Health and Longevity Support for Pets: The Gift for Life Peptides

by Sheila Julson

A2019 report in Psychology Today found 77 percent of dog and cat owners report that their pet is a member of the family. This close bond that humans share with our companion animals inspires us to strive for best choices when it comes to our pet’s health and longevity.

When Lauriston Crockett III lost Joe Cocker, his beloved 8-year-old cocker spaniel, to cancer, he became determined to help both people and animals maintain good health and longevity. His research led him toward the importance of peptide hormones, the short-chain amino acids that are naturally found in all mammals. “Every function in the body—humans, dogs or cats—acts and communicates through peptides and bioregulators. Peptides and peptide communication is how we live longer, healthier lives,” Crockett explains.

Crockett founded Genostim Performance Labs in 2006 with a line of peptide products for humans. That same year, he formed Genostim’s The Gift for Life pet division, with products for dogs and cats. The line includes The Gift for Life Canine, The Gift for Life Feline and The Gift for Life Equine anti-aging formulas with Hexatide Peptide Complex. The Gift for Life K9 Prime supplement contains pure, human food-grade beef liver and 60 milligrams of peptides per serving for all dogs, creating a superfood when added to a pet’s daily diet.

All of Genostim’s The Gift for Life products are made in America with U.S.- sourced ingredients that are top-tier, food-grade quality, Crockett notes. Peptides can slow down or reverse progressive aging that all pets suffer from, he says. “When you spay or neuter a dog, you break their endocrine loop by altering the pets’ ovaries or testicles. They nearly stop producing hormones that communicate with other organs.”

While spaying and neutering helps control unwanted litters and pet overpopulation, there is ongoing research pertaining to the link between the loss of gonadal hormones at a young age and long-term health effects. Studies published by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and Frontiers in Veterinary Science cite case studies showing links between spaying or neutering pets at a young age and in- creased risks of joint disorders, some cancers and other health issues.

Crockett consulted with Western medicine and homeopathic veterinarians to formulate a peptide supplement for animals that stimulates a pet’s endocrine system which has been altered through surgical spaying or neutering.

“What peptides do is stimulate the adrenal cortex. That adrenal cortex then produces, in small amounts, these hormones that were lost when you sterilize the pet through elective surgery. Therefore, it boosts the endocrine system to start producing hormones again,” Crockett explains. “By doing this, we’re signaling life again within these pets without side effects from cancer, Cushing’s disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, ligament tears or hip dysplasia.”

In addition, many commercial brands of dog and cat foods lack the proteins, vitamins and nutrients required to maintain a pet’s health, Crockett adds. “Many brands contain synthetic vitamins and ingredients not akin to what these carnivores would naturally eat. Dogs need organ meat. When a wolf packs attacks an animal, the alpha dog eats the organ meat first. Liver is the most nutrient-dense food for dogs and cats.”

Crockett hosts a podcast, Your Pets Radio, and has appeared as a pet health and longevity expert on programs broadcast via FOX, iHeart Radio and Cumulus Media local affiliates nationwide. He uses peptides to support the health of his current canine companion, Howie, an Anatolian shepherd dog.

For more information, visit TheGiftForLife.com. See ad, page 38.

- Supported cognitive function

- Increased Lean muscle mass

- Strength and recovery www.TheGiftForLife.com

Calendar Of Events

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2

Tails on Trails – 9am-12pm. Bring your pooch or meet the adoptable dogs from Dallas Pets Alive. We will hike the trails, meet the dogs and pick up trash along the way. Frasier Dam Recreation Area, 9300 Stemmons Fwy, Dallas. Tinyurl.com/ybyzswns.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5

Public Hearing to Grant Total Fracking Permit – 6:30-9pm. Total Energies has applied for a Special Use Permit (SUP) to drill and hydraulically fracture aka frack new wells to extract methane gas from their Highpoint site located at 2400 E Arbrook Blvd, Arlington. These are are a class of wells called allocation wells whose legality is being examined by the Supreme Court of Texas. Arlington City Hall, 101 W Abram, Arlington. Tinyurl.com/36dpfwhy.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9

Shoreline Spruce Up – 8am-12pm. Volunteer time towards picking up trash and litter at designated areas throughout White Rock Lake Park. For the Love of the Lake, 1152 N Buckner Blvd, Ste 123, Dallas. Tinyurl.com/2ddahpz6.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12

Dallas Sierra Club Meeting – 7pm. Presenter: Wild DFW author Amy Martin. Learn how a little knowledge about natural history and ecology can transform your perception of North Texas nature. Zoom. DallasSierraClub.org.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14

Attracting Backyard Birds – 7pm. Back to basics: attracting and getting to know the birds in your backyard. Featured Speaker: Charley Amos, Master Naturalist and FWAS local favorite. In-person & Zoom. University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Everett Hall, Rm 100, Research and Education (RES), Ft Worth. fwas.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16

Native Plant Design: Blending Beauty and Function – 9-10:30am. Learn how to cultivate key strategies from natural systems to control your landscape while still enjoying their dynamic, natural beauty. Free. Zoom. RootedIn.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20

Moon Talk and Watching Party – 5:30-7:30pm. Amy Martin, known as the Moonlady, will talk about the culture and science of the moon, and read her popular essay Moonstruck. Then she and Don Young will lead participants in a hike in the moonlight. Tandy Hills Natural Area, 3325 View St, Ft Worth. Tinyurl.com/4svj3d7t.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2

Forest: Never See North Texas Nature the Same Way Again – 7pm. Presenter: Wild DFW author Amy Martin. Learn how a little knowledge about natural history and ecology can transform your perception of North Texas nature. Online. Tinyurl.com/3t4yfw53.

Sunday

Carrollton Runners Club Mile + 5K – 7:30am. A low-key 5K and 1-mile race every last Sun. McInnish Park, 2335 Sandy Lake Rd, Carrollton. CarrolltonRunners.com.

Sunday Service/Meditation and Purification – 9-11:30am. Participate in meditation, chanting and readings from the Bible and Bhagavad Gita. 9-9:45am, Meditation and Purification; 1011:30am, Service. Ananda Dallas Meditation & Yoga Center, 4901 Keller Springs Rd, Ste 103, Addison. 972-248-9126. AnandaDallas.org.

Gentle Waves – 9:15-10:15am. A healing meditative practice that moves very slow and intentional. Gaia Flow Yoga, 3000 Blackburn St, Ste 140B, Dallas. Register: GaiaFlowYoga.com.

Celebration Service Live – 11am. Meditation, music and lessons on YouTube live: Unity on Greenville Dallas, TX or Cutt.ly/2tzQx4i. Love offering. Unity on Greenville, 3425 Greenville Ave, Dallas. 214-826-5683. DallasUnity.org.

Dallas Shambhala Meditation Center Weekly Meditation – 11am-1:15pm. Each Sunday, we offer a free meditation, tea and dharma talk session in-person and via Zoom. All welcome. Free. Dallas Shambhala Meditation Center, 2695 Villa Creek Dr, Ste B146, Farmers Branch. Dallas.Shambhala.org.

experience of various forms of meditation. Free. Unity of Dallas, 6525 Forest Ln, Dallas. 972-2337106. UnityDallas.org.

tuesday monday

Texas Master Naturalist Tuesday Webinar –Thru Jan. 12pm. 2nd Tues. Features fantastic new and returning guest speakers. Free. Register: txmn. tamu.edu/tmntuesdays.

Online: Ananda Yoga Sadhana Practice – 5:157:30pm. Also Thurs. Time to recalibrate and center through this transformational practice based on the yoga teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. Ananda Dallas Meditation & Yoga Center, 4901 Keller Springs Rd, Ste 103, Addison. 972-248-9126. AnandaDallas.org.

Greater Dallas Organic Garden Club – 2:30pm. 4th Sun (Jan-Sept). Each meeting includes a special speaker presentation covering many topics of interest to local gardeners. Free. North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd, Dallas. 214-363-5316. gdogc.org.

Sunday Meditation – 3:15-4:15pm. With Lynne Patterson. Class offers many meditation techniques and styles, with a focus on mindfulness and open awareness. $10. Yoga Mart, 2201 Tucker St, Ste 101, Dallas. 214-238-2433. DallasMeditates.com.

Online: Awakening Heart Meditation – 5-7pm. Interfaith mindfulness meditation, music and message based on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. Facilitated by Brother ChiSing. Donation accepted. Dallas Meditation Center, 727 S Floyd Rd, Richardson. 972-432-7871. DallasMeditationCenter.com.

Online: Zen to Go – 12-12:45pm. Mon-Thurs. An oasis in the middle of the day offering walking and sitting meditation followed by brief sharing. Donation accepted. Dallas Meditation Center, 810 We Arapaho Rd, Ste 98, Richardson. 972-432-7871. DallasMeditationCenter.com.

Meditation Mondays via Zoom – 7-8pm. Meditation Mondays focuses on the practice and the wednesday thursday friday saturday

YES: A Young Adults Meditation Fellowship – 7-9pm. A meditation series for young adults in their 20s and 30s. Each evening will include a beginner-friendly walking and sitting meditation, Dharma teachings and refreshments afterwards. Donation. Dallas Meditation Center, 810 W Arapaho Rd, Ste 98, Richardson. 972-432-7871. DallasMeditationCenter.com.

Hot Yoga 201 on Zoom – 6:15pm. Open to all levels. This flowing-style class links the fundamental asanas (poses) of yoga linking body, mind and breath with music. Yoga4Love Studio Cabin, Ovilla. Yoga4Love.com.

Online: Meditation for Everyone – 7-8:30pm. Classes are great for beginners that want to learn to meditate and great for more experienced meditators that want to expand their meditation. Must register: MeditationInTexas.org.

Online: Metaphysics and Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Manifestation and mysticism: 2 sides of the spiritual coin. Let us practice together, while diving more deeply into universal principles and spiritual living. Open to all. Free. A Center for Spiritual Living, 4801 Spring Valley Rd, Ste 115, Dallas. 972-8669988. CSLDallas.org.

Ste 115, Dallas. 972-866-9988. CSLDallas.org.

ImpactNights – More info: Inclusive-Economy. org/impactnights.

Online: Celebrate Recovery – 6:30pm. A safe community to find support, hope and freedom from the struggles and realities that we all face through transitions, hurt, pain, loss or addiction of any kind. Free. First United Methodist Church, 777 N Walnut Creek Dr, Mansfield. FirstMethodistMansfield.org.

Online: Friday Meditation Happy Hours –5:30-6:15pm. Sessions begin every hour. Release stress with breath and gentle movements as you withdraw from the external and begin the journey within 15-min guided meditation. $10/session. DallasMeditates.com.

Morning Bird Walk – 7:30-8:15pm. 3rd Sat. Join Trinity River Audubon Center for a monthly bird walk and enjoy the grounds and our amazing feathered friends. $10. Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas. Registration required: TrinityRiver.Audubon.org.

Calendar Of Events

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2

Meadow Bird Walk – 7:30-10am. Birders of all skill levels welcome. A variety of birding habitats explored, and an excellent cross section of North Texas bird species can be counted. Free. Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve, South gated entrance, behind intersection of Bass & Roberta drs, Plano. ConnemaraConservancy.org.

1st Saturday Nature Walk – 10am-12pm. Naturalist-led nature walk. All ages. Free; $5/ vehicle entrance. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. Registration required: 972-219-3550 or llela.org.

Early Bird Walk – 8am. With Master Naturalist Jack Chiles. Weather permitting. Bring binoculars or borrow ours. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. 903-7862826. Register: FriendsOfHagerman.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10

Meet the Meadow Introductory Trail Walk – 3-4pm. An introductory trail walk which is appropriate for families and those new to The Meadow. Led by Texas Master Naturalists and Meadow Volunteers. Free. Details: ConnemaraConservancy.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16

Zip Line Day – 1-5pm. Guests climb a 23-ft tree to our zip platform then proceed to a 487-ft Zip line. Purchase one ticket ($12 each) for each time you would like to travel down the zip line. Pre-registration required. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972-562-5566. HeardMuseum.org.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6

Webinar: Green Gift Guide – 12-1pm. Join us for inspiration on easy, enjoyable and Earth-friendly gifts for the whole family. Ideas include creative handmade items, new technology that helps users conserve resources, local experiences and much more. Register: LiveGreenInPlano.obsres.com.

The Christmas Bird Count – 7am-5pm. Participants will be divided into groups and will explore the birds of the refuge and surrounding area. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. 903-786-2826. FriendsOf Hagerman.com.

Forest Bathing – 9:30am-12pm. An immersive time spent connecting with nature in our wildlife sanctuary. Includes guided activities done while walking, standing and/or sitting along our trails. $25. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972-5625566. HeardMuseum.org.

Coppell Farmers Market – 8am-12pm. Yearround market. 768 W Main St, Coppell. CoppellFarmersMarket.org.

Morning Tai Chi – 8:30am. Join Tai Chi Chuan instructor George Deerfield for this interactive class in developing strength, balance, improved breathing. Unity of Dallas, 6525 Forest Ln, Dallas. UnityDallas.org.

Second Saturday Guided Hike – 8:30-9:30am. Learn about our surrounding habitat while you enjoy a hike. All ages. Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas. Registration required: TrinityRiver.Audubon.org.

Pregnancy, Childbirth, Postpartum and Baby Classes – 6-7pm. Classes are held virtually online lead by our top AID instructors utilizing state of the art visual aids and activities to keep it fun and engaging while presenting the latest evidenced based material on each topic. $35/class. Childbirth-Classes.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7

Tour: Republic Services Recycling Center –10:30-11:30am. Find out about how the City of Plano’s recycling partner, Republic Services, processes your recyclables for the recycling market. See the facility in action. Learn why it is important to reduce, reuse and recycle correctly. Republic Services, 4200 14th St, Plano. Register: LiveGreenInPlano.obsres.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9

2nd Saturday Bird Walk – 7:30-11am. Birders of all skill levels are welcome to join an expert birder as we explore prime birding locations along LLELA’s nature trails. Ages 10 and up. $5/person; $5/vehicle entrance. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. Registration required: 972-219-3550 or llela.org.

Christmas at the Cabin – 10am-3pm. Enjoy a tour of the historic Minor-Porter Log Cabin, make a corn husk doll or an ornament to take home, create a hand-dipped candle, listen to carols and sip hot cider by the campfire. $5/vehicle. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. 972-219-3550. llela.org.

Ongoing Events

NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Publisher@NADallas.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please.

daily monday tuesday sunday friday wednesday the mind itsef.MysticMandalaCenter.com. thursday saturday

Grapevine Farmers Market – 9am-6pm, Sun; 8am-8pm, Mon-Sat. Eat healthy with locally-grown produce and products. 520 S Main St, Ste 203, Grapevine. 817-527-7446. Farmers MarketOfGrapevine.com.

Dairy Farm Tours – Mon-Sat, by appt only. Experience life on a dairy farm with an educational tour including how and what cows are fed, the benefits of grass-crop based feed (silage), the milking parlor, bottle feeding baby calves along with the learning the benefits of drinking raw milk vs pasteurized milk. Everyone gets samples of milk. $7/person age 2 & up. Circle N Dairy, 2074 County Road 446, Gainesville. 940-3720343. CircleNDairy.com.

Star Coyote Events – Monthly events include gong, Tibetan bowl and crystal bowl sound journeys, shamanic journey with a drum dance, kid’s energy and creativity events, and a Wed morning class series. Please see the calendar at StarCoyoteSoundTemple.com for the exact dates and times as they change each month or call 469-344-6484.

Frisco Fresh Market – 10am-4pm. Also Sat, 8am-4pm. Frisco Fresh Market, 9215 John W Elliott Dr, Frisco. 844-776-2753. FriscoFresh Market.com.

The Joy of Daleth Breathwork – 7-9pm. 3rd Fri. With Dr. Tricia and Dr. Rusty. Access more energy, awaken your potential, resolve stress and anxiety, deepen spiritual awareness, gain clarity of purpose and reconnect to your Divine self. $20. Entelechea Center, 1201 International Pkwy, Ste 200, Richardson. 972-792-9900. Entelechea.org.

Sunday Celebration Service Agape Center for Spiritual Living – 10am, meditation; 10:30am, service. Noah’s Event Venue, 5280 Town Square Dr, Plano. Rev Lee Wolak: 972-468-1331. AgapeSpiritualCenter.com.

Sunday Worship: Unity Spiritual Center of Denton Service – 10am, coffee; 11am, service. Unity takes spiritual principles and makes them practical in your life. 6071 New Hope Rd, Krugerville. 214-453-0218. UnityOfNewHope.org.

Sunday Brunch –10am-3pm. Serves up farmto-table shared plates, 72 taps (wine & craft beer), and a welcoming atmosphere to create a unique dining experience. Craft & Vine, 310 S Oak St, Roanoke. 817-464-8181. CraftAndVine. Restaurant.

Horizon UU Worship Service – 10:30am-12pm. Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church, 1641 W Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton. 972-492-4940. Horizonuu.org.

Buddhist Sangha Online – 7-9pm. The meeting of Horizon’s Buddhist covenant group. Meditation and study of the 8-Fold Path. Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church: Horizonuu.org.

Anu Kri Healing Service – 7-9pm. With Dr. Tricia and Dr. Rusty. Anu (God) Kri (Energy) is a new healing method for the evolution of humanity. Each week we will work with people from the audience. The healing service includes a time for everyone present to participate in healing as we address healing requests people have submitted online and in-person. Free. Entelechea Center, 1201 International Pkwy, Ste 200, Richardson. 972-792-9900. Entelechea.org.

Meditation Practice – 6-6:30pm. With Dr. Tricia and Dr. Rusty. Meditation is a great way to bring more peace into your life, learn to quiet your mind and be more present. Free. Entelechea Center, 1201 International Pkwy, Ste 200, Richardson. 972-792-9900. Entelechea.org.

Mystic Mandala Meditations – 6:30-7:30pm. Guided by Vijay Moksha. A non-denominational mindfulness practice to evolve consciousness; to go beyond the mind using the mind itself. MysticMandalaCenter.com.

The Little Sit – 6am. 1st Sat. If you want to learn how to identify the birds of North Texas, the Little Sit is the perfect way to start. A group of dedicated birders meet once a month at the end of Pad H on the West side of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. 903-786-2826. FriendsOfHagerman.com.

2nd Saturday Bird Walk – Sept-June. 8-9:30am. Helps beginning and intermediate birders with bird spotting and identification techniques. Included in general admission; free/Heard Museum members. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972-562-5566. HeardMuseum.org.

1st Saturday Nature Walks – 10am-12pm. Monthly naturalist-led nature walk. Each season at LLELA is different, and we never know what we’ll find. All ages. $5/vehicle. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. Registration required: 972-219-3550 or llela.org.

Blackland Prairie Raptor Center First Saturdays – 10am-2pm. Meet raptors up-close. Take guided prairie hikes. Kids activities. Bring a picnic lunch. Blackland Prairie Raptor Center, 1625 Brockdale Park Rd, Lucas. Erich Neupert: 972442-7607. BPRaptorCenter.org.