Raw Pet Digest April/May 2017 by rawpetdigest

April/May2017

RAWPETDIGEST

I N THI S I SSUE: -Ch oosi ng a commerci al raw f ood -Feedi ng bones -A t-a-gl ance sampl e menus f or your cat -Deal i ng w i th tox i ns -A nd much more!

Tris, a t hriving raw-f ed Greyhound. Phot o credit : Jen Thackery

Raw Pet Digest Editor-in-chief: Kristin Clark

To get an annual subscription (6 issues): -Go to the Store at Canine Health Promotion: www.caninehealthpromotion.com -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

FEATURES ANDCOLUMNS Letter from the Editor - 4 Choosing a Commercial Raw Food - 5 Menus & Tips for Feeding Your Cat - 10 Spotlight on Health: Tracy Dion - 15 The Beginner's Corner: Bones - 21 The Aim of Life - 27 Let Them Eat...What? - 30 Bone Broth Supplement Smoothie - 35 Dealing with Toxins - 37 Introducing a New Pack Member - 42 Learning, Loving, and Letting Go - 44

Photo credit: Jen Thackery

Gryphon. Photo credit: Devin Nelson

Letter fromtheEditor Happy spring, everybody! While I love the winter? the colder days, the overcast skies, the rain (especially the rain, after so long without it here in Southern California), I?m so glad to be moving on to spring. I love seeing the leaves coming back onto the trees, and the flowers blooming, and seeing the birds and the butterflies and bees starting to go about their springtime business once again. With the longer days and warmer temperatures, spring brings with it the chance to get out and really enjoy the outdoors with your pet. If you've gotten out of the habit of getting your pet (and yourself!) out for some fresh air and exercise, now is the perfect time to get back in the swing of things. Exercise will help brighten your pet's mood (and yours as well!), help them sleep better, and keep their lymph circulating like it should. It will also drain excess energy that might otherwise come out in problematic and annoying ways. It's also a great way for you to bond with your pet! So, grab their leash and get them out for a walk or a run, or try a new activity with them that you've never done before. Remember that exercise is one of the laws of health and vital to achieve and maintain optimum vitality! Along with the change in season, we here at Raw Pet Digest are also celebrating the 2-year anniversary of the magazine. It seems absolutely unbelievable that 2 years have gone by, and yet, here we are.

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

This issue is full of great information for you! To celebrate our anniversary, we take a look at some practical information about common questions, along with natural approaches to dealing with some common issues. I also share some thoughts about navigating through a pet?s declining years (or months, or even weeks). It?s a topic that?s been on my mind even as I?m celebrating the rebirth that is spring, and I hope that, if you have a senior pet, the lessons I share will be helpful to you. Finally, if you haven't already, check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ rawpetdigest. We have ongoing tips, info, and even contests, so head on over! Enjoy the spring, my friends? we have much to be thankful for. Always, Kristin 4

CHOOSINGA COMMERCIALRAWFOOD

Copyr igh t Alph aspir it .

There are many people who want to feed their dogs and cats something other than a processed food diet (by processed food, I mean kibble or canned), but aren?t yet ready, for whatever reason, to make the switch to prey model raw or whole prey meals. For these pet parents, commercial raw may be a great way to go. Commercial raw is an excellent way to transition to a prey model raw or whole prey way of feeding. And just to be clear, by prey model raw, I am referring to a diet that includes about 80% muscle meat, 10% raw bones, and about 10% organ meat (5% liver and 5% non-liver organs). It does not include fruits, veggies, grains, or dairy. In other words, it attempts to mimic what your carnivore pet might eat in the wild, and it also is a diet that you prepare yourself (rather than buying it pre-made at a pet store). In this context, I am referring to a diet that includes pieces of various animals put together to form the whole meal (for example, maybe a turkey neck, some chicken liver, sheep ribs, and some green tripe). Feeding this way is sometimes also referred to as frankenprey. Whole prey refers to feeding the same proportions as prey model raw, but in whole prey form? in other words, giving your pet a whole chicken, or rabbit, and so on. Many people who feed a raw, species-appropriate diet feed both ways, depending on what?s available, but there are many who just stick with a prey model raw diet that doesn?t include whole prey.

Commercial raw, on the other hand, will still generally consist of the same percentages that prey model raw consists of, but may include veggies, fruits, and dairy. The bone contained in commercial raw is generally ground, and the entire meal is usually either ground or chunked. Because it generally comes frozen in a bag, you can simply defrost it and feed it to your dog or cat, similar to how you might feed canned or kibble. I find that most commercial raw is relatively expensive compared to prey model raw or whole prey, and because I am feeding 4 dogs, I find it easier and less expensive to prepare their meals myself. However, I did start out transitioning 3 of my dogs by feeding commercial raw, and it worked quite well to help ease me into the concept of feeding raw food. Commercial raw isn?t just valuable as a transition food. As we have discussed many times in Raw Pet Digest, kibble and canned foods contain toxic preservatives, fillers, sub-par meat, and other things that can cause your pet harm. Almost any commercial raw food out there will be better to feed than kibble or processed food, and there are many dog and cat owners who keep their pets on commercial raw for their whole lives. They enjoy the convenience, the knowledge that their pets are still getting (in most cases) a high-quality food, and they also find comfort in knowing that they don?t have to balance their pet?s meals themselves.

Whether youfeedacommercial raw,preymodel,or wholepreydiet,your pet will thankyou. -KristinClark

Sm ok e, a beau t if u l Gr eyh ou n d. Ph ot o cr edit : Jen Th ack er y

So, let?s say that you want to feed commercial raw. How do you know what to look for to make sure you?re making the best choice? When I discussed this with someone who is quite knowledgeable about the industry and the manufacturers, she said the number one thing to check for is where the meat is sourced. You want to make sure that the meat that?s used to make the food is high-quality. It should be hormone- and antibiotic-free. Grass-fed and/ or pasture-raised is very important. You should know exactly where the meat is coming from? and make sure that no 4D meat (meaning meat that comes from animals that are dying, diseased, desiccated, or disabled) is used. If you can?t find the source of the meat, don?t use it. Unfortunately, it?s not enough to just call the manufacturer to ask, either. The pet food industry is not regulated, and unscrupulous manufacturers may not tell you the whole story, even if you ask them directly. So, be ready to do some research, or talk to someone who is knowledgeable about the commercial raw pet food industry. Another major thing to consider when picking out a commercial raw food for your pet is the amount of veggies and fruit that?s included in the food. Remember that your dog or cat is a carnivore and designed to eat and thrive on raw meat, bone, organs, and glands. When a commercial pet food has a high percentage of fruits and vegetables, that means that part of your pet?s diet will be things that aren?t needed, and that can actually cause harm if

fed in too high of quantities. It is good that the fruits and vegetables are generally not fed whole in these types of diets, which spares your pet from having to tax their pancreas and other organs trying to break them down, but you still want to limit how much fruit and veg they?re getting. Chances are you?re paying top dollar for a commercial raw diet, too, so make sure that you?re getting the most bang for your buck by picking a food that wholly or mostly consists of exactly what your pet truly needs: meat, bones, and organs. Remember, too, that your pet needs variety. Different proteins contain different nutrients, and by giving them a variety, you help ensure that all their nutritional needs are met. Make sure that you include red meat along with birds (if you choose to feed them), and again, try to limit how much fruit, vegetable, and dairy is included. If you need to supplement, do so mindfully, and as your pet gets healthier, consider trying to replace the supplement with a food that supplies that nutrient or supplement. Some raw food manufacturers use high pressure pasteurization (HPP) to process their raw food. This is done in an attempt to eliminate bacteria. Unfortunately, HPP does denature the proteins, making your pet?s body much less able to use the amino acids to build new proteins, and it also destroys a lot of the good bacteria that is so beneficial in raw food. When choosing a raw food for your pet, make sure you know whether or not the commercial raw has gone through HPP. If it

has, you may want to strongly consider getting another food, unless there is a specific medical reason that you need a sterile pet food, at least for a short time. Feeding a commercial diet can be a great way to get your dog or cat off processed pet food, whether you move on to a homemade diet or keep them on it forever. Make sure that you do your research when picking out your raw commercial food, though, so that your cat or dog gets the highest quality food possible. Once you have decided on what food(s) you?ll be buying your pet, continue to monitor the manufacturer.

Dizzy the Border Collie. Photo credit: Chelsea Uribe

They can and do change their sources and practices, so it?s in the best interest of your pet to stay on top of it. Switching your pet to a raw, species-appropriate diet, is truly the single best thing you can do to support their vitality. Whether you feed a prey model diet, whole prey, or commercial raw, your pet will thank you. No matter what you choose, do your homework, so that you can feed them in the knowledge that you?re giving them the best chance you can at living optimal and vital lives. -By Kristin Clark

MENUS&TIPSFORFEEDINGYOURCAT Ever wonder how much food you should feed your cat when feeding a whole prey or prey model raw diet? Are you confused about how to set up a menu to make sure your favorite feline is getting all their nutritional needs met? If so, you're in luck: the next few pages give some whole prey and prey model raw examples, and there's even a prey model raw "cheat sheet" that explains some basic information you need to know to make sure you're feeding your kitty properly. Remember, feeding fresh, raw, varied, and balanced species-appropriate food is the best thing you can do to keep your cat healthy and thriving. These pages are reprinted with permission from Tracy Dion at CatCentric.org. For

Bengal cats Dexter and Daisy. Photo credit: Jamie and Allen Reitz

more great cat-centric tips, articles, and information, go to www.catcentric.org, or join their active Facebook community. It's a great way to learn new information, meet people who are as devoted to the care of their cats as you are, and get answers to any and all of your health- and behavior-related questions! Enjoy!

Grubat, a Maine Coon. Photo credit: Devin Nelson

In addit ion, provide: Friday: 1 sardine each Saturday: 2 dozen crickets, shared Sunday: Egg whites/ yolks, alternated 12

In addit ion, provide: Friday: 1 sardine each Saturday: 2 dozen crickets, shared Sunday: Egg whites/ yolks, alternated 13

Note that the menu examples on the previous pages are for 6 cats. You can adjust as needed. For the prey model raw menu example, here is the breakdown of how much meat you will need (again, remember, this is for 6 cats):

For the whole prey menu example, here is the breakdown of how much meat you will need and the average cost (again, remember, this is total for 6 cats) :

SPOTLIGHTONHEALTH:TRACYDION This issue, we were fortunate enough to be able to interview Tracy Dion, founder of CatCentric.org. Tracy is incredibly knowledgeable about feline health and behavior, and she has devoted her life to learning everything she can about how to better care for our beloved cats, and then sharing that information with as many people as possible. Tracy runs the CatCentric Facebook group as well as the website CatCentric.org. If you have any questions about health, behavior, or anything else cat-related, check CatCentric (both the website and the Facebook page) out; they are welcoming and supportive communities that will help you find the answers you need, free of charge. Enjoy the interview! 1. I know t hat you f irst became int erest ed in raw f eeding because of t he t erribl e consequences of t he bad pet f ood t hat was recal l ed in 2007. I al so know t hat you st art ed Cat Cent ric t o hel p ot her cat owners keep t heir cat s heal t hy and happy. In your opinion, how does a raw diet aid bot h l ongevit y and overal l heal t h? My ultimate goal is to connect the dots between diet and health; eating fresh foods is vitally important to health, especially for our cats, who are obligate

Allen the cat. Photo credit: Tracy Dion

carnivores. Most people understand that eating fast food, especially day in and day out, is bad for their health, and once they realize that, they can relate feeding processed kibble to a fast-food diet, and therefore understand the impact that feeding kibble vs feeding fresh food has on a cat?s health. Kibble is connected to disease, which is something I try to connect for people. This is especially true for cats? for example, most people don?t realize that cats need a minimum amount of protein (which they get through fresh raw meat) or they cannibalize their own muscles. 15

2. Ot her t han a raw diet , what is t he singl e most import ant f act or in your opinion f or keeping cat s heal t hy? Understanding and taking the time to learn the cat?s nature and respecting their nature is, in my experience, the most important thing cat owners can do to keep their kitties healthy and thriving. We all have the perspective of cats as aloof, standoffish creatures, but that stems from the fact that they used to be barn animals. They were self-sufficient: they could hunt, socialize with other cats, and take care of all their needs without us. Then we brought them inside and took away their autonomy and their ability to meet their own needs. And so, they have an unfair reputation that is no longer accurate, but we haven?t yet truly

Ralph the cat, dozing in the sunshine. Photo credit: Tracy Dion

realized that. Now that we?ve brought these amazing beings inside and removed their autonomy, we need to seek to understand them and help them meet their needs. For example, seemingly minor things like feeding them on flat plates to eliminate whisker stress, giving them high and low places to rest and hide in, and giving them an adequate amount of playtime and attention, are all vital to making them as happy and healthy as possible. Respect your cat. Learn what it needs and then be willing to provide that. Cats are one of the few animals whose genetic makeup is identical to their ancestors. They are apex predators. Cats evolved to spend their whole lives hunting, capturing,

and eating prey. It involves their entire being. We take their ability to engage in that activity away. It is an enormous credit to their adaptive abilities that they don?t go crazy. They need hands-on time every single day. Clicker-train your cats. Teach them tricks, do agility with them, and so on. It keeps them engaged and in a very small way it replaces the excitement of the hunt. The greater their confidence and comfort level in different scenarios, the happier the cat is. 3. What is t he t op issue t hat cat owners ask you f or hel p wit h? What ?s your advice? There are 4 top issues: 1. Bit ing. Biting is always on the owner. Cats are not physical animals, meaning they didn?t evolve to constantly be petted and touched. They do learn to enjoy it, but at some point, the petting will turn to pain.

Some cats have a large capacity for petting and touch, but some have a smaller capacity to be touched. The cat always gives signals. Because people don?t understand the cat?s communication, they miss it and the cat escalates to biting. The owner may miss it all, and so they think the cat turns on them ?out of the blue.? 2. Missing t he l it t erbox. This is also on the owner. Cats have a unique niche in the animal world. They are predators, but they are also prey. They know they are prey, and they take pains to protect themselves. So, they try to keep their smell away from where they are. If your cat is missing the litterbox, rule out a physical issue, and then try adding a litterbox, moving it, cleaning it more frequently, and so on. The cat is not being ?defiant? or ?mean? or anything like that. They are stressed.

Daiqu ir i. Ph ot o cr edit : Devin Nelson

3. St ress. When a cat pees on a favorite person?s bed, or shoes, or clothes, that cat is stressed. The scent of that person is soothing, and so if the cat pees on his favorite person?s belongings, the cat is trying to mix his scent with the person?s to soothe himself. So, it?s a way to decrease stress. Unfortunately, it doesn?t always take much to stress a cat out, but if you are seeing this behavior, again, it tells you they are stressed and you need to change things to help them destress. 4. Not eat ing. Whisker stress is a big culprit. There is also a monotony effect: if you feed the same thing every single day for months on end, they may stop eating. Cats are driven to find variety to make sure they are getting the right nutrients, so feeding them a variety of fresh, raw, species-appropriate foods will help a great deal.

what works best. Mostly, I prefer to see people moving in the direction of feeding fresh, raw, natural food, even if it?s not whole prey. As long as the cat is eating fresh food, I?m happy. CatCentric promotes feeding the best food someone can given their circumstances. There is no one true way. 5. What do you f ind are most peopl e?s react ions once t hey swit ch t heir cat s t o a raw diet ? Most people are amazed and ecstatic about the changes in their cats. Very close on the heels of that delight comes guilt, because they feel badly that they didn?t start feeding their cat this way long ago, or because they realize that the food they fed a prior cat caused illness or death. Remember you can only do the best you can with the knowledge you have at the time. Let the guilt go.

6. How import ant is variet y f or cat s? For exampl e, if t here are cat s t hat onl y pref er t o eat poul t ry, what do you t el l t heir 4. There are l ot s of raw diet phil osophies owners? out t here (commercial l y prepared raw, prey model raw, a mix of raw f oods t hat Variety is very important for cats. If you are cut up f or t he animal , et c.). Have you have a cat that isn?t interested in eating a f ound one t ype t hat you pref er? If so, variety of fresh, natural food, remember that persistence is vital. Stick with the which one? schedule and menu every day. Eventually it The point is to get them off canned and will happen. Figure out what topping your kibble and on to fresh. It does have to be cat can?t resist. Even if it isn?t the healthiest tailored to the individual cat and the thing, use it. Find out what kind of individual person. Some people can?t freeze-dried flavors your cat likes and handle whole prey, because they can?t sprinkle it on their food until they get used handle it emotionally. The best thing to do to it. Whole Lives Freeze Dried Chicken is to learn about the different diets and do 18

treats are one of my cats? favorites. Also, get the cat into a routine. A feeding schedule is very helpful. They have expectations of when they?ll be fed and what they?ll get. When you want to incorporate new proteins, add them to the routine. Have a backup just in case, but stick to the routine. 7. What does a t ypical meal l ook l ike f or your cat s? How much variet y do t hey get ? My cats get a wide variety of proteins, but all of them get the same thing as the others each meal. They know that they get a certain amount of time to eat, and if they don?t finish it, another cat may be able to eat it. Because I keep to a routine, they are familiar with it, and they are used to variety. My cats love mealtimes!

8. What are your t hought s about f ast ing? I know some cat owners who do f ast , and I?m wondering what you t el l t hem. Do NOT fast your cats. Dogs have very elastic stomachs. Dogs are built to gorge and fast. Cats are not built to gorge and fast. Their stomachs are not elastic. In nature, studies have shown that they eat 8-12 times in a 24-hour period. They aren?t designed for fasting, so it?s cruel. They get nauseous if they go too long without food because the bile builds up in their stomach, and that can then cause them to throw up. Another problem is that if they throw up from not eating, they may then associate the food you?re feeding them with danger or toxins on a subconscious level, and not eat it anymore.

9. How import ant is it f or meat (incl uding bones and organs) t o be organic/ hormone-f ree/ ant ibiot ic-f ree/ past ure-raised? The food must not be enhanced (injected with a variety of spices or saline), because it will have too much sodium, which is very dangerous for cats. Always check the sodium level. Anything over 100 mg of sodium, don?t give to your cat. It?s also important to feed food that?s hormone- and antibiotic-free. Organic is nice, but not a necessity. If you can source grass-raised and/ or finished meat, that?s great, but if you can?t, just provide an omega-3 source in the diet. 10. I recent l y read an art icl e f rom a vet t hat argued t hat t here are l ot s of chemical s f ound in soil t hat f ind t heir way int o grasses and ot her pl ant s consumed by herbivores. These herbivores t hen get t he chemical s in t heir bodies, and t hese are concent rat ed even more in t he carnivores t hat eat t hem. The art icl e t hen went on t o say t hat , f or t his reason, f eeding our dogs and cat s a vegan (or at l east a veget arian diet ) was saf est f or t hem. What is your response t o t his? When people talk about soil depletion, I tell them to find better meat sources. You can?t give a cat who isn?t getting enough nutrition in its meat a nutritionally depleted vegetable that

they can?t even digest. Cats are obligate carnivores. They must have meat to survive. 11. What is t he t op concern you see f or peopl e who are hesit ant t o swit ch t heir cat s t o a raw diet ? What do you say t o t hem? There are two, actually: bacteria and bones. Bacteria is endemic to our environment. Cats have all the defenses that they need to handle the bacteria in their environment. Most people understand that they have defenses for it, and when we talk about it, their fear lessens. Bones are a bit tougher. Because of the pet food industry, many people have a very visceral, negative reaction to feeding bones to animals. When we talk about it, I often tell people to think about taking a chicken wing and breaking it with your hands. It?s hard to break because raw bones are very flexible, and when they do break, they don?t have sharp edges. I also remind them that cats should be eating raw meaty bones, not bones by themselves. Tracy Dion is an award-winning writer and feline care and behavior consultant, specializing in nutrition and feeding a species-appropriate diet. She is dedicated to improving feline health and welfare through owner education and is passionate about improving the owner/animal bond through increased understanding of natural feline behaviors and needs. She is a professional member of the Cat Writers? Association and past Editor of Raw Instincts Magazine, as well as the mind behind CatCentric.org. Her articles have been published by the Feline Nutrition Education Society, Raw Instincts, Healthy Dog, Catnip Chronicles, the American Council for Animal Naturopathy, Raw Pet Digest, and more.

THEBEGINNER'SCORNER

Elle as an ador able pu ppy. Ph ot o cr edit : Adam Gilber t

Here at Raw Pet Digest, we aim to bring you information that will help you support your dog or cat in living the best life possible. We know that each of our readers is in a different stage on the journey of exploring and implementing a more natural approach to health care for their pets. In light of this, we have decided to introduce a regular series called The Beginner?s Corner. This series will include a wide variety of topics ranging from feeding to fasting, from basic first-aid care to introductions to natural healing modalities. If you are a long-time reader of Raw Pet Digest, or if you have been involved in natural health care for your pet for a long time, you may already be

familiar with the information we present in The Beginner?s Corner. We hope that, by including it in its own series, we will help those who are new to these concepts understand them in more depth, while at the same time make it easy for those who are already knowledgeable about these topics to quickly decide whether or not they want to review them. One of the most common fears that people who are new to the idea of feeding a raw, species-appropriate diet to their pets has is a fear of feeding bones. I can?t tell you how many times people have asked me if feeding bones is dangerous, and I have heard from many other raw feeding proponents and guides that they get the same question. In

Lycan, a Belgian Malinois, enjoying a raw meaty bone. Photo credit: Bre Altherr

fact, other than a fear of bacteria, the fear of feeding bones seems to be the most prevalent concern people have about the diet? even more than the fear that the diet might not be balanced, or it might cause their animal to become aggressive. If you are concerned about feeding bones to your dog or cat, you?re not alone. The good news, though, is that there are definitely things you can do to make it much safer for your dog or cat? both of which are carnivores, and adapted to eat raw bones? to eat and digest bones. Read on for tips that should help ease your mind and help you feel comfortable about giving your dog or cat a chance to enjoy bones and all the great benefits that go along with them! All of us have heard horror stories about dogs that choked on bones, or ate bones that caused a blockage that either required expensive surgery or had fatal results. However, when you follow a few simple guidelines, you significantly reduce the risk associated with feeding bones to your pet. It?s important, for optimum vitality, to feed raw meaty bones to your dog or cat. Both dogs and cats evolved to eat prey animals (which of course includes that prey?s muscle meat, bones, organs, and glands), and they need the calcium, phosphorous, and other minerals that bones contain. Bones also act as toothbrushes and floss for them, helping to keep their teeth and gums clean and healthy. Bones are a vital part of a balanced diet, and chewing and crunching on raw bones also helps exercise the jaw muscles (as well as tapping into a

Midge, a Redbone Coonhound, finishing up a raw meaty bone. Photo credit: Bre Altherr

primal joy that is quite evident on a dog or cat?s face when they?re eating bones). So, you can see that feeding bones is very important to your dog or cat?s overall wellbeing. So how to go about safely feeding them? Rule # 1: only feed your dog or cat raw bones. The first, and perhaps most important point to remember, is that dogs and cats should onl y be fed raw bones, never cooked ones. Cooked bones become very brittle and can easily splinter, perforating their stomach linings or causing other damage to their digestive tracts, causing blockages, and so on. Raw bones, however, are pliable, soft, and much less likely to splinter. Rule # 2: Avoid feeding the weight-bearing bones (i.e. leg bones) of large ruminants, such as sheep or cows. This is because these bones are incredibly dense, and dogs, especially those that are 23

Bonesareavital part of abalanceddiet,andchewingandcrunchingonraw bonesalsohelpsexercisethejawmuscles(aswell astappingintoaprimal joythat isquiteevident onadogor cat?sfacewhenthey?reeatingbones). -Krist in Cl ark Pansy, a Chihuahua, eating a raw meaty bone. Photo credit: Bre Altherr

enthusiastic chewers, can crack a tooth on the bones. Bird bones are perfect to feed, and I also regularly fed beef and sheep ribs with great success to my dogs. Cats are perfectly capable of eating thin, non-weight-bearing bones as well. Bones that you would find in a small rabbit, a bird, or even a mouse are perfect for feeding to cats. Rule # 3: Feed the right size bone to your pet. For cats, this means feeding bones that are large enough that they can?t swallow them in one gulp. This forces them to cut their food into appropriately bite-sized pieces, which are then just the right size for swallowing. For dogs, this means offering pieces that are at least as big as their head. Any smaller, and your dog may try to just swallow the bone whole, especially if they are novice bone chewers. Rule # 4: Offer bones that have meat attached to them. When you offer raw meaty bones (which is exactly what our dogs and cats evolved to eat), you give your pet a chance to eat a balanced, species-appropriate meal, while at the same time increasing the safety margin of that meal. When meat is still attached to the bone, your dog or cat must work to rip, shred, and tear the meat off the bone, and this slows them down from just trying to swallow the bone in one gulp. It?s especially important to do this with novice bone eaters, as they may not yet know how to eat bone properly. Feeding this way gives them a great chance to learn what to do, while still providing mental stimulation and all the other benefits that go along with eating

the diet they were designed for. Plus, raw meaty bones, for our carnivore friends, are pretty tasty, and who doesn?t want to enjoy a meal that appeals to them in every way? Rule # 5: Monitor your pet at all times when they?re eating, especially eating bones. Even for experienced chewers, it?s important to keep an eye on your pet when they?re eating (and by the way, this goes for everything, not just bones? meat, organs, even kibble and canned food). If your pet does choke, or has some other kind of problem, you want to be able to help them immediately. I will mention that, particularly if you have a dog or cat that you are transitioning from kibble or canned food over to a raw, fresh, balanced species-appropriate diet, you may see a little bit of blood in their mouths or on their food for a few days at the beginning

Sumo, an American Staffordshire Terrier, gnawing on a bone. Photo credit: Chelsea Uribe

of the transition. Because the bones act as floss and a good toothbrush, if they have a build-up of tartar and plaque (and most animals on a processed-food diet do), there will be a very small amount of blood until their gums are tougher and healthier and the tartar and plaque are reduced (generally only a few days). It?s nothing to be concerned about, just as you wouldn?t be concerned if you started flossing your teeth after a long period without flossing and saw a small amount of blood. However, if you see a large amount of blood, you need to investigate and help your pet immediately. Rule # 6: Separate and monitor your pets when feeding bones (or anything else, for that matter). If you have a multi-pet household, make sure you keep your pets separate when feeding them. This prevents squabbles from arising because someone got too close to somebody else, and it also prevents one pet from swallowing a bone or other food before they?ve had a chance to properly cut, tear, or crunch it to the right size, just to prevent someone else from taking it.

Everyone should be allowed to eat in peace, and you will need to monitor them to make sure that they get this opportunity. Rule # 7: Keep in mind that bone marrow is fatty and a higher-caloric food, and can cause diarrhea until your dog is used to it. You can certainly feed your dog a bone with marrow, but if your dog is overweight or not used to marrow, you may want to limit it or forego it altogether. Poultry bones don?t contain marrow, and they are excellent choices for most dogs, including ones that shouldn?t, for whatever reason, eat marrow. Rule # 8: Feed bones in a place that?s easy to clean. Because raw bones can make a big mess (trust me on this one!), it?s a good idea to feed them outside, in a crate, or on a towel or mat. This goes for whether you are feeding dogs or cats. We feed our dogs outside and our cat on a mat inside, which makes clean-up for all their meals a lot easier. Feeding bones is an integral part of feeding a balanced, raw, speciesappropriate diet. The benefits are huge, and by following just a few simple rules, you can help to ensure that feeding bones to your dog or cat is safe and enjoyable for them. -By Kristin Clark

Lolo, a Border Collie, enjoying her bone. Photo credit: Erin O'Connor

THEAIMOFLIFE

Ph ot o cr edit : Jen Th acker y

?Theaimof lifeisappreciation; thereisnosenseinnot appreciatingthings; andthereisnosenseinhaving moreof themif youhavelessappreciationof them.? Beau t if u l f low er s. Ph ot o cr edit : M ilt on Clar k

-G.K.Chesterton

In the movie The Peaceful Warrior, the protagonist points out that ?there is no ordinary moment.? How very true that is! When we stop and really tune in to what?s going on around us, we realize that each moment is extraordinary. When we are grateful for what we have? whether it?s time, the people and animals in our lives, or even our possessions? we realize that each moment is extraordinary. Once again, I am humbled by how many people have helped with this issue of Raw Pet Digest. A special thanks to my husband, Adam Gilbert, for all that he does to help me with the magazine. I really think it?s more than he?ll ever know, and I am eternally appreciative. Thank you also to Tracy Dion, for being willing to let us interview her. In Tracy, I see a kindred soul? someone who is passionate about doing everything she can to help animals live better, healthier, and happier lives, and I am so grateful to know her. I also want to thank Breanne Altherr, Devin Nelson, Chelsea Uribe, Jamie and Allen Reitz, Milton Clark, Mardi Linane, Jen Thackery, and Jennifer Lee for their wonderful pictures. They are so generous in letting me use their photographs, and I am so very grateful.

I also want to thank our ever-growing community on Facebook. I love connecting with all of you, and I especially love seeing all the raw feeders out there. Your pets are absolutely gorgeous, and I?m excited to learn more about you, what you need, and how I can better serve and support you. Thank you for being so committed to your pets. It warms my heart and makes this journey one of joy and gratitude. And for you, my dear readers, I am so very thankful. If you haven?t already, head over to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ rawpetdigest), ?Like? our page, and join the conversation. We have contests, Q&As, and fun and helpful tips on how to help your dog or cat live the best life possible. We will be bringing you Facebook Live events in the future too, so make sure you Like the page and visit it frequently. -By Kristin Clark

LETTHEMEAT...WHAT?

One of the most common questions dog owners ask me is how to get their dogs to stop eating poop. While this came up a lot when I was training dogs, it continues to come up now that I help owners with the nutritional end of their dog's care. It?s rare (in fact, I?ve never heard of a single instance) for cats to engage this behavior (known as coprophagia), but for dogs, it seems to be a common problem. Before you can figure out how to stop it, though, it?s important to understand why it happens.

they may not be getting enough live digestive enzymes or vitamins in their food. They may also eat poop because they have seen other dogs do it and learned from them, or even because they're stressed. I have also heard of high percentages of puppy mill dogs (who live in incredibly stressful conditions, both physically and psychologically) that eat poop; considering the poor living conditions, bad diet, and incredible stress those dogs are under, it's really no surprise that they engage in coprophagia.

The most common reason a dog engages in coprophagia is because they aren?t getting enough of some nutrient or mineral, or because there is an imbalance in their digestive system. They may, for example, have too much ?bad? bacteria and not enough ?good? bacteria (perhaps as a result of being given antibiotics), or

As we have discussed in Raw Pet Digest before, dogs need digestive enzymes to live and thrive. These enzymes are incredibly delicate, and when kibble or canned food is processed, it destroys these enzymes (for more about enzymes, please see the December 2015/ January 2016 issue of Raw Pet Digest). Your dog?s body, unfortunately,

Photo credit: Jennifer Lee

doesn?t produce enough digestive enzymes to make up for the lack of them in the processed food, and over time, they go into an enzyme-deficit. In many cases, dogs that are fed kibble and/ or canned food experience this enzyme-deficit, and they are driven to find those enzymes elsewhere, such as in the feces of other animals.

thought it was disgusting, and I wanted them to stop. Fast forward to when they had all been on a raw diet for a while, and the poop eating was pretty much nonexistent. And that brings us nicely to how you might be able to address the issue, if you are experiencing it with your own dogs. Depending on why your dog is actually engaging in this behavior, there are different things you can do to It?s not just enzymes that dogs are address it; read on for an overview of some searching for when they eat feces. They ideas to dealing with this issue. are also after the microbes that they First and foremost (like almost everything we need to regenerate the ?good? bacteria talk about in here), you should make sure that in their gut. Feces often has very high your dog is eating a balanced, varied, raw levels of these microbes, so dogs eat the species-appropriate diet. By feeding your dog poop in an attempt to correct that this way, you help to replenish the digestive imbalance as well. enzymes and maintain a healthy gut. You also It?s important to understand this, so when make sure that your dog is getting all the you see your dog eating poop, you will nutrients he needs for optimal vitality. This know that he isn?t trying to be disgusting, one simple switch was all it really took for our or defiant, or bad, or gross? he is trying to dogs to stop eating poop. Quick tip: Green correct an issue or imbalance that he?s tripe is loaded with digestive enzymes and probiotics and is a great food to include in any dealing with. dog?s diet, especially if they are showing signs I can speak from personal experience of an imbalance (such as eating their poop or about this, because I myself have had the poop of another animal). Another idea dogs that ate poop. Before we knew (and one that I would often tell people when I better, we used to feed our dogs and cats was training dogs): clean up after your dog kibble. And guess what? Our dogs ate after he goes to the bathroom. Same goes for poop? their own, the other dogs?, the any other animals you have. Bottom line? if poop in the litter box? it was constant, you clean up the poop, they won?t be able to and it was gross. It hadn?t always been eat it. that way, of course, but over time, it seemed like they were eating more and Because eating poop can be a response to more poop. I didn?t have an effective stress, anxiety, or boredom, make sure your solution for it, and I didn?t even really dog is getting adequate exercise and that understand why they were doing it. All I their minds are kept busy throughout the day. knew was that they were doing it, I If you notice that your dog frequently paces, 32

Whenyour dogeatspoop, he'stryingtocorrect an issueor imbalancethat he?sdealingwith.

doesn?t settle down, and rarely stays still throughout the day, you need to increase their exercise. Your dog should want to lay down and rest after an exercise session. Depending on your dog, you may need to give them focused exercise sessions several times throughout the day. The more tired they are, and the more enrichment they have, the less stressed they are. The less stressed they are, the less likely they are to engage in behaviors you don?t like.

If you decide to use over-the-counter deterrents (which have only been found to be effective up to 2% of the time), make sure you use ones that are non-toxic and don?t contain monosodium glutamate (MSG). While this is one habit that is admittedly less than charming to us, it can definitely give you clues about the state of your dog?s digestive health. And, like so many other things, once you address the root cause of the issue? be it an imbalance, a deficit, or something else? there?s a high likelihood that the behavior? the symptom, if you will? will go away. -By Kristin Clark

Barkley, our English Shepherd mix. Photo credit: Milton Clark 34

BONEBROTHSUPPLEMENTSMOOTHIE This article is reprinted with permission from Lorin Grow, who owns Furry Face, Inc. in Redlands, California. Lorin is incredibly knowledgeable about appropriate nutrition for cats and dogs; she has helped hundreds (possibly thousands) of dog and cat owners learn about the proper nutrition for their beloved pets. Here, she shares a great bone broth supplement smoothie recipe for people looking for a way to get a concentrated does of nutrients and calcium into their dogs. Enjoy! Do you make bone broth? Here's an idea for those of you who want to DIY your food but also need an added source of nutrients and calcium. If you simmer your bone broth for 24?36 hours minimum like I do, you'll find that the bones you used (if not hard, weight-bearing bones) will soften to mush. This is particularly true if you are using poultry carcasses, such as chicken carcasses. I've always strained out the "floaters" of the softened bone pieces at least 3 times to get all the small pieces before I portioned out containers for freezing. I used to throw away those bits and pieces

as well as the big chunks, but I've started doing something different. The results have been a hit with the animals, and I like the idea of the concentrated nutrients! Choosing your bones The most popular bone broth and the one that most people make is chicken and/ or turkey. Certainly, poultry bones are the best choice for this recipe's purpose, but you can use hoofed animal bones as well if you choose non-weight bearing bones like rib bones. The less dense or softer the raw bones, the more likely you are to be able to blend them after you slow-cook them. Making your brot h 1. Place all your bones into a pot or slow cooker and cover with water. I use a slow cooker because I like the broth to simmer around 36 hours. You can add animal-safe veggies if you like, although I never do as I like the simplicity and medicinal value of plain broth best. After covering with water, add a healthy, heavy-handed pour of apple cider vinegar (ACV). The key to getting a good gel set to your bone broth is including enough of the ACV. Bring the broth to a boil and then set the cooker's temp at simmer for the longest time possible. You will need to restart the cooker at the end of that time 35

at least once or twice. If needed, add more water if the amount of water drops below the top of the bones. 2. Take all your strained bits and softened bone chunks and throw them into your Blendtec/ Vitamix. If you've added any veggies to your simmer, throw those in too. Blend on high (I use the "smoothie" button) until everything is a smooth consistency, sort of like a paste. Place that paste into containers (one to refrigerate and the others for freezing). 3. Add the paste to their meals in small amounts suitable to the size of the animals you're feeding. Remember, this is just a supplement or palatant, so portion out accordingly. As with anything new, always start with less until you see how each kid does individually with their intake. 4. If your mix is too thick, add a bit of the bone broth. This is also recommended if you want to freeze it into those little heart-shaped silicone molds as the added broth helps it freeze better.

Greyhounds Tris and Smoke romping in the snow. Photo credit: Jen Thackery

DEALINGWITHTOXINS

As we?ve discussed in Raw Pet Digest before, toxins are ever-present in our environment. And because our beloved pets live with us, sharing our homes, our hearts, and our lives, that means they are constantly exposed to toxins as well. In fact, because their feet come into contact with toxic cleaners, pesticides, and herbicides, and they then absorb those toxins through their foot pads or when they lick their feet, they often are subjected to more toxins than we are. Remember, too, our animals are frequently given conventional parasite preventatives (which contain dangerous chemicals, as described in the December 2015/ January 2016 and February/ March 2016 issues of Raw Pet Digest) and are routinely prescribed antibiotics and steroids. And then there?s the processed food that so many people feed their pets? food that, as we discussed in the February/ March 2017 issue of Raw Pet Digest, contains a myriad of toxic preservatives that can have a hugely adverse impact on the health of our pets. Water is another source of toxins for our pets (and us!): most tap water contains heavy metals, fluoride, chlorine, prescription medications, and other dangerous substances (for more information, see the August/ September 2015 issue of Raw Pet Digest), which of course add to the toxin load your pet must deal with. Our pets come into contact with toxins all the time, and this ever-present contact has a profound impact on their health.

Many toxins that your pet encounters (or ingests, or breathes in, or has applied topically, or gets injected with) are bioaccumulative, meaning that they build up in your pet?s body faster than their body can eliminate them. The body?s natural filters? the liver and the kidneys? can?t keep up with the today's toxic load, but they try...and the effort to remove and filter out all the toxic substances taxes them unmercifully. In many dogs, the skin (which is the largest eliminative organ in the body) is then pressed into helping eliminate the toxins. This shows up, in many dogs, as hot spots, skin rashes, and other eruptions. If those symptoms are suppressed through the application of further toxins, it exponentially increases the damage being done while at the same time pushing the issue deeper into the body. Frequently, tumors, cysts, and other serious diseases, including cancers, autoimmune diseases, organ failure, and so on, then show up. Again, if you try to treat the symptoms through suppression (in other words, conventional treatments that either use toxic medications or even surgery to get rid of the symptoms without addressing the root cause), you cause a great deal of harm because your pet?s body, which is already operating in a sub-par way, is subjected to more toxins that it has no capacity to deal with. The more toxins an animal has accumulated, and the less they function in a thriving, vital way, the less able they are to deal with the toxins. This is why, in many cases, a younger animal doesn?t show the same breakdown as 38

an older animal? the toxic substances haven?t had a chance to build up yet. However, we are seeing a rise in the numbers of serious chronic diseases and ailments among younger and younger animals; this is no surprise, really, as the amount of toxins in the environment, and the amount of toxins that we subject our animals to (while at the same time suppressing the body?s natural ability to eliminate those toxins), increases all the time. So, is there anything you can do to help your pet deal with their toxic load? Absolutely! The good news is there?s lots of ways you can help. First and foremost, switch your pet to a raw, balanced, varied, speciesappropriate diet. By feeding them appropriately, with fresh, natural, species-appropriate food, you provide

Allen the cat. Photo credit: Tracy Dion

them with live enzymes at each meal, along with all the other nutrients they need to thrive. You also cut out all the toxins they would have ingested eating processed food. If you have a dog, consider fasting (do NOT fast cats? they are not designed to fast, and it can cause serious harm and major stress for your cat). Fasting approaches vary, but if you feed them two meals per day, consider switching to one. You can also try fasting them one day per week, a few days per month, intermittent fasting, or feeding every other day. Monitor your dog when fasting, and don?t fast them for more than 2 days in a row (unless under the guidance of a qualified animal naturopath or holistic veterinarian). Fasting is incredibly beneficial because it gives the body a break from digestion so that it can focus on healing? and a large part of healing is eliminating toxic substances. Dogs have very elastic stomachs, and in the wild,

they frequently gorge and fast; they adapt quickly to fasting, and it can be profoundly useful in helping them maintain overall wellbeing and vitality. Make sure you?re giving your pets clean, pure water to drink. Because most tap water has such a large amount of toxic substances and contaminants, it?s a good idea to give your pet filtered water. Do your research, because not all filters are created equal. You want one that actually filters out a significant amount of contaminants and toxins, rather than just filtering for taste. And while you?re at it, make sure you?re drinking clean, pure water too? the contaminants in the water are no better for you than they are for your pet! Switch to using non-toxic cleaners. Check the Environmental Working Group?s webpage for information about safe household products, or go to their main webpage for more information (www.ewg.org). You can also search

online for how to make your own natural, effective, non-toxic cleaners. Make sure you switch all your cleaners to non-toxic, including your floor cleaner, dishwashing and laundry detergents, bathroom cleaners, kitchen cleaners, and so on. Also, consider using an alternative to conventional dryer sheets. For more about toxic cleaners and better approaches, check out the August/ September 2015 issue of Raw Pet Digest. You may also want to consider eliminating the use of scented candles and air fresheners in your home, as these contain harmful chemicals (for you and your pet). Diffusing high-quality, pure, unadulterated essential oils (we use Young Living in our house) can be just as effective without the all the added toxins. Make sure your pet is getting adequate, regular exercise. This does wonders for their mental health, and it also helps keeps their lymph systems moving and helps their bodies eliminate waste. It aids in efficient blood circulation and respiration, both of which help to eliminate waste products. Lemon and baking soda are wonderful non-toxic cleaners. An online search will reveal effective, natural, non-toxic cleaners and recipes that will work for you. Picture copyright: Arturs Budkevics

As much as possible, keep your pet away from places where they?ll come into contact with pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and herbicides. If you use these things on your own property, consider finding a natural alternative. There are lots of options out there, so do some research to figure out what will work best for you. If your pet comes into contact with these chemicals, consider washing her feet off before the toxins have a chance to absorb through her skin (or before she has a chance to lick her paws and ingest the toxins that way). Cut out the conventional parasite preventatives! These products contain toxins and, whether they are applied to your pet?s skin or fed as a ?treat,? they can cause a great deal of harm. The December 2015/ January 2016 and February/ March 2016 issues of Raw Pet Digest have more details about the dangers of conventional parasite preventatives, along with some ideas for alternatives. Avoid subjecting your pet to antibiotics, steroids, excessive vaccinations, and so on. Because they are broad-spectrum, most antibiotics that are prescribed have a deeply adverse impact on the beneficial flora in the digestive tract. When your pet?s digestive system is unhealthy, their body cannot function optimally. Additionally, steroids are immunosuppressants, meaning they suppress the immune system. Frequently prescribed for things like allergies, they

may suppress the symptoms, but as we discussed above, this generally only leads to bigger problems. For more about antibiotics, please see the December 2015/ January 2016 issue of Raw Pet Digest; for more about steroids, see the February/ March 2016 issue. This one might sound like it?s not a big deal, but often it?s the little things that make a big difference. Regularly brushing your pet can help with the elimination of toxins. Remember, the skin is the largest eliminative organ, and brushing regularly will remove dead fur and skin and help keep the skin functioning at an optimal level. If necessary, you can also bathe your pet, although if you do this, make sure that you use a natural, non-toxic shampoo and conditioner that?s made specifically for pets. Don?t overdo the bathing, either? that can dry out the skin and cause irritation. Although you will never be able to completely eliminate toxins from your pet?s environment, there are some simple things you can do to lessen how many toxins they come into contact with. These simple guidelines will help reduce the toxins they?re exposed to, while at the same time keeping their bodies in prime shape to deal with the toxins they do still encounter. The benefit? Your pet will be more balanced and happier, and more able to live an optimally thriving life. And that, I think you'll agree, is the best reward of all. -By Kristin Clark

INTRODUCINGANEWPACKMEMBER I've fostered a lot of dogs in my time, and I've introduced a lot of dogs to my existing pack. Sometimes, people ask me how best to introduce a new dog to their household; because of my experience with that, I wanted to share some tips with you that have worked for me. It's important to have harmony in your pack; harmony and balance are vital if your dog is going to thrive. So, if you aren't sure how to introduce a dog, or if you're looking for new ideas, read on for some helpful tips.

Clockwise from top: Midge, Lycan, and Merlin, enjoying some pack play time. Photo credit: Bre Altherr

?A t ired dog is a good dog? Before your new dog sets foot in the door, take the new dog and your current dog(s) for a walk together to drain excess energy and start the bonding process off right. Make sure that when you walk the dogs that you are in the front and they are walking on a loose leash. Also, at first, don?t let them sniff at each other. Their job is to follow you, their leader, as you walk, not pay attention to each other. If it?s easier, you can have one dog on either side of you, or get a friend to help you with the walk. Once they have walked for a bit, if everything is going well, they can walk on the same side. Your pace should be brisk, but you don?t have to speed walk. Just move fast enough that the dogs have to keep moving.

Wal king t hrough t he door When you get back home after the walk, make sure you go through the door first. Then, wait until the dogs are calm (sitting quietly, no wiggling or rapid tail wagging? in fact, they should look bored) before letting them in. As they calm down, you can let them come in. This ensures that they are in a calm and compliant state of mind when they come into the house. It also (again) reinforces that you are the leader, and sets the tone for the state of mind you expect from your dogs. Coming inside is a reward, so by letting them come inside when they are in a calm state of mind, you are rewarding them for being calm and compliant and showing the new dog that is the state of mind you expect at all times. 42

Leashes are your f riend Leave leashes on the dogs (they can drag them around) but don?t hang on to them. Let them greet each other at their own pace, and make sure you are calm and breathing evenly. It?s exciting to get a new dog and bring it home for the first time, but you don?t want your excitement to trigger anxiety in your dogs. While you probably won?t need them, the leashes are there just in case you need to separate them. On the off chance that there is a tussle, it is much safer for you to separate the dogs using their leashes than it is to try and pull them apart with your hands. Dominance displ ays Don?t allow any of the dogs to mount any of the others. That is a signal of dominance and can trigger a fight. Also, if you notice extreme tension in one of your dogs? a really stiff body, a hard stare at the other dog, and/ or a stiff (or slowly wagging) tail held high? you

may need to step in and redirect that dog?s energy elsewhere. A sharp ?Hey!? or a clap often work. However, if one of your dogs growls a bit or curls a lip, that is probably not a cause for major concern. Keep an eye on the situation, but remember that this is the dog?s way of setting boundaries. If the other dog doesn?t respect the warning, though, there may be trouble, so again, be ready to step in and redirect the dogs. These are a few tips that I have found helpful in introducing new dogs to my pack. While every dog is different, with different energy levels and temperaments, following these suggestions will help ensure a smooth transition as you incorporate a new pack member. Good luck! -By Kristin Clark

A happy pack of dogs. Photo credit: Jen Thackery

LEARNING,LOVING,AND LETTINGGO

We recently had a scare with our senior girl, Cleo (she?ll be 19 on April 1!). I had given her a large piece of liver, and rather than tearing and chomping it into bite-size pieces, she tried to gulp the whole thing down in one piece. She choked on the liver, stopped breathing, and had what seemed to be a minor seizure (if one can call any seizure ?mild?). While my husband was able to do the Heimlich maneuver enough to get the liver up to where I could reach it and pull it out, it was a very close call. For a while, it seemed like we were going to lose her and, while I thought I was mentally prepared for that, it turns out, I wasn?t as prepared as I thought. I felt guilty? after all, I was the one who gave her the liver, and even though she has had pieces of meat that size countless times in the past with no problem, I felt like I should have known that she would try to gulp it down. The truth is, as she?s become older, her eating habits have changed, sometimes rapidly, and I can?t always anticipate what will cause a problem. I felt scared? like most people who have lived with a pet, I?ve gone through the pain of losing them. I felt helpless? there was no guarantee that she would make it through that situation, and realizing that, at some level, it was out of my hands was hard. As I mentioned, Cleo pulled through that experience. Afterwards, we helped her get back to bed, and we used some natural modalities to help her relax and ease any pain or discomfort she might be feeling.

And, as I reflected back on the situation, and as I talked with my husband Adam about it, I realized some amazing lessons that I wanted to share with all of you. Adam has had Cleo since she was 3 months old. The two of them have an incredible bond, and Adam?s love and respect for Cleo, and she for him, is demonstrated in the way they interact with each other each day. There?s no doubt in my mind that Adam will feel Cleo?s loss deeply, and yet, he doesn?t spend time dwelling on it. He doesn?t push it away, either. Instead, he embraces Cleo?s life while at the same time accepting the fact that she will die (as in fact will we all). He is present with Cleo, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and he honors her and her life as it is right now. Cleo, too, lives in the present, and because of this, she doesn?t seem to mourn her loss of vitality, or her upcoming death. A dear friend once told me that her father told her not to mourn someone until they?re gone, but so many of us, I think, end up mourning our friends, our family, and our pets while they?re still alive. Adam has learned how to celebrate life and at the same time how to look at death as another step in the journey. It won?t stop him from being sad when Cleo is gone, but it means he isn?t suffering now, while she?s still here. I have been practicing emulating his example (and it does take practice), and it?s been incredibly freeing and much more joyful than walking around, sad about something that hasn?t even happened yet.

Another lesson that has really helped me is realizing that I can change how I interpret and respond to each event. For example, when Cleo was choking, I felt completely helpless because I didn?t know if she was going to live or die. I experienced suffering, even though Cleo ended up just fine. Now, when I start to freak out because I don?t know what an outcome is going to be, I remind myself that the outcome is just as likely to be positive, and in the absence of knowing the outcome, it does no good to suffer over what might happen (side note: this is a lesson that I have learned over and over. Like I said, it really does take practice implementing these lessons). Adam and I have chosen to let Cleo pass in her own time, as long as she isn?t suffering. As we tune in to Cleo (again, this is one of the lessons I learned from Adam, because I hadn?t experienced taking a dog through hospice before this), it has become evident that she is taking this time to prepare for the next stage in her journey, and that, if possible, she would like to do it in her own time, in her own way. We monitor her, of course, to make sure that she isn?t suffering, but so far, she has shown that she is still very much enjoying life. And, by tuning in to her and to each moment, we can enjoy life with her. When we enjoy her, and become aware of all the great things that still exist for her, there?s no room for suffering. It becomes a joyful experience, and a gift, because we can interact with her fully while she?s here.

A few days after the liver incident, Adam mentioned that one of the things he most appreciates about how we care for our dogs is that there is no need for guilt. Each day, we do everything we can? from how we feed them, to the water we provide, to the way we clean our house and care for our yard, to how we interact with them? to make sure they live optimally thriving lives. That goes for all of them, including Cleo. It means that, when the end does come, there?s absolutely no need to feel guilty, or to feel like there was more that could?ve been done. For Cleo, especially, we have made sure that her golden years are as long and, more importantly, healthy and happy as possible, and so we can have a clean conscience. I was so glad he brought this up, because it helped me see that any residual guilt I might have wasn?t useful, didn?t serve me or Cleo, and was misplaced. It was freeing, and when I let it go, I was immediately able to enjoy and delight in

Cleo. Photo credit: Kristin Clark 46

Whenweenjoyher,andbecomeawareof all the great thingsthat still exist for her,there?sno roomfor suffering. -KristinClark

Cleo on a hike. Photo credit: Kristin Clark

Cleo?s life in a full and complete way, with the guilt I felt about Dexter. It didn?t no unnecessary distractions interfering. happen right way, or even on a conscious This concept is especially important to me, level, but now when I think of him, I feel because this guilt is something that I, like the complete joy in his life without the many people, have struggled with. I had an overtones of guilt that were so frequently amazing, loving, wonderful Maine Coon cat part of my past recollections. That guilt named Dexter. Dexter died of diabetes when really was a wasted emotion? I knew I did he was 9. I know now that his death was the best I could at the time, so what good directly a result of the food I gave him and feeling guilt or shame about it? If you?re the lifestyle choices I made for him. At the carrying around guilt about a previous pet, time, I didn?t know any better, and in fact, I examine it. Did you do the best you could did the very best I knew how. I know that?s with what you knew at the time? And now true, and yet I still sometimes struggle with that you?ve learned more, are you doing guilt about it. In a very real way, having that better? If so, let the guilt go. Rejoice in the conversation with Adam about Cleo and our love and companionship of your current other current pets helped me release a lot of pet, knowing you are doing right by them to your full capabilities right now.

Cleo pr ovided com pan ion sh ip an d t each in g t o Elle as a pu ppy...an d sh e con t in u es t o pr ovide t h ose sam e t h in gs t o all of u s t o t h is day. Ph ot o cr edit : Adam Gilber t 48

Having Adam here to lend support while Cleo goes through this transition, and being able to provide that same support to him, is incredibly valuable. Just as valuable is being able to sit with Cleo, in peace and joy, while she naps, or saunters around, or stands close by, sniffing intently at something that?s caught her interest. Maintaining a positive outlook helps to keep her world as healthy and harmonious as possible, and because she, like most dogs, is very tuned to our emotions, this is vitally important. Rather than stuffing my feelings down, it is so helpful to be able to express them; it is in the expression of them that I can find healing, connection, and even joy. One other thing that Adam pointed out is that, no matter how she passes, it will be as it should. She has lived, and continues to live, a full, rich life. There really isn?t going

to be a singularly, uniquely, perfect moment for us to have her pass, but the flip side of that is that, whenever it happens, it will be OK. We will mourn her loss, but we won?t have to mourn that she didn?t have an amazing life. She did, and she continues to? and knowing that is a balm to my soul. All these things have helped me feel much more at peace with Cleo?s eventual passing. Will it be easy? No, probably not. But when the time comes, and we have to get used to her absence, we can look back on her life with joy, with appreciation, and with love. And we don?t have to spend time now, while she?s here, suffering in anticipation of her eventual loss. She certainly isn?t, and neither is Adam. And, by embracing the lessons they both have shown me, neither am I. -By Kristin Clark

Cleo on a hike in her golden years. Photo credit: Kristin Clark