V6I3 (Jun/Jul 2004) by Redstone Media Group

animal

wellness

Stockard Channing shares her heartwarming adoption story

educating�your�passion

An Wellnesimal s EXPO Rose Bowl, Discoun June 5 & 6 t coupo n INSIDE!

Puppies & Kittens Natural rearing and training tips from the experts

Planting Herbs

for you and your pets Protecting your animals from

WEST NILE VIRUS $4.95 USA/$5.95 Canada

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 3

animal wellness 1 www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

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contents 16

features 16 Bringing up baby

Photo by: Amrit Hansmeyer

Feeding and training your puppy or kitten

22 Having a (yellow) spot of trouble?

Dogs and green lawns can go together

24 Making contact

How to choose and work with an animal communicator

32 Bovine Colostrum Why it’s a super supplement for all species

34 Planting an

herb garden? Don’t forget Fido, Fluffy and Polly!

Photo: Merry Pet House

pad of his own 28 APicking the right

Stockard Channing Heartwarming adoption stories from Stockard and others

46 Putting your horse’s best foot forward

The benefits of natural hoof care

60 West Nile virus

Is the prevention worse than the disease?

64 Does your dog

need heartworm medication? Assess his risk

69 We’ve got the power! Embracing cruelty-free products

dog house for your best friend

columns 40

10 Yakkity yak

55 Breed-specific diet

65 Book reviews

14 Talking with

56 Legal beagle

66 Animal passages

Dr. Martin Goldstein

82 The tail end

departments 6

Editorial

Pony express

50 What’s gnu? 51 Holistic

resource guide

63 Product picks 73 Ad spots 81 Classifieds

Animal Wellness Magazine (ISSN 1710-1190) is published six times a year by Redstone Media Group Inc. Publications Mail Agreement #40884047. Entire contents copyright© 2004. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, without prior written permission of the publisher. Publication date: May, 2004

animal wellness

Mission possible Issue 3

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Dana Cox Ann Brightman Yvonne Hollandy Dana Maione Leanne Rosborough

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SENIOR EDITOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER PHOTOGRAPHY ILLUSTRATION

COLUMNISTS & CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Stephen Blake, DVM Linda Casile Bob Ferber Martin Goldstein, DVM Brad Kollus Lisa Ross-Williams Stephanie Smith Kate Solisti-Mattelon Greg Tilford Wendy Zak ADMINISTRATION & SALES PRESIDENT Tim Hockley CLIENT SERVICES Lesia Wright

CIRCULATION AND INFORMATION SERVICES

Vaughan King

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Guinevere Martin 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.

CENTRAL SALES/CORPORATE OFFICE 164 HUNTER ST. W. PETERBOROUGH, ON K9H 2L2 1 (866) 764-1212, FAX: (705) 742-4596 ADS@ANIMALWELLNESSMAGAZINE.COM SALES MANAGER Lesley Nicholson SALES ASSOCIATE Tami Bunce CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Lesia Wright LOS ANGELES REGIONAL MANAGER Becky Starr (213) 793-1867 BSTARR@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. Foreign orders U.S. $34.95. 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.

LAST NIGHT A NEW ACQUAINTANCE CAME OVER FOR DINNER. TOWARDS THE END of the evening, after our guest played with our bouncy 14-year-old husky and admired our kitty’s silky smooth coat, she quietly and somewhat reluctantly told us about her cat’s chronic urinary tract infections. After seeing two veterinarians, switching to a “special” dry food, and trying several rounds of antibiotics, our new friend was now injecting medicine into her kitty three times a day. Needless to say, no one was happy with the situation and she was looking for some help. We talked for a while about diet, water quality, some preventative remedies that might help and I gave her a back issue of Animal Wellness that featured a story on the condition. She left feeling more informed, empowered, and motivated to seek other options for her feline.

edi t o r i a l

Afterwards, it struck me that the evening represented, in a nutshell, what our mission is all about – educating and empowering people to help improve the quality of life of their animals. Now, in keeping with our mission, we’re excited to be holding the first-ever Animal Wellness Expo at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California – an adoption, shopping and education extravaganza that will give attendees a whole new perspective on their animal’s care. Featuring seminars, demonstrations, an animal wellness pavilion offering canine massage, acupuncture, dental care and more, and the latest in natural and animal-friendly products, this will be an event to remember. We guarantee that those who attend will walk away feeling twice as good as when they arrived, as well as more empowered to have a positive effect on their animals’ lives. At the same time, we hope the local shelters attending (75 at last count) will find homes for the 1,000 deserving dogs, cats, potbellied pigs, rabbits and other animals they’re bringing with them. For more information, see our ad on page 43. And if you’re in the Southern California area, mark June 5 and 6 on your calendar. Help us make history! Yours in wellness,

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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animal wellness

Our Cover: Actor Stockard Channing cuddles up with her adopted boys, Louie (left) and Bishop at their L.A. home.

Photo: Dana Mione

Volume 6

No allergies in this family.

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pony express dear animal wellness magazine . . . In response to the letter of Edith Mayer (AW Vol. 6 Iss. 2), I would like to tell your readers about the registered charity, Mature Dog Adoptions. This charity only fosters dogs four years and older (most are seniors). The average age of dogs listed on our site is eight years and we list homeless dogs across Ontario, not just our own fosters. Some of our dogs come in sore, stiff, and “arthritic” with poor muscle tone from sitting in cold concrete cages at shelters or from lack of exercise due to their former elderly owners. After a veterinary evaluation, we make every effort to use homeopathic and herbal treatments, as well as immune system boosters and nutritional supplements. The effects of these natural approaches are heartwarming and continue to amaze us. Of course, if pharmaceuticals are needed, we provide them as well. After eight years of rescuing older dogs, I personally am of the opinion that routinely vaccinating senior dogs is not only unnecessary but further taxes their immune systems already stressed by losing their home (and particularly stressed by the shelter environment). Of course, if a dog moves to a new area which has a different risk for which it has not previously received a vaccine, this must be given serious consideration. I would like to add that vaccinations should be given 10-14 days before any spay or neuter or any surgery, because they do stress the immune system, as do the anesthetic and surgical procedures. Bobbie Glazier President, Mature Dog Adoptions www.maturedogs.petfinder.org

In response to your article about dog friendly cities in the U.S., I have this to say:

Yes, we have excellent health care in this city (San Francisco) for dogs. Yes, we have managed to get the city to approve us as ‘dog guardians’. However, I’ve been walking my dog for seven years and this city couldn’t be more unfriendly towards dogs, their owners and dog recreation as a whole. A few years ago, the mayor recruited a new director to head up our rec & park department. Her newly proposed dog policy completely ignored the rights of dogs and their owners. As of last week, she is no longer the r&p director. Dog owners in this city couldn’t be happier (myself included). To add more stress, the feds are cracking down on off-leash recreation on two of the most used beaches, Fort Funston and Crissy Field. The rangers are quite hostile. I’m sure the dog owners aren’t completely blameless, but if all the dogs were so much of a problem, we’d have more incidences involving the police. Finally, I’d like to say that there has been a lot of ‘anti-dog’ sentiment here, lately. It’s being fueled by a very small, but politically well-connected group of people who are taking their fear of dogs and attempting to establish rules and regulations to protect themselves rather than getting therapeutic help. Matt Magana, San Francisco Editor’s note: Matt’s letter goes on to address the frustration of establishing dog play areas in parks. We hope a new parks and rec director will create more dogfriendly spaces, and we congratulate the dog guardians who are standing up for themselves. That in itself, says something about the city (or at least it’s residents!)

I’m thrilled that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is donating unwanted fur coats to needy people

(AW Vol 6 Iss 2)! Now, when uninformed people try to claim that animal activists don’t do enough to help people, I will be sure to point out how PETA is helping both people and animals. It will also be easier to convince my relatives who are hanging on to old furs to send them to PETA to get a tax deduction and help those in need. Katie Moore, Baltimore, MD I love all animals, but cats are my pet of choice in my home – and the feral colony I also take care of that live outside. For years, I’ve been looking for a magazine of your caliber that gives out HELPFUL information to everyday folks. I think your magazine is THE BEST in the field. Elaine Checkley, Irving, TX Editor’s note: Thank you. We appreciate your support and that of all our readers!

I read with some concern the “Tail End” (Vol. 6 Iss. 1) story entitled, “The Stepping-Stone Bunnies.” As volunteers for a non-profit group called the House Rabbit Society, I and hundreds of others work to educate the community on rabbits as companion animals -- both the positive aspects and the drawbacks. One of our main messages is that rabbits are high-maintenance companions and should NEVER be adopted on the spurof-the-moment. Potential guardians need to know what kind of commitment they are making in terms of time and energy, the necessary care and feeding requirements, the “bunny proofing” that must be done on the house, as well as other dangers and potential pitfalls in bringing home a rabbit friend. Karen Johanson House Rabbit Society, www.rabbit.org

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The magic of mutts New Leash on Life’s annual Nuts for Mutts dog show took place March 14 in Woodland Hills, California, and was another unqualified success, attracting thousands of dog lovers and their canine companions. Celebrating the special qualities of all dogs – purebred and mixed breed – the show was launched three years ago to raise funds for New Leash on Life’s animal welfare programs, and to educate the public about the importance of rescue, rehabilitation and adoption.

Kim Basinger with Best in Show winners, Claire Dore and her dog, Dana.

Kim Basinger was on hand once again to host, and the judging panel featured a cast of celebrities, including Jillian Barberie (Good Day L.A.), Carla Gugino (Spy Kids) and Colby Davidson (Survivor). Prizes went to dogs in dozens of categories, ranging from Cutest Puppy and Best Senior to the Fastest Mutt and the Fastest Eater! A silent auction and animal friendly vendor booths were also part of the event. Animal Wellness Magazine was there too, helping out with health education. Thanks to the funds raised at last year’s Nuts for Mutts show, New Leash on Life has recently opened its new Education, Rehabilitation and Adoption Center in the Santa Clarita Valley. The facility will provide housing for homeless pets while offering a variety of educational programs.

Bo Derek speaks out for horses Actress Bo Derek, an avid horsewoman who shares her life with five Iberians, traveled to Capitol Hill recently in support of the National Horse Protection Coalition’s campaign to Horses have been end the slaughter of an integral part of Bo American horses for Derek’s life, as she reveals human consumption. in her autobiography ‘Riding Lessons’. The Coalition was formed last year to ensure the rapid passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Nearly 50,000 horses were killed last year to become fancy dinners for people in Europe and Asia, and thousands more were exported for slaughter abroad. The bill, which would ban this barbaric practice, is currently before the House of Representatives – visit www.horse-protection.org to find out more.

animal wellness

Ivory towers Chinese officials recently seized nearly 660 pounds of ivory in the city of Guangzhou – despite the global ban on commercial ivory trading imposed by CITES in 1989, the industry still flourishes illegally in this area. The raid was prompted by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and underlines concerns about allowing oneoff sales of stockpiled elephant ivory, such as that proposed by three African countries which have applied to legally sell ivory accumulated from the disposal of “problem” animals and those dead from natural causes. Although the countries have pledged to use the proceeds for elephant conservation, the EIA and others fear a legalized sale would mask illicit ivory trading and encourage poachers.

Yakkity Yak

The Genesis Awards…we were there! It isn’t only the winners of the 18th annual Genesis Awards (see “Yakkity Yak,” Volume 6, Issue 2) who share a deep and authentic love for helping animals. Everyone who attended this gala event in Beverly Hills on March 20, from founder Gretchen Wyler and the celebrity presenters, to the corporate sponsors and the media (including Animal Wellness Magazine attendees), got caught up in the positive energy and passion that has become a hallmark of this annual awards ceremony.

Thousands oppose seal hunt

Animal Wellness Publisher Tim Hockley and

“Gretchen Wyler is an inspiration. She brings L.A. Manager Becky Star chat with Valerie Harper at the Genesis Awards. such warmth and professionalism to this ‘Academy Awards’ of the animal world,” says Animal Wellness Publisher Tim Hockley. Among this year’s celebrity presenters and attendees were Valerie Harper (Rhoda), Alicia Silverstone, Wendy Malick (Just Shoot Me), Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings), Chynna Phillips-Baldwin and Billy Baldwin, David Boreanaz (Angel) and many others. “Looking these people straight in the eye, I could see their genuine desire to make a difference in how animals are regarded and treated,” says Tim. “All in all, it was a pleasure and an honor to participate…and the vegan food was good, too!”

This Spring, celebrities such as Sean Penn, Linda Blair and Martin Sheen joined the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s fight against Canada’s annual seal hunt (the authorized quota was 350,000 seals). Along with sending air power to the area, SSCS launched an International Day of Protest in March, reporting that some government offices had to unplug their FAX machines and shut down their e-mail due to the volume of anti-sealing messages they received. To keep abreast of developments, visit www.seashepherd.org.

Robin Williams gets serious for gorillas

Koko signs “Smoky” for her kitten to her mentor Dr. Penny Patterson.

In an effort to raise public awareness of the serious survival threats facing gorillas, The Gorilla Foundation has launched a new ad campaign starring actor and comedian Robin Williams with Koko, the gorilla famous for her ability to communicate using American Sign Language. Williams has also become an Honorary Co-Chair for the foundation’s campaign to create the Maui Ape Preserve in Hawaii, the first tropical gorilla sanctuary outside Africa. The 70-acre preserve will provide a home for Koko and other gorillas in need of protection and will include a high-tech Visitor Education Center. To learn more, visit www.koko.org.

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animal wellness

Yakkity Yak Flora finds a home

For the birds Good news in the bird world – bald eagles are on the rise. An eagle count held each January by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources found that nearly 4,500 bald eagles wintered in the state this year, compared to only 2,500 in 2001. The survey revealed around 160 established nests. Meanwhile, the endangered California condor is once again beginning to reproduce in its natural habitat. Biologists believe four pairs laid eggs this spring: if the chicks survive, they’ll bring the species a few steps back from the brink of extinction. Finally, if you’re planning to travel abroad with your feathered companion, be aware that avian flu concerns have prompted many countries to temporarily ban the importation of birds, including pets. Contact your destination country for specific regulations: information can be found at http://cites.org/common/ directy/e_directy.html or www.aphis.usda.gov.

animal wellness

Born in Zimbabwe, Africa in 1982, Flora the elephant hasn’t had a happy life. Orphaned at age three, when her mother was killed for her ivory, she spent the next 18 years in a circus. Things began to look up in 2001, when she was adopted by Alhali Elephants, a non-profit organization that assists captive elephants living in unsatisfactory conditions. The goal was to relocate Flora to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, but funds Miss USA, Susie Castillo, and Flora strike a pose. were needed to realize the move. Among those who raised awareness of Flora’s plight were celebrities Shannon Elizabeth, Cameron Diaz, Paris Hilton, and Miss USA Susie Castillo – thanks to them and many others, enough was raised to move Flora to the sanctuary this spring, although more is still needed to help pay for her care. Visit www.africanelephants.org.

The oldest cat in the world?

Orson’s Oscar goes to animals

Cats are known for living into their late teens, and some even manage to hit 20 – but how about adding another decade to that? Jean Stone, who lives in Essex, England, claims her cat, Whiskey, is no fewer than 33 years old, beating the current world record held by a 27-year-old Burmese in Australia. Ms. Stone recalls rescuing the newborn Whiskey from a London dustbin – way back in 1971! She hopes to confirm the venerable kitty’s age with a vet in order to get him a well-deserved mention in the Guinness World Records book.

Now regarded as one of the best movies ever made, Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane was passed over by the Academy when it came up for nomination in 1942, and won only a single Oscar. Hurt by the rebuff, Welles mislaid the statuette, which recently resurfaced and was reclaimed by his daughter, Beatrice Welles. Now, despite Academy objections, Ms. Welles wishes to auction off the Oscar, valued at around $1 million, to help fund her animal welfare work educating people in humane animal control and supporting cash-strapped rescue organizations, many in Third World countries. Ms. Welles feels sure her father would have approved.

animal wellness

holistic veterinary advice

talking with

dr. martin goldstein

My indoor-only kitten came into her first heat at approx. eight months old. I have heard that it’s best to spay at least a month before her cycle begins or after her cycle finishes. I was planning on waiting two months but she came into heat again six weeks after her first heat. Is this early for a kitten? Is a waiting period after her heat really necessary before spaying?

We generally like to wait this period of time after heats before spaying since, although the surgery is definitely doable at or just after the heat, it is a more difficult surgical procedure. The uterus during this period is considerably larger and much more engorged with blood. Also, doing the procedure at this stage could cause more of a hormonal withdrawal. A word of caution: if she came into heat that soon after her previous one, she could possibly have cystic ovaries. If this is the case and she continues to come into heat frequently, you may not have the liberty of waiting as long as you would prefer and spaying ASAP after a heat cycle would be wise.

Nine months ago, I adopted a wonderful 14-month-old neutered male black lab mix. He weighed 48 pounds, which was almost chunky for his frame. His coat was dull, and he had large, loose stools (often diarrhea) and coprophagia (stool-eating). I started putting 1 tsp. psyllium and 1 tsp. pumpkin in twice-daily meals. A few months ago, I realized he’d lost quite a bit of weight (3-5 pounds), although his coat is shiny, he’s happy and energetic, and his stools (although still large) are firm. I had bloodwork done, all of which was normal. We also treated him with three days of Panacur (wormer) but saw no change in his weight. I am now feeding him two cups of dry food with 1/2 tsp. Prozyme two times daily, and still adding psyllium and pumpkin. I also started adding 500 mg. of Lglutamine, in case he has IBD or IBS. After three weeks of this regimen, I think he may have gained a teeny bit. It just seems as though he is not absorbing the needed nutrients from his food. Any suggestions?

animal wellness

Several points to make here. First of all, it sounds as if you are going in the right direction. You can try increasing the amount of Prozyme you’re using and adding it to the food 15 minutes before feeding, even with a very small amount of water. This way, the food gets somewhat pre-digested before feeding and this can potentially increase its absorption in the digestive system. Solid Gold makes a product called Seameal that is indicated for corprophagia. Although the food you have currently chosen appears to be working, you may eventually want to go more towards a home prepared diet with even the addition of raw foods. The product Acetylator by Vetri-Science is one of the best I’ve seen for intestinal function. And I am very impressed with Garden of Life’s Primal Defense. Lastly, although the blood results might appear to be medically normal, they most probably have a number of metabolic imbalances requiring more specific supplementation. And, make sure he was tested for autoimmune thyroiditis and pancreatic insufficiency.

What can I give to my boys to “delay” the effects of aging? Blitz, a giant silver shepherd, is nine-and-a-half years of age and my doberman, Alex, is about seven. I am aware that for humans we have a HGH or a HGHR (human growth hormone release – mainly contains a formula of amino acids, which helps the body regenerate cells and tissues). Is there anything of this nature for pets?

For ages, people have sought things to delay aging. Basically, the answer to this is health. There are so many ways to maintain health – good diet, supplementation, exercise, minimal toxin exposure (including pesticides, chemical parasite control and over-vaccinations), programs for detoxification, etc. However, what always comes to mind as number one in the supplement category of age-retardants is antioxidant enzymes.

My dog is 14, she is on Fortekor and I was wondering if there is a safe pain killer that will not interact adversely with the ACE inhibitor she is on. She is on a Glucosamine/ Chondroitin/MSM liquid supplement. Is there anything

holistic veterinary advice else I could give her to help with the pain? She is still limping a bit and has trouble getting up the stairs.

“Come forth into the light of things, let Nature be your teacher.” William Wordsworth

There is a multitude of products available for pain relief associated with arthritis. I typically start with homeopathic remedies and herbal formulations. There are specific, classical remedies from which to choose (i.e.-rhus tox), however I tend to choose one of the many compounded homeopathic formulae available for arthritis or joint problems (typically containing rhus tox, arnica, etc.). My favorite of these is Zeel by the Heel company. Herbs are among the most medicinal of preparations available in alternative therapies. Primary among the ingredients a formula should contain to address arthritis would be alfalfa, yucca and devil’s claw.

Q A

My male four-and-a-half-year-old great Dane has been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. The vet has me watching him to see if he has any more hair loss. If he does lose more hair, he will go on medication. Is there any natural remedy that might help?

We have been specializing in our clinic for over 25 years in glandular therapy and have found this to be particularly helpful with underactive thyroid conditions; not only using any of the many thyroid glandular products available, but also supporting other glands that are integral in proper thyroid function (i.e. the pituitary). In cases where thyroid activity remains low, we include dessicated or USP thyroid, which requires a veterinary prescription. And, in those cases that still stay low, I am not adverse to the use of synthetic thyroid medication. Be cautious about further vaccination, since auto-immune thyroiditis can be the contributing factor to the cause of underactive thyroid function and there is a tie between vaccinations and this condition. Diet is always important with a focus on the more natural, less processed foods, with home prepared and ultimately raw being the top of the list.

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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 25 YEARS. BASED IN NEW YORK, DR. GOLDSTEIN IS OF The Nature of Animal Healing, PUBLISHED BY RANDOM HOUSE. FOR MORE THAN

MEDICINE THE AUTHOR

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.

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Bringing up baby – feeding and training your puppy or kitten by Ann Brightman We’ve all known people who have adopted a puppy or kitten and then found their new friend more of a handful than they imagined. Perhaps you’ve been in the same situation yourself. “Why can’t I housebreak her?” “How can I stop him chewing

Photo by: Jo-Ann Gerde

everything in sight?” “What should I feed him?” are just some of the questions you might ask. In this article, we talked to the experts about training and nutrition – two of the most important aspects of raising a young animal. They all agreed, when it comes to puppies and kittens, a little education goes a long way. Photo by: JoAnn Presley

How does your puppy or kitten age? This chart is a guide only. Larger breed dogs tend to age more quickly than smaller breeds. Dog & Cat Years

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Human Equivalent

15 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96

animal wellness

Puppy love: Training your young dog HOUSEBREAKING “The most important advice with housetraining a puppy is that it should be errorless,” says veterinarian and animal behaviorist, Dr. Ian Dunbar. “One mistake means there will be more, so you need to implement a training program the moment you bring the puppy home.” The best way to do this is to keep your new friend in a confinement area until he’s completely housebroken. At night, or when you have to be away, put him in a bathroom or other small area with his bed, water, chew toys and a doggy toilet. “The purpose of the confinement is to prevent mistakes around the house and to allow the puppy to train himself to use his toilet,” says Dr. Dunbar. During the day when you’re home, keep the puppy near you, on a lead or in his crate, and take him out every hour. “Each time he goes, give him a treat. This teaches him that if he waits until you’re around before he goes, he can cash in on it for something to eat!” Once you feel the puppy is housetrained, gradually increase the size of the confinement area until he finally has the run of the house. “If he makes a mistake, simply take him back to step one and start over,” says Dr. Dunbar.

WALKING ON A LEASH Teaching your puppy to walk on a leash without pulling is simpler than you might think. Begin by choosing a comfortable collar that’s not too tight (avoid choke chains) and invest in a good quality leash.

First, teach the puppy to walk with you off-leash. “Start with what I call following exercises,” says Dr. Dunbar. “Get the puppy to follow you around the house. Once he has this attraction towards you, it will be much easier to teach him to walk on a leash.”

Teach the puppy to heel and sit off-leash, using treats to help him learn him the commands. “Start with short heel/sit sequences, then take longer walks around the house with turns and changes of speed.”

Put the leash on the puppy and practice the heel command. You can do this indoors or in your backyard.

Finally, practice walking the puppy on a leash. Remember to use the heel and sit commands when needed, and reward him with praise or a treat. Stick to the house or garden until he has it down pat.

CHEWING Your new puppy needs to chew, but how do you

prevent him from demolishing shoes, table legs and your children’s toys? The best way is to turn him into what Dr. Dunbar calls a “chew toyaholic.” Begin by introducing him to chew toys as soon as you bring him home, and put them in his confinement area so he always has something to gnaw on. The best chew toys are those made from rubber or bone. Kongs are ideal because you can stuff them with kibble (use a good quality, natural food). If the puppy is rewarded with a tasty tidbit each time he chews the Kong, he’ll learn to leave your best trainers alone.

Photo by: Jo-Ann Gerde

BARKING Chew toys serve a dual purpose by also discouraging the puppy from becoming a barker. “Excessive barking doesn’t happen if you do the Kong routine,” says Dr. Dunbar. “Chewing the Kong trains the pup to lie down calmly, quietly and happily. You’re producing a dog who knows how to amuse himself when he’s alone.” It’s fine for your puppy to bark when someone rings the doorbell, but you don’t want the noise to continue once your guest is inside. Praise your puppy for letting you know someone is at the door, then tell him to sit and shush by holding a treat under his nose. Once he obeys your command, reward him with the treat. JUMPING ON PEOPLE Having a dog jumping all over you can try the patience of even the most ardent animal lover, and can even be dangerous in cases where the dog grows large enough to knock over a child or elderly person. It’s therefore important to train your puppy from an early age not to leap up at people.

Photo by: Amrit Hansmeyer

“Have sitting as the default setting for greeting people,” says Dr. Dunbar. A dog jumps up because he expects to get petted, but if you refuse to do so until he’s sitting quietly, he’ll learn that jumping won’t reap any rewards.

Here, kitty! : Training your kitten Admittedly, it’s more challenging to train a kitten than a puppy, as any cat person will tell you, but it can be done. First of all, keep in mind that behaviors such as sharpening claws and jumping up on things are natural to your kitten, and in fact contribute to his physical well being, helping to exercise and stretch his muscles, condition his claws, and keep his spine in good shape. You can’t discourage these behaviors, but you can redirect them to where they won’t cause problems. LITTER TRAINING Your house is a huge place to a tiny kitten, so is it any wonder he might forget where his litter box is? As with puppies, the best way animal wellness

PUPPIES • rubber or bone chew toys, especially Kongs stuffed with kibble • tennis ball for fetch (under supervision) • natural fiber rope-a-dope for tug-of-war (under supervision)

KITTENS • catnip mice and pouches • ping-pong balls • crumpled pieces of paper • feather-on-a-stick (under supervision)

Photo: Tracy & Jason Nocks

“Play is everything,” says Dr. Dunbar. “It’s how an animal learns which behaviors are appropriate and which are not.” It’s therefore vital to provide your little one with lots of toys, and to engage him in interactive play as often as possible. Choose toys made from non-toxic materials, and without any small parts that could be chewed off and swallowed.

Photo: Gina Snow

The toy box

to housetrain kittens is to confine them to a small area after you bring them home. “We keep new kittens in a spare room with their bedding, water bowl, toys and a litter tray,” says Lynne Young who works at the Northumberland Humane Society. “It is easier for the kitten, because the litter box is always in plain view.” Once your kitty is a little bigger and running around more, place several litter boxes around the house, so he can easily find one when nature calls. “Remember to put them both upstairs and down,” advises Lynne. The extra trays can be removed once the kitten is a few months old and has learned where the main litter box is. Be sure to clean out the litter box regularly – cats are fastidious creatures and don’t like dirty bathrooms any more than we do. Use a natural litter that absorbs odor and moisture. Clay-based litters are best avoided as they can cause health problems in cats and kittens have been known to ingest litter. SCRATCHING The best way to train your kitten not to sharpen his claws on your upholstery is to provide him with a good quality scratching post (or two or three!) covered with a tough, rugged material like sisal. Carpet-covered scratching posts also work well, but can lead some cats to think it’s permissible to sharpen their claws on household carpeting as well.

Plain cedar also makes a good scratching surface, as this post from Natural Scratch shows.

Situate the scratching posts near your furniture, so your kitty will be encouraged to use them rather than your best sofa. Make sure they’re sturdily constructed, so they won’t rock or fall over during use. They should be also be tall enough that the kitten can stretch himself to his full length while sharpening his claws – 21⁄2’ to 3’ is a good height (remember he’ll grow up!). “You can make a scratching post quite easily,” says Lynne. “We made ours using a solid wood base measuring about 16”x16”, with an upright piece of two-by-four screwed to the center of it. Make sure you use fairly long screws. We wrapped the upright in sisal.” To attract your kitten to his scratching post, rub it with catnip, place toys nearby, and reward him with a treat when he uses it. JUMPING While it’s natural for a cat to jump, you don’t want him on the kitchen counter, the dining table, or worse, the stove. To help discourage this behavior, don’t leave food on the counter and rinse out used dishes that might contain something tempting to

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your feline. If possible, supervise your kitten when the stove is in use, or keep him out of the room. The best way to discourage unwanted jumping is to buy a cat tree or condo and redirect your kitten to it whenever you catch him where he isn’t supposed to be. Gently remove him from the counter or table with a firm “no,” and take him immediately to his cat tree, where he can jump and climb to his heart’s content. Here’s what to look for when shopping for a cat tree or condo: •

Invest in a good quality product with a number of comfy platforms and/or cubbyholes at various levels.

•

Make sure the tree is safely and sturdily constructed with a wide, solid base, so it can’t be tipped over by flying jumps.

•

Cat trees are usually covered in carpeting or sisal so they can double as a scratching post.

•

Some cat trees are six or more feet high. Make sure you’re going to have enough space.

•

Locate the tree in an accessible place close to your own living area. If it’s stuck in a remote corner of the basement, your kitten is less likely to use it.

•

Make sure your kitten can’t get access to houseplants, curtain cords, and other hazards when climbing the cat tree.

Nutrition for young animals So what’s the best diet for a puppy or kitten? “It depends on the animal – his breed and individual characteristics,” says veterinarian and naturopath Dr. Autumn Drouin. Dr. Drouin’s general guidelines for a home-prepared diet include feeding the puppy or kitten ground muscle meat, with the addition of organ meat twice a week. If you don’t want to feed the meat raw, it can be cooked at low temperatures. “I also add organic egg yolk a couple of times a week, as well as cold water fish, which is high in essential fatty acids.” Vegetables are also important, but used in lower proportions. “I feed around 30% vegetables for puppies, and 15% for kittens.” To make them easier to digest, you can put them through a juicer and mix both the juice and pulp into the food. Cooked grains such as brown rice and oats can also be used. If you can’t manage to feed a raw or home-prepared diet, invest in the highest quality packaged food you can afford. Make sure the product contains as many whole, natural ingredients as possible, and has no artificial preservatives, colors and other additives. “You can feed a puppy or kitten formula unless you have a large breed dog that may develop bone problems related to too-fast growth, in which case you should use an adult food,” says Dr. Drouin. Veterinarian Dr. Robert Silver concurs: “Large breed dogs can have developmental bone diseases secondary to being fed diets too rich in protein and/ or carbohydrates.” In most cases, an all life stages food can be used for both puppies and kittens.

The spice of life Whether you decide to feed a home-prepared or packaged diet, it’s important to provide puppies and kittens with lots of variety. “This is the time to make sure your animal doesn’t become finicky,” says Dr. Drouin. “He’s hungry and growing, and his palate isn’t as discriminating as it will be later.” This is especially important with cats, who are more apt to become fussy eaters. If you’re feeding a packaged food, switch flavors regularly. You can also incorporate extras like raw or cooked meat or vegetables into the food: this not only helps prevent fussiness, but provides him with additional nutrition. “Growing cats and dogs often need two to six times the protein and energy that adults do,” says Dr. Silver. Alternative protein sources such as cottage cheese and eggs, can also be used to add extra variety and nutrition to your kitten’s food, and puppies can eat tofu

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and cooked beans too. Just keep in mind that a wild carnivore wouldn’t have access to cottage cheese, beans or tofu, so use these protein sources in moderation and not as replacements for meat.

Amounts and frequency There are no hard and fast rules as to exactly how much to feed your puppy or kitten. “Amounts vary with age, growth rate, activity level and food material,” says Dr. Silver. “Ideally, the animal needs to be re-evaluated frequently for body composition score (BCS) and weight gain to determine how much and of what to feed appropriately. This should be done under the supervision of a vet.” Otherwise, try to use your common sense. “Notice how the animal is doing and developing,” says Dr. Drouin. “You want him to grow and have a nice cover, but you don’t want obesity any more than you want his ribs to stick out.” A young puppy or kitten needs to be fed three times daily. As he grows older, this can be reduced to twice a day. “Usually, the animal will let you know when he’s ready to cut the middle meal because he won’t show as much interest in it,” says Dr. Drouin.

Supplements for growing animals If you’re feeding your little one home-prepared food, adding the right supplements is crucial. “I don’t rely on just the food,” says

Dr. Drouin. “You need to make sure he’s getting his minerals if he doesn’t eat enough of the raw vegetables, so adding kelp or powdered dehydrated vegetables can help. You also have to balance calcium with phosphorous, especially in dogs. Adding fish oil is also a good idea as it provides extra essential fatty acids.” Digestive enzymes are important, especially if the food is cooked, while taurine is vital to heart development in cats. “For dogs predisposed to hip dysplasia, I recommend adding glucosamine or bovine cartilage to provide early joint support,” says Dr. Silver. “Acidophilus and bifidus are good, especially in young animals, as are antioxidants in moderation.” To determine exactly what supplements you should give your puppy and kitten, and what dosages to use, it’s best to check with a holistic vet, who can provide you with an individualized assessment of what your animal needs. The supplements can be purchased separately, but to make life easier, many natural pet food suppliers offer pre-mixed supplemental powders and oils that can be added to both homeprepared and commercial diets.

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Having a (yellow)

SPOT

of trouble? by Wendy Zak Few things are more unsightly than the brown patches dog urine leaves on your lawn. You might assume that dogs and pristine carpets of grass just don’t go together, but that isn’t necessarily so. There are ways to deal with the problem. While garden centers stock many products to repair lawn damage, preventative help is sparse. An understanding of what causes those distinctive dead spots surrounded by unusually lush grass can help minimize the damage. Conventional wisdom maintains it’s the urine’s acidity that kills the grass, while more scientific thinking blames the nitrogen in

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the urine. This explains why the die back occurs in the center of the spot, where high concentrations of nitrogen burn the grass, while around the edges of the patch, where the urine is less concentrated, the nitrogen has a fertilizing effect. Contrary to popular belief, a female dog’s urine is no worse than a male’s. The difference lies in the fact that males lift their legs and spray small amounts at a time, while females squat and empty their bladders completely. Larger quantities of urine in one place do the most damage.

Here are some ways to cut back on die back: •

Reducing your dog’s protein intake may help, but discuss any dietary changes with your vet first, to ensure you won’t be compromising her health.

•

Make sure she always has access to fresh, pure water. Drinking plenty of water is essential to her health as well as that of your lawn. You can also try adding a little extra water or veggie (not tomato) juice to her food.

•

Dietary supplements that neutralize the pH in the urine may be helpful. Be sure to choose a natural product.

•

The most effective solution is to keep your dog from eliminating on the lawn altogether. With constant supervision and some patience, it is possible to train your dog where she may or may not go. First, designate an acceptable area, ideally with a surface other than grass, such as gravel. Use a command like “go pee” to indicate the correct place and a firm “no” if she starts to go on the lawn. During the training process, always give her a treat or enthusiastic praise every time she goes in the right place. Once the habit is established, she should be able to maintain it without supervision.

•

A dog taken for regular walks will urinate less frequently at home.

•

Pour water on the grass after your dog urinates. The water will dilute the urine and eliminate the burning effect. This is especially important in the morning when your dog’s urine is most concentrated. To make the job easier, keep a hose or watering can handy so the whole family can get involved in the ‘pee patrol’!

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contact

Making contact

How to choose and work with an animal communicator

by Stephanie Smith “A what told you your dog has lung cancer?” exclaimed my veterinarian. “You’re too intelligent to listen to one of them!” “Humor me,” I pleaded. “X-ray Victoria’s lung where the bronchial tubes go in, on the back, near the spine.”

Photo of dog by: Nancy McCaughlin

Sure enough, the x-rays showed a tumor right where Griffin Kanter, the animal communicator I consulted, said it would be, and the mystery of Victoria’s illness was solved. Since the cancer was inoperable and not really treatable, Griffin worked with us to establish a signal Victoria would give me when she was ready to be helped to the next world. When the signal came, I verified it with Griffin and took Victoria to the vet for euthanasia. Losing her wasn’t easy, but knowing it happened when Victoria was ready, and before she suffered too much pain, helped me while I was grieving. More and more people are turning to animal communicators for help with their four-footed companions. Some are trying to solve baffling behavioral or health problems, while others simply want to strengthen the bond between themselves and their animals by learning how to commune with them.

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reputable

Unfortunately, as in any other field, there are bogus communicators out there, so it’s important you find a reputable professional who will work effectively with you and your animal to enhance his health and well being, and to enrich and deepen the relationship you share.

Finding a reputable communicator

The best way to find an animal communicator, according to Lynn McKenzie, a Toronto-based communicator, is to ask someone who has used one for their own animal. Before working with anyone, find out what training and experience he/she has had, and ask for references. Some communicators will hang out a shingle after taking one four-hour class; needless to say, these people won’t be nearly as effective as someone who has done an apprenticeship with a respected communicator, taken several classes, and has several years of experience. Another way to ensure you’re getting someone reliable, says communicator Sharon Callahan, is to call a holistic veterinarian and see who they recommend.

methods

You can also find a reputable communicator in your area by visiting Penelope Smith’s website at www.animaltalk.net – all these people have been screened by Penelope, herself a pioneer in the field of animal communication, and most have also trained with her.

How does a communicator make contact with animals? Animal communicators differ in how they prepare for their first session with you and your animal. Lynn asks people to send her a photo and history of the animal, including any health problems or other issues they want to address. “I look at the photo and tune into the animal ahead of time,” says Lynn. “As soon as I make contact, I start working with the animal.”

limits

Communicator Leta Worthington also appreciates a photograph and history, but will work with a verbal description of the animal. Sharon prefers a picture, but since she deals with many clients whose animals are very sick, she doesn’t always have time to wait for one. She listens to the guardian’s description and uses his/her connection with the animal to establish contact.

What a communicator can and can’t do Lynn, Sharon, and Leta all stress that an animal communicator can’t make an animal do anything. Animals are sentient beings with their own minds and agendas. They choose whether or not to engage in conversation with the communicator and whether or not to make any behavioral changes requested by the guardian. Most animals, if approached respectfully, will be happy to chat with their people. Others may regard a communicator as a stranger invading their privacy. If the animal refuses to “talk” to the communicator, that is the animal’s choice, and that view must be respected. Leta stresses that animal communicators are not psychics, but actually connect with the animal and speak to him/her for their guardian. The communicator only knows what the animal knows. For instance, a lost dog can show a communicator what he sees, but can’t give an address. A cat may be able to explain how she feels, but can’t say she is diabetic. When people call for help animal wellness

with a specific problem, Leta tries to mediate between the animal and person for a solution that will help both of them. “I focus on healing, really healing,” says Lynn. “It’s about finding out what is going on with the animal and what can be done.” She does a lot of energy clearing, which can help stop a cat from spraying or a dog from barking. She has seen miracles occur, but says they can’t be guaranteed. Leta adds: “How much we can help depends on the circumstances, the animal’s personality, and their species.” Most of Sharon’s clients want to find out why their animals

guardians

are sick, and what they can do to heal them. They also want to focus on a better relationship with their companions and on what they can learn from the animal that will help them follow their path more closely.

Guardians also have a role to play

Before working with a communicator, Leta suggests preparing three to five specific questions that you wish to discuss with your animal. However, adds Lynn, it isn’t enough to want a communicator to tell the animal to “do this, or don’t do that.” The animal may be doing something in order to lead you down a certain path. Good clients are committed to following that path, and are open to learning the wisdom and energies the animal is there to share with them. They always put the animal’s best interests first. As an example, Lynn became a communicator and began exploring holistic medicine because her ten-year-old golden retriever had health problems as a puppy. “My dog made me do a 180-degree turn and change everything about my life,” she says. Sharon agrees with this view. With the animal’s permission, she merges with his “higher self.” She can then address why he is doing something, what his purpose is in this life, and what his guardian needs to do to help the animal stay on his path, while helping her with her own. Working with an animal communicator is a partnership that requires an open mind and a willingness to understand and cooperate with what your animal is here to teach you. With the right professional to help you, learning how to commune with your companion can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever share.

RESOURCES: Penelope Smith www.animaltalk.net Lynn McKenzie www.animalenergy.com Sharon Callahan www.anaflora.com Leta Worthington www.herbsandanimals.com/comm.html

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STEPHANIE SMITH HAS A PH.D. IN PSYCHOLOGY AND LIVES IN TEXAS WITH HER STANDARD POODLE, AMBER, AND HER POINTER, SCOUT.

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A pad of his own How to choose a dog house for your best friend

by Ann Brightman

he image of Snoopy snoozing on top of his house makes everyone smile, but dog guardians may also wonder why the cartoon pooch prefers the roof of his abode rather than the inside. Snoopy may have his own reasons for sleeping up top, but a real-life canine who consistently refuses to use his dog house is telling you there’s something about it that turns him off. Like their wild counterparts, many domestic dogs have a den mentality and feel secure in enclosed spaces. A reluctance to enter an enclosure, be it den or dog house, means it doesn’t provide the comfort and security the dog is seeking. That’s why choosing the right dog house for your canine companion demands some thought.

There’s a dog house to suit every canine. Some have porches for extra comfort (Merry Products top right, and Cedar Wood Furniture bottom left and opposite). Deande Pet Homes (top left) have removable roofs for easy cleaning, while Petmate’s Indigo (bottom right) offers a natural den shape.

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When do I need a dog house? Keep in mind that no dog house should be used as a substitute for life indoors with you. Dogs are sociable animals, and are happiest when they’re with their humans. Regardless of how fancy and comfortable his house is, leaving Rover alone in the backyard day and night can lead to loneliness, excessive barking and other problems. Not only that, but a dog house won’t always give your companion complete protection from the worst of the elements, so it’s best to keep him indoors during extreme weather. The same is true if mosquitoes are a problem in your area.

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How big should it be? A dog house should be large enough for the dog to get inside, turn around and lie down without difficulty. At the same time, it should be small enough that his body heat will warm the space during chilly weather. A lot of companies offer sizing advice to consumers. “We have a chart that helps you find the size and style of house best suited to your dog, so he can heat it with his body in colder weather, but it doesn’t get too hot in summer,” says Denese Espeut of Deande Pet Homes. If the company doesn’t offer sizing tips, you can select the right house for your buddy by doing some measuring: 1.1 The width and depth of the house should be no less than the dog’s length from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail, and no more than 25% larger. 2.2 The door opening should be no less than 75% of the shoulder height of your dog. 3.3 The house should be between 25% and 50% taller than your dog’s height from his front paws to the top of his head when standing.

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But there are times when a dog house is very useful. Perhaps you’re hosting a guest with allergies, or having some work done in your home, and need to keep Fido outside for the duration. A dog house can be especially handy when your four-footed friend needs some fresh air but you’re just too busy to take him for a walk. It gives him access to the outdoors while offering him a place to nap or take shelter from an unexpected shower.

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Invest in a good quality product made from sturdy, watertight materials with insulating properties, or that comes with an optional insulation kit. Good old-fashioned wood, finished with a non-toxic preservative (avoided chemically treated lumber), is one of the best natural insulators. “The cellular properties of the wood help it stay cooler in summer, while preventing heat loss in winter,” says Gina Dempsey of Cedar Wood Furniture. Cedar is a popular wood for dog houses because it’s strong and long-lasting and contains a natural preservative. “It also helps repel fleas and ticks,” says Gina. Other materials include durable, high-tech plastics like structural foam, which includes a layer of air bubbles that give the finished product superior insulating properties in both summer and winter. Igloo-shaped houses like Petmate’s Dogloo and Indigo use this molding technology in their construction. Whatever material you choose, the house should have a watertight floor or base that protects the dog from contact with the bare ground. “Our houses have a raised bottom that keeps the dog off the ground while allowing air to circulate beneath,” says Judy Kwok of Merry Products. This circulation of air helps prevent dampness and odor. “The bottom of our igloo-shaped houses are ribbed, with a moat around the exterior,” adds Mike Foster of Doskocil/Petmate. “The dog lies up off the ground so the cold doesn’t transfer directly through the floor to his body.” Make sure the roof is also made from sturdy, weatherproof materials and is sloped to shed rain and snow. “The roofs on our houses are insulated and can be removed for easy cleaning,” says Denese.

What styles can I choose from? These days, dog houses come in just about every style and design you can think of. Just remember to think practicality as well as appearance: while you want the house to be attractive, its primary purpose is to provide your companion with a safe, secure, comfortable shelter. Conventional rectangular houses like Snoopy’s are probably the most familiar, but you can also get houses that look like miniature human homes, complete with windows, porches and other architectural accoutrements. “We try to make our houses aesthetically pleasing,” says Denese. “You can choose from a variety of styles and colors, and really make the house personal.” Igloo-shaped houses are also popular. Patterned after the traditional Inuit habitation, these organic-looking houses more closely approach a natural den shape and may therefore be particularly appealing to some dogs. “It offers a curved interior that caters to the dog’s instinct to circle before he lies down,” says Mike. “It also more efficiently reflects the dog’s body heat

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back down into the shelter during cold weather.” The elongated entranceway, meanwhile, gives the dog additional protection from the elements.

What other features are available? VENTS: A roof vent allows circulation of air and helps keep the house from getting too hot in summer. The vent should be designed so you can close it in colder weather. “Some of our houses have a side window like a horizontal blind for ventilation,” says Judy. COOLING AND HEATING: If your dog spends a lot of time outside, you might invest want to in some kind of cooling or heating system in addition to insulation. “Our dog house heater and air conditioner is becoming really popular,” says Gina. “You just set it to AC or heater and it blows cool or warm air into the house at a certain temperature. It’s controlled by a thermostat.” If you’re into alternative energy, how about a solar-powered dog house? “Our heating/cooling unit operates off a 12-volt source, a deep cycle battery, that is recharged via a 20-watt photovoltaic panel,” says Tom Mayrand of Solar Innovations. “A thermostat maintains a temperature of around 50°F to 60°F. To save energy, there’s also a switch incorporated into the floor that ensures the unit only works when the dog is in the house.” DOOR: A door is a good idea, especially during colder weather, and helps save energy if the house has its own heating/cooling system. Doors are usually made from a hanging panel of clear, see-through plastic that swings back and forth so the dog can easily get in and out. PORCH OR OVERHANG: These not only look attractive, but also provide the dog with extra shade and shelter.

What about bedding? Furnishing the dog house with a blanket, sleeping pad or thin cushion adds extra insulation and comfort and helps protect your dog’s joints from the floor surface. Some companies offer cushions or pads especially for use in their houses. Either way, make sure bedding is made from rugged washable materials, or that cushions and sleeping pads have covers you can remove and launder. Check the bedding often to make sure it’s clean and dry.

Where should I locate the house? Location is almost as important as the house itself. Choose a sheltered spot that will offer lots of shade in summer, and be out of the worst of the weather in winter. Face the door away from prevailing winds and avoid areas where rain or snowmelt collects. Whatever location you choose, make sure the house is visible from your windows so you can keep an eye on your companion when he’s outside. Unless your yard is fenced, you’ll need to tie your dog when he’s out. While some dog houses have tethering devices, others don’t, so your best bet is to secure the tether in the ground or a nearby wall. “Some of our products have drain holes that can double as a place to secure a lead,” says Mike. “Wherever you tie the dog, make sure the lead is long enough for him to get in and out of his house comfortably.” If your best friend has never used a dog house before, he may be wary of entering it at first. You can encourage him by placing a favorite treat, toy or blanket inside the house. Be patient and give your dog lots of praise. You want him to learn to like his new digs!

animal wellness

Why

Bovine Colostrum

is a super supplement for all species by Stephen R. Blake, DVM

he use of bovine colostrum as a nutritional supplement dates back 6000 years, when Indian Aruyvedic doctors prescribed it for their patients. In fact, up until a few decades ago, before the discovery of sulfa drugs and antibiotics, people in North America and around the world took colostrum for immune problems. Now that many practitioners are turning less to antibiotics, does colostrum have a place in our animal medicine chest? The answer is a resounding “yes!” Countless scientific studies and human clinical trials have proven this completely natural product to be safe and therapeutic, and I have used it successfully in my own practice for years.

“We know that colostrum has a lot of Insulin-like Growth Factor, which stimulates growth hormones to improve metabolism and increase muscle mass,” explains Dr. Manuel Campos, a researcher with a veterinary degree and a Ph.D. in immunology. “Growth hormone is good for the elderly so we thought it might help older animals.” In fact, Dr. Campos’ work as a researcher on Peterna, a veterinary colostrum product, came from his desire to help his 14-year-old dog, who had slowed down due to age. Dr. Campos says that other

So what is colostrum? Colostrum is the first milk or food all new born mammals receive from their mothers in the first three days of their lives. In addition to containing all of the nutrients to sustain and protect the newborn in its early development, this incredible package features all factors of the immune system.

benefits that may arise from supplementing with colostrum include a shinier, healthierlooking haircoat and a reduction in tarter. Clinical trials will be underway shortly to study coat improvement using colostrum.

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While human infants (and in my experience, puppies and kittens) get 60% of their antibodies via the

placenta and 40% from mother’s milk during the first two days after birth, calves are completely reliant on colostrum for antibody protection, since no antibodies cross the placenta. Because bovine colostrum needs to be doubly rich in antibodies, it also serves as a super supplement for other species.

Who benefits from colostrum? Over the past five years I have used bovine colostrum extensively in my general practice. It is appropriate for all mammals and I have even used it in birds with good results. As a supplement, it is complementary to nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, Bach Flowers, glandular therapy, aromatherapy, and massage. Applied topically, I’ve found that colostrum heals wounds in half the time of any other product I have used over the past 30 years. That’s not surprising when you consider that it contains If (Epithelial growth Factors), IgF (Insulin-like Growth Factor), Transfer Factor, IgG (20 times that in human milk), PRP, etc. In fact, research over the past few decades has revealed that bovine colostrum contains more than 80, and some estimate as many as 250 substances.

Colostrum is good for the gut If your animal is experiencing gastrointestinal problems, colostrum may help. It facilitates the balancing of the intestinal flora, stabilizes the immune status of the gut and aids in digestion and bowel function. Since 70% of the gamma globulin (antibodies) comes from the intestinal tract, and 90% of all toxins, bacteria, virus and fungi enter the body through the gut, it only makes sense that we should concentrate our effort on this organ system. In my practice, I start all sick animals on colostrum, especially the chronic cases. The growth factors in the colostrum help increase the healing response by 50% or more. Since growth factors drop with aging, all of my geriatric cases take colostrum too, and 99% of the time, their humans comment on how much more energy the old guys and gals have. At the other end of the age spectrum, puppies and kittens that are not thriving respond

within days to supplementation with bovine colostrum fed four times per day, mixed with water. I believe colostrum works because many of our animals are deficient in the enzymes, growth factors, and the immunologic components necessary for them to respond to treatment in an optimum way. I have also found a pet’s need for any particular supplement can be reduced or eliminated once they have been on colostrum. This is probably due to the increase in the absorption of substances from the gut, better efficiency of tissue repair from the growth factors, and a healthier immune system from the immunoglobulins and immune factors provided by the colostrum. One of my most dramatic cases was that of a little dog named Struppi, who was dying of an undiagnosable condition. His mom contacted me and said that she needed help. I was at a time in my life where I could not take any more clients due to my own health issues and told her to start him on colostrum until I could consult with her in two weeks. By the time Struppi came in, he had improved to the point where she thought he might make it. As it turned out, the dog was suffering from a vaccine induced autoimmune disease state and needed the colostrum to help him recover. I have seen hundreds of exciting success stories but it’s important for people to realize that colostrum is not a panacea but rather a micronutrient that the animal may need to heal itself. I have had patients that respond in one day and some may take several months. In my own personal experience, colostrum helped immediately for my acute problem and took two years to address a deeper 20-year-old chronic problem. As with any product, I recommend you do your research on where the colostrum originates and how it’s prepared (without excessive heat is best). The product should also be tested for bioactivity, the presence of pesticides, antibiotics, BST and heavy metals, and be low in fat and certified for human consumption. Pasture-fed bovine sources are preferred. As for dosages, for 99% of the cases, I start them on 1/3 tsp per 25 pounds of body weight once per day (hypersensitive patients need to be worked up to this slowly). A last important point – if you’re trying your animal on colostrum, always give it at least one month to evaluate its effect. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS IN VETERINARY PRACTICE, DR. BLAKE BEGAN TO GET FRUSTRATED BY HIS “LIMITED” KNOWLEDGE. “WHEN I STARTED STUDYING HOMEOPATHY, BACH FLOWERS, ACUPUNCTURE, MASSAGE, AROMATHERAPY AND ANIMAL COMMUNICATION, I REALIZED THESE WERE THE

I NEEDED TO HELP ANIMALS’! DR. BLAKE CURRENTLY PRACTICES IN SAN DIEGO, CA AND IS AN “ELDER” OF THE AMERICAN HOLISTIC VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND AUTHOR OF The Pet Whisperer. FOR MORE INFO., VISIT WWW.THEPETWHISPERER.COM TOOLS

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Planting an herb garden? by Greg Tilford

Don’t forget Fido, Fluffy and Polly!

erbs are amazing plants. Not only do they possess many culinary and healing properties, but they’re also wonderfully fragrant and easy to grow. And they’re not just for people. Many of the herbs that liven up our food are also powerful medicines, useful to our furred and feathered friends as well as to us. It’s as simple as pairing up culinary tastes with daily health care needs. Parlsey, for instance, is not just a delicious and nutritious addition to a green salad or a rice dish, it’s healthy for Fido, Kitty and the bird too. Plus the leaf juice helps freshen even the foulest dog breath. These plants are flexible too so you don’t need a lot of land – herbs do just as well in a tiny garden plot as in a full-sized bed or border. And if you’re an apartment or condo dweller, nothing’s more rewarding than the sight and smell of potted herbs on your deck or balcony.

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A perennial garden Perennials are the lazy gardener’s choice, because once established they come back year after year with little care. Plant them where they have plenty of room to flourish. Annual herbs can fill the gaps between them, and may be rotated each year, according to your needs and tastes. The following perennials are the “must haves” of any multi-species, multipurpose herb garden.

Catnip

(Nepeta cataria) Mint family The pungent tangy-mint aroma of catnip wafts to the nose with the slightest disturbance of the plant, and provides a strong attraction to your kitty. But catnip is not just for felines. It makes a delicious, relaxing tea for people, and is an excellent remedy for nervous stomachs in dogs. Hardiness: Zone 4 Growing requirements and tips: Requires full sun and rich, moist soil. Plant in a corner of the garden where the freeseeding plants have room to

spread. May grow to five feet. Parts Used: Harvest leaves, stems, and flowers any time.

Echinacea

(Echinacea species) Sunflower family This attractive plant can boost the immune system to help ward off bacterial or viral infections. Nine species are native to North America; all have pink to dark purple flowers with cone-like central disks, and can grow to three feet, adding brilliant color and contrast to your garden. The rays of most species droop away from the disk when mature. Echinacea purpurea is by far the easiest to grow. Hardiness: Zone 4. Mulch plants deeply in fall where winters are severe. Growing requirements and tips: Scatter seeds on top of the ground in early spring, and cover with a dusting of soil. Keep damp throughout germination. Needs full sun. Parts used: Roots can be harvested after plants are at least three years old. Leaves, stems, and flowers are useful too, and can be harvested any time the plant is in bloom, usually midsummer.

Marshmallow

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A tall plant with pretty pinkishwhite flowers, Marshmallow is easy to grow and a good choice for back walls or garden corners where afternoon shade is needed by shorter herbs. Hardiness: Zone 4. Mulch plants deeply in fall where winters are severe. Growing requirements and tips: Plant seeds or transplants in spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. Requires deep, well-drained soil but only moderate watering. Parts used: Marshmallow root is among the first herbs I reach for in cases of bowel inflammation, coughing, urinary gravel (stones) or other situations where mucous membranes of the digestive, urinary or upper respiratory tracts are inflamed or irritated. Dig the root in the fall, and chop coarsely before drying on a piece of paper. The dried root will keep for up to two years.

Parsley

(Petroselium crispum) Parsley family The parsley family has numerous cultivars, with the primary differences being leaf size and shape. The most common varieties have tightly curled leaves, whereas Italian parsley has celery-like leaves. All are useful and most will grow to about three feet. Hardiness: Zone 4. Mulch plants deeply in fall where winters are severe. Growing requirements and tips: Plant seeds or transplants in spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. Parsley requires deep, well-drained soil and daily watering during hot, dry weather. If the plant is allowed to go to seed, you will soon have parsley babies everywhere! Parts Used: The leaf is very nutritious and can be liberally added to your companion’s raw or canned diet. It’s also rich in antioxidant chlorophyll and useful as a breath freshener. The seeds contain trace amounts of limonene, effective for repelling fleas. Teas or other preparations made from the taproot are an effective diuretic used specifically in the holistic treatment of arthritis.

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(Mentha piperita) Mint family Aside from making a delicious cup of tea, peppermint is an excellent remedy for dyspepsia in both humans and dogs. Peppermint tea is also useful as an antiseptic and soothing skin rinse, and is especially effective for temporarily relieving the tingly itch caused by flea allergy and generalized itching secondary to nervousness. Tea or tincture helps freshen breath. Hardiness: Zone 4. Mulch plants deeply in fall where winters are severe, and then forget about it – once established, you may have difficulty getting rid if it! Growing requirements and tips: Can be transplanted or started from stem cuttings (put stems in water until they begin to produce roots). This stuff will grow anywhere it can get enough water. Plants that get full sun tend to be stronger tasting and more medicinally active. Peppermint spreads easily – give it its own space! Parts used: Leaves and stems can be harvested any time and used fresh or dried. continued on pg. 38

A special information article paid for by PETerna® Brand Colostrum Product www.peterna.com

COLOSTRUM…LIFE’S FIRST FOOD. IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THIS NATURAL IMMUNE BOOSTING AND ANTI-AGING SUPPLEMENT WHAT IS COLOSTRUM? Life’s perfect first food, colostrum is the pre-milk fluid produced by all female mammals prior to giving birth. Colostrum contains over 50 known biologically active molecules that are beneficial to health. Millions of years of evolution have brought this collection of natural, health enhancing molecules together in to one package that is not duplicated anywhere else in nature. “Colostrum’s intrinsic value is that the ingredients are all together in one package. It is a natural whole food that is greater than the sum of its parts.” Dr. Stephen Blake, DVM, San Diego, CA. PETerna® is a highly palatable powder that is sprinkled on your pet’s food as a daily supplement. Scientific research shows that colostrum can help the body fight infections, boost the immune system, enhance the body’s metabolism, and slow the effects of aging. In addition to important immunological and antimicrobial factors, PETerna® also contains several powerful growth and metabolic factors. The immune boosting, healing, and anti-aging properties of three of these factors are highlighted below. IGF-1 – Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 – which has been shown to have anti-aging effects, to promote healthy cell and tissue growth, and to increase lean muscle while reducing body fat and balancing blood sugar. EGF – Epidermal Growth Factor – has been shown to promote healing of the gastrointestinal tract, including gastric ulcers, to reduce damage to the gut from anti-inflammatory drugs, and to support healthy skin and coat. PRPs – Proline Rich Polypeptides – are powerful regulators of the immune system, to combat allergies and autoimmune diseases, and improve mental and cognitive function.

Regular teeth cleaning by a veterinarian is costly and requires anesthesia. Many pet owners either do not like to or are not capable of brushing their pet’s teeth. Scientific studies have shown that anti-microbial factors in colostrum, such as lysozyme, lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase are effective in treating oral diseases. PETerna® can help prevent the development of periodontal disease in young animals or halt the progression of disease in older animals and reduce the risk of bacteria spreading to other organs. PETerna® is the only colostrum product tested to ensure the levels of the key factors. Once the calf has gotten all the colostrum it needs, the excess is collected using the same standards as milk for human consumption. Dr. Steve Marsden, DVM, ND, MSOM, LAc, Dipl. CH of the Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic recognizes the benefits of colostrum in combatting oral diseases and is currently using PETerna® to treat several patients in his clinic. Storm, a 5 year old Great Pyrenees had a low grade gum infection for three years that his vet had attributed to a compromised immune system. He did not respond to antibiotics and the red gums persisted. After three months on PETerna®, the redness was gone and after one year, it has not recurred. Storm’s gums BEFORE PETerna®. Storm’s gums AFTER PETerna®.

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Rosemary

(Rosmarinus officinalis) Mint family A shrub that can grow to six feet tall, rosemary is characterized by its piney fragrance, narrow leathery leaves, and woody stems. In areas where winters are mild, rosemary is planted as a long-lived landscape shrub. If only we could all be so lucky! Hardiness: In colder climates, rosemary is best grown as a houseplant, or in containers that can be brought indoors during winter. Growing requirements and tips: Easy to grow from transplants, rosemary is not picky about soil and is fairly drought tolerant. Because the plants can get quite large and long-lived in milder climates, their placement should be carefully selected. Needs full sun. Parts used: Leaves, stems, and flowers can be harvested any time. An excellent remedy for flatulent dyspepsia and digestive upset in dogs, especially when these problems are secondary to nervousness, excitability, or irritability. A cooled rosemary tea makes an excellent, antibacterial skin and coat rinse for dogs, cats, rabbits and other critters.

Thyme

(Thymus vulgaris) Mint family Appearance: Most thymes are ground-hugging plants with strong, sprawling stems, small leaves, and tiny cylindrical flowers that range from white to pale purple. There are countless variations of leaf color, fragrance, and flavor. Hardiness: Zone 5. Mulch deeply where winters are severe. Growing requirements and tips: Requires full sun. An excellent choice for borders and rock gardens, and serves as a good “ground filler” between other herbs. Seeds can be sown in early spring. Transplants can be put into the ground as soon as all danger of frost has passed, and are easy to care for once established. Parts used: Leaves, stems, and flowers. Thyme is a very good antiseptic for the mouth and throat, and is useful for fighting gingivitis in dogs and cats. It also has anti-tussive and expectorant properties, and is especially useful for raspy, unproductive coughs secondary to fungal or bacterial infection.

Valerian

(Valeriana officinalis) Valerian family No herb garden is complete without valerian! It features loosely arranged lance-shaped leaves that are usually larger at the bottom of the plant than the top. The flowers are clusters of small, white to pink blossoms, very attractive to bees and other pollinators. Roots are stringy, brown, and strongly pungent – they smell “earthy” to herbalists, somewhat like dirty gym socks to others! Plants can grow over five feet tall, serving as shade-bearing companions to shorter plants that need afternoon respite from sun. Hardiness: Zone 4. Valerian is very hardy and can survive the winters of southern Canada and maritime Alaska. Growth requirements and tips: I like to put it right in the middle of the garden! Easy to grow from transplants. Needs full sun. Parts used: Primarily the fall root. The upper parts of the plant are useful too, but make weaker medicine. Valerian is a widely recognized herbal sedative, useful for insomnia, nervous anxiety, and to help dogs and cats relax when in pain. It is very useful for calming animals during thunderstorms, trips to the vet, or to help your companion rest after surgery. contininued on pg. 72

animal wellness

Photo: Dana Maione

A second chance at love:

Stockard Channing and others share their heartwarming adoption stories

themselves. They’re wonderful to be around and they do great things for children and people.” Stockard stresses, however, that animals are a commitment and she gets frustrated by the number of animals who end up homeless because of spay/neuter issues and irresponsible guardians. “People need to know what they’re taking on. It is the worst side of a human being to abandon an animal.”

Stockard shares some quality time with Louie (left) and Bishop (front). “I’ve been lucky with all my dogs,” says the actor. “They fascinate me.”

or actor Stockard Channing, variety is the spice of life when it comes to her canine companions. “They’re like Felix and Oscar in The Odd Couple,” she says affectionately about her two rescued dogs, Bishop and Louie. The dogs may be polar opposites but before they met Stockard, they had one thing in common – they were both homeless. Bishop, a seven-and-a-half-year-old German shorthair pointer, Rhodesian ridgeback and border collie mix, came from a pound in Vancouver, B.C. “He was trained to be an actor but he would not take directions,” says Stockard, “so he was dropped off at the pound. He didn’t even know how to play with toys.” She describes him as a sensitive kind of guy – so sensitive in fact that she didn’t change his name because she thought it might upset him. Louie, on the other hand, was found on the street by a neighbor when he was eleven months old. Stockard decided to take the part mastiff mix in. “He looks like a prize fighter and he’s an escape artist but he’s so sweet and playful.” Currently starring as First Lady Abby Bartlet in The West Wing, the Emmy award-winning actor says she’s ready to get another puppy from a rescue center. “I am soft-hearted for pounds; there’s something different about the animals

animal wellness

That responsibility carries over to the animal’s care as well. The actor has done P.S.A.s to promote microchipping and is very open to natural health care for her creatures. She credits holistic vet Marty Goldstein for saving her last dog and giving him a few more years. “The natural way worked. I celebrate the approach of these doctors.” She also wishes there was more education out there about the dangers of some prescription drugs for animals. Her dog, Louie, almost died from kidney failure after chewing through a bottle of Advil and ingesting some tablets. Through it all, Stockard says that the dogs have brought so much to her life, adopting and caring for them is the least she could do. “We are so separated from natural life but we have to remember that animals and people – we are all living here together. It’s our responsibility to help them.” *************

From stray to star

The future didn’t look good for Murphy, a five-year-old sheltiecollie mix. Not only was he a stray, but he was also in poor condition, being plagued by a bad hip and a skin problem. Happily, his caregivers at the Ashville County Protection League in California could see he had the potential to become a loving companion, so they sent him to Lake Erie prison to be trained by inmate Keith Morse, a graduate of a nationwide prison program designed to rehabilitate “unadoptable” dogs. This highly successful program gives dogs like Murphy a better chance at being adopted, and also enhances the lives of inmates by giving them something to love and bond with. (You

can see the magic at work by watching Animal Planet’s Cell Dogs, a documentary that won this year’s Genesis Award for Outstanding Reality Programming.) Meanwhile, miles away, when Susan Hyman found out her husband, Michael, was being transferred from Buffalo to Cleveland, she decided it was the perfect time to adopt a new dog. She went online to petfinders.com, saw a photo Michael and Susan Hyman with Murphy at the Genesis Awards. of Murphy, and fell in love. Susan called the prison and was invited to come meet Murphy. “As soon as I saw him, I knew he was the dog for me. We bonded immediately. He is the most loving, adorable dog, and the prisoners were so kind and sweet towards him.” Murphy attained star status this past March, when he flew to Los Angeles with Susan and Michael to attend the Genesis Awards, presented by The Humane Society of the United States. “I got him a tuxedo tie so he was all ready to walk the red carpet!” says Susan, adding that Murphy, who is generally very quiet, barked his thanks to the applauding audience. “It was a lot of fun. We feel very fortunate to be Murphy’s adoptive parents.” *************

Sharing the love

Many adopted animals don’t just reserve their affection for their guardians. They like to spread the love around. Just ask Tineke Schollaardt of Calgary, Alberta, who for the past 14 years has been taking her cats to visit patients at a local children’s hospital and nursing home. She and her feline friends are part of the Pet Access League Society (PALS), an organization dedicated to helping people in homes, hospitals, correctional centers and other institutions through animal visits. “When I first started with PALS, I had two cats named Jet’s friendly attitude makes him the Misty and Foggy, who I adopted from the SPCA,” says perfect therapy cat. Tineke. “I took them to the children’s hospital once a month.” Although Misty has since passed on, and Foggy, now 17, has retired, Tineke continues her volunteer work with three younger cats.

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“I adopted Jet and Jasper from a rescue organization called Street Cats,” says Tineke. “I was sitting on a couch at the foster home, waiting to pick up Jasper, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to look and there was a six-month-old kitten. Jet was so friendly I ended up taking him as well as Jasper.” That was nine years ago, and both cats are now veteran PALS volunteers. Following in their footsteps is Karma, Tineke’s most recent recruit. “I adopted him from the Meow Foundation. He and his littermates were found under the foundation of a new house when they were two weeks old. I was looking for another cat, and thought one of these might be ideal. I ended up with Karma – there was just

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something about him. As soon as he was old enough, Tineke began training Karma to be a PALS cat. “He started visiting at the nursing home when he was a year old, and I’ve recently begun taking him to the children’s hospital as well. He sits quietly when the children pet him, and on our most recent visit he let a little kid give him a hug!” *************

One happy family

Like many animal lovers, Cricky Long finds it hard to resist when she comes across a homeless dog or cat, particularly those in desperate straits. “They’re my little ‘special needs’ angels,” says Cricky, who works for Sleeping Dogs Publishing in West Hollywood. Cricky adopted Mati, a German Shepherd mix, from the SPCA in Los Angeles about six years ago. “I didn’t think she would live out the year,” she says. “She had been neglected, abused and starved. It also turned out she was completely deaf, although we didn’t know that when we adopted her.” Mati is now eleven, and in good health apart from her deafness.

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Serendipity played a role when Cricky found Pugsley. She had begun visiting rescues for research on City Dogs, an L.A. guidebook for dog guardians. “While I was at the Lange Foundation, I saw the sweetest little dog. She had been hit by a car, but was so cute I Cricky and her crew, Mati (left), Pugsley (right), and 007, the cat. was sure she’d find a home as soon as she got over her broken leg.” To Cricky’s surprise, when she called the Foundation a year later on another matter, she learned that Pugsley was still in residence. Although she had been adopted out several times, people kept bringing her back because she had seizures. “I told them I would take her and find a home for her, which I did – it turned out to be my own! Pugsley is really a one-person dog. She’s adorable, but she’s got that little dog attitude of trying to take on the world!” Cricky’s menagerie wouldn’t be complete without 007, a feral cat she rescued through a vet about five-and-a-half years ago. “I had been taking care of a friend’s kittens, but Mati really missed them when they went back home.” Thinking another cat would cheer Mati up, Cricky adopted 007 and reports that they get along famously.” The four are now one big, happy family. “They went from being on the street to having a home to live in, and that’s what it’s all about, really.”

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By Vets Only Dedicated to working with vets and medical professionals to produce high grade, natural pet supplements, By Vets Only (BVO) was founded in 2002 by Bobbi Jo Swartz. Her inspiration was Chance, a dysplastic German Shepherd with a serious heart defect who she rescued from abandonment a year earlier. Bobbi Jo embarked on a mission to improve Chance’s health, but found that conventional drugs and treatment only seemed to worsen his suffering and quality of life. Seeking the help of experts across the country, she developed Petaprin, a natural, non-toxic pain reliever and anti-inflammatory for dogs and cats. Free of any chemical stimulants and by-products, the new product changed Chance’s life and he was soon able to run and play just like other dogs. Petaprin has since helped millions of other animals, and along with PetaCalm, a fast-acting, all-natural calming remedy for dogs, has become the company’s trademark product. This summer, BVO is releasing 22 more natural health items including foods and treats as well as multi-vitamins for puppies and senior dogs. A flea and tick repellant, shampoo and conditioner are also in the works, along with products for hairball prevention, weight management, parasite control, cataract reversal, and equine pain relief. All products are carefully formulated, evaluated and tested under the supervision of vets and other specialists, and are released only when they meet the company’s strict quality control standards, and are successfully taste-tested by the team’s own animals. www.byvetsonly.com

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Natura Pet Products This company’s philosophy is simple: “If we wouldn’t eat it ourselves, we don’t put it in the food we make.” Formed in 1990, Natura Pet Products created its animal diets by asking vets, trainers and other experts how they would make a healthy pet food. The company offers canned and dry formulas such as Innova, a premium food made from fresh, whole ingredients, California Natural, an ideal food for animals with allergies or digestive problems, and HealthWise, for those stepping up from mainstream foods to something healthier, more digestible and nutrient dense. Natura’s newest product, Karma, is 95% certified organic. www.naturapet.com

M.I. Industries Established over a quarter century ago, M.I. Industries is the maker of Nature’s Variety Prairie diets for dogs and cats. Along with raw frozen and freeze dried meat-based foods, the company also offers a complete line of quality packaged diets. Their kibble is made from 43% meat, while the canned foods contain 95% meat – flavors include lamb and rice, chicken and rice, and beef and barley. Also available are tasty dry-roasted, meat-based treats, nutritional supplements and raw frozen bones. The company’s newest offering is a USDA certified 100% organic raw chicken diet. M.I. Industries is the largest manufacturer of raw frozen diets in the U.S. www.naturesvariety.com

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Pettest Through hair analysis, Pettest screens your animal’s body for levels of nutritional and toxic minerals, and reveals imbalances that could cause health problems, before symptoms even manifest. This simple test can evaluate the risks and causes of bone and joint disorders, digestive, heart and thyroid disease, allergies and even cancer. www.pettest.net

Blue Buffalo Company Bill Bishop wanted a healthier food for his dog, Blue, who has cancer, so he worked with animal nutritionists and a vet to develop his own diet. Blue Life Protection Formula is made from free range lamb or chicken, whole grains, and fresh fruit and vegetables, with cold-formed antioxidant “bits.” www.bluebuff.com

Healthy Pet Systems Among the high quality, all-natural nutritional supplements offered by this three-year-old company are the #1 Longevity Formula, with 32 vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to enhance energy, immune function and coat condition, and #1 FlexoR Joint Health Super Formula, containing glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin, MSM and other nutrients crucial for joint health. www.vithealth.com

PETaPOTTY Invented by Brandon Hochman, this indoor toilet system for dogs features a trap pan underneath a piece of grass sod. When your dog urinates, it drains through into the pan -- just water the grass to help flush it clean, then empty the tray. Sods last two to four months. www.petapotty.com

Doctors Finest Pet Products Created by Elliott Harvey, author of “The Healthy Wholistic Dog,” Doctors Finest Great Life Dog and Cat Foods feature raw food layered over kibble. The company also offers many other natural products such as organic biscuits (some with joint mobility or calming herbs), a holistic flea spray and N*Zymes Pro+. www.1doctorschoice.com

Broadleaf Venison Real meat is the key to Broadleaf Venison’s Wilderness Foods Real Meat Jerky Treats. Made from 95% meat, the all natural treats are available in New Zealand lamb, venison or beef, and contain no fillers or artificial additives. A mixed tocopherol antioxidant adds extra nutrition to this healthy, tasty snack. www.realmeattreats.com

Beverly Oaks Animal Hospital and Pet Resort Founded in 1996, this 24-hour small animal hospital in Sherman Oaks, California, offers a combination of Western and holistic medicine as well as acupuncture and emergency services such as surgery and a trauma center. Pet boarding and grooming are also available, and further changes and improvements are in the works. www.beverlyoaksanimalhospcom.verizonsupersite.com animal wellness

Putting your horse’s best foot forward – with an all-natural hoof by Lisa Ross-Williams

loud rustling in the bushes alerts the herd to possible danger. Led by the gray, the horses tear through the natural terrain at breakneck speed, nimbly navigating the uneven rocky ground. Even when crossing the riverbank, not one horse loses his footing on the slippery clay. Mother Nature has given this herd a special gift for survival – strong, healthy, natural hooves. Unlike shod horses, wild equines have short, compact, hard-as-rock hooves with large frogs. These feet give the animals maximum traction, protection, and shock absorption. They have never been weakened by a farrier’s hammer and nails and the restriction of steel shoes, nor afflicted with hoof diseases such as laminitis, navicular, thrush, and white line disease. Although the norm in horse care has been to shoe without a second thought, there’s a growing trend towards natural hoof care. More and more horse guardians, and even some farriers and veterinarians, are starting to question the practice of shoeing and are turning to the barefoot approach.

The history of shoeing

Showing how individualized hoof size and shape can be

Natural barefeet of a 2000 lb. Percheron and an 800 lb. mixed breed.

animal wellness

But even then, some people were questioning the practice. Around 1800, Bracey Clark, a veterinarian and Ph.D with the London Veterinary College, wrote: “It is clear, from the readiness with which people consent to have their horses shod at any age, that they view the shoes merely as protecting the foot, and are not aware of its insidious effects; but would rather as we often observe, treat the proposition of its removal as a piece of inhumanity.”

Shoes cause health problems Most people shoe their horses because they believe it protects the hooves. But they are often unaware of the negative effects of this practice. Although a metal shoe may protect the hoof wall from chipping, it impedes other natural functions, with adverse consequences. Some of these include:

Decreased shock absorption:

For over 8,000 years, horses were ridden barefoot. It wasn’t until the Middle Ages, when horses were brought into castles, that metal horseshoes came into play. Because these horses were stalled, standing in their own waste with no movement, their hooves couldn’t stand

up to the rigors of carrying heavily armed knights into war. Shoeing, though unnecessary for most horses, slowly began to take hold. By the late 18th century, it was commonplace.

Photos provided by: Lisa Ross-Williams

By not allowing the hoof to expand properly when bearing weight, a shoe decreases its ability to absorb shock by 70% to 80%. In 1983, a study at the University of Zurich found that “a shod horse walking on pavement receives three times the impact force as an unshod horse trotting on that surface.” The excess force is taken up by the legs, damaging joints, tendons, and even the lungs.

Tissue damage: A doctoral thesis from the University of Zurich found that metal horseshoes vibrate at about 800 Hz, a frequency damaging to living tissue. Every step a shod horse takes affects tissues throughout his body, setting him up for chronic conditions such as arthritis.

Decreased blood circulation: Each hoof is actually a secondary circulatory pump that supports the heart in moving blood through the body. When the natural expansion and contraction of the hoof is diminished by shoes or unbalanced hooves, this important blood flow is hindered.

Decreased traction: Metal shoes do not give the same traction as unshod hooves on slippery ground, pavement, or rocks. A natural barefoot uses the skid-break action of the bars, the suction-cup effect upon weight bearing, and the ability to “feel” the ground as an all-terrain tool.

Is your pet a little sensitive?

Damage by nails: Shoe nails weaken the hoof wall and contribute to tissue damage from vibration. And because old nail holes do not close up, they leave the hoof vulnerable to bacteria and temperature extremes.

Hoof contraction: When a hoof grows, it does so not only in length but also in diameter. Since a metal shoe doesn’t become wider, it squeezes the growing hoof into a too-narrow shape, hindering proper hoof function (contracting and expanding). Contracted hooves are oval rather than round and have very narrow frogs and heel bulbs.

Inhibits foot development: A horse’s coffin bone grows and develops until he is about five years old. If a horse is shod before that age, the constricting influence of the shoe prevents normal growth of this all-important bone, predisposing the horse to lifetime hoof problems. The differences between a balanced, natural hoof and a shod or improperly trimmed hoof are easy to see:

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Simply removing your horse’s shoes will not produce a sound, high performance barefoot horse. Also important are correct and frequent trimming, natural living conditions and a proper diet.

Most horses, unless they have many acres to move around in and are ridden frequently, will need to have their hooves trimmed every four to six weeks by an experienced barefoot trimmer. The normal pasture trim done by farriers is very different from a balanced, natural trim and will not have the same positive results. Many horse guardians are learning to do the regular maintenance trim themselves, with excellent results. One main point to keep in mind is that every horse is an individual and there is no exact formula to follow. Being able to read what the hoof is telling you will yield more success than forcing the hoof into certain measurements. Short toes 3”-31⁄2” Low heels 1⁄2”-1” Large frogs Hairline undistorted Straight angle of hoof growth Frog active upon weight bearing Passive and active wear areas

Long toes 31⁄2”-41⁄2” High heels 11⁄2”-3” Narrow frogs Hairline distorted Growth concave or convex Frog always passive Only shoe is active

Your horse will go through a transition or healing period after his shoes are removed. This varies from horse to horse, depending on the damage the shoes have caused, improper trimming, and the horse’s healing ability. During this time, hoof structures and sole callous are rebuilding. Horses may be tender on rocks or hard surfaces, so hoof boots may be necessary for awhile when riding on this kind of terrain. animal wellness

Good nutrition is also a key element in building strong, healthy hooves; without the proper nutrients and balance of minerals, hooves will be weak and inferior whether shod or not. Stay away from large amounts of alfalfa, sweet feed and grain, all of which have detrimental effects on hooves. One of the most important keys to healthy, natural hooves is knowledge. Learn all you can about hoof care so you can make informed decisions. Thousands of horse guardians are turning to the many fantastic resources available on barefoot horses, from clinics, books and videos to websites and internet groups.

More and more performance horses in endurance, dressage, show, and even racing are excelling in their disciplines thanks to balanced, natural hooves. Natural horse care is the wave of the future and the barefoot approach is one of the main principles. Remember that Mother Nature has given these magnificent creatures all they need to be happy and healthy. It’s up to us to support them by becoming knowledgeable about what is truly best for them, naturally.

Hoof care resources

power

Books Horse Owners Guide to Natural Hoof Care, Jaime Jackson www.star-ridge.com Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You, Pete Ramey www.star-ridge.com A Lifetime of Soundness, Dr Hiltrud Strasser www.thehorseshoof.com Websites www.barefoothorses.com www.tribeequus.com www.ironfreehoof.com www.naturalhorse.com

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What’s Gnu? Spa experience for your dog

To the church on time

Your best friend gives you all his love and companionship, so why not a little pampering in return? Happy Tails presents their Canine Spa Line, a selection of soothing and relaxing spa, grooming and wellness products made from high quality botanical and herbal ingredients. Products range from the Calming Aromatherapy Spritzer, a detangling conditioner made with lavender and chamomile, to Unwind That Canine, a warming massage and sore muscle remedy made with arnica oil. www.happytailsspa.com

Worship services for Fido and Fluffy? Why not? In an effort to offset falling attendance, the St. Francis Episcopal Church in Stamford, Connecticut is giving Holy Communion to companion animals and offering special pet-friendly services. But it doesn’t stop there. Some of the clergy are also making house calls for sick animals, accompanying people when their animals are being euthanized, and officiating at pet funerals. Only time will tell if the trend catches on at other places of worship, but it’s a welcome acknowledgement of the strong spiritual connection many people share with animals. – Ananova

Treats with meat

Send your dog to K9U

Healthy, natural animal treats aren’t that easy to come by, but Broadleaf Venison is just one company that’s changing things with Wilderness Foods of New Zealand’s Real Meat Treats. Made from all-natural ingredients, these tasty jerky treats contain loads of meat (choose from lamb, venison or beef) along with chicory, sea salt, lecithin and garlic, and a mixed tocopherol antioxidant for an extra punch of nutrition. The challenge will be to keep Rover from wanting the whole package at once. www.broadleafgame.com

Gentle, positive training makes all the difference to the relationship you share with your dog. Serving the greater Los Angeles area, certified trainer Steve Brooks of K9U Dog Training specializes in behavior problems and obedience using positive motivational techniques. By making the learning process fun and rewarding for both you and your dog, Steve helps you communicate with and understand your best friend better, thereby enhancing your bond of love and trust. www.k9u.net

Make her sparkle Itchy, oily, flaky skin is a common problem with many dogs and cats and is often caused by a buildup of toxins in the body. Switching your companion to a healthy, natural diet is the first solution, but you can go further by adding skin and coat-enhancing supplements. The Honest Kitchen has introduced Sparkle, an herbal and nutritional supplement with dehydrated nettle leaf, burdock root, rosehips, dandelion leaf and nutritional yeast, herbs rich in vitamins that help cleanse the blood and support liver function. www.thehonestkitchen.com

Tasty vegetarian cookies Organic foods are the best way to go when feeding your beloved companion. From Meyer Country Farms comes Bellyrubs, delicious crunchy dog treats made from certified organic vegetarian ingredients. There are two blends: the peanut butter flavored treats are baked from organic rolled oats, peanut butter, apples and bananas, while the veggie blend contains organic carrots, peas and pumpkin. Bellyrubs are free of wheat, corn and soy, and contain no dyes or preservatives. www.meyercountryfarms.com

animal wellness

DDAF launches new online store Books, t-shirts, hats, and ID collars for cats are just some of the merchandise you’ll find at the Doris Day Animal Foundation’s new online store. Launched to increase public awareness of the foundation and its animal protection programs, the store offers a range of animal-friendly products as well as a selection of Doris Day CDs and movies. Proceeds from sales go towards supporting the non-profit organization and its educational activities. www.ddaf.org/store

ANIMAL WELLNESS MAGAZINE

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EVENTS CALENDAR May 15, 2004 - Kitchener, ON Tellington TTouch for Dogs Contact: Sue Becker 519-896-2600 suebecker@cyg.net May 22, 2004 - Harrisburg, PA Wellness through Natural Living Contact: Jane Crowley 717-780-2414 janecrowley@evenlink.com

May 29-30, 2004 - Kingston, ON Animal Communication - Basic Level Contact: Sacred Journeys Healing Arts Centre 613-542-2325 www.sacred-journeys.ca

June 25-27, 2004 - Toledo, OH The 1st Annual IAAMB Educational Conference Contact: IAAMB 800-903-9350 Info@IAAMB.org www.IAAMB.org

June 5-6, 2004 - Pasadena, CA Animal Wellness Expo - Adoption & Shopping Event Contact: Tim Hockley 866-764-1212 www.animalwellnessexpo.com

July 24-25, 2004 - Milwaukee, WI Intro to Small Animal Massage Therapy Contact: W. Bruce Bregenzer 847-782-1963 amtil@amtil.com www.AMTIL.com

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

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breed-specific diet

Ode to a Hound by Kate Solisti-Mattelon Dogs evolved in different regions of the world, learning to eat what was plentiful. All dogs are carnivores and carrion feeders, so the game and other meats available became the foundation of their diet. After meats came local vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and grains. Variety was and still is key to good health, but feeding ancestral foods gives each breed an extra edge. In this issue:

Beagles and other scent hounds

verybody knows that scent hounds are famous for their noses. While sight hounds use their keen vision and remarkable speed to capture or corner prey, scent hounds rely on their refined sense of smell and legendary stamina to guide them. Bloodhounds, for instance, will search tirelessly for a missing person and upon finding him, gleefully lick their target to pieces. Although great at finding things, many hounds don’t have a strong instinct to kill, so human hunters have found them great partners. One scent hound, the beagle, goes back quite far in English history, perhaps descending from the harrier and other ancient hounds. The word beagle derives from the Celtic word “beag,” meaning “small”, which made it easy for mounted hunters to carry them in their saddlebags when they went out rabbit hunting. Those of us who live with beagles are impressed with their ability to eat seemingly twice their weight if given the chance. Unfortunately, this adoration of all things edible can lead to obesity and other weight related problems. Beagles need exercise and balanced meals. The following recipe should give the beagle, Kerry beagle, beagle harrier, harrier, English and American foxhounds, basset hound and laufhunds a good balance of protein and carbohydrates to address their unique energy needs.

you can substitute more of the homemade mixture, or continue to use it as a nutritional supplement. Note: If you serve with kibble, omit the oatmeal from the recipe. If you’re looking for the best frozen, canned or dry options, become a label detective. Always look for the highest grade ingredients with no by-products, meal, BHA, BHT, corn, wheat, white rice or peanut hulls. Add digestive enzymes and/or plain, low fat yogurt for best digestion and absorption. KATE SOLISTI-MATTELON AND HER HUSBAND, PATRICE MATTELON, ARE THE AUTHORS OF The Holistic Animal Handbook, A Guidebook to Nutrition, Health and Communication AND THE WRITERS AND PRODUCERS OF THE VIDEO, Save Your Dog: Nourish Him the Way He’s Built to Eat.

Hound Hash 1 lb.

raw, grass-fed, organic or free-range ground lamb. You can alternate with cooked rabbit or raw, organic chicken.

6-8 oz. cooked organic potatoes (boiled, roasted, baked) coarsely mashed 6 oz.

cooked organic oatmeal at room temperature (quick oats are easiest)

1 Tbs.

chopped organic parsley (dry) or 2 Tbs. fresh

2 Tbs.

flaxseed oil

1 Tbs.

food-grade bone meal

Makes six 1⁄2 cup servings. Serve according to the size and caloric requirements of your dog. Extra servings can be frozen. If your dog is used to eating dry kibble, start by adding a tablespoon of the mixture to his usual food. Do this for three to four days to be sure he can handle the change. As he gets used to the new food, animal wellness

legal beagle

The Renting Dilemma

You come home from work and see a paper posted on your front door. It’s an eviction notice, and it’s because of that sweet little dog you took in a month ago…but your lease says “No pets allowed”. Refusing to give up your newest family member, you search the ads for another apartment…only to discover that most landlords have a “No pets” restriction in their lease. So what can you do? Does the law provide any protection for people with pets who rent instead of own?

by Bob Ferber priceless home-like environment, immeasurable emotional support and unconditional love to all tenants. Although cases do exist where the courts have allowed a tenant’s animals to stay even though the lease agreement had a “No pets” clause, those situations are usually because the clause was either confusing or not obvious in the lease. In most cases, if the landlord makes the pet rules clear in writing at the time of the signing of the lease, the courts will evict tenants who violate the “No pets” clause.

While you need to check the tenant/landlord legislation in your city, state or province, for the most part, the laws in the United The exceptions that protect animals States and most provinces in Canada provide little protection for There are some situations where the law protects tenants with those who want to rent with companion animals. Legally binding companion animals…even with a clear “No pets” clause in the “anti-pet” clauses are standard in most lease lease. For instance, when the landlord agreements and such clauses either prohibit knows the tenant has a pet in violation of Exceptional legislation animals of any kind or severely restrict them, the lease but takes no action to evict until It’s important to check the local legislation allowing only fish, hamsters, or at best, cats. the tenant complains about needed repairs in your area to determine your rights as a Dogs, meanwhile, are clearly the worst or other typical tenant complaints, this is renter. In Canada, most courts uphold victims of renter’s discrimination. called a retaliatory eviction. It can, however, no-pets clauses; however, in Ontario, be difficult to prove. In another common leases cannot contain a no-pets clause and Landlord concerns scenario, tenants can sometimes keep their if a lease does include such a clause, it is Landlords complain that animals lower animals either because the landlord did not considered void by the courts (but condo the rental value of other apartment units, consistently enforce the anti-pet provision, renters must abide by the building by-laws). and worry about their potential liability if or waited months or years before enforcing In New York city, meanwhile, the “Pet Law” the renter’s dog bites someone, destroys it. There was also the case where the court stipulates that if a landlord is aware you property or disturbs other tenants by permitted a tenant to keep his large dog have an animal but fails to do anything barking or whimpering. Many believe because it provided protection in a about it within three months, any “no pet” that animals, especially dogs and cats, high-crime neighborhood and the landlord provision in the lease is void and you can keep result in noise, odors, fleas, unclaimed was not fulfilling his legal duty to provide your animal companion. So it’s important to poop, urine-stained lawns and countless basic protection for his tenants (e.g. better start documenting your animal’s presence forms of property damage, especially to lighting, security doors, etc.) Such fact in your rental (vet certificates or adoption the inside of the apartment. situations are rare, though. papers will indicate how long you’ve had your animal, while fun photos with building Responsible animal guardians and renters, When a landlord wants to change an staff or inside the lobby show you’re not of course, counter that pets provide a animal-friendly building to a “No pets” trying to hide your companion) right away.

animal wellness

legal beagle building, the law is complicated and inconsistent. Landlords can legally change “house rules” -- certain minor terms of their lease agreements without a tenant’s consent, e.g. pool or laundry room hours -- but the courts disagree about whether changing an apartment from animal-friendly to “No pets allowed” is a house rule or something that needs a tenant’s consent. Fortunately, some courts will consider evictions on a case by case basis. Consider the one where the new owner of a previously animalfriendly apartment building tried to evict tenants who refused to give up their animals. The judge let the pets and tenants stay because the apartment building was occupied by numerous senior citizens with elderly animals in a high crime area not close to other residential properties. Some judges have also allowed tenants to keep their animals because the landlord couldn’t prove that they were either a nuisance or a danger to the other tenants.

Service dogs are protected too Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Federal Rehabilitation Act, tenants must be allowed to have service animals (e.g. seeing eye dogs and hearing ear dogs) since the law requires landlords to provide “reasonable accommodation” to the handicapped. Federal law prohibits landlords (and others) from requiring proof of one’s disability or that the service dog is somehow “certified”. Nevertheless, it’s advisable for tenants with service dogs to have at least a physician’s note to avoid confrontation or litigation. Few people know, however, that service animals include those that support persons suffering from cancer and other potentially terminal illnesses as well as with depression or other emotional disorders. Again, landlords are likely to challenge these claims but the ADA and the courts have made it fairly clear that such tenants do not have to prove their disability or that the animal is, in fact, trained to provide a special service. Note, however, that the courts can evict even a service dog if it becomes a nuisance or a danger to others. See www.deltasociety.com for more information about the laws pertaining to service dogs.

Positive steps you can take So how can a renter and her dog find a place to live? Instead of using the court system to force a landlord to accept your pet, try persuasion or financial incentives. Convince your current or potential landlord you are a responsible guardian by using the following tips: • Assure the landlord that you will have adequate renters’ insurance including liability coverage for bites. • Offer a generous cleaning fee and a larger than average security deposit. • Show the landlord that your pet is an “upstanding citizen”, through references from past landlords or condo associations, a clean bill of health (and proof of spay or neuter) from your veterinarian, good canine citizenship or training certifications and even a personal introduction (assuming your pet will make a

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good impression!). • Remind the landlord that animal guardians tend to rent for longer periods of time than residents without animals. And because they appreciate their animals being able to live there, they’re more likely to act like model tenants. • Find out if a no-pets policy is the result of a bad experience with a former resident. This shows concern and helps you frame your own request more favorably. • If you are facing an eviction, seek the advice of an experienced landlord-tenant attorney familiar with the laws and the courts in your area. In some communities, especially larger cities, there are now attorneys specializing in defending the rights of pet guardians. Consult local newspapers and animal publications as well as the Internet to locate these attorneys. Once you receive permission to move in your animal, remember to take care of the paperwork. Remove or stroke out and initial the nopets clause from both copies of the lease before you sign, or include a pet addendum to your rental agreement. Have any deposits and monthly pet fees put into writing as well. If there are “house rules” for pets, do your best to abide by them. As our society continues to place increasing value on companion animals and our special relationship with them, we will hopefully see the day when laws will ensure that companion animals are as welcome in an apartment building as the guardians who cherish them.

Tips to finding a new home: Be resourceful. Contact the humane society or other shelters/ rescues in the area as well as any real estate agents, rental agents, or property managers who have animals. Search the Internet for pet-friendly rentals. We found some pet-friendly planned communities that even offered offleash parks. Forget rental communities with strict no-pet policies. Instead, look for places that allow most pets, allow certain pets (e.g. dogs weighing under 30 pounds), or don’t specify “No pets” in their advertising. Go to the source. Individual home and condominium owners may be more approachable, and you won’t have to go through several layers of permission as you do with larger properties. Make sure you don’t need written permission from a landlord’s condo association or other body. Special thanks to law students Donna Mo and Stephanie Wernette for their invaluable assistance in the writing of this article.

BOB FERBER HAS BEEN A LOS ANGELES PROSECUTOR FOR 24 YEARS, AND HAS RECENTLY BEGUN FOCUSING EXCLUSIVELY ON ANIMAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES.

HE ALSO RESCUES AND FOSTERS “UNADOPTABLE” ANIMALS AND RUNS AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THAT TEACHES SCHOOLCHILDREN REVERENCE FOR ALL LIFE.

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ARE THERE CHICKENS IN YOUR DOG FOOD? Solid Gold uses no chicken in its dry dog food. Nov. 2003 - Feb. 2004 - 60 million chickens destroyed in Asia after 2500 people became infected or died. Feb.12, 2004 - China halts all imports of chickens from U.S. Feb. 2004 - In Asia, Kentucky Fried Chicken now serves Kentucky fried fish. This is not the first problem with diseased chickens, often referred to as the bird flu. May 2002 - Nov.2002 - U.S. Department of Agriculture kills 27.4 million pounds of chicken due to Listeria Monocytogenes, a Class I, High Risk Health Hazard, which causes sterility, miscarriages, stillbirth, fetal infections and death. Dec.2002 - Oct.2003 - U.S. Department of Agriculture kills 12 million chickens due to Newcastle disease. Solid Gold uses a different source of protein in its dog food. Solid Gold never uses allergenic ingredients such as peanuts, soybean / lecithin, wheat, corn or sunflower oil. WolfKing, WolfCub, and Just A Wee Bit (for small dogs) - Grass fed free range organic bison and organic salmon, caught in the wilds of Alaska. Holistique Blendz - for seniors, sensitive stomachs, overweight, epilepsy, kidney and liver problems. 18% protein from fish only. Hund -N- Flocken Adult and Hundchen Flocken Puppy - Fish and grass fed lamb from New Zealand. MMillennia - Fish and Beef. Many government agencies feed their â&#x20AC;&#x153;snifferâ&#x20AC;? dogs our Hund -N- Flocken since we use no preservatives. Preservatives would interfere with their sense of smell. We use metallic hermetically sealed, vacuum-like packaging to keep our food fresh. Paper or plastic bags leak in air and need chemical preservatives.

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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

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West Nile virus – Is the prevention worse than the disease? By Dana Cox

essie Brand’s house backs onto a wooded ravine. When the weather is good, she loves to sit outside, listening to the soothing sounds of the creek as it meanders through the forest beyond her fenceline. But not all of Jessie’s neighbors appreciate the close proximity of Nature anymore. “Last summer, the elderly lady who lives next door called city officials, demanding they spray the entire ravine to kill off the mosquitoes,” says Jessie. “Even though she rarely comes out, she’s terrified she’s going to get West Nile virus.” Jessie’s neighbor isn’t the only one who’s scared. Since the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus (WNv) was first detected in the United States in 1999, a wave of fear has washed across

Dr. David Pimentel, a professor of entomology at Cornell University and a longtime pesticide researcher pointed out the problems in an article in Newsday. “In order to work, the insecticide must hit the mosquito directly,” said Dr. Pimentel. “But since spray trucks are only fogging the street side of buildings, I doubt that more than one-tenth of one percent of the poison is actually hitting its target. And you have to put out a lot of material to get that one-tenth of a percent onto the mosquito. We need to address this, because if we’re just spraying all over and not doing a damn bit of good, then this is a waste of time and money, and it’s also a hazard.” Shawnee Hoover, Special Projects Director of the Washington, DC-based group Beyond Pesticides, agrees. “There’s no research or credible proof that adultacides prevent or affect West Nile incidence at all,” she says. Other sources express concern that the pesticides will kill mosquito predators, such as fish, dragonflies, damselflies and beetles and, similar to the antibiotic crisis, will produce pesticide-resistant “super” mosquitoes.

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communities throughout North America. Many experts point to dogged media attention and the exotic origins of the virus (it was first identified in Africa in 1937) for creating the hysteria. They say some overzealous politicians have responded inappropriately to public concern by introducing blanket pesticide spraying campaigns designed to eradicate the mosquitoes – campaigns that they say are ineffective and potentially much worse for us and our animal companions than the virus itself.

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(CAN)

To deal with the fall-out of West Nile-related spraying, Beyond Pesticides has formed a new coalition – the National Alliance for Informed Mosquito Management (AIMM) to share information and education with the public and government bodies about the dangers of spraying and the alternatives that are available. The group puts companion animals in a high risk category for effects from pesticides. “Because of their size and being close to the ground, they would be affected the same way as children. We know, for instance, that the lawn care product 2,4-D has been linked to non-Hodgkins lymphoma in dogs.” While West Nile virus has infected humans, birds, cats, bats,

How West Nile virus is contracted West Nile is a member of the arbovirus family, transmitted by adult mosquitoes. The mosquito is merely a vector, however. Birds actually host the virus and the mosquito must first suck blood from an infected bird and then “bite” again after an incubation period of 5 to 15 days to transmit the virus to humans and animals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), less than one percent of those infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness.” As with many viruses, those hardest hit include people with compromised immune systems, and seniors.

chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits, so far only one dog case has been reported. Those most at risk include birds and horses, and an equine vaccine is now available to protect this species. With the virus expected to hit California this summer, municipalities continent-wide are planning anti-mosquito activities. Concerned Americans are meeting resistance from mosquito abatement districts – agents contracted by local government to make and execute recommendations regarding the mosquito problem in their areas. While many have switched from using organo-phosphate pesticides to synthetic pyrethoids, even these pesticides are cause for great concern, says Shawnee. Part of the problem is not only with the pyrethoid itself, but with the inert ingredients which make up the majority (approx. 90%) of the product. “You’re getting exposed to the pyrethoids, which we believe are endocrine disruptors, and to the petroleum distillates, which are carcinogenic and have been linked to birth defects and other illnesses.” Other toxicology testing reports show adverse chronic effects, including effects on the liver and thyroid. If you add DEET into the mix, as many municipalities are doing through newspaper and radio promotion campaigns to help prevent mosquito contact, the picture looks more dismal. “Researchers found that a combined exposure to DEET and pyrmethrin can lead to serious memory dysfunction, learning and motor deficits,” says Shawnee. So what’s the alternative to spraying? Shawnee says the more environmentally sensitive communities are using mosquito larva-eating fish and larvacides, specifically Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t.i.), rather than adulticides. B.T.i. pellets are dropped into ponds and basins to eliminate mosquito larvae and are considered less toxic to humans and wildlife. She also stresses the need for individuals to mosquito-manage their own properties and use safe natural repellent prevention (e.g. products containing geraniol, citronella, or catnip – reapply throughout the day). Also, find out what your local government has planned for your community. If you don’t like it, take steps to let them know. Beyond Pesticides offers an organizing packet to assist you. Call Shawnee Hoover at 202-543-5450 for more information.

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To prevent mosquitoes from breeding near you: • Recycle, store or toss out any containers on your property that can hold stagnant water, such as buckets, toys, old tires, wheelbarrows, etc. • Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling bins, storage containers or garbage bins.

• Drain the water from birdbaths, fountains, wading pools, and plant drip trays twice a week. • Check air conditioning units to ensure water is not collecting underneath them. • Clean out your gutters and fix those that sag or do not drain completely. Check for areas of standing water on flat roofs. • If you have a swimming pool, outdoor sauna, or hot tub, make sure rainwater does not collect on the cover. • Store your canoes and kayaks upside-down. • Keep grass cut and trim shrubs to minimize hiding places for adult mosquitoes. Clear culverts. • Aerate ornamental pools. • Make sure window and door screens fit properly, and replace outdoor lights with yellow “bug lights.” Enter and exit your home quickly (no open-door chats). • Wear hats, long sleeves and pants in the evenings outdoors. • Keep animals inside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.

What to do if spraying occurs around your home. 1. Keep windows closed during and immediately after spraying. If possible, turn off window air conditioners. 2. Keep children and animals (and yourself) inside during spraying and until the next morning after spraying. 3. Cover or store inside portable outdoor furniture, toys, pet dishes and tools, and cover items such as barbecues or sand boxes. 4. Cover ornamental fish ponds and vegetable gardens. 5. Remove shoes when entering the home after spraying because pesticides can be tracked indoors and remain toxic for months in synthetic carpet fibers. 6. Hose off swingsets, window screens, door handles and hand railings after spraying occurs to avoid direct contact. 7. If you suffer symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, blurred vision, breathing difficulties, or irritation of the eyes, nose, lips, mouth or throat, see your doctor immediately.

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awm Product Picks Joint effort

You’ve noticed recently that Rover seems stiffer and creakier than he used to be. He’s not alone. Degenerative joint disease and related disorders are becoming increasingly common, especially as our animals are living longer lives. Luckily, help is available in the form of supplements formulated to ease pain, increase mobility and repair joint and tissue damage. These include Re-New and Synovial Supreme from Optimal Pet Products – both in chewable tablet form, these palatable, high-potency supplements include glucosamine HCl, chondroitin, MSM and antioxidants like Ester C, all of which work together to help rejuvenate aching joints. Re-New: 60 tablets – $22 120 tablets – $40 Synovial Supreme: 90 tablets – $35 120 tablets – $42 www.optimalpets.com

As easy as pie

If you want to try your dog or cat on a raw food diet, but think it’s going to be too messy, think again. Prepared raw diets from Bravo! are sold in convenient packages and patties that make feeding your friend as simple as opening a tin. These grain free diets are made from USDA inspected and approved ingredients and offer a wide variety of meats to choose from, including chicken and turkey as well as beef, lamb, venison and rabbit. Ground bone, organ meats and vegetables are included in the blends and burgers, providing your companion with a complete and healthy diet that’s as easy to serve as 1-2-3. Blends: 1, 2, 5 and 10 lb packages – $2.25 to $21.50 Burgers: 5 lb – $10.75 to $18.75 www.bravorawdiet.com

Treat him to turkey

Does your companion have allergies? If so, it can be challenging to find him tasty treats he can enjoy without suffering a reaction. Bailey Mac’s Natural Delights has the answer with Turkey Jerky. Made from strips of 100% free range turkey breast meat, this healthy, nourishing and wholesome treat is ideal for animals with allergies or delicate digestion. It can also be used to tempt finicky eaters, as a training reward, or just as a way to thank your dog or cat for being your best friend. Turkey Jerky is free of salt and sugar, and contains no artificial preservatives or flavors. 2 oz – $4.50; 4 oz – $7.99; 8 oz – $15.04; 1 lb – $29.14 www.baileymacs.com

By a hair

Thanks to poor diets, environmental pollution and other factors, our companion animals are becoming increasingly susceptible to diseases like cancer, diabetes and kidney failure. The PetTest Health Screen is a simple and inexpensive way to find out if your animal is at risk for illness – before symptoms even begin to appear. By analyzing a sample of his hair, PetTest reports on the levels of over 30 essential and toxic minerals in your animal’s body, thereby allowing you and your vet to correct any imbalances before they have a chance to cause problems. one health screen: $96 www.pettest.net

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Does your dog need heartworm medication? According to the integrative veterinarians we talked to, the answer is often “no”. While some animal guardians feel they don’t have a choice but to give their dogs a monthly heartworm pill, the truth is that not every dog is at the same risk for acquiring the disease. Where you live probably makes a difference, according to Toronto, Ontario-based veterinarian Ian Buffet. “Here, especially if it’s a dog that’s just walking around the block, the risk is really, really small,” says Dr. Buffet. In areas with little risk, some holistic vets worry more about the toxic effects of the preventatives than the dog’s chances of becoming infected.

What’s the risk for your dog? Take our quiz below to find out. Add up the points and check your score. Talk to your vet about your dog’s risk.

yes

Do you live in a swampy area?

Do you live on a farm?

Does your dog sleep outside at night?

Do you apply a natural bug repellent to your dog during bug season?

Does your dog have short hair or lots of exposed skin?

Does your dog get a heartworm blood test every year?

Is there a high incidence of heartworm in your immediate area?

Score: 19-33

Your dog is most likely in the low risk category. Make sure you have a very strong case presented to you before you consider heartworm preventatives.

Score: 11-18

Your dog may have some risk of being infected. Practice preventative measures such as those above.

Score: 0-10

Your dog is probably at higher risk. Speak to your veterinarian about a preventative program or options such as natural bug repellents and bringing him inside at night

animal wellness

book reviews Title: All My Children Wear Fur Coats

Nickers International Leader in Animal Nutrition since 1984

Author: Peggy R. Hoyt, J.D., M.B.A. “Pet owners equate their love for their pets on a level equal to or greater than their love for a best friend, child and even a spouse,” writes Peggy R. Hoyt in her book All My Children Wear Fur Coats – How to Leave a Legacy for Your Pet. “Is it any wonder we worry about them as if they were our children?” If you’ve ever wondered what would happen to your beloved companion if he outlived you, then this is the book for you. A lawyer with a deep love for animals, Ms. Hoyt tells how to plan for your friend’s future with a range of estate planning options. She includes advice on choosing an animal care organization if you have no one to leave your animal to, and also suggests how to find an attorney who will meet your needs with empathy and understanding. A section on dealing with pet loss and grief is part of this comprehensive volume, along with ways to memorialize your animal through charitable giving, burial ceremonies and other methods. Clearly written and easy to read, this book is sure to give comfort and peace of mind to anyone who loves companion animals.

Title: Bodywork for Dogs Title: Intuitive Touch with Horses Presenters: Lynn Vaughan and Deborah Jones Enhancing the bond you share with your companion is one of the most rewarding aspects of animal guardianship. These two hour-long videos presented by licensed massage therapists Lynn Vaughan and Deborah Jones show you how to use touch and intuition to help heal and communicate with your dog or horse. Both videos take you step by step through a variety of simple but profoundly effective techniques including massage, acupressure, awareness, nonverbal communication and centering breathwork. With practice, these powerful techniques can heighten your awareness of your animal’s physical and spiritual being, deeply relaxing both of you while strengthening your mutual love and respect. Beautifully filmed, these videos make inspiring viewing, inviting you to establish a greater level of harmony and understanding between you and your beloved companion. www.animalshealing.com

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A cat named Joe by Linda Casile

here it was again! That “Hey honey, how about a date” noise. What’s up with that cat? Doesn’t he know this is a respectable neighborhood? Where does he come off disturbing our peace?

“He would come every day, sometimes just to be petted, putting his paw on my knee and pushing his face against mine. He was irresistible.” Photo provided by: Linda Casile

When I finally saw the body that went with the voice – whoa, was he a dreamer! He was just a peanut of a cat, a frail little tabby with a white face and tummy. He looked barely two months old and hardly ready to start dating. Frankie Lynn, my two-year-old black longhair, had absolutely no use for him. Ever since adopting Frankie, I had become fascinated with cats. I read books and talked to cat people in my quest to learn more about these interesting creatures. I had also been feeding another stray on the back porch, which is how I got to know the little peanut, whose visits for food soon became constant. First, he would announce himself, then he would eat. Often he would just lie in the driveway sunning himself. Even while relaxing, he insisted on making “that noise.” When I came home from work, I would find him curled on an old chair waiting for me to serve supper. But he wasn’t quite ready to make friends yet: when I took the food out, his attitude said, “Hey lady, just leave the food and beat it.”

I consulted an animal communicator who told me the little peanut’s name was Joe. He was very sure of himself and would never back down from a fight. The noise he made was not so much an invitation to females as his way of saying, “Hey, it’s me! I’m bad and not afraid to scream it!” Eventually, Joe let me pet him. He must have decided it felt good, because he would often show up hollering for me to come out and touch him. Then he would leave, sometimes without even eating. He was growing and his tomcat body was finally in sync with his voice. I always served him breakfast and

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animal passages

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dinner, though sometimes he wouldn’t show up for days. But eventually, I would hear “that noise” and smile, knowing he was back. He took worming medicine without batting an eyelid, let me pull burrs out of his tail, and played with catnip toys. When I asked him to stop spraying our porch, he obliged by only marking territory in the far corner of the yard. What a darling!

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Then he began having coughing spells. I assumed he had hairballs, but as the problem continued, I realized he had a respiratory problem. One evening, he was curled on the chair and did not make any effort to get up. My concern grew when he looked at me with dull eyes, had another coughing fit, then lay down again and closed his eyes. Not knowing what was wrong, I couldn’t jeopardize Frankie by bringing Joe inside. In any case, he had always made it clear that he wanted to be free. That night, I prayed for his recovery. I consulted the animal communicator, who told me Joe had asthma. She suggested some natural antibiotics, but said there was no guarantee they would work. Joe willingly took the medication I gave him, and by the end of the week, I again heard that wonderful cat noise I had once found so irritating. The bad boy was feeling good again! After that, Joe openly expressed his gratitude for my care. He would come every day, sometimes just to be petted, putting his paw on my knee and pushing his face against mine. He was irresistible. One day he showed up sparkling clean. The consensus was that he had tidied himself up for a special date, but a couple of days later, I noticed he was wearing a collar with a folded-up note taped to it. I was shaking as I removed it and read: “Is this cat yours? I have been feeding him. Call me at 123-4567. Carol.” I made the call and learned that Joe had been cohabiting at Carol’s house, just one street away, and had even let her bathe him. Carol explained that she worked with feral cats by getting them spayed/neutered and finding them homes. She wanted to do the same for Joe. I knew I would miss him terribly, but I also knew he deserved a real home. Not long after, Carol called to tell me she had taken Joe for surgery and that he was being picked up next day by his new owner. I hung up feeling very melancholy. I was happy that Joe had a home, but sad that I would never see him again. Or so I thought.

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animal passages The next evening when I went out to pick up the cat dishes, who should show up but Joe himself! I was thrilled to see him, but what was going on? I later found out that Carol had captured a different stray by mistake, and I realized that Joe was not yet finished with me! After reading up on the plight of feral cats, I realized it was my responsibility to get him neutered. I made an appointment with the local vet and, incredibly, Joe walked into the carrier when I asked him to. He spent the night at the clinic and was given a complete checkup by the vet, who confirmed he had asthma. Joe didn’t miss a beat when I brought him home. He was the same noisy guy. I set out a box layered with warm things for him to lie on and he stretched out in it contentedly. He was happy, and so was I. Life seemed “purrfect.” Within a month, Joe was missing. I prayed for him to come back, but knew deep down that he was gone. After three weeks, I consulted the animal communicator who confirmed what I already knew: Joe had gone to the Rainbow Bridge.

Some people will do anything for their pets.

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My heart was broken, but I eventually accepted the fact that Joe’s time had come and that he had completed his mission. He had introduced me to the world of feral cats, and my life would never be the same again. He empowered me to help other homeless felines, and I have since befriended, trapped, spayed/neutered, adopted out and continued to care for many back porch cats. It has become my passion, one that I would never have discovered if not for Joe. He is responsible for every cat that benefits from my commitment. A couple of months after Joe’s passing, I heard “that noise” again. It was a new Joe, one that later became known as Vickie. After Vickie came Sweetie, Blackie, Mandy, Mercedes, Swiffer, Slick, Sissy…and on and on. Each one is a joy to me, but it was that “unfurrgettable” character Joe who started it all. What a wonderful legacy he left me!

We’ve got the power! Embracing cruelty-free products

nnie Gagnon received a call from her financial planner last week. “He wanted me to invest in a company that I knew still did product testing on animals. But I couldn’t put money into something like that and feel good about myself.”

It’s voices like Annie’s that are continuing to make a difference to manufacturing companies. As an animal lover, no doubt you too do what you can to live cruelty-free by buying products that haven’t been tested on our fellow creatures. Ten or fifteen years ago, these products weren’t so easy to find, so you either had to do without or grit your teeth and purchase mainstream items. Nowadays, thanks to rising consumer awareness and demand, more and more companies offer cosmetics, shampoos, detergents and household cleaners that are not only free of animal-tested ingredients, but also help wildlife and improve our indoor air quality by being friendly to the environment.

How did it all start? Up until a few years ago, consumers just weren’t aware of what was going on in the labs that formulated their mascara, shampoo and detergent, and that thousands of rabbits, guinea pigs and other animals were being sacrificed to test the safety of these common products. But in the early 1990s the movement against animal testing really began to gain momentum. “People in the industry began to expose this horrible practice and make it public,” says Val Osakada of Earth Friendly Products, retailers of natural, non-animal-tested household cleaning and pet products. “It sparked a lot of outrage.” Among the companies and organizations that educated consumers about the cruelty of animal testing was The Body Shop, a U.K.-based retailer of skin and body care products with stores around the world. In 1990, The Body Shop started raising public awareness with a series of campaigns Against Animal Testing (AAT). It didn’t take long for their efforts to bear fruit. By 1996, the company had collected over four million signatures on a petition which they presented to the European Union. Two years later, the U.K. government banned animal testing on cosmetics and related products, and a few other European countries, including the Netherlands and Germany, followed suit. The most recent development occurred in January of 2003, when the European Union passed a ban on cosmetics animal testing, and on the sale of new animal tested cosmetics. Although the new legislation won’t be brought into force for at least another five years, it clearly demonstrates the power that public pressure can bring to bear on policy makers.

Kelcey’s Nutrition Centre Inc.

The new Cruelty-Free logo is featured on products such as: Simmons Naturals, Earth Friendly Products, Pangea and Kiss My Face.

Logo courtesy of the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics 1-888-546-CICC www.leapingbunny.org

Establishing a standard The fight against animal testing became just as widespread and vigorous in North America as in the U.K. and Europe, with groups like PETA and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) working to heighten public awareness and press for new animal protection laws. Meanwhile, cruelty-free shopping became increasingly popular on both sides of the Atlantic, but confusion arose as companies eager to cash in on the trend began labeling their products animal wellness

“cruelty free” or “animal friendly” without ensuring that all the ingredients and processes used to make the products didn’t involve animal testing. It soon became clear that some kind of standard was needed, and in 1996, a group of animal protection organizations, including PETA, HSUS, the Doris Day Animal League and the American Humane Association, formed the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC). International coalition partners were also involved, and included the Animal Alliance of Canada and the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments. The coalition launched the Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals (CSCA), which has since become the most rigorous non-animal-testing policy in North America and Europe. Now headquartered at the Animal Protection Institute, CCIC works with companies to help make their products truly cruelty-free – those that meet the necessary standards are awarded the use of CCIC’s “leaping bunny” logo, an easily recognizable image that assures consumers that the product is totally cruelty-free. To date, approximately 175 companies have been approved by CCIC – they include The Body Shop, Kiss My Face, Earth Friendly Products, Mary Kay, Tom’s of Maine, Soapworks, Jason Natural Cosmetics, Rachel Perry and many more whose products are widely available.

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Because many of these companies use gentle, natural, non-toxic ingredients, there is no need to test for safety. “Rejecting animal testing does not reduce our ability to produce safe, effective and innovative products,” states The Body Shop’s website. “We use materials that, in many cases, have a long history of safe use in a range of applications. In developing new products we use alternative tests such as Irritection, a replacement for the rabbit eye test, and human volunteer trials such as skin patch tests to assist us in ensuring safety and efficacy.” “All our products are plant-based, made with organic plant essences,” says Natasja Kozub of Aveda, which offers a range of hair, skin and body care products. “We don’t do any animal testing, nor do we use any animal ingredients.” Earth Friendly Products also uses plant-based ingredients. “We don’t use anything that needs to be tested in any way,” says Val. “All we need to do is to make sure the products work, and to do that, we take them home and try them ourselves.”

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By buying these products, you’re not only helping animals, but also protecting yourself and the environment from the potential hazards of chemical ingredients. (Just because an ingredient doesn’t cause an immediate reaction, doesn’t mean it can’t cause harm over the long-term.)

The fight isn’t over Despite the major strides that have been made in the last decade, the battle against animal testing is far from over. The Body Shop

Investing in compassion Do you have any mutual funds or other investments? Here’s how to ensure your hard-earned money doesn’t end up funding companies that make unethical use of animals. Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) mutual funds may seem a good way to go, but there’s a catch. These funds primarily screen out companies whose practices may adversely affect human health and rights. Screens for animal rights do exist, but they’re only effective in situations where human health is at issue. Many major funds screen out companies that do cosmetics testing on animals, because such testing is unnecessary - however, they don’t screen out medical testing because it’s considered important to human welfare. The Ethical Investment Research Service (EIRIS) conducts independent research studies into the investment industry and covers many different areas, including animal testing (both cosmetic and medical), as well as fur, factory farming and genetic engineering. They won’t advise you which companies to invest in, but the detailed information they provide will help you towards a wise choice. Visit their website at www.eiris.org.

has estimated that in the European Union alone, over 35,000 animals are still used every year in cosmetics testing – it might not be until 2013 before the proposed ban is completely in force. In North America, meanwhile, there is so far no legislation against animal testing, even though it isn’t necessary for human health. Neither the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor the Consumer Product Safety Commission requires animal testing for cosmetics – not only does sufficient safety data exist to make it redundant, but there are other ways to test ingredients without subjecting animals to pain and suffering. Nevertheless, many major companies such as Proctor & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, and Johnson & Johnson, whose personal care and household products fill store shelves across the continent, still manufacture products that are tested on animals.

™

How can you help?

Here’s what you can do to help continue the fight: •Purchase cruelty-free products whenever possible, and boycott products made by companies who continue to test. For a list of companies who do and don’t test on animals, visit PETA’s site www.caringconsumer.com, or download a complete list of CSCAIf in doubt, consult a financial advisor for approved companies from CCIC’s help in finding the best cruelty-free options for website www.leapingbunny.org (a your investments. Funding companies that pocket-size guide is available via care about animal welfare helps keep those mail). Companies that don’t test businesses stable, thereby strengthening the on animals can also be found at cruelty-free movement. www.redjellyfish.com. •Write letters to companies who continue to test on animals, telling them that you object to their practices and won’t buy their products until they change. •Write your senator or MP calling for new laws to ban animal testing. •Stay informed about the issue. The following sites provide lots of resources: www.animalactivist.vview.org (PETA), www.animalalliance.ca and www.animalawareness.org. Thanks to compassionate consumers like Annie Gagnon, more and more animals are being saved from the cruelty and suffering caused by animal testing. “A lot of things in life are out of our control,” says Annie. “But only I choose how to spend my consumer dollars. And if I can buy something that doesn’t hurt animals, it makes the choice really easy.”

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“Must have” annuals

As mentioned, you can rotate annual herb varieties every year to meet new needs or add color and diversity to your garden. Here are a few easy-to-grow favorites:

Calendula

Also known as pot marigold, calendula has bright yellow, orange, or red-orange flowers. It blooms constantly and generously through the growing season. Sow seeds in early spring, or transplant starts after danger of frost is past. Harvest flowers when they are in full bloom. They can be made into herbal preparations while fresh, or air-dried and stored in plastic baggies for future use. General uses: Fights infection and speeds healing of minor cuts, insect bites, abrasions, or post-surgical incisions.

Chamomile German

Characterized by its small, daisy-like flowers and finely-divided, feathery leaves, chamomile will often produce flowers throughout the year in areas where frost is rare. This rambunctious bloomer is always producing seeds, and will spread throughout the garden if left unattended! General uses: Chamomile is mildly sedative, anti-spasmodic, and makes a safe, gentle and effective digestive tonic. The tea or tincture is helpful for indigestion, gas, and vomiting. For skin inflammations, including fleabites, contact allergies, and various bacterial or fungal infections, a cooled water infusion of the flowers makes a soothing, healing, anti-microbial rinse.

Dill

An attractive addition to any herb garden, Dill’s dark green, finelydivided leaves have a delicate, feathery appearance, while the yellow umbel flowers appeal to bees. The entire plant, which may reach six feet in height, is distinctively aromatic and delicious – just brushing past it makes my mouth water! Easy to grow from seed or starts, and can be fall seeded for an early spring harvest in areas where winters are harsh. Dill reproduces very successfully from its copious seeds. General uses: Foliage, flowers, and seeds can be used for nausea and flatulence, especially when such

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continued from pg. 38

maladies are secondary to a sudden change in diet. Dill also helps inhibit bacterial reproduction in the mouth, making it useful for halitosis and the early onset of gingivitis in dogs and cats. The seeds serve as an effective remedy for gas and upset stomach in cats, dogs, horses, birds and ferrets as well as people.

Lemon Balm

Characteristically a mint, lemon balm has broad, green, textured leaves and four-sided stems. The plants are deliciously fragrant, smelling of both mint and lemons. Lemon balm is winter hardy to Zone 5 and easy to grow (it is a perennial in warmer zones). It requires full sun, rich, well-drained soil and moderate water. Leaves and flowers are best harvested in warm or hot weather, at least one day after watering, and just as flower buds are about to open – these are the conditions in which concentrations of volatile oils in the upper leaves and stems are highest. If your lemon balm doesn’t smell strong, wait for a warmer day! Medicinally, the fresh, chopped herb is best. General uses: A delicious tea with amazing medicinal values, lemon balm soothes the stomach, eases gastric cramping and reduces flatulence – add one cup of the tea to two quarts of your dog’s drinking water, or feed one teaspoon to your kitty. Studies suggest that lemon balm tincture may be useful for hyperthyroidism in humans. It also shows promise as a treatment for various forms of dementia. It is very safe for animals, and worth a try against feline hyperthyroidism and mental debility in aging pets.

And for dog’s sake . . . Think twice before pulling and wasting your dandelions! Dandelion is among the most useful herbs in the world, with impressive nutritive, liver supportive and digestive properties that virtually every animal needs for good health. But that’s another story. For now, head to the nursery and get your hands dirty… it’s time to plant! GREG TILFORD IS A WELL-KNOWN EXPERT IN THE FIELD OF VETERINARY HERBALISM.

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Animal Health Practitioners and Stores Call: 819-682-0205 U.S.A. Enquires (The Natural Approach) Call: 330-868-5353 To Order Call: 866-764-1212

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classifieds 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, jdefonda@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 COMMUNICATOR, TERA THOMAS – Author of: Opening My Wings To Fly What Animals Have Taught Me. Workshops/Training (919) 742-5929 www.hummingbirdfarm.org I TALK TO THE ANIMALS! Rev Peggy Ray is featured regularly on radio & in newspapers. Phone or in-person, live or in-spirit communication; Bach Flowers & essential oils. (732) 345 8394; www.celestialcreations.net or celestialcreations@comcast.net JANE CROWLEY – 13th year as an internationally known holistic health practitioner for animals and their human companions. Offering healing modalities suited to the situation. Recommended by vets and show people. Phone consultations/home visits/ classes (717) 652-6099. 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. Cindy Westen: www.chatswithanimals.com; (760) 533-4603; cwes10@earthlink.net.

Animal Health HEALTH INTUITIVE FOR PETS??? People too! For 15 years, Carol Keppler has been discovering the hidden causes of difficult health issues and their remedies. Try the water-based vibrational formulas that have helped thousands. Special half-price offer for an intuitive reading by phone call (888) 280-4711. BREAKTHROUGH ELECTROLYTE FORMULA! Animals and Humans are Electromagnetic Beings. Coralyte is a powerful electrolyte that is taken with water. Safe and Effective. Can also be used for skin and muscle. To order call David and Sheilagh (888) 610-9898. HERBS OF THE WORLD – NATURAL PRODUCTS for pets: HIGHEST QUALITY HERBAL support – aging, tumours, nerves, digestion, respiratory, hair, coat, PREVENTATIVE HEALTH. (800) 96-HERBS (2373) WWW.PETHERBALIST.COM

SOFT LASER THERAPY FOR ANIMAL REHABILITATION – Arthritis, Pain, Inflammation, wound healing, Infections. Speeds Healing, reduces pain, Keep your animals well with Therapeutic Lasers. Discounts and Business opportunities for Vets. (805) 801-5511 www.DiabetesAlternative.com

Aromatherapy NATURAL SENSE AROMATHERAPY – Wholesalers of pure essential oils and related aromatherapy supplies to therapists, spas and retailers. New – TOBY a wonderful all natural aromatherapy grooming spray for dogs. Ask your local pet retailer or veterinarian to carry Toby and for every bottle sold our business donates $1.00 to Pet Trust at the Ontario Veterinarian College, University of Guelph. For more information contact (888) 832-8733 or www.naturalsense.com

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. (419) 727-6917 www.IAAMB.org

Behavior NATURAL SCRATCH FOR NATURAL CATS. 32” white cedar scratching post. Includes interactive features and training booklet. Please visit www.naturalscratch.com to learn more and order or call (877) 285-1208. Guaranteed.

Books, Publications & Videos “CONVERSATIONS WITH DOG”, “CAT” AND “HORSE” BOOK SERIES, “Holistic Animal Handbook,” Raw Food Videos for Dogs and Cats, BioSuperfood for healing, Animal Communication sessions. Visit our website at www.AKinshipWithAnimals.com Kate Solisti-Mattelon & Patrice Mattelon, internationally known authors and teachers. (866) 499-9356 VISA/MC accepted. LEARN TO LISTEN to your animal friends. Let them remind you of who you really are. For a subscription to “Species Link,” quarterly journal on animal communication, send $25 (check/money order) to Anima Mundi Incorporated, P.O. Box 1060, Point Reyes, CA 94956. Or visit www.animaltalk.net. PENELOPE SMITH CHICAGOLAND RETREATS: Communicating with Animals: Basic Course, August 14-15; Deepening Animal Communication; Advanced 1, August 16-18, Registration information or free course guide, Infinity Foundation, www.infinityfoundation.org, (847) 831-8828. Mention Animal Wellness for $20.00 off. ANIMALS AND THE AFTERLIFE – Do animals have souls? What happens when they die? A new book offers amazing and comforting answers. “A MUST READ MASTERPIECE!” – Celebrity Newsmagazine www.AnimalsAndTheAfterlife.com (800) 370-PETS (7387)

Business Opportunities FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY – Combine your love of pets with this unique opportunity to own a successful business. Established in 2000, this Doggie Gift/Bakery Boutique with 5 existing locations is offering a limited number of additional franchise opportunities. Initial investment approx. $75,000. Call (508) 360-4200 or email yellowpup1@comcast.net. For more info, visit www.sandypawsinc.com.

Energy Work

Internet

ANIMALS HAVE ENERGY BODIES TOO, and absorb many emotions. John Wasinski facilitates 3-ray energy work to help support animal companions. John can travel to you in the Great Lakes region (in many cases) and performs distance energy work, wherever you may be. Email animalfriend@woh.rr.com or call (419) 308-1983.

GOT PET STUFF? – All natural food, treats, remedies, grooming products. FREE samples and shipping available! FREE on-line pet insurance quotes! Convenient 24 hour secure ordering at www.healthypooch.com! Discount coupon code: AWMAG

Holistic Veterinarians 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 ESSEX ANIMAL CLINIC – Dr. Janice Huntingford, Dr. Glen Porteous, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Conventional and Alternative Medicine and Surgery. Herbal Therapies and Holistic Medicine, Physio and Rehab Therapy. Phone consultations available. (519) 776-7325 Essex ON. www.essexanimalclinic.com GODERICH VETERINARY CLINIC – Dr. Bill Schilthuis. Holistic homeopathic health, complementary medicine. All animal species. Homeopathic alternatives to vaccinations, worming, flea control, heartworm treatment remedies available. Free consultations by phone daily between 7 & 9 p.m. except Thursday and Sunday. Phone (519) 524-2631 Fax (519) 524-2633 Email holistic@hurontel.on.ca GUELPH ANIMAL HOSPITAL – Offers a full range of conventional veterinary services as well as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, herbal and nutritional. Dr. Rob Butler is certified in veterinary acupuncture and is also trained in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. By integrating conventional and complementary therapies, treatments can be tailored to the individual needs and preferences of the animal and client. Guelph Animal Hospital (519) 836-2782 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 (905) 478-1995 Fax (905) 478-8097 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 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.DrAutumn.Net

Pet Guardian Services PET GUARDIAN COUNSELING SERVICES – Call (215) 499-6863 when you need: Supervised Pet Sitting, Walking, Exercise, Team approach Home Health Care for pets, Training for Rescue Dogs, Death and Bereavement Counseling (For Individuals & Family) www.petguardiancounseling.com

Pet Memorials www.ILovedMyPet.com – Preserve the memory of your pet with a free online pet memorial. Visitors can add their own photos, comments and parting sentiments. All profits donated to The Humane Society.

Pet Portraits ANNIEO’S PET PORTRAITS – Specializing in oil painting for 28 years. Nationwide clientele. Portraits of any pet of your choice, people with pets also. Credit card, personal check or money order. 44 Church St., Tilton, NH 03276. (603) 524-3778 Website: www.petportraitsbyannieo.com

Schools & Training 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. www.PetMassage.com New courses: *Creating & Marketing Your Animal Massage Business*, and *PETMASSAGE: Energy Work With Dogs*, Accessing the Magnificent Body Language and Body Wisdom of the Dog through Acupressure, Chakra Balancing and Postional Release. Home Study and Workshops. (800) 779-1001, (419) 727-6716, www.petmassage.com 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 THE BRITISH INSTITUTE OF HOMEOPATHY – CANADA/USA offers rewarding careers in Animal Health. The Veterinary Homeopathy Course is taught by Dr. Femma VanAs, DVetHom and Joanne Stefanatos, BS, DVM, CVA, CVC, MHMA. The Animal Flower Essence Therapy Course with instructors Martin Scott and Gael Mariani of The Society for Animal Flower Essence Research (S.A.F.E.R.). Contact us for a FREE prospectus outlining the courses we offer: Canadian Contact: (866) 866-3987 Phone/Fax: (613) 749-9762 www.bihcanada.ca laura@bihcanada.ca USA Contact: (609) 927-5660 info@bihusa.com www.bihusa.com

Travel 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.

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.

animal wellness

Confessions of a cat toy addict by Brad Kollus

have a monkey (or should I say a mouse) on my back. I am hopelessly addicted to cat toys. I spend all my money on them and own hundreds of dollars worth: furry mice, wand toys, colorful balls, hi-tech toys, even a remote control mouse. My apartment is carpeted with them. My wardrobe is so pathetic that on my last review my boss wrote: “Your personal appearance is unprofessional and you often appear tattered. You need to make a substantial investment in clothing, including shirts, pants, sports coats, shoes, and socks without holes in them. I hope you will use the raise I am giving you to buy a new wardrobe.” Instead, I ran out and bought a Lazer Pointer for cats, a battery-powered Motor Mouse that runs around a track, and 20 more furry mice. My cats, Scotty and Spanky, like the toys as much as I do. In fact we sometimes fight over them. On one occasion, I bought a great new catnip-filled mouse: the aroma was wonderful, and the catnip went right to my head. Spanky grabbed one end in her mouth and I the other, and we stared and growled at each other until I finally submitted and let her have it. I followed her around until her guard was down, and then pounced, grabbing the toy in my jaws and running behind the couch to be with my prize. I spend days surfing the web for new and better toys. Once, in the search for a toy that was no longer available online, I spent three hours on the phone to distributors and retailers

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and finally tracked down the manufacturer – a retired man living in Florida. “How did you ever find me?” he said. “Sure, I’ll send you one.” Ahhhh…the high of catching another cat toy! But soon the adrenaline rush fades and I’m looking for the next mouse to chase. I know I have a problem. All I have in my fridge is some iced tea and boxes of batteries in case one of my toys should die. The thought of Motor Mouse not being able to motor is too much to bear. My cats and I spend hours watching it run round and round the track until I pass on the floor from dizziness, only waking when the kitties lick my face and start asking for food. There are no 12-step programs for cat toy addicts, but while I see no end in sight for my hopeless addiction, I am proud that my cats and I are able to share such an enriching and stimulating pastime. Raise or no, my next paycheck will no doubt go towards feeding the mouse monkey on my back. More cat toys…oh yeah!

animal wellness

A twist of fate gives man’s best friend the ultimate gift… MAY, 2004

Tough choices

A twist of fate

Veterinarians face tough choices every day, but when bad things happen to their own pets, the results can be revolutionary. “It seems like only yesterday that I looked into the eyes of my furry companion of 14 years and wondered whether he missed our daily walks or mountain hikes as much I did. The effects of age and arthritis were taking their toll on Polka my beloved Bassett Hound, who was now struggling to get up. I often thought about how lonely my walks were without my faithful companion of so many years” says Dr. Thom Myers, DVM. For many people, witnessing a pet in pain can be devastating. Dr. Myers decided to turn his heartbreak into a quest to find a natural product that would give Polka the relief he needed.

Within weeks of beginning his quest for a natural product that would relieve Polka’s discomfort, Dr. Myers was asked by a Scottsdale based company to test a new pet pain reliever at his clinic in Mesa, Arizona.

Searching for options As a vet for almost 30 years, Dr. Myers knew all of the treatment options. “I could continue Polka on a therapy of prescription drugs which had the potential for many side effects, or I could put Polka to sleep peacefully” but Dr. Myers said “neither one felt like the right option”. With so many chemical based options Dr. Myers felt instinctively that Polka needed a natural remedy which would be easier on his system. At Polka’s age the side effects of many pain relieving drugs can be fatal. As he began to explore all possibilities, his quest for a natural remedy grew stronger. Dr. Myers began searching the internet and calling on colleagues but no one he encountered had successfully tested a natural product that worked quickly or could provide the results he was searching for. If it was going to help Polka, it had to be the best.

A furry kind of friendship

the first time in weeks he was able to get up with ease and walk 2 miles to the mailbox with Mrs. Myers. “We had our walking buddy back” he would say with a smile. Since Myers first started using Petaprin at his practice in the fall of 2003 he’s seen a profound change in the majority of animals who take Petaprin. “Ninety percent of the animals are jumping around and feel so much better after taking Petaprin” says Myers. “Petaprin is one of the best products to be released this decade” says Myers. In fact, Dr. Myers loved Petaprin so much that he became the company’s Veterinary Spokesperson. The benefits of Petaprin are immeasurable, even more so since Polka

He was impressed with their team of experts and the extensive measures they took to make it safe and fresh. “I can’t explain it, I just had a great feeling about the product and the company” says Myers. Based upon his initial research of Petaprin’s ingredients Dr. Myers was impressed with his findings. Petaprin seems to hit with a three prong approach: It’s an analgesic that releases the same substances into the body as glucos“I’ve started using Petaprin™ in my own practice and with my own amine to heal joints animals. The positive results have been stunning and the client feedback has been wonderful. For example, my 14 year old Bassett, Polka had over the long term been on every prescription to relieve his crippling arthritis. He had gotten and he found that to the point of not even being able to stand. Within 24 hours of taking Petaprin he walked 2 miles to the mailbox! I was amazed.” it doesn’t react with Thom Myers, DVM – Aberdeen Animal Hospital, Mesa, AZ other medications. (pictured left with Polka) “Petaprin’s main ingredients have been used for years, but never in this com- thinks they are treats. The fierce wagging bination” states Dr. Myers. He was familiar of his tail and instant presence when he with Green Lipped Mussel, Feverfew, hears the bottle tells Dr. Myers that he White Willow Bark and many of the other likes just about everything there is to say select herbs which made up Petaprin’s about Petaprin. However, Dr. Myers will little chewable tablet. “It’s been known for tell you that his greatest reward is knowcenturies that green-lipped mussels are ing that his faithful companion of 14 years great for inflammation and joints” Myers and his four-legged clients nationwide can said. Dr. Myers knew that Petaprin’s natu- remain active parts of their families, even ral ingredients had great potential, but into their senior years. what he didn’t know was how quickly this little round treat would better the lives of IS YOUR PET IN PAIN? For more information about Petaprin his clients dogs and his best friend Polka. or to order call toll free 1-800-805-1841 The ultimate test or visit the website at It was becoming obvious to Dr. Myers www.petaprin.com. that this product was ready for the ulti- One bottle of mate test. “Within 24 hours of giving Polka Petaprin costs $39.95. his first dose of Petaprin, the change in his For a limited time, mobility was astounding” says Myers. For “Buy 3 Get 1 Free”.

By Vets Only, Inc. Made by Vets for Pets™

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