tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52622672024-03-05T08:26:38.605-08:00La Vida Fresca (The Art of Dog)I advocate for and assist others in the natural care and feeding of dogs. Here you can follow how I feed and care for my dogs as well as learn about other aspects of holistic care such as herbs, traditional chinese medicine (esp acupressure), flower essences, and reiki.
For more on holistic care visit theartofdog.comMargarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-32432296137426329612018-06-15T12:27:00.000-07:002018-06-15T12:27:52.877-07:00Pain: Help Your Dog Naturally - Video Post<div style="padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/275310559" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; width: 100%;" webkitallowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/275310559">Pain: Help Your Dog Naturally - The Art of Dog</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user10954822">Margarat Nee</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recognizing the signs of pain is the first step to helping your dog naturally with bodywork, herbs, and other things you can do yourself. Don't fear the situation, learn about it!</span>Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-53704507759021632292018-05-25T16:02:00.000-07:002018-05-25T16:17:47.349-07:00Just Adopted: Two Weeks In And Processing Fear<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxiYAuF7zaQ9jO4uFvITl1uVw7v1cr3CGqBCBRw6UEb6UjSxqhoBDz3z1aMIEH3i-_T9pOC88Nzc1WAZ_KfYb3TeIbL5NQ3rjiiwDRDNbVs262DC9oh6_NolbrPujO-HJuvhFIQ/s1600/33098922_10155824374933495_4805640874589421568_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxiYAuF7zaQ9jO4uFvITl1uVw7v1cr3CGqBCBRw6UEb6UjSxqhoBDz3z1aMIEH3i-_T9pOC88Nzc1WAZ_KfYb3TeIbL5NQ3rjiiwDRDNbVs262DC9oh6_NolbrPujO-HJuvhFIQ/s320/33098922_10155824374933495_4805640874589421568_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Leash-free!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kestrel is continuing to demonstrate anxiety on walks, primarily to other dogs. She isn't reactive but they give her pause, she analyzes the risk level when she sees them, and dogs barking from their homes can nearly ruin the rest of the walk for her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's important to recognize that fears grow if not dealt with, so I'm addressing it in two ways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>First, it's by my own behavior on the walk and doing my best to keep her under her stress threshold.</i> I feed a lot on walks at this point any way because she's learning my leash preferences for her as well as the basics of responding to her name, sitting at corners - all the basics you need to practice for pleasant walks in many different situations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>I always strive to be calm and grounded. This is essential. </i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>I'm learning to be mindful of my emotions and expectations.</i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've found that using the clicker is not the best idea when she's even a little anxious because it's too focused. I need to to be less focused, less alert, less attenuated. In trying to re-focus her I found that I was not relaxing her, so I had to recognize that casual is calming. Still a high rate of reward, but for much calmer and more casual behavior. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There's nothing to prove at this point by walking past the barking houses, so I cross the street when I can.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I do want her to meet calm and friendly dogs, though, so she can have more positive experiences and thus not assume the worst. I need to tip the scale in the other direction. (and it's so odd because indoors at stores and such she walks right up to dogs, so it's very much based on walking scenarios). I try to assess too and if it seems possible I ask if they can meet. Often that's not the case so I aim for calm and relaxed watching with food. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>I've adjusted her energetic essence formula to focus more on this fear issue. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've kept the Black Tourmaline and Portage Glacier essences for detoxifying because they're working (scratching and some slight eye gunk, her diet now totally raw).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've switched out everything else and am using Peridot, Hematite, False Hellebore, and Soapberry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm sure that the persistency of the fears is also related to where she's at physically; clearing out the past on many levels is a process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today we had a nice little Reiki session that I'm sure we both needed.</span>Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-1158476030001921292018-05-17T15:01:00.000-07:002018-05-17T15:01:09.789-07:00Recognizing Stress - video post<div style="padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;">
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<script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-1876655688770158232018-05-13T12:51:00.000-07:002018-05-13T12:51:35.533-07:00Just adopted! Where do you start?<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Meet Kestrel.</b> I just adopted her yesterday. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27ViW-KM-39AA_0SiTsgqBRVM3IekVbZiVgzcYslPJda0ZWJx6vxZRpVgXCFVzfK90Jmys4v7T7k723g6IWGKQC7yT-gthGReXgowFaVO4306hwHI8VQOjWlxVSjZ6xN-Wm4N2g/s1600/kestrel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27ViW-KM-39AA_0SiTsgqBRVM3IekVbZiVgzcYslPJda0ZWJx6vxZRpVgXCFVzfK90Jmys4v7T7k723g6IWGKQC7yT-gthGReXgowFaVO4306hwHI8VQOjWlxVSjZ6xN-Wm4N2g/s320/kestrel2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She's about 11 months old. She seems to be in good health and spirits, but she was recently vaccinated (2 DHLPP and Rabies) and spayed, and has been fed processed foods as far as I know. Her temperament seems so far to be very good: sociable and relaxed, but she does on occasion exhibit some mild fear issues.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So where do I start?</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first couple meals are super-premium dry food with digestive enzymes because I have no idea what condition her digestion is in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then I'll start feeding her some prepared raw food and goats milk, and unless there's some problem she'll be eating raw for all of her meals within a week.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Healing and Balancing the Body On All Levels</b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">I've learned that it's important to start right away clearing not just toxins from the body, but also the energetic and functional results of those toxins and surgeries. That's what can hide deep in the body and come back later contributing to greater health concerns. These can also contribute to imbalances like fear behaviors. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>First up on the agenda - her first Reiki, acupressure, and crystal healing session</i><b>.</b> She took to it like a duck to water and quickly relaxed into a deep rest. I even introduced some very soft sound by very lightly tapping one of my Himalayan bowls, and she was fine with that while she was "in the zone." Once she was up and had shaken off the treatment she was more suspicious of this sound-making object, but I'm confident that will dissipate.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Her first energetic essence formula is starting with the most obvious needs.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Oregon Grape and Mimulus</i> to help her with the slight fears she's shown. She's highly sociable in groups of dogs but when walked alone she was apprehensive of other dogs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Rhodolite Garnet and Comfrey</i> for helping to repair her physical and energetic body after the spay surgery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Black Tourmaline and Portage Glacier</i> to help with detoxification; leaving behind toxic energy and ideas, and replacing it with clean fresh energy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbpHMpkkyKgRpndC_1Y1ickptdF2baTDSWMuJ8d5JA21PpJ07BcrUs2EBKraeFeSANMCmBwLebr9yfhYnxa3U1myJnn30ZnQ7r94Hz-dIxvHhVPK0gI81Gvmpw3TMryU2luhEQw/s1600/32470999_10155810200038495_2668246585804062720_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1466" data-original-width="1466" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbpHMpkkyKgRpndC_1Y1ickptdF2baTDSWMuJ8d5JA21PpJ07BcrUs2EBKraeFeSANMCmBwLebr9yfhYnxa3U1myJnn30ZnQ7r94Hz-dIxvHhVPK0gI81Gvmpw3TMryU2luhEQw/s200/32470999_10155810200038495_2668246585804062720_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There will be more to come as we begin to learn from each other - a new adventure with a new dog.</span></div>
Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-88586964627972452442018-05-10T14:21:00.000-07:002018-05-10T14:21:32.333-07:00Your Energy & Your Dog - video post<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/269051288" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-59233496808870701492018-04-27T16:16:00.002-07:002018-04-27T16:16:46.200-07:00What To Expect from a Dog Healing Session<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIpo4f4NrTjBtTdLGOjSdWdsw8ZHKxLZbOApODDdvt0QersiAfR1jA692RzUCXOhwDVaAx00fBx7hFbMMaBq9jsoOMvq5A4ZNtKP1QWuqAnpz4pP4uSN4-6KTc3XHZ03tLKn13Q/s1600/IMG-2245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIpo4f4NrTjBtTdLGOjSdWdsw8ZHKxLZbOApODDdvt0QersiAfR1jA692RzUCXOhwDVaAx00fBx7hFbMMaBq9jsoOMvq5A4ZNtKP1QWuqAnpz4pP4uSN4-6KTc3XHZ03tLKn13Q/s320/IMG-2245.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art by an old family friend in a corner of <br />my vibrational sound therapy room.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>By this time I thought I might be writing about a new dog in my life, but since that hasn't happened yet I thought I'd take an opportunity to write about the professional services I offer through <a href="http://theartofdog.com/" target="_blank">The Art of Dog</a>. This is an introductory summary to help new clients understand what to expect when I first meet their dog. When modalities are unfamiliar it's helpful to at least understand how this new relationship with a practitioner will look. I send this to new clients in advance of our first session. If this sounds like something you'd like to experience <a href="http://theartofdog.com/" target="_blank">please get in touch with me</a>.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b></b></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b></b></span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">It’s best for sessions to take place in a quiet
setting</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">, without the distractions of television, cooking, phone calls, or
other hectic activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This helps me,
you, and your dog focus on healing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-bottom: .1in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Lots of questions.</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Some of my questions may be unexpected; as a
holistic practitioner I look at everything that may impact your dog's
wellbeing. You may think that something is unrelated to the issue you are
focused on but everything about your dog's life has an influence on your dog's
health and happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Keep an open mind</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">. I employ a variety of modalities, and I may
suggest one that you’re not expecting or are not familiar with. My holistic observations
of your dog will lead me to suggest one or more of these approaches: natural
nutrition, herbs, energetic essences, essential oils, acupressure, crystals, reiki,
& sound. I welcome your questions about each of these and have seen many owners
gain an appreciation for something they experience for the first time during
our sessions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">It's important for your dog to feel safe to benefit from healing
practices</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">. Please tell me ahead of time if you expect your dog to be
uncomfortable or has known issues with body handling. Let's both work on not
hurrying through early sessions, especially the first one where this stranger
(me) comes in and starts acting a little bit like a vet (according to your
dog). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I often use some of my hands-off modalities
such as allowing dogs to choose essential oils that can help them feel safer.
Some initial sessions have no hands-on work, I focus instead on being a non-threatening
presence for your dog while I observe them and get information from you. We can
then discuss what else will help your dog feel safer the next time we meet
(such as a custom energetic essence, herbs, gentle energy work you can do
yourself, and referrals to force-free trainers). </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times\, \0027Times New Roman\0027"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I always show the dogs any
tools I might use and allow them to show me how much time they need or when
they need a short break. It’s important to recognize the value in a less
intrusive first session for dogs who initially expect something bad to happen,
and to allow the to lead the process.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Relationship Advice?</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> As your dog's advocate I want to help you have the
healthiest and most healing relationship possible with them. Please don't be
put off if I make suggestions about interacting differently with your dog
during our sessions; my advocacy for your dog's wellbeing is at the core of
what I do, and education is part of that. We've learned so much about dog
behavior in recent years, such as the behaviors that signal stress, that we can
now minimize those problems and offer more compassionate and dog-oriented care
and guardianship. I love dogs for the amazing beings they are; I hope to help
you learn more about dogs so that your mutual regard for each other will grow
and benefit both of you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times\, \0027Times New Roman\0027"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Allow some time for your dog
to integrate energetic bodywork</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times\, \0027Times New Roman\0027"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">. Dogs will often stretch when
we are finished and may want to relax or even nap afterward to integrate the
changes. Sessions will be more effective if <i>not</i> directly followed by a
meal or vigorous activities. Even just an hour of quiet time afterward will
help, and most dogs will want to nap. The energy of the body cycles in 24 hours
so plan to allow for some changes during that time; this can include unexpected
events like mild digestive changes in dogs for whom "unsticking"
things was the focus of the session.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Healing is not linear</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">. While sometimes my initial visits can bring about
dramatic changes, these can be short lived when we are looking at chronic
imbalances in the body and in behavior. Anybody that has been "out of
whack" for a while can take some time getting back in to balance, and this
does not always happen in a straight line. I'll always be honest about what I
think will benefit your dog the most: the importance of follow-up sessions,
referring you to others, etc. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Time to
restore is essential</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times\, \0027Times New Roman\0027"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The frequency of sessions is
highly variable.</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times\, \0027Times New Roman\0027"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Some dogs are rarely in need due to good health and happiness,
while others who are experiencing stresses to their health or emotional state
may need them weekly during acute situations, or every four to six weeks for chronic
imbalances to resolve.</span></div>
<br />Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-46884832491598301482017-12-21T19:06:00.001-08:002017-12-21T19:06:50.509-08:00Death and the Birth of Understanding<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Today is the Winter Solstice. It’s been a dark season and I’m looking forward to the days getting longer. Looking forward to what the sunlight will bring. My dog taught me that.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>It’s been nine weeks since my mother died</b>. She died at home, acting of her own free will to stop eating and take to her bed a mere five days before. I’ve been her caretaker for quite some time and the past year had become an almost non-stop stream of meals and errands and medical visits. Through it all Vida was by my side and by my mom’s side, her concern for us demonstrated by both worried pacing and happy distraction. I am proud to have been able to assist my mother toward her end as she wanted it. The only wish of hers that we could not quite fulfill was that she just be able to go to bed and simply go to sleep. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>It’s been nine days since my dog died</b>. Vida made it through my mother’s death </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and certainly wished she could have helped me further along before succumbing herself, but the cancer returned and there was nothing we could do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tumor grew in her mouth exactly where it was never supposed to come back. Hard to spot at first it initially was a just bother, something to get past with hand fed hunks of raw food and easy-to-pick up dry bits she could toss back and crunch on her own. She continued to enjoy her walks which, though often starting out quite slow, usually ended with a bang, her striding and trotting down the street and galloping up our long dirt drive when I unhooked her leash so she could safely move on her own despite her weakening eyesight. We went to the beach for hourlong stretches, and did her weekly swims at the rehab pool. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the help of a vet we tried treatments that had worked in the past, but the tumor continued to grow. Mealtimes became stressful, her breath quickening as we approached the bowl for meals and pills, variety and mixtures changing daily in an attempt to ease the process which took longer and longer as we’d take breaks to take breaths and relax. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clean water became an essential start to the day. Spotless and fresh with drops of essences and homeopathics, she’d clean her mouth of food and the taste of her own failing body, lapping and licking, lapping and licking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cheese snack were the treat of choice, the perfect texture and size to stave off hunger while the pain relieving herbs took hold in her system. Some meals went quickly and she’d then have the energy to walk and explore for hours. But more and more meals were never finished, and more and more had to be cleaned from her chin. She slept more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tumor continued to grow, and did so more and more quickly, all of this happening in just a few weeks. I’d watch and ponder and put things out of my mind as I asked her to try a little longer and give us a chance to help her get past what I saw as a simple mechanical issue that, according to past experience, should be fixable. This dog who had endured and triumphed for over 17 years could last a little longer if we could just solve this one problem. But then time was up and she told me so. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One morning she finally made it clear that today was the day to stop. She sniffed her favorite fail-safe cheese treat and kept her mouth close. “No.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I offered it again and again, and every time, without turning away, she kept her mouth tightly closed. “No.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I finally understood. She told me the same message my mother had in the manner she could. No more food. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The trouble was I wasn’t ready. I cried. I cried uncontrollably as I tried to pull myself to the edge of this timeline with her. And because I cried she paced in distress. But I couldn’t stop myself until she threw up. Seeing that small puddle of frothy bile told me that I had to now be ready. Now. I wiped it up, apologizing to her and telling her I understood. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I called the vet to arrange for her euthanasia she went to bed and fell into a deep sleep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While she slept I bathed and washed my hair and put on clean clothes. I posted on Facebook to my friends that today was the day when I was to finally say goodbye, and that noon was the time that they should send their love our way. Then I gathered blankets and crystals and arranged them under our largest and oldest tree, and cut a branch of white sage so she’d have its scent to help her on her journey. It was so important for me to take the time to prepare for her death. To prepare a place for this ritual and to put my intention for her safe and quiet death into the choice and placement of each item I brought out into the sun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I woke her up shortly before the vet was due to arrive and walked her outside to the blanket with the crystals arranged for her. Her favorite Tibetan quartz was in my hand as I sat with her and talked quietly. After a few minutes she grew restless and tossed her head, rubbing it against my hand, and insisted on getting up to walk around her yard. She squatted to pee, and I admit I kept her from heading down the hill as she wanted, guiding her instead into the house so we could greet the vet who was due any minute. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The vet arrived and Vida gave her no notice. Together we walked back out to the blanket. No leash, just my hand gently guiding her. She walked onto the blanket and stopped, seemingly looking out over her yard one last time though I know that her poor eyesight meant that the “looking” was more energetic than physical. She slowly sat and remained still, never turning her head to me, just facing forward as I stroked her fur and told her how beautiful she was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took her collar off, the one with the Om design she chose herself, and as I put it on the grass I said to her “You don’t need this anymore. Now you <i>are </i>Om.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She barely acknowledged it as the vet injected the first sedative in the skin over her shoulder. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She knew exactly what was happening and faced it. Her last act of free will. It was the most astonishing moment to witness, and one of the bravest things I’ve ever seen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She did not need to be held until the sedative began to take effect and my hands could help ease her gently down on her side, her head resting beneath the central array of crystals and sage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I continued to stroke her fur. The vet inserted a needle into her leg but she didn’t seem to notice, only stretching her neck out as I stroked the white of her throat. She breathed quietly, almost imperceptibly, until the last of the final drug was in her veins. Her heart finally stopped, without struggle or tension or pain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sat with her for several minutes. I was amazed at how calm I felt. It felt like it was exactly how it was meant to be. Her body was finished. I gazed on it, amazed at how seamless the shift was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I’ve been present at the death of other dogs of mine I’ve never been simply an attendant to a choice like this. Dogs have been near death and suffering, or died on their own. This dog walked up to her own death willingly. It’s not something I can imagine for myself, so to be asked to witness and assist is a profound lesson I’ll never forget. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Attending to Vida and my mother at their deaths has been a deep, deep lesson I’ll be forever thankful for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As soon as Vida was gone I was left with a home that was truly empty for the first time. It was unnerving. I was truly bereft. I was alone to really process the experience and examine my feelings, and felt that she was still teaching me so I’d better listen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The very next day I got a call that Vida’s cremated remains were ready to be picked up. I was surprised at the swiftness with which her body became ash, and while I had no trouble with the process of getting them home I waited several days before doing anything further with them. I needed to go at my own pace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Rose Quartz</b> became the most important stone in my house. A few days after Vida’s death I bought a half-dozen palm-sized pieces at a gem show where I’d gone looking for “heart stones.” Two days later I asked a friend to get me a dozen more because I felt so strongly that I needed to be surrounded by these stones. I needed to be able to sit on the ground within a circle of rose quartz and just sit with the feeling of open-hearted love. This is a stone I’d always ignored, but could no longer dismiss. I had to use what my dog had taught me to see it with a new perspective.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To have an open heart is everything. To be a warrior with an open heart is what must be if you truly want to live fully. To do what makes you happy means you must be brave enough to love, and that love isn’t just an outward expression, it’s a way of being.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Open-hearted love is a feeling I’m not familiar nor comfortable with. Dogs have certainly been the ones with whom I’ve felt safest expressing this kind of love, in part because their love is given without clichés or rules. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even when we’re terrible to them they still love us. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All they ask is that we listen</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They teach us that we can be resilient without creating a brittle barrier to new experiences. That we can adapt. That we can have faith that there are others out there to share this feeling with. That love isn’t about romance or possession. That loves doesn’t make us weak. That spending time with the feelings within ourselves is the path to healing ourselves. Dogs recognize the good in us, so we must recognize it within ourselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The healing energy of the planet is always with us. Dogs are the messengers. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t make them into your “babies” and surrogates. See them for who they are. See what they are reflecting back to you. They are our teachers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>They forgive us so we can forgive ourselves and start over. Every day is a new day. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I miss Vida’s presence but she will always be with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m excited to see who the next dog will be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-34381607573665140242017-03-18T14:32:00.000-07:002017-03-19T14:11:13.815-07:00Make your own "Hunk of Beef"<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There's no reason to buy canned pet food to top off your dog's meal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You'll save money using higher quality meat (human-grade, 'cause you bought it in the people store rather than trusting a pet food company to be honest), and you'll know exactly what's in it (no mysterious objects or additives). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's getting to the point that it's crazy not to do this. There really is no excuse (crock pots are cheap, or see if a neighbor has one gathering dust in the cupboard).</span></div>
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You can even create nutritionally complete diets at home with a little extra effort and supplementation (thus the tip about calcium, the main thing most people leave out when making their dog's complete at home). </div>
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Do this process once or twice a month, and put the finished food in the freezer in mason jars for easy dispensing as needed. </div>
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Get started with this simple "hunk of beef" that you can spoon over their current food. </div>
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PS: don't be shocked to see this cooking post on my blog - being flexible with people and dogs is important. My 17 year old still eats raw, but her aging taste-buds appreciate this cooked addition mixed in.<br />
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<br />Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-779621474886292002017-02-25T13:52:00.000-08:002017-02-25T13:52:45.227-08:00Dog Care Is Self Care<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whew! It's been awhile. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We're all busy aren't we? At least we feel busy. Distractions can seem to come from all sides, pulling us away from thoughtful actions and peaceful feelings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These are the times that when asked to do something thoughtful for our dogs we may think to ourselves "oh yeah, I should do that tomorrow," or our good intentions and compelling ideas fade away as we rush to grocery shop and make dinner at the end of a work day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I get to feeling like that I try to think about how the situation may be effecting my well-being too. One of the blessings of having dogs as companions is that they remind us to get grounded and pay attention to what matters, and to let go of the other stuff for a little while. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The wonderful thing is to rediscover how good it feels to do this. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our dogs can remind us of the importance of self-care!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It really doesn't take much time to mix up some herbs for my dog - and hey, good reminder to mix some for myself too! Spring is on it's way and we both could use some plant medicine to ensure that our liver is functioning well so that allergens and chemicals don't have such an impact on our bodies. [<a href="mailto:info@theartofdog.com" target="_blank">Contact me if you'd like to know more!</a>]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I even paused for 10 minutes to prepare an overnight infusion of herbs to provide me with the nourishment my body needs to feel better. Did I do it the next day too? Well.... no. But that doesn't negate the benefits of what I DID do - don't judge yourself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've been concerned about commercial pet foods so I've been uncomfortable adding canned meat to liven things up for her at breakfast time. My next blog post will show you how easy it is to cook up your own meat topper once a month so you can really know exactly what your pet's eating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On our walk today I listened to music. Music is a great way to escape the worry and business that is stressing us out! E</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ven though I was using my phone for this I wasn't interacting with the phone,</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm firmly against spending your dog walk talking on the phone or texting (emergencies aside). Look around you - take in the trees, plants, sky, landscape. In my neighborhood the music also helped mask the sound of freeway traffic, something that has grown exponentially more intrusive over the years so I find myself getting tense about it rather than taking advantage of the walk to simplify and calm my thoughts. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Vida enjoys city walks so I try to bring her along when I can, even if it's just around the block. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sitting under a tree, or visiting a bookshop, or if you're lucky taking a walk by the ocean - both of you can benefit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When you take your dog out for that last pee late at night look up - look at the stars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Get away from the day-to-day distractions and concerns. Give yourself 20 minutes. If you find that you're telling yourself you're doing "nothing" remind yourself that you deserve 20 minutes without an agenda!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Take care of yourself so your mind and body are better able to withstand stress (sometimes that's as a simple as a good night's sleep, and we all know dogs are experts at that). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let your dog be a dog whenever possible, enjoying their own experience of the natural world. They may help you do the same.</span>Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-89472720398919157382016-08-23T19:23:00.001-07:002016-08-24T07:14:54.883-07:00Accommodating Elders<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This summer I had to do a little fixing at the cabin to help Vida stay safer. Her vision is only so-so now, and her physical abilities aren't quite up to her belief in her own sportdog activity prowess (sorry ol' gal, your jumping isn't quite what it used to be). It hasn't been fail-safe, but it has helped. Here are some things that might help you out too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Tread strips on the steps. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkUre3lihqs2OawLuaebY_jrNtkgsyh4jtpEuRXXyyxJsBdhYXmoIs-LQ33wjY9y0OojbxOGwrZOLBrEdvwJcCXKqYbfku_PTs_7Guqw3tZN5aTD0EXrIjkNk-xDcJflRvHVAAA/s1600/OldDogCabinCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkUre3lihqs2OawLuaebY_jrNtkgsyh4jtpEuRXXyyxJsBdhYXmoIs-LQ33wjY9y0OojbxOGwrZOLBrEdvwJcCXKqYbfku_PTs_7Guqw3tZN5aTD0EXrIjkNk-xDcJflRvHVAAA/s640/OldDogCabinCollage.jpg" width="282" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Vida was having trouble going up a few steps on a deck because her back paws were slipping on the wood, so I added inexpensive peel-n-stick tread strips. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At first I thought I just needed a couple of strips but it turns out that when she goes UP the stairs she puts her back paws at the <i>back </i>of the step so she was bypassing the strips completely. I had noticed that when she goes <i>down </i>steps she puts her first front paw right at the front to find the edge of the step. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Black isn't ideal, but luckily the wood is pale so there is some contrast. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dogs see the colors blue and yellow best, which is why agility equipment is painted those colors, so it would be nice to be able to get tread tape to help with visibility that way.</span><a href="http://www.nx2.com/a/nx2/the-rescue-dog-was-terrified-of-the-stairs-until-she-got-the-paint-brush-out-now-what-a-transformation-8471" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" target="_blank"> This shelter painted their steps to solve this problem</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This hasn't stopped her from trying to just leap the steps or try to take a shortcut (note the large potted plant strategically placed at the corner). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Quick-Fix Fencing</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These stone steps were Vida's favorite - superior traction, with a soft landing below (since she loves to jump the last few to save her arthritic wrists). Last year we had to block them off at the insurance company's insistence, but Vida remembers them and was walking to the edge of the new deck. With her arthritis and compromised sight (depth perception isn't often accurate) things can go wrong in this kind of setting, so I hurriedly bought some quickie garden-fence wires to spread across the front and sides of that area,blocking her from making the wrong decision. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The deck wraps around (to where the other stairs are pictured), and I thought I would have to fence the whole thing, but she's only jumped off twice, luckily where it's not quite so far down (she used to really enjoy taking a shortcut that way).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Supervision, Supervision, Supervision</b><br />Dogs with compromised senses can panic more easily. One minute your dog is happily galloping on open ground, the next they've decided to off-road it and end up charging through the woods not sure what to do next so they do what comes naturally - keep moving forward. The woods can make the direction of sound confusing so even when they hear you they're not quite sure where from. If they can't see well they'll turn back when faced with boulders and brambles and head the opposite direction, even if it's also the opposite direction from you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The most useful verbal cue, it turns out, is a Keep Going Signal. I developed one for agility and it's been invaluable for giving Vida a clue. "yes!" or "yep-yep-yep" (the latter from weave pole training) have helped her gain a moment of confidence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The most important advice - don't panic, and don't yell. Just get your shoes on and get down there. All the better if you have a harness and leash to bring them back because their stress might just make them reject your offer of assistance. I had to resort to carrying her a couple of times and she hated it! Excitement can mask stress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Temperature Control</b><br />Elder dogs have a harder time with heat. Not only is it uncomfortable, it's potentially dangerous; not just heatstroke, but the effect that can have on chronic inflammation illnesses, including cancer. This problem is worse with high humidity, when it's harder for them to cool themselves. Get your dog a <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=442327&b=24842&m=6187&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Eonlynaturalpet%2Ecom%2Fproducts%2FRuff%2DWear%2DSwamp%2DCooler%2F221075%2Easpx" target="_blank">cooling coat</a>, and let them rest on those hot days. If it's humid add a fan so that the coat can evaporate properly. </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/179648491" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>
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<a href="https://vimeo.com/179648491">Keeping Cool</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user10954822">Margarat Nee</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Thoughtful Hiking</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I suspect that some senior dogs that wander the house at night are just awake because they didn't do anything all day. They accommodate us, when really, we should be accommodating them so they can have more activity. Your elder dog can enjoy plenty of activities if you just provide logical care and maintenance. </span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Excellent food (fresh is best!), </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Appropriate supplements (especially natural anti-inflammatories - Vida uses </span><a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=442327&b=24842&m=6187&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Eonlynaturalpet%2Ecom%2Fproducts%2FDGP%2F205000%2Easpx" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">DGP</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">), </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Natural pain relief if needed (</span><a href="http://www.petwellnessblends.com/collections/dogs/products/comfort-zone" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Comfort Zone</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> from Pet Wellness Blends is my current go-to), </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nails trimmed, </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Regular but moderate exercise (swimming is great for elders) </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then when you go out on a hike make the right trail choice (easy to moderate), the right weather (cool!), the right pace (whatever the dog dictates), and the right equipment (leash please!). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Vida climbed <a href="http://www.nhdfl.org/events-tours-and-programs/visit-nh-biodiversity/west-rattlesnake-rocky-woods.aspx" target="_blank">West Rattlesnake Mountain</a> here in central New Hampshire wearing a<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=442327&b=24842&m=6187&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Eonlynaturalpet%2Ecom%2Fproducts%2FRuffwear%2DWeb%2DMaster%2DHarness%2F221222%2Easpx" target="_blank"> Ruffwear Web Master Harness</a>. This harness allowed me to comfortably help her up the steepest steps - I can't say enough good things about it with it's two padded belly straps and well-designed handle. We took it slow, pausing occasionally; it's one mile up and includes flat portions along the way. She's also been swimming once or twice a week this summer to keep her strong </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(right down there in that lake, to the left)</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even though Vida's not a big one for views I think even she felt good about getting to the top. The way down was much faster, I was the one holding her back. I did give some arnica when we got home, but she was ready for a new adventure the next day. Your old friend doesn't always need to stay home, don't let their accommodating ways let you off the hook.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UpRw1IzLzFuei2HNflhKA6Zx50nF2IPUTgtKr1zwWmhTaly4XodY8ULO0wFvITjsNxKtgfmh88z-xspar9JIUawUhdp1WJF4k_6Vlyo1tc7ZO8-mnv3vvKRbf1lIjplcxOlVUw/s1600/VidaRattlesnake2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UpRw1IzLzFuei2HNflhKA6Zx50nF2IPUTgtKr1zwWmhTaly4XodY8ULO0wFvITjsNxKtgfmh88z-xspar9JIUawUhdp1WJF4k_6Vlyo1tc7ZO8-mnv3vvKRbf1lIjplcxOlVUw/s640/VidaRattlesnake2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-10649716252675338702016-06-24T15:14:00.000-07:002016-09-03T15:01:02.420-07:00This Is Not A Machine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX92XIXcX2Rg-19jGeqS-aSDSeEMwXgluQsnFf3k1WNqH1gy_j8xLlWZIBbOYhDvSIYl8bGZ3fyDS7TGzH2gisM4mwj9tcWWfMYvzjy5rECI8_C2JHBgWBKV9MCefBXwUPJ2CJTg/s1600/car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX92XIXcX2Rg-19jGeqS-aSDSeEMwXgluQsnFf3k1WNqH1gy_j8xLlWZIBbOYhDvSIYl8bGZ3fyDS7TGzH2gisM4mwj9tcWWfMYvzjy5rECI8_C2JHBgWBKV9MCefBXwUPJ2CJTg/s320/car.jpg" width="320" /></a>This is a machine.<br />
<br />
When the brakes aren't working well you can take it in and get the brakes fixed. Later, when the belts are worn, you can get new belts put in.<br />
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Each part, though interacting with some of the other parts, is singular, and when repaired will work like new.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JflGwIAdSgNOJNJVGBpUhE9YUBf7Asz5T0Q3ch29adb5nQYbtjmnGyX0kyi_QaHctqNOpW9kpUaHJpAz1ZGSqFwi7Y2mIGeupWypuLm3aRO7SoKOu8A8XYmCY7q8878lkd5dXg/s1600/VidaJune2016A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JflGwIAdSgNOJNJVGBpUhE9YUBf7Asz5T0Q3ch29adb5nQYbtjmnGyX0kyi_QaHctqNOpW9kpUaHJpAz1ZGSqFwi7Y2mIGeupWypuLm3aRO7SoKOu8A8XYmCY7q8878lkd5dXg/s320/VidaJune2016A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is not a machine.<br />
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Every part of this animal is interconnected. Fluid and energy flows through every cell; communicating, sharing, influencing.<br />
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When part of this body isn't working every other part of the body needs to be taken into account.<br />
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Blood tests look at the body like a machine. They can tell you when something is broken, but it can't tell you when the interrelationships of all the parts of the body are in disarray.<br />
<br />
Listening to the heart can tell you if the murmur seems worse, but not why.<br />
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<br />
My opening comment today at the vet was "Fire and Water are in a battle."<br />
<br />
This is why I see a vet who works with Traditional Chinese Medicine, so I can discuss the symptoms and signs of imbalance and get help summarizing them and circling around to a conclusion. Because according to mainstream veterinary science she's "doing well for her age," with stellar bloodwork, and her other complaints are just to be expected.<br />
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In TCM we talk about Yin and Yang not flowing in harmony, about Kidney energy not able to get up to cool and moisten the far end of the body, about tongue shape and pulse, about the look of the midback and sclera color indicating subclinical liver difficulties (remember her perfect bloodwork?), about her evening agitation during the time when Kidney moves to Pericardium, about fleas on her head and arthritis in her hind, about her eating and drinking habits, about her pain symptoms (and what's helping), about her sloppy thinking and sloppy heartbeats, all culminating in the conclusion that the Triple Heater needs herbal assistance to gently open the flow between the three sectors of the body, and that the herbs for her kidney need to be dosed differently to strengthen that organ's energetic abilities to cool the head.<br />
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This is why TCM is so valuable when you know your dog is out of whack but there's nothing to "fix" in the machine sense. To keep adding on supplements for individual symptoms eventually leads to a pile of pills and a lack of satisfaction. <br />
<br />
We're heading out to the woods soon, looking forward to cool nights, fresh air, and clean water. I'll be watching her, all of her. And marveling at this contained and lively ecosystem that is not a machine at all.Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-68543786099913571982015-11-01T21:31:00.000-08:002015-11-01T21:49:36.080-08:00Healing from Surgery - Vida's Dental Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr57KScJXfp8LtOIgJ7PEzWrtoj0h-2wEmJKl7nKYMU6kSdcZZN1wGJsUci2oPMmBzIN_hVSAy5rEcLLpi67Eld5CLo5Nchpapj2kCElCLZto7t8K58xIgvCpjDY-y_7Uwzzm4w/s1600/vida-dental-chart-marked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr57KScJXfp8LtOIgJ7PEzWrtoj0h-2wEmJKl7nKYMU6kSdcZZN1wGJsUci2oPMmBzIN_hVSAy5rEcLLpi67Eld5CLo5Nchpapj2kCElCLZto7t8K58xIgvCpjDY-y_7Uwzzm4w/s1600/vida-dental-chart-marked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr57KScJXfp8LtOIgJ7PEzWrtoj0h-2wEmJKl7nKYMU6kSdcZZN1wGJsUci2oPMmBzIN_hVSAy5rEcLLpi67Eld5CLo5Nchpapj2kCElCLZto7t8K58xIgvCpjDY-y_7Uwzzm4w/s1600/vida-dental-chart-marked.jpg" /></a><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Did you know that dogs have 42 teeth?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That's ok... I don't even know how many teeth I'm supposed to have. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But when I tell people how many teeth Vida had taken out I'm amazed at how many people ask "does she have any left?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here you can see a map of what was removed. You can also see that a few teeth were already missing. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they would just drop out like that? Oh well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Those two big premolars on the top had been collecting tartar - and when they examined them the probe went clear across!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some of the others were bad too, some were loose (like those incisors that had been displaced by the tumor). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was really glad she kept her canines, they help keep the tongue resting in the mouth (didn't know that, didja?).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Preparation - let's both be calm and ready.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>I reduced some supplements to avoid complication</u>s with the anesthesia and surgery. Some common things like fish oil and many herbal anti-inflammatories can make it harder for blood to clot, which is not good when you have freshly empty sockets in the mouth. I also stopped the cannabis 24hrs ahead because of the anesthesia. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Flower Essences!</u> I think essences are one the most important things you can do for a dog getting surgery. I brought a small spray bottle of Alaskan Essences Soul Support and misted her with it before we went into the building, and again before she went to the back. It's also very good for owners who are anxious when waiting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Homeopathics </u>- I used Newton Homeopathic Accident Rescue formula once before she went back to surgery. It covers different kinds of pain, stress, and injury. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Recovery - wake up, walk out, relax.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Flower Essences</u> - Soul Support again. I misted around her to help her both revive and relax. Coming out of anesthesia is anxiety-inducing, and whining isn't unusual. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Homeopathics</u> - I applied Newton's Accident rescue to her paw pads - I brought the liquid so as not to introduce pillules into the mouth, but it does have alcohol, so I didn't want to cause pain by using it orally just after surgery.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Reiki</u> - I had been offering Reiki during her surgery, and continued as she woke up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Acupressure </u>- The point called Leg Three Mile (aka Stomach 36) can help strengthen the constitution (and help them get walking steadily). Sea of Tranquility (Conception Vessel 17) can calm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Cannabis</u> - I squirted a small amount of liquid (an oil and glycerin formula made from industrial hemp) into her mouth as soon as she was awake enough to receive it safely. This non-irritating formula was to get started helping with pain and anxiety.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Repair and Restoration</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first evening went well, she took a little broth and slept, only waking once during the night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For the following week a regular schedule of pain relief, both homeopathic and herbal, kept her comfortable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Colloidal silver was added to her drinking water, and an oral rinse was made of </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">calendula, comfrey, yarrow, goldenseal and sage (based on <a href="http://theartofdog.blogspot.com/2010/05/recipe-topical-gel-for-radiation-burns.html" target="_blank">a recipe I used when she had radiation treatment</a>).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I put her right back on raw food. I made sure to use calcium powder instead of ground bones so there'd be no pieces to get caught anywhere, and added water to make it lickable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Within a couple of days her energetic body was so much more balanced - when I looked at her she was physically balanced. There was no longer such excessive energy being consumed up in her head with the hidden pain of her teeth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Two weeks in we went in for a recheck, and it all looked good except for one lower socket. Then I heard Dr. Pitcairn describe using homeopathic calendula orally for wound repair, so I ordered some in and got her started on that just a few days ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's three-and-a-half weeks and I'm starting to brush again. I have been wiping with gauze wrapped around my finger to help keep things clean, but I think we're both ready to get back to the brush... gently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I continue to use flower and gem essences to help her heal, and am doing energy work as well. At her age she needs more help getting back in to full balance, and gentle healing from essences and crystals are powerful without being disruptive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm waiting a bit to do extra work to help her body recover from the work of detoxifying itself from the anesthesia so I'm not piling too many herbs in at once.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>What have I learned?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Brush! Brush daily. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Get to know your dog's mouth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Don't discount tartar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Don't be afraid of well-done anesthesia. Don't get me wrong, you don't want to put that stuff in their bodies willy-nilly, but to avoid taking care of known dental problems because you fear the anesthesia is doing a disservice to your dog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Vida is playing with her wool balls, fetching her water toy, and trying out different levels of chewable foods. She's still getting to know her new oral terrain, and is feeling much, much better!</span>Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-56534756256247895712015-11-01T14:45:00.000-08:002015-11-01T14:45:06.122-08:00Avoid Dental Disasters - Vida's Dental Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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the<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0WHX93yWJKVXTTjPzZOGOV9y5M3GzrXru9nc81BMIL6SamWMeh-Tv600MVOzsUWW_BALaN5dPGEmA-trYRdQzbua1rF6LjkR68EMAcq8RiHIaQGZlGYgry3UPrSIUFDxN-gr7A/s1600/vidas-dental-map-graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0WHX93yWJKVXTTjPzZOGOV9y5M3GzrXru9nc81BMIL6SamWMeh-Tv600MVOzsUWW_BALaN5dPGEmA-trYRdQzbua1rF6LjkR68EMAcq8RiHIaQGZlGYgry3UPrSIUFDxN-gr7A/s200/vidas-dental-map-graphic.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Want to strike fear in the hear of an average dog owner?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cancer? Sure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Vaccines? Most likely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dental Care? Yep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Surprised that dental care would be up there with cancer and vaccines? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Many people avoid dealing with their dog's teeth. They never really look in there - it's one big mystery. Most don't train their dogs to accept brushing, and they're relieved because who wants to hassle with that every day? And people are definitely worried about putting their dog under anesthesia.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I fell for most of those traps myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Vida was eagerly chewing and eating a duck neck the day before she had 17 teeth removed. I had no idea she had some much going on in there! I knew dogs hid pain - had I been kidding myself over the last couple of years? Less toy playing, less vigorous chewing? It's not just old age! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'd found one bad tooth over the summer, one of her lower premolars. I wasn't too surprised that at the age of 15 she might finally have some problems with lower teeth because of the radiation treatment she had <a href="http://theartofdog.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html" target="_blank">five years ago</a>. Clearly I had waited too long to really do something about it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7TeNkdbY671AYYCSKkxueKzbsR1foocZVcYqf8NQcupY6fid1dnHNWhXh0Y-IJSHneJ6RpjJLH1dknMcgHNipD9eeKD3uFPoBbWr9hWT476NU_JdSb4MPVJmlXO8LJAVnuTgQg/s1600/dog-dental-sideview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7TeNkdbY671AYYCSKkxueKzbsR1foocZVcYqf8NQcupY6fid1dnHNWhXh0Y-IJSHneJ6RpjJLH1dknMcgHNipD9eeKD3uFPoBbWr9hWT476NU_JdSb4MPVJmlXO8LJAVnuTgQg/s400/dog-dental-sideview.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'd had non-anesthesia cleaning done a few times, but not in the past year - she was just so stressed about it, and it was in my mind that I really should get a dental x-ray done so see if the radiation had done damage. But like most people I kept putting it off while I started brushing a few days a week and using an oral spray to help prevent tartar. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I brought Vida in for an appointment as soon as I got back from New Hampshire to have Dr. Bausone look at her mouth and discuss the dental procedure and what I expected from them. They had what I wanted: dental xray, the best anesthesia (propofol and sevoflourine), monitoring during anesthesia (it took 4 hours, so it's essential to have them ready for that), and allowing me to handle pain relief at home (though I discovered to late that she also got an injection of Rimadyl, grrrr). </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1517360528/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1517360528&linkCode=as2&tag=tharofdo-20&linkId=A3GTWF4DREFG6OJU" rel="nofollow" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1517360528&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=tharofdo-20" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tharofdo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1517360528" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
Who knew I was going to spend the day in the vet's waiting room? It's 30 miles away so I had planned to wait, but I really thought it would only be a half-day. I was given updates on how she was doing (including the long wait before they started), which I was grateful for. While I waited I read the perfect book for a veterinary waiting room - a book of healing meditations. I had it on my Kindle and it was a wonderful respite to sit quietly and center myself and picture my dog whole, healthy, and happy. Sending Reiki and doing these meditations helped me remain calm throughout the day (despite seeing so many dogs and cats coming in for vaccinations throughout the day!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Part Two: How did it go?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-76605505382980226312015-07-08T09:19:00.000-07:002015-07-08T09:21:57.583-07:00Cancer: Remembering to trust Mother Nature<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Part Two of the Tumor Saga.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you look back at <a href="http://theartofdog.blogspot.com/2015/07/cancer-sometimes-it-demands-your.html" target="_blank">Part One of the Tumor Saga</a> you can sense the urgency as I confronted something for the first time. I'd never seen the inside of a tumor before. I didn't know how the injury would heal - would it act differently than a normal skin wound?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well it turns out that in fact it has healed like a normal skin wound, and very quickly.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKUD4poCMCvbcn3K2CWDz9CJZDk25j7bC2bWxrG3flZorOdBu-uB8pzt3zw1khjDyVWLejf787qkJZloIZlcEeBIX13Ix209wN4PgybeDuiV4Q78Scw14zo959jFlzSDiimnEUA/s1600/tumorhealingCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKUD4poCMCvbcn3K2CWDz9CJZDk25j7bC2bWxrG3flZorOdBu-uB8pzt3zw1khjDyVWLejf787qkJZloIZlcEeBIX13Ix209wN4PgybeDuiV4Q78Scw14zo959jFlzSDiimnEUA/s640/tumorhealingCollage.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The July 3rd photo here was in my <a href="http://theartofdog.blogspot.com/2015/07/cancer-sometimes-it-demands-your.html" target="_blank">previous blog post</a>, what a comparison!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I stopped the antibiotics on July 5th. I just couldn't do it anymore. There was no sign of infection (I think the luridness of the flash photos make it look more disturbing, you can see the difference in the following photos), she obviously felt crummy, and digestion was being effected (I had to wipe her bum a couple of times, poor thing). Imagine having a lifetime of good bacteria built up and having it killed off, having to eliminate that and make your body weaker? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm lucky to have local, raw yogurt for her along with her continuing exposure to the woodlands which are teaming with healthy bacteria. <a href="http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/90720.html" target="_blank">An added benefit, the chemicals from the forest she's inhaling</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't say enough good things about the <a href="http://www.petwellnessblends.com/shop/canine-healing-salve/" target="_blank">Canine Healing Salve from Pet Wellness Blends</a>. That's all I've been applying to the area, twice a day, and it's done it's job beautifully. A natural, plant-based salve formula using well-known healing plants really will work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have not used my Photonic red light on the wound because it's the site of a tumor. Red light therapy is highly recommended for wound healing but that's because it stimulates cell growth so it should never be used at the site of a tumor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have done some crystal healing with her, and will be giving her a <a href="http://shrsl.com/?~4635" target="_blank">lymph and blood clearing tincture</a> as soon as it arrives to help tone her system.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She's also on her full and normal supplement regime including her <a href="http://theartofdog.blogspot.com/2015/06/summer-herbs.html" target="_blank">summer herb formula</a>. The various anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and antioxidant supplements certainly helped her body rally and heal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If the wound had appeared infected and oozing smelly serum while it was healing I would not have wanted it to close it up so quickly. There was some smell at the time I took her to the vet but I had been wrapping it and the serum on the bandage was likely harboring Pseudomonas bacteria which likes to colonize on the surface of wounds (I learned that from my mother's wound doctor) and has a distinctive odor. That smell never returned after the vet visit. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had to get my head on straight and remember to trust Mother Nature. Everything I do for my dog is to improve her vitality. Her body has an innate ability to heal when it's supported. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Does that mean she's indestructable? No, of course not ( she's been trying to show that she's still a woodland superhero but her leaping has been resulting in her splatting on the ground... called a local chiropractor to try and get her in for an adjustment).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are all capable of helping our pets as I've done these past 11 days. That is why I post these photos and details, to make it clear that you can do this, you can help your dog heal and thrive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vida's going to be in the lake swimming in no time. </span>Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-61957791434755570752015-07-03T12:30:00.000-07:002015-07-08T10:19:59.669-07:00Cancer: sometimes it demands your attention<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just landed in New Hampshire for the summer after the usual cross-country drive from San Diego. Half-way there I had to deal with a tumor of Vida's and it wasn't pretty. If you insist that your squeamish then don't read further, but if you learn something from my experience it will be worth taking a look.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vida's had a tumor growing between the base of her tail and her anus for about two years now. It's slowly grown and not caused any problems. Her vet just saw it a couple of weeks ago and reiterated his belief that we continue to leave it alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I left San Diego to drive to New Hampshire on June 26th. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On June 28th, as I loaded her into the car to get on the road for the day I noticed fresh wet markings on her seat cover, and then saw that this tumor as a small opening on the side that was leaking a little blood and serum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What? What happened? There was nothing going on with it, no redness, no irritation. But nonetheless it suddenly opened. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wiped it, applied some colloidal silver and a first aid powder and wrapped it as best I could (thankfully I had some wound care supplies for my mom on hand as I hadn't packed anything like that for the dog). I figured I'd let it rest and take a closer look at the end of the day's driving. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well in the afternoon when we stopped for lunch I had to deal with it again, but this time there was pink "material" coming out of it! Like unattached flesh, it couldn't exactly be squeezed or pulled out, but a few inches of ropy cells WERE out already, so I removed them and rewrapped it as best I could (believe me, this location is almost impossible to keep wrapped). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the hotel in the evening I attended to it again, this time cleaning it, removing the fleshy material that was coming out, applying colloidal silver, and applying a general healing salve before wrapping it in an attempt to keep it clean.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also took photos.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RP-k0dBHuSHss2fWFtKN8K63PGWGma7eRDSQDrzJSm3A026akakJDy-U22s-_AxQ5xVxWxf0SiP8AUCI9vUnLzFtuWN88FxxFaxF6VnxU7sriMCgqnEUe9Unk3Rz9BNWlzVP9g/s1600/tumorbreakCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RP-k0dBHuSHss2fWFtKN8K63PGWGma7eRDSQDrzJSm3A026akakJDy-U22s-_AxQ5xVxWxf0SiP8AUCI9vUnLzFtuWN88FxxFaxF6VnxU7sriMCgqnEUe9Unk3Rz9BNWlzVP9g/s1600/tumorbreakCollage.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The reddish-purplish color of the skin covering the tumor is normal for her. The nerve-sheath tumor I had removed was the same color, as is that of the small lipoma on her cheek.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had no idea what the actual tumor cells would look like! I assumed the material would be less structured because of how the tumor felt. It was the strangest thing to remove this material that looked like flesh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But that's what a tumor is - runaway cell growth, so it stands to reason that it could look just like something "normal."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It wasn't painful for Vida, but it was disturbing. She didn't like all the handling. I feel really bad for her when she tries to clean up anything that's leaked out and gotten on to the floor or bedding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I had two more days until I would get to New Hampshire and have a chance to see a vet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I emailed photos to my vet too, so I could get his opinion. I hoped that when I reached New Hampshire I could just get it stitched closed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next morning I got small butterfly bandages to try and prevent worse damage and in the hopes of helping it quiet down. By this time the tumor was half the size that it had been before this happened. Not really my preferred way to de-bulk a tumor!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGHlYoWfRlkcqrqh0XGMRaGLLBMumAVe3r6KE9zfIx4jSE3cBWVZN0vdjrZZgTMZYK3fw_v8h0a2VcFVduMWaTN5xyyTOz85sxHfP_IhXFzAX5HLS_TMmo_Bw966LG6vSHBT51g/s1600/tumorbreakday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGHlYoWfRlkcqrqh0XGMRaGLLBMumAVe3r6KE9zfIx4jSE3cBWVZN0vdjrZZgTMZYK3fw_v8h0a2VcFVduMWaTN5xyyTOz85sxHfP_IhXFzAX5HLS_TMmo_Bw966LG6vSHBT51g/s640/tumorbreakday2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also got online to the yahoo group that is the community email list in Sandwich, NH to ask for veterinary surgeon recommendations. I got a flurry of replies from the wonderful people of Sandwich and decided to take her to a mainstream vet nearby that was recommended by several people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So July 1st I took her to the vet, hoping to get a few stitches in it and be done, but the vet thought there was a bit of infection and so didn't want to close it, but to let it drain. After two weeks it would depend on how it was doing, and if it hadn't settled down she advised that full removal would be needed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The vet opinions varied in this regard. Her regular vet thought that an ulceration would heal on it's own in most cases. This vet thought it likely that total removal would be needed. You can see how a vet's manner of treatment can differ so much, and thus how your own assessment would be guided in such different directions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She irrigated it with saline which was really uncomfortable for Vida. She also shaved some of the hair nearby to help keep it cleaner (which unfortunately has left the area a little irritating for Vida). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She also gave me antibiotics for two weeks and instructed me to keep the area clean but allow it to air (so different than human wound care where they want to cover everything). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was bummed about the antibiotics, Vida's never had antibiotics in the 15 years I've had her, and I knew it would be so destructive to her microbiome, but I really had not brought along the tinctures I thought would be most effective (see what happens when you don't plan for emergencies! Ugh!). If the antibiotics would help to quickly settle this area down so that we didn't have to have surgery I decided it was worth it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vida was really, really uncomfortable for the rest of the day, though she handled the treatment room procedure like a champ (shaking a lot, but the vet tech was perfect and calm).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I emailed my vet an update about what was done and asked if there are big differences of opinion on this, as there was a supposedly integrative vet further away I could get a consult with if needed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So now it's two weeks of an open wound. Trying to keep it clean, trying to keep Vida from licking it. Not exactly how I planned to start my summer in New Hampshire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So this photo is from July 3rd, two days after the visit to the vet (I took a photo in the exam room but it came out totally blurry).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon3E4UENnR3GFyw0Njt0CnUgkyAgOGPqUf8pGC50ASgXpLoDI04eLLeUSEYGYcjdiNI-TfrovgCIps_8x4ytam2jo7V5giQOd9mcpkV02Y84WHIHtxpYDte4JdX-kY_zkext9OQ/s1600/tumorbreakday6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon3E4UENnR3GFyw0Njt0CnUgkyAgOGPqUf8pGC50ASgXpLoDI04eLLeUSEYGYcjdiNI-TfrovgCIps_8x4ytam2jo7V5giQOd9mcpkV02Y84WHIHtxpYDte4JdX-kY_zkext9OQ/s640/tumorbreakday6.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's shiny because I just put a little salve on it. She's super-sensitive about the collodial silver since the irrigating was done so I've let that go today. To the left you can see that her fur needs some scrubbing ( trimmed it a bit with scissors), but again, she's so sensitive right now I let it go, applying some salve since the wound contacts that area sometimes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though it seems red it is less messy, and you can see the skin developing at the edges. The tissue you can peak at isn't actively escaping. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking at it today I really have hope that it could close on it's own, so am being diligent about applying the <a href="http://www.petwellnessblends.com/shop/canine-healing-salve/" target="_blank">salve</a>. I've also ordered a bottle of the <a href="http://shrsl.com/?~4635" target="_blank">lymph formula</a> she does so well on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday I did a long energy healing session with her, and she really needed it after not only this tumor opening, but especially after all the examination and treatment stuff (tail pulling, stress, irrigating the wound, etc). I </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">plan to do some kind of energy work daily to help this heal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Going out for a walk cheers her up and takes her mind off of it a bit too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This blog will have a follow-up of course.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The big lesson to take away from all of this? Pack a good kit! I packed some things but left out really important items need for wound care and infection. You never know what will happen when you're traveling and don't have access to your usual supplies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://theartofdog.blogspot.com/2015/07/cancer-remembering-to-trust-mother.html" target="_blank">Please read on! Part Two of the story is all about trusting Mother Nature.</a></b></span><br />
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Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-89628927530497841412015-06-21T21:43:00.000-07:002015-06-21T21:43:36.641-07:00Summer Herbs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALgWiQAb7elc-tG2S2Z8ejBdY7qmZUO-JjR0r4YZxlMcrJMckVH2ih2TD8TEsUt5FhyphenhypheneJy_GwnwlQXKUHPYsbUbs4sYvS6wmWbUqt5sdrupjtOU2ALPs3ObiX7MhxykBcuyCVsg/s1600/VidaSummerHerbs2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALgWiQAb7elc-tG2S2Z8ejBdY7qmZUO-JjR0r4YZxlMcrJMckVH2ih2TD8TEsUt5FhyphenhypheneJy_GwnwlQXKUHPYsbUbs4sYvS6wmWbUqt5sdrupjtOU2ALPs3ObiX7MhxykBcuyCVsg/s320/VidaSummerHerbs2015.jpg" width="312" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Getting ready for the summer means packing for road trip and shifting herbs. While Vida is on some other herbs for specific conditions, she also gets a tonic and nutritive formula that changes throughout the year. During the summer I usually simplify it a lot, and focus on nutrition, immune system, and adaptogenics. <br /><br /><a href="http://theartofdog.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-herb-blend.html" target="_blank">Back in 2011</a> I blogged about her summer herb blend, and it's not too different really, just a difference in proportion due to her age and current particulars.<br /><br />Astragalus: for strengthening Qi, providing energy while preventing Summer Heat, and in Western terms strengthening the immune system.<br /><br />Reishi: Adaptogenic, immune balancing, good for the kidneys and lungs.<br /><br />Chlorella: Nutritive!<br /><br />Billbery: Antioxidant, good for the eyes in particular (and Vida has a recent condition in one of her eyes I'm hoping to at least stop progress on). This fruit is similar to blueberries so they have the benefits of all deep purple fruits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nettles: Nutritive, antihistamine. Pine pollen seems to be a bit of a problem for her and we're literally sleeping among pines, but the phenols are so good for us all. Have you read about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_bathing" target="_blank">forest bathing</a>? We all know walks in the woods are relaxing, but they can actually <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17903349" target="_blank">improve your immune system</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My photo was a little blurry because making up her formula for the summer was just part of packing for the road. She also had her hotel bedroll packed up.</span></div>
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Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-72245580109865903292015-05-23T21:06:00.000-07:002015-05-23T21:10:14.342-07:00Vida Approves: learning to use earth energy through crystals & stones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In my last post I wrote about Vida and her request for gentler energetic healing. What she was really saying was "stop trying so hard," something that probably happens a lot to dogs when people are trying to offer love and healing. We humans often overdo it with dogs because we have such a hard time stopping and listening. Just being present is not something most of practice much. Slowing down our frame of reference for time and effect and simply allowing change to unfold at it's own pace.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwvIqul7Dtrb7z91msZkwx64m7mdlpXSHA1bVJduf2UFqWIGfimm8CpX1QpadV09VopS00Xji7Xv0fdfyHVMDRnc_N5a2LcT-jHEjyzbGe1LbDh6s52vQv63f3TB3gIaMerZ7Rw/s1600/crystals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwvIqul7Dtrb7z91msZkwx64m7mdlpXSHA1bVJduf2UFqWIGfimm8CpX1QpadV09VopS00Xji7Xv0fdfyHVMDRnc_N5a2LcT-jHEjyzbGe1LbDh6s52vQv63f3TB3gIaMerZ7Rw/s400/crystals.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I spent a little bit of time introducing Vida to what I learned last week in a crystal healing class taught by <a href="http://www.brianhornbeck.com/" target="_blank">Brian Hornbeck</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was an introductory weekend of learning about a different stones and how to use them to help balance the chakras. On the last afternoon of class we got to practice on each other, assembling our table of stones to use and going through the routine Brian has found effective. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While I'd been collecting various crystals, rough gems, and stones over the years it was not done in a planned way. The class gave me a better understanding of how to begin using them in my energetic healing work with dogs.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsbW5GajSZ5JtCCEozegW7RNcRyCNG60KCxvhsMi0wM1wrBArJYLj0XgeuueHSDkJ_D1lzvLJwEpV5e5144zfzHl8FCiUTdFmi3VnGIVc9yBITcSmKxogs_e-w9b8I-aaX37YcA/s1600/crystalintro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsbW5GajSZ5JtCCEozegW7RNcRyCNG60KCxvhsMi0wM1wrBArJYLj0XgeuueHSDkJ_D1lzvLJwEpV5e5144zfzHl8FCiUTdFmi3VnGIVc9yBITcSmKxogs_e-w9b8I-aaX37YcA/s400/crystalintro.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I only took a few stones outside with me, along with the lovely pendulum I bought at class. I didn't want to overwhelm Vida with too much this first time in part because I didn't want to get caught up in any ideas about what should happen (such as trying to go through the whole process we did in class to consecutively work on all the chakras with an array of stones). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Indeed, she didn't come over right away, she was suspicious that I was going to try to do something, and can you blame her. I told her I just wanted to introduce these stones to her and that I really appreciated her being willing to help me practice this gentle healing technique. I showed her the pendulum and the stones and let her smell them. She licked my hand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She stood sideways to me and I proceeded to use the pendulum to check her chakras. She didn't like that on the third eye chakra, but allowed the others. She interrupted me to turn and face away from me, so I skipped to her root chakra and found the energy to be weak. So I held a tibetan quartz to her spine between her pelvis and her tail. And I didn't try. I just let the stone do it's work. (yes, I had to remind myself to do that!) And she stood there for a minute, which is quite a long time for a dog to stand still while a person holds a stone on them! I then moved it up to her 2nd chakra (an area where her back goes out of alignment frequently) and she continued to stand still, giving out a big sighing breath. Then she felt she was done and stepped away, and lay down to stretch on her belly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From the pendulum response I really wanted to address her throat chakra, so I went back inside to get a piece of jade. I sat back down outside and asked her to come back and she did, standing facing me. I held the stone to the back of her neck, then changed to the front. I switched because she seemed less comfortable with this one, but she allowed me to continue for a minute before leaving me to scratch and shake and stretch and just hang out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />I put the rose quartz and the tibetan quartz in my hands and held them in my open palms and smiled at Vida. She looked at me, so I asked her to come over so I could thank her. She walked up to me, and sniffed each stone, and licked each hand, and looked me in the face (when I sit on the ground we're at each other's eye level). I said thank you. She licked me on the chin. I smiled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then she got excited and started to chase her tail. I got up to get her running after a toy, and she passed the tossed toy and did three laps around the yard at top speed (well, 15 year old top speed, it's cute). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I really feel that Vida gave her stamp of approval to my use of crystals as a method to work on the energetic body. It helps me sit back, remove my own desires from the picture a little, and let the subtle energy of the stones do their thing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2v0beAHjuB2ctZBISCgd6VpMAncIjIm3FPcxhd609H-sxJxBJo4A96Aup1dVIJl-elkoi0O-J4litedY8tyiw7JQ6lrpJu0RoUvwJbh0LftG7asvoVXDSDkX3ouup4Qf5n7RrPg/s1600/vida15portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2v0beAHjuB2ctZBISCgd6VpMAncIjIm3FPcxhd609H-sxJxBJo4A96Aup1dVIJl-elkoi0O-J4litedY8tyiw7JQ6lrpJu0RoUvwJbh0LftG7asvoVXDSDkX3ouup4Qf5n7RrPg/s200/vida15portrait.jpg" width="130" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think there will be some experimentation and improvisation in using stone with dogs. After all, they may not be interested in lying still with rocks all over them, haha! Today my dog didn't even lie down, but that was ok. I didn't have all the stone options I would probably want to have on hand, but that was ok. I can use them off the body to promote healing energy around the dog, or use grounding stones under them while doing other work. I think it would be wonderful to use the chakra balancing methods I've learned for the benefit of the dog owners too - healing the team together.<br /><br />I'm so grateful to have Vida here with me to help me understand how to be better at this work. She deserves to wear her Om collar!</span></div>
Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-24552558897031061952015-05-06T23:02:00.000-07:002015-05-06T23:04:45.296-07:00Energy Healing: "soft like a child" says Vida<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I witnessed an amazing scene with Vida today that just made me wonder - how much are we missing in our day to day interactions with our dogs?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My friend <a href="http://www.animalhearttalk.com/">Paula Brown</a>, a gifted animal communicator, was visiting me at <a href="http://dextersdeli.com/">Dexter's Deli</a> to see about using The Wellness Room there for classes and we got to talking about Vida. Vida's been having some back pain, and I mentioned that the day before she'd refused my attempts to gently offer healing while we were at the beach (I was watching her walk and saw how tight she was). Paula reached down to scan her back from a few inches away and as soon as she passed over Vida's mid-back Vida jumped up from where she was laying down and walked away and into the store. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few minutes later Vida came back outside with a young girl trailing her. The girl (maybe 3 years old?) was very quiet and gentle with Vida, following her has Vida walked right up to us and stopped. The girl gently placed her hands on Vida's back. They stood there for a minute, the child gently moving her hands, barely touching Vida. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She was just doing what felt natural to her, not trying to "do" anything. They hung out like this for several minutes; Vida would shift positions and take a few steps, the girl would follow. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I really wish I'd gotten a photo!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We spoke with the girl's mom and told her how wonderful her daughter was with Vida. Paula explained that she had the same attachment to animals when she was young and that we thought her daughter could have a special gift, and to nurture her in this as she grew because she could be a wonderful natural healer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We thought that Vida had brought the young girl to our attention so that we would see how wonderful her innate gift was. Well, it turns out she was also trying to teach us something more...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After Paula left the store she wrote me a quick email that Vida had given her a message as she left: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Soft like a child's...cut intensity in order to heal."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think Vida brought the girl out so this lovely child could <i>demonstrate to us what we needed to remember about working with animals</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Often less is more. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Healing can come from the gentlest touch, a child's hand. Moving energy can be profound. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our dog's can teach us if we can tune in and listen with an open mind and open heart. Imagine how much we're missing! Our dogs are so patient with us as be blunder around with them. We're blessed to have them by our side.</span>Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-55380858412527280082015-04-04T19:15:00.000-07:002015-04-04T19:15:19.499-07:00Dog wisdom: 15 for Vida's 15th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. OM – meditate daily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />2. Sleep well – your body rejuvenates when you rest, and it just feels good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />3. Age is just a number – don't fall for the myth that sickness is part of growing old.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />4. Never stop being curious – you'll be rewarded.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />5. Eat your greens – plant medicine is the best medicine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />6. Take your work seriously – you can accomplish a lot by paying attention and sharing your expertise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />7. Be honest – straight talk means less confusion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />8. Get outside every day – walk, play, enjoy the scents and sights.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">9. Don't get pulled into the drama – folks express aggression because of anxiety, respond calmly and compassionately and you'll both feel better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />10. Take a nap in the sun – lay down on the ground and let the planet heal you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />11. Say “hi” - the small joy of brightening someone's day will brighten yours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />12. Listen – even if you don't agree it might be important.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />13. Don't be ashamed of what makes you happy – enjoy it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />14. Be patient – sometimes it takes folks awhile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />15. Be your own person – you're unique and perfect in this world.</span>Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-22815622337221765462014-12-26T11:21:00.000-08:002014-12-26T11:21:27.136-08:00Test Results: An eye opener about food<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I got the results back on the Alternative Sensitivity Assessment for Vida and it has been very helpful. While it also covers environmental sensitivities (and there were some), the food category has given me the information I need to avoid instigating problems via diet. Here are the most common foods that came up "Yay" or "Nay" for her:</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some of this was surprising , some was expected, and it was interesting to compare it with the TCM perspective on foods as well as what she's turned her nose up at or has caused her digestive problems.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Within days of removing the foods from the "avoid" list she looked better: her coat looked smoother, her eyes brighter, the fleas went away, and her morning appetite returned.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This list of "ok" foods is longer, but I still can't feed most commercially prepared raw foods that contain vegetables because they all seem to have carrot, apple, sweet potato, zucchini... at least one of these common plant foods in them. And since most company's don't vary their vegetable blend much between meat formulas you're stuck making your own veggie glop. Luckily that's super easy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This really illustrates that we can easily miss the culprits on our pet's diet by focusing only on the obvious items like meat species or trying to just avoid grains. Since doing Vida's test I've had clients do it and the variety of results is very individualized, making it even more apparent how useful this test is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The test is so simple; mailing off a sample of hair and saliva for a bio-feedback method of assessment. I'll be encouraging many of my clients to use it and take advantage of the information it provides.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The simplified list...</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">AVOID</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Buffalo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lamb</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pork</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chicken <em>(incl egg)</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mackerel</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Salmon <em>(incl oil)</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tuna</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Avocado</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bok Choy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dandelion Greens</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carrot</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Parsnip</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Potato</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sweet Potato</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tomato</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Summer Squash</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Apple</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Citrus (most)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pineapple</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Papaya</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ALL GRAINS <em>(incl buckwheat, quinoa)</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Brazil Nuts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Olive Oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Canola Oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sesame Seed/Oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunflower Seed/Oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Vinegar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Honey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aged cheese</span></div>
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<span style="color: maroon; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>OK</strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beef</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Turkey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Duck</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rabbit</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Venison</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Emu</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Goat</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pheasant/Quail</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cod</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sardine</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anchovie</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Milk (cow, goat)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Asparagus</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beet</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Broccoli</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cabbage</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cauliflower</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Celery</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Collard</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Green Bean</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jicama</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kale</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chard</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lettuce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mushroom</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mustard Greens</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Okra</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pumpkin <em>(incl seed)</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Red Pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Spinach</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sprouts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Winter Squash</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Berries <em>(all ok)</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fig</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pear</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Almond</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chia Seeds</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Walnut</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Safflower Oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cilantro</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Turmeric</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Glucosamine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Parsley</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yogurt</span></div>
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Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-7582647078684179742014-10-05T10:30:00.000-07:002014-10-05T10:30:01.035-07:00Water, Part 2: Providing Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcbhsNrUXHRhQQ6veYVvQbSh1Wfrm8QqkCKJX-xSZBhrN9GRlZJoPMVuSudwA3VCd_Gm3YEbKp2cOZD990_3ryuLo5INuX7K3n-NwKnU02Bv6IvNhXkAnV5EX0eAffpQC5acbMg/s1600/waterbowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcbhsNrUXHRhQQ6veYVvQbSh1Wfrm8QqkCKJX-xSZBhrN9GRlZJoPMVuSudwA3VCd_Gm3YEbKp2cOZD990_3ryuLo5INuX7K3n-NwKnU02Bv6IvNhXkAnV5EX0eAffpQC5acbMg/s1600/waterbowl.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I bought this beautiful bowl made by <a href="http://www.tamaramannpottery.com/" target="_blank">Tamara Mann</a> at an arts event in the small town in New Hampshire where I spend my summers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'd been thinking of getting Vida a new water bowl for some time as part of my goal of having her use only products I know are made ethically and without toxins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also wanted a bowl that reflected the beauty of the water that would go in it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />Does that seem odd? I mean, water is clear, almost invisible, you can barely discern it in the photo above. And it's not like the dog cares, right? Well, let's explore that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This summer I came to really revere water. To be able to drink from the tap (<a href="http://theartofdog.blogspot.com/2014/10/water-part-1-consider-source.html" target="_blank">as I wrote about in Part 1 on water</a>) and have the water be clear, tasteless, odorless... and completely delicious for being that way; the beautiful nothingness of water. To have it rain and feed the trees, and to hear the rush of that rainwater after the storm as it careens down the nearby stream. And don't even get me started on my reverence for lakes and oceans. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, across the continent it was a summer of continuing drought in California. I came home at the end of August to a heatwave and dead grass crunching underfoot. A massive contrast that made water even more important in my mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I brought this bowl home to California because I felt I needed the inspiration even more, not only because of the drought, but because of the compromised quality of the water coming from the tap (<a href="http://theartofdog.blogspot.com/2014/10/water-part-1-consider-source.html" target="_blank">read Part 1</a>).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We go through our busy day and don't think much about refilling our pet's water bowl. Empty? Fill it. Maybe wash it (I've seen some outdoor bowls that were pretty gross).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG48s_lhh98LUzOwfKRseuiszPLNPVyuy4ToT64qhKntZ-3FUuttkEduy3s-F-ZJyM-Zd4ckR23fFCsNfpwVVQJF4APgNsrQPEFRaiBwkYD4kNuiqjXMeRlH0G1o_2miH1B1qsfw/s1600/waterbowlfeet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG48s_lhh98LUzOwfKRseuiszPLNPVyuy4ToT64qhKntZ-3FUuttkEduy3s-F-ZJyM-Zd4ckR23fFCsNfpwVVQJF4APgNsrQPEFRaiBwkYD4kNuiqjXMeRlH0G1o_2miH1B1qsfw/s1600/waterbowlfeet.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This bowl makes me think every time. The perfect feel of the bowl in my hand, the little feet on the bottom, the beautiful glaze that reminds me of both water and land, and the way the water washes over the surface as it fills the bowl. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If it's true that you can imbue water with love this is an effortless way of doing it. Every time I place this bowl down for Vida to drink from I feel that I'm doing my best to provide her with life-giving energy. I admire the bowl, the water in the bowl, and the dog who is my teacher.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Intent is incredibly powerful when interacting with dogs. We hear about intent in terms of healing practices - well feeding and watering is part of your healing practice too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If your intent when feeding and watering your dog is love and gratitude, you will be adding that loving energy to what's in the bowl. You're already putting that love into your choices (fresh food, clean water), right? You can easily make that act of providing beautiful too and you will both benefit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-55808565928811806902014-10-04T12:35:00.000-07:002014-10-05T20:29:33.908-07:00Water, Part 1: consider the source<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiwg4OcsVVyzUNXLbYQcZRN-PEvZnWRQ2Jv2wgpgDRcqig7KhWy_PmTPjUbdxCV2qK6On11iDebcEa1JZV_1_TLrJHg1e2XDeoJwyy3wMbcB2Xat6oBSCHAr_fDQ6kF-IM89sjA/s1600/beedefallswater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiwg4OcsVVyzUNXLbYQcZRN-PEvZnWRQ2Jv2wgpgDRcqig7KhWy_PmTPjUbdxCV2qK6On11iDebcEa1JZV_1_TLrJHg1e2XDeoJwyy3wMbcB2Xat6oBSCHAr_fDQ6kF-IM89sjA/s1600/beedefallswater.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Water is often taken for granted in the States. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are many topics that could be spun off from that simple sentence, but I'm just going to share a little bit about my own experience and give you something to think about for your pets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the things that I compare between New Hampshire and California is the water.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I drink straight from the tap in New Hampshire. We have our own well at the cabin that's drilled through granite, and water comes out cold and refreshing... and tasteless - just like it should be. There is no smell of chloramine, no foul taste, which is what faces me at the tap at home in California. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Returning to that chemical smell is one of the main things I abhor about returning to California. While this smelly water is called "clean" and "safe," I have my doubts about that when it comes to the long term health of the body's ecosystem.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I found a simple way to understand this difference between the natural water of New Hampshire and the processed water of California.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you fill a bottle of water from our well in New Hampshire and leave it in your car it will start to grow life in just a couple of days. You'll find little bits of fluff starting to develop and float around. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In contrast, I have left refilled bottles of California water (filtered with an under-sink system) in my car for six months or more and it's just as "clean" as the day I filled it, not a speck of debris.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is in that water killing life? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You probably never thought about your tap water quite like that before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is important to remember that natural water can contain pathogens which are acquired when it flows above ground where animal feces can infiltrate it, so I'm not saying go drink straight out of your local creek without some kind of filtration. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But dealing with bacteria and other naturally occurring pathogens is much easier than dealing with insidious man-made chemicals. Our dogs' bodies and the natural world that supports them </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(like medicinal plants)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">are designed to fight naturally occurring pathogens. They're not designed to deal with man-made chemicals, and the ever-increasing rate of chronic disease is one sign of that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The reason water treatment chemicals are not described as pathogenic is because the damage they cause is often slow to arise and happens in combination with other factors. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is there a way to decontaminate your water? Probably not. They can't decontaminate it to remove drugs you've peed out, or even microbeads you washed off your face.<br /><br />We have to do the best we can for our dogs and ourselves. Filter commercially provided water with the most complete filter you can afford, feed your dog fresh food, and provide supportive herbal formulas that help prevent chronic disease.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://theartofdog.blogspot.com/2014/10/water-part-2-providing-love.html">Read on to part two...</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-58909842476790226532014-08-13T12:28:00.002-07:002014-08-13T12:28:32.790-07:00Summer Means Swimming for this Senior Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Vida may be 14 now, but she still gets her swims in during the summer. She's not the most enthusiastic swimmer, but the benefits are so great that I get her in there nonetheless. And with a beautiful setting like this.... much better than a chlorinated pool with a person controlling her every move and no walk-in option. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She's not willing to swim as long each day, and I'm skipping days for her to have extra recovery time, but it really improves her carpal/tarsal arthritis and builds her hind-leg muscles nicely with the increased range of action swimming entails. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As she ages she needs more accommodations, but that's my job, to watch and learn, and accept her limitations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her favorite part of swimming? Jumping into the backseat of our '89 toyota afterward to scrubrollscrub herself on the upholstery. Seriously, she gets so excited, it's her big reward.</span></div>
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<br />Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0Squam Lake, New Hampshire, USA43.7651992 -71.53937989999997243.6734332 -71.70074139999997 43.8569652 -71.378018399999974tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262267.post-52012051876447790932014-06-22T22:00:00.000-07:002014-06-22T22:01:52.946-07:00Summer Dog Treats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Provide your dog with nourishing snacks that can provide probiotics, enzymes, protein, and hydration. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cool them down with more than just water this summer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Making ice cubes out of food makes this common snack even better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Raw cultured goat milk is an amazing food. It's not only nourishing and hydrating, it's a source of probiotics, naturally occurring enzymes, and other important nutrients. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is important to use raw milk; pasteurization kills enzymes, including lactase, making it harder to digest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you get a product like the one made by <a href="http://www.primalpetfoods.com/product/detail/c/16/id/66" target="_blank"><b>Primal Pet Food</b></a> you also get turmeric, ginger, & cinnamon, which is what makes it my favorite brand (+ their choice of probiotics are very effective).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can also add freeze-dried meat or other tasty goodies before freezing</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hand these out as snacks. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Use them for on-the-go hydration; you can let them thaw on a trip or even for an afternoon out walking. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">They can entice dogs who don't drink enough water. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">They're also good for ill dogs who aren't eating well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The benefit is feeding the whole plant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don't look at this and think "I'll get dandelion greens next time I shop" because you'd be missing the root which is the prime part of the plant for rejuvenating the liver, the organ system that springs to life at this time of year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The root is complemented by the leaves and flowers when fed as food, all the parts contributing to wellness when used in this manner, not by overwhelming the system, but by gently shifting foods with the seasons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many dogs are searching out just the right grass to eat to stimulate their liver and gall bladder at this time of year. They instinctually do this, reminding us to do so as well. </span>Margarat Neehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14751485421174752217noreply@blogger.com0Leucadia, Encinitas, CA 92024, USA33.0680967 -117.30337097.5460621999999979 -158.6119649 58.5901312 -75.9947769