and found network. It was truly an amazing series of events that led to Fluff’s happy reunion with his family. Whether it was fate or angels that brought Fluff back, Cathy is counting her blessings.

“I can’t thank you enough for helping to bring my kitty home,” Cathy recently wrote.

How Do You Define Family...

SM

Little Lotus Hearts was founded by animal lovers who wanted to do more for their animal companions throughout their lives and especially during their times of need.

After years of coming home to a wildly wagging tail or soft gentle purring, it’s natural to feel helpless... even lost when you open that door and find your friend is ill...or possibly no longer there to greet you.

You wonder if you gave as much happiness as you received, particularly now during the holiday season Little Lotus Hearts offers a variety of services to people with healthy, ailing or deceased animal companions. While Little Lotus Hearts was organized by Buddhists, who believe that all sentient beings are equal and deserve happiness and the avoidance of suffering, anyone, anywhere is invited to partake of our services. We offer prayer services, sponsorships of bird and bat houses and many other ways to honor and remember all that your friend meant and continues to mean to you. You can even create your own online scrapbook to be shared with all who visit us as a lasting tribute to your animal companion.

For more details, please visit us at www.littlelotushearts.com or contact Genevieve at (800) 713-0569.

Little Lotus Hearts

TM

“Little Lotus Hearts” and “How Do You Define Family...”are trademarks and service marks of the Yeshe Dorje Foundation copyright 2005. Photography by Dean animal Willard copyright 2005 wellness

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THE EYES HAVE IT an intro to iridology for horses

by Lisa Ross-Williams

The eyes are the window to the soul.

What many people don’t realize is that the eye – the iris, to be exact – can also mirror physical health, in both humans and animals. By analyzing the various spots, flecks, lines and discolorations in the iris of a person, dog, cat or horse, potential health problems and imbalances can be determined and corrected.

Looking back The Greek physician Hippocrates was said to have looked in the eyes for signs of illness, but it wasn’t until the late 19th century that iridology was rediscovered by Hungarian physician Ignatz von Peczely and Swedish clergyman Nils Liljequist. Legend has it that as a boy, Peczely captured an owl and, during the commotion, the bird broke its leg. Peczely noticed that an odd mark appeared on the owl’s iris shortly afterwards, and that as the wound healed, the spot changed.

Photo: Kenny Williams – If Your Horse Could Talk

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In 1950, Bernard Jensen, DC, PhD, pioneered iridology in the U.S. and developed a grid which mapped out the relation of various organs and tissues to the human iris. Although this grid loosely correlated to the horse’s eye, it wasn’t until recently that a specialized grid was developed for equines.

Iris photos provided by: Through the Eye International

Comparison between two senior horses; Left: A horse who has been forgotten with painful injuries that have never been repaired. Right: A very active horse whose guardians treasure him.

How does it work?

Reading equine eyes

Iridology involves reading the iris (the colored part of the eye) for imbalances in the body. Essentially, the iris is a “blueprint” of the tissues and organs, and can reflect areas and stages of inflammation as well as the healing process. Each part of the iris correlates to different areas of the body, with the left eye corresponding with the left side and the right eye with the right. Interestingly, the iris is set up in the same order as the body. In other words, going in a clockwise direction around the pupil, issues associated with the head appear at the top of the iris, then move down and through the internal areas and organs, and back up towards the head again.

Thanks to naturopath Mercedes Colburn and Dena Eckerdt, DVM, iridology is quickly becoming an integral part of preventative horse care. “The markings of the iris represent a detailed picture of the body’s integrity in areas such as constitutional strength, areas of congestion, toxic accumulations, digestive health and inherent strengths and weakness,” says Dr. Colburn.

Issues show up as spots, flecks, streaks, lines and texture changes in various colors and shades. Iridologists believe these marks occur because of the thousands of nerve endings attached to the optic nerve as well as the base of the brain and every other tissue and organ in the body. The iridologist uses a specialized grid to correlate the markings to the related locations in the body. It should be noted that iridology is not a true diagnostic technique in that it cannot determine specific diseases. It only picks up imbalances and changes within the body.

Grid compliments of Through The Eye International

PELVIC FLEXURE EYE UPPER JAW NOSE LOWER JAW LARYNX THYROID TRACHEA ESOPHAGUS SCAPULA CERVICAL THORACLE LUMBAR BLADDER UTERUS ADRENAL KIDNEY CECUM

Using either a sophisticated camera to take a picture of the horse’s iris, or a penlight to document the marks on an eye diagram, the iridologist compares his or her findings to the Equine Iridology Grid. This grid, developed by Drs. Colburn and Eckerdt, took almost ten years to finalize through charting hundreds of horses and using a doubleblind system of testing and follow-up veterinary exams.

A dog and cat grid has also recently been developed.

The grid, which is shaped like an iris, is sectioned off and labeled with the corresponding areas of the body. Those who study iridology can not only see where tissue damage or imbalance is located, but also the animal wellness

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degree of damage and whether it is recent or old, depending on the color of the sign and the smoothness of the iris. According to Dr. Colburn, there are four stages of inflammation, each with a corresponding color.

1

Acute – shows up as a white mark on iris and is often a painful issue.

2 3

Sub-acute - yellow and still often painful to the horse.

4

Degenerative – shows up as dark gray or black, indicating long-term, often more serious issues, such as toxicity or a deficiency.

Chronic – presents as gray in color and often indicates a less painful, older issue.

Iridology is a valuable tool that can be used to detect underlying signs of imbalance, often before physical signs show up. However, it is up to the caregiver to take the appropriate action to correct problems. “The main issues seen in horses today are related to improper worming and feeding practices as well as continuing to work a horse before injuries have been corrected or healed,” says Dr. Colburn. Even non-physical problems such as stress, which can lead to physical issues, can be seen in the horse’s iris. It is especially important to follow a holistic approach to correct any imbalance and support the horse in every aspect of his life. This includes nutrition, environment, handling, and even the discipline he is being worked in.

Next time you gaze lovingly into your equine partner’s eyes, take a closer look – he may be telling you more than you know!

Want to learn more?

Through the Eye International offers a variety of educational materials, products and services including a study course, seminars, consultations, an equine iridology book, and grids for horses, dogs and cats. www.equineiridology. com

DEGREE TO BE A

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BASED IN ARIZONA, LISA ROSS-WILLIAMS IS A NATURAL HORSE CARE CONSULTANT, CLINICIAN, AND HOST OF THE PHOENIX RADIO TALK SHOW, If Your Horse Could Talk. SHE HAS DEDICATED HERSELF TO EXTENSICE RESEARCH AND HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE. LISA HAS COMPLETED THE BASIC VETERINARY HOMEOPATHY COURSE THROUGH THE BRITISH INSTITUTE OF HOMEOPATHY, HOLDS AN ASSOCIATE IN ENVIRONMENTAL PLANT SCIENCE, AND IS CURRENTLY STUDYING CERTIFIED EQUINE IRIDOLOGIST. WWW.NATURALHORSETALK.COM

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SECOND HAND

SMOKE

...is it as bad for him as it is for you?

by Ann Brightman

L

ydia was heartbroken when her beloved Himalayan cat, Ivan, was diagnosed with lymphoma. She was even more devastated when the vet suggested that her husband’s smoking habit may have contributed to Ivan’s illness. “I knew about the effects of second-hand smoke on people, but I somehow never realized it could hurt animals too.”

Melinda, meanwhile, noticed that her shih tzu, Kady, started coughing and wheezing every time her sister, who is a smoker, came to visit. “The vet diagnosed asthma that he suspected was brought on by the smoke,” says Melinda. “For Kady’s sake, I now ask people to step out on the porch if they want a cigarette.”

No smoke without fire Because dogs, cats and other companion animals are different species from humans, it’s easy to assume that second-hand smoke isn’t as hazardous to them as it is to us. Although the jury is still out on just how far-reaching the effects of tobacco smoke on animals are, growing evidence suggests it can cause or aggravate many of the same diseases that it does in people, from respiratory problems to heart disease and cancer. In fact, because they’re so much smaller than we are, age at a

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faster rate, and often tend to spend more time in the house, our animal companions may be even more susceptible to the toxic effects of second-hand smoke than we are.

The cancer connection Not a lot of research has been done yet into the link between tobacco smoke and animal illness, but the studies that do exist show a correlation. During the 1990s, John Reif of Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital conducted two studies that looked at the connection between secondhand smoke and the incidence of lung and nasal cancers in dogs. The study took into account a number of factors, including the age, size and skull shape of the dog, the number of smokers in the household, and how many cigarettes were smoked per day. Reif’s findings showed that a dog exposed to smoke is 1.6 times more likely to develop cancer than one living in a smoke-free household. It also suggested that the shape of the dog’s skull has an influence on the type of cancer he gets. Dogs with long noses are more likely to get nasal cancer, while those with short noses are more prone to lung cancer.

In a separate study in 2002, the University of Massachusetts and Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine looked at the link between passive smoke and malignant lymphoma in cats.

After age, exposure and other factors were taken into consideration, it was found that cats living with smokers are 2.4 times more likely to develop lymphoma than felines in smokeless environments.

The risk increases even more depending on how much smoke the cat is exposed to, and for how many years.

What about other ailments?

CLEAR THE AIR

If you’re a smoker, or live with one, here’s how to help protect your animal’s (and your human family’s!) health.

• The best solution, of course, is to quit smoking! You’ll not only be doing your partner, children and animals a big favor, but it’ll also do wonders for your own well being.

• If you just can’t quit, consider going outside to smoke, when weather permits, or stand near an open window or exhaust fan.

• Smoke while taking your dog for a walk, or put him in the yard for some fresh air while you light up.

• Set aside a single room in the house for smoking, and keep animals and children out.

• Use a smokeless ashtray.

• Invest in an air purifier. These devices can help remove a variety of toxins and allergens from the air, including the chemicals found in tobacco smoke.

• Make sure ashtrays are cleaned out; animals can suffer nicotine poisoning by eating cigarette butts.

• Clean and vacuum floors and upholstery regularly to help get rid of solid particulates. It’s also a good idea to groom your animal, since contaminants from tobacco smoke can stick to fur and may be licked off and ingested.

• Give your animal antioxidants. “They are the logical supplements to help with the damage done by smoke,” says Dr. McCutcheon. “They can counteract its effects by cleaning up the free radicals.” Certain herbs can also help. Be sure to consult a holistic veterinarian for guidance on which supplements and herbs are best for your animal, and what the dosage should be.

• Even if no one in your household smokes, you may have friends or relatives who do. Establish a no-smoking rule for guests, or set aside a separate room for them to smoke in.

• If you’re visiting someone who smokes, either leave your animal at home or ask your hosts if they can arrange a smoke-free area for him.

So far, no similar studies have been done on the connection between second-hand smoke and the incidence of allergies, asthma, heart disease and other conditions in animals. However, many experts believe there must be a link. “Smoke is an irritant, there’s no doubt about it, and animals are vulnerable to it,” says veterinarian Dr. Paul McCutcheon. “The particles and contaminants that drop to the floor may possibly be of even more significance than the stuff that blows off in the air. I’m totally convinced that we do see immune animal wellness

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Another Healthy Pet Systems success story:

system reactions to smoke, although documenting it is tough.

I can say an animal is allergic to smoke, for example, but I can’t prove dust and pollen aren’t also factors.”

We have a three year old, purebred Catahula named Savana. At six months, she collided with a Labrador which required knee surgery on her one knee. A year later, the other knee had to have surgery. Catahulas are working dogs with a high level of energy. At the time of the second surgery, the Vet said she would probably develop arthritis, never reach her full potential, and develop a limp. I found your product on the internet and put her on the Longevity and the Flexor Formulas. Now, we walk Savana two miles everyday. She acts like nothing ever happened to her legs. She is in very good health and shows no signs of arthritis or limping at all.

“We see allergic and asthmatic effects, especially in cats,” adds veterinarian Dr Mark Newkirk. “We’ve treated several of these animals with NAET and that seems to help quite a lot. Any type of detox program is also good. There are also some herbs that help decrease inflammation, expel toxins, and maintain the protective mucus layer in the lungs.”

These include mullein and elecampane, both of which are expectorants, as well as coltsfoot, an anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic, lobelia, burdock, dandelion and red clover, a blood cleanser. Dr. Newkirk adds, however, that if the animal’s guardian doesn’t stop smoking or otherwise protect the animal from smoke, health problems are likely to recur and will need re-treatment.

Sincerely,

David & Sharon Orcutt For more information, ask your veterinarian or to order today, contact

BACON OR APPLE FLAVOR!

Healthy Pet Systems at:

1-877-838-7015 or www.vithealth.com

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There may be a lack of hard data on second-hand smoke and animals, but it’s certainly better to be safe than sorry.

“I’ve discouraged a lot of clients from smoking around their animals,” says veterinarian Dr. Cynthia Harcourt. One way or another, taking steps to protect your companion (and yourself) from second-hand smoke, not only during the holiday season but all year round, is bound to enhance his wellness, and yours.

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animal passages

Return to the heart

by David Termine

T

his is a story of a little dog who stole my heart and later broke it – a story of devotion and love. Back in September of 1996, I rescued a 1½-year-old beagle/dachshund mix from the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, Massachusetts. He, along with some other dogs, had just been flown in from Puerto Rico. As soon as I spotted him, I knew we were meant for each other.

David and Justin take a break from one of their many hikes together.

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I decided to call him Justin and his middle name would be Rico.

During our time together, this little rescue dog touched my life and many others in ways I could not have imagined. He had an amazing “live in the present, love everything” way about him, even with people who claimed they weren’t dog people. Due to his small size, he was like a perpetual

animal passages puppy, especially around children. I felt so lucky to have him. We went everywhere together. I took him on hikes with the Chiltern Mountain Club where everyone always looked forward to seeing him. He did six consecutive AIDS Walks in Boston as mascot for “Justin Team”. And he loved our trip to Florida in the summer of 1998. At home, where I practice as a certified massage therapist, my clients enjoyed having Justin curl up and nap on a nearby chair during a session.

One of Justin’s most endearing traits was his sense of humor, especially when he got a new stuffed toy. He would treat it like it was alive, swinging it everywhere, even up into places he couldn’t reach.

You could roll him on his back and rub his chest and belly and he would endlessly mouth a consistent playful growl. At night when I went to bed, Justin would already be tightly curled between the pillows in the center of my comforter. Getting into bed, I had to slide him aside, while he made muffled little growls and never even budged. It always made me laugh.

When Justin was six, I was telling a friend about the warm, cozy smell on Justin’s head upon waking from sleep.

She laughingly asked me to describe the smell, to which I responded, “it’s like a muffin; you could just eat him.” From then on, almost everyone referred to Justin as the “Muffin.”

Early in March of 2003, Justin started to limp on his right back leg. After taking x-rays, our holistic vet told me that Justin had a tumor in his hip and another in his left rib cage. He also had a trace of Lyme disease in his blood. I was devastated. Cards came pouring in from friends and family. Sometimes, life hands us challenges that we can only grab hold of and learn all we can from.

This was one of those challenges.

I decided that my little best friend was not

"During our time together, this little rescue dog touched my life and many others in ways I could not have imagined." going to be “invaded,” nor put through any more pain than he would already have to deal with. The vet agreed. With a little help from a small dose of prednisone to keep Justin’s appetite going, and a little pain medication that I traded off with natural alternatives, the race was on.

For close to three months, Justin got only antibiotic- and hormone-free meals and purified, oxygenated water. I used meat to make what I called “Muffin Balls”, filling them with IP-6, mushroom medicinals, probiotics, digestive and systemic enzymes, organic green foods, an oncologist-formulated immune powder, a Chinese herbal immune combination, food-grown CoQ10, vitamin C, resveratrol, calcium d-glucarate, trace mineral drops, liquid liver extract and milk thistle. I hand-fed Justin his “Muffin Balls” three times a day, and also gave him herbal tea and an oil combination of essential fatty acids. Justin never seemed to complain and except for a little yelp now and then,

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animal passages "My friends were amazed at our daily regimen of perseverance and devotion. I simply saw it as the price of love."

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his trooper spirit was remarkable. We would go sit by the lake every day, weather permitting, and I would read to him or we would sit in silence. He loved the sun and breeze on his body, while I cherished what precious time we had left.

My friends were amazed at our daily regimen of perseverance and devotion.

I simply saw it as the price of love.

Though my heart was breaking, my best friend was dying and I had to try everything to stop or reverse the disease.

Even though the chances were slim, no one believed how well Justin seemed to be doing, despite the outlook.

After about two months, Justin’s appetite decreased and he refused to use his back leg. I knew his quality of life was slipping and that it was almost time to let go.

The sign came at the start of June, when Justin stopped eating, consuming only

water and grass. That Saturday, my three closest friends went with Justin and me to see the vet for the last time. The hardest thing I’ve ever done took so little time and so many tears. Cradled in my arms with our friends around us, Justin took his final breath. Later that summer, we took Justin’s ashes to bury in his favorite places: two in Massachusetts and one at a friend’s mountainside home in New Hampshire.

After doing a reading for us earlier that spring, an animal communicator told me that Justin was a “heart dog”. She claimed she had never seen such a connection between canine and human, and that he and I had been together many times before. For now, as Justin watches over me, I hope he knows that until we’re together again, he has returned to my heart. The same heart he stole and then broke, and now, as my newest guardian angel, is slowly making whole again.

Celebrate your animal companion with a

of his very own

by Ann Brightman

Photo: Toni Danh

our

When trying to come up with a Christmas gift for an animalloving friend, Sherri landed on the idea of a pet scrapbook.

“Tina’s dog and cat are her life, and she enjoys doing things with her hands, so I thought this would be ideal.” It was. In fact, Tina’s enthusiasm for creating an artistic and photographic tribute to her animal companions was contagious, and Sherri and her ten-year-old son soon found themselves starting a similar scrapbook for their own dog.

“It’s a lot of fun, and a great way to build up a tribute to your animal,” she explains.

“And you don’t have to be an artist to do it. All you need are a few craft supplies, photos and some imagination.”

Scrapbooking has become a popular trend in recent years. Books and magazines on the topic abound, and many craft stores sell a range

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Get scrapping From kits and layouts to articles and ideas, the World Wide Web is an excellent resource for scrapbookers. Here are some sites to check out: www.heritagemakers.com (online scrapbook publishing) www.creativepapercrafts.com (scrapbooking kits for dogs or cats) www.mypagesintime.com (pet scrapbooking supplies) www.doggonegood.com (click on “Scrapbook & Crafts”) www.furr-angels.com/scrapbooking.htm (pet scrapbooking tips and ideas)

For general scrapbooking ideas: www.theartfulcrafter.com www.allscrapbookingideas.com www.everythingaboutscrapbooking.com

The following books are also available or can be ordered through your local bookstore: Scrapbooking Your Pet, Stacey Panassidi, Sterling Publishing, 2005 It’s All About Pets and Animals, Nancy M. Hill, Leisure Arts, 2004

For Health • For Immunity • For Life

Veterinarian Endorsed For more information, visit www.Symbiotics.com

Attention: Veterinarians, Healthcare Professionals, Breeders, etc.

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A scrapbook can be themed any way you want: some people keep scrapbooks on their kids, their gardens, or their holidays, while a growing number of animal lovers are devoting scrapbooks to their four-footed companions. Some create scrapbooks after their animals have passed on; they find it not only helps them through the grieving process, but also allows them to put together a lasting memorial of their companion.

Others begin when they first get a new puppy or kitten, adding to the book page by page as their new friend grows and matures.

How do I get started?

http://about-scrapbooking.com

a division of Naturade, Inc.

of scrapbooking supplies, from blank books, cutting tools, pens and glue to stamps, ribbons, stickers, borders and other decorative accessories. You can even buy scrapbooking kits, take scrapbooking classes, or view page layouts on websites devoted to the subject.

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Given the number of scrapbooking resources out there, you might be wondering where and how to begin. Depending on how much time you want to devote to the project, and how hands-on you want it to be, you have a number of options to choose from.

If you enjoy hand-crafting and have the time to assemble a scrapbook from scratch, you’ll need some or all of the following simple supplies, most of which can be found at any craft or office supply store (or even around the house!).

• • • • • • • • •

Scrapbook or photo album Scissors and/or paper trimmer Ruler Colored markers, pens and pencils Glue or glue sticks Colored background paper – can be solid or patterned White or colored paper for captions, poems, quotes, stories Stickers and, of course, photos of your animal!

Scrapbooking kits are ideal for those who don’t have the time to design their own. The kits include everything you need in one box, from blank books and background papers to stickers and layout instructions and ideas.

Thanks to today’s technology, it’s possible to create professional-looking page layouts on your home computer.

If you go this route, you’ll need: • Desktop publishing software • Digital camera or scanner • Photo quality paper • Good quality color printer • Three-ring binder or blank scrapbook in which to insert or glue • your printed pages

For the ultimate in streamlined scrapbooking, a few companies allow you to electronically submit your photos and stories through an online publishing system; they then print, bind and ship the finished product to you.

What’s next?

There’s no right or wrong way to make a scrapbook. It can be as simple as a collection of square-cut photos with oneline captions, or you can give your imagination free rein and turn each page into a work of art, with colored backgrounds, borders, and a collage of cropped photos accompanied by poems, quotes or stories about your animal. A quick browse through a scrapbooking book, magazine or website will reveal all kinds of page layouts that you can use for inspiration. Here are some general guidelines to get you started.

1

Select one or more favorite photos of your animal. Crop them to get rid of any background images you don’t want, or to enhance particular features. You may even want to close-crop some, or trim them into different shapes, such as circles, ovals or triangles.

2 3 4

Arrange the photos on a scrapbook page, without sticking them down, until you hit on a design you like. Think outside the box.

The photos don’t have to be mounted straight on, and some images can overlap others.

Decide if you want to highlight the photos with colored background paper, or if you wish to add a border or title to the page.

Leave space for photo captions, if required. The captions can be written right in the scrapbook, or you may want to print them on computer paper and cut them out. If you have enough space, you might also want to add a short poem, a favorite animal quote, or even write a short story about the photos.

5 6

Warren J. Ingalls - pet portrait artist Works in graphite and color pencil

Once you have everything arranged to your satisfaction, you can start pasting the pieces onto the page. If you’re writing captions or drawing pictures directly into the scrapbook, save this until everything else has been stuck down.

If desired, add finishing touches such as stickers or stamps.

However you decide to assemble your scrapbook, the main thing is that it should be fun. Don’t worry or get discouraged if the results aren’t “perfect”. What’s most important is that you’re taking the time to celebrate your animal friend in pictures, stories and artwork, creating a personalized memento of your beloved companion that you and your family can enjoy and treasure for years to come.

photograph color pencil drawing

• reasonable prices • free estimates • will work from your photo • minimum size: 8” x 10”

pencil drawing

t&f: 909.989.2765 ingallsart@aol.com

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what’s gnu?

For tender tootsies

The rabies challenge

With winter on the way, your dog’s feet will soon be subjected to the ravaging effects of freezing asphalt, snow, ice and road salt. NutriVet’s Nu-Balm Creme is a special moisturizing creme that helps protect his tender pads from drying, cracking and uncomfortable irritation. The product contains glycerin to soothe and soften the skin, as well as grapefruit seed extract, aloe, rosemary and calendula, all of which are known for their healing characteristics. www.nutri-vet.com

Just in time for the holidays, the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series has added two new titles to its series of best-selling books. Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover’s Soul and Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover’s Soul contain collections of heart-warming, entertaining stories about dogs and cats from all walks of life, and the people who love and care for them. Both titles can be found in major bookstores, and make great

Lorri Bauston, founder of Animal Acres, with one of her many rescued animal companions.

New shelter for farm animals

Things just got a bit better for farm animals. On October 22, the Animal Acres Farm Animal Shelter and Compassionate Living Center celebrated its grand opening in Acton, California. Founded

by Lorri Bauston (who also co-founded Farm Sanctuary), the new 26-acre sanctuary is a refuge for cows, pigs, chickens, and other rescued animals as well as a place for people to interact with and learn more about these gentle creatures. The center’s first event will be a vegan “Save the Turkeys” Thanksgiving celebration on November 19. Learn more at www.animalacres.org.

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Photo: Christopher Adjani from GreenZones.org

Chicken soup for animal lovers

The law says you must give your dog or cat regular rabies vaccines, even though adverse reactions result in many animals. But there’s hope for a change. Vaccine research scientist and veterinarian, Dr. Jean Dodds, and vaccine disclosure advocate, Kris L. Christine, have recently founded The Rabies Challenge Fund. The fund is raising money for a challenge study which will aim to determine duration of immunity of five to seven years for rabies vaccines. It will also finance a study of the adjuvants used in the vaccine, and establish a rabies vaccine adverse reaction reporting system. Donations can be sent to The Rabies Challenge Fund, c/o Hemopet, 11330 Markon Drive, Garden Grove, CA, 92841.

A toothsome treat

Brushing an animal’s teeth is not always an easy task. Vetbasis takes the challenge out of keeping your companion’s teeth plaque-free with their new Dental Treat Paste.

Enriched with vitamins, the paste also contains soybean oil, which has been shown to retard the formation of dental plaque. Added chlorophyll and parsley seed oil help control bad breath. The paste can be fed directly from the tube, or squeezed onto a chew toy or into a food bowl. www.vetbasis.com

Easing the sorrow

There’s no denying that losing a beloved animal companion is heartbreaking. Furry Angel helps soften the grief with their pet memorial products. A new addition to the line is the Furry Angel Memorial Picture Frame. Made in the shape of an open greeting card, the frame features a comforting poem and a heart-shaped opening for your animal’s photo.

The company has also introduced a single song CD, “So Hard to Say Good-Bye.” www.furryangel.com

A fresh approach Organics under threat

Over the last three decades, the American organic community has established an alternative to industrial agriculture, providing sources of safe, healthy, pesticide-free products controlled by strict standards. Now, several large corporations and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are trying to undermine these standards. They’re attempting to introduce a list of synthetic ingredients that would be allowed in organic production, while reducing public discussion and input and weakening the National Organic Standard Board’s ability to set standards. In other words, government bureaucrats and industry lobbyists are attempting to take control of what can go into organic products. To protest this move, visit the Organic Consumer Association’s site at www.organicconsumers.org/sos.cfm.

For eight years, Steve’s Real Food has been formulating nutritious raw meat, fruit and vegetable-based diets for dogs and cats. Recently, the company changed its manufacturing process to further enhance the nutritional qualities of its food. Instead of using pressure to stamp the food into kibble shapes, it now gently extrudes it through a die and then cuts it to kibble size. This new process helps prevent the enzymes and natural vitamins in the food from being compromised. The company is also introducing new packaging with a convenient heat seal closure and re-sealable zip lock. www.stevesrealfood.com

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Cataract surgery

changes a chimpanzee’s life

by Sheri Speede, DVM

J

acky spent at least 30 years of his life in a small, barren cage at a resort hotel in Limbe, Cameroon. When we first met him in 1997, Jacky was known around the town as the “mad” chimpanzee, meaning he was insane.

This impression of “madness” was partly due to his bizarre stereotypical behaviors – rocking frenetically back and forth or pounding the top of his head with one fist while he held his other hand in his open mouth – and

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partly due to his aggression toward people. During his many years of debilitating confinement, Jacky grew very angry at humans.

When I talked about taking Jacky back to the forest and allowing him to live with other chimpanzees at the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center, some people thought it was a mistake; they thought Jacky was too dangerous. In fact, none of us were sure if he could be socialized with other chimpanzees.

Estelle Raballand, who helped me so much in my early days in Cameroon to get the Rescue Center established, was always Jacky’s advocate. She believed strongly that with enough time in a natural environment he would recover. I wasn’t sure, but I knew I had to give him a chance.

Jacky amazed us all. Within the first few days after his arrival at the Center in September 1999, Jacky was allowing a few of his favorite humans to groom him. During the

Photos courtesy of IDA-Africa

A year later….

Since regaining his eyesight, Jacky has returned to his role of alpha male and continues to spend all his time with Nama. They are extremely happy together and soon, eight new babies will be introduced into their group, bringing their family to a total of 26 chimpanzees.

next three years, within the continuously enlarging chimpanzee family at the Center, Jacky was gentle with the adult females and gently playful and loving with the juveniles. With the support of the chimpanzee women, Jacky became the alpha male of his group, and he seemed very happy.

Then, in December 2002, Jacky’s caregivers noticed that he didn’t seem to see perfectly. When reaching for sticks at the edge of the forest or for fruit from the caregivers, he would sometimes miscalculate the distance by a few centimeters. Using an ophthalmoscope I borrowed from the health clinic of the American Embassy in the city of Yaounde, I determined that Jacky had cataracts.

Opposite: Jacky back to himself after surgery. Above: Dr. Tidwell operating on Jacky.

Over the next three months, Jacky and alpha female Nama became inseparable. As long as Jacky stayed with Nama, he seemed to get around just fine, both inside and outside the forest. During this time, it was difficult to notice that Jacky had a vision problem, but he stopped climbing trees, and on the ground he was always with Nama, following closely behind her wherever she went. I was very concerned about Jacky’s safety in the forest, but at the same time, I was reluctant to lock him up in the satellite cage alone.

Then one afternoon in early April 2003, Jacky got lost from Nama in the forest. His vision was so poor that he couldn’t find his way out. He thrashed around screaming in desperation until he finally emerged with scratches and scrapes all over his face. I was shocked at how bad Jacky’s vision had become in such a short time, and so thankful that he hadn’t been badly injured.

After this terrible day, I couldn’t let Jacky outside the satellite cage.

Each day he stayed alone in the cage as the other chimpanzees went out to the forest, and soon he became completely blind. He was unable to see fruit held right in front of his face, or to find it if he dropped it. It broke my heart to see him become increasingly frustrated and resume

his old stereotypical behaviors.

I had begun looking for an ophthalmologist who was willing to come to Cameroon on a volunteer basis with all the sophisticated equipment required to remove Jacky’s cataracts.

My request was turned down over and over. Then, in July 2003, we got lucky when my friend Susan Labhard, a nurse and naval reserve officer, walked into the San Diego office of naval commander and ophthalmologist Dr. Jim Tidwell. With the US Navy, Dr. Tidwell had traveled all over the world, including Africa, removing cataracts from humans.

On January 1, 2004, Dr. Jim Tidwell took some vacation time and flew across the world with his surgical microscope to perform cataract surgery on Jacky. Using sophisticated equipment that takes precise measurements of the internal eye, Dr. Tidwell gave Jacky artificial lenses that were made for humans. We believe this is the first time cataracts have been removed from a chimpanzee.

A few of the most joyful moments in my life came on the day after the successful surgery on Jacky’s first eye, as I watched him gaze in wonder at trees, birds, and my face as if he were seeing it all for the first time.

And the little boy chimps who for animal wellness

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several months had been stealing Jacky’s food from under his nose got quite a surprise that day.

Six days later, Dr. Tidwell successfully removed the cataract from Jacky’s second eye, restoring what he believes is perfect vision for Jacky. Now, Jacky has a chance for some peaceful, happy years ahead, and I’m sure he’ll continue to play an important role in his ever-enlarging family.

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Helping the human community During his stay in Cameroon, Dr. Jim Tidwell and I traveled to eight small villages surrounding the Chimpanzee Rescue Center to perform eye examinations in dozens of local people who don’t have access to medical care. Tidwell diagnosed many conditions and recommended medications for some.

He also removed cataracts from two village women, including Madame Jacqueline from Bikol, who was completely blind. When Dr. Tidwell removed the bandage from Madame Jacqueline, the look on her face as she realized she could see, the pure joy reflected in her expression, brought tears to my own eyes. The next day she threw away the walking cane that she had carried constantly in the years since she had lost her vision.

animal communication

A peaceful homecoming

for Mateo

i

by Sharon Callahan

In April 2002, Susan and Bill Lennertz received the most wonderful news when they were notified that a little boy in Guatemala was available for them to adopt.

The moment they saw Mateo’s photo they accepted him as their son. Susan and Bill’s only concern was how to integrate Mateo with their two beloved golden retrievers, Rasa and Tashi, who had been the sole focus of their affection for many years.

They wanted to make sure their beloved dogs would always feel loved and that Mateo would feel welcomed and unafraid in a home with two large but loving canine companions. Susan wasn’t overly worried about Tashi, who is a pretty laid back fellow, but she did have concerns

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about Rasa, who tends to take on more of the family’s stress. Susan contacted me to communicate with the dogs and offer suggestions for a smooth integration.

Preparing for the new arrival During our session, Rasa could hardly contain her excitement. She felt that having Mateo come to live with them would offer her yet another opportunity to help Susan, just as she had a few years previously when Susan suffered a stroke. During Susan’s recovery, Rasa and Tashi offered her the deepest levels of support; now, they would have a chance to do so again.

Both Rasa and Tashi had questions about the new baby. How would he get to their house? Where would he sleep? Would they be able to sleep with him? During this session and those that followed, we were able to assure Rasa and Tashi that Susan and Bill would go and get Mateo and bring him safely home, and that they would all sleep in the bedroom together as a family. Rasa didn’t understand why it all had to take so long. The delays made her nervous and she requested that Susan fill her in on the details as the process unfolded so she wouldn’t have to wonder about things.

“A big part of our daily life from then on was communicating with Rasa so she would feel a part of each step and would totally embrace Mateo once he arrived,” says Susan. “This process was wonderful. Rasa became my confidant and our bond grew stronger and stronger. Each day I reminded the dogs how things would be when Mateo arrived, filling them in on recent changes, details and delays. Most importantly, Sharon and I both gave them visual images of us all being a happy family together.”

As much as Bill and Susan had always wanted a child, there was quite a bit of stress about it on many levels. “Being able to talk directly with

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Prickly wild rose— heart opening in response to conflict

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animal communication Rasa and Tashi through Sharon allowed us to realize that the dogs were completely on board. This relieved a huge level of stress.”

Soon, Susan and Bill were off to visit Mateo in Guatemala. Bill had the idea to take Mateo a toy golden retriever which they let Rasa and Tashi sleep with ahead of time so it had their scent on it. Mateo loved the toy dog and named it Bingo. The couple also brought some of Mateo’s clothing back home with them. “When we opened the bag of clothes for Rasa and Tashi to smell they became ecstatic,” says Susan. “Bonds of friendship and love began forming across the miles.

Mateo comes home “On the day we walked through the front door with Mateo, Rasa danced joyfully while Tashi did his most exuberant full body tail wag,” says Susan.

“Mateo was not afraid at all and immediately leaned over to greet Tashi.

It was so beautiful to witness this immediate integration.” As Susan walked Mateo through the house, he was completely at ease. He took in everything without concern, as if familiar with it already. When Susan put him to bed that night, Rasa immediately became vigilant, watching him protectively through the bars of his crib with Tashi resting nearby.

In the past year, Rasa began limping badly, was diagnosed with cancer and ultimately had her left rear leg and part of her hip amputated.

Before the surgery, I suggested that Susan and Bill use Bingo, the toy dog, as a model to help Mateo get used to the idea of Rasa with a missing leg. Mateo took it all in stride. “Like all our experiences, this has served to bring us closer,” reports Susan, adding that Rasa has regained her full health and mobility.

“I always loved dogs and had them growing up, but my experience was limited,” adds Susan. “Being able to communicate with Rasa and Tashi has dramatically changed my view. I’ve come to realize that animals are on a very high level of consciousness and that they totally understand what is going on even though they can’t express it in words. They don’t make judgments and they love us as we are.

Through the months of preparation for receiving Mateo into our home, I came to realize the depth of my relationship with Rasa and Tashi. Each time I look at them, I am overwhelmed with love.”

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Each page features a beautiful color photograph of a child with his or her companion, from dogs, cats and horses, to hamsters, rabbits and even a goat. The images are accompanied by text that underlines the special bond each youngster shares with his or her best friend, including common interests and some of the lessons they have learned from their animals.

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The bond between human and horse can be deep and profound. Now you can enhance that connection with Reach Out to Natural Horsemanship – Insights into Holistic Horsemanship, the first in a series of training DVDs produced by equine specialist, animal communicator and intuitive healer, Anna Twinney.

Through live action shots and demonstrations, this 75-minute DVD shows that building a trust-based relationship with your horse is crucial to training success. You’ll receive insights on how to read your horse’s body language, overcome obstacles through communication, introduce him to the saddle with little or no trauma, and prepare him for riding through special ground driving techniques.

As Twinney says in the introduction, “Natural horsemanship means creating an environment in which the horse wants to learn. It means using non-violent methods and also communicating with them in a manner that they understand.” This DVD will provide you with the keys to achieving all this and more.

Published by: Reach Out to Horses

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BOOKreviews Title: Raising the Peaceable Kingdom Author: Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson Most people would think twice before adopting a puppy, kitten, rabbit, two rats and two chickens at the same time, but bestselling author Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson had a definite aim in mind when he opened his home to this diverse gathering of creatures. He wanted to see if animals from different species, even those who were naturally enemies, could learn to live contentedly together.

Raising the Peaceable Kingdom – What Animals Can Teach Us About the Social Origins of Tolerance and Friendship is a revealing account of Masson’s journey with his new companions. His narrative follows the social development and dynamics of his animal friends as they grow, play, and bond. Throughout the book, Masson draws parallels between animals and humans, asking some important and searching questions about relationships, social strife and the potential for peaceful coexistence and global harmony.

An entertaining and thought-provoking read, this book encourages you to think deeply about the meaning of social tolerance, love and friendship.

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Title: How to Meditate With Your Dog Author: James Jacobson It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there, for your canine companion as well as for yourself. One way to evoke calm, objectivity and better health is to learn how to meditate – with your dog!

“Dogs are natural meditators,” says author James Jacobson in his new book How to Meditate with Your Dog – An Introduction to Meditation for Dog Lovers. “Your dog may look like he’s staring into space, but he’s actually ‘hound lounging’ and living in the moment.” Both light-hearted and instructive, the book not only covers the basics and benefits of meditation, but also tells you what you can learn from your dog and how you can include him in your own meditation practice.

Through touch, stillness and breath synchronization, you’ll learn how to share quiet time together, reducing your own stress levels, soothing your dog, and strengthening your love and trust. How to Meditate With Your Dog includes a free meditation CD and is a great way to take time out during the hectic holidays – or at any other time of year.

Published by: Maui Media

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Animal Communicators LYNN McKENZIE, International Animal Intuitive, offers nationwide consultations in animal communication and energy healing. Create harmony and awareness in your relationships, restore health, improve behavior, enhance performance, resolve conflict, connect with animals that have crossed over. Workshops and lessons available. Coming soon, correspondence and internet training in Animal Energy Healing. www.animalenergy.com, lynn@animalenergy.com, (416) 219-3803.

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. Extend your connection with those who are in spirit and Restore Harmony and Balance through energy healing.” Phone Consults, email (315) 329-0116, angelwhisperer@ark-angels.org ANIMAL COMMUNICATION WITH LOVE – Alive, and in Spirit. Counseling (choosing a new friend, behaviors, illness, dying, grief, lost animals.

Healing, Classes (including Tele-conference), Personal Guidance, Wisdom from your animals, dolphins, Totems and others. Affordable. Morgine (360) 247-7284 morgine@tds.net, www.communicationswithlove.com SUE BECKER – Interspecies Communication, Registered Practitioner of Tellington TTouch and Bach Flower Remedies. Resolve problems and stress, improve behaviour, deepen understanding and your relationship. Emotional healing.

Consultations by phone/in person, lectures, workshops. Call (519) 896-2600 suebecker@cyg.net ANIMAL TELEPATH & HEALER: Tell your pets, alive or passed, of your love or ask things you’ve wanted to know. Address physical or emotional issues. Sessions include intuitive healing.

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ASSISI INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL INSTITUTE – Dedicated to promoting respect, reverence, and ethical stewardship for all animals through workshops and consciousness raising activities. Wide variety of animal communication and Tellington TTouch classes throughout the US, Canada and Europe. www.aiaianimal.org, or call (510) 569-6123.

DO YOU WONDER what your animal is thinking or feeling, experience behaviour or emotional problems with them? Have concerns about their death or dying? For telepathic communication with your beloved companion – please request a consultation by phone or email. Phone (780) 592-2194. Email: debtalk@incentre.net.

PATRICE RYAN, ANIMAL COMMUNICATOR & INTUITIVE HEALER – Featured Television Appearances and Magazine Articles. Open the communication between you and your pet.

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support animal rescue. www.north-west-naturals.com FURVANA – Holistic Animal Options offers certified Tellington TTouch and Reiki for all Companion Animals. Private sessions or workshops available. Contact Connie Riehl (419) 332-1937 or furvana@juno.com ALL-NATURAL DOG SKIN CARE PRODUCT – JAKE’S REMEDY – THE MIRACLE SPRAY! Heals Hotspots, Dermatitis, Abrasions and more.

Promotes Hair Growth. Also carry skin care products for CATS & HORSES. (877) 973-8848, FrogWorks@att.net WWW.FFROGWORKS.COM. To People Who Want To Strengthen Their Pets’ Immune System By 437% – But Can’t Get Started Contact: Ilias Koné (514) 631-9193 after 6.00PM EST or email iliaskone@look.ca CHANGE YOUR PET’S LIFESTYLE AND HEALING WILL FOLLOW – Removing toxins from your home is the easiest thing you can do.

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VIBRATIONAL / HOMEOPATHY – We test for hundreds of toxins and supports using a computerized survey of your animal’s energy needs.

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Associations INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR ANIMAL MASSAGE & BODYWORK Professional Assn. to support, network and promote complementary care for animals through continuing education, website, newsletter and insurance. Welcome practitioners of animal massage, acupressure, Vet’s, Vet Tech’s, Reiki, Animal Communication, Flower Essence, Aroma, Sound and Magnetics.

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GRAND ADVENTURES RANCH – We offer the finest holistic nutritional supplements. Learn simple ways to keep animals healthy, eliminate vet bills, and make a great living doing the same thing! Contact national bio-nutritional consultant Kay Aubrey-Chimene at (800) 797-8274 or www.grandadventuresranch.com.

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EAST YORK ANIMAL CLINIC – A variety of holistic healing services are available to our patients, including: Homeopathy, Hair Analysis, Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chiropractic, Computerized Organ Stress Immune Testing, Acupuncture, Therapeutic Nutrition, Reiki and Bach Flower Remedies. Dr. Paul McCutcheon (416) 757-3569 Fax (416) 285-7483 eyac@ca.inter.net www.holisticpetvet.com

Books, Publications & Videos GREYHOUND TALES, TRUE STORIES OF RESCUE, COMPASSION AND LOVE – Edited by Nora Star. Read stories of these wondrous hounds and how you too can help their plight. $15.95 to Star, 9728 Tenaya Way, Kelseyville, CA 95451.

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PET CONSULTANTS WANTED – Looking for people who are passionate about pets, work from home, host Pupper’ware Parties, make your own hours, be your own boss, ground floor opportunity. www.mypetparty.com nina@mypetparty.com or (862) 368-5296 WANTED – ANIMAL PERSON(S) WITH BUSINESS SKILLS – Partnership opportunity in the new and rapidly expanding field of holistic therapy for animals. Compassion for the welfare of animals is the most important factor, but sales/ office, business/management, and/or computer experience are a plus. Investment required;

ESSEX ANIMAL CLINIC – Dr. Janice Huntingford, Dr. Glen Porteous, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Conventional and Alternative Medicine and Surgery. Herbal Therapies and Holistic Medicine, Pet Massage, Physio and Rehab Therapy. Phone consultations available. (519) 776-7325 Essex ON. essexanimalclinic@cogeco.net www.essexanimalclinic.com

(905) 478-1995 Fax (905) 478-8097 NORTH-EAST NEWMARKET VETERINARY SERVICES – Dr. Autumn Louise Drouin, Veterinarian, Naturopath. Cozy outpatient office. Detailed history, physical examination, laboratory tests. Individualized treatment protocols suit patient’s condition and client’s needs. Homeopathy, Herbs, Clinical Nutrition, Bach Remedies, Physical Therapies. (905)830-1030 Newmarket, ON www.holistic-vet.ca MARGATE ANIMAL HOSPITAL AND ALTERNATIVE CARE CENTER – Dr. Mark Newkirk, Chiropractic, Aquapuncture, Herbal, Homeopathic, Metabolic Balancing, Bach Flower therapy, Applied Kinesiology, NAET (allergy elimination), Nutritional Supplement programs based on your own pets’ blood tests, Alternative Cancer Therapies. Phone and internet consultations. www.alternativevet.com email: mnewk@aol.com phone: (609) 823-3031 DR. DEE BLANCO, LOS ANIMALES HOLISTIC VETERINARY CARE – Nutrition and Vaccination Consultations. Telephone conference call format with written hand-outs. Discussions include 6 common nutritional errors, how to build a species appropriate raw food diet; health benefits of a natural diet; the basics of vaccinology; balancing disease verses vaccine risk; the use of homeopathic nosodes; and legal requirements and much, much more. (505) 986-3434. drdeeblanco.com

Nutrition PREMIUM HEALTH FOOD FOR DOGS AND CATS – Delivered fresh to your door.Check out our autoship program and SAVE! Business Opportunity Available. http://www.foods4dogs.com Margaret Ropp – Independent Distributor of HealthyPetNet™ products.

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Schools & Training AMTIL (Animal Massage & Therapies) offers instruction in small animal massage therapy as well as maintenance and sports massage and a wide range of holistic products for animals. www.AMTIL.com (847) 782-1963 INTRODUCTORY & ADVANCED ANIMAL MASSAGE WORKSHOPS – Taught by experienced LMT. Canine & Equine Massage Videos, Workbooks & Anatomy Charts for sale.

Integrated Touch Therapy, Inc. Free brochure.

(800) 251-0007, wshaw1@bright.net, www.integratedtouchtherapy.com. CEU’s available.

LEARN THE PetMassage™ APPROACH TO CANINE MASSAGE – Effective, gentle, reactive movement techniques. 7-Day Foundation Workshop, Advanced Levels: Instructor and WaterWork™, NCBTMB Category A Provider for CEUs. (800) 779-1001 www.petmassage.com

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

DogFriendly.com – Dog travel guides with United States and Canada dog-friendly lodging, attractions, parks, beaches and restaurants. Books and free online guides at www.dogfriendly.com/guides.

DR. CYNTHIA HARCOURT VETERINARY SERVICES – A holistic office and mobile service welcoming your interest in working with you and your animal using homeopathy, nutrition, flower essences, CEDS (food sensitivity and organ stress testing), herbs, therapeutic touch and Tellington Ttouch.

Located at 21894 Woodbine Ave., Queensville, ON (approximately 45 minutes north of Toronto). Phone

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ORDER YOUR CLASSIFIED AD 1-866-764-1212 or classified@animalwellnessmagazine.com 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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Molly and the paper pirate

by Gail MacMillan

O

ur Little River duck dog, Molly, is something of a celebrity. In her seven years of life, she has appeared a goodly number of times in magazines and newspapers. As chief model for my illustrated stories about this unique breed of retriever, she cooperates fully with my needs.

Perhaps her proudest moments in the world of publishing come from her association with our provincial daily newspaper, The New Brunswick Telegraph Journal. While she’s made one appearance in its pages, her satisfaction doesn’t come from that experience. Instead, her most joyful association with this daily comes from a much more hands-on (or rather mouth-on) experience.

Six mornings a week, Molly dashes out to the end of our driveway to retrieve the dear old TJ the minute the carrier hurls it our way. Then, prancing proudly, tail and head held high, she carries the bluesleeve-covered daily back to the cottage, up the porch steps, and into the living room. There, with a satisfied sigh, she

either places it into husband Ron’s hands or, in his absence, onto his favorite chair.

This past week, however, Molly’s job became the victim of paper piracy.

Two weeks ago, our across-the-road neighbours asked us to keep their pug Bruiser for a week while they went on vacation. No problem, we readily agreed.

Bruiser got along famously with our other dogs and, with his little black-masked muzzle and sleek cream-coloured body, was an absolute sweetie.

Each morning during his stay, Bruiser insisted on accompanying Molly to get the newspaper. Once, he tried to pick it up before she got to it, but a throaty growl advised him against it.

The week ended, Bruiser’s family came back, and the pug returned to his home across the road. He’d apparently enjoyed his stay with us, however, and honored us with frequent visits.

At about the same time, we began to miss

our newspaper. Every few mornings, before letting Molly out, I looked out to see where the carrier had tossed it, but it was nowhere in sight.

Ron finally decided to play detective.

The next morning, he kept Molly inside and took up a stance behind a curtain.

Time passed. The paper arrived and lay vulnerable at the end of the drive.

Finally, a small cream-coloured form with a black mask emerged from the hedge near the gate. After glancing furtively about to assure himself Molly wasn’t around to protest his infamy, Bruiser seized the blue plastic bundle and raced off across the road with it.

These days, Molly watches and listens for the “paper” car with a new-found intensity. Dancing and whining at the door long before we humans can hear it, she’s determined that neither snow nor rain nor audacious pug will stop her from bringing her beloved newspaper to her family.

These are, after all, her proudest moments in publishing.

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

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puts up with your snoring and never whines. She loves you when the world has maligned you. She accepts you in your unpleasantness. She kisses you, listens to you and keeps you company. She warms your heart and brings joy to your life.

She

A lifetime of love deserves a lifetime of care.

SM

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Call Frank Sena, Vice President, at 413-744-4410 to schedule a no-obligation financial analysis with a MassMutual financial services representative. We care for animal companions as much as you do.

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ANIMALWELLNESS To advertise in the Ontario Region section of Animal Wellness Magazine, contact Anne Gibson at: 416-504-4310

R

E

G

© Craig Samuel

agibson@animalwellnessmagazine.com

ONTARIO I

O

N

CHUM FM’s award-winning Roger, Rick and Marilyn show is an on-air institution. Whenever he can Roger (right) speaks out for animals on the program.

WHEN IT COMES TO

ANIMALS,

ROGER ASHBY IS TOP OF THE CHART!

by Ann Brightman

I

f you listen to CHUM FM, you’ll be familiar with the voice of Roger Ashby, who together with his fellow DJs, co-hosts the Roger, Rick and Marilyn Show every weekday morning from 5:30 to 9:00. An on-air institution for nearly 20 years, the awardwinning top-rated radio program has become a wake-up ritual for thousands of people across the GTA and southern Ontario.

Faithful listeners will know that Roger is an animal lover as well as a radio personality. “On the air, I’m always willing to talk about animal charities and events that are being held for shelters,” he says. “Just this morning, we reminded people that although the emphasis is on sending money to the Red Cross to help the people in Louisiana and Mississippi, don’t forget the animals. There are people down there who refuse to leave their homes because they have pets and they’re not allowed to take them. Can you imagine if you had to leave your pet behind? It

would be a very tough decision, and unless you were forced out, I don’t think I would go either.”

Roger’s care for animals stems from his childhood. “I had lots of pets as a child, the usual turtles and goldfish, and we always had cats.” As an adult, Roger credits much of his ongoing concern for animals to his wife, Moira. “She loves living things of any kind,” he says. “She won’t even kill a fly. She’s a vegetarian and won’t eat anything that had parents.”

The couple shares their home with a ten-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback named Zambezi (Beezi for short). “We never had dogs growing up and I was actually never too fond of them,” says Roger. “But I didn’t want to be known as the father who never let his son have a dog. So when he was 11, I said okay, let’s get a dog.” Now, Roger can’t imagine life without a canine animal wellness – ontario region

i

“On the air, I’m always willing to talk about animal charities and events that are being held for shelters.”

event for the Humane Society of Canada. “They made several thousand dollars that night. I’ve also emceed some events for the Scarborough chapter of the SPCA.” At home, Roger and Moira’s affinity for animals extends to feeding three stray cats. “We also feed the raccoons on a regular basis,” says Roger. “A lot of people are in awe when we tell them that, but our theory is that if you feed them they won’t be going through your garbage or climbing in your attic.” He adds, “All these bear attacks we’ve heard about lately are simply because we’ve expanded into the animals’ territory. They were there first, yet we’re putting in all these subdivisions and felling all those trees. And now the animals are coming out looking for food.”

companion. “I’ll never be without a dog now. I just love Beezi; she’s great. We got her from a breeder, but in all likelihood the next dog we get will be from a shelter or Humane Society of some kind because of all the animals that need homes.”

In the meantime, Roger does what he can to help shelter animals. “It breaks my heart when I hear that shelters are having weekend specials to try and find homes for animals, because you know they’re overrun,” he says. “I’ve done some work with the Toronto Humane Society, such as attending their annual awards programs and presenting awards to animals who have helped people out of dangerous situations.

I’ve attended those on a regular basis over the last five years. I also did a PSA for them to promote the society, and we always attend their Paws in the Park dog walk in Sunnybrook Park every fall.” Last February, Roger emceed a Valentine’s Day

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Roger and his wife, Moira, pose for a picture with their beloved Rhodesian ridgeback, Beezi.

As a DJ at one of Toronto’s most popular radio stations, Roger leads a busy life defined by schedules and deadlines. But he continues helping animals whenever and however he can.

“Any animal that’s in any kind of difficulty, I feel bad for,” he explains. “If it’s not something I do in person, I try to at least cover it on the radio.”

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“C”

The big ... causes, treatments and prevention

by Janice Huntingford, DVM

O

Of all diseases that can strike our animal companions, cancer is one of the most feared. In southwestern Ontario alone, human cancer has increased by 37% over the past 30 years, and animal cancer is following suit.

to malignant lymphoma. Animals are particularly susceptible to pesticides because of their relatively small body size and because they are closer to the ground where concentrations of pesticides are highest. They also ingest pesticides while grooming.

Why is this disease becoming such a major health problem in our dogs and cats? One reason is because of their increased lifespan, but there are also several other recognizable causes.

Aromatic hydrocarbons (such as are found in “old generation” flea products) are known to cause bladder cancer in dogs.

These chemicals are stored in body fat for a long time and are difficult to eliminate from the environment. Frequently, they end up in ponds, marshes, or other water sources. The development of bladder cancer is associated with use of flea and tick dips, flea and tick shampoos, obesity a year before diagnosis, and proximity of the dog’s home to a marsh.

Toxins The International Joint Commission and the Ontario Cancer Society have published articles on cancers with suspected environmental causes in the Windsor and Hamilton areas.

The results showed that air pollution, pesticides, radiation, water treatment by-products, and chemicals such as arsenic and asbestos can be directly linked to some forms of cancer.

In dogs, exposure to pesticides such as 2-4 D has been linked

Over-vaccination Too many vaccines can contribute to a range of problems, including cancer. In some cats, over-vaccination has been linked to what is called “injection site sarcoma”.

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Current thought is that these cats are susceptible to developing a local reaction to a component of the vaccine (or any injection) and that this reaction becomes a cancer.

Viruses Viruses can weaken the immune system and sometimes set the stage for cancer.

In cats, for example, the feline leukemia virus, feline sarcoma virus and the feline immunodeficiency virus can cause cancer by suppressing immunity.

Genetics Certain breeds of dogs, such as boxers and retrievers, have higher rates of cancer than others. Labrador and golden retrievers, for instance, are more likely to develop lymphoma and malignant tumors of the spleen.

Aging As your animal ages, so does his immune system. This may lead to cancer because the immune system fails to kill abnormal mutated cells that develop into malignancies.

Conventional cancer therapies • Surgery is usually the treatment for solid tumors. The tumor may be completely removed or just “debulked” (made smaller). All tumors should be biopsied for an accurate diagnosis.

• Radiation involves using radioactive material to kill tumor cells. It is only effective against certain types of tumor.

This kind of treatment is performed by a veterinary radiation specialist and is usually tolerated by most animals.

• Chemotherapy is effective for some tumors. Generally, the goal is not to cure the cancer but to prolong the life of the animal. Most animals tolerate chemotherapy very well and do not suffer the same side effects as humans.

Nutritional and herbal support can help minimize what side effects there are.

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What about natural therapies?

5

Natural therapies are used to boost the immune system and slow the spread of the cancer. They can be used in conjunction with conventional treatments.

Cancer can be frightening, but there are ways you can help minimize your beloved companion’s risk of developing this dreaded disease.

• Diet plays a key role in cancer treatment as well as prevention. Holistic practitioners will recommend a natural diet high in protein and fat and low in carbohydrates. You can feed a homemade or a high-quality packaged diet.

JANICE HUNTINGFORD

Limit his exposure to low level electromagnetic radiation.

IS A HOLISTIC VETERINARIAN IN

ESSEX, ONTARIO

WHO PRACTICES CHIROPRACTIC, ACUPUNCTURE, AND HERBAL THERAPY AS WELL AS GENERAL PRACTICE.

SHE

SHARES HER LIFE WITH HER HUSBAND

AND THREE CHILDREN AS WELL AS SEVERAL CATS, DOGS, AND HORSES.

• Supplements used in cancer patients include high dose Omega 3 fatty acids (usually fish oil source), glycoproteins and antioxidants. Antioxidants work by breaking down the “free radicals” that are toxic to the body’s cells. This helps neutralize the effects of the cancer. A specific group of antioxidants called bioflavonoids helps break down fats and decrease inflammation.

• Acupuncture and herbal therapies can be useful for treating pain and prolonging life in cancer patients. For these therapies, you must consult a skilled practitioner trained in veterinary acupuncture and herbs.

What can you do to prevent cancer in your dog or cat?

1

Consult a holistic veterinarian for a good, natural diet free of chemicals and additives. Supplement this diet with Omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants and bioflavanoids.

2

Ensure your animal has adequate exercise and clean, pure water (not tap water).

3

Limit his exposure to toxic chemicals such as conventional flea products.

Remember that many household cleaners can also be toxic.

4

Keep your animal away from lawns that have been sprayed with pesticides and herbicides.

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-PROOF

How to WINTER your four-legged friend

by Tessa Kimmel

A

s you dig out your woolies and brace yourself for another Canadian winter, make sure you help your animal companion prepare for the change of season as well. Unlike their wild counterparts, domestic dogs and cats are used to living in warm, comfortable homes and aren’t as wellequipped for acclimatizing naturally to cold temperatures and harsh weather.

For the first few days after the weather turns frosty, help your dog adjust to lower temperatures by keeping walks short. Be mindful of the pace, and allow his muscles and lungs to warm up properly. Over the next few days, increase the walks by 15-minute increments and pick up the pace a little. As you both begin to acclimatize, you can extend walks until you’re back up to your usual time and pace. After the first snowfall, once again scale back the duration and pace of your walks. This will allow your dog

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Pho to: S t

e ph

ani

eW rig ht

(and you!) to get his or her “snow legs” back.

Breed, age, and overall physical health determine how well your animal will manage winter weather.

On very cold days, puppies younger than six months should be let out for quick bathroom duties only.

Older dogs with arthritic and related conditions may have more flare-ups, so keep them indoors on very cold days, except for potty breaks. Forgo walks in slippery conditions.

If your dog is single-coated, small, elderly or simply doesn’t do well in the cold, buy him a warm winter coat. Choose a good quality product and make sure it’s fitted properly. Some dogs may also require winter boots to protect tender paw pads from snow, ice and salt. Don’t forget about sensitive ears and noses. The saying “if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them” holds true.

Frostbite is a real concern, and ears and noses are first to be affected.

Adult cats, even those usually allowed outdoors, are safer inside during the winter. If your cat insists on going out, ensure she has a safe, warm place to retreat to. Better still, construct a “cat door” so she can quickly re-enter your home when needed. Never allow kittens younger than six months outside in winter.

Indoor safety Does your animal suffer from dry, itchy skin during the winter? animal wellness – ontario region

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animal wellness – ontario region

Be sure you’re feeding him a good quality diet, and add a bit of oil to his meal – an essential fatty acid supplement is a good choice, or you can use safflower oil for dogs, and olive oil for cats (try to look for organic products where possible).

Gauge the oil to your animal’s size and weight. Half a teaspoon daily is ample for a 90-pound dog, while one-quarter to one-third of a teaspoon is enough for a 10 to 14-pound adult cat. Start slowly, adding only a few drops at first, and mix it with your animal’s food. Gradually increase the amount over several days, but cut back again if your animal exhibits any digestive upsets. Oil is not recommended for kittens and puppies younger than four months.

especially deadly. Typical signs of ethylene glycol poisoning are lack of coordination, vomiting and lethargy. If you have the slightest inkling that your animal has ingested ethylene glycol, seek immediate veterinary help. Clean up any spills immediately and store anti-freeze and related products out of your animal’s reach.

Taking a

few precautions to

Winter brings flu and colds to humans, which means we sometimes have to reach for a pain killer or cold medicine. If you drop a pill or spill cough syrup, make sure you clean the area thoroughly.

Acetylsalicylic acid, acetaminophen and ibuprofen are all harmful to animals, especially cats. Store all medications – and household cleaning products – in hard-toreach, locked cupboards, just as you would for a child.

protect your companion

from winter hazards, both indoors and out, will help

Winter means your animal will be spending a lot more time indoors.

Keep in mind that both dogs and cats, but especially cats, are very sensitive to certain plants. Mistletoe, lily of the valley, Easter lily, philodendron and many others can cause severe poisoning and require immediate veterinary intervention. Either get rid of toxic plants or put them in a spot your animal can’t access.

you both enjoy the season to its fullest.

Products containing ethylene glycol, such as anti-freeze, are

Taking a few precautions to protect your companion from winter hazards, both indoors and out, will help you both enjoy the season to its fullest.

TESSA KIMMEL IS THE OWNER OF COZY CRITTERS, GTA SUCH AS PET SITTING, DOG WALKING AND PUPPY SELECTION/ TRAINING. SHE SPECIALIZES IN GERIATRIC ANIMALS AND THOSE WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND DISABILITIES. TESSA HAS OVER 20 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN ANIMAL CARE, AND HAS BEEN A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN FOR TEN YEARS. WWW.COZY-CRITTERS.COM OFFERING MANY PET CARE SERVICES IN THE

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Photos: Larry St. Aubin

PUGALUG COMBINES FUN and camaraderie with RESCUE and FUND-RAISING

by Lorraine Houston

O

n a cold, blustery day in March, 2001, dog guardians in the Toronto beaches area huddled together Pudgi gets dressed up in his cow costume for Pugalug’s fund-raising Pugoween event. to chat while their dogs frolicked and played. Three were pug lovers, and the conversation swung to “pug talk”. The trio decided to meet again at a Queen Street pub would gather for a couple of hours in different parks around called, naturally, The Pug and Pontiff. These were the humble the Toronto area. As the meet-ups became more popular, it beginnings of Pugalug (www.pugalug.com), an informal group was obvious the group needed a more formal structure, so of pugs and pug lovers. member Larry St. Aubin put out a call for “Yelpers”, people to help establish a Pugalug Club. “We wanted the club to be As more pug people heard about Pugalug meet-ups, the group more than just an avenue for social gatherings,” says Larry. grew to 50 or 60 pugs and their guardians, many of whom “We also wanted to do anything and everything we could for

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Along with raising funds for rescue, the group also acts as an educational forum for people wanting to find out more about pugs.

Pug lovers gather at Dufferin Grove Park during Pugalug’s Flower Power event.

our beloved breed. One of the main things we all agreed on was to assist with pug rescue. Donations to the rescue started off small – a ‘Puggy Bank’ which was passed around to collect loose change.”

Twelve-year-old Heidi, (right) was crowned Queen of Hearts for the day.

Other group members came up with a variety of fund-raising events and games, such as the “Running of the Pugs”, which takes place each spring in Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods Park. Much like your typical recall game, a line of 20 or so people and pugs form at one end of the course; another line forms about 200 feet away. On a signal, the pugs are set free to charge to the finish line, although trees, flowers, spectators and other distractions often need to be investigated first! The first and last pugs to get to the finish line are declared the winners.

“Pugoween”, meanwhile, happens in the fall. “It’s definitely our most popular event,”

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says Larry. “People spend weeks preparing their pugs’ costumes. This year, all proceeds were donated to Peachy Pugs Rescue.”

Retail Opportunity for Pet Lovers

This holiday season, “Pug Claus” is coming to town for the very first time. “We’ll have photos with Santa, a raffle, and a pug race,” says Larry. “Money from the event will be distributed to various pug rescue groups, including Buffalo Pug Rescue.”

Pugalug was incorporated as a non-profit in January, 2005. Along with raising funds for rescue, the group also acts as an educational forum for people wanting to find out more about pugs. By talking to people about LBTP (Life Before the Pug) and LATP (Life After the Pug), potential adopters are able to determine whether a pug is right for them. Novice guardians can also swap stories and gain advice from experienced ones. The club is also establishing a trust fund for member pugs’ veterinary emergencies.

Pugalug is no longer just Torontobased. There are now Pugalug groups in Cambridge and Peterborough, and others are scheduled to start up in Belleville and even Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Pugalug website has also garnered interest from pug people as far afield as Belgium, South Africa and Japan. “There is a spirit in the pug dog that bonds people around the world,” says Larry.

“We believe Pugalug embodies that spirit.”

LORRAINE HOUSTON IS AN EVALUATOR FOR THERAPEUTIC PAWS OF CANADA AND ST. JOHN AMBULANCE THERAPY DOGS, THE DIRECTOR OF SPEAKING OF DOGS, AND THE AUTHOR OF NOBODY’S BEST FRIEND. AN ADVOCATE FOR HUMANE TRAINING AND RESCUE/SHELTER DOG ADOPTIONS, SHE HAS FOSTERED OVER 300 DOGS AND FOUND HOMES FOR THOUSANDS MORE.

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Paws and Claws Pet Pantry takes healthy food Photo: Lorraine Crompton

to new levels

A mixture of fresh, healthy vegetables goes into Paws and Claws’ food.

T

en years ago, Lorraine Crompton phoned Eva Wheatley about an article Eva had written about animal health and nutrition. At the time, no one could have imagined that the result would be Paws and Claws Pet Pantry (www.freshpetfood.ca), a company devoted to providing high quality food for dogs and cats. The two women found they had a lot in common, including a background in health care and a passion for making good nutrition available to animals.

“We believe that how and what our companion animals are fed impacts on their health,” says Eva. Lorraine and Eva started feeding their own animals a properly formulated raw food diet to boost their immune systems and overcome existing health issues. When they saw the positive results, they searched for a company that could provide pre-made meals, since both women were leading busy lives juggling work, household and family commitments. Because they were unable to

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find the quality and variety of pre-made products they wanted, they decided to start their own business. “Once we got the approval of our holistic veterinarian, we officially launched our company,” says Lorraine.

It started out as a home-based business, but Paws and Claws Pet Pantry has recently moved into a new “state of the art” 2,100-square-foot production facility in Caledonia. Lorraine and Eva personally oversee every aspect of running the business, from purchasing the human grade A or certified organic raw ingredients to making, packaging and shipping the products. The company offers over 50 raw products and treats, a selection that’s both client and animal driven. “When a three-day-old orphaned puppy came into Lorraine’s care, we responded by formulating our Puppy’s First Dinner.”

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products. The company is also committed to educating the public about animal nutrition through seminars, workshops and consultations. They maintain a close relationship with holistic veterinarians, and can provide custom diets to meet the specific health needs of individual animals. They are also the only company to offer canine dinners in three different ratios of meaty bone to vegetables, depending on how the dog is being fed. “We would not be able to accomplish all this without the help and support of our employees,” adds Lorraine. “They are a big part of our team.”

Because each animal is unique, Eva and Lorraine know there are some animals who can’t eat raw. For situations where the food has to be cooked and the guardian is worried about bones splintering, the company offers a line of products that uses eggshell powder rather than bone as the calcium source.

“Because animal health and nutrition is our passion, we donate 10% of our profits to the rescue and care of companion animals,” adds Eva. “We spay and neuter all our rescues and, if circumstances dictate, we also provide food for the duration of their lifetime.”

With this level of dedication and caring, it’s no wonder Paws and Claws Pet Pantry is so successful.

Avoid years of stress, inconvenience, and embarrassment!

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Perch potatoes What to do if your bird is overweight

by Petra Burgmann, DVM

I

s your budgie too pudgy? Obesity in birds, from cockatiels to parrots, is common. The reasons are simple. A jungle environment diet of fruits, nuts, and insects, plucked fresh from trees and vines, is not the same as stale seeds presented in a bowl. Mother Nature has had thousands of years of experience in diet formulation, and birds in their various natural habitats have evolved to fit the diets available to them.

In the wild, seasons change, food availability fluctuates, and one generation teaches the next what to eat. In captivity, birds are entirely dependent on what we give them, which usually has absolutely no resemblance to what they have evolved to eat.

Birds on seed diets choose the seeds they enjoy most and eat

them in excess. Even if your bird eats all the seeds in his mix, an all-seed diet is deficient in calcium as well as phosphorus, sodium, manganese, zinc, iron, iodine, selenium, vitamins

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A, D, E and K, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, niacin, B2, and choline. Birds on all-seed diets invariably have excess body fat and deficient calcium reserves.

Eventually, the liver cells die, leading to cirrhosis.

Slimming solutions •

Coupled with an improper or incomplete diet is lack of activity. At the 2004 conference of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, one presentation compared wild and captive Amazons. Video footage demonstrated that wild Amazons spend about half their day, four to six hours, flying and climbing to forage and feed. Captive Amazons with readily supplied food in bowls ingested food three to six minutes an hour throughout the day for a total of 30 to 72 minutes a day.

Most of their time was spent, as the researchers put it, “inactive”. As we all know, inactivity leads to obesity.

Complete diets for birds in the form of pellets are slowly replacing seeds as the staple. Most domestically raised larger psittacines are raised on pelleted rations. As a result, nutritional deficiency problems are becoming a thing of the past in these birds, although obesity can remain an issue.

Unfortunately, many smaller birds such as canaries, budgies, and cockatiels are still conditioned to eat “seed only” diets, and in these birds nutritional deficiency problems as well as obesity are common.

In birds on seed-only diets, converting to a pelleted diet with help from your avian veterinarian will eliminate the nutritional deficiencies that contribute to obesity.

Obesity in birds can lead to general ill health, fatty tumors, heart disease, and fatty liver.

Obesity in birds can lead to general ill health, fatty tumors, heart disease, and fatty liver. Excess fat in the liver cells interferes with their normal function, leading to a decreased ability to clot blood and detoxify the body.

• To increase activity, consider jungle gyms and give your

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37 King St. E. Toronto, ON M5C 1E9

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bird opportunities for wing flapping and, if possible, flight.

You can stimulate foraging activity by: • hiding food in crumpled up paper the bird needs to open.

• using clear plastic containers with a single opening the bird has to manipulate to pour food out.

• providing a bowl of shredded paper that the bird has to dig through to find food.

For fatty liver • Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has cytoprotective, hepatoprotective, hypocholesteremic and anti-inflammatory properties, and is very useful in the treatment of fatty liver in birds. The correct use of any herbal requires properly calculated body weight, knowledge of active ingredient concentration in the selected herbal, and full awareness of potential side effects and drug and herbal interactions. Used properly, milk thistle currently has no known side effects. A general dose is one drop

of milk thistle tincture per ounce of drinking water for small birds up to 100 grams in weight, and two to three drops per ounce of drinking water for larger birds.

• Homeopathics that may be useful for fatty liver include Sulphur, Lycopodium clavatum, Nux vomica, or Phosphorus.

Choice of product, strength and dosage is best determined by a veterinary homeopathist on a case-by-case basis.

Just like people, diet and exercise are two of the most important way to keep your bird’s weight down. Feeding your feathered friend the right food, while giving him opportunities to increase his activity levels, will help him stay fit and happy.

DR. PETRA BURGMANN IS AFFILIATED WITH THE ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF HIGH PARK IN TORONTO. SHE IS ALSO THE AUTHOR OF FEEDING YOUR PET BIRD AND NUMEROUS OTHER JOURNAL AND TEXT CONTRIBUTIONS IN EXOTIC ANIMAL MEDICINE, AS WELL AS A REGULAR GUEST LECTURER ON EXOTIC ANIMALS FOR THE VETERINARY PROFESSION AND OTHER SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS.

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ANIMALWELLNESS

C A L I F OR ERGNI IO AN To advertise in this section of Animal Wellness Magazine, contact Tasha Hardy at: 213-804-7025 or tasha@tashahardy.com

Will Estes helps fight for

homeless animals in LA

by Ann Brightman

F

inding the time to support causes you believe in is not always easy, especially if you have a demanding career and a hectic schedule to stick to. But for Will Estes, making time to help animals is an important facet of his life as a talented and aspiring young actor.

Will began his career in 1988 as a child actor, and appeared in a wide range Photo by: Christopher Ameruoso www.chrisaphoto.com of productions, including Highway to When Will Estes, shown here with his rescue dogs Blondie and Joe, is not busy in front of the camera, he’s Heaven, General Hospital and Santa actively involved with several animal organizations.

Barbara. He was also chosen to play Lassie’s ten-year-old master on The “They asked me to do it and I was more than happy to,” says New Lassie, which aired for two seasons beginning in 1989.

Will. “It was a really cool experience, and exciting to be a part During the mid-1990s, Will’s role in the TV series Kirk catapulted of. They give out awards to various groups for the work they’ve the young actor to teen idol status. Since then, he has played in done to help animals. I presented an award to some people who the TV sitcom Kelly Kelly and the feature film U-571, and also helped break up dog-fighting rings.” took the part of JJ in American Dreams. Now 26, Will’s most recent achievements include star roles in the TV series Reunion Will has also done a lot of volunteer work for Best Friends and the MTV movie The Dive from Clausen’s Pier.

Animal Society. “It’s a group that works with animals and helps raise awareness of the importance of spaying and neutering,” Along with acting, Will is also a lifelong animal lover who donates he says. “They hold big events every year and I attend them his time and energies to various animal causes and events. He whenever I can. They’re involved with a campaign called ‘Desex has appeared as a judge on Animal Planet’s Pet Star, and was a and the City’ to get people to spay and neuter their pets so we celebrity presenter at this year’s Genesis Awards in Beverly Hills. animal wellness – california region

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don’t have so many unwanted cats and dogs in the city. They recently asked me to do a promo where myself and some actors appeared in a TV commercial with some dogs, encouraging people to spay and neuter.”

The number of homeless animals in LA is one of Will’s main concerns. “We have a terrible situation here, and in other cities, with negligence leading to thousands of dogs and cats being put down every year. It’s such a shame because it’s preventable. There are lots of things in the world that it’s anybody’s guess how to fix, but this is an easy one if people were made more aware and responsible. I think there’s a day in the future when this sort of thing will be under control and we don’t have so many animals in shelters.”

Will’s love for animals stems from his childhood. “People sometime ask me where it comes from or what it’s all about,” he says. “I was raised with dogs and they were all strays or rescues of one kind or another. And I currently have two rescue dogs – Blondie, who came from a shelter, and Joe, who was a stray. So I have my hands full!”

As his acting career permits, Will plans to continue doing what he can for animals. “It’s something I care about so I try to step forward whenever I can. I think it’s important to put yourself out there and work for things you care about. Animals should be taken care of, and all life should be respected.”

Making a difference, one spay at a time

by Tasha Hardy

L

population drive, you can find homes for the few that you have left.”

Last year, 1,400 cats were saved in Simi Valley, California. How do we know? Because a passionate, dedicated group of people at Valley Veterinary Clinic is keeping track.

Through my adventures with animal rescue over the last couple of years, I have run across numerous non-profit spay and neuter programs. While these programs make an incredible difference with animal over-population, particularly with cats, it is often times difficult to track their results.

When you work in the rescue “trenches”, it helps to know that you’re making a difference. It gives you the incentive to keep going and it adds momentum to your project. Recently, I met Dr Novy, the founder of a spay/ neuter program called Valley Veterinary Clinic’s Charitable Non-Profit Corporation. During an engaging lecture at a cat behavioral class at Moorpark College, Dr. Novy explained that his seven-year spay/neuter program has something that most similar programs don’t – specific measurable results.

What is going on in Simi Valley?

More appropriately put, I should ask what isn’t going on in Simi Valley. To start, 1,400 unwanted cats are not being euthanized every year due to overpopulation problems. Dr. Novy and his associates at Valley Veterinary Clinic have developed a program that has been so effective over the last seven years, that it has brought the yearly euthanasia rate for cats from approximately 1,700 cats a year to about 300.

I asked Dr. Novy about the long term impact. “If you have a spay/neuter program and you do 6,000 spay and neuters, you will have cut down the unwanteds by 20,000 to 30,000,” Dr. Novy explained. “Once you stop having that tremendous over-

So how does the program work? Valley Veterinary sets up a designated “spay/neuter” day for the month, usually on a Sunday. During that time, a team of volunteers puts flyers out to neighborhoods that they think would be in need of this service.

Dr. Novy hires a veterinarian to work with him on the spay/neuter day so that they can get in as many patients as possible. People come in with their cats, and feral cats are trapped by volunteers, brought in to the clinic and then released.

“The only problem that we have is that nobody can believe it.

You walk up to a house and give someone a free voucher to spay or neuter their animal and they say, ‘What’s the catch?’ ” Dr. Novy’s program has made such an outstanding impact in Simi Valley that currently, only a handful of cats are brought in for the monthly spay/neuter day. Volunteers feed the feral cat colonies and monitor them weekly for “new members”, who are then brought into the clinic and spayed or neutered, and released back into the colony.

Now that Simi Valley is under control, the program has started to move into Moorpark and Thousand Oaks.

Dr. Novy plans to expand to Los Angeles county, and eventually all over California and then nationally. For more information, please call (805) 584-3823.

TASHA HARDY BEHAVIORIST.

IS A WRITER AND IS STUDYING TO BE AN ANIMAL

SHE CURRENTLY ATTENDS PIERCE COLLEGE WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA.

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importance of socialization for your puppy

The

by Laura Dash

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Monty is the gentlest Rottweiler (it’s named for the town of Rottweil) you could ever meet. He loves to play at the dog park with his four-legged friends and he adores people. Raised with a Shepherd pup and a kitten that could fit into the palm of your hand, Monty learned good social skills very early on.

A properly socialized dog is an animal that is well adjusted and comfortable around both people and other animals. He is neither frightened by, nor aggressive towards, anyone or anything he would normally meet in day to day living.

While socialization treatment and training is available for most all dogs at varying levels and ages, nipping this problem at an

early stage in the dog’s life is paramount, meaning it all begins as a puppy. Fears, aggressions, anxieties, worries, depressions and so on, can become part of a dog’s psychological makeup early on without proper socialization.

For instance, in Monty’s case, he was exposed to other animals right away. He had a little bit of a ‘nipping’ problem, but because he was so young he quickly learned which play habits were acceptable and which were not.

The critical socialization period for most all dogs is from four weeks to four months of age. While exposing your puppy to family, friends and a few other dogs is a good start, true socialization usually requires more.

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In my experience, to effectively socialize your dog, you must apply a well balanced combination of both universal and breedbased canine behavior understandings and consistent, positive training. This means taking the puppy many places you go, and exposing him to hundreds of people, dozens of environments and all kinds of dogs. I recommend you continue this practice for a dog’s entire life... not just the early stages.

Monty started going everywhere with his parents from the age of ten weeks. At first, he was a little scared but before long he happily approached strangers for pats and kisses on his own.

Where to begin While a minimal solution, consider the well received methodology known as the ‘Rule of Seven’. This rule says your puppy will need to be exposed positively to seven new kinds of surfaces, people, foods, sounds, places and dogs by the time he/she reaches twelve weeks of age.

Roughly between seven to ten weeks of age, your puppy

experiences a major imprint period. What affects the puppy here will contribute greatly to the overall mentality of the adult dog. The more positive, social and loving the conditions are during these weeks, the more balanced your puppy will become.

• To help acclimate to loud noise, visit outdoor sporting events, pass by construction sites, etc.

Here are a few things to help promote the positive socialization of your puppy:

There are numerous socialization techniques available. My advice is simple: choose methods that are positive and best fit your lifestyle. Provide positive training while you socialize. (Not just in quiet home surroundings.) And finally, be aware of the environments you expose your puppy to, making them familiar, clean environments as often as possible. Happy socializing!

• Socialize with healthy animals. Dog parks are NOT a good place for your puppy until he/she has received the core vaccines.

• Do not force or rush your puppy. Simply provide opportunity for the socialization to happen.

• Visit the veterinarian. Hang out, give some treats and have fun!

• Take your puppy to a “people” park. This is a good place to both socialize and train.

• Try a puppy training class or play group.

• Take your puppy anywhere and everywhere that the proprietors will let him come in.

LAURA DASH IS A LONG TIME TRAINER AND A GRADUATE OF THE ANIMAL BEHAVIORAL CENTER OF NEW YORK. THROUGH HER BUSINESS, DOLITTLE’S CANINE BEHAVIOR & TRAINING, SHE PROVIDES HIGHLY EFFECTIVE, POSITIVE “CERTIFIED” CANINE TRAINING AND BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. WWW.DOLITTLESDOGS.COM. (818) 802-5481.

CALIFORNIA marketplace

OPERATION SANTA PAWS NEEDS YOUR HELP YOUR HELP IS NEEDED for the 2005 North American holiday toy/treat collection drive for shelther/rescue dogs and cats. If you or your company or organization would like to become a part of Operation Santa Paws, please contact the organizer at JustinRudd@aol.com and he can e-mail you a JPEG for a poster that you can print and place on a cardboard box(es) for a drop box that you can place in your office, at a pet store, veterinarian office, church, school, etc. Then invite your friends, family, co-workers, etc., to put new toys and bags of treats in the box. Then, when you are finished collecting goods at your location on Dec. 22 or whatever date you choose, you can deliver your collected goods to your favorite shelter or drop the goods at one of our major drop-off locations (in the Los Angeles area). www.santapaws.info

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Buy AVON Products to benefit your favorite animal charity!

Shop online and 10% of your order will be donated to the charity of your choice.

For more information, visit

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CALIFORNIA marketplace Lost Pet Detection TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! K-9 Search Dog can help locate your pet!

818-442-2952 Landa Coldiron

Certified Missing Animal Response Technician

larescuedog@sbcglobal.net

DYANNA McCAIN, DVET HOM Holistic Animal Healing Nutritionist & Animal Homeopath “Great Life” Pet Food & Products

Phone: 310-863-2300 Fax: 661-822-8620 Email: parislivery@dslextreme.com

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with The Tellington TTouch Method A gentle approach to influencing your animal companion’s behavior, health and performance.

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Guild Certified TTouch Practitioner

PHONE: (949) 492-1924 www.icpaws.com

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CALIFORNIA marketplace

Compassionate Care spirit essences • Distance Energy Healing & Flower

Essences for Stress, Trauma & Traditions • Cultivate Well Being, Positive Social Behaviour & Quality of Life

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CALIFORNIA marketplace

Pet Channel Understand your pet’s psychology, including ways to: • Repair problem behaviors • Dissolve difficult emotions • Extend communication • Learn about their past • Understand their life dreams

JANE ELLEN PLOTKIN, MFT

Jane Ellen Plotkin is a pet psychologist, communicator and channel. To make an appointment — in person or by phone, call (310) 315-1885 or email her at: janeellenplotkin@earthlink.net

Internationally Known Animal Communicator

LY D I A H I B Y Published Author of:

“Conversations with Animals” Want to learn to talk to animals and get answers?

Semester Schedule – Southern California Please contact our office for future dates

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Available: Gift Certificates, Groups, Leatures, Ranch Calls & Phone Consulations

Second Chance For Rabbits

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Shelter and Adoption Services

contact: Tasha Hardy California Regional Manager Tel: 213-804-7025 tasha@tashahardy.com

805-649-1090

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An all volunteer non-profit corporation P.O. box 59022 Norwalk, CA 90650 (562) 807-0071 (818) 903-2382 secondchance@bigfoot.com www.secondchanceforrabbits.org

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TO ADVERTISE:

PO Box 1646 Oak View, CA 93022 www.calcoastalhorserescue.com

To advertise in the Atlanta section of Animal Wellness Magazine, contact Nannette Ferrell at: 770-374-3966 nannette@animalwellnessmagazine.com

ATLANTA

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ANIMALWELLNESS

Shaking the system ... making a difference for lost and homeless pets in Fulton County

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honda Milner had no idea the two English pointer puppies given to her husband for Christmas in 2002 would change her life the way they did. Luckily for the animals of Fulton County, Rhonda decided to use her family’s tragedy to better the systems in place.

It all began when Texas and Dallas, both four months old at the time, escaped from their fence and tracked their muddy paws into a neighbor’s home. Animal Control was called and the two were hauled to the county facility on Marietta Boulevard. Despite her suspicion that the two puppies were stolen from her yard, Rhonda called Fulton County Animal Control repeatedly and was told there were no puppies in the facility matching her description.

Rhonda Milner, left, and Ginny Millner with her dog, Sienna.

and holding off site adoptions at various locations around the county. The new, aggressive adoption procedures have helped to give Fulton County’s four-legged residents a second chance.

Rhonda Milner decided this still was not enough. Joining forces with Ginny Millner and other friends with a passion for animals, Rhonda formed New Leash on Life, an animal advocacy group to improve the facilities for the animals housed in the Fulton County shelter and raise awareness of the number of homeless companion animals in the county.

After learning what really happened, the Milners rushed down to the animal shelter, only to find that, despite their phone calls, Texas and Dallas had been euthanized that morning. Rhonda Milner turned grief into action and began working with local animal welfare groups to help change the policies that governed Fulton County Animal Control.

The first fundraising event was held on November 2, 2005. The Governor of Georgia, Sonny Perdue, a former practicing veterinarian, and his wife, signed on as honorary co-chairs for the event. The event was expected to raise more than $300,000.

The pressure put on county commissioners from their constituents and metro area animal welfare groups led to a change in management and policies at the shelter. The animals of Fulton County had been extended “a new leash on life.”

Funds from the event will pay for an air conditioning/ handling system in the kennel area, bringing the summer heat to a bearable level and providing proper air handling to prevent the spread of disease. Many other projects are on the table as well.

Under the new leadership of Southern Hope Humane Society (SHHS), the euthanasia rate in Fulton County has dropped from approximately 85% two years ago to a current 46%.

Animals brought to the shelter are immediately placed on the website to help reunite them with their guardians and/or find them forever families. In addition, an adoption program was developed including staffing the facility with adoption counselors, opening the doors to the public seven days a week

When asked about the last three years, Rhonda says, “I chose to use what happened as a lesson, and make something good happen.”

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NEW LEASH ON LIFE VISIT WWW.NEWLEASHONLIFEGA.ORG OR CALL 404-863-7370. TO VIEW ANIMALS FOR ADOPTION, VISIT WWW.FULTONANIMALSERVICES.COM. animal wellness – atlanta region

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DOG ACADEMY

Winston

A Jabula Dog is a Happy Dog! Obedience classes available:

Photo: Patricia Thomas

Stage 1 Beginner Stage 2 Intermediate Stage 3 Advanced

Flyball Racing: Stage 1 & Stage 2

Also available: Private Lessons, Puppy Play School, Training Camp, Trick Training, Freestyle Dancing and Agility!

228 Weeks St. Decatur, GA 30030

For class information:

404.373.6258

WWW.JABULADOGS.COM

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Winston demonstrates the delicate art of fetching.

n’I s Wisdom It’s hard being a dog in today’s world – so many expectations, temptations, rules. I am here to help.

I am Winston, a 21⁄2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever. As the co-owner of Jabula Dog Academy, I have a mountain of knowledge about the expectations placed on dogs. Being fortunate to have the education I do, I decided to pass my wisdom on to you.

My obedience training has been mastered and I recently obtained OffLeash Reliability It’s hard being a dog in today’s world – so many expectations, temptations, rules. I am here to help.

I am Winston, a 21⁄2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever. As the co-owner of Jabula Dog Academy, I have a mountain of knowledge about the expectations placed on dogs. Being fortunate to have the education I do, I decided to pass my wisdom on to you.

Dear Winston,

I am a two-year-old Lab boxer mix. My humans adopted me six months ago. I get excited when they come home. When they walk in, I can’t help myself from jumping up and giving welcome home licks. They are frustrated with me. My dad has been yelling “NO Jasper” a whole bunch. I don’t want them to be mad, but I also want them to know I am happy to see them. Please help, I don’t know what to do!

Jasper

Dear Jasper, I know what you mean! As a youngster, I jumped to greet everyone. My mom began crossing her arms and asking me to sit when she wanted to give me a pat. She did this every time she wanted to pat me. She was consistent; I was to get “no free pats.” I quickly learned sitting would get me pats. Before I realized it, I was sitting whenever I wanted pats. It was easy!

My obedience training has been mastered and I recently obtained OffLeash Reliability in all environments.

I spend my time studying the art of tricks, performing freestyle dance routines, engaging in fly ball racing and reading the literary works of Mark Twain. Additionally, I run the training school, speak at local events and counsel rescue dogs. My hobbies include fetch, dissection of squeaking toys and surfing.

After practicing this for two weeks my mom added a new step. When she got home, before she came in, she tossed my favorite treats on the floor. By the time I had gobbled them up, my mom was ready. She was standing straight, arms crossed! I knew that meant...sit! The minute I looked up, she asked me to sit.

If you find yourself in a pickle and can’t figure out what to do, contact me. You can reach me at winstonswisdom@jabuladogacademy.com

The first few times I was excited and jumped as always. My mom was calm and patient. The minute I jumped she stepped forward and bumped me gently.

Her arms remained crossed and the minute my feet touched the ground, she asked me to sit again. When I did, I was praised and got a pat. It became clear.

I learned crossed arms meant sit – no matter what the situation.

Now I sit as quickly as possible to get a pat. I know how to show I am happy to see her and now she is happy to see me.

I learned to greet all people this way.

I feel so proud when she says I am a “good boy.” Good luck Jasper, it’s hard work, but it is worth it!

Winston

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All I want for the Holidays...

you look at the basket filled with dissected squeaker toys, frayed rope bones and frazzled tennis balls you may need AAsto revise your holiday shopping list. Although it’s the thought that counts, make this year’s gifting season one of joy and practicality for your best friend. Here are our top picks for this holiday season:

Lick-a-Lots

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

A crate of Lick-a-Lots are great no matter the season. Made with low fat yogurt, peanut butter, honey and bananas, it makes apple pie a la mode look passé.

Visit www.petkoolers.com

Enroll in a fun training class. Manners come first, but if your darling has mastered the basics try Agility, K9 Freestyle Dance, Rally O, Flyball or even go for an advanced obedience curriculum that offers Canine Good Citizen Testing. Find a

Pet Portrait

Angels Beds

Blank spot over the fireplace? Nothing would look better than a portrait of your pet. No matter the medium, Fluffy the cat would look exquisite in an 11x14 displayed brilliantly for family and friends. Atlanta is home to many wonderful artists who specialized in pet portraiture. Find one today to capture the beauty that is your best friend.

Holidays bring hectic schedules. All the rushing around means your furry friend is stuck to fend for himself at home. Show your love by getting your bored buddy a package at a local dog daycare – turn bored into bone tired!

Speaking of tired, where is your animal sleeping? Every dog (and cat) needs a bed from www.angelsbeds.com. Hand carved woods, custom duvet covers and orthopedic mattresses make for a restful night.

Animal Communicator Ever wonder what is going through your animal’s mind... book a reading with Rhonda Weisburg, local animal communicator. She can give you insight into why your dog growls at the neighbor, why your cat truly does not like his litterbox or why your hamster just won’t stop running on that wheel. Visit www.rhondaweisburg.com

Microchipping

Taj Ma Hound A basket of homemade goodies from Taj Ma Hound. We recommend the Pea-Mutt Butter Bones and Sweet Potato Poodles. Small and tasty, like a truffle!

Visit www.tajmahound.com

If you haven’t done it already – hop to it.

Microchipping is an easy and inexpensive way to insure that your animal is properly identified in case you are separated. Proper identification is the most important gift you could ever give your animal. Talk to your vet today! Vist www.homeagainid.com or www.24petwatch.com

My Owner’s Gone to Heaven If you were gone today, who would love your animal like you do? Make sure your animal is well-cared for, even when you’re gone.

Contact My Owners Gone to Heaven, LLC for more information on estate planning for the furry family members. www.myownerhasgonetoheaven.com

Private Dog Park Humans have tennis, swimming pools, garden club, bridge and bunko... a place to belong, make friends and socialize – where does your dog go for this? Join one of the area’s private dog parks, such as Royal Paws in Alpharetta www.royalpaws.com or Barking Hound Village in Midtown www.barkinghoundvillage.com

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The perfect gift for your “Best Pal”

by Taj Ma-Hound!

Airport Park’N Bark Pet Resort & Doggie Daycare

“A higher level of pet care” BOARDING • BATHING • DAY CARE Conveniently located near Hartsfield-Jackson Airport FREE PARKING at Park N’Ticket

Delicious all natural treats and cakes baked fresh daily and decorated to the nines, the K-9’s that is!

Our wholesome ingredients include carrots, peanut butter, carob and oats. Goodies available for dogs with allergies too!

Visit us at our new retail location in Amsterdam Walk!

Retail all natural food!

CONVENIENT HOURS: 6am-10pm or ANYTIME by appointment 365 days/yr!

678-278-0137

www.airportparknbark.com

Amsterdam Walk (inside Piedmont Bark) 501 Amsterdam Ave. Atlanta, GA 30306

WWW.TAJMAHOUND.COM

ATLANTA DOES IT RAW! RAW DIETS THAT IS!

Kibble, cans, raw frozen diets, freeze dried diets, raw frozen bones and slow roasted treats!

New RAW INSTINCT Grain Free Kibble Visit our website for a store near you.

888-519-7387 • WWW.NATURESVARIETY.COM animal wellness – atlanta region

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ATLANTA marketplace

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0 SQ FT PL AY AREA!

To locate a pet sitter in your area, visit us at:

Doggy Daycare, Boarding & Grooming Do-It-Yourself Wash Solid Gold & Eagle Pack Dog Food 8 Live Web Cams

WWW . PAWSPLAYHOUSE . COM

www.georgiapetsitters.com

“The Most Trusted Pet Care Professionals in Georgia”

“Animal Land Pet Movers, the way we treat pets is moving.”

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door-to-door service domestic and international fully bonded and insured licensed by the USDA

877.379.8625 www.petmovers.com

ATLANTA METRO AREA SHELTERS Bartow County 770-387-5153

Coweta County 770-254-3735

Forsyth County 770-888-2500

Henry County 770-954-2100

Carroll County 770-834-8150

Dekalb County 404-294-2996

Fulton County 404-794-0358

Paulding County

Cherokee County 770-345-7270

Douglas County 770-942-5961

Gwinnett County 770-499-4136

770-445-1511 Rockdale County 770-785-5927

Clayton County 770-477-3509

Fayette County 770-487-6450

Hall County 770-531-6830

Spalding County 770-467-4772

Cobb County 770-499-4136

For a list of rescue groups in the Atlanta Metro area, please visit http://www.petrorphans.com and click on the Rescue List.

ATLANTA EVENTS Please send in your events to:

nannette@animalwellnessmagazine.com

Coming in January...

Where the red Fern goes...

Look for Fern, Alanta’s newest society editor, to tell you about what’s hot and what’s not in Atlanta!

Have an idea?

Send it to: nannette@animalwellnessmagazine.com

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