Last week I attended the first
IHPE expo, with over 100 exhibitors. I came to the conclusion that this can be daunting, even for an experienced expo attendee. I enjoyed meeting people who visited our
NEPP table, and admired the warriors who are changing how we treat our pets, like
Dr. Jean Dodds,
Dr. Margo Roman, and
Dr. Marty Goldstein. I encourage anyone with pets to check out The
Rabies Challenge Fund. Why is it that other countries realize that we are vaccinating our 3 lb kittens with the same rabies as a 180 lb mastiff, more than would be necessary for 1/2 dozen lifetimes? I am optimistic that RCF will change this in the USA, before too many more pets die of vaccinosis.
Vaccinosis - the malaise (fever, muscular aches, bone pain, prostration, etc.) as the result of being vaccinated." Definition From: A Dictionary of Homeopathic Medical Terminology~
With respect, my message is "proceed with caution for diet and vaccinations." There is so much information available, that we need to give ourselves permission to carefully decide what works best for us and our pets! This requires a collaboration with your Veterinarians and who-ever else is experienced enough to help. Here is an example:
Many people stopped at the NEPP table to inquire about Pet-Assisted Therapy. Someone always leaves a footprint in my heart. One person stopped by perplexed and talked about her concerns for about 15 minutes. I listened. She needed that. The most important thing she said, but did not honor herself, was: "my gut tells me that what I'm doing is right, but so and so in booth 305 just told me I should be doing this." My response: "listen to your gut first, then explore, make an educated decision based on facts for your pet, and don't look back with regret. She walked away a little taller, with a smile.
Driving home I went through my "aha" and shoulda, woulda, coulda moments. Fortunately, the swc's pass more quickly these days. I am less interested in overanalyzing or judging how an opportunity might produce a result. I am less concerned about whether someone agrees or not.
I am more interested in listening, observing and exchanging powerful and meaningful ideas that might make a difference for pets, in a carefully planned and individual way.
If I think too hard about how much more I can do to increase my pet's health-- therefore, my own health, I wouldn't finish this e-paws. I'd run out the door to the nearest natural food stores (human and pet) and spend $500 or more, come home and hold my nose as I drink my green goop shake.
The good news is there is something called "balance-in-transition" (BIN). I didn't make this up! We can make small, meaningful change in our pet's lives-- that reflect how we take care of ourselves. Maybe today I will give my dogs more meaty bones and veggies (even though I was told they don't need veggies) or a better quality food. I'll take them for a walk, for 10 or 15 minutes. I will focus on 80/20-- 80% positive and 20% negative. As humans, we have a tendency to zero in on things that go wrong. Maybe, I'll opt for one less cup of coffee, drink green tea and eat a protein bar, and reward myself Friday evening with a 70% cacao dark chocolate, Kemps yogurt and glass of wine. Whatever floats each of our boats-- as long as we get back in balance and stay at least somewhat on track most of the time is OKAY. Same for our pets.
Have any of you ordered a diet coke, at the same time as ordering a 800 Angus Burger? I admit it, but I opted out on French Fries-- and I wished I hadn't? I was thinking about them all the way home, even though I feel lousy afterward. I buy them as much for me as the crows, who I love to watch carrying them off in multiples, hanging from their beaks. The crows don't worry about saturated fat!
Same for my pets. I may be on a complete health kick with them, balancing all the right proteins, carbs and fats for 5-days, then not a chance on day 6. I'm too busy, running in 3 different directions (my choice--my responsibility). I toss a handful of "better" kibble or stuff their dog pyramids, letting them expend some energy on their own. They don't hate me for it! Don't do this with multiple dogs who don't get along. Give a Dog a Bone, by
Dr. Ian Billinghurst is a good book, however, throwing raw meaty bones or food to multiple dogs can create atomic warfare. Separate them-- provide a safe place for that older dog to eat-- and puppies. We aren't in the jungle-- we are in our homes or back yards.
My friend and behaviorist,
Monique Charbonnier, shares a safe idea. Rather than deprive the boarders or multiple dogs a great meal-- or get caught in the middle of a dog-fight, tether the dogs far enough apart so they can't reach the other dogs while they eat. Good thinking.
I train my dogs from the get-go to go to "diner". The first dog who sits gets their dish first. I believe it is a myth-- that puppies need to eat first, older dogs last. Whoo has proven this theory anyway?
Anytime we try to go too much in one direction or the other with ourselves [clients], we self-defeat and self-sabotage. Giving ourself permission to enjoy, and let our dogs be dogs, once in awhile is okay. Supervising their feeding, while they share our homes is okay too, in whatever way works for YOU. If blood is being spilled, that's a different story. Common sense should tell you then-- seek HELP.
Get growing, glowing, flowing and knowing that you can enjoy, be healthy, make mistakes and BIN (balance in transition).
Listen, learn, and educate yourself. Degrees are helpful papers, but education and experience, which by the way is learned from taking chances, stepping out of the box and making mistakes, is EMPOWERING. It opens doors.
Whether holistic or allopathic, varietal, commercial or raw diet, clicker or L.E.T. (lazy easy training-shaping the positives), each dog / individual is unique at various stages in their life. Abrupt changes in living situations and diet can send most of us to the edge (stress). Gradual change, unless it is a life-threatening incident, is a better, safer choice. Enjoy the Journey and Stay Tune for J.J. Bucket--
a new writer in our midst-- Maureen
Meet Olive and her delightful family. Olive is a Shiba Inu.
