Pet Mutilation or Not?

And the debate rages on about whether or not it is cruel and wrong to declaw your cat, debark your dog, crop ears or dock tails.

According to a poll from MSNBC today, nearly 60 percent of American pet owners, this includes 55 percent of cat owners, claim it is OK to have a cat declawed, but only 8 percent of those approve of having a dog's vocal cords removed. Experts say though that both procedures are painful and alter how the animal walks or communicates.

Any way you care to look at it, declawing, ear cropping, and tail docking is amputation. Creation did not mean for them to be minus these parts.

In the case of declawing, imagine having every single one of your fingers removed from the last joint to the tip, that is what  you are doing when you declaw your kitty. It is painful, and every kitty I have known whose owner barbarically decided to remove his toes has been very touchy about their feet, and it changes how they use their feet completely. And should your kitty get outside, you may have signed his death warrant, for kitty is now defenseless against other animals.

Docking tails, sad really, as that has usually been a vanity or appearance issue. Dog use their tails to communicate with you and other animals.  It is painful, and usually done when they are just under a year of age. There is no real good reason I can see anymore to dock the tails. I understood sometime in the past for some forms of working dogs it was primarily a safety issue, but that isn't always so anymore, we don't run the same equipment or procedures we once did. Same goes for ear cropping. Personally I prefer floppy ears that you can stroke and massage, and most dogs love having their ears paid attention to. And when you remove most of that body part, you also remove most of the acupuncture or critical pressure points that can enable health and well being for your dog. Stroking the full ear keeps those points stimulated and in turn keep the systems stimulated and functioning properly.

Debarking or removing the vocal cords on your dog, that is in my estimation a sad issue. Dogs communicate to us with their voices, and body. Without the ability to bark, dogs can no longer communicate with humans or other animals. If your pooch barks too much, there is probably an underlying issue, and one you have not perhaps tried to solve without surgery. Sometimes it's a behavior issue and addressing it with the proper attitude and training can change it. And some dogs are naturally very vocal, but they should be taught when it is or isn't proper to bark. You wouldn't dream of removing your child's vocal cords because he or she talks too much would you?

The way I see some things is this, and here are some observations and ideas:

In the case of kitty clawing too much or you get scratched too much. Quit playing with kitty with your hands! Always play with a toy with kitty. Don't tease kitty or make him feel threatened, by pretending your hand is the bogey monster, this encourages the defense mechanism and will ensure you get scratched. If kitty is inclined to scratch your furniture or rugs, buy simple sisal or sea grass rope wrapped scratching posts, put them throughout your living space, in the main areas of furniture or the rooms they are bent on getting at furniture or rugs. For some reason, I have not been able to discern yet, cats seem to prefer using the rope wrapped posts or a condo with a couple rope wrapped posts on them to conventional rug wrapped items. They also like cardboard or plain rough wood. I think perhaps it is something more natural feeling to them. Mine go to their rope wrapped posts over anything else every time. And upon installing them through the house they have ceased their destructions of the furniture. And to attract them to the posts or item you install for them to sharpen claws on, you can make a strong tea of catnip and using a ordinary household sprayer, spray the tea on their items to attract them. And remember that you will want at least one or two items they can climb and perch upon. Even if it's a climbing post to a windowsill they can sit on and sun themselves. You'll have a much happier cat.

If you are thinking about cropping or docking for your dog, think again. Are you working him? Is there truly a valid reason to do this? Most dogs are pets, and not shown, so why do it? You and your pup will be ever so much happier that you didn't do it. If it isn't a safety or health reason, don't do it.

Debarking..... Sorry, all the way around this is just wrong and cruel. Take behavior classes, socialize with your pooch, go to training sessions or see a professional trainer. Perhaps as a last resort try an antibarking device. But don't deprive your four-footed child of his voice. You most certainly wouldn't do it to your two-footed child.

Anyhow, my point is, it's simply wrong to amputate or alter body parts to suit a "look" or your convenience. Take the time to work with your pet, after all, you chose to be responsible to care for him or her for their lives, they aren't there as your status symbol or to keep up with the Jonses, they are your companion for their lives and you assume responsibility for their well being, health and care for their lives. You don't mutilate your family to suit your "ideals" of image or fashion, so don't do it to your furry family members please.

Waiting to say goodbye today

This week has been especially tough for us, and actually the last two weeks haven't been easy at all. I have had such a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that cancer can grow and spread so very fast. I really did my best to keep hope that it wouldn't be so fast. And watching as it takes over my little guy's body is so very heartbreaking. Such an awful disease for anyone or any animal. I don't think anyone or any furbaby deserves it, so not fair.

Right now it's just after 4am, and I have been awake probably since around 1:30 or so. I can't sleep, it's time today, time to give him that ultimate gift of compassion and allow him to pass with grace, dignity and no more pain. And actually knowing this is tearing me up.

Someone I know made a remark to me yesterday about how it was best to "put him out of his misery". I have found that I really dislike that term. To me that term has always meant that you can't stand to see them "suffer" or that their condition makes you uncomfortable and you are putting them out of your misery. It's an awful term in my humble opinion. Misery to me means unhappiness, in a situation that seems hopeless, abuse, but not dying or in constant pain. I tried to explain to this person what it meant to me, and how just because an animal may develop a disability and it may be uncomfortable for you to watch them adapt or your perception of that disability is in a low place that you perceive they are in misery.

Actually many times they aren't. Animals are so much more adaptable in overcoming disabilities than we are. And it's their ability to adapt and overcome them that makes them so amazing and strong.

I noted to this person that knowing when to let them go is a harder and vastly different thing. She asked me what would you look for. I had to shake my head at that one because if you are truly in tune with your pet or animal companion, you would know when, they tell you when it's their time to be let go and when they need help letting go. This and knowing how to judge when they truly are suffering, in pain, and their quality of life is no longer there. They give us so very much that it's our responsibility to give them the loving and care all the way through their lives that we can.

All this is part in parcel of knowing when, and last night Djinn couldn't have told me any louder. This awful disease is progressing so much faster that I could have thought. This little guy has so much love in him it's incredible. He started his life somewhere, and someone did not want him by the time he was 6 months old and he ended up in our local shelter. He was slated for euthanasia when my dad found him for me. Needless to say, we've never regretted that decision 13 yrs later. He's been an amazing personality and always communicated through his eyes. And he is my reason for being so addicted to purring. And throughout all of this with the cancer and everything, he is still purring. I have only to hold him or pet him with love and he purrs. I think it's this strength that he has that even though he really is suffering now and in pain, that he continues to give of himself that makes this so very hard. And however much I don't want to lose that love and companionship, I know I need to do what is right by him. I cannot really let him suffer at all anymore. When you are truly in tune and aware of your pets and companions, you do truly know when, and they really do tell you it's time.

I have to admit though that it is so hard, and I am so sad and mad about having to make that trip and tell the vet yet again. And come home empty handed. My home and my heart will feel so empty for some time, and even knowing that you did all you could and gave them the best love and care you could through their life is not really much comfort. But knowing you could give them the ultimate gift of compassion is some comfort.

Cats and bonds

First off let me preface this by saying that this particular post is my own observations, feelings and experiences. They are facts to me and how I perceive my experiences through the years with cats. That being said now, I will proceed to ramble on here.

There have always been cats in my life even from the time I was born, my parents had a cat or two. Currently I have just two of my kitties left with me, the others having passed on over the years. The most I've had in my house at one time is 6. I have cherished each and every little furry soul that has shared their lives with me, and I've always had at least one as my soul mate. One who was bonded very close to me. I've always considered myself a cat person.
(Djinn)

I've found that people who truly understand cats and have a true bond with them are probably the most creative and forgive the easiest. This is not to say that dog people don't know how to forgive or aren't creative, but cats are definitely draw to very creative people. I have found this to be true for me as any time I am working creatively either on the loom, or drawing, or such, they are all always there, curled up around me and on or around my work. People who don't understand this bond or don't understand cats are usually uncomfortable around them. It's sad really. Cats are survivors, they are hunters with amazing stealth, grace and speed, they are lovers, they are healers, they can be unselfish, and they are comfort providers. They also give without asking for much and don't require as much from us for their care usually as dogs do. They can be self-sufficient when the need arises. I have also learned about true compassion from the cats in my life. They have taught me a lot over the years.

Back in early October, one of my two remaining boys, Djinn (my kitty soul mate at this time), came down ill with what seemed an upper respiratory infection. In fact upon taking him to the vet, this was the initial diagnosis. He also had what seemed to be an infection in the mouth, which is not unusual with a upper respiratory infection. But we opted to wait till he got over the sinus infection before taking care of teeth because he was so sick. We were loaded up on two very strong antibiotics and some nasal drops. None of these gave much relief or seemed to help any. So we tried a second course of antibiotics of a different type, they seemed to help a bit more but not much. Again, I consulted with another vet in the clinic and took him in. Because he really hadn't had much improvement the vet suspected a tumor or cancer in the sinuses, Djinn felt comfortable with this vet, and purred for him throughout it all. So we were to return in about 3 days to have the vet take x-rays, flush the sinuses and take care of the teeth in case there was just an abscess in the teeth that could be causing things.

Well, the diagnosis was cancer, nasal lymphoma to be exact. I was devastated and heartbroken. The vet said it really wasn't operable, and chemo is very hard on cats and we certainly could not afford chemo with an out of town vet. So his next suggestion was steroids to help shrink the tumor and perhaps give him more time which could be anywhere from a month to 2 yrs at the longest. He was also put back on antibiotics to counter secondary infections after the teeth had been extracted. This all happened Thanksgiving week.

We were determined to give him whatever he wanted and however much he wanted to eat as he needed to put weight back on. I also spent as much time with him, loving him and giving him healing as I could.

Thanksgiving day I was pretty much preoccupied getting my house and food ready for the afternoon as family was coming for supper. It wasn't until my husband was out running errands and I went upstairs to clean up for the afternoon that while I was getting ready for my shower I noticed that Djinn had run up the stairs after me and that for the first time he wasn't wheezing or struggling to get a breath. I was so shocked I literally fell onto the bench at the end of our bed and sat there crying with thanks. He of course looked at me like I had lost it. But I was so thankful as it meant the steroids were shrinking the tumor and this would give us more time together. He even came downstairs not long after my family arrived to greet my father, (usually he avoids lots of people and the two nephews because they are too active for him). My dad was so touched by his gesture. It was the best Thanksgiving gift I could have ever hoped for.

Over the next month I watched him get more active and put on weight and play. I really was so thankful. However, I guess it was not to last, two days before Christmas I discovered a double lump in the lymph gland under his right jaw. My heart fell to my feet. My intuition told me that he wasn't to be with me a whole lot longer. Monday after Christmas he started wheezing and having trouble breathing again. I knew the tumor had grown again and was metastasizing into the lymph system, and things were happening rapidly. I talked to the vet this week about this, and he agreed with my assessment of what was happening. For now we agreed to up his dosage of steroids to afford him a bit more time, but it's still a waiting game, we know we'll have to make that very hard decision to give him the ultimate act of compassion when he says it's time or when his quality of life is no longer there.

I am very heartsick, and am scared at the same time. You see, I have always, always had a animal soul mate, cat or dog, usually male, in my life, and usually when one passes on, there has been another already here to take up the reins of being my companion and protector of my soul. What scares me is that there is not another furry kid waiting in the wings to share life with me. While I have another cat, and two little female dogs left here, they are all pretty much bonded with my husband. Yummy, the cat, he loves us both, but he owns my husband. Djinn knows he hasn't got much time left with me, and he knows my heart is breaking, I guess he's known for some time now. Since the tumor has grown back he's pretty much inseparable from me, he follows me everywhere and sleeps on my pillow every night. He craves the healing and tTouch as they help him some to breathe easier, but he can't put his head down fully to sleep because the sinuses block up. He will put his chin on my hand  to sleep as he can so his head is raised a touch.

Throughout all this, he has been quick to love, to purr and to cuddle. He's always purred and even if he's struggling to breathe, the minute you love on him, or direct energy, he purrs. He also throughout his life has communicated to me with his eyes. He loves to look us in the eyes and you really can see the communication of love from him. I think this is why my father was so drawn to him when he adopted him from the Animal Shelter for me over 13 yrs ago. This is one example of what I mean about how unselfish and selfless they can be. Despite his being gravely ill, he continues to give love and comfort to those he cares for.

So, for now I will continue to spoil him rotten, wipe his little nose, feed him whatever or whenever he wants, cuddle him, and give him all the love and healing I can. I will cherish the time I have with him. And learn the lessons he and life are handing me. And I will know that the next one will step in when it is the right time.

Furry Helpers or Nuisances?

Ok, so I am sure they would prefer to consider themselves helpers, however, most times we would say they are being pests or being a nuisance. Personally I think they're telling us to slow down, calm down, laugh a little, or they simply could be saying "Pay attention to me! I am most certainly more important than that telephone call with the irate customer!"

My brother telecommutes, and right now he's staying with us. With his pets, Chronic (picture above) and two dogs. Then there is my cat, Yummy, who feels he is the supreme being in the house and all must bow before him. Yeah right.

Chronic has a way of creating distractions and some frustrations for my brother. Quite often he walks across in front of the monitors or plops down on his mouse hand while trying to operate said mouse. Or walk across the keyboard. And there have been numerous incidents of him disconnecting the phone call when he's talking to a client.

Yummy, talks more than the other cats in the house. And when he wants attention or you to do something for him, it's usually right now with a vocal emphasis. Of course this serves most times to distract the client on the phone, as they will hear him meow and invariably ask what is that? Is that a cat? Quite often this diffuses tempers or stress. Sometimes it's simply annoying to my brother, because Yum is an impatient kitty, you ignore him the first time, and the second request includes claws.

Hmmmm, the dogs, now they are a different matter. Usually as my husband and I are at work, and my brother is busy working, I'll pen the dogs into the kitchen/dining area. This is to minimize the mess they can make (especially if no one is watching them or sees them ask to go out), and minimizes the barking at passing cars or persons out front. However, with Poppy snarling at anything she perceives entering her space out of the blue, it can be startling, and quite often the noise carries. Then there is the collie, Corny. Very needy boy he is. If he doesn't get his way, when he wants it, he whines, chuffs, and then barks. Not conducive for a quiet or calm work environment. He also has a habit of barking A LOT outside all the time.

Funniest thing though, while he thinks he's being the big bad protector of his yard, he'll dig at the wood slats in the fence trying to get at the neighbor's dogs he can't see, who most times instigate the barking melee. One afternoon, he had worked a couple 2 or 3 slats loose at the bottom, so next time he jumped on the fence he fell through. Well, suddenly he was out of his environment and his space. He just sat there and looked totally confused and wimped out while the neighbor's daschund chewed on him and told him off. Goofy dog. And he didn't seem to learn from that episode.

The old man, Lil'Shit must be having his second puppyhood. He sees just enough to distinguish shapes, and delights in bouncing like a puppy after the cats. And now it's become a game, but only one of mine play with him this way. The other hisses and ignores him, and Chronic just runs which delights him. He also has decided to chase feet. I swear he's gonna trip one of us and we'll fall.

It's quite the three ring circus round our house these days.

A fervent plea to keep your beloved kitties inside!

Yes, once again I am making the plea to you all to be responsible pet owners. Especially where your cats are concerned. Cats DO NOT need to be outside! :(

Here is a very compelling reason why:
In this morning's news on our local station, KOB TV, an NBC affiliate, was posted the headline:
Neighbors worry someone may be severing cats' heads.  With an awful news clip about it and graphic images. Parents who found the heads at a children's bus stop area feel the mark of decapitation is too clean to be done by another animal, they felt someone was doing it deliberately. And the police will not investigate unless the Animal Welfare party feels there might be foul play.

I am sorry, but this is highly upsetting to me and I am sure it put many children into tears if they happened to watch the broadcast. I don't feel it was responsible of the news station to broadcast it with images. And I can't even begin to allow myself to imagine what the poor cats must have endured or gone through. But I can tell you either way, it was terrifying! It all just breaks my heart. I love my cats way too much to even contemplate exposing them to any of the dangers of being outdoors. When I agreed to care for these animals, and share my life with them, I also made that silent agreement that I would protect them to the best of my abilities. We make these silent but known agreements with them when we agree to share life with them, we agree to provide care, shelter, food and water for them. We agree to minister to their health, love them, and protect them. And we agree to be the compassionate one to help them transistion with grace and dignity. They aren't with us for our amusement or "use". They choose to share their lives and lessons with us. They give us comfort and healing and yes, entertainment when they choose to, and in return for these wonderful gifts we promise to care for them.

Ok, enough, I get it. But hopefully you get the message and will love your kitty enough to keep them inside, safe and loved. Don't let kitty's last living thoughts be of absolute fear and terror.

Giving back the gift of life and compassion for our War Vets

As the war progresses or digresses (depending upon your point of view) in the middle east,  our soldiers returning are having a tougher time coping and returning to a "normal" life. Many suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and or healing from physical injuries. Many suffer from depression, cannot find work, have other mental problems, nightmares, sever marriages, withdraw from the world and many end in suicide. This is a very tragic and very real situation.

Fortunately there are some very aware and forward thinking people and groups  who are working with these returning soldiers and animals. I have written before that animals are intuitive and healing and teach you compassion again. And now they are getting to prove this by helping our soldiers heal emotionally and give them the will to keep moving forward. They also help bring back the will to live and love again.

There is a program pairing dogs with soldiers as service dogs are for people with other handicaps. These dogs are psychiatric service dogs specially trained to help traumatized veterans leave the battlefield behind as they reintegrate into society. The results are very encouraging and positive, in dozens of interviews, veterans and their therapists reported drastic reductions in P.T.S.D. symptoms and in reliance on medication after receiving a service dog. The other good part to this service is that many of these specially trained pooches come from another program called, Puppies Behind Bars , a program based in New York State that uses prisoners to raise and train dogs for lives of service. To me, this is a win win situation for all involved!

   Another wonderful program emerging in Washington is the Dog Tags Program, done by the Washington Humane Association across from the Walter Reed Hospital. This  program brings together wounded soldiers and pups needing training to better their chances at adoption. This program brings them  together to teach, learn, and strengthen the bonds that heal.

In Las Vegas, New Mexico, there is a new emerging program called Horses4 Heros . This program is for returning military personnel, fire fighters, law enforcement, hospice care, corrections officers, critical care people, and their families. This is a riding program and is non-profit.

There is also the Operation Heroes and Hounds program. Operation Heroes & Hounds' presents injured members of the United States military with the unique opportunity of coaching and living with shelter dogs. The focus of the program is on personal transformation through The Loved Dog™ method, a playful and nonaggressive approach to canine coaching. Both service members and shelter dogs learn a new set of skills that will make a positive impact on their future.

Operation Heroes & Hounds participants include "the walking wounded" of the United States military suffering from non-visible ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Shelter dogs selected for the program are in need of behavior modification through the kind, nonaggressive teaching of The Loved Dog method. Together, they can heal their emotional wounds while gaining new life skills.

All of these wonderful programs give each of us a chance to help our soldiers return to love and life. Whether or not you support or agree with the war efforts, you can support the men and women doing their jobs. Animals so much of the time are the best healers of emotional, and physical barriers. They teach us daily how to give back to one another, how to have compassion and how to love without restrictions and unconditionally. We can help these efforts  by just even volunteering our time or work with others to perhaps help start programs like these in your community.

We simply don't do enough for these people who are fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers or even friends, who lay their lives on the line for their jobs. We need to give back to them. You cannot be critical of them, as you have not walked in their shoes, have not seen the horrors, fear and pain they have felt. But you can help them with your compassion.

Pets have food allergies and intolerances too!

Perhaps I should have made the connection sooner, perhaps I wasn't meant to till now, especially as I am a celiac and understand quite a bit about food intolerance issues. However, it took another member on our food allergy group posting this veterinarian's link, DogtorJ ,  on gluten intolerances and our pets. The Veterinarian is a celiac himself which while changing his diet and his changes as his body healed opened an new insight for him about our pets also.

I especially knew about grains and cats, how they aren't good for them, and primarily aren't good for dogs either. Cats and dogs simply don't go out foraging or hunting for grains. They will eat grasses to purge their systems, but they don't specifically look for grains to eat either. They are primarily meat eaters, carnivores. And the pet food recalls of 2007 confirmed this simple fact that glutens, grains didn't belong in our pet's diets.  The sad truth though is that this fact didn't stay in the open. People are all about convenience and going and buying a bag of dry food whose protein is primarily from grain glutens is the easiest and least problematic to feed our fur companions.

Face it, the primary source of protein for most of our pets in their food is derived from glutens/grains, and the second comes from "meat by-products", in simpler terms, beaks, feet, unedible parts of butchered animals that we wouldn't eat ourselves.

So, the basic definition of food intolerance is best described by this veterinarian: "The term “food intolerance” has been applied to both immune-mediated (involving the immune system) and non-immune related disorders (e.g. to food additives) that result from the consumption of certain foods to which an individual is sensitive. The most serious food intolerances are those to the gluten grains (wheat, barley, and rye), casein (dairy products), soy and corn, with the first three being the most common. Celiac disease (gluten intolerance) is finally making its way into the public eye. At the time of my diagnosis in the year 2000, it was considered a “rare disorder in the US, affecting less than 1:5000 Americans.” In 2006, it was declared to be one of the most common conditions in the country, with Johns Hopkins and The Mayo Clinic stating that the official number of celiacs in this country was 1:120 people. However, the unofficial number by celiac researchers is a whopping 1:30. Other papers on this site address this obvious and unsettling discrepancy. "  

Ok, animals are mammals just like us. One of my best friends is a biology instructor, and this is a point she makes over and over when someone tries to separate us from animals. So, if you think about this, their systems are not that different from ours in a general manner. Gluten is glue. I mean think about it, how did you make paste as a child for paper mache? It's used in everything to hold things together! So what do you think it does to us inside? Think again, it does the same to our beloved pets inside.

Scientists are just now finding ties between those persons having Celiac's disease (gluten intolerance) and other autoimmune diseases. Diseases like diabetes, fibromyalgia, autism, epilepsy, attention deficit, and the list goes on and on. As this veterinarian points out, the same autoimmune disfunctions affect pets also, especially epilepsy. And as he took clients' pets off of gluten containing foods and put them on a more natural food for the species, he was seeing epilepsy disappear. Hmmmmmm, are you finding a connection yet?

He writes:

"The unfortunate truth is that pet food is not as scientifically formulated as most would like to think. For the most part, Fido’s food is made with convenience and cost of manufacturing in mind more than science. Yes, the first few ingredients look appetizing enough and there are essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals added to the mix. But are these ingredients natural for the pet and are they readily available for absorption and use by their body? Here in lies the crux of the matter.

The wake-up call comes when one realizes that once the meat source is removed from the diet, the remaining ingredients are mostly unnatural for the pet. If we exclude the beef, poultry, fish, and lamb, the remaining calorie sources are mostly wheat, barley, corn, rice, and oats, all of which are man-raised crops that the dog and cat would never consume in the wild. I love to inquire of my clients “How would a pet get rice? Swim to Viet Nam?”

But what is the problem with these complex carbohydrates being in the diet? Humans consume these with every meal and they are doing just fine, aren’t they? Ahhhh. Are we? If we were, those reading this paper would be reading something else right now, wouldn’t they? The problem is that the grains listed above have some universal problems among humans and pets alike, as do a couple of other problem foods that eclipse even the grains in health issues.

To digress for just a moment, I am a recovered celiac. For forty-something years, I suffered like most other celiacs of a myriad of symptoms, including allergies, heart burn and intestinal problems, depression/chronic fatigue, memory and balance difficulties, joint pain, and even fibromyalgia. I was taking at least four drugs twice daily; caffeine addicted, and was quite frankly not having any fun anymore. I am now two and a half years gluten and casein-free, off all drugs, symptom-free, and feeling better than I did when I was twelve. This miraculous recovery got my attention as a patient and as a doctor. How could this be? How could I be suffering from what millions of people and pets were experiencing but be well in such a short period of time? How could all of these conditions be linked together?

Well, “Fido” is about to teach you something. The fact is that the celiac is a “who’s who” of what is wrong with human beings but the conditions that we suffer from are not limited to those who walk upright. When I read the list of conditions that we as gluten intolerants experience, my first thought was that “This is me. This describes me to a T.” My second thought was “…but this describes everything that is wrong with everyone, including their dogs and cats.” And it does. Suddenly, medicine through the eyes of celiac disease (and other similar food intolerances) made sense. I tell everyone that it was like someone had finally put the right program into a stalled computer and it began operating at lightning speed. All of the idiopathic conditions that are so poorly understood in medicine became “open season” for this medical headhunter.

And, the answers did come one after another. I launched into two years of intensive research while applying the newly unveiled principles to my patients as well as myself. Miracles started happening around me. Allergies abated, intestinal problems cleared up, older pets became less painful and more active, and yes, even their epilepsy stopped. “Wait a second! Epileptic seizures stopped?”, you may be asking. Yes, 100% of my epileptics have stopped having seizures, just like many celiac children that were placed on gluten-free diets have responded. I got the idea from the celiac literature. How that occurs is totally explainable but beyond the scope of this article. It can be found in my paper entitled The Answer on my Website, www.dogtorj.com."

His site is definitely worth reading if you truly care for your animal companions. And perhaps it will open a few thoughts for yourself. If anything, look for pet foods whose first 4 (minimum) ingredients are MEAT, not meat by-products, not water, and that contain no grains or glutens from grains. There are many decent foods out there if you don't care to make your pets' diets yourselves. And there are many raw diets out there too if you choose to go that way. Just  remember that cats normally are also not veggie eaters, they are obligate carnivores.  Most of us read labels on our own foods, well, start reading them for your pets too! And some you would be surprised at aren't as expensive as you might think.

Also think about this, as you feed the correct food, your pet's feeding amount will change as his body realizes that it can use all of the nutrition fed to him. As this happens the amount fed decreases, as does the amount of stool excreted, as do the malodorous emanations issued due to bloat and intolerances. Doesn't everyone like less gass, less poop? And the benefits of feeding properly is a longer, healthier and more active life for your pet.

It's spring!

Ok, it is finally spring! The weather was goofy the last couple of weeks, I don't think Mother Nature could make up her mind some days, rain, snow, both, or hail, and now the winds.

And now our wonderful companions want to commune more with nature.  Of course my brother's collie, Corny, has been communing with nature all along. Unfortunately he's been bringing it back inside with him! Usually this is in the form of mud.  And while I am all for him communing with nature, I  am ecstatic that the snow is for the most part over! Things are thawing and drying out nicely.  At least my 3 little guys are fussy and don't like being wet, much less being muddy. And the peke, Biscuit, doesn't mind playing in it, but he doesn't like to be muddy either. Maybe, just maybe I can clean the house without all the mud coming back in!

Now that they don't have snow and mud to play in, there are a myriad of birds to bark at, neighborhood doggies to yell to and sirens to howl at. The cats and the little old dog are enjoying the spring sun and fresh air now. The old man is a sun worshipper, and dozes daily in the sun now. The cats are also enjoying the increase in bird traffic providing new channels and looks to "kitty tv". And I suspect it won't be long before Yummy and Chronic push more to try to escape to the outdoors. Chronic was used to being an indoor/outdoor kitty, and I don't let my kitties out. Too many hazards out there for them. They are truly better indoors.  And according to my brother, Chronic is a screen ripper if he wants out bad enough. So this means I need to be creative in my screen covering to protect them and keep him in. If he tries it. So far with the nice days we've had lately, I have had the back door open with only the screen door closed and locked and one window open. He hasn't tried any of those screens. But he has enjoyed watching outside through the screen and enjoying the fresh air.

  Mr. Sun Worshipper himself. He looks so happy!

Ah the last point about spring and the changes our companions go through that signal warmer weather. Shedding is up soon, oh joy, enough fur in the house now to make numerous new furry critters! LOL

Cats.... crazy cats

So.... there are these 3 wonderful and individual personality kitties  in my house these days. And they are all either helpful to my brother while he works or they are very strict on the amount of calls coming in, and accomplish adding to his frustration by hanging up his work phone by one manner or another. And yes, all our kitties are adopted or rescued.

His kitty, Chronic, is usually the one hanging up the phone. Here's his latest picture, and yes, we put him on the icanhascheezburger site, and this was taken today.....



Adorable kitty actually with very, very expressive body language. And loves the space on my brother's desk now that he cleaned it off and reorganized it. And for a big fluffy boy, he squeaks when he talks. He has these wonderful fluffy bloomers (as I call them) and walks on his tippy toes in the back. Looking at him from the backside and watching him walk, he has earned the nickname "Sir Poofy Pants", or Prissy Pants.

Kitty number 2 is Yummy. The other big boy in the house. He also tries to help my brother while he is working. Usually he is more in the form of comic relief or tries for customer service. Either he interrupts the call with a loud meow or if he thinks he's being ignored, he'll use his claws to get attention. The latter usually results in much cursing and yelping. The former makes customers bewildered as most of them think they are talking to someone in an office.



Yeah, Yummy is also not a schmoozer, hates being kissed. And is very demanding. Thought he was king of the roost from day one when he was a bitty kitten. He is also relentless when he wants something.

Then there is Djinn. He is the eldest of the group and probably the most mellow (most of the time). He has his moments though. Like this morning out of the blue, ambushing Poofy Pants (Chronic) and making him squeak in fright. Thought I was going to lose it laughing!

However, lately he has taken to curling up as close as he can to the back of my head, taking over most of the pillow and laying his shoulders and head on my head! For an old lady, this causes hot flashes!



He is a lover, and loves to play. Mostly he provides us the comic relief or the cuddle we need.

There are some who will swear that cats have no personality, they only know what we teach them, or that they are creepy. But those of us who are cat lovers, we know better!

Some new observations on pets adapting to blindness....

So, as most of you know by now, this is Lil'Shit, my geriatric male chihuahua. And no I didn't give him his name, but he is appropriately named. And now we've nicknamed him "Super Dave". Meaning he is always falling off of things and gets up and goes on, perhaps a tad bit more addled than previously.

He is fully deaf now, and for some time blind, with cataracts. Although he could see shapes and shadows. This function is decreasing over time also. And it takes very bright light for him to distinguish things. And if he gets into a shadow, he seems lost. He also has developed this need to be on the edge of everything all the time. We are always trying to watch him if he's on the couch with us or in my brother's bed like the picture above. He seems drawn to teetering on the edge all the time! You pull him back to you, and he is like a magnet and goes right back to the edge. Sometimes we catch him in time before he goes teetering off, sometimes we don't. Sometimes he'll be sound asleep and simply slip right off the furniture and be very puzzled when he has his abrupt awakening. The song that keeps coming into my mind as I watch him always on the edge is Aerosmith's "Livin' on the Edge". He is absolutely never far from the edge of anything. And like Super Dave, he gets up, shakes his head and keeps on going.

However! The other evening I noticed something as I was working in the kitchen, I had to bend over to get to a lower drawer and this is how this came into my line of sight. I stood straight up and had to watch this! Poppy, the cranky one, was snuffling around the kitchen floor as usual when I am working in the kitchen (she's looking for dropped items to snag), and Lil'Shit was there with his shoulder to her back leg, and his nose sort of tucked into her flank. As she would move, he would with her, keeping touch with her, and if she stopped, he did. My Goodness! Exactly as if she was his seeing eye dog, so to speak! This went on till she made the circuit around to me, when he felt or sensed me, he transferred over to my ankle.

Well I mentioned it to my husband and brother at supper, and something clicked with my brother. He said well that would make sense with what he saw the other evening when he had put the dogs out after their supper. When he went to let the dogs in after they had done their business, Lil'Shit was out meandering around off of the patio. The others rushed in, and Poppy who usually was always the first one to rush in, didn't, she turned around and ran out to retrieve Lil'Shit, by nosing him till he noticed her then she brought him in.

It seems this has also happened before with Biscuit, the Peke, when the others came in, he stayed out with Lil'Shit, monitoring him till the both came in together.

This morning when I went to let them all in, in the rush of furry bodies, he got bumped away from the open door and couldn't figure out why the wall wasn't opening. Thumbelina (his daughter) darted back out to him to bring him in.

I have to say, this for me was not expected behavior for this crew. But it makes sense. Animals really do watch out for one another and they do care for their elderly. And he is just taking it all in stride. And he knows very well how to sound the most pitiful to get spoiled. It worked on my brother and his wife, how do you think he ended up on their bed with the lovely fleece throw wrapped around him?

So I guess I should note that just because a beloved animal companion, be they dog, cat, horse or bird, are losing one or more of their faculties; this is not cause for putting them to sleep because you think they are suffering. They really aren't suffering, they adapt much, much quicker than we do, we, as empathetic souls, are the ones suffering watching them lose their senses. So if we watch and wait, you will see some very beautiful and remarkable changes happen. Especially if you have other animals around them. They aren't suffering, they are learning to adapt to the new situations, and we just need to be understanding and supportive and not add more change to their lives right now.

Don't think you should spay or neuter? Think again....

Once again the issue of spaying and neutering is a hot topic on another networking group I belong to. It started by a friend posting her experiences working in a shelter, and just how many healthy, happy puppies, adult dogs, adult cats, and kittens are euthanized on a daily basis because there aren't enough homes for them. Not evening defining "good" homes, just homes for them. And the kicker as she so eloquently put it was this, "every person that allows more dogs to be born into this already overpopulated dog world, should first have to assist in the euthanasia of healthy, homeless dogs for a month. If, after a month of euthanizing wo/man’s best friend over and over and over, you can still, without regret, allow more puppies to join us -- then I guess I don’t have much more of an argument. Hold those dogs in your arms as they take their last breaths – for no good reason except that there aren’t enough homes. NO MORE PUPPIES!!!" She went on to post about the one dog, whose death will always stay with her, "I'll NEVER forget one specific dog that was euthanized. He was 'average' looking, sweet, sensible, maybe 3-4 years old. Didn't get anyone's attention I guess because he was 'average.' When it was his turn to be euthanized, the drugs would not kill him. His heart wouldn't stop beating. The staff vet had to be called in. I was holding the dog and sobbing and said "Why won't he die?" and I'LL NEVER FORGET THIS -- the vet said to me "Because he's so healthy." They eventually had to give him a massive dose of whatever. To this day I wish I had added that little "average" dog to my pack before he was picked to go to 'the room.' If I'd only known."


We also perpetrate all these euthanasias by buying purebred animals from breeders who will indiscriminately kill pups or kittens that don't meet their standards, or are slightly deformed. And mill breeders will kill undesireable animals any way they can, look at how Michael Vick killed his, by electrocution.

Then I was reminded by another friend the 10 reasons people consistently come up with for "NOT" altering their pets:

THE TEN WORST REASONS NOT TO SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PET:


1. Just one litter and we’ll have Fluffy spayed.
Studies show that nearly the entire pet overpopulation stems from the "Just one litter" mentality

2. My dog doesn’t run loose, so he/she doesn’t need to be fixed.
Murphy’s law says otherwise

3. We always find a home for the kittens/puppies
And that means that an equal number of kittens/puppies with be euthanised at your local pound.

4. I want my children to witness the miracle of birth.
RENT A VIDEO!!!

5. My dog/cat is so cute and unique, there should be more of him.
The shelters are full of cute and unique dogs and cats with only a few days left to live!

6. It’s just not natural.
There hasn’t been anything "natural" about dogs or cats since we began to develop breeds thousands of years ago

7. I just couldn’t look my dog in the eyes if I had him castrated
GET A LIFE !!!

8. A female dog/cat should have at least one litter for health reasons
Medically, factually and ethically INDEFENSIBLE.

9. Neutering my dog/cat will make them fat and lazy
Too much food and not enough exercise make your pet fat and lazy

10. Fixing my pet will change his/her personality
The primary influence on an animal’s personality is the kindness and care with which it is treated.

And then if you can read all this above and still say oh, but this would never happen to my "Fluffy's" offspring, think again. Then look at this poster from the Humane Society and rethink it all. This poster says it all:



So.... think again, and I would ask you how you can justify allowing your pet to breed indiscriminately or how can you justify paying money for a "purebred" animal, and allow so many other souls to die?

Please! Help the animals at the Las Vegas, NM Shelter!

This is a cross post from an animal networking group in New Mexico. This woman has worked tirelessly to help the animals that go through the City of Las Vegas, New Mexico's animal shelter. What all this sounds like is that the Mayor and City manager are entrenched in their thinking and as a result are allowing cruelty to exist. Anyhow, here is her (edited to remove some names) post. If you can help, please do so. Even if it is to write the mayor and city manager or help get these animals out and into foster care. This lady is with the Animal Welfare Coalition.

"Since late August, there has been one attack after another. Everything we achieved and planned for welfare of shelter animals has been blocked or distorted. I could go through whole sequence but I am very tired. Simply, the Director of City Shelter would rather all dogs and cats were euthanized than any effort put forward to care for, adopt or transfer them. His name is Elmer Martinez. He heads several departments within the city. The shelter is the lowest on his list. He has been the motivating force behind the shelter supervisors' (past and present) obsession with killing and neglect. He is one of the most manipulating and deceitful individuals I have ever come upon. ( And I fought for the freedom of Black and Puerto Rican boys with the NYC courts.) I have seen hate and prejudice but never the amount of cruelty and corruption that I have witnessed here in Las Vegas. A simple request such as "Please shut the kennel doors on freezing cold nights" is answered by Elmer Martinez and Tim Dodge, City Manager, claiming that I and all of the Animal Welfare Coalition members are"undermining" the interim supervisor, Robert, whose decision it was and is to leave doors open. No, I just didn't want the dogs to get sick. AWC was not involved at all. The dogs are sick. The doors are still open. There seems to be no recourse as this a patron system and Martinez is supported by the higher ups in city government, the Major and the City Manager. I have given the best battle of my life. (NYC prejudiced judges seem like kindness and light after this.) In order to protect my own animals ( poisoning is accepted practice here, as is shooting ) and myself, I am leaving. Hopefully by March 1st. My heart breaks with the plight of the animals in this town. The pitiful irony is, there is no reason to slaughter the shelter animals. With very little to no help, I moved over 1000 dogs from shelter to rescues and good homes in the past year and half. With help, we could have researched many more rescues in the West and moved many more dogs and cats. With financial help, we could have had medical care and a van and gas to transfer. And on and on. We were getting there, then Elmer and Kelly forbid all volunteers. No dog walking, no cat petting, and no exercise pen, still. Now, no adoptions, "a chain of command" to report with any action to free an animal. I have been thrown out of the shelter and then told to come back and then told I was not allowed to be there so many times that I am dizzy. I have no idea what my status is right now. When I go in to photograph animals or help with animals, I have been told to leave by City Manager. At other times, I am called in to look at a dog that needs to get out. God knows. Again, tired of fighting. And the city has never paid me a cent or a "Thank You" for getting dogs out. Odd, very odd.
Somehow, I still have hope. Just can't hold it all up without real help. Time for relief to arrive.  Elmer is threatening to start the 3 day kill ordinance, which is unfortunately legal, in city ordinances. Oh yes, the City Council voted the shelter and Animal Control over to Public Safety, read Police Department , two months ago. It has not been taken over yet supposedly any day. Finally, the intelligent and very kind Animal Control officer has been so badly treated by Elmer that she has requested a transfer to Water Control. She loves the animals and cares for them beautifully. She could plan and build a humane shelter. "

Here is one proposal and reply from another member:

"My proposal: a massive letter writing campaign to the city of Las Vegas, telling them that we WILL NOT be bringing our company to visit Las Vegas until they right this situation. What I need from you is a 'bullet list' of issues to cite in our letters or phone calls. In other words, what are the 3 biggest issues there? Inhumane treatment? Facilities? Please let us know what exactly we should highlight in our letters and phone calls. We need to spread the word to the animal community to inundate the mayor's office.
Mayor Tony Marquez
City of Las Vegas
1700 North Grand Ave
Las Vegas, NM 87701
(505) 454-1401
The mayor's email address (no guarantee that he'll get this, so hard-copy letters or phone calls are better): mayormarquez@yahoo.com
Maybe it will help, maybe not, but at least we've done SOMEthing.
Also, letters to the editor of the local paper would also bring attention to the situation. Email letters for the Las Vegas Optic to: tmcdonald@lasvegasoptic.com"

I felt also that perhaps getting word out to the communities and other area major newspapers and news agencies  would help bring the spotlight on. I also would like to turn this over to the ASPCA as they try their best to monitor these types of things and can shut down shelters if needed.

Anyhow, please help get the word out and help the animals in Las Vegas. Thank you!

Reasons why you need a pet

There is no one perfect pet type or personality to fit everyone. Whether you love birds, fish, or another creature, there is a pet out there for you.  Pets offer a lot of positives for you, and are actually good for you. I thought I would list some of the pros of pet adoption. Notice I said "Pet Adoption" I am talking about adopting a pet through a rescue organization or shelter. By doing so, you are giving another soul a chance at a full loving life, and allowing it to help fulfill yours.

Anyway on to the pros......

Having a pet helps seniors stay invested in life. They help them with  keeping their minds stimulated, help them get exercise, keep them entertained, safe and loved.

If you live along, pets can help counter loneliness and depression. They'll help you to continue to focus on life around you. They give you companionship.

They'll help you establish a routine. Just the routine of caring for a pet can bring structure and purpose to daily life.

If it's a dog, they will help you establish an exercise routine. And regardless of our age, we all need some form of exercise and getting outside to play or walk your pet is a great way to set a daily exercise routine and keep you both in shape.

Pets are amazing stress relievers. It's a known fact that people with pets handle stress better and exhibit less stress than those without. Seniors especially need to keep their stress levels down. Just petting a dog or cat lowers the heart rate and never fails to bring about contentment and smiles. I know for me, just being greeted at the door when I come home every day from work with all these furry, wiggling, and happy bodies makes me smile, and makes my home my place of love and happiness.

Again if you have a dog, it will help you get outside, and stay connected to friends, or make new ones. It helps you stay connected to life and see all the wonder around you.

Taking your dog to a dog park helps you make new friends, and pets are great icebreakers for meeting new people.

A pet can stimulate interest in new interests and activities. It might inspire you to volunteer at the local animal shelter, or if you have a very social loving calm pet, you might volunteer to help seniors have contact with animals. Even some hospitals seek pet owners with amazing social pets to bring them to the hospital to spend time with patients.

Dogs of course can provide you with protection. Even a yappy smaller dog will discourage burglars. And little dogs are just as fierce in their protection as are big dogs. There are even stories of cats protecting their owners in the home.

And pets give you something to care for, they help you feel useful, they teach you unconditional love, compassion, and how to live in the moment and have fun. Having a pet means that you are making a promise to that soul to continue to be involved in another life, and to always keep your heart open to love.

I know for me, just hearing a cat purr is the most comforting sound and feeling I can know. Cuddling an animal, and feeling their unconditional acceptance of me and love for me is an amazing thing to realize. These things keep me grounded, sane and interested in life. And as I said, there is nothing quite like my coming home at the end of a stressful work day to 7 furry wagging and wiggling bodies the moment  I step inside the door. It makes a world of difference as I leave my cares and worries at the door.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and our pets

First, a definition of a Genetically Modified Organism:  From Wikipedia: A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

  Finally a study on the effects of some GMOs (genetically modified organisms) on animals! This is a hot topic for me and the effects of GMOs on us too.

This past year, the International Journal of Biological Sciences published an article on A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health They performed studies of several varieties of GM corn on rats with deletorious results. The article is lengthy, but worth reading.

Another article on some effects of GMOs on animals from Natural News titled: Genetically Modified Organisms are Unfit for Consumption  points out: In the animal studies that have been conducted, some noteworthy findings have been discovered about GMOs:
Female rats fed genetically modified soy saw most of their babies die within three weeks compared to the 10% death rate experienced by rats fed natural soy. The babies that survived in the genetically modified-fed control group were also born smaller and had problems getting pregnant later on.
Male rats fed genetically modified soy experienced a change in testicular color from pink to dark blue, as well as altered young sperm and significant changes in their DNA.
Indian buffalo that consumed genetically modified cottonseed experienced various birthing complications including infertility, abortions, premature delivery, and prolapsed uteruses. Many of the calves that survived birth died shortly thereafter.
In the United States, about 24 farmers reported that their pigs became sterile after consuming genetically modified corn.
Genetically modified corn and cotton, purposely engineered to create their own built-in pesticide called Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), have been indicted in several studies to provoke intense allergic and immune reactions and death. Since the levels of Bt produced in the plant represent thousands of times more a concentration of Bt than natural Bt spray, the effects are greatly amplified. Shepherds whose sheep grazed on Bt cotton after harvest witnessed thousands of their sheep die. Post mortem examinations revealed severe irritation and black patches in the intestines and liver, as well as enlarged bile ducts. All sheep fed the Bt cotton eventually died within 30 days while those that grazed on natural cotton remained healthy.
Bt corn was also responsible for the deaths of cows, horses, water buffaloes, and chicken in both Germany and the Philippines.
Genetically modified tomatoes fed to rats were shown to cause bleeding stomachs and eventually killed many of the rats.

These are just a few examples of the many catastrophic effects of using genetically modified organisms as food. And another article on WebMd it notes that if animals are given a choice they won't eat GM feeds on their own. What do they know that we don't?

Yet one more thing to point to from SafeAge.org :

How does genetic engineering affect animal welfare?

Cows injected with a genetically engineered Bovine growth hormone to increase milk production live shorter lives and suffer higher incidence of lameness, mastitis and reproductive health problems. Cloned and genetically engineered animals have staggering failure rates, a euphemism that hides a greater than 99 percent mortality. Dolly was one success out of 245. GE fish have become deformed, their flesh has turned green and many other health problems have occurred. There is a very strong lobby pushing for GE fish and these may be the first GE animals to arrive on your table. Yay mom, green wartery fish tonight.

Should animals be patented?

Monsanto applied for a patent for a pig bred in 160 countries. The patent is for specific parts of the genetic amterial of the pigs which Monsanto's researchers have decoded. If this patent is granted, pig breeding would be possible only with the approval of Monsanto. See the movie: Patent for a Pig?

I don't know about you, but all this is and has been very disturbing to me for some time now. I continue to do my best to avoid using mainstream products in my house and in my foods for myself or my pets. The three major grains (now owned by Monsanto) that are very much in all our commercially produced foods are Corn, Soy and Wheat.  Based on the description, and knowing that usually biotoxins or fish genes into vegetables are used to splice into a genetic sequence to promote the organism to be more immune to frost or pests, why would I want to eat it? Animals usually are much smarter than we are about foods. Ok, that sounds about as clear as mud. Let me put it to you from this viewpoint, our bodies, our genes recognize specific genetic sequences in our original foodstuffs as nutrtion and therefore to be used to nourish our bodies and help with bodily processes. When that original genetic sequence is no longer what it is meant to be, our body throws up a red flag that this is not considered nutrition and therefore needs to be considered a toxin, thereby stimulating our immune response. When we continue to ignore our body's response to the toxin, and keep feeding the toxin to ourselves, the body becomes overwhelmed and we start developing cancers, autoimmune diseases and immunodeficiency problems. We wonder why we see an increase in these things not only in ourselves but our pets as well. We are seeing an increase of diseases, such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, neurological problems, depression, celiac's disease, food allergies and intolerances, and the list goes on. These increases have begun in the early to mid 90's. Ok, so this makes sense to me as this is about the time that GMOs became more mainstream into our food supply and they were fully approved for animal feed.

I don't know about you, but for me it is so worth it for my health and that of my beloved pets to do my best to ensure that we consume as little of these that we can. Buying locally grown and raised products that are organic help. That and helping the push to pass into law the labeling of GMOs within our foods.

 

 

Are we polluting and poisoning our pets?

Recently I received a newsletter with an article on the high levels of pollutants and chemicals being found in our pets.

I really wasn't surprised by the reports. Especially the one on toxins and pollutants. Our pets' systems are smaller than humans, they process things differently than we do, and they are closer to the ground (generally speaking) so they pick up all sorts of chemicals that are either ingested or absorbed into their systems.

The pollutant study was done by the Environmental Working Group .

They noted that just as children ingest pollutants in tap water, play on lawns with pesticide residues, or breathe in an array of indoor air contaminants, so do our pets. But with their compressed lifespans, developing and aging seven or more times faster than children, pets also develop health problems from exposures much more rapidly.  And for anyone who has lost a pet to cancer or another disease potentially linked to chemical exposures, this sentinel role played by pets becomes a devastating personal loss.

This is some of their findings:
Dogs and cats were contaminated with 48 of 70 industrial chemicals tested, including 43 chemicals at levels higher than those typically found in people, according to our study of plastics and food packaging chemicals, heavy metals, fire retardants, and stain-proofing chemicals in pooled samples of blood and urine from 20 dogs and 37 cats collected at a Virginia veterinary clinic.

Average levels of many chemicals were substantially higher in pets than is typical for people, with 2.4 times higher levels of stain- and grease-proof coatings (perfluorochemicals) in dogs, 23 times more fire retardants (PBDEs) in cats, and more than 5 times the amounts of mercury, compared to average levels in people found in national studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and EWG (Figure).

 

Dogs: High levels of plasticizers,
grease-proof chemicals,and
fire retardants
35 chemicals detected - 40% at higher levels
in dogs than people

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cats: notably high levels of fire
retardants, high levels of plasticizers,
and grease-proofing chemicals
46 chemicals detected - 96% at higher levels
in cats than people

 

 In America there are 8 times more companion dogs and cats than there are children under five. Seventy percent more households have dogs or cats than children of any age. These pets are often beloved family members, and yet they can be subjected to chronic, constant exposures to chemical contaminants in homes, yards, and parks that pet owners cannot always prevent.

As cats meticulously groom themselves, they lick off accumulated dust that studies show can be contaminated with the neurotoxic fire retardants PBDEs and reproductive toxins called phthalates that were found in the cats we tested (Bornehag 2004, Stapleton 2005, Wormuth 2006). A dog eating scraps from the floor may also swallow dirt and dust tracked in from the outdoors and contaminated with heavy metals and pesticides (Colt 2004, vom Lindern 2003). A flea collar can spew droplets of insecticide that can be lethal to cats (Linnett 2008). Dogs and cats often eat food processing and packaging chemicals that contaminate their food, day after day and year after year, resulting in cumulative exposures with unknown health risks (FDA CVM 2008b). Chew toys might contain plastic softeners, foam beds might be infused or coated with fire retardants and stain-proofing chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects, and plastic water bowls might leach hormone disruptors.

The article talks about not much can be done to prevent this. I disagree to some extent with some of this. There is a lot you can do to prevent an overload of chemicals for your pets and yourself. There are non-toxic cleaning products out there like Method  products that are safer to use for your pets and kids.  You can also clean with simple food items like vinegar.

Don't use pesticides on your lawn, actually the best non-toxic pesticide is soapy water! It's true! You can reroute your washing machine drain water, using non-toxic, non-phosphate, detergents and water your lawn and flowers with it. It will kill the bugs, and provide water for plants and a lovely lawn. Not using Teflon cookware is another way to stop polluting your home. Avoid using plastics as much as possible. I know that one is hard. But you can use glass or pottery to feed and water your pet from. Use natural fibers around the house, and for pet toys. These are just a few things you can do to help minimize the toxins in your house. There is even paints for the walls that is friendly and non-toxic. And for the smokers, here is another reason to quit, the secondhand smoke is worse for your pets than your kids.

So..... again, back to reading labels. Reading all labels is a good habit to develop. And if it sounds like something you wouldn't put in your mouth, you can bet it doesn't belong in your kids' or pets' mouths either. It takes very little time actually to research effective non-toxic products for you and your home. Think about it, your skin is the biggest organ of your body, and it absorbs all sorts of things. So, those yucky toxic smells and cleansers you use gloves to use are also being absorbed through your skin and by breathing it in. And in the case of floor cleansers or where your cleansers are stored they are more concentrated down at your kids and pets levels than where you are.

Oh and leave off the flea collars and flea repellents. Those are so very toxic! If you have an indoor cat, vacuuming regularly with some lavender or cedar in the canister will collect and kill fleas in the bag/canister naturally and smell nice. Be sure to dump the canister and bag after each vacuuming. A bath regularly for the dog making sure to get the soap down to the skin level and good grooming will kill and wash the fleas down the drain. Be sure to let the soap stay on for a few minutes with good contact to the skin. These are simple low cost remedies that are non-toxic.

I could probably go on and on right about now, but think I'll stop here.

Figures, I no sooner post this entry, then this article appears on the Washington Post about the loopholes and dangerous chemicals.

 

Older pets and OCD's

Sorry about the delay in postings, ok, so I was lazy, it is my annual time off from work and I got preoccupied rather than spend time in front of the computer all day. 

Yes, that's my little man, Lil'Shit, he's the better part of 14 to 15 yrs old now. And he's a chihuahua whose ears never stood up. He is deaf now and having vision issues and most definitely balance issues. And yes, he has a hard head and a couple of OCD's. We love him anyway. ;-)

And Yes, as pets get older they do get obsessive compulsive disorders. He always had a thing for liking fabric, but now is it almost constant. He gets so focused on that, that no matter what you do to distract him, it doesn't work. The only time he doesn't like is when he's asleep or adamant about being let upstairs with us. His other focus is that he doesn't like either of us out of his sight for long or rather out of his range. This places him underfoot or a tripping hazard more often than not. So we have learned for the most part to shuffle alot. He also has balance issues and doesn't get around as well as he should. And oh god, poor little guy has rolled down the stairs more often than I care to think about. I do my best to carry him up or down, but there are times he will walk right past us thinking we are upstairs and not seeing us. And he'll get up there before you can get to him or if you aren't watching, then lose his balance and come tumbling down again. He gets up, reorients himself and stubbornly runs back upstairs. I haven't been able to find a way to block them yet, most kid gates are too tall and our banister and molding along the runners (steps) is funky. And if I block the bottom step or two, it then creates a hard spot for the front door. So I am actively looking for a solution. However, the four of us do our best to watch out for him.

He also has a phobia about going outside by himself now. So, I am buying stock in wee wee pads. Thank god for tile floors! I think it has to do with becoming disoriented outside by himself. He'll go out with the others as he can follow them around and find his way back to the door. But not by himself.

I love him to pieces, as do we all, even though some of his little "quirks" are driving us to distractions at times. So we do our best to pamper him and watch out for him. He loves to be with us as much as possible, and he absolutely loves the bean bags! I think he thinks they are nesting devices just for him, well.... his daughter, Thumbelina loves them too. 

Updates on the tribe of furry creatures occupying my home....

So, since last week things have been quiet and interesting. My brother and sister in-law flew home last Thursday to finish clearing out the apartment and get finished moving down here. So, that being said it's just hubby and myself and all these lovely furry creatures occupying my household. Seems lately you can't go anywhere in the house or sit anywhere without there being an animal in the room or on the piece of furniture you choose to occupy. Which is ok by me.

Currently I am off work for 2 weeks, hooray! And as I sit in my media/office room upstairs, I at the moment have 4 out of the 8 critters in here with me. Yummy the cat, and 3 dogs. The dogs absolutely love being up here with me. And there are two of them that zip right over and claim a bean bag for themselves.

Ok back to the topic. For the first evening, my brother's two dogs were rather forlorn that he and Peg weren't coming back immediately. But they have adapted fast. They are getting used to my bunch's routines about bedtime and where bedtime is. Usually my bunch are sectioned off in an area with their crates (I have one who has never learned not to soil where she sleeps and I simply got tired of cleaning the thing out!), and usually the other two, Corny and Biscuit, have been kept in their room at nights. Well, they don't get to do that without my brother here. So, they've been learning to sleep with the rest of the pack. And actually there was very little complaint about it from Corny. Despite my brother noting that he would talk all night. Although the first couple of nights Corny was completely intimidated by Poppy, who is probably 1/10th his size. She thought the fancy big bed could be all hers. And I would come down in the mornings and find him trying to be curled up on a chihuahua sized bed. Well, that's changed now. He gets to his bed first now.

And now Biscuit has become my constant sidekick. He and I talk, and play and he gives me lots of kisses. Even my husband is becoming attached. And I see him more and more engage my littlest dog, Thumbelina, in play. And they play kissy face, and wash each other's ears. Corny has mellowed some, and is very good and patient and plays in the evenings with us. And they all play outside. Well except for Lil'Shit who is just simply confused in his old age and if he's with one of us, becomes very protective.

Yesterday I went by Target and got a ball thrower for Corny and took him to the dog park over by the Animal Shelter not far from us. He loves to ride, and he knew right off that the new toy was for him. As I didn't have anyone else going with me, I couldn't take Biscuit too. So according to my husband, he pouted the whole time. Well, when we pulled up to the dog park and Corny could see all the other dogs frolicking and romping, he got so excited and barked and bounced around in my van, making the whole thing rock. But he minded well. When we got inside we played ball for awhile, but the smells beckoned stronger. So we went for a walk around the perimeter. He met and made new friends, played a bit with some of the others, loved on every person he met. And found the water bowl out there to drink and do a little dribble art! For his first time there, he was wonderful and had a great time. Now to get him there a bit more often.

On the way home from the dog park, he sat in the very back seat, leaned back and looked regal. Like I was his chauffeur or  something! Biscuit turned himself inside out when he saw me, as did all the others. I have to say that this is one thing that we are really enjoying, is coming home to all these furry bodies happily greeting us when we come in the door. Even the cats are all for the most part doing very well. No fights, and Djinn and Biscuit are also developing quite a relationship. They greet and play a bit almost every day. Hubby and I noted last night, that my brother's fur kids have certainly changed the energy and demeanor of us all, and it's a happy place and our bunch is so much more outgoing and animated. We laughed that we just might have to keep them all here.

Saving animals is not just for women!

Ok, so you think that saving or rescuing animals from abuse and neglect isn't a macho thing? You think caring about animals is not a manly thing? Well hang on to your seats gentlemen! Check out these tough guys, Rescue Ink.



I found out about them while surfing  ABC news and read a story on them. And then there is their website: Rescue Ink  I love their zero tolerance policy on animal abuse and neglect. Each member's history is a bit unique and varied. They will go in where other rescue agencies cannot or will not go in. And they not only rescue, they'll work to educate the abuser in the process. As you read their brief profiles about each one, I for one am happy that I am not on their target list. I am glad I am on the same side. But I mean, come on, would you want to piss them off?

Wow! Talk about an inspiring bunch of guys!  They break the mold on the idea that rescuing animals are only for women or wimps. And gentlemen, you know what I mean. Oh alot of you talk tough but would you really step out of your comfort zone to rescue an animal you witnessed being abused? Now, giving some of you the benefit of the doubt, I believe you would take time out to rescue or care aobut an animal that needed you.  Personally I think these guys do a great thing. I wish there were more like minded people like them across the country. And even though they are in New York, it isn't just household pets they rescue, they rescue horses, like the two colts here, and other animals, even chickens.



I am guessing that there is no rescue creature too small or large for them. And I imagine that when they put their efforts forth that there isn't much that would get in their way. I for one applaud them! Now if I only had the National Geographic Channel, I would certainly enjoy watching them in action. And maybe if the word got out a little more, maybe it would inspire others to step out of their comfort zone and help work towards a good cause and perhaps teach others a little bit about compassion along the way. And last but not least, remember, Never, Ever Judge a Book by it's Cover! You can not ever tell a person inside by his or her appearance.

Way to Go Guys! Join them on Facebook   and on MySpace  if you live in the New York area, voluteer!

Is the media and our culture to blame?

Reading the headlines and news articles this morning is depressing. The article that caught my eye was an AP article about the massive amounts of Chihuahuas being abandoned in shelters in California. As we humans are a morbid bunch, I read the article, knowing it wasn't a very happy article.



The article cites that the shelters in California are up by over 30% for intakes of chihuahuas and small dogs. Many blame our media and culture on the initial popularity of the breed, celebs like Paris Hilton and movies like Beverly Hill Chihuahua. Then as soon as the "new" wears off, they are being dumped by the hundreds.

Despite it's size a small dog can be just as expensive for care as a large dog. And if you have small children, you quickly find that small dogs are not suited well to a household with small children. For one, a small dog is much more breakable than a larger or stockier breed. And small dogs tend to be more timid and can nip or bite quicker when they feel threatened. Small dogs prefer to bond with one or two people.



However, chihuahuas aren't the only small victims of our media and culture, Guinea pigs are also being abandoned by the hundreds. Our shelter alone has quite a few guinea pigs and other small rodents for adoption.



Other animals like ferrets and  rabbits are also left looking for care and homes. And species or breed specific rescue organizations are filled to capacity too.

My heart breaks for all these homeless animals, being bred by the thousands, bought as presents or because they are the "animal d'jour"  or the latest fashion trend. Then they are being disposed of, abandoned by the thousands by uncaring people or people who find themselves financially incapable of caring for them anymore, or because their kid lost interest, or being left to starve in the foreclosed house. And with the economy still in the tank, there just isn't anywhere for them to go anymore. Millions of animals are being put to sleep (euthanized) daily because they are overbred and there is simply no home for them.

And yes, I do blame the media for alot of this predicament. Animals have really become a "fashion statement" or a statement of how well off a person is. Many people feel the need to show to the world how affluent they are by owning only a purebred, etc. And when the poor animal becomes a nuisance or out of fashion, it is disposed of without a care for it.  Less and less is seen about the truth of the over population of pets, and what happens to them. Even less is seen in the media about responsible pet ownership or spaying and neutering so animals like these don't have to die for our vanity. Even if you read today's article on the overpopulation of chihuhuas in the CA shelters, you won't see the mention of spaying or neutering your pets at all. Just a mention that these little dogs most likely come from puppy mills. And a great majority of puppy mill dogs sold in pet stores have many inherent health problems.

Yes, for those of us who do care, we need to help spread the word, educate friends and family about not buying purebreds, many great purebreds and dogs period come from adoption from shelters. We also need to help educate for spaying and neutering. If you must give a pet for the holidays, give the recipient a leash and collar and perhaps a gift certificate from the local shelter, or take them there to pick out their pet, and pay for the adoption. Let's all promise for the new year to help reduce the overpopulation of pets and help to decrease the numbers from the shelters by vowing that your next pet will be from the shelter.

Watching your pets for diabetes symptoms

This was my Scooter, who developed secondary diabetes from original pancreatitis. She left me after developing Cushings and Congestive Heart Failure, all complications from the original pancreatitis.



Adapted from a newsletter from American Diabetes Wholesale, by Dr. Gary Edelson, DVM

My cat, Tiger, has been drinking a lot of water and losing weight. My veterinarian diagnosed diabetes, but what does this mean?

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine diseases of dogs and cats. To better understand the disease process, let's review the normal metabolism of an animal. The body's cells need energy in the form of glucose, a sugar, which is delivered by the bloodstream. Unless the hormone insulin is present, the body cannot absorb the glucose to use as energy. The pancreas, an organ that is located next to the stomach and small intestine, produces insulin into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar. In addition to secreting insulin, the pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine to aid in digestion.

Insulin acts like a key to “unlock” the cell so glucose can enter from the blood. Inside the cell, glucose is either used for energy immediately or stored for future use in the form of glycogen. Without the key (insulin) to unlock the cell, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, resulting in too much glucose (hyperglycemia) in the blood, which causes problems.

When the glucose is about double the normal value in the blood, the kidneys cannot process it properly and the level increases in the urine (glucosuria). Glucose in the urine leads to increased production of urine (polyuria) as water is drawn out with the glucose, and consequently more water consumption (polydypsia) results. In addition, an increased appetite results as the sugar present in their blood cannot be utilized without being unlocked by the key - insulin. As time goes on, the body uses protein, starch and fat for energy. When diabetes is left undiagnosed, ketones, a waste product, accumulates leading to vomiting, dehydration and depression. The disease can ultimately progress to coma and death if untreated.

Diabetes mellitus is a classic disease in humans and has been classified into two main forms: type I (juvenile, insulin dependant) and type II (adult, non-insulin dependant). With type I diabetes, there is no insulin (key) production by the pancreas. With type II diabetes, the shape of the lock and key is different, so even though the insulin is present, it cannot be utilized. Nearly all dogs have type I diabetes, whereas their feline counterparts are mostly type II diabetic.

The cause of diabetes in dogs and cats is multifactorial. In dogs, there maybe a genetic predisposition where German Shepherd dogs, Schnauzers, Beagles and Poodles have an increased risk. Golden Retrievers and Keeshonds are most predisposed to developing type I. Middle aged (6-9 years old), female dogs are more likely to develop diabetes. In contrast, male cats that have been neutered (fixed) over 6 years old are predisposed.

The four main clinical signs of diabetes are excessive drinking, urinating, eating and increased weight loss despite an increased appetite. If any of the signs above are recognized in your four-legged friend, contact your veterinarian immediately as it may be a sign of a serious illness.

One other thing I would like to point out, is that in the case of most cats, as the Dr stated, it is multifactorial, meaning there are several other endocrine or gastrointestinal diseases that can trigger diabetes. I do not personally agree with the statistic on neutered male cats being more predisposed than others. It can happen to any cat.

There are several theories concerning the onset of diabetes in our pets. One is the feeding of commercial pet foods that are actually inappropriate for your pet, this can cause triad's disease, or pancreatitis. Feeding too many or rancid fats, people food, etc. can bring on these also. Other diseases can create secondary problems like diabetes, this can also be Acromealgy, Cushings, and several others. In our pets, their systems are smaller and the digestive tract is shorter than ours, so say they have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), this can travel up the ducts to affect the pancreas and liver.  Diet plays a very big role for our pet's health as Dr. Pierson notes below.

Dr. Lisa Pierson, DVM  points out these facts:

Diabetes is one of the most common feline endocrine diseases and, while we do  not know all of the causes of this complex disease, we do know that many diabetic cats cease needing insulin or have their insulin needs significantly decrease once their dietary carbohydrate level is decreased to a more species-inappropriate level than that found in many commercial foods. 

Although all dry foods are too high in carbohydrates, please be aware that many canned foods also contain far too many carbohydrates making them very poor choices for cats.

Feeding a diabetic cat a high carbohydrate diet is analogous to pouring gasoline on a fire and wondering why you can't put the fire out. 

Cats are obligate carnivores and are not designed by nature to consume a high carbohydrate diet.

Dogs aren't necessarily obligate carnivores, but the main make up of their diet should be a good quality meat base. Dogs have a very hard time digesting corn and wheat. Rice is tolerated, but grains aren't the best for them either. I mean come on, how many dogs, or cats for that matter, do you see out hunting grain? Yes they may eat grass, but then that isn't a grain, it is the leaf and thereby could be considered a vegetable.  And usually eating grass is to help them purge their stomachs, and leave you a wonderful vomit puddle where you really don't want it. Be sensible, their teeth are built for meat eating, not grain eating.

I will keep saying it over an over, the first 3 minimum ingredients in your pet's diet should be meat and meat broth, not meal or by products, and if there is to be a grain, it should be rice and it should be lower on the list.

So, getting back to the original topic, also watch your pet for excessive vomiting, and very liquid loose stools that may be smelly or have some blood in them, this can be a sign of pancreatitis and IBD, which can lead to diabetes. On the urination bit, if the urine smells sweet, or is sticky, then you know you have sugar in the urine. And any dramatic weight loss despite the amount of food you feed (diabetic pets can't get enough to eat) is a cause for alarm, and they should go to the vet immediately.