AVOID GETTING YOUR DOG CAUGHT IN THIS PROFIT MACHINE: DOGS NATURALLY

Here’s a great business model (but a good one to not be a part of!): 1. Sell a product, in fact, better yet, give it away in the package plan you sell so it looks like an amazing bargain. Brand the plan with the word “Wellness.” 2. Tie into a profession that’s widely looked up to as purveyors of animal health who fully buy in to this product. So much so, that they push it as well, and make their living by pushing it. 3. When that product creates long term health problems in those who partake, sell a specialized product that addresses them. Make it expensive, “scientific” and high tech, and have a line of that product sold by the animal health profession itself. Add to their bottom line. See #2. 4. Claim product #1 has nothing to do with creating disease, (and have the profession widely decry the very idea of it — “It prevents disease!”) but explain how #3 will cure the disease (that it’s created). 5. Smile all the way to the bank. You’ve made money creating a problem and “fixing” the same problem! Variations of this business model live and thrive in many circles of society now, but one that affects you, dear pet owner, is purveyed by the Mars company. It sunk in over the past week, since I posted about their “fix” of selling chicken feathers as protein in their version of the best dog food: Royal Canin. Oh, and product #1? Vaccinations. For everything imaginable. Unraveling the Scheme So, who’s the Mars Company? Purveyors of diabetes and cavities, through their Milky Way, Skittles, M & M’s and such. Yes, they are a candy company, at least that’s where they got their start. One famous for their secrecy. Mars branched out in 2007 to own Banfield, The Pet Hospital. Who sells a “Wellness Plan” that includes “free vaccinations!” when you sign up. Often twice a year. Ahem. You know that frequency of vaccination is excessive, unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past twenty years. And, you know it’s risky. But that the profession here, conventional veterinary medicine, runs on its profits and Dr. WhiteCoat isn’t going to stop pushing vaccinations if he has any say in the matter. Which he does. He can do anything he wishes in the name of “professional judgment.” And Banfield is a collection of corporate Dr. WhiteCoats, who vaccinate repeatedly in the name of “wellness.” Now, through Mars’ subsidiary, Royal Canin, they’ll sell you a high end, laboratory made diet with this “novel protein” source: chicken feathers. To cure the allergies they’ve created by repeatedly vaccinating every animal that comes through the doors of the Banfield machine. Is your head starting to hurt, yet? Drop Out, Quick! You are the only one calling the shots (sorry, bad metaphor. Wait: maybe not) for your animal’s health. They don’t vote. They eat what you offer, go to the vet when you say they’re going, and take whatever you agree to in the name of “prevention” or treatment. I submit that, unless you are keeping your eyes open and are willing to think outside the medicine box, your animals will become health statistics. If you follow this brand of “prevention,” it’s not a matter of “if my animals get sick” but rather, “when.” I’d hate to see you visiting your vet because you’ve got an allergic pet, one of the top three reasons the average consumer brought their animal for veterinary services in 2012. Because that’s a long, suffering road, with no cure in sight, if you stick to what Dr. WhiteCoat recommends. [There are better options, if you get stuck in this machine.] Be smarter than that. Choose your natural path carefully, eyes wide open, ears wide open, and learning all you can before making health decisions for your animals. Some Brilliant Words for Dr. WhiteCoat When you are in for an exam, and something is recommended to you, especially more vaccinations in one already vaccinated, try these words out: “Doctor, let me get back to you on that. I need to do my research before I decide.” Wow. Did you see how you just took control of that situation? Powerful stuff. This is the intellectual property of DOGS NATURALLY Magazine, please subscribe to it? Much is changing in pet care...get the jump on it with wonderful articles like the above!

ANTIBIOTICS & YOUR DOG: please read DOGS NATURALLY Magazine for some great articles about a more holistic and less traditional approach to pet care

Most pet owners know that antibiotics kill off both the harmful and the beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. Those beneficial bacteria are a crucial part of the immune system, protecting our pets against viruses, bacterial and fungal infections, as well as parasites. Intestinal bacteria also manufacture essential vitamins (including vitamin K as well as several B vitamins) and a great many other compounds scientists are only just beginning to recognize. Because we want to restore those good bugs after antibiotic use it’s common to follow a course of antibiotics with a round of probiotics to restore the colony of beneficial bacteria and bring the body back to balance. What if this didn’t happen? Recent research shows this is just the case. Martin Blaser of New York University’s Langone Medical Center argues that antibiotics’ impact on gut bacteria is permanent and so serious in their long term consequences that medicine should consider whether to restrict antibiotic prescribing to pregnant women and young children. Early evidence from my lab and others hints that, sometimes, our friendly flora never fully recover. These long-term changes to the beneficial bacteria within people’s bodies may even increase our susceptibility to infections and disease. Overuse of antibiotics could be fuelling the dramatic increase in conditions such as obesity, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies and asthma, which have more than doubled in many populations. Like their human counterparts, dogs are often subjected to more than a few rounds of antibiotics in their lives. Now that researchers are actively investigating antibiotics and understanding their long term impact not just on the intestinal flora, but in creating antibiotic resistant superbugs, it’s a good time to look back to more natural antibacterial solutions that are kinder to the beneficial bacteria. Here are five natural antibiotics you can consider for your dog: Goldenseal Native Americans used this herb for centuries for infections, venereal disease, and ulcers. That’s probably because goldenseal prevents bacteria from adhering to cell walls so it can’t grow. It works particularly well for diarrhea and respiratory infections. Garlic A natural antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral agent, garlic is best known for its sulphur compounds, particularly allicin. These are the main phytochemicals that boost immunity and act as natural antibiotics. Oregano Oil Researcher Paul Belaiche conducted exhaustive studies of aromatherapy oils in his three volume work, “Treatise on Phytotherapy and Aromatherapy”. He reported that oregano oil killed 96% of all pneumococcus bacteria. Oregano oil was also shown to eliminate 83% of streptococcus, which is linked with strep throat, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, toxic shock syndrome, cystitis, and wound infections. Oregano oil has also been successfully used to replace antibiotics for poultry producers. Olive Leaf Extract Professors at the Department of Biomedical Science at CHA University in Korea found that olive leaf extract was potent against various bacterial microbes. Bonus: Their research showed olive leaf exhibited free radical scavenging abilities. Free radicals are linked with aging and disease. Honey In third world countries, wild honey is spread over wounds and burns. These heal with minimal scarring and few infections. Tea with lemon and honey is a time honored drink when a human cold or the flu has hit. Munaka honey sold in health food stores, has a higher concentration of antibiotics than other honeys. There are many more natural antibiotics, including Oregon grape and coconut oil. What you feed your dog is also crucial to his intestinal health and bacterial balance. The processed, heated and extruded foods we feed our dogs are devoid not just of harmful bacteria, but also those good bugs the body needs to stay in healthy balance. The big problem with the Western diet,’ Stephen O’Keefe, a gastroenterologist at the University of Pittsburgh, told me, ‘is that it doesn’t feed the gut, only the upper GI [gastrointestinal tract]. All the food has been processed to be readily absorbed, leaving nothing for the lower GI. The beneficial bacteria found in foods (especially fermented foods like kefir), have been shown to calm the immune system and reduce inflammation, shorten the duration and severity of colds, relieve diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome, reduce allergic responses, stimulate the immune response, possibly reduce the risk of certain cancers; and improve the health and function of the gut. Sometimes antibiotics can’t be avoided and they can absolutely save lives. Given recent research, it might be best to save them as a last resort, rather than a first line of attack. Better yet, their use can often be avoided altogether with a fresh, whole food diet and natural herbs and foods. the above is the property of DOGS NATURALLY MAGAZINE, please subscribe to this wonderful publication.

this is Amber, a special needs cat found on Craigs List offered by the rescue Kitty Shock Wave in Brooklyn....Amber has C hyperplasia but she's perfect for us, she loved Bella, she cannot jump ion counters so we provided a step ladder to help her teach herself better balnce...a wonderful pet, rescued right before Christmas at 1 day old

C. hyperplasia cat with no limitations to a good life. Kitty Shock Wave bestowed Amber to us on the spot after visiting my son and myself. We had never owned a C hyperplasia cat before....Amber is a treasure. Don't shy away from this kind of neurologically impaired cat...they are perfect in many ways and there are no draw backs except the little wobble they have which grows more intense when stressed...she can run, jump, do tricks and is a very fun girl. WE LOVE HER! Meet Amber: a cuddle bug!

Meet our special needs dogs...a gift from God for sure...both rescued from certain death right before Hurricane Sandy and right after Bella, blind in one eye from being a bait dog (see below for posts about her condition)...poses no challenge to her as she's a super star. She's been seen by a specialist and she's fine...a loving dog, knows loyalty and love and is a mush ball. She is officially my tiny weeny 47 lb lap dog! Want to make Bella happy? Let her run laps with her friend Meeka also a put bull. Bella is faster than a speeding bullet!

Here's Buddy, taken away from his Mom at 3 weeks old....taking time to help him feel safe, but, what a wonderful fellow, a great support and so loving. He loves to lay in my lap. He's a lab pit mix

our thanks to Dr. Jack Biederman, the Blue Pearl, Vet's Choice, Pet Lovers USA and all the people who helped, prayed, gave advice and support to make this miracle happen including CJL, a dear friend, 106 St Tire Jessica Pickens, Elizabeth Lehman, NuVet, and many others

those bashing craigslist on FB...it is NOT CRAIGSLIST...it's that people do not understand how to use Craigslist to ascertain a legitimately good homefor their dog or cat from predators and predators are everywhere, bait animals on Craigslist, adopting from Craigslist how tos, Craigslist no free animals allowed, Craigslist adoption how tos, save guard your pet on Craigslist

Re: Craigslist and banning free pets… from the NJ Humane Society! Shortly after we found Bella and Buddy, I had a conversation with the above about Craigslist. The Humane Society had developed a list of SHOULD DOs for posting any animal on Craigslist to deter or eliminate predators searching for bait or other horrible things: 1) no animal should be given away free but don’t be fooled as people using animals (kittens, rabbits, dogs, cats, hamsters, rats, whatever) as bait who are willing to pay a substantial amount of money for your pet. Dog fighting is very lucrative and a puppy from a good fighting dog can cost $20,000 OR MORE so its unlikely that giving you $50 for your animal is going to bring about a good home. Money cannot be the criteria for a good home. What to do? Make the adoption difficult! 2) get the name, home address, work address, phone numbers (check them all, too), photo ID like a copy of a driver’s license from the would be adopter 3) check references, (get a work reference or two, personal references, etc) and especially a vet reference and CALL EVERY SINGLE ONE and tell them why you are calling. 4) do an in-home check before the animal is surrendered 5) make sure you have the right to visit your pet after adoption 6) make it difficult to adopt you furbaby and those who are not sincere or who have unscrupulous motives will simply find someone else who is an ease mark 7) post the above on in the PETS SECTION on every Craigslist across the country so people know. Raise people’s consciousness about what’s involved and WHY. Thanks and please share? Meet Craig Newmark of Craigslist at http://starlightnetworknews.com/craig.htm Contact Craig on FB Craig Newmark...he's a very warm, kind, caring man. I interviewed him in 2005 see the link about

your dog's gut...what you need to know:

I have been told that what goes on in the gut of a mammal, ourselves included, effects health tremendously. Bella was constantly bothered by ear infections and skin issues and my research demonstrated that its a well established fact that if there is an allergy (many affected by immunity, immunity is compromised in the gut, mange is an immunity issue which leads back to the gut which is where 70% is health issues start...PEOPLE TOO?) I bet so, but, animal folk...I am not an MD not a DVM, I am a frustrated owner like you trying different things since my dog, unlike the people I know, only eats what I give her. When the summer started Bella and Buddy had a fascination with our garden....particularly parsley but they also loved raw pepper, carrot, spaghetti and clam sauce, ooops, sorry, that's not a health food unless its Barilla high fiber pasta-it was-or you are Italian. I am. The parsley thing was really a mind blower as my parakeet was more likely to go in pursuit of parsley but Bella and Buddy loved it. Recently, reading Dr. Mercola's site (he has Dr. Becker, a vet writing for him as well) there was talk about our guts and Dr. Becker likewise was talking doggie guts. She said there were ways to help boost immunity from the gut. Our pups were on a great vitamin but it wasn't enough for Bella. Then Bella got yet another ear infection...... I stopped, I thought.......I read and reread. Hmmm, something else was going on here. She had been treated a number of times with antibiotics and I figured out that this was not a germ we were fighting this HAD TO BE YEAST. So I called around and found out where I could get cytology on Bella's ears. I found it...they found it. YEAST! I KNEW IT, had to be...all that medication destroying the normal flora. Bella had been on probiotics for about a month already but the thing is how to get the yeast out of her ears. We switched the approach. We cleaned her face and ears with an RX antimicrobial wash...we dabbed her chin, wiped her ears and chest. VIOLA` suddenly things got better for Bella in days. We are giving her acidophilus in between her probiotic mix from Mercola and its been miraculous. Well, I continued to read the Mercola site to find the doctors there recommending quercetin as something to help with immunity and the gut.........GUESS WHAT? It's found in parsley! Bella without reading the Mercola site and running on instinct knew what she needed while granny is here saying DUH........... Remember, the topics we are writing about pertain to my dog and are based on vet advice. Anything written here is NOT meant to be, NOR IS IT a replacement for licensed vet care. My vet, Jack Biederman, DVM is very open to adjuncts and alternatives and helped Buddy recover from the mange in a flash by answering my question, "Dr. Jack, is there anything else I can do to help Buddy get well?" Dr. Jack suggested that anecdotally there was evidence that fish oil helps. He was right...of course he was right, he's a professional and all health matters for people and animals belong in the hands of a professional. However, today, most mainstream healthcare professionals are very conversant in things like the above...ask the question...do some research and be able to ask a more intelligent question. And while on this topic, folks, you can do the dame with your medical doctor. I was vitamins D deficient and if I had not asked my doctor to run the test, he would have never known what was wrong with me. Communication with professionals is essential for wellness. Ask the questions, you will be surprised at how receptive your doggie doctor and your MD are ;o) So Bella created her own break through and I just happened to catch up with her in this past week. xox i

Bella, Bella, Bella...any living thing that feels better when I SING has got to be madly in love with me...my voice could shatter glass - lol

yesterday I visited Bella as I do at least once a week....she's always so delighted to see me...now at 45 pounds she still thinks she's a little puppy, the puppy I rocked and sang to, the puppy I hand fed, the baby I thought would die, the pup I held close for 30 minutes 5 or 6 times a day..... she lived as I gave her everything I had emotionally and physically. We had a wonderful visit as always with her on my lap most of the time licking me...she's happy where she is, she has my son and Buddy and yet she misses me as I do her. Sadly, she lived in this apt with me (against the rules here) when Hurricane Sandy left my son flooded and no place for Bella while she was healing. Now, she's back with him with a yard, has a playmate, etc. But, yesterday when I was leaving to come home I said "bye Bella" and hugged her and petted her...I could see her deflate with sadness. It made me cry especially when I think of all the dogs and cats that go through this and people don't think it matters to the animal. I know it does. Please folks, adopt a shelter animal. Love matters to an animal. DON'T BUY...ADOPT, the life you save may be your own!