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Obviously, the boys like their doggie ice cream!
– Kenn
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By Michael Price for Sciencemag.org
Great Danes stretch more than a meter from paw to shoulder and can easily weigh more than 90 kilograms. A Chihuahua fits snugly inside a purse. Domestic dog breeds are more varied in body size and shape—not to mention coat color and fur length—than any other land-based mammal. Yet, according to a new study, a mere two to six regions in doggy DNA account for most of this diversity.
Over the past few years, researchers have linked a number of canine traits—from size to coiffure—to specific mutations in dog DNA. This new line of research was made possible by the completion of the Dog Genome Project in 2005 by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in Bethesda, Maryland. But researchers lacked a large-scale analysis of these traits across a wide variety of breeds. As a result, they didn’t know whether traits were governed by a large number of genetic regions, each contributing a small effect, or by a few regions with large effects.
So a team led by Carlos Bustamante, a comparative geneticist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, and Elaine Ostrander, a comparative geneticist with NHGRI, analyzed genetic information from 915 domestic dogs representing 80 different breeds. The researchers compared the dogs’ DNA, looking for sequences that differed by a single base, known as single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Once they found out where the DNA differed, they compared those differences between dogs with, for example, short versus long legs or perky versus droopy ears.
To read the rest click here.
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When Being a Rat is a Good Thing
By Nadine M. Rosin For The Dog Files
Many years ago I heard that the behavioral science department of a major university did the following study:
They built a rectangular maze that consisted of one straight pathway (we’ll call “A”) with six straight perpendicular pathways or rows leading off of it (rows one through six). At the end of row number six only, they placed a piece of cheese. Everyday they’d put a rat in the maze at the point in pathway A where it opened to row number one. Everyday the rat would run up and down rows one through six until he found the cheese.
Eventually, the rat learned that the cheese was always at the end of row six and when put in the maze, would ignore rows one through five and go directly to row number six. The researchers let this continue for thirty days and then they moved the cheese to the end of row number two. They put their rat in the maze. As usual, the rat ran immediately to and down row number six but this time- NO CHEESE! The rat kept running up and down row number six but of course, the cheese was not there.
The conclusion of the researchers? The difference between humans and rats is that eventually the rat will try going down a different row in search of the cheese. We, on the other hand, are far more subject to being stubborn creatures of habit, even when we know it is not in our best interest.
Through the years, I’ve done my best to remind myself of this story. It’s my way of trying to keep my mind open to cutting edge information, new ways of thinking about things and new paradigms. It’s helped me in many ways: moving on from situations like jobs or relationships that were no longer healthy or growing, changing eating habits or products I used – basically anything I knew I could improve but for the most part, was also comfortable with or used to.
It is with that in mind that I encourage you to embrace change when it comes to the food and products you use for yourself and your dogs. Just because something has been sold in stores for years doesn’t mean it’s safe. It is more likely to mean that the manufacturer has a huge advertising budget. It really is up to us as consumers to take the time and do a little research of our own. It’s not difficult.
For instance: take a look at some of the ingredients listed on your moisturizer. Does it contain methylparaben, ethylparaben, or propylparaben? Now Google any one of those. You’ll find that parabens are commonly used preservatives included in countless products since the 1920′s. Recent studies have found that repeated exposure can cause cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies, endocrine disruption, and organ system toxicity. Bad enough to be rubbing into your own skin on a daily basis, but how many times a day does your dog lick that skin on your face or hands?
Same goes with perfumes and colognes that are alcohol-based- they are full of potentially toxic chemicals. Ever notice how some people seem to be marinated in scent? It’s because many of the ingredients in those scents actually create addictive pathways in the brain and the “user” can no longer smell it in small amounts. It’s comparable to an alcoholic or drug addict needing more and more to get off.
So what are some alternatives? (is there cheese down a different row?) Clean is sexy. Pure castile soap also comes in peppermint, lavender and almond. Essential oils are wonderful, though some in large doses can be toxic to birds and cats, so again, a quick Google can help you out there.
For moisturizer, I use pure shea butter on my face. I buy it in a small tub. It’s scent-free, effective (use a little and rub in well to avoid it being greasy), inexpensive, and natural (make sure you’re buying pure shea butter not one processed with additives. It will say on the label. If it doesn’t- don’t buy it). As far as body and hand moisturizer, once I started eating more fruits, vegetables and omega-3 rich foods, I no longer needed any other moisturizer (and I live in the desert!). All of these items can be found in most natural markets and health food stores.
I hope this has encouraged you to take a few simple steps to becoming more ingredient conscious for the sake of both you and your pet. And by the way… all metaphors aside, as delicious as it is, I would never feed cheese to my dog. It’s extremely mucous-forming which is hard on the immune system and is usually made with milk full of growth hormones (BST) and antibiotics. Carrot sticks are a much better treat.
Nadine M. Rosin, Holistic Pets/Toxic-free Living Consultant, Pet Bereavement Facilitator, author & speaker.
Available for phone consultations, your next function or fundraiser
The Healing Art Of Pet Parenthood
A book about the human-animal bond, healing cancer holistically, and a new take on pet loss.
Pet Parenthood Blog
A blog with answers & information about natural healing, grief, and parenting our beloved pets.
The Mission Behind the Book :
Helping pet parents realize we may be unconsciously contributing to the skyrocketing increase of cancer in our pets by unknowingly creating highly toxic environments in our homes.
Providing comfort, camaraderie, and validation for pet parents experiencing the devastating loss of a beloved pet.
Helping to remove the words, “It’s just a dog/cat” from the lips of non pet parents everywhere.
Click to join our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter!
Q and A with Dog Trainer, Lon L. Flewelling
By Lon L. Flewelling For The Dog Files
Q and A with Lead Dog, Lon L. Flewelling of Lead Dog Services in Denver;
This month I address, 1.) Chewing woodwork 2.) Alpha dogs 3.) Dog attacking lawn mower and weed trimmer 4.) Introducing new puppy to household
1. Ashley asked:
Do you know how to get a dog to stop chewing on a door frame? My boy won’t stop, I need help. He is constantly chewing on things even though he has chew toys.
Lon L. Flewelling:
I have had success with a couple of methods/tools…One is a product called Grannick’s Bitter Apple, a few drops has the sour of about 10 Granny Smith Apples…VERY bitter. Some dogs, however have no problem with bitter, those often respond to hot, I steep some cayenne pepper powder and strain the liquid through cheesecloth. Either can be applied the spots where he chewed without staining, and should work. If and when you catch him doing it a stern, “AH! Leave it” will reprogram his thinking. Leave it can be used for anything, remotes, other dogs or cats, books, anything you don’t want him to get into. I also have a few squirt bottles around to get the attention before “Leave it!” When he stops reward with a “Good Leave It” and offer him one of his toys. Also reprograms his switches.
The result of this suggestion was that the hot wasn’t successful however the bitter did make Ashley’s dog avoid the woodwork, and her follow-up with the suggested commands improved the situation considerably.
2. Gina contacted me with the following:
Sherri of The Dog Examiner posted this. I was curious as to your thoughts about it.
“If you watch a pack of wolves move around in the wild; it is the Alpha who says where they are going. The top wolves decide which direction to go in but they don’t have to be out front; that is a fallacy. The members of the pack watch the Alpha and go where he goes but the lower members are all about, even out in front. When I take my… dogs for a walk in the woods and everyone is off leash they are following me; there is no doubt about it but they are like a pack of wolves, all around.
In my opinion having your dogs walk behind you is just not fun for me or my dogs. But keeping them back there to show them who’s boss defeats the purpose of why we are out for a walk.”
Lon L. Flewelling:
Having observed wolf and dog packs, I agree that the alpha wolves do guide the pack but not necessarily need to be physically in front of the pack. The members constantly check on the body posture and language of the leaders for their cues as to where to go. In fact, when they are relatively stationary or in a ‘camp’ so to speak, the alpha male often takes a high ground spot to watch for potential dangers, while the alpha female if in the middle of the pack and if all is calm and controlled she does nothing to interfere.
I have always felt that if there is a ‘problem child’ dog strong guidance like being in front, going through doors first, etc. will reset their mental switches but when they are truly following the alpha, and respond to commands they can go out front. Mine will listen when I call them back to me with a ‘check in’ so they are still in compliance with alpha leadership and the reward is being allowed to go ahead where I can watch and enjoy them, and use their protective nature to watch for possible problems. They trust me and I trust them.
3. Jeannine asked:
Why do dogs attack the mower? Buffy attacked my mower and her mom wants to eat my weed wacker.
Lon answered:
I’m certain it’s two things, one they only see/hear them after months of not having them present and two they are VERY irritating noise to dog’s sensitive ears. I have had a number of behavior clients contact me about just those things. I generally consult them to have the pups on lead at the very least, and away from the machines if at all possible.
4. Marni asked:
We’re getting a second dog to make our little Havanese happy as his companion just moved to Florida. Do you think we should lean towards a male or a female? (Our doggie is male, but seems to get along with almost all dogs we have around here). Also, any special tips on training a new puppy that has to be confined for housetraining, etc. when there’s already a grown dog in the house?
Lon responded:
Is your boy fixed? Often it doesn’t make too much difference which you get…some do better with opposite sex, but not too much of an issue. More important issue would be introducing them in a neutral place that is not his territory, like home. I have always had success meeting at a park, or green belt. I have started a ways away from each other and walking them on lead towards each other, making a few passes and making certain that they go to a calm and submissive mode before they actually meet nose to butt. They can then go home together and will likely just go into the home together without problems.
As far as the house training, very often the older dog will help train the newbie by the signals he puts off, i.e. whining, scratching at the door to go outside. He may have moments when he has accidents inside thinking he can get away with it also. I usually recommend two avenues, using a crate for any extended periods as they most often do not relieve themselves where they sleep. First action when allowing them out is to use the command “go pee outside!” and take or let them out and reward with a “good pee outside!” when they do. I teach to reward the action not the dog, i.e. “good pee outside” not “good boy!” Also utilized puppy pads as they have infused ammonia odor to attract them to go on a spot that already smells like a ‘used’ spot. You can use a few leading up to a door that you use to have them go out to relive and remove the pads one at a time until there is one in front of the door.
Lon L. Flewelling was born the middle and most charming of three boys in rural Minnesota where he spent many formative hours on family farms directly interacting with animals nearly from day one. Since his youth he enjoyed the gift and magic of close communication abilities particularly with dogs. Lon followed his gift into the world of wolf studies to further develop my passion and abilities to understand canines and their communications with each other and humans. He is a perpetual student of canines and sees no end to the absorption of canine knowledge.
“Lon L. Flewelling is the human owner’s manual on how to operate your dog in Denver!”
-Shasta Michaels-
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Caring For Your Senior Dog
By Nadine M. Rosin For The Dog Files
My greatest wish, is that every pet parent is lucky enough to someday have to face the issue of senior canine care. When my own dog, Buttons, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 8, the vet referred to her as a senior dog. Not only was I unwilling to lose my beloved canine to an insidious disease, but I remembered as a child, dogs commonly living into their late teens. So, 8-years old… middle-aged? Maybe. But senior citizen? Definitely not!
How I implemented an intense holistic cleansing and nutritional regimen to successfully heal the cancer without the vet’s prescribed treatment of chemotherapy, radiation and amputation, is a whole other story. This article is about senior canine care. Since Buttons not only survived the cancer, but thrived for an additional 11 years, until passing peacefully of old age at 19, I am blessed to have some life experience with a canine elder.
Of course, regardless of age, a pure, clean diet and chemical-free environment are essential for a strong immune system. Dogs metabolize everything so much faster than we do-whereas our bodies can endure a certain amount of toxic abuse for 40 or 50 years before retaliating, a dog’s body will start showing disease in 5-7 years. In my experience, it’s wise to take note of what chemical exposure there is in your own home via often overlooked things as cleaning products, laundry products, and air fresheners.
Past a certain age, supplements start taking on an even greater role and I encourage every pet parent to do their own online research of the many available choices. Personally, I had a lot of success with Yucca Extract to ease any joint stiffness or swelling Buttons had. Yucca is a natural steroid with no negative side effects and is easy to mix in food. Also, after much reading on its use in Germany and Italy on human stroke victims, I began using Alpha Lipoic Acid to help with any symptoms of CDS (doggy Alzheimer’s).
The last 3 years of Buttons’ life, I was very careful to keep a steady routine, not move any furniture, and basically keep everything in her world as predictable as possible. When the time came, we experimented with different brands of diapers. For her 18th birthday I bought a cushy, fold-up baby stroller to take with us on hikes for when she got tired. At one point, due to her aging eyesight and cognitive function, I covered the sharp edges of our furniture with foam.
Ok. Now here’s the hard part- the one that isn’t so comfortable to read, but the part that is, in my opinion, essential. Take lots and lots of photos and video- they will help comfort you through the grieving process when the inevitable happens. When Butts was 17, I bought a bunch of disposable cameras. Every time I filled one up with pictures of her, I’d put it in a box in the back of my closet. It wasn’t until months after her passing that I began having them developed, one by one. What a comfort it was to have new photos of her even after she’d gone.
Take a day here and there away from your busy life to shut out the rest of the world and really connect deeply with your animal’s spirit- to consciously and uninterruptedly just BE with this unconditionally loving soul who’s been such a deep and delightful part of your life. Believe me, there will come a time when you will be so glad you did.
Do any research about what your choices are and how you will handle the details of your dog’s body after their passing. It’s so much easier to think clearly and gather facts well before the day you are thrown into that gut-wrenching grief.
Most importantly, as much as you can, treasure each moment for what it is- find the joy in it, rather than missing what was or fearing what’s to come. I mean, our dogs never stop teaching us how to do just that, right? Having a senior canine can be so precious and such a profound learning experience. Your canine may not be bounding along the beach or scampering up the trail any longer, but your relationship will be as priceless as a rare, old cognac, and by then, you’ll undoubtedly be finishing each other’s sentences, too.
Nadine M. Rosin, Holistic Pets/Toxic-free Living Consultant, Pet Bereavement Facilitator, author & speaker.
Available for phone consultations, your next function or fundraiser
The Healing Art Of Pet Parenthood
A book about the human-animal bond, healing cancer holistically, and a new take on pet loss.
Pet Parenthood Blog
A blog with answers & information about natural healing, grief, and parenting our beloved pets.
The Mission Behind the Book :
Helping pet parents realize we may be unconsciously contributing to the skyrocketing increase of cancer in our pets by unknowingly creating highly toxic environments in our homes.
Providing comfort, camaraderie, and validation for pet parents experiencing the devastating loss of a beloved pet.
Helping to remove the words, “It’s just a dog/cat” from the lips of non pet parents everywhere.
Click to join our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter!
Introducing Dogs To Each Other
By Lon L. Flewelling For The Dog Files
I always enjoy the challenge and pleasure of success in introducing new dogs to each other in such a way that they understand there is no threat to territory or self. Toni wanted to do just that to ensure a happy, healthy pack.
Toni asked:
I want to have a pack. My dog Kid, my step-son’s year old female Bella, also a pit, and his latest rescue, roscoe, 11 month old pit. Lots of pits. Anyway, how do I go about making them a pack? Kid has met both dogs, not together. Loves Bella. Met Roscoe thru my fence, didn’t like. Fence is a problem I think.
Lon answered;
My best success has been to introduce on neutral ground so there are no territorial issues going on. The fence between dogs represents a solid territory line so in a park or open space that none of them ‘own’ works best.
Have them on leads and walk them past each other a number of times getting slightly closer with each pass. Reward and denial work here as with many things. The reward is to be able to be near and interact, denial comes into play if any of them growl, or start showing body language that is aggressive, stiffening body and tail, puffing up, staring…correct them immediately with a stern ‘leave it’ and if it persists, ‘denial’ would be to turn them away from the forward motion and walk away from the confrontation.
Give it a few minutes and try it again.
ONLY after both or all dogs are calm and in submissive mode, this may take a few passes, are they to be allowed the ‘reward’ of getting closer and closer until they can all sit near each other without any dominance or aggression.
If possible, when getting home take them for a walk together around the block in your neighborhood, side by side and never in front of you or your son…YOU are the pack leaders.
I would recommend plenty of water bowls side by side in and outside the home so there is no possessive/territorial actions there either.
Bring them into your yard or at least outside and repeat the walking and sitting near each other, making certain they are all calm and subdued. The house is your territory as pack leaders, not theirs, as subordinate pack members. If there is any body posturing or language from any of them, leash the perpetrator(s) and ‘deny’ them access to the others until they settle. Reward and denial…repetition of commands like ‘leave it’, ‘settle’ and consistency of commands will be your allies throughout.
Donna asked:
On the walk with my dogs – my romper kicks the dirt in the same spot every time. She will not do poddy anywhere but in her yard so it is not that she is covering up and there are no other dogs around that she is standing her ground. Is there another reason for this? I’m just curious.
Lon replied:
It is likely a spot that has some sort of odor or pee from another dog. Dogs have scent glands in their paws between their toes and the kicking is another form of marking to leave their scent on top of the last ‘contribution’.
Wolves in the wild will do the same thing on the spot of a kill and or over another’s urination.
Donna wrote back:
Wow, it is indeed a spot where many dogs pass by on their walks so many do relieve themselves nearby. I had no idea that dogs had scent glands in their pads, that explains a lot about when and where he has kicked before, thank you!
Lon L. Flewelling was born the middle and most charming of three boys in rural Minnesota where he spent many formative hours on family farms directly interacting with animals nearly from day one. Since his youth he enjoyed the gift and magic of close communication abilities particularly with dogs. Lon followed his gift into the world of wolf studies to further develop my passion and abilities to understand canines and their communications with each other and humans. He is a perpetual student of canines and sees no end to the absorption of canine knowledge.
“Lon L. Flewelling is the human owner’s manual on how to operate your dog in Denver!”
-Shasta Michaels-
Click to join our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter!
Max destroy another “chew-proof” toy.
– Kenn
Click to join our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter!
Click to join our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter!
Adoption Sunday
By Kenn Bell, Creator Of The Dog Files
For over a year and a half the Dog Files has been chronicling the world of dogs. Through video, articles, news and an audio podcast. And I have to say, it’s been an incredible ride so far!
But sitting on the sidelines is officially over for the Dog Files. This past week, with the help of Dog Files contributor, Melody Chen, we posted an article about six dogs in a high kill shelter in Martinez County, California. The dogs had only a few days to live.
As I usually do with our stories, I posted it to the Dog Files Facebook Page and to Twitter. And with a little help from celebrity twitter addict, Alyssa Milano, thousands of you answered the call to help. Some of you retweeted our post. Some of you sent the article to other rescue shelters. Some of you donated money to help with foster care. And some of you adopted the pups.
The Dog Files is so excited to announce that because of the hard work of the Dog Files community on our site and on Facebook and Twitter, all six pups are now safely sleeping in either their forever homes or in foster care!
When Melody and I discussed doing Adoption Sunday at the Dog Files a few week ago, I truly felt we would be doing it for months before we’d be able to save even one dog. In my farthest imagination I never thought we could possibly save all six in the first week. Heck, I still can’t believe it as I write this!
One thing I noticed was that our battle to save the six dogs really hit home with the Dog Files Community. Pardon the pun, but it seemed to humanize the dogs struggle, letting us understand their plight a little better then we had before.
Now I know that many friends of Dog Files rescue and save dogs all the time. But a larger percentage of us don’t. We love dogs and have adopted dogs but we haven’t taken that first step to actually save a dog that isn’t our own. And hey, I confess, I was one of them. Sure, I did the right thing and adopted my two hounds from shelters, but that was where it ended. I guess I believed that the awareness I help build with the Dog Files website was enough.
This past week, I learned it wasn’t enough.
So where do we go from here? Like everything I do at the Dog Files, we want to start out slow but steady. So every other Sunday on the Dog Files will now be known as Adoption Sunday. And like last week, we’ll spotlight some dogs from a high kill shelter that only have days to live.
I realize that not everyone of you can help out every single time we do this and I don’t expect you too. Finding homes for pups is a lot of hard work and even I’m trying to figure out how to handle the extra burden. But that’s what’s so great about our Social Media community! Here’s what you can do to help:
Follow @dogfiles on Twiiter and retweet our posts (like this one, hint hint).
Join the Dog Files community at www.facebook.com/dogfiles and be sure to say hello to us when you do!
Tell your friends that are looking for a dog why they should adopt and not buy a dog from a pet store. Maybe even adopt from us.
Donate a little extra cash to help us get a dog out of a high kill shelter and into a foster home.
Be that foster home till we can find the dog its forever home.
Adopt one the dogs yourself and feel the joy of unconditional love that you only receive from man and woman’s best friend.
Or simply say hi and wish us good luck. We appreciate every little and big thing you can do to help.
Rescuing dogs is like sticking your thumb in one tiny leak in a giant dam to hold back the floodwaters. You feel as though you’ve saved the day until you notice many more cracks appearing all over the dam. At the same Martinez, California Shelter, on the same day that our six wonderful dogs won the lottery of life, ten other poor pups were put down.
A sobering thought indeed.
Join us to help save our greatest friend in the animal kingdom. We bred them to help us in our day to day lives. Now too many of them can only wish for a day to day life.
Give your pups a hug from us!
Kenn Bell
Dog Files Creator
June & Sophie Leave The High Kill Shelter!
Jordan & Lori from Good Newz! Pittie Pup Rescue Save June & Sophia!
June & Sophia Get Ready To Go To Their New Home!
Abe, the Chihuahua Mix & Foster Mom, Jillian
Abe Loves Kisses!
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Questions Of Dog Behavior
By Lon L. Flewelling For The Dog Files
The following are questions and answers posed to me via email. The first is from Toni questioning whether her dog can be taught to relieve himself in specified areas and deterred from eating droppings. The second is from Ditte asking about the reasoning behind her young Lab ‘sharing’ her bone.
1: Toni asked.
Hi Lon, I have kind of a silly question… Can I, or how do I teach my male dog to go to the potty in the same area?
Lon answered:
There are a couple of ways… dogs actually prefer to use the same area to relieve themselves so you can put a small post in that spot, if possible. You can purchase them with embedded smell to attract or you can pour some ammonia on a wooden one. When he goes on the spot reward him with a hearty “Good Pee”. You can also buy Pee Pads for puppies that have the same affect with embedded smells. Consistent and repetitive commands to ‘go pee’ and ‘good pee’ often work successfully.
Toni asked:
Will it work for his poo also?
Lon’s reply:
It will. It’s a bit gross but you can actually pick up a dropping from elsewhere with a glove or bag and place it there to entice. Always offer a big verbal reward when he does it right.
To deter cophragia, eating of droppings, for medium or large dogs mix approximately a tablespoon of equal parts of cut up cucumber and pineapple into his food. The acids in them react with the proteins in the food to make it less desirable.
2: Ditte, another client wrote to ask.
I was just hanging out at home and my Lab, Molly came and gave me her bone. She just put it in front of me and looked at me. Then i pretend to eat a little of it and then give it back to her. She takes it and walks away but comes back after a round in the living room and gives it to me again. And then i have done the same or put it on the ground for her and she would just put it back up there…. What is she trying to tell me????? Or does she just want to share her delicious bone with me??
Its interesting cause she also seems so primal when she does it! I don’t know if i am totally of on this one but it seems like she is honorable to the bone…?? I hope you have seen it before.
Lon answered:
I have indeed seen this fairly often. It is primal and embedded in her DNA, I feel she is honoring you as her pack leader and offering food to you first. In wolf packs the alpha male and female ALWAYS get to eat first, the subordinates know and are just fine with this as they also know that the alphas will fairly provide and divide. She is absolutely proud of herself for having done the correct thing and respectful of you for rewarding her by ‘eating’ first and giving her the rest. In her young mind she is doing it over and over to wallow in the pleasure.
My Sheltie is doing a very similar thing now by coming to me from outside and wagging happily when I reward her with a “Good Come!”, she will wag and go back out, circle my deck and come back in almost smiling, getting squirmy when I offer her another “Good Come!” like she is SO proud of herself and respectful of me as a fair and just leader.
Ditte asked:
Should I be rewarding her in any way?
Lon replied:
You can feel free to simply take it and keep it for a while…she will understand if you do. You can even use it to do what is called ‘spotting the behavior’ in other words if you reward her with a “Good Bring it” you can then incorporate “Bring it” to have her bring you whatever she may grab in the future. I have taught Tasha, my Sheltie to do that if she picks up something I don’t want her to have i.e. cell phone, etc. She proudly brings it to me and gets the reward and is SOOO proud and happy.
Thanks to both Toni and Ditte for their great questions and I look forward to helping them and others with dog behavior issues!
Lon L. Flewelling was born the middle and most charming of three boys in rural Minnesota where he spent many formative hours on family farms directly interacting with animals nearly from day one. Since his youth he enjoyed the gift and magic of close communication abilities particularly with dogs. Lon followed his gift into the world of wolf studies to further develop my passion and abilities to understand canines and their communications with each other and humans. He is a perpetual student of canines and sees no end to the absorption of canine knowledge.
“Lon L. Flewelling is the human owner’s manual on how to operate your dog in Denver!”
-Shasta Michaels-
If you like The Dog Files please join our Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/dogfiles
Also, follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dogfiles
Don’t Let Your Dog Become A Canary!
By Nadine M. Rosin For The Dog Files
From Wikipedia: “Well into the 20th century, coal miners brought canaries into coal mines as an “early warning signal” for deadly, toxic gases. The birds, being more sensitive, would become sick before the miners, who would then have a chance to escape or put on protective respirators.”
Is it any wonder that with the “pre green” proliferation of chemical laden household products, building supplies, and monthly flea poison treatments, that our pets are developing cancer at such an alarming rate? In addition to protecting one’s animal from constant exposure to a myriad of possible household carcinogens, just negotiating the constant recalls and dangers of an unregulated, processed pet food industry can be an overwhelming and depressing nightmare.
But there’s also a deeper issue: when it comes to these everyday toxins that we have become so unconscious about and accepting of, have our cherished, innocent pets become our modern day canaries?
There are MANY things we can do to help prevent our beloved companion animals from ever getting cancer. When my 8-year old dog, aka: my adopted daughter, Buttons, was diagnosed with a virulent carcinoma and given 6 weeks to live, I launched a massive personal research campaign deep into the world of holistic medicine.
I soon came to learn that “holistic” didn’t mean symptom treating with natural remedies or herbs in lieu of pharmaceutical drugs. It wasn’t about squelching the symptoms or waging war against cancer with something other than surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Instead, it meant addressing the causes: food, treats, cleaning supplies, flea treatments, plastic toys, foreign produced rawhide chews, and the emotional environment we were living in, to name a few.
It meant clearing my home of all possible toxins, cleansing Buttons’ entire system, and then giving her the proper nutritional support so that Buttons’ body could do what an unburdened body does best: HEAL ITSELF.
It’s important to remember that our pets metabolize everything much faster than we do. Whereas our bodies can endure a certain amount of toxic abuse for 40 or 50 years before retaliating, a pet’s body can begin showing disease as early as 4-7 years.
I believe a holistic approach today starts with our being more conscious consumers. Just because something is sold off a grocery store (or even a health food store) shelf, does not mean it’s necessarily safe in the long run. We all know that money, not well-being, is the bottom line in our consumer market. Manufactured food and other products are not tested for a person’s, or even a pet’s life span, before being approved, advertised and sold. Think about Teflon, DDT, aluminum pans, Red Dye #2, lead paint. Now take a moment to google “dryer sheets toxic” or “parabens cancer” and then go read the labels on your skin care products, make-up, and laundry products. Please don’t wait for a devastating cancer diagnosis of someone you love to be your wake up call.
The next step in Buttons’ and my healing process was clearing her body of all residual toxins. To do this, I used a number of different homeopathic remedies, herbs, and tinctures. Buttons’ diagnosis came in 1992 when holistic vets were scarce. Today, that’s not the case. I would encourage you to find a holistic vet that adheres to a true holistic regimen of clear/cleanse/build, rather than just symptom treating with natural remedies.
Because a holistic approach means addressing one’s life as a “whole”, as part of our healing process, I had to also consider Buttons’ emotional environment. Not surprisingly, her cancer developed during one of the most painful times of my life. It was two days after I joyously accepted his marriage proposal that my fiancé abruptly ended our relationship with no explanation, and refused to continue any communication whatsoever. I was torn apart, hemorrhaging emotionally, and on a good day, horribly depressed. Although I continued to care for Buttons as devotedly as ever, I was doing it all with a shattered heart.
I have heard it said that our animals often shunt energy for us, and no doubt, Buttons was feeling my pain in every cell of her own body. When I refer to “our” healing process that is exactly what I mean. She’s the one who got the remedies squirted down her throat, and I’m the one who had to go deep into my heart, and for the sake of my beloved canine companion, do some hard, healing work.
The final third of our holistic protocol involved nutritionally fortifying Buttons’ own immune system. Remember, the body’s natural state is one of radiant health. When supported properly, that is where it will gravitate. I threw out the prescription dog food from the vet. I began home cooking pure, simple, organic ingredients for her meals and treats. I supplemented with a few natural superfoods. Within 4 months, not only was Buttons alive and cancer-free, she was a thriving, energetic, 9-year old puppy!
There are numerous web sites today where one can quickly educate oneself on the horrible, disguised ingredients in most commercial pet food including several brands that are advertised as “all natural” and “organic”. Spend an hour reading- it could translate into many additional years with your own beloved animal.
My sweet girl, Buttons, went on to thrive for another 11 years. Exactly 1 week before her 19th birthday, she died peacefully of old age, at home in my arms. My own toxic-free lifestyle and good health are only a small part of her profound and loving legacy.
Nadine M. Rosin, Holistic Pets/Toxic-free Living Consultant, Pet Bereavement Facilitator, author & speaker.
Available for phone consultations, your next function or fundraiser
The Healing Art Of Pet Parenthood
A book about the human-animal bond, healing cancer holistically, and a new take on pet loss.
Pet Parenthood Blog
A blog with answers & information about natural healing, grief, and parenting our beloved pets.
The Mission Behind the Book :
Helping pet parents realize we may be unconsciously contributing to the skyrocketing increase of cancer in our pets by unknowingly creating highly toxic environments in our homes.
Providing comfort, camaraderie, and validation for pet parents experiencing the devastating loss of a beloved pet.
Helping to remove the words, “It’s just a dog/cat” from the lips of non pet parents everywhere.
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Welcome To Ohio!
What can I say about this past weekend but, “WOW!” BlogPaws 2010 is now a memory, but what a memory it is.
When Max, my trusty hound and I arrived Friday afternoon we were greeted with a dog bowl of water and biscuits before we even walked through the doors of the Columbus, Ohio Westin Hotel.
The Westin Hotel In Columbus, Ohio
And when we entered we were greeted with this sign.
BlogPaws Welcome Sign
So what exactly is a “BlogPaws” convention? Well, it’s a gathering of pet bloggers. Over 250 if I recall right, that get together (for the first time), get to know each other and get to help each other out. And it’s not about being competitors, but about “knowledge abundance.” About helping each other so that we ALL do a better job.
Max Approves Of Our Hotel Room
When we couldn’t have our dogs with us, BlogPaws had a room, complete with great pet sitters (thanks, guys) for the dogs to play in.
Max Ignoring Other Dogs At Pet Park & Watching Me Go To Breakfast. What Can I Say? That Hound Loves Me!
I met lots of great people, including Nigel Buggers of Life With Dog fame. Check out his website here. It rocks and so does he. We will definitely be working together in the very near future!
Hanging With Rex, The Great Dane!
As some of you might already know, I’m proud to be part of Bissell’s Pack Of Pet Lovers! They make great products to help keep your house clean and they LOVE dogs and cats! In the future, they are going to give me some really cool products that I’ll be giving away to you guys in contests.
Here is the Bissell team hanging with Max!
Bissell Ladies Hanging With Max!
A real honor for me was meeting Andrea Arden. She’s an incredible dog trainer/rescuer and she’s also one of the hosts of Animal Planet’s Underdog To Wonderdog. She’s devoted her entire life to animals and it was so much fun hanging out at the closing party with her!
And I think Max really took to her!
Andrea Arden Poses With Max
Max Show Andrea A Little Love
Dog Files would like to thank the entire BlogPaws Staff for putting together and pulling off such a huge undertaking! Everything was thought out, planned for and executed flawlessly. Max and I can’t wait for next year!
Max, exhausted by the day's activities.
The Dog Files are TM & © 2010 GraphicPlanet Creative
