June 2011 Essential Wellness

resources for inner peace, health and healing

caring for our animals june 2011

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june 2011

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inside

june 2011

animals

caring for our

6-7 Be the change you want to see in your dog

BY LISA SELLMAN

16-17 Use essential oils to improve with your pet’s health and wellness

BY MARY STOFFEL

10-12 I followed the scent to get a new leash on life

BY ROSE ANN HEISEL

18-19 Spark plug of the dog pack dies suddenly

BY LENA SWANSON

14-15 Keep your pet manicuredpedicured, without the polish!

BY ANN NEUBAUER, CVT

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caring for our animals

BY LISA SELLMAN

Be the change you want to see in your dog

M

ANY

YEARS

ago

aggressive towards other dogs, and had

store for his dog food. She was not close

when I began train-

started biting Sarah. My first thought—

with her family and she was laid off at

ing dogs, I was very

once I scanned the destroyed furniture,

that time from her IT job. I knew that

focused

canine

woodwork, and shades—was obviously

Turbo was more than a dog for her. He

behavior and little on

this dog is way too much for her to han-

was her tie to her deceased boyfriend, her

working with the human owner. The

dle and she should not keep him.

connection to the outside world, and he

group classes that I taught at the time

Turbo was her boyfriend’s dog who

was her protector from a world that was

were successful enough and I did not

had committed suicide about 18 months

not easy. She had taken him to classes

get too involved in the owner’s concerns.

before. It had been very difficult for

until instructors told her she could not

This changed four years ago with a cli-

Sarah who also suffers from depression.

come back or worse, had told her to euth-

ent named Sarah and Turbo, her pitbull.

Turbo kept her going by making her get

anize him.

Turbo had snapped at some neighbor

out of the house, if for nothing else than

children and he was unruly on leash,

to take him to the bathroom or go to the

on

Saving Sarah By Saving Turbo

I knew I had to save Turbo for Sar-

ah’s sake. I still remember how sad and ashamed she was with Turbo’s aggressive behavior. While she talked about Turbo, one element was missing, and that was joy. Joy in life, joy in having a dog, and joy in the possibilities of her future. She lacked the confidence of knowing that there is good in the world and that her life is turning out exactly as it should be and that this experience with Turbo was the perfect opportunity for her to develop confidence in her own abilities to train her dog.

Continued Page 8...

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“I am walking Cassie, the Golden Doodle, with a harness to keep all tension off her neck which is very important. She calmly walks beside me with a loose leash, no stress or anxiety on the walk.

This is very important. If your dog is anxious on walks then the walks are not doing what they should be doing for you and the dog. It should be a harmonious experience,� said Sellman.

june 2011

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caring for our animals Be the Change Continued...

I knew instinctually that Turbo

was not an aggressive dog. He was a misunderstood dog that felt frustration and he needed an outlet. That first afternoon was all about Sarah and Turbo having fun together.

Instead of me teaching Sarah to do this or that with her dog, I let Turbo teach both of us what he needed.

Mostly, he just needed Sarah to smile again. The paradigm shift of putting Turbo as the teacher allowed Sarah to honor her dog as the smart and beautiful dog that he was and continues to be today. The change that Sarah needed that day was to feel confidant in her own skills as a dog owner.

There was nothing wrong with Turbo and Sarah was not a failure. He only

Dogs: A Gift We Give Ourselves

When we face a challenge in

life, ask yourself, what is this challenge teaching me? Dogs are such a blessing because they are always ready to teach us what is most important for us to learn at this moment. Compassion, patience, understanding, and loyalty are all lessons our dogs are here to teach but we must slow down in order to comprehend the message.

A thought came into my mind

while enjoying a morning stroll with my dog: “Dogs are a gift we give ourselves. They remember how we used to be and hold the possibility that we will remember one day, also.”

had misguided energy which was easily changed into games and making

Lisa Sellman is the owner of Aloha

learning fun. With that attitude, he

Pet Care & Dog Training, one of

went on to be able to walk calmly on

the most respected professional dog

leash after a few lessons and no lon-

training and professional pet care

ger was snapping at Sarah or neigh-

companies in Minneapolis. Learn

borhood children.

more at http://www.alohapetcare.us/

Top: “This particular dog is a chewer and I am massaging her mouth and gum line; chewing is a way for dogs to calm themselves. If she was a human, she may be a two-pack a day smoker or have other bad habits such as overeating or biting her nails. The mouth on mammals is connected to the limbic system which is the term for our emotional system in the brain.

By massaging her gums and the area under her nose in a gentle way, calms her down and she enjoys the feeling. Her owner announced that she did not chew up anything in the house all weekend. I showed the owner how she can help her dog by doing these simple techniques on her dog.”

Bottom: “Massaging a paw helps a dog to understand boundaries. Working with dogs’ paws releases tension and helps them relax—the same as reflexology with humans.”

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june 2011

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caring for our animals

BY ROSE ANN HEISEL

I followed the scent to get a new leash on life

P

EOPLE OVER time have cre-

unique paths, and are directly respon-

reaching his full potential. I have learned

ated a harmonious connection

sible for showing us things we may fail

to appreciate being in the moment as he

and a fondness for dogs and

to notice about the world we share with

sniffs his way into being a creative and a

cats! Our ever-faithful com-

them. My cat companions constantly

happy creature that thrives on every new

panions help shape and define

remind me of how things were before we

change around him. With his keen sense

the world we share with them.

had technological gadgets. I find myself

of smell and his strong mental focus he

In ancient Egypt cats were very

watching how they find joy naturally. The

is way ahead of me taking big strides to

sacred animals. Bast was the Egyptian god-

tiniest lacewing dragonflies can go unno-

move out and explore at the far reaches of

dess with the head of a cat and a body of a

ticed until you see a cat staring it down.

my extended lead.

human and was the protectress of women,

The cat sits in quietness and is completely

children, and domesticated cats. The black

fulfilled in the moment of doing what it

encourage me to enjoy the exercise and

jackal-headed Anubis was a guide taking

was meant to do.

welcome me to take part in the hunt of

people into the afterlife.

While exercising my dog, I spend

new opportunities that they have been see-

quality time enjoying the journey down

ing all along. This has brought about some

PETS FIND JOY NATURALLY

the wooded trail while my dog follows

serious contemplation by me on the ques-

many scents and is living authentically

tion of am I really fulfilling my own mis-

Pets are excellent at guiding us on

All my dogs have this capacity to

sion in life or simply living through my dog?

BEING INSPIRED TO CHANGE

I was starting to feel the inspiration

to make a big change.

This big change came about in my

own business. I took my ordinary dog grooming business and turned it into an outdoor grooming spa. I had the feeling of being reborn with this new business attitude.

Outside I am surrounded by flower

gardens and potted lavender. I creatively provide aromatherapy in my specialized dog grooming spa, with the pure intent

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Above: The perfect summer cool down, then off to the dog show for Marcella.

Left: My favorite client Brie begins her bubble bath Photos by: Jerry Westby

of providing relaxing grooming rituals

and is now outside, on the back patio. My

for my beloved dog (and cat) clients.

fragrant pet shampoos have made things

interesting as different butterflies are

My portable bath tub and groom-

ing table has left the confines of my home

drawn to our bathing area.

Continued Page 12... june 2011

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caring for our animals New Leash on Life Continued...

Brie and Sophie have fun as part of the outdoor grooming spa experience

Water run off from the bathtub is used

My new adventure may not make

tures watch closely because they just

to water my surrounding flower gardens.

the news, but it has created more aware-

may have a happy tail to tell. There is a

Dogs are dried partly by the sunny warm

ness to me of what a significant role dogs

good chance they will have something

breezes and partly with a dryer. In a lot of

have in our lives. And in my life this

to bark about.

ways, my outdoor grooming spa is giving

business adventure is exactly what I have

back to nature. The loose dog hair flies

been sniffing around for.

Rose Ann Heisel has worked in the pet

off into the air and is eagerly picked up

Some of us may dress dogs up in

industry for over 25 years. She currently

by birds in hot pursuit of nest building.

fur-trimmed designer coats or fancy jew-

is a pet stylist with more than 22 years

With a blue sky over head and a

eled collars but I believe that dogs can

experience. She loves grooming dogs and

dog in the bath tub it becomes my turn

be happy and content without these frills

dog showing. In her free time she enjoys

to be in my element and fulfilled in the

because their spirit of curiosity in their

writing with the help of her cat Ting

moment. I am fulfilling my own mission

noses let them take the lead and simply

Ting. People interested in ideas for creat-

in life of being a pet stylist with a new

be a dog, and our best friend.

ing their own outdoor grooming spa can

leash on doing business.

contact Rose Ann at heiselplac@aol.com.

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When you meet these special crea-

june 2011

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caring for our animals

Keep your pet manicured-pedi without the polish!

C

LICK, CLICK, click,

WHY DOGS NEED TRIMMED NAILS

click… Fido must be

walking

the

ficult time rolling forward off her feet. Long

kitchen tile. It’s good to

nails limit the active range of motion in a dog’s

know where he is, but

toes, and affect the angulation of their wrists,

that clicking means some-

ankles, elbows, knees, shoulders, and hips.

across

A dog with long nails has a more dif-

thing else, too: Fido needs a nail trim! Now!

Trimmed nails aren’t just for aesthet-

quently—before you hear them clicking

ics. Dogs really do benefit from having

on the linoleum—is a good way to keep

shorter nails. Shorter nails mean fitter feet

a dog fit on his feet and prevent toenail

and an easier load on the joints.

injury, arthritis, and even lameness.

Your vet does more than give shots!

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Getting a dog’s nails trimmed fre-

GET PROFESSIONALS TO GROOM WHEN YOU CAN’T

Veterinary staff and groomers should

be able to give your dog a nail trim if you are not comfortable doing so yourself. At Minnetonka Animal Hospital, we do what we call a chiropractic nail trim. We trim the hard part of the nail away back at several angles, to expose the quick without making it bleed. The dog then walks happily away—quicks painlessly exposed so

BY ANN NEUBAUER, CVT

icured, that they can recede. Over time, with fre-

the nail trim experience. If she still won’t

quent trimming (about every two to three

accept her nail trim, bring her in to your

weeks), Fido’s nails are easily maintained at

veterinarian or groomer and ask that they

a shorter, healthier length.

trim the nails as short as safely possible.

Several products are on the market

And don’t forget the dewclaws! If

to help dog owners trim their pets’ nails.

your dog has dewclaws (those short toes

Grinding tools, filing tools, trimmers

on the insides of the feet that don’t touch

resembling wire cutters, and trimmers

the ground when they are standing), it’s

with sliding blades are among the most

important to keep them short as they

easily found. No tool is necessarily better

may get snagged if they grow too long.

than another, but people like vet techs and

groomers do have their favorites. It’s a mat-

short and nick the dog, and he bleeds?

ter of which tool the user—and the dog—

Apply a dab of styptic powder to the

are most comfortable with.

bleed. Styptic powder is made to stop

DOGS WHO HATE A TRIM

But, what if Fifi hates having her

nails trimmed? If you can start handling Fifi’s toes in a calm manner, with no trimmers in sight, and praise her for letting you touch her nails, then do so, and do it frequently. This will help desensitize her to

What if you accidentally trim too

those nicks from bleeding, and is available at pet supply stores where nail trimmers are sold. If you are in a pinch, corn

starch can also stop the bleeding in nicked

Ann Neubauer is a certified veterinary tech-

nail quicks.

nician and canine rehabilitation assistant

So, please, to keep your dog sure-

at Minnetonka Animal Hospital, where she

footed, handle her toes, listen for clicking,

has been doing chiropractic nail trims for six

and get those nails trimmed!

years. http://www.minnetonkaanimal.com

june 2011

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caring for our animals

Use essential oils to improve yo pet’s health and wellness

W

HY USE essential

animal is a little different so you need to

• Purification: Very useful for control-

oils? How do they

observe carefully how the animal responds

ling external parasites such as fleas, ticks

work? An essential

to the treatment and use common sense

and mosquitoes. Mix with water and spray

oil is the life-blood

and good judgment. The most important

the coat and legs. Also more effective than

of the plant and as

thing is to make certain that the oils used

using iodine or hydrogen peroxide for

such, the animals recognize it as a source

are pure and free of chemicals, solvents and

washing and cleansing wounds.

of wellness. Animals instinctively know

adulterants so you are not introducing tox-

• Valor: Assists in self-confidence and

what oils to inhale and when they have had

ins into the animal’s system.

assertiveness. This is a very empowering

enough. When their need has been satis-

Let the animal smell the oil before

blend and is most effective when used daily

fied they simply refuse to have anything

applying it. Put two drops in the palm

to boost self-esteem. Also helps chiroprac-

more to do with the oil at all. An added

of your hand, rub your hands together,

tic adjustments stabilize when applied

bonus is that the oils are compatible with

and apply to the feet, chest, or ears of the

directly on the spot.

most other complementary therapies.

animal.

• R.C.: Ideal for respiratory and urinary tract support. Also used on bone spurs.

ANIMALS MORE SENSITIVE TO OILS THAN HUMANS

ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS THAT MAY HELP YOUR ANIMAL

Essential oils have been used very

• Peace & Calming: For the animal (and

in healing muscle, tendon and ligament

successfully on animals and people since

person) troubled with stress, fear and anxi-

injuries. Apply directly to the painful

biblical times. Animals are even more

ety; For the animal that is timid, shy or

area, Relieve It first, then PanAway. Note:

sensitive to the effects of the oils than

fearful; For the animal (and person) that

Do not apply PanAway to open wounds

humans. If you have never used oils with

experiences sensory overload.

because it will sting and traumatize the

your animal before, the best way to start is

• Lavender: Very calming for both people

animal. Instead use Helichrysum and Bal-

by applying the oil to the hooves or feet, on

and animals. Also used for tissue regen-

sam Fir to reduce bleeding and pain.

the tips of the ears, or by simply letting the

eration and desensitizing wounds. Helpful

animal sniff the oil from the bottle. Just

when used during training sessions.

straight from the bottle but you may want

a few drops can be sprinkled on the chest

• Melrose: Use for skin irritations with

to start with a diluted solution. You can

or spine and massaged into the skin. For

Thieves. Provides respiratory support when

dilute the oils with Young Living pure car-

applying to open wounds or hard-to-reach

used with R.C. and Raven. Very good for

rier oil or pure olive oil, or just smelling the

areas, it helps to dilute the oil in a spray

disinfecting and cleaning wounds.

oils may be sufficient. Standard dilution is

bottle with very pure olive oil and spray

• Thieves: To reduce inflammation, infec-

1 to 3 drops of essential oil to ½ tsp. carrier

directly on location. There is no right or

tion and bacteria. To prevent proudflesh

oil. Be very careful to avoid putting oil in

wrong way to apply essential oils. Every

when promoting tissue regeneration.

the animal’s or person’s nose, eyes or ears.

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PanAway & Relieve It: Relief for

arthritis pain and discomfort. Helpful

Bigger animals can usually use the oils

BY MARY STOFFEL

our

Each animal or person will react

individually to the oils so you will have to experiment to find the right combination for the desired results.

Mary Stoffel’s mission is to facilitate communication and understanding between people and their animal companions through classes, lectures and personal consultations.

She is an AvatarepcÂŽ Master, a professional animal communicator and a shamanic p ra c t i t i o n e r. www.humanimal.com, w w w. p r a c t i c a l s h a m a n i s m . c o m www.avatarepcmn.com. For more information: mlstoffel@innovatord.com or 763-444-8146.

Above: Mary Stoffel with Maddie.

Left: Young Living Essential Oils can alleviate pet health issues.

june 2011

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caring for our animals

Spark plug of the dog pack dies suddenly

C

LAIRE WAS my Olym-

them. No actual evidence of a diagnosis

dog drugs and they weren’t even work-

pian. In spite of her

and then death 20 hours later.

ing! My friend who is a vet called to see

tough beginnings as a

how we were doing and offered to make a

breeding female in a hor-

IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST

home visit and do the check up. I looked at

rific puppy mill in North

That night at the emergency clinic I

Claire and told my vet friend I thought we

Dakota she was in magnificent physical

tried so hard to digest the new informa-

could skip the recheck. That we needed to

shape due to daily, off-leash walks. An

tion; the fact that Claire had cancer and

euthanize instead. Had I just said that?

uber intelligent alpha bitch, she led with

I was making the decision not to treat her

an iron fist that had marshmallow fingers.

but to keep her comfortable with steroids

friends know about her passing—a very

She was in charge of the pack and watched

and fluids overnight and then bring her

short eulogy to a life cut way too short.

over and protected us at every turn. Claire

home in the morning for a few days of bor-

kept the energy flowing for her more senior

rowed time. We didn’t even achieve that

pack, the effervescent 4th of July sparkler

pack mates and cried for joy at the drop of

goal. Claire did come home in the morn-

who lightened any life she touched.”

a squeaky toy. She was my girl.

ing. The entire dog family rode along in

As the snow melted this spring she

the car to pick her up. They were all so

slowed down one Wednesday. I figured she

happy to see each other. The dog pack was

had eaten something funky at the park.

reunited, if only for a few hours.

By Friday she couldn’t hide not feeling

well any longer and I got some remedies

minute by minute, that the steroids were

at the holistic vet. By Sunday we were at

not performing their magic and that

the emergency clinic with a high fever and

without intravenous fluid therapy Claire’s

weakness.

massive fever of the previous evening was

returning. I had been instructed to bring

Then the news: full of cancer, as in

Home again it was abundantly clear,

Lymphoma.

her into my regular vet for a recheck that

In complete shock I wracked my

afternoon but it suddenly occurred to me

brain, scanning for clues, any memories

that we were looking at a life ending rather

of Claire acting differently, slowing down,

than a check up. How could this be hap-

anything that could have warned of the

pening so fast? What about the few days

cancer growing inside her. I couldn’t think

or even a week of steroid bliss so we could

of anything, only a few errant thoughts or

take one more walk at the off-leash park?

details that had no real importance unless

What about a final visit to the beloved

I would haphazardly assign something to

river? I had actually chosen to give my

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This is part of what I wrote to let my

“She was the spark plug of the dog

BY LENA SWANSON

Claire—an alpha dog who led with an iron fist with marshmallow fingers

Lena Swanson has been a full-time

for the past nine years. Her holistic

journeying classes. Lena has been featured

professional animal communicator, sha-

healthcare practice focuses on achieving

on television and radio and is available

manic healer, past life regression facilita-

and maintaining wellness for both people

as a speaker for conferences and special

tor, Reiki master, and consultant in the

and animals. She also teaches a variety

events. See www.lenaswanson.com or call

use of flower essences and essential oils

of animal communication and shamanic

651.206.0644 for more information. june 2011

19

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