Furry friends need future leaders

 

Lexy Piehl from Critter Sitter in Gaylord MI

One of my heroes in life

My soul dog, Odin J., now at the rainbow bridge was my greatest teacher!

 

Odin was very afraid of children. He taught me much more than any other teacher I have had over the years. I believe he wanted me to continue to help others like him, live their best lives and educate in his honor. One of my biggest passions is to help children understand more about humane education and bite prevention. If more children and adults took the time to understand dogs like Odin, and approach with patience and kindness, more dogs would live happier lives and less children would be bitten.

 

Statistically over one million dogs are euthanized a year because of a biting incident.  Over 50% of those bites are face-to-face. What does that tell us?

 #1 We need to kindly educate, educate adults and children alike.

# 2 We especially need to educate children that are at face level.

Let’s save some lives by prevention!

 

I don't believe a pe should lose its life because we, as adults, have not talked with children about running up and shoving their face in the dog or cat’s face. I have heard many times, from people, “My dog would never do that”, or “Oh that dog better not bite, no matter what my child does, it shouldn't bite.”   I disagree, pets cannot verbalize when they are uncomfortable. What about the children? Shouldn't there be rules for them also? It is not fair to a dog to just let a child do as they wish. I believe, even the mildest of dogs, should not be left alone with small unpredictable children, that may fall or pull hair in sensitive areas and set our dog up to fail.

 

We should teach our kids, that every dog should be treated as a service dog. You, or your dog, do not, approach that dog without asking and then use our manners. Do not ride dogs like ponies, or do not use them as foot stools. It hurts my heart to see a photo of a child having their face right in a dog's face, when you can clearly see the dog is uncomfortable. I think it's important we tell the kids; stop running, but just like dogs, we also need to tell them what we would like them to do instead. Redirection is key. For example, instead of “Don't run when he the dog nips your pants”. Instead say, “Stop, hands up and ‘be a tree’.” Both dogs and children like to be told what they can do instead of constantly hearing Charlie Brown's teacher's voice no no no no.

I want to ensure our future leaders learn the respect they should have of the magnificent animals we are graced to have in our lives. I want them to experience the magic of working together with a dog, as team, with mutual respect and love and joy, playing fun sports or tricks and sharing the camaraderie with other dog parents, instead of always on their computer devices. I admire my friend Lexy at 17 (at the time this was written). She is not only competing but teaching agility. You can see the joy and the fun her and her dogs are having together. I hope our younger generation can experience the confidence and joy I believe goes hand and hand.  She takes in rescue kitties and bunnies and is supported by her family. Her dad built her, her own rescue room. I think the message her parents instilled in her of philanthropy should be taught to more of the younger generation. I would be happy to come share my message at local schools or through video to your schools. I also would be happy to chat with teachers or anyone else that wants to share that message around the world. One by one, we can make a difference. I urge you, in honor of Odin and all precious creatures of this earth to instill the magic, the compassion, and joy of working and caring for another living being. I hope we can bring awareness to look up from their devices and into the eyes of an animal.

 

 

Heart Journey, Food for thought

 

The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Jane Goodall

 

     I admire veterinarians. Sadly, at the current time there is a shortage of veterinarians in the industry and they have a very stressful job. In most cases, they are doing the best they can, and genuinely care. Now, more than ever, we need to be advocates for our pets. It is not humanly possible for Veterinarians to have the time to put into the research, that each animal deserves. Our pets cannot go on a computer or go to the library and do their own research. That it our job, as pet parents, to dig deeper.

I will give you examples of reasons to do this. A good friend of mine has an elderly dog with liver problems. The dog also has arthritis, so the vet prescribed a prescription for mobility. The label on the package for the prescription for mobility stated, “do not give to dogs with liver problems.” In busy times these things slip through the cracks, and we have to be hypervigilant.

     Recently I wrote about my dog Olaf’s journey with heartworm after being rescued and brought up from Louisiana. I just found out that heartworm preventatives, which contain ivermectin, are not always effective on the heartworm strain from down south. Guess what I had been using on Olaf?  I found this and other valuable information out because I did second and third opinions with different knowledgeable veterinarians, that had experience and integrative ideas. I did hours of research and am using a protocol from Canine Herbalist, Rita Hogan. I am doing this hand-in-hand with the slow kill Doxycycline and Advantage Multi. I have taken some knowledge from each professional, trying to be my dog's advocate to put together a protocol specialized for him, including green light baths, and infrared too. I have learned that a suggested dose for herbs may not be the right dose for your dog. With herbs you may have to experiment what the best dose is that works best with your pet. I suggest taking notes and journaling every day. Journal your doses, your pet’s diet, and all the details you notice, ie: did they have diarrhea, or are they extra sleepy?? For suggestions and a chart to do this and to help you detect little problems before they turn into big ones, we have designed, “ Dog Blessed Health Journal and Workbook.” It is available on Amazon.com  https://a.co/d/fIVXFEE and Must Love Dogs.

     Remember, no one knows your pet like you do. Every pet is an individual and their diet should be too. I like to compare most over processed, carcinogenic kibble to our dry cereal. Could we live on just cereal? Possibly, but would we thrive? No! Our body needs whole food. Preservatives cause inflammation. Inflammation causes disease in the body. I, passionately, believe in whole food diets. If you want to research, a suggestion would be to head to Grand Haven to Must Love Dogs and talk to the knowledgeable Tonya Christiansen and/or to purchase the “Forever Dog” book. As stated in that book, pet food was originated from an electrician that was also a salesman looking to make money from the rich and the elite. He was a salesman with no nutritional knowledge. Education is KEY. Make sure you read or consult a pet nutritionist or take a nutrition course. You pets will lack the vitamins and minerals they need if you don’t cook with the proper nutrients added in. I honestly can say that since I have put Olaf on an all raw, whole food diet, his coat is fuller and sheds less and I feel better giving him nutrients to support his heart. I combine a diet from Dr. Judy Morgan’s Yin and Yang cookbook and wonderful whole foods from Must Love Dogs and add-ins I learned about from the book, “The Forever Dog.”

I just read an article about the oldest dog in the world. He was a 30+ years old mid-size dog. The owner stated he ate table scraps. Whole food table scraps. Coincidence? Food for thought.

 

As Dr. Jane Goodall says, “It is our job to speak for them.”