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The Easiest And Most Important Holiday Gift of Wellness You Can give

There's nothing more special that you can give your pet for Christmas than the gift of good health.
They don't need a stocking stuffed with Milk Bones, a new squeaky toy or a rhinestone encrusted collar.

The money you spend on extras year round for your pet could be spent on a one time upgrade of their nutrition by way of providing quality food.

Do you remember the horrible outcome this year of the pet food recall. Dogs and cats dying from kidney failure. What I noticed was that the cause, the recalled ingredient wheat gluten, was added to numerous brands of food no matter what they cost. Name brands such as Iams and Eukanuba were as affected as the local grocery store brand kibble.

When our little beagle Shiloh developed kidney failure from a tick borne illness the first thing I did was jump on the computer in research mode. In the process of reading about strengthening the immune system I came across the importance of providing your pet good nutrition. Unfortunately it was too late to help Shiloh with just a switch in pet food but we could help our Shih Tzu Choo Choo and our cat Smokey.

That was when I decided that just like one of the family Choo Choo and Smokey would eat the best food that we could provide. I chose Innova by Natura. Innova is just one of Natura's brands of dog and cat food. Because of the trust I place in Natura's food manufacturing process I never had to worry about the wrong ingredient being added. The company gives assurances that they know where every ingredient in their food comes from and they have their own food plants that they inspect. In regards to the recall the president of the company put out a video statement on their web site.

There are other brands on the market that provide the same assurances but you won't find them in your grocery pet food isle, Petsmart or Petco. Most companies web sites will provide a store locater to help you find the closest store that carries their food.

Some of the brands include:
Wellness by Old Mother Hubbard
Solid Gold
Halo's Holistic
Or look at many brands at the Only Natural Pet Store.

If you really think of your dog or cat as a member of the family then take the time to do a search on the internet for the best food that you can provide. If you have a new puppy or kitty now is the time to start on their road to good health.
It's never too late to change just don't wait until a pet gets sick to find out like I did.

Christmas Stockings Make Me Blue

I was hanging Christmas stockings on the mantle this morning and had to move around Smokey's picture and his little box of ashes. It made me sad. I still miss him.

Rabies Vaccine Research Study Started

Nine Month Growth Of A Fibrosarcoma Associated With A Rabies Vaccine

One of the most important vaccine research studies in veterinary medicine is underway at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison.
Dr. Ronald Schultz, a leading authority on veterinary vaccines and Chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, has begun concurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies to determine the long-term duration of immunity of the canine rabies vaccine, *with the goal of extending the state-mandated interval for boosters*. These will be the first long-term challenge studies on the canine rabies vaccine to be published in the United States.

Dr. Schultz comments that:"We are all very excited to start this study that will hopefully demonstrate that rabies vaccines can provide a minimum of 7 years of immunity." This research is being financed by The Rabies Challenge Fund, a charitable trust founded by pet vaccine disclosure advocate Kris L.Christine of Maine, who serves as Co-Trustee with world-renowned veterinary research scientist and practicing clinician, Dr. W. Jean Dodds of Hemopet in California. The Rabies Challenge Fund recently met its goal of $177,000 to fund the studies’ first year budget with contributions from dog owners, canine groups, trainers, veterinarians,and small businesses. Annual budget goals of $150,000 for the studies must be met in the future.

Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM states: "This is the first time in my 43 years of involvement in veterinary issues that what started as a grass-roots effort to change an outmoded regulation affecting animals will be addressed scientifically by an acknowledged expert to benefit all canines in the future." Scientific data published in 1992 by Michel Aubert and his research team demonstrated that dogs were immune to a rabies challenge 5 years after vaccination, while Dr. Schultz’s serological studies documented antibody titer counts at levels known to confer immunity to rabies 7 years post-vaccination. This data strongly suggests that state laws requiring annual or triennial rabies boosters for dogs are redundant. Because the rabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and associated with significant adverse reactions, it should not be
given more often than is necessary to maintain immunity. Adverse reactions such autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy; and fibrosarcomas at injection sites are linked to rabies vaccinations.

Study co-trustee Kris Christine adds: “Because the USDA does not require vaccine manufacturers to provide long-term duration of immunity studies documenting maximum effectiveness when licensing their products, concerned dog owners have contributed the money to fund this research themselves. We want to ensure that rabies immunization laws are based upon independent, long-term scientific data.”

More information and regular updates on The Rabies Challenge Fund and the concurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies and it's financing can be found at the fund’s website www.RabiesChallengeFund.org

Is Your Pet Safe At The Vet?

In Memory Of Toonces 1989-2006
Toonces died June 22,2006 in his owner's arms after two years of living with the brain damage he suffered while in the care of his doctor.
Some veterinarians are negligent while others can just be cocky.
Regardless of the degree of offense, as pet owners, you should know that there are actions you can take to protect yours and other's loved pets.

I was surprised to find out that a Chesterfield County veterinarian I know, has a violation on file with the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Heath Professions.

This was found thanks to:
The Toonces Project: A website for individuals who believe their pets have become victims of veterinary malfeasance, malpractice, negligence, or abuse . .

More and more owners are filing lawsuits because they are concerned their pets are being treated as just property in the eyes of the law. To protect their reputations and their businesses monetarily several veterinarians are filing counter suits against their clients. You can read about it at: Veterinary Abuse Network.
Pet owners do have the rights and resources to fight back and this information is provided by: The First Amendment.org.

As I said in my post dated November 11, 2007 you are the owner, the client and you pay the bills. Whoever you choose as a doctor for your pet, works for you. You have the right to receive detailed information about your pets examination and the right to quality care for your pet. If your companion animal is that important to you then please don't settle for anything less.

Helping Natures Creatures - Live With Less, Help With More

If you haven't already noticed, my posts have taken on a bit of a theme this month. I was so touched by my new Flickr contact's images from Bangkok, Thailand, plus all the articles I've been reading about how to holiday shop for our families, friends, co-workers and now even our dogs and cats. It brought me to wonder how much more can we spend and on what before we have nothing left to give to those who truly are in need. Where does it end.

I know some of us have thoughts of a perfect Norman Rockwell or Currier and Ives or even a Thomas Kinkade Christmas. Others have small children that they can't let down. We'll also be hearing numerous sermons in our places of worship, of giving and receiving, all which lead up to our own expectations for the day.

When I moved to Virginia in 1991 to a house and outbuildings on three acres, it seems my outlook towards the Holiday really changed. Maybe it was the stillness outside of a barn full of Angora goats. Or the peace of a few lights twinkling in the windows of a farmhouse. Or the crisp breath of a baby calf as she drinks her formula from the pail. Maybe it was just the likeness to the original manger scene of Christ's birth that filled me with a longing for a simplicity of the season.

I live away from that farmhouse now but my love for animals hasn't changed. Maybe my holiday themed posts will help me nurture that longing for simplicity and remind me of what I can do in my life to live with less and help with more.

Photo courtesy of Mistifarang @ Flickr
Thank you, Toni.

Shelter, Clean Food And Water, And Love

Soi (street in Thailand) dogs looking for a meal in Bangkok.

What disparity between the way we can indulge ourselves in the United States by the way we treat our pets and the way animals are treated in other countries.

Pet Paradise: Animal clinic incorporates luxurious animal resort.


Lounging by the pool, taking a dip when the sun gets too hot, taking a stroll just to relax: it sounds like a great vacation. The only catch to receiving this pampered R&R?

You have to be a dog.

56 kennel spaces, 26 of which will be luxury garden view indoor/outdoor canine suites for boarding pets. Four of those will be considered executive luxury poolside indoor/outdoor suites, and will be set up much like the pet’s own living room, complete with an easy chair and television. Pets will be able to stay long-term, or just for the day.

Pets that have the luxury of staying at one of the new kennels with a view will be required to be up-to-date on their shots, as well as pass an obedience test, as they will be unleashed in the exercise areas so they can play.

Although the guinea pigs, ferrets and cats that Lynn Animal Hospitals treat will probably not enjoy the bone shaped swimming pool when it’s completed, most dogs will find their vacation one that their owners may want to stay at the resort and enjoy with their pet.
© Copyright by Village Publishing

Christian Community And Social Justice - Part 2

Images of suffering animals are very hard for me to look at and when you include poor begging children it makes it all the more difficult. I have decided that because this sermon includes people that are the poor, the handicapped and the homeless, I would like to continue it on my monkeywrench blog.

Photos used courtesy of Mistifarang @ Flickr Thank you, Toni

Food For Thought At This Holiday Season-Part 1

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not as religious as I used to be. I was raised Roman Catholic and their teachings have still left me with a thirst for compassion and social justice. I haven't given up saying "I want this or need that." but it makes me understand the need for moderation in what I consume. Some call this "sharing the wealth" others call it charity.

At this harsh economic time in our nation's history with food, utilities and gas prices so high and our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, wives and husbands away fighting and dying, I thought this text was appropriate to bring us back to the truest meaning of the holiday season. For Americans it's a time of plenty for some, yet still a need for so many. This poor little dog, like so many around the world, homeless and lacking care in Bangkok, Thailand, represents one part in the disparity, not only in how we treat our animals, but in our care of our brothers and sisters as well.

"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." Mahatma Ghandi

Christian Community and Social Justice
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost*

Amos 6:1, 4-7, 1Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31
I was only half-heartedly thinking about these scripture texts the other day as I was reading an article on the rising number of health spas for dogs, where with compatible companions, dogs could get a complete makeover - haircut, shampoo and pedicure - topped off by a dose of aromatherapy. I was jolted back to these thoughts the other evening as I was having dinner with some friends and the conversation got around to the topic of obesity in pets and how our house pets continue to get more obese, and how we need to put our cats and dogs on more regimented work-out programs.

While pet spas may sound a bit humorous to some, they are but a symptom of the growing massive disparity in wealth in our country, the richest country in the world, with one of the highest rates of children living in poverty. Bring back Amos thundering against the complacent in Zion for their conspicuous consumption and regal living! Bring back the Psalmist who sings: "The Lord...brings justice to the oppressed." Give us the vision that the rich man in the Gospel lacked until it was too late, to see Lazarus and to know how we might best respond!

Weekly Sermon by: The Rev. Michael E. Allwein, St. James Lutheran Church, Gettysburg, PA
Photo used courtesy of: Mistifarang at Flickr.com Thank you, Toni
*Readings from the Christian Liturgical Year
Cross posted at monkeywrench

This Picture Speaks For Itself

This is what my poor Smokey had to endure the last few weeks of his life. The end result of a tumor that started as an inch or so bump under the skin. It grew to the size of a tennis ball that painfully pulled on the muscle of his leg and ulcerated to a dollar size draining necrotic (medical term for dying tissue) mess. The tumor first broke open to about the size of a quarter. Even though I was treating the wound with antibiotic ointment and pain medication, in the end Smokey started sleeping most of the time in the closet as a way to protect himself from further injury. He was still eating and sitting in the sun but I had to decide soon if I was controlling the pain enough and was this really quality of life. When he started hiding behind the sofa I knew it was time to take him to see the doctor for the last time.