This video is marvelous!  My friend Wendy of Inbeaute Photography is kept by two cats.  She forwarded this video to me and I am delighted to share it with you.  A caveat: Cats do love tuna, but it does not meet their nutritional needs.  If you want to give your cat tuna, check with your vet first.  Sit back with your favorite cat, a cuppa joe and enjoy.  This video is just under 7 minutes.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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When I Talk2theAnimals, sometimes the animal tells me she needs a little more help to balance herself so that the original problem her human brought to me can begin to be resolved.  Sometimes this may include the help of a trainer or a vet.

Many times the animal will tell me an alternative modality will be helpful, such as massage, chiropractic, Reiki or Bach Flower Remedies.  In massage, the muscles are kneaded to reduce, or release pain or tension.  Chiropractic involves manipulation of the spine, joints and soft tissues, putting the animal back into alignment.  Reiki and Bach Flowers work the energies of the animal.

To learn more about Reiki and Bach Flowers, I am going to point you in the direction of a couple of my blogging/Twitter buddies.  Coryelle Kramer is a Bach Flower Therapist and also an animal communicator.  On Coryelle’s blog you will find a lot of information on Bach Flowers, as well as common uses of the flower essences.

Reikifurbabies specializes in Reiki for animals.  On their blog you will find out what Reiki is, how it affects the animals, and you will be able to read some case studies and testimonials.

Happy reading and I hope you enjoy their blogs.  You very well may find a new modality for your beloved pet!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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One Nation Under Dog by Michael Schaffer is a great study of 21st Century pet owners, including everything from pet spas, trainers, and even anti-depressants.  The focus is primarily on Schaffer’s family and his dog Murphy, but he also focuses on dogs in general and the way their humans pamper them.

One Nation Under Dog is often very funny and a great read, especially if you have your own somewhat ridiculous dog experiences yourself.  Click here or the icon above to get more information or to buy the book.

This is Emmie, the main character in the Chicken Carcass Caper.  The other morning I was cooking breakfast, left the room for less than five minutes, and heard the sounds of dropping and crunching. By the time I returned, the kitchen had turned into a crime scene.  The garbage container had been knocked over & the chicken carcass I had thrown in the previous evening was missing.  Emmie was eating the last of it.

Dogs and chicken bones don’t mix.  Cooked chicken bones are especially dangerous as they are dry and can splinter into small, sharp pieces and puncture the dog’s digestive system.  At 8:00 AM sharp I was on the phone with the vet.  She recommended that I feed Emmie white bread, it’s bland and would “pad” her system.  I was also told to monitor her for the next couple of days: if she had blood in her stools, diarrhea, vomiting or became listless I was to bring her in immediately.  Luckily, everything is OK.

At the Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota luncheon, I was fortunate to sit at the same table as Lynne Willeke, a trainer at Bark Busters.  I told Lynn about Emmie’s chicken carcass caper, then asked if she had any tips to stop that from happening in the future.  Our conversation evolved and Lynn agreed to appear on Talk2theAnimals Blog as a guest blogger.  Below are her tips and ideas on dogs and trash containers. Thanks Lynne, for sharing your wisdom at Talk2theAnimals!

Training Tips by Lynne Willeke

Does your pooch love to dig for buried treasure in your trash containers?  Then you are not alone in this problem!  Try one or more of these helpful hints to solve the issue.

One of the easiest solutions is management and prevention.  Invest in a container that Fido can’t open.  Put the bathroom waste bin in an cupboard.

Maybe Sammie is bored.  Try using mind stimulation toys like the Buster Cube, a Kong or the Canine Genius.   Or play hide and seek with people, toys or treats.  Does he get enough exercise?

Maybe Bella hasn’t ever been asked to follow any household rules.  Teach her some basic guidelines like sit and wait for dinner, good greeting behaviors, wait before going out the door.  This can help her respect what is desirable behavior in the household, plus engage her mind.

The problem is that every time your dog succeeds in getting that tissue or the chicken bones from dinner, he gets rewarded with his success.  Not only does he get rewarded, sometimes he may ingest something downright dangerous to him. Every time he gets rewarded, he is encouraged to go searching again.

How to deal with Bouncer’s trash digging straight on:

• Try to catch him in the act, verbally correct the behavior and redirect him to a better choice.  But some dogs are so sneaky!
• Spray bitter apple on a paper towel and place inside, on top of the trash. If he starts to dig, he will get an unpleasant taste.  Hint, this will have more effect if he has had a chance to lick bitter apple off your hand previously. He’ll remember he didn’t like it!
• If you have a covered trash container that has a lid Bouncer can open, try placing a ring of keys or some chain-something that will fall off and make noise when he goes digging.  Many dogs will find this surprising and unpleasant enough to stay away.  You will need to repeat this more than once.

Don’t forget to encourage and praise your pooch when he is making good choices!

Lynne can be found on FaceBook and at BarkBusters. Click here to see her bio page at BarkBusters.  Contact Lynne about your dog training questions!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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I have just returned from the barn and taking care of Shiloh: deworming, feeding, grooming, and spoiling–not in that particular order.  This was the first day that he was out grazing, and it made me think of the horse care that needs to be provided with the onset of spring.  Click here to read more about the Spring Checklist for Horses.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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There are many items we keep in and around our houses that are lethal to our pets.  The ASPCA has written a very informative article about the top 10 pet poisons of 2008.  I have listed them here, but I invite you to visit their site to read the article in its entirety.

• Human Medications
• Insecticides
• Some People Food
• Rodenticides
• Veterinary Medications
• Plants
• Chemical Hazards
• Household Cleaners
• Heavy Metals
• Fertilizer

We can’t leave it up to our beloved pets to know what is safe and what is unsafe.  If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, contact your vet or, if after hours, your emergency vet immediately.  You can also contact Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at 888-426-4435.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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Spring is coming; even in Minnesota there are signs of spring: warmer temperatures, and a little bit of green in my garden – weeds.  Soon we will have spring showers, and then the mosquitoes will be out.

Mosquitoes can carry heartworm, a potentially lethal infection for dogs.  Here in MN it’s time to have the heartworm exam done, and beginning May 1, my dogs Teddy and Emmie will begin their monthly heartworm regime.  Why is this important for dogs?

Heartworm is a parasitic infection caused by bites of the culicine mosquitoes.  When a dog receives the bite, the heartworm larva remain around the bite wound for two months as they grow into adult worms. Then they enter the bloodstream and migrate to the dog’s heart and lungs, where they begin their own regenerative cycle.  They can be 6-14 inches in length and can live in the dog 5-7 years.

Dogs need to be tested yearly for heartworm because there are not any visible signs of the infection in early stages.  In severe cases of heartworm, your dog may exhibit the following:

• Cough
• An intolerance to exercise
• Difficulty with breathing
• Loss of appetite and weight loss

Once a dog shows symptoms, hospitalization is almost always required because of how involved the treatment is.
Even Dr. Pitcairn, in his book Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health For Dogs and Cats says he is reluctant to tell people to stop the use of heartworm preventives as he cannot guarantee the dogs won’t get heartworm.  If you would like to read more on Dr. Pitcairn’s views, click here need link to order the book.

If for any reason you think your dog has heartworms, contact your vet immediately.
Harmony,

Janet Roper

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Yesterday, Talk2theAnimals interviewed Nadine M. Rosin, author of the book The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood.  In the interview, Nadine talked of her dog Buttons, who not only survived cancer, but lived to be 19 years old!

Nadine could only touch briefly on her and Buttons’ journey together during the interview.  You can read the entire story in the book The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood, available here at Talk2theAnimals.  Click here or on the book icon to purchase the book.

Once you’ve read the book, come back and leave your comment.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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Today Talk2theAnimals is interviewing Nadine M. Rosin, the author of The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood. She has been a student and researcher of alternative healing for over 30 years and a holistic bodywork practitioner since 1996. She is also a nondenominational wedding officiant, and a gallery-signed artist; her commissioned works include four paintings for the University of Arizona. Above all, she considers her most rewarding experience to be that of pet parent.

Nadine is available for speaking engagements, book signings, and fund-raisers and can be reached at petparenthood@cox.net.

Welcome to Talk 2 The Animals!

Thank you so much for having me, Janet! It is my pleasure to be here.

For those who haven’t read the book yet, can you give us some background on the story?

Sure. It might be fun to answer that question from the perspective of my dog, Buttons:

“I was a happy, kooky cockapoo/terrier. When I was 8, I was diagnosed with cancer. The vet gave me 6 weeks to live unless I had amputation, chemotherapy and radiation. Instead of conforming with the prescribed treatment, my mom, Nadine, launched a holistic regimen that included: #1) clearing my inner and outer environment of all toxins #2) cleansing my body of all residual toxins, and #3) giving my body the nutritional support it needed to HEAL ITSELF. Within a few months, I was CANCER-FREE. I thrived for an additional 11 years until I passed peacefully of old age, the week before my 19th birthday. The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood is the story of how Mom and I saved each other’s life.”

It’s not often one hears of a dog surviving cancer, let alone living to be 19! How did you know what to do holistically?

Well, first of all, I already had decades worth of knowledge and study under my belt. My father had been well-versed in holistic methods my entire life. He taught me that holistic meant addressing the CAUSE, not merely treating the symptoms. One of the reasons I wrote the book, was to encourage pet parents to begin doing their own research into things like environmental toxins, pet products, food quality, etc. BEFORE their animals get a cancer diagnosis. In the midst of a crisis is not the best time to begin educating yourself in a whole new perspective of health and well-being. I talk more about the things one can research on my blog ( http://PetParenthood.blogspot.com)

So is your book a reference guide on how to heal canine cancer?

No, although it has inspired many readers to begin researching all the good available material out there so their pets never GET cancer. The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood reads like a novel, and is the story of Buttons’ and my 19 years together. Within that story is, of course, our journey of discovering her cancer, the vet’s advice, how I made the decision to go against that advice, and the protocol I used instead. In that sense, I think it is a great introduction into holistic healing for those who may not know where to start. But, the book is also about the development of our unbreakable bond and telepathic communication, which every devoted pet parent will relate to. In addition, I describe the ways Buttons opened my heart and partnered with me through my own trials and learning experiences, my care for her as a senior canine, and how I was able to cope, deal, and heal after her passing.

After 19 years together, her passing must have been quite difficult for you.

Absolutely. There are many things we can do to prepare logistically, and I talk about those things in the book, but one can never fully prepare for the grief when it hits. In this country we are very private about strong emotions like grief, which I feel is to our detriment. In and of itself, grief is such an isolating experience- I believe we could get through it so much easier if we were all a little more comfortable with and accepting of each other’s grief, ESPECIALLY over a beloved animal. For many of us, it’s not something we can just get over in a couple of months or by getting another pet.

The last third of my book is about everything I went through after Buttons passed: dealing with the reactions of other people, the things I did to heal, what worked and what didn’t. I wrote about it all- the good, the bad, and the ugly, in hopes that others going through similar loss would find comfort, camaraderie, and validation.

What kinds of reactions are you getting from readers about the book?

As I mentioned, many are being inspired to take a closer look at the things they’re exposing their animals to: food ingredients, household cleaners, flea products, chemicals in chews and treats. A few have written me to say they completely changed the products they were using around their pets and conditions like IBS, allergies, and tumors cleared up and disappeared.

Many have written to say how validated they finally feel about the deep love they hold for a particular pet. One woman wrote that she had all her grown sons read the book because they’d always made fun of her relationship with her dog and her continued grief after he passed. But they apologized to her after reading my book, and said they now understood. I love those kinds of emails, because one of my intentions behind the book is to help remove the words, “It’s JUST a dog/cat/etc.” from the lips of non-pet parents.

Where can folks purchase your book, Nadine?

The book is available from any online book retailer ( http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Art-Pet-Parenthood/dp/1604940409 )
or can be ordered through any brick and mortar bookstore in the world.
More information is on my web site http://www.TheHealingArtOfPetParenthood.com

Thank you, Janet, for this opportunity to help spread the word about this book!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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Recently at a coffee shop I discovered a small, local magazine about pets.  As I sipped my coffee, I read through the magazine.  It had interesting articles and tips such as bathing your dog and adding a new dog to the family.  The last page had a quiz, asking how well your pet has trained you.

I took the short quiz, only 10 questions.  As I was marking down my answers, I was congratulating myself on how well I listened to my pets.

One question asked when my dog goes to the door, do I immediately let him out?  That was a definite yes.  That’s the way Emmie tells me she needs to go potty, and Teddy is of the age that when he needs to go, he needs to go.

Do my dogs tell me when they want to be fed?  You betcha!

Do I take the toy when Emmie brings it over to play?  I do if I can; she’s telling me she wants to play.  If I don’t have the time, she has to wait.

The only answers were yes, no and sometimes.  10 points for every yes, 1 point for every no and 5 points for every sometimes.  I totaled my score, which was quite high,  thinking I had nailed the quiz, and did a great job with my dogs.

Unfortunately, the test didn’t agree with me.  The lower the score, the better.  A perfect score was 10, or 1 point ~ or no ~ for every question.  Oops.

Driving home, I reflected on the quiz.  The quiz had been developed by someone who thinks differently than I do about our relationship with animals.  In my opinion, the quiz reflected a “power over” relationship: humans are the boss, the animal is expected to do our biding.  I believe in a “power with”  relationship: working in concert with the animal to develop a relationship that works for all.  Yes, dogs always know where their teeth are and how to use them; cats scratch and bite, horses kick and bite.  Even with that, I believe, that except for extenuating circumstances, we can co-exist with the animals.

The quiz author and I are at different ends of the animal/human relationship spectrum.  Does this make one of us right and the other wrong?  Is there a way the two different philosophies can co-exist?

I’d like to hear your thoughts about this.  Leave your comments and ideas, let’s get a good discussion going!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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