Raw Pet Digest October/November 2016

RAWPETDIGEST

October/ November 2016

IN THIS ISSUE: -Hai r b al l s i n cat s -Ho t sp o t s i n d o g s -Ti t er t est i n g -W el l n ess assessm en t s -A n d m u ch m o r e!

Pansy, a Chihuahua. Photo credit: Bre Altherr

Raw Pet Digest Editor-in-chief: Kristin Clark Technical editor: Dr. Jeannie (Jeannette) Thomason

To get an annual subscription (6 issues): -Using PayPal: send $20.00 USD to kristin@rawpetdigest.com -Using Square: go to mkt.com/ rawpetdigest -Email kristin@rawpetdigest.com for alternate forms of payment

All emails and letters become the property of Raw Pet Digest and may be reprinted in future issues.

Our mission at Raw Pet Digest is to share information that supports natural health with a broad audience to help improve the lives of our carnivore pets. We believe that only the body is capable of achieving and maintaining true health, but we also believe that there are many things that we can do to help support the body in its quest to maintain balance (health). Raw Pet Digest aims to help educate and inform you about those things so that you can help your pet live a long life and thrive naturally.

DISCLAIMER: All information contained in Raw Pet Digest is intended for educational purposes only. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prevent, or treat any disease, illness, or injured condition of the body or pets, and the author(s), publisher, and contributors accept no responsibility for such use. Anyone or their pets suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult with their physician or veterinarian. The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, all views expressed herein by those being interviewed or featured are their own views and do not necessarily represent the views of Raw Pet Digest.

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the author(s) and Editor-in-Chief. The articles herein are for educational purposes only. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.

Lycan, Merlin, Midge, and Pansy. Photo credit: Bre Altherr

FEATURESAND COLUMNS Letter to the Editor - 4 The Alchemy of the Pet Food Industry - 5 Radical Changes, Radical Results - 11 Spotlight on Health: OSCM - 15 The Road to Raw: Chelsea, Sumo, and Dizzy - 19 Cultivating Gratitude - 25 Hairballs in Cats - 28 Easy Wellness Checks You Can Do Yourself - 32 Hot Spots in Dogs - 36

A side profile view of Motley. Photo credit: Kristin Clark

Titer Testing: Is It Really Worth the Hype? - 42 Moving in Mindfulness: Lessons from Cleo - 49

Daiquiri checking out the camera. Photo credit: Jim Clark

Letter fromtheEditor Just a few days ago, I met with a new client who had just brought home a brand-new, 8-week old puppy a few days earlier. It was her family?s first puppy? a gorgeous little Springer Spaniel they named Lily? and she wanted some guidance on some basic training and diet. Her first question to me (and I?m quoting here) was, ?What?s the most important thing I can do for her to help her live a long, healthy life??. I felt like I was in an infomercial! She and I hadn?t talked much before we set up the appointment, and she actually was referred by a friend, so she wasn?t coming to me specifically because she was interested in a raw diet. And yet, here she was, asking me my opinion on the best thing she could do for this adorable little puppy. She was open, she was receptive, and while she was overwhelmed (an 8-week-old puppy will do that to you!), she was also very interested in supporting her dog?s health right from the get-go. I?m sure you can guess what my answer was, but just in case, here it is: ?Feed her what she was designed to eat? raw meat, bones, and organs.? Of course, I went on to explain things from there, but that was my answer in a nutshell. Yes, training and socialization are important. Yes, playing with the puppy and making sure she has enough toys are important.

Yes, making sure she gets along with the family cat is important. But first and foremost, Lily? like any puppy? needs the proper nutrition to support healthy growth throughout puppyhood to a lifetime of thriving as an adult.

My client had some fears, of course? almost everyone does when they?re first exposed to this concept. In particular, she was concerned about bacteria. We talked about it, and we decided that she would move forward with the information I gave her, with some support from me in the coming weeks. I couldn?t be happier about this!

So many times people come to me when their dog is already sick, or at least when their dog is a full-grown adult that has already had some

Kristin with Cleo, Motley, Elle, and Barkley. Photo credit: Adam Gilbert

damage from the conventional ways they are fed and taken care of. And that?s fine? I?d rather people start somewhere than panic and not do anything at all because their dog or cat isn?t a baby anymore.

But to start a puppy, or a kitten, out with the right diet? what an amazing way to support the body and help to break the cycle of skin allergies, diabetes, obesity, bad breath, joint pain, and all the ailments that come with an imbalanced, weak immune system and body.

One person who has really seen a difference in the health of her dogs since transitioning them to a species-appropriate raw food diet is Chelsea Uribe, Facilities Manager and Trainer at Sit Means Sit Cleveland-Akron. We discussed raw diets, her journey of transitioning her dogs, and more with her, and we bring you that interview in this issue.

Take a look at it? if you already feed a species-appropriate diet, you will find yourself able to relate to her story, and if you don?t, her words may be of special interest to you. It always helps, I think, to hear about others and their journeys, no matter where you are in the process, and we very much appreciate Chelsea sharing her story with us.

As always in this issue, we also look at a number of things that can help you keep your pet thriving naturally. Enjoy the issue, and thanks for reading!

-Kristin

THEALCHEMYOFTHE PETFOODINDUSTRY Lycan , a gor geou s Belgian M alin ois, sh ow in g of f h is " bar k an d h old." Ph ot o cr edit : Br e Alt h er r

Pet food companies specialize in making their products sound like they?re the answer to keeping your pet healthy, happy, and thriving. Their slick pictures, attention-grabbing phrases, and reassurances that their products meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards, have helped turn commercial pet food into a multi-billion dollar industry. However, no matter what the brand?s marketing department tells you? and this is a point that bears repeating? processed pet food is not a good source of nutrition for your pet.

In addition to the issues that arise from the ingredients (and the quality of those ingredients) that are included in processed pet food, and the processing methods themselves, kibble and canned pet food also often contain toxins that can have a severely detrimental impact on your dog or cat. In this issue, let?s take a look at some of the preservatives that are commonly found in commercial pet food, and the effect that those preservatives can have.

Some of the most common preservatives found in pet food include (in alphabetical order): butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butyl hydroxytoluene (BHT), Ethoxyquin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Propyl Gallate, and Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ). These are all preservatives that are added to food that have fats and oils so that the food doesn?t spoil. They can be found in many of the products? foods and treats? that are available from a myriad

of pet food companies, which means that if you buy kibble from your vet?s office, or from large pet stores, the grocery store, or other retailers that sell processed dog food, there?s a high likelihood that what you're buying contains one or more of these preservatives. Because these preservatives are cheap and readily available, pet food companies can use them to help drive their profit margins up.

Before we get into the effects these preservatives can have, it?s important to understand that there are natural, healthy, safe preservatives available, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and herbs. Changing how the food is processed? for example, dehydrating it? will also naturally preserve food without the addition of chemical preservatives. However, these natural alternatives are not as cheap as the

Merlin, an American Pit Bull Terrier. Photo credit: Bre Altherr

chemical options listed above, so pet food companies are reluctant to use them. And so, they use chemical preservatives instead? no matter what detrimental effects these chemical preservatives have on your pet.

In the article ?Nature Knows Best? (from the April/ May 2015 issue of Raw Pet Digest, available here), I talked about how processed pet food is made. Often, pet food companies use spoiled meat and rancid fats, and it is important that they cover up the smell of the spoiled meats and fats so that you will still feed the food to your dog. Preservatives like BHA and BHT are excellent at doing this! Remember that companies often use 4-D (dead, dying, disabled, or diseased) meat to make the pet food; while this practice is of course not allowed in meat and food intended for human consumption, the FDA?s Center for Veterinary Medicine is well aware of and does nothing to stop the practice in pet food. And because processed pet food may sit on a shelf for a long time before it gets used, pet food manufacturers need to make sure that it stays smelling nice, and that it maintains the color we?ve come to expect, so that pet owners will continue to feed it. These preservatives do the job well? unfortunately, as we?ll see, they also expose your pet to a whole host of health problems.

As previously discussed, BHA is a preservative. In addition to being used in pet food, it is also found in some human food, it is used as a packaging preservative, and it is used as a yeast

de-foaming agent in food manufacturing.

Studies have shown BHA to have adverse effects in many areas, including allergies, behavior, brain function, liver and stomach cancer, cell abnormalities, and increases in the formation of fatty tumors. Like many toxins, BHA is what?s known as a bioaccumulative substance, meaning that it is absorbed by the body at a faster rate than it is lost through the processes of catabolism and excretion. That means that, when it is fed over time, the body cannot flush it out effectively, and so it builds up and puts an additional load on the liver and kidneys.

Like BHA, studies have shown that BHT can negatively impact the liver, can lead to tumors, and may be carcinogenic. The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for BHT indicates that it may be toxic to blood, the liver, and the central nervous system. It also warns against ingesting BHT or allowing it to come into contact with the skin or eyes. The MSDS also warns against inhalation of BHT, and states that it may cause dizziness, weakness, headache, confusion, temporary loss of consciousness, respiratory depression, and that prolonged or repeated ingestion may affect the liver, kidneys, thyroid, adrenal gland, blood, and cause issues with behavior. It may also lead to allergic reactions. Also according to the MSDS, it is classified as hazardous by OSHA. I don?t know about you, but it doesn?t sound like something I want my pets eating! BHT is actually banned from baby food in the US, and it is banned from food completely in 7

the UK and Japan; this indicates to me that it is known to cause serious issues.

Vitamin E has been shown to preserve just as well, but as I mentioned earlier, it is much more expensive, which means that pet food companies wouldn?t make as much of a profit? so, in most instances, they choose not to use it.

Ethoxyquin is another preservative that pet food manufacturers regularly use in food and treats. However, unlike the other preservatives listed here, Ethoxyquin isn?t added directly to the food, and therefore won?t show up on the ingredients list. It is used by many companies as a preservative in fish meal. It has been used as a pesticide, and it is classified as a hazardous chemical by OSHA. The USDA lists it as a pesticide, and containers containing Ethoxyquin must have the word ?Poison? printed on them. This stuff is

Motley, a Portuguese Podengo Pequeno mix.

Photo credit: Kristin Clark

no joke! It can cause (again, in alphabetical order) allergic reactions, behavior issues, bladder cancer, deformity in puppies, infertility, kidney cancer, organ failure, stomach tumors, and skin issues. Like BHA and BHT, Ethoxyquin accumulates in the body faster than the body can eliminate it, so when fed day after day, it can cause significant and severe problems.

Propyl Gallate is generally used in conjunction with two of the other preservatives we discuss here: BHA and BHT. It has been shown to cause stomach irritation, liver and kidney damage, and it may be carcinogenic. It may also be an endocrine disrupter, and lead to thyroid tumors, brain tumors, pancreatic tumors, and adrenal tumors.

Just like with all the other preservatives I?m mentioning here, it just doesn?t seem like anything I want to give my pets.

Sodium Metabisulfite (try saying that one three times fast!) is next on our list of preservatives to watch out for in processed pet food. In addition to being a food preservative, it is also widely used in commercial wine making. Among other things, it can depress the central nervous system, and it can also cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Some dogs and cats (and humans) are particularly sensitive to sulfites, and in those individuals, Sodium Metabisulfite can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, 8

coughing, swelling of the skin, tingling sensations, and shock.

Finally, TBHQ, or Tertiary Butylhydroquinone, is actually a form of butane (butane!). Ready for the laundry list of issues that TBHQ has been shown to cause? The list includes delirium, dermatitis, DNA damage, stomach cancer, hyperactivity, nausea, restlessness, collapse, and vomiting, to name a few. It has also been shown to be an endocrine disruptor.

There are some studies that have been carried out for some of these preservatives that did not find they caused the issues that other studies found. However, I question who funded those studies, and given that there are many studies that showed that these

Grubat, a Maine Coon cat, on his cat tree. Photo credit: Jim Clark

preservatives cause major health issues, is it worth the risk? Not to mention, of course, the money you will probably spend on vet bills trying to figure out what?s wrong with your pet, and then treat it? I for one would not expose my pets to risks like this when there are much better things for them to eat that I know are safe, and actually support them in thriving and living optimal lives.

The preservatives I included here are very common in many brands of pet food and treats. When you stop and think about it, it seems crazy that they are allowed to go into the food of any living being, whether human or animal, and yet there they are. And to top it all off, the preservatives themselves? as harmful as they may be? aren?t the biggest part of the picture. The fact of the matter is, by continuing to include preservatives in the pet food they sell to well-meaning pet owners, pet food companies are managing to keep our dogs and cats alive, but certainly not thriving. The end result? Our pets? health suffers, while at the same time the pet food and pet health care industries make more and more money. The best way to break this cycle and help your pet truly thrive is to avoid feeding these things to your dog or cat and instead feed them what they are designed to eat? a species-appropriate raw food diet of raw meaty bones, organs, and glands from animals that are hormone and antibiotic-free. Despite the 9

slick claims of the pet food companies, a species-appropriate diet is truly the food that will support your pet so he or

she can flourish and thrive throughout their whole life.

-By Kristin Clark

Another shot of Lycan showing off his "bark and hold." This picture perfectly captures my feelings about what the pet food industry is doing. Photo credit: Bre Altherr

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RADICALCHANGES, RADICALRESULTS

On e of t h e f low er s t h at bloom ed u n expect edly f r om a cact u s t h at w as gif t ed t o u s. Ph ot o cr edit : Adam Gilber t

As I sit here writing this, I am on day three of a 10-day juice fast. I don?t know if you have ever done any kind of fasting, but I can tell you that I had only fasted (only taking in water) for a day here and a day there before. I had never gone more than 24 hours without chewing something, with the exception of times that I was really sick (stomach flu, for example), or when I was a baby and wasn?t eating solid foods yet. I decided to embark on a juice fast for a few reasons. I wanted to do a little ?reset? to my system, I wanted to give my system a break (I?ve been working hard at getting my new business, Canine Health Promotion, going, and my food choices haven?t been the best as a result), and I wanted to experience what it would feel like to flood my system with nothing but juice for a set period of time. The most fascinating part of the journey? and granted, I?m only at the beginning? is how well my body has adapted to just taking in juice for the past couple of days. I experienced a slight headache on the first day, and I was very, very tired as well. The second day, I felt some cravings, some irritability, and some tiredness, but none of it was extreme, and in between I felt energized and happy. Today, I woke up full of energy. I tried to do my regular vinyasa yoga class (probably a bit prematurely, but you never know until you try, right?) and felt totally zapped, but a juice afterwards and some coconut water set me right. I did experience a tiny bit of nausea, but again, some warm water with a bit of fresh shaved ginger helped me get past that

very quickly. Everyone told me the first three days would be the hardest, but they have been completely doable. I also found that my creativity and focus increased, even during the first few days, and I?m so excited to see what the next seven days will bring.

Yesterday and the day before, I was craving fried foods and bread and chocolate.

Starting last night, I began craving vegetables, and today I?ve been daydreaming about a few vegetable soup recipes I recently saw that sound amazing? along with a beet and carrot salad that a friend described to me, and which sounds truly amazing.

The first juice I drank on my juice fast.

Photo credit: Kristin Clark

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The reason I'm sharing this with you is because, sometime yesterday, it occurred to me that the way I?m feeling right now is probably pretty close to how our pets feel when we transition them off of a processed-food diet onto a species-appropriate raw diet. I had been eating a lot more processed food than normal, because I was feeling stressed and out of time and wanted to reach for the ?convenient? answer. Our pets don?t have a choice as to what we feed them, and often we decide to feed them what seems ?convenient? to us at the time.

That means that, just like me when I ate the processed food, they aren?t getting good, holistic support from their food.

Their bodies can continue in that fashion? the processed food will keep them alive, up to a point? but they can?t thrive. Like I was, they experience fatigue, never feeling completely full, weight gain, skin issues, mood issues, non-normal stool (bouts of either constipation or diarrhea), decreased cognitive function, and more. Yes, I was experiencing all of those things, and our pets do too. I had gotten used to them, at least somewhat, but I realized that it wasn?t healthy and decided to change.

Our pets don?t have that option. They eat what they are given. And so often, what they are given is the equivalent to substandard, processed, fast-food junk, even if the bag says that it is a balanced, whole, healthy meal. As you know from our discussions of processed pet ?food? and what it does to our dogs and cats,

there is no such thing as healthy kibble or canned food, just as there is no such thing as a healthy Big Mac (check out the movie Supersize Me if you want to see the effects of eating nothing but McDonald?s for just one month, and then imagine what would happen if it was for a longer period of time. In essence, when we feed our pets kibble or canned food, it?s like we are feeding them McDonald?s, but not just for one month? this is day in and day out, often for years.).

I fully anticipate feeling better and better and better over the course of the next seven days. And of course, for me, just like with my dogs and cat when I first transitioned them off of processed food and onto a raw diet, it won?t end there. I will continue to eat whole, unprocessed foods, because I love how I feel when I eat in a healthy and natural way.

Every single dog or cat that I have ever seen that is transitioned to a species-appropriate raw food diet also shows, in a thousand different ways, how much better they feel on their new diet. It?s so exciting for me to be able to experience how much better a radical (but still eminently doable and, yes, convenient, once you get the hang of it) change in diet, from an unnatural, man-made ?convenience? diet to a nature-designed, species-appropriate diet, can make anyone? human or animal? feel.

A quick update, because I couldn?t resist: I?m now on day 8 of the 10-day juice fast. I can?t believe the changes in my body, or how incredibly good I feel. I have lost 17 pounds, my skin is clearer, I have so much energy, and my mental clarity is through the roof. I am 13

looking forward to eating again, but the food I want is whole foods? fruits, vegetables, and so on, and it?s not the intense cravings that I experienced at the beginning of this journey. The internal and external changes that I am experiencing are akin to what I have seen so many animals go through when

A beautiful walking trail in Spain. Photo credit: Mardi Linane

transitioned to a species-appropriate diet. It is truly amazing, and it makes me even happier that I have transitioned all of my animals, and helped clients transition their animals, to healthy, appropriate foods. What a difference in vitality and life a healthy diet makes, in such a short period of time!

-By Kristin Clark

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SPOTLIGHTONHEALTH:OSCM Editor's note: In the August/September 2016 issue of Raw Pet Digest, Nick Scott, co-founder and instructor at the Ojai School of Canine Massage (OSCM), shared a great article about trigger point massage therapy for dogs. In this issue, we interviewed Nick Scott about massage and about the Ojai School of Canine Massage. If you are interested in learning more about the Ojai School of Canine Massage, or about their instructional DVD, Therapeutic Holistic Dog Massage, please see the Advertisements section at the end of this issue. Enjoy the interview!

1. I know t hat you are passionat e about caring f or dogs nat ural l y, part icul arl y using massage. The Ojai School of Canine Massage, al ong wit h t he videos and writ ing you have done, have hel ped many peopl e l earn how t o saf el y and ef f ect ivel y massage t heir dogs t o rel ieve pain, increase wel l being, and hel p t hem t hrive.

What got you int o canine massage?

2. What l ed t o you st art ing t he school ?

We started the school as a human massage school but decided, early on, to add animal massage and aromatherapy to our curriculum. Teaching others how to help other living beings seemed like a good way to concentrate our energies and benefit both humans and animals.

3. Tel l me a l it t l e bit about t he Ojai School of Canine Massage. What can pot ent ial st udent s expect t o l earn t here?

Potential students will learn a variety of therapeutic massage techniques intended to balance the animal?s body and thus

After 15 years in the human massage field, it became apparent that the animals could benefit from the same types of massage that humans benefited from. I wanted to help all living beings get relief from pain and suffering, and this motivated me to learn how to apply massage to dogs and cats.

A dog getting a massage. Photo credit: Nick Scott

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alleviate pain. Students will also learn gait assessment, pathology, proper nutrition, and meditation.

4. Do you of f er onl ine and in-person cl asses?

Yes, both online and onsite certification programs are available.

5. What is t he dif f erence bet ween t he onl ine and in-person programs?

blood and lymph circulation, pain reduction, increased joint range of motion, relaxation, closer human-dog bonding, and improvement in behavioral problems.

7. How of t en shoul d peopl e massage t heir dogs?

Weekly would be good but, personally, I would like to get massaged every day.

8. How l ong shoul d each session l ast ?

The online program is supported by video, audio, and written instruction. The onsite program provides more hands on and one-on-one instruction.

15 to 90 minutes depending on the size, age, and health of the dog.

6. What sort s of benef it s can peopl e expect t o see when t hey massage t heir dogs regul arl y?

The canine massage field has been growing steadily for the last ten years. As long as the economy in the USA remains strong, the field will probably continue to grow slowly but steadily. Canine massage is still a relatively new field compared to

The benefits to massaging dogs regularly are the same as the benefits that human massage brings. This includes improved

9. Do you see t he f iel d of canine massage growing?

Massaging a dog. Photo credit: Nick Scott King, an American Bully, enjoying a raw meaty bone. Photo credit: Kim Bloomer

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horse massage and certainly when compared to human massage, so there is plenty of room to grow.

10. What shoul d peopl e l ook f or when choosing a massage t herapist f or t heir dogs?

Look for someone who has gone to a reputable school and who loves working with animals. Obviously, a massage therapist who has been trained to work with dogs and someone who has a few years of professional experience would be best.

11. I know t hat you work wit h l ot s of dif f erent dogs. What dif f erences do you see, physiol ogical l y, bet ween kibbl e-f ed dogs and raw-f ed dogs?

Nutrition for dogs is a very large and complex subject to tackle in a small interview. In general, live raw food is best for humans and animals. There are medical conditions and other factors that need to be looked at before deciding what the best food choices are for each dog. It is best to see a certified animal nutritionist and a vet that is well trained in dog nutrition before deciding what to feed your dog. Each dog is unique and has unique requirements based on a variety of factors such as general health, age, breed, and work levels that must be looked at. The animal?s caretaker should get advice from professionals in the field and then make an informed decision.

Many times the deciding factor will involve cost, so balancing the health needs of the dog with one?s ability to pay for the best, yet affordable, nutrition is the key.

12. What rol e do you f eel nut rit ion pl ays in t he overal l heal t h of a dog?

Proper nutrition is the key to good health for the dog. That combined with good exercise and good socialization with others is the key to good health for a dog.

13. Are t here cert ain dogs t hat can benef it more f rom massage?

Yes, certain dogs respond better to massage. Some dogs don?t like to be touched a lot. A high-strung dog would benefit a lot from being massaged. A dog whose job it is to be on guard and alert all of the time should not be massaged too much. Young puppies do not need much massage and normally hyperactive dogs, like Jack Russell Terriers, do not need a lot of massage. Elderly animals and animals that are in pain can benefit from more massage.

14. Are t here cert ain ?condit ions? t hat respond wel l t o massage?

Musculoskeletal problems respond well to massage. Dogs with behavioral problems also respond well to massage.

15. What is your background?

I am a founder, instructor, and Associate Director of the Ojai School of Canine Massage, which offers professional massage training and certification for Small Animals (Canines and Felines). I created the Small Animal Massage certification program at the Ojai School of Canine Massage; this certification is approved by IAAMB (International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork) and NBCAAM 17

(National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage). I also produced our educational DVD, Therapeutic Holistic Dog Massage, which covers many of the techniques covered in our classes, as well as other highly effective therapies.

16. Is t here anyt hing el se t hat you woul d l ike t o share t hat I may have missed?

I believe in the power of touch as a powerful healing tool for both humans and animals. We hope that you and your animal companions will benefit greatly from the information relayed in our classes.

A dog getting a massage. Š Martin Schlecht | Dreamstime.com

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THEROADTORAW: CHELSEA,SUMO,ANDDIZZY Dizzy, a Bor der Collie. Ph ot o cr edit : Ch elsea Ur ibe

Editor?s note: I think one of the best ways to start to feel comfortable about feeding your own carnivore pet a species-appropriate raw food (SARF) diet is to hear about other people?s experiences. Chelsea Uribe, Facilities Manager and Trainer at Sit Means Sit Dog Training Cleveland-Akron, recently transitioned her dogs to a SARF diet. In the following interview, she talks with us about some of her experiences in making the transition, and what it?s like for her and her dogs now that they are eating a species-appropriate diet. This interview is especially great because it?s a chance to hear from someone who is new to feeding their dogs this way and who has been going through the process of transitioning from the conventional, kibble-based approach to

feeding to a more natural? but more foreign!? prey model raw approach to feeding. Enjoy the interview!

1. How did you f irst hear about species-appropriat e raw f ood (SARF) diet s?

I?ve known about SARF for a long time, but I never seriously considered it until a few months ago. I was very much under the impression that it would be an enormous amount of work to sustain, and I would need to learn everything about it before I even considered transitioning my dogs onto this diet.

Sumo, an American Staffordshire Terrier, and Dizzy. Photo credit: Chelsea Uribe

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2. How ol d were your dogs when you swit ched t hem t o a SARF diet ?

When I switched Sumo he had just turned 4 years old. Dizzy was just over a year.

3. What changes did you not ice in your dogs when you swit ched t o SARF? When I switched Sumo to SARF, the first thing I noticed is that his coat hadn?t looked brighter or felt more soft in the four years of having him. He seemed so relaxed and wasn?t on edge about everything anymore. Now he sleeps soundly and always wakes up bright-eyed and ready for the day. When Dizzy began eating SARF, he became so much more alert and attentive.

His drive to work is through the roof, and he?s so eager to learn and focus.

4. How did you f ind meat suppl iers?

When looking for meat supplies, I researched local farmers and was pleasantly surprised at how abundant they are around me. I wanted to make sure my dogs were getting quality food without additives in the meats. Again, this was something that I felt would be a real challenge to try and find a supplier that had everything I needed and was of course affordable, too. I couldn?t believe how simple it was.

5. What 's in a t ypical meal f or your dogs?

Sumo most frequently eats chicken while Dizzy?s go-to is rabbit. I mix and match meats and organs depending on what my supplier has that week.

Dizzy with a frisbee. Photo credit: Chelsea Uribe

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6. How of t en do you f eed your dogs?

I feed my dogs once a day and usually will fast them two times during the week.

7. What was t he biggest chal l enge you f aced when swit ching your dogs t o a SARF diet , and how did you overcome it ?

My biggest challenge I faced when I switched my dogs to a SARF diet was the detox phase. Both of my dogs would have bouts of diarrhea every so often. It was very different though, compared to when they got diarrhea from changing kibble or eating processed treats. They were still full of energy and never lethargic. It was also a learning experience for me to really become more attentive to what my dogs? bodies were telling me. Each day was a great opportunity for me to learn how much bone vs. meat to feed, when to lay off on one over the other, when to give organs and when of course to fast. The most important

lesson I learned when I first started was to be patient with my dogs and not to rush into everything all at once. I went from being totally overwhelmed the first time I walked into a butcher shop to learning what worked for each of my dogs.

8. What is your f avorit e part about f eeding a SARF diet ?

The thing that I absolutely love about feeding SARF is that my dogs are thriving.

Watching them love what they eat and then feel great afterwards is so rewarding for me. When I first got Dizzy, he had hot spots and dry patches on his skin, which have since totally disappeared. Sumo came to me a very anxious and aggressive guy who is now so relaxed and calm no matter where he is.

9. What , specif ical l y, made you decide t o swit ch t o f eeding a SARF diet ?

My motivation for starting was unfortunately losing my dog Lulu. Lulu was the reason why I started in rescue, she?s why I went to school to become a dog trainer, and she was my motivator to turn my love for dogs into a career. At the young age of four years old, Lulu was diagnosed with leukemia and three months later, she passed. I vowed to Sumo that I would do all I could to make sure he was the healthiest he could be and when I took on Dizzy three months ago, I promised him that, too.

Another huge reason was that Sumo came to me with a strange undiagnosed throat condition that would randomly force him

Sumo eating a raw meaty bone. Photo credit: Chelsea Uribe

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to salivate, swallow really heavily, and eventually throw up. No one could tell me what this was or what caused it so it never got better. Even though I?m still not 100% positive what the cause of this is, I can say with full confidence that the SARF diet has made him much stronger and healthier, which in turn has diminished his episodes by half.

10. What kind of dogs do you have?

What 's one of your f avorit e t hings t o do wit h your dogs, or f avorit e t hings about your dogs?

Sumo is a little American Staffordshire Terrier, and Dizzy is a Border Collie. I love to take them into the woods for long hikes. Letting my dogs explore and

run free is the most rewarding thing for me. Dizzy loves to swim so, whenever we come across a stream or pond, he has to make sure to go for a swim. He also loves to come to work with me. Anytime he can learn something new, he?s all in. Sumo is most happy when we go hiking together.

He loves to run through the woods, discover new smells, and hopefully find a chipmunk or two to chase. Since the SARF diet, Sumo and I have only created a stronger bond together. We have worked really hard to get where we are and I only look forward to introducing him to more places, people, and even dogs.

Dizzy eating a species-appropriate meal. Photo credit: Chelsea Uribe

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11. How has f eeding a SARF diet enhanced qual it y of l if e f or your dogs?

When I first adopted Sumo, he came to me very anxious and highly aggressive towards most people and dogs. We worked diligently to overcome this obstacle, but it always felt incomplete.

When we started a SARF diet, I began noticing how calm he became. He wasn?t so anxious anymore. We would go on walks and see dogs and he wouldn?t stress like before; he would hear a noise in the house and it wouldn?t put him on high alert. All in all, he was just relaxed. Yes, we still have a ways to go, but it became very evident

Sumo enjoying the sunshine. Photo credit: Chelsea Uribe

to me that I couldn?t begin to fully help him if I was only focusing on the outside.

His whole self needed work, and the SARF diet was the missing link.

12. What advice woul d you give someone who is t hinking about swit ching t heir dog t o a SARF diet ?

Do it! This is the best thing I?ve ever done for my dogs. They are more alive than I?ve ever seen them before. They play harder and faster, sleep more soundly, and wake up so full of life. Their coats are beautiful and their eyes are bright. This was life changing for me and obviously for my dogs. They are thriving and happy and that's all I can ask for.

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?Wecanonlybesaidtobealive inthosemomentswhenour heartsareconsciousof our treasures.??ThorntonWilder

Cultivating gratitude A spect acu lar su n set . Ph ot o cr edit : Adam Gilber t

Ralph Waldo Emerson advised us to ?Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously.?

As long-time readers of Raw Pet Digest know, each issue includes an article of appreciation for the people and opportunities that have impacted the magazine over the past few months. This is in large part to continue to practice exactly what Emerson suggests? cultivating the habit of being grateful.

It is so easy, in the rush of the day and the press of to-do lists, work, chores, and errands, to forget that we are really here to connect, to grow, to learn, and to love. Pausing and reflecting on the blessings in our lives is a perfect way to re-center, to remember our connection with others (after all, generally what we are grateful for, when you get to the root of it, comes from something another has given us), and to realize how rich our lives truly are, even when they seem hard or sad or scary. I hope that when you read this article, it will remind you to pause and consider your blessings as well, no matter what they are. Perhaps you have had a rough day, and you have a hard time thinking of things to be appreciative of. It?s OK? I?ve been there too. But when you come up with one thing, just one, then others will start to

come into your head. And if they don?t, you can still sit with that one blessing, and let it fill up your soul and your heart. Let it percolate through your whole being, and give thanks for it, continuously, just as Emerson said. More will come, and your heart will be lighter for it.

Perhaps (and I get into this pattern too) you?re just going through the daily routine, not really taking note and being present in each moment. A practice of gratitude can enrich your life and experience immensely if you?re in this mode, because it will by its very nature get you to pause, take stock, and really experience your life and get in touch with what?s going on. You have to pay attention to your own life in order to know what you?re grateful for, and when you pay attention your life is enriched. Give it a try, and let me know what you find. I?m always eager to hear what you notice and learn, whether it?s about your own well-being when you practice gratitude or about how you?ve supported your pet in improving their own well-being.

I am so very grateful to my boyfriend and life partner Adam Gilbert, who has been so supportive of me as I have transitioned to running my own business full-time. He encouraged me throughout the process of writing and publishing my book (Let Food Be Their Medicine: Using Nature?s Principles to Help Your Dog Thrive), and he is so enthusiastic about promoting what I?m doing to everyone he meets. I am truly appreciative, every single day, for his 26

support. I am also so thankful for Bre Altherr, who so generously shares pictures of her dogs with me to put in this magazine. Devin Nelson and Jim Clark also share pictures of their beautiful cats with me regularly for inclusion in the magazine, and I am so very grateful to them for doing so. I also appreciate, more than words can say, Mardi Linane, Chelsea Uribe, Jamie Roth, and Nick Scott, for their contributions to this issue. I couldn?t have done it without them.

And as always, I am so very grateful to each person who reads Raw Pet Digest.

The love that people have for their pets humbles me and moves me every day. It is my honor and privilege to be part of the life you have with your pet, and I give thanks continuously that you allow me to journey with you.

Merlin, an American Pit Bull Terrier, looking out onto a meadow. Photo credit: Bre Altherr

-By Kristin Clark

HAIRBALLSINCATS Hairballs. To many cat owners? the vast majority, I would guess? they seem like an irritating but common condition that comes along with having cats. I myself have had both long-haired and short-haired cats, and all of them (with the exception of my current cat, Gryphon, and that only in the last few years) have had hairballs like clockwork. I assumed it was because they groomed a lot, or (particularly in the case of my cat Isabelle, who had been a research cat at UC Davis before I adopted her) because they were stressed, or because of the heat (for one cat, the rate of

vomiting increased in the summer), or because they were just wired that way.

Looking back, I thought it was normal and I just had to deal with it.

Like so many conclusions that we accept without really looking at them through the lens of critical thinking, though, it turns out that?s not the case. Hairballs are not normal, although (like so many health issues) they have become so common that most people accept them as normal. As Fern Crist, DVM said in a guest post on Ingrid King?s blog in 2010, she reached the same conclusion after talking with another vet at a medical conference. To quote her words (emphasis is hers): ?There is no such t hing as ?just a

Daiquiri, a tabby cat, surveying the room from the bookshelf. Photo credit: Jim Clark

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hairbal l ,? [the other vet] says to me. Think about it. Cats developed stringent grooming behaviors in the course of evolution because grooming is a positive survival factor, probably through controlling parasitism and other diseases. So they are going to ingest a lot of hair. Does vomiting as a daily method for expelling this hair seem evolutionarily sound? Stomach acid hurts the esophagus and teeth, and frequent vomiting upsets the electrolyte balance. While vomiting as an emergency mechanism to rid oneself of the occasional nastiness seems reasonable, it seems unl ikel y t hat t he dail y vomit ing of hairbal l s is t he ?normal ? t hing t hat t he medical communit y has assumed it t o be.?

The vet she was talking to continues: ?I think it likely that a ?hairbal l ,? f ar f rom normal , is probabl y a common earl y sympt om of Inf l ammat ory Bowel Disease. Impaired motility of the gut would account for the balling up of hair that should pass right through, if stomach-emptying time is the 0.2?2 hours it is reported to be in a normal cat.

A cat shouldn?t be able to swallow enough hair fast enough to outrace normal stomach emptying time.? (For the full blog, click here.)

So why do our cats have hairballs with such distressing frequency? Like so many of the issues that our animals (and we) have, it generally comes down to diet. Kibble and canned food is highly processed, cooked, and contains additives, preservatives, and fillers that our cats don?t need and can?t process.

Furthermore, when our cats have hairballs, we frequently ?treat? them with products that contain petroleum jelly and/ or mineral oil (which no cat adapted to be able to process)

and high-fiber food. The thinking with the petroleum jelly and mineral oil, I guess, is that they will help to lubricate the system so that things can pass out more effectively. But cats aren?t machines? and they don?t need to be ?lubricated? as such. And while a high-fiber diet makes sense for omnivores and herbivores, we forget when we feed our cats a high amount of fiber that they are not omnivores or herbivores. They are carnivores. So, they can?t process fiber like omnivores and herbivores do, and the fiber they do process comes from a very different source (the fur and feathers of their prey). The solution? First, to accept that the hairballs that your cat is throwing up on a regular basis are not normal.

According to Gary D. Norsworthy, DVM in his article on Veterinary Practice News, more than two hairballs per month in any cat, or more than one every two months in short-haired cats, is cause for concern. Once you have accepted that your cat isn?t throwing up because he or she is stressed, or because they are too hot, or because they are eating their food too quickly, or because they?re just wired that way (and I?m using these examples because they are all the reasons I used myself in the past to explain the shocking frequency of hairballs in my cats), the next step is to address the diet.

To keep the cat?s digestive system in good working order (and therefore able to handle the hair ingested when 29

grooming), a species-appropriate diet is required. Feeding cats meals that are made up of raw meat, bone, organs, and glands, will go a long way towards supporting their digestive health and keeping their stomach pH at the

Grubat, a Maine Coon. Photo credit: Jim Clark

appropriate levels, as well as keeping their guts able to move everything through at a normal rate. To learn more about how to transition your cat to a species-appropriate diet, see Tracy Dion?s excellent 3-part series in the August/ September 2015, December 2015/ January 2016, and February/ March 2016 issues of Raw Pet Digest. Depending on how long your cat has been fed a processed-food diet, this change in diet may be all the support that?s required to allow their bodies to come back into balance and operate the way they are designed. In

some cases, though, it may take time for their bodies to heal, especially if they have been fed a processed food diet for quite some time.

If your cat needs additional support, rather than reaching for the petroleum jelly or mineral oil treatments, egg yolks can be a great, and species-appropriate, supplement to support their intestinal health. Egg yolks contain (among other things) lecithin and choline, which respectively help cats to emulsify the fat that binds the hair balls together (lecithin is a fat emulsifier) and increase the contractions of their digestive organs (peristalsis); peristalsis is what actually drives food and other substances through the digestive tract.

These two nutrients, then, support cats in pushing the hair ball through the digestive tract and enabling them to pass it through their system appropriately rather than puking it back up.

Egg yolks should not be a stand-alone ?treatment.? Remember, the goal is always to support the body in achieving balance and thriving in a natural way.

That is why you should transition your cat to a species-appropriate diet, and then if it is needed, you can supplement them with egg yolk. For many cats, one or two yolks per week is all they need. If your cat needs additional support, you can also consider an egg yolk lecithin supplement. Follow the directions on 30

the supplement, but start out slowly and ease them into taking the supplement. Also, bear in mind that egg yolk lecithin may lead to diarrhea in some cats before you get to the right amount, and that you may need to adjust the amount you give depending on whether or not it is shedding season.

Many cats will never need the extra egg yolk lecithin supplement? a change in diet and time is often all that?s required to bring their bodies back into a state of

balance and vitality. It really is amazing how well the body is able to recover and heal itself! However, if your cat does require supplementation after transitioning to a species-appropriate diet, consider egg yolks and, possibly, egg yolk lecithin. These approaches are species-appropriate ways to help support your cat?s digestive system so that frequent hair balls become a thing of the past.

-By Kristin Clark

Daiquiri striking a pose for the camera. Photo credit: Jim Clark

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EASYWELLNESSCHECKSYOU CANDOYOURSELF

M er lin , M idge, an d Pan sy, all glow in g w it h h ealt h . Ph ot o cr edit : Br e Alt h er r

We have had several articles in Raw Pet Digest about the state of health (or lack thereof) of conventionally reared and kept animals.

Articles like ?The New Normal? And Why It Isn?t?

(October/ Novmeber 2015 issue of Raw Pet Digest) and ?The Breaking Point?

(August/ September 2016 issue of Raw Pet Digest) talk about the fact that, so frequently, people think their dogs and cats are in a state of health when really they aren?t. However, because the signs that their bodies are not operating at an optimal level? indicators like skin allergies; a dry or dull coat; bad breath; tooth decay; smelly, soft, and excessive poop; and obesity; to name just a few? are so common, we don?t even blink anymore when our pets experience them. Further, when our pets are young, they may seem to be healthy, but there is a breaking point (which is different for each animal) that they experience where their bodies can no longer handle the toxins that are being flooded into their systems, and they present with disease, illness, and/ or chronic pain. In this article, we continue exploring this topic by going over some of the ways you can do a wellness assessment on your dog or cat to check whether or not they are in optimal health. This is a helpful exercise to get in the habit of doing on a regular basis, and to do no matter how you feed your pets or whether you choose to apply traditional preventives (such as flea and tick treatments or heartworm medication), or whether or not you choose to vaccinate. My point is that every single animal should exhibit wellness in all of the

following areas, and if they don?t, you need to adjust something to help them rebalance and come back to a state where they can thrive.

Remember, our animals are not machines.

Their bodies are continually working to maintain homeostasis, or balance. That balance is affected by every single thing that goes into their bodies? the food they eat, the pesticides on the grass they run through, the preventives that they receive? as well as things like their quality of sleep, the amount of exercise they get, their owner?s mood, and so on. What this means is that you must continually attend to the clues your dog or cat is giving you to determine whether they are thriving or if something needs to be tweaked. It doesn?t have to be a daunting task, either. Once you are in the habit of regularly looking at them, noticing their energy level, and paying attention to what they feel like when you pet them, you will find that you are doing these mini ?wellness assessments? every day. In fact, it will become so second-nature that you won?t even notice you?re doing it, but you will notice if something is a bit ?off? and you need to help your dog or cat rebalance.

So, what should you start training yourself to look for and notice? Remember that you know your pet better than anyone else, and pay attention to your intuition if something just doesn?t seem right. Beyond that, though, there are some good indicators to be able to tell if your pet is thriving. These are especially useful if you are new to thinking this way, or maybe have a pet that 33

has some of the common issues we frequently see crop up in our companion animals. If that?s the case, you may be so used to these issues that your brain doesn?t notice them anymore, so when you start looking at your pet to really assess their wellness, step back a bit and practice looking at them objectively.

Coat A dog or cat that is thriving should have a shiny, soft coat. When you pet them, you shouldn?t come away with an excess of oily residue on your hands.

While they will still shed according to the dictates of their species and breed, the shedding is usually reduced. Their skin will be supple and in good condition, and it will be free from hot spots, allergies, and excessive itchiness.

Eyes When a dog or cat is in optimal health, its eyes are clear and bright. No matter

what breed your dog or cat is, and whether they are a purebred or a mix of many breeds, their eyes should not be weepy or runny.

Parasit es A dog or cat with a strong, balanced immune system doesn?t suffer from flea and tick infestations, even when you don?t use conventional flea and tick preventives (such as Frontline). While they may pick up a flea or tick every once in a while, particularly in areas where those insects abound, it never gets out of balance.

Body Condit ion/ Weight A dog or cat that is at the peak of health is lean and muscular. When you look down at them from above, you should be able to see a narrowing in their waist. When you touch them, you should be able to easily feel their ribs.

Additionally, they don?t have excess fat on their chest or back.

Allen, an orange tabby cat, radiating vitality. Photo credit: Tracy Dion

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Oral Heal t h A healthy, vital dog or cat?s teeth are sparkling white and clean, and they don?t have bad breath. The gums are not excessively red or inflamed, and there isn?t a buildup of plaque or tartar.

their spirits, which means they are extraordinarily perceptive and able to focus.

Endurance

A dog or cat that is balanced and thriving doesn?t have a strong odor? in fact, they don?t have much, if any, smell at all!

When dogs and cats are properly supported, they have lots of endurance within the parameters of their individual and breed characteristics. This is especially nice for performance animals, such as dogs that are used for agility, showing, and hunting.

St ool and Anal Gl ands

Aging

A thriving dog or cat has small, dense, compact stools, and they move their bowels less frequently than an animal that isn?t thriving. Because they have to strain a bit to defecate, their anal glands are kept clean, clear, and in good working order? without frequent trips to the vet or groomer to have their anal glands cleared.

Dogs and cats that are flourishing do so even when they?re what society terms ?senior?? 8, 9, 10, or 11, for dogs (and in fact, well beyond those ages), and 12, 13, or 14 (or more!) for cats! They still have energy, are mentally sharp, and exhibit all the other qualities of a thriving animal.

Odor

Behavior Dogs and cats that are truly healthy are neither lethargic nor hyperactive, but instead have an appropriate amount of energy for their species, breed, age, and individual character.

Ment al Abil it y Healthy, thriving dogs and cats have incredible mental capabilities. Their brains can function at their optimal level, right along with their bodies and

Take some time to really assess your pet each day, until it becomes habit.

Remember, you know them best, and there are lots of ways to check to make sure that they are thriving. These are some of the biggest ones, and once your pet is thriving, you will notice big changes in all of these areas, no matter what age, breed, species, or gender they are.

-By Kristin Clark

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HOTSPOTSINDOGS

Motley, a Portuguese Podengo Pequeno mix. Photo credit: Kristin Clark

According to the website petinsurance.com, hot spots are one of the most common reasons that people take their dogs to the vet. In fact, hot spots rank fourth in the top 10 reasons to take dogs to the vet! And it?s no wonder? hot spots (or acute moist

dermatitis) are irritated, infected, hot, red, moist lesions that are both painful and itchy to your dog. They often grow rapidly, and in many dogs are chronic and cause a lot of discomfort to the dog and stress (and money, in terms of vet bills and treatments) to the owner.

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Conventional wisdom tells us that hot spots can occur whenever something irritates a dog?s skin and leads to scratching or biting of the irritated area.

Most people believe that hot spots are the result of allergies, insect bites, lack of grooming, ear or skin infections, or excessive licking and chewing. However, as in so many things, this does not truly get at the heart of what causes hot spots, and certainly doesn?t lend to being able to address them effectively (hence why, in so many instances, they become a seemingly chronic condition).

For the majority of people, if their dog starts to lick or chew excessively, or if there is any indication of a hot spot, they take the dog to the vet. Common conventional approaches to dealing with the hot spot usually include shaving the area around the hot spot, prescribing antibiotics and painkillers, applying or administering medication to kill fleas, ticks, and other parasites, adding a dietary supplement to increase essential fatty acids, prescribing corticosteroids or antihistamines to relive itching, and recommending a hypoallergenic food (which is still processed kibble) to address any potential food allergies.

Often, people are also advised to get their dog groomed regularly and get them shaved, especially in the summer, and they are also told to maintain a regular flea and tick prevention program using over-the-counter flea and tick medications. They are also advised to make sure that their dog gets plenty of

exercise and isn?t subjected to lots of stress.

However, what most people find? because the hot spots keep coming back? is that these measures fall short in actually dealing with the issue. That?s because conventional treatments don?t get at the root cause of the hot spots? at best, they suppress the symptoms, and at worst, they exacerbate the problem? and so the hot spots keep flaring up.

To understand why this is, let?s first take a look at the root cause of hot spots. Because when you think about it logically, saying that hot spots are caused by itching or scratching, or exposure to rain or swimming, or the dog not being clipped in the summer, doesn?t make sense. Dogs itch and scratch, and if they are doing so excessively, it means that something is out of balance, and that imbalance is directly related to the hot spot eruption. It's the imbalance, not the itching and scratching, that leads to the hot spot. Similarly, the belief that dogs that are exposed to rain or water will develop hot spots doesn?t make sense. Many dogs spend a great deal of time in the water and never have a problem. Many dogs that don?t spend time in the water do have problems. While getting wet may seem to trigger an eruption, a healthy, balanced dog should be able to swim and get wet without any issues. Dogs in moist environments may be more prone to hot spot eruptions, but again, because not every dog in a moist environment suffers from hot spots, that is not the true root cause of the eruption.

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While we?re looking at some of the common methods of ?preventing? hot spots, let?s take a look at the idea that you should shave your dog every summer to help keep hot spots from erupting.

Keeping a dog?s fur shaved in the summer actually removes their protection from the sun and UV rays and eliminates the insulation that their fur provides.

Remember, dogs don?t cool themselves by sweating like we do; they pant. In fact, dogs can only release sweat through their foot pads, through what are called merocrine glands. While they do have sweat glands (called apocrine glands) all over their body (found with the hair follicles), these glands do not release sweat, they release pheromones, which aid them in communicating with other dogs.

Interestingly, as I was reading the book The Reboot with Joe Juice Diet, I realized that he conveyed this perfectly. Yes, he was talking about people, but the same holds true for our dogs: ?[Your dog?s] liver, kidneys, bowels, lymphatic system, and skin all aid in the elimination of toxins and waste.?

Furthermore, just like with us, their systems can get ?clogged, inflamed, rusty, and slow because we put too much pressure on them and don?t give them the pure fuel they need.

What that means is that [their] natural detoxification processes have a much harder time of it because of [their] lifestyle.

Chemicals [? ] in the environment? herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, petrochemicals, paints, cleaning products? all contribute to taxing [their] natural detox systems, not to mention all the prescription drugs [they are given].?

So what is actually going on when a dog presents with hot spots? In essence, when you see hot spots erupting on your dog, it means that the dog?s body is being overwhelmed by toxins that are coming in at a faster rate than the liver and kidneys can handle. The skin is the largest eliminative organ, and so the toxins start to ?erupt? out of the skin, as part of the body?s frantic effort to rid itself of them. And when you add antibiotics and steroids and flea/ tick preventives on top of it, the toxic overload increases while at the same time the body?s ability to stay balanced and handle the toxins decreases.

We talked about antibiotics and steroids? two common conventional treatments of hot spots? in the December 2015/ January 2016 and February/ March 2016 issues of Raw Pet Digest. You may

Like us, our dogs are designed to detox every single moment of every day.

Merlin, an American Pit Bull Terrier, having a swim day. Photo credit: Bre Altherr

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remember that both of them throw the body into a state of imbalance.

Antibiotics wipe out all the bacteria and gut flora, which severely inhibits the ability of the immune system to do its job, while at the same time leading to future problems because the ?bad? bacteria tend to grow back more quickly than the ?good? bacteria. This leads to further imbalances, which often present as ear infections, yeast infections, and other issues (which, not surprisingly, do lead to dogs itching and scratching excessively? and the imbalance that's making them scratch and itch excessively can also trigger a flare-up of hot spots in a dog with an excess of toxins. And so the roller coaster continues? ). And steroids actually suppress the immune system, so the dog?s body has less capability to stay healthy, ward off pathogens and viruses, and keep the dog in tip-top shape. Administering these when the system is already completely out-of-whack just makes it worse.

Furthermore, applying products topically or administering them internally to control parasites also causes a flood of toxins into the dog?s body. These products contain poison intended to kill the parasites. But what that means is that your dog?s body is exposed to poison? often directly on

the skin? at the very same time that the skin is trying to shed out toxins! It?s a lose-lose situation for your dog?s immune system, and therefore, a lose-lose situation for your dog.

So, if the conventional treatments don?t help? and any of you with pets that suffer from hot spots know exactly how difficult and frustrating this can be? what can be done? It?s actually relatively simple, although not necessarily easy or quick, especially if you?ve been following conventional treatments for a long time and your dog has therefore been flooded with toxins.

The first step is to make sure that your dog is on a diet appropriate to their species? what we call a species-appropriate raw food, or SARF, diet. This diet, as we have described in the magazine before, is the best thing you can feed your dog, because it ensures that they receive, in a natural, wholesome, raw form, all the food and nutrients they need, in the correct proportions and ratios they need, while eliminating all the stuff that they don?t need. It supports their entire bodies, including their immune systems, digestive systems, organs, and cells.

When you feed a species-appropriate raw food diet, you will be lessening the work that the liver and kidneys have to do, because they won?t have to remove waste at a rate that exceeds what they are designed for. You will reduce the 39

workload of the pancreas, bring the stomach pH to an appropriate level, and flood your dog with the nutrients he or she needs to keep all the body systems in good working order.

But, to address the toxin issue, you will need to go beyond diet. Flea and tick preventives, such as Frontline and K9 Advantix, are poison, and when you apply them to your dog, the poison goes through their skin and their body must then work to eliminate that poison. Similarly, when you give your dog a heartworm pill every month, you are feeding them a product that contains poison. Their system must work extra hard to rid itself of the toxins in the preventives. So, another vital step in helping your dog come back to optimal balance, and to reduce the load on the immune system, is to stop flooding your dog?s body, internally and externally, with poisons.

Similarly, the adjuvants in vaccines? aluminum and mercury are just a few? enter your dog?s body directly into their bloodstream when you vaccinate them. This is more toxins that the body must frantically work to eject, and if the kidneys and liver are already overloaded because of inappropriate food, parasite preventives, and so on, the skin may have to help remove the toxins, and hot spots may result.

In addition to the things you are putting directly and deliberately into or on your dog, you also have to consider the effects of things like herbicides and pesticides, as well as toxic cleaning products. Our dogs run around outside on the grass and in our yards with no protection between their feet and the ground. They brush up against foliage and sniff everything. This means that they are exposed to everything that you put in your yard, including chemical fertilizers, weed killers, and other herbicides. If your yard or house is sprayed for bugs, they will come into contact with residual pesticides. And because they are close to the ground and in direct contact with the floors of the house (if you let them inside), they are also exposed to whatever is in what you use to clean your house and floors.

So, take a good look at what you are putting down in your house and yard. If you want to use better cleaners, there are lots of recipes for non-toxic cleaners of every sort on the Internet. You can also go to the Environmental Working Group?s (EWG) website at www.ewg.org, and take a look at their ratings for various cleaning products (click here for their product guide). The goal is to reduce or remove toxins in the environment as much as possible, so your dog?s kidneys and liver don?t have to deal with them and get overwhelmed.

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You may also want to support your dog with natural modalities when they are going through a hot spot episode.

Various essential oils, such as lavender, feel soothing to the skin, and are really good at helping the body and especially the skin to rebalance (and remember, the hot spots are caused by an imbalance, which the skin is trying to assist in relieving). Additionally, colloidal silver may help support your dog?s immune system while providing antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory benefits in a safe and natural way. Remember, these modalities won?t heal your dog, but they will support your dog?s body as it works to heal itself.

Keep in mind that it may take some time for the body to flush out all the toxins, and you may see the hot spots get worse as the body goes through a healing response. It?s important to remember the 8th law of health? trust? during this process, and to have patience as the body seeks to heal itself. It took a long time for the imbalance to get to the point where hot spots are seen, and it will take time for everything to rebalance. If you go back to conventional treatments, which suppress the issue without really addressing the root cause, you may make it more difficult for the body to

come back into balance, and you will probably have to start over, with an even more intense case. It can be very difficult, but the natural modalities may provide some relief. If your dog is experiencing hot spots and you want to make sure you are supporting them in every way that you can, you may want to set up a consultation with a certified small animal naturopath (you can find a certified practitioner on the American Council of Animal Naturopathy?s website by clicking here). Hot spots can be one of the most frustrating and distressing issues you have to deal with as a dog owner.

However, as with most things, when you really get into the root cause of the issue, you will find that you can help support your dog so they can overcome their chronic hot spots in a natural way. By removing toxins and helping to rebalance and strengthen their immune system, you will enable their organs and body systems to function in a normal, natural way, and their bodies will begin to flush out toxins in an effective and normal way.

Because there will be significant less toxins going in, their skin will not have to ?erupt? in an effort to rid the body of excess toxic material. Your dog will return to a state of balance by healing and rebalancing him or herself, just as nature intended.

-By Kristin Clark

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TITERTESTING:ISITREALLYWORTHTHEHYPE? Vaccines. Titer tests. Immunity. Antibodies.

It?s enough to make your head spin, but for pet owners that want to give their pets the healthiest, happiest life possible, these are things that bear a lot of thought. Perhaps you?re someone who vaccinates regularly because you think it confers immunity.

Perhaps you vaccinate minimally. Perhaps you don?t vaccinate at all. Perhaps you aren?t sure whether or not to vaccinate, and you?ve heard about titer tests and want to explore them a bit more. No matter what, if you have pets, it is worth considering all the issues associated with vaccinating and helping your pet build immunity. And, I think it?s worth digging further into these topics than just blindly following what the people and companies with a vested financial interest in you vaccinating your animal tell you. After all, when money is involved, facts can sometimes get a bit skewed. So, to help you wade through the quagmire in a manageable way, I want to talk about titer testing.

Titer tests are lab tests that measure whether or not antibodies to a particular disease are present in the blood. They also check to see how many antibodies are present. To get the results, blood is drawn and then diluted. The test measures how much the sample can be diluted before antibodies can no longer be detected. If the blood can only be diluted, for example, 5 times, then the titer result would show as 1:5 (titer results are expressed as ratios). If the blood can be diluted 1,000 times, then the titer result would be 1:1000. According to some, a ?low? titer result (such as the 1:5 result in my example) is considered weak, while a ?high? titer result (for example, the

What is t it er t est ing?

Titer testing seems to be ?hot? right now among people who don?t want to vaccinate but still want to be sure that their pets are ?immune? to certain diseases. But what is titer testing, exactly?

Elle, a Lhasa Apso mix. Photo credit: Kristin Clark

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1:1000 result I mentioned) is considered strong. However, there are some flaws with titer tests, and those flaws can result in misleading information.

Why do peopl e t it er t est ?

People generally do titer testing as a way to prove? either to themselves, to others, or both? that their pets are immune to a particular disease and therefore don?t need to be vaccinated again. First and foremost, though, immunity is not an either/ or; it is not a gradient. Either your pet is immune or they aren?t. That means that a ?weak? titer result does not mean that your pet is not immune, as we will see in a bit.

Furthermore, what titer tests measure is antibodies present in the blood, and antibody levels don?t actually indicate immunity, much as we?d like them to. In other words, as Dr. John March states in his article "Antibody titers and immunity: Are they related?": ?A low titer count does not indicate susceptibility to a disease, just as a high titer count has nothing to do with immunity to a particular disease.? This is hard for many people to accept, because we have been conditioned to think (when we actually stop and think about it all, instead of just blindly assuming that a vaccine means we and our children and our pets are now immune to the disease being vaccinated against) that a high antibody count

indicates immunity to a disease, while a low antibody count indicates that immunity is not present.

So if antibodies don?t indicate immunity, what does? Interestingly, our bodies, and the bodies of our pets, have what are known as memory cells. When an animal (or person) is truly immune to something, their memory cells are able to recognize the disease and trigger the immune system to produce antibodies with which to attack the virus. Memory cells don?t need constant reminders in the form of boosters or re-vaccinations to ?remember? what a particular virus looks like and respond appropriately.

That?s the beauty of natural immunity? when the virus is encountered, the memory cells know exactly what to do: generate antibodies and get to work attacking and destroying the virus. And, when the body is strong and the immune system is supported, the memory cells and antibodies can work together with the body?s defenses to appropriately address and deal with the invading virus.

Think of chicken pox. It used to be commonly understood and accepted that once you got chicken pox as a kid, you were immune to it. That?s because your body had encountered the disease and developed memory cells that knew exactly what the disease ?looked like? and how to handle it. Your body knew 43

how to create antibodies that would attack and destroy the chicken pox virus. You were immune. After you get and recover from chicken pox, you don?t need to be exposed to the chicken pox virus every year, or three years, or even five years, just to ?remind? your body how to handle it. The memory cells remain in your body and spring into action if they?re ever needed.

Unfortunately, we don?t currently have any way of testing for memory cells. So, many people either decide to do titer testing, or decide to re-vaccinate to help ensure that their pets are safe.

Trust me? I understand wanting to make sure that our pets are as safe and healthy and happy as possible! But because we don?t have any real way of testing for memory cells, we get what is essentially poor information when

trying to determine whether or not our pets are actually immune to a particular disease.

Think about it: when the immune system is healthy and balanced, the body manufactures antibodies to respond to a particular virus when it?s encountered.

After the virus has been dealt with, does the body have a reason to continue to produce antibodies? Particularly given that a healthy immune system has the memory cells that enable it to respond when needed to a virus or other attack? I sometimes think about seasonal workers that are hired around the holidays. In the most lighthearted way, think of the company as the immune system/ memory cells, the workers as the antibodies, and the holidays as the virus. The company (immune system/ memory cells) knows that the holidays (virus) are coming

Elle, a Lhasa Apso mix, as a puppy. Photo credit: Adam Gilbert

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because it?s encountered the holidays (virus) before, so it hires workers (antibodies) to handle the influx of customers, orders, and sales that are going to happen. But, once the holidays (virus) are gone, the company no longer needs the workers (antibodies), and it won?t keep them all on as permanent employees. That wouldn?t make any sense, because there just wouldn?t be enough for them to do! But, does the lack of these seasonal workers (antibodies) in, say, March or April, or even September/ October, indicate that the company isn?t going to be able to handle the holidays (virus) the next time it comes around? Absolutely not!

The company (immune system/ memory cells) will remember that the holidays (virus) are coming, and hire seasonal workers (antibodies) at the appropriate time.

This analogy, simple as it is, may help you see why a lack of antibodies in the blood does not mean that the animal is not immune. In an animal with a healthy immune system, you may actually see the antibody count go down over time, if they haven?t been exposed to the particular virus you?re titering for. A healthy immune system shouldn?t keep generating high numbers of antibodies when there is nothing for them to do, just as a healthy company doesn?t have a bunch of seasonal workers hanging around in July when they won?t need them until November.

Now that I?ve discussed memory cells a bit, let me break it down just a bit further.

A healthy immune system is a true work of genius. It provides two types of immunity? both cellular and humoral immunity. Our pets have what are known as T cells, and these cells can detect which of the cells in your pet?s body contain the virus (remember, viruses cannot reproduce on their own, but instead have to use the body?s own cells to replicate) and then destroy those cells. This is cellular immunity. T cells have memory cells, and each new generation of T cells retains the memory cells of prior generations.

Humoral immunity is the other way that a healthy immune system guards the body against harmful viruses.

Humoral immunity comes from what are known as B cells, which actually move around in the body looking for viruses. When they find antigens (an antigen is any substance that the immune system perceives as being foreign or dangerous), they can immediately produce and activate antibodies to deal with the antigen. The really neat thing is that B cells, like T cells, also develop a memory, so they can respond more quickly and more powerfully when they come across that antigen again.

So, as you can see, cellular immunity and humoral immunity in the body are both dependent on memory cells. It is the memory cells that enable the body to 45

mount the appropriate defense to any virus or pathogen that it encounters.

And, the best way to develop those memory cells is through the buildup of natural immunity.

What is nat ural immunit y?

As we have discussed before, when an animal is vaccinated, the vaccine bypasses all the normal initial defenses of the body and goes directly into the bloodstream. That means that the virus in the vaccine bypasses the mucous membranes (such as the nose, mouth, and lungs) and goes straight into the bloodstream. Those mucous membranes? the Th1 level of the immune system? are the first line of defense against the virus, though.

When this is bypassed, there is no chance for the body to respond in a natural way through humoral or cellular immunity. Instead, in these instances, the immune system first encounters the virus in the bloodstream, which is actually the second line of defense? the Th2 level of the immune system. This is akin to someone suddenly and, as if by magic, appearing in your bedroom, without ever knocking on your front door or giving any notice that they were coming. I?m willing to bet that when someone knocks on your front door, your response is much different than it would be if someone just appeared uninvited in your house! It?s the same

for your body? when it encounters a virus in the normal course of things (through the Th1 level of the immune system), it has a chance to respond appropriately. It?s prepared for the fact that viruses will appear, and it can respond appropriately.

It?s like us? we know that solicitors, for example, will sometimes come to our door, and while we may not be happy about it, we can deal with them in a sane and normal fashion. But, if a virus suddenly appears in the bloodstream, the body and the immune system freak out and respond with overwhelming force, and then remain on high alert, out-of-balance and reactive to every little thing that gets encountered, whether it?s a true threat or not. Think of the difference in how you would react if someone comes to your front door to sell you something (the front door, of course, is the Th1 level of your house?s immune system) versus that same person suddenly appearing in your bedroom to sell you the same product. In the latter case, you?d be freaked out, and would probably respond with overwhelming force? and would probably continue to be on high alert for quite a while after that.

Natural immunity comes when our bodies, and our pets? bodies, have the chance to encounter viruses in the normal way, starting with the Th1 level of the immune system, and develop humoral and cellular immunity. Natural immunity can only occur when the immune system is healthy 46

and balanced, and that can only occur, for animals or people, when they get: -

-

An appropriate diet (and by this, of course, I mean a species-appropriate raw food diet) Plenty of fresh air, sunshine, and clean water Natural exposure to viruses, preferably when they?re young Appropriate exercise Quality rest

Natural immunity is not supported by an unhealthy attack on the immune system, such as what comes from vaccinations. And, of course, the memory cells are just one aspect of immunity? even they do not stand alone as the sole means of providing immunity. Whole, complete health, and the buildup of natural and holistic immunity is the only way to truly achieve immunity to viruses. All the defenses of the body, from the memory cells to the antibodies to the levels of the immune system, are important, and only by keeping the body and the immune system supported can true natural immunity be achieved.

Dangers of t it er t est ing While titer testing will show high levels of antibodies if your pet has recently been exposed to a virus (either naturally or through

vaccinations) or recently fought off a virus, the test itself really only seems useful if you are trying to convince someone (yourself or someone else) that your pet doesn?t need to be vaccinated or re-vaccinated. If the test shows ?low? results, some people may leap to the incorrect conclusion that re-vaccinations or vaccinations are necessary. However, because the body is either immune to something or it isn?t, and because we can?t measure memory cells, lower or higher levels of antibodies don?t really speak to the level of immunity present. Immunity is an all-or-nothing proposition? an animal is either immune, or it isn?t. We have a tendency to focus on the numbers, when we should be focusing on building and maintaining natural immunity.

Additionally, titer testing is another medical procedure that is invasive to your pet and costs a fair bit of money. Since it doesn?t really give the information that most people want (whether or not their pet is immune), it?s hard for me to find a reason why it would be valuable.

In his article, Dr. March goes on to point out that, ?Particularly for viral diseases, the ?cellular? immune response is all important, and antibody levels and protection are totally unconnected.? The article goes on to quote Dr. Glenn Dettman, who makes the very valid point that, ?Just because you give somebody a vaccine, and perhaps get an antibody reaction, doesn?t mean a thing. The only 47

true antibodies, of course, are those you get naturally. What we?re doing [when we inject vaccines] is interfering with a very delicate mechanism that does its own thing. If nutrition is correct, it does it in the right way.?

Concl usion Like I mentioned earlier, I completely understand the drive to do everything possible to keep our pets healthy and thriving. Heck, that need is the driving force behind pretty much everything I do! But the problem comes when we let fear overtake our common sense, or when we blindly surrender to people

who may not have the knowledge, the ability, or the motivation to keep our pets thriving. I think it is wonderful that more and more people are choosing to step off the vaccination roller coaster, but it is worth doing your homework before you decide whether or not to titer test. Given the lack of true information about immunity that the test conveys, is it really worth putting your pet through an invasive procedure, or putting your bank account through paying for a test that may not give you the information you really seek? Just like with everything, each person needs to make that choice for themselves. All I ask is that you consider it logically and fully before you make your decision.

-By Kristin Clark

Motley, a Portuguese Podengo Pequeno mix, pondering something.

Photo credit: Kristin Clark

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MOVINGINMINDFULNESS: LESSONSFROMCLEO Cleo, a Canaan dog. Photo credit: Kristin Clark

We have a joke at my house that our dogs teach us mindfulness. Our dog Cleo is an absolute master of this? in fact, we often say that she?s teaching the younger dogs how to do this. Her favorite strategy for teaching us to be mindful is to execute a series of ninja-like moves and somehow appear wherever we are trying to walk. Her favorite time to do this is when our arms are full of something and we can?t see what?s in front of us, or when the other dogs are all around us too so we have less options for where to step.

Adam has had Cleo since she was 3 months old, and she?s over 18 now. He and his dogs moved in with me and Barkley a few years ago, but Adam has told me that Cleo started doing this 5 or so years ago. At first, Adam said that he found it rather frustrating when she would get in his way (and let me tell you, she?s a master at knowing exactly where you?ll be, and getting there a split second before you, so you don?t have time to change course gracefully). Eventually, though, he said he came to think of it as a mindfulness practice, and a way to practice maintaining a receptive flow to whatever obstacles come up, be they physical (like a 35-pound dog suddenly appearing in the exact place you want to step), mental, or emotional. I know exactly what he means, because I went through the same evolution? at first, I found it annoying, especially when I was carrying in a big load of laundry to fold, or carrying full water bowls over to the kitchen for the dogs. But eventually, I came to see it as a way to practice being aware of the life and world

around me so much that I could sidestep around her because I was tuned in to where she would be. That?s not to say that we manage to avoid her every time! When we do stumble into her, usually we just laugh and congratulate her on managing to get us. Sometimes I feel like an Olympic judge? amazed with the execution of her spin and dash, I usually have to give her a perfect 10. We?ve even turned it into a phrase: ?Wow, you just got Cleoed!? This is particularly useful in situations where someone gets in front of you and cuts you off? we use it a lot when driving if someone cuts us off on the freeway or doesn?t quite understand how to take turns at a four-way stop.

There?s a Buddhist story I read quite a while ago about a monk who spends many years meditating alone in a cave. He finally feels like he has achieved enlightenment, and he

Cleo and Elle (as a puppy). Photo credit: Adam Gilbert

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feels like he is the epitome of patience and compassion. He?s feeling pretty good about himself? smug, even. And then one day, another traveler appears at his cave. He disturbs the monk with his incessant talking and his coarse behavior. It turns out the monk wasn?t as patient and compassionate and enlightened as he had thought himself to be.

Eventually, he comes to understand that it?s pretty easy to be compassionate, and patient, and loving when nobody is bothering you. It?s another thing altogether when you are practicing those things in everyday life. How many times have you thought to yourself, ?Well, I was in a good mood, until XYZ happened!?? That?s the same thing? the challenges to your practice of being a decent human being sometimes make it hard to be a decent human being. Ah, the paradox of life!

Cleo enjoying a roll in the grass while Elle sniffs around.

Photo credit: Adam Gilbert

In her own gentle way, Cleo is (rather deliberately, I think, given that this is something she only started in the last 5 years or so) helping us by providing a challenge? a true, immediate challenge? to how we move throughout our house. And of course, this becomes symbolic to how we move through life.

Do we get frustrated at the obstacles that come up in our path, or do we move around them? Because at home, I go to step somewhere and suddenly there?s a dog there. I sidestep and suddenly, the same dog is now there. I slow down to let her pass by, and she slows down. I speed up to get around her, and she hurries forward and darts into my path. (It?s uncanny, how good this dog is at this game!) And, on a larger scale, the same thing happens in life. Challenges of every sort come up. I respond to them but sometimes the response isn?t the right one, or it isn?t enough to overcome the challenge right away. I have to change course, and be mindful of how I?m doing it if I?m going to emerge with anything resembling grace and compassion and decency.

Like most people (I would guess), there are days when I?m more relaxed, more ?go with the flow.? There are days where I?m not so relaxed, too, and those are the days where sometimes I just wish that everything would be easy? where I wouldn't get Cleoed. But life, and Cleo, don?t work like that. Think of the monk meditating in his cave. Everything was easy, until someone else intruded and 51

Whilesheishere,shewill belovedeverysinglesecond.

Andwewill continuetopracticeher lessonsof mindfulness,whichshedeliverswiththeconsummateskill of amaster. -KristinClark

tested his patience and his compassion. He wanted that person to go away, so he could get back to feeling blissfully calm, enlightened, and loving. But that kind of defeats the whole purpose of practicing, doesn?t it? Similarly, when I?m in a more impatient, jittery frame of mind, that?s actually the most helpful time for Cleo to get in my way. It forces me to pause and, if I?m open and receptive, adjust my frame of mind. Really, in the grand scheme of things, it has never mattered whether I?ve made it down the hallway in 30 seconds or 45?50 seconds, and if that extra 15 or 20 seconds is a huge issue for me, then clearly it?s time to take a step back and reassess my attitude.

And you know what I?ve found? When I?m calm and can just giggle and admire the savvy way Cleo can get in my way in practically any situation, when she wants to, I can actually move around her more efficiently. And, it seems to me, that when I?m accepting of it, she actually gets in my way less. There?s a few lessons in there, I think.

Cleo is slowing down these days, but she continues to have many more good days than bad. As I was thinking about all the things she?s taught me, I thought about something I wrote about her back in February. At the time, it had seemed like she was starting to decline significantly. We watched her and recommitted to doing everything we could to help her be as healthy and happy as possible, but we also recommitted to focusing more on enjoying the time we had with her, however long that

Cleo nosing towards the camera. Photo credit: Kristin Clark

time was, rather than spending our time worrying about how long we would get. It was tough, and I posted the following in a group I?m part of on Facebook on one of her worst days: ?Our Canaan dog, Cleo, is almost 18 (April 1). In the last few days, she's started to go downhill. We are keeping her as comfortable as possible, but we have essentially entered what I think of as the hospice phase. Adam has had her since she was 3 months old. We have both told her that she can stay here with us for as long as she wants, and when she is ready to leave this world, if at all possible, we will be there with her.

We have made the decision that this will be done in her own time, and we will support and be with her every step of her journey, as we have been all along? and

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she has been for us. I don't know if she has days, weeks, or months left, but she will be loved for every second of her time left with us. I am tearing up as I write this, but watching Cleo as she navigates this part of her journey with grace, acceptance, and a quiet kind of joy that is still evident in her, is teaching me so much. I love this dog, my friends, and I will be sorry to see her go, but at the same time, I am so grateful for every moment that I have with her now, in this form, and at this time.?

A week or two later, she started to get stronger, and has been relatively strong ever since. Now, to get her exercise in,

we take her for walks by herself, because what she really loves to do is saunter along and take her time sniffing everything. We let her sleep as much as she wants, and she has her own special bed that she loves. We follow the 8 laws of health with her, particularly focusing on nutrition and clean water. Just like our other dogs, she fasts regularly. We keep her lean so her joints and muscles don?t have to work as hard to carry her weight. And it has paid off. At mealtime, she races down the hallway like a puppy, jumps around, twirls in circles, and relishes every bite with gusto. She can still get up and down with relative ease on her own, and while sometimes it takes her a bit to work out the kinks, I have found that our natural regimen, along with some alternative therapies (such as TTouch and homeopathy) have helped her stay relatively strong and supple, particularly given her age. Still, though, she is a reminder that our physical bodies can?t last forever. So while she is here, as I said back in February, she will be loved every single second. And we will continue to practice her lessons of mindfulness, which she delivers with the consummate skill of a master.

-By Kristin Clark

Cleo out on a hike in Redlands, CA. Photo credit: Kristin Clark

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Lycan , a Belgian M alin ois, en joyin g a r abbit f or lu n ch .

Ph ot o cr edit : Br e Alt h er r

RAW PET DIGEST October/ November 2016