A LITTLE THANKSGIVING WISDOM

Sometimes dealing with human family members can be a bit challenging. A little patience can go a long way…

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

NOW AVAILABLE: The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood ON YOUR COMPUTER!

☚☚☚Just click on the PayPal button on the left column, and for only $10, have a pdf of the entire book emailed to you for:

• easy reading on your computer!

• Or- you can print it out!

• Or- using "abobe Reader 7" and "iPod Notes Reader" you can convert it into files that can be read on your iPod!

Enjoy! Happy Holidays! And as always, thank you for helping spread the word so we can continue helping more and more pets and pet parents!

A THOUGHTFUL, LASTING GIFT

From now until December 15th, all copies of
The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood ordered through the publisher at
THIS LINK
will be signed copies with an inscription from the author!

(no minimum purchase)

If you prefer to order by phone, please call toll free: 1-888-934-0888 x3
The book's ISBN number is: 9781604940404Here's what others have to say about this book being the perfect gift:

“If ever there was a doubt in anyone’s mind that animals can heal us, then Nadine M. Rosin’s The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood will dispel that notion. It is an incredible tale of her emotional and physical journey with her dog, Buttons. A spiritual adventure, this book highlights holistic pet care particularly dealing with canine cancer. A blessing to read and a gift to share.”

-- Christy Crabtree, ANIMAL WORLD USA MAGAZINE

“The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood is an enchanting love story about a woman and her dog. And yet, because Rosin has written from wrenching pain and ascendant compassion, this book is also a meditation on oneness and a guide to self-completion. Enriching and entertaining, lyrical and insightful, it is a joy to read. You will give it as a gift to many people, with complete confidence that it will be cherished.”

-- Hugh Prather, author of The New York Times best seller, Notes To Myself

If we could all roll through our days with the reckless abandon of Buttons prancing through a wash or dancing with a piece of driftwood on the beach, we'd be better for it. I walked away from this read realizing that living creatures are capable of connecting and communicating on so many non-verbal levels, if we're tuned in. And we're just not, most of the time. This book will open your eyes in so many ways. I'm giving it to everyone I know for Christmas.

--J. Hussy, Tucson, AZ


“The deeply compelling, The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood, is a timeless testament to the paradigm of Oneness. It shows that love knows no bounds and that Spirit is bigger than form. When the student is ready the teacher will appear, sometimes camouflaged as a four-legged companion.”

--Rev. Deborah L. Johnson, author of The Sacred Yes and Your Deepest Intent


“The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood underscores the fact that the bond many of us develop with our pets is an incredible, inspirational thing that does not necessarily end with loss. This highly readable, intimate book is nothing less than a testament to that attachment.”

-- Larry Cox, TUCSON CITIZEN BOOK REVIEWS

EASY, NO-RISK FUND RAISING FOR ANIMAL NON PROFITS & RESCUES!

Dear animal non profits, rescues, shelters, veterinarians, and pet product retailers:


You can at anytime, purchase

THE HEALING ART OF PET PARENTHOOD at wholesale cost, directly from the publisher, to turn around and sell for the cover price.

Depending on how many copies you purchase and shipping costs to your part of the country, your profit will run approximately $7.95 - $13.95 per book!

What a great way to help educate and support your community having healthier, longer living pets, help comfort grieving pet parents, enlighten NON pet parents, and raise money for your organization! Plus, the following terms and return policy make this a virtually NO-RISK fund raiser for non profits!!!

Publisher contact information, terms and pricing are:

Call toll free 1-888-934-0888 x3
or Fax (520) 798-3394
Email: orders@wheatmark.com

Terms: Net 30 days
Non Profit/Retailer Discount: 40% for 1-99 copies, 50% for 100-499 copies, 55% for 500+
Shipping & Handling: Paid by non profit/retailer
Return Policy: Returnable within 1 Year (if in original, unaltered condition)

For information on author book signings, appearances and speaking engagements, please email me (see top left column)

FINDING A HOLISTIC VET IN YOUR AREA

You can use this site to start. If you're moving, don't forget to find and research your new vet before you have some kind of an emergency situation. Also, make sure you and your new vet are on the same page: are they truly holistic or just symptom treating with natural remedies?

Don't be afraid to ask if their basic philosophy is one of 1) removing toxins from the the animal's inner and outer environment, 2) cleansing the animal's system of residual toxins, and 3) strengthening the body nutritionally so it can heal itself.

Wishing you vibrant health
and precious moments-
Nadine (and Buttons)

IN OUR HEARTS, WE ALL KNOW PATRICIA

Patricia first contacted me almost a year ago, sharing her deep and wonderful experience of reading The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood. Yesterday I received this letter from her, and am sharing it here with her permission. As pet parents, we can all relate. Please join me in holding Patricia, Buddy, and all grieving pet parents in light and love during their time of deep transition.

"Dear Nadine:

I don't know if you remember me, I am the lady from "Warehouse Vitamins" that wrote some time ago about my dog, "Buddy."

My dearest and most trusted companion fell ill, on the 23rd of July. Before I knew what was happening, and the vet miss-diagnosed him to have valley fever, and after a full panel of blood work, we discovered that his kidneys were failing.

He fell much worse by the 27th of July. Although I tried several times to get him in sooner to the vet, they were reluctant to see the urgency of my precious boy, so took him to another vet, his little kidneys were breaking down. After years of battling stones in his bladder and two surgeries, his little kidneys just could not keep up.

His little heart was enlarged and to flush the kidneys would affect the heart, and he was in such pain, that he was telling me that it was time to go. I had spent the night before nursing him and trying to make him comfortable, he kept getting up trying to tell me he had to go somewhere. After tears of heartbreak and bewilderment, I took him in early to find that his pain was too much to bear. Between the advise of a vet, of whom I have never met but was truly in tune with Buddy we decided to put him to sleep.

Buddy was to receive a sedative first, but as my baby lay in my arms with eyes wide open, looking at his mama, he was telling me he wanted me to go through this transition with him. The doctor then administered the narcotic, and little Buddies eyes were open the whole time, as I told him that mama is right here, you'll not feel any more pain, and that you are such a brave boy, and a good boy,and then the love of my life, had left... his lifeless body left with eyes left on me. Oh the grief, the heart wrenching break of almost 16 years with my most trusted friend was gone.

Your book became alive in my life! The emptiness, at home, my babies little bed empty the space of once shared on the floor is somewhat out of order now that I just keep looking for my precious "Buddy!"

Oh Nadine , I think people think I am crazy to love my boy as I did! But it gives me great relief to write this with an understanding heart on the other end. Please keep me in your prayers, the nights are long, and the mornings are the worst. But we will endure, Buddy would of wanted mama to.

With much love,

Patricia C."

MORE REASONS TO GIVE UP DRYER SHEETS

Think about it- If you use these products, you are absorbing the following chemicals through your skin (our biggest organ) via your clothes, bedding, towels...constantly. And so are your children and pets.

Chemicals Found in Fabric Softeners/Dryer Sheets
Chemicals found in fabric softeners by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) "Identification of Polar Volatile Organic Compounds in Consumer Products and Common Microenvironments," 1991 Reference: Lance Wallace, EPA. Phone (703) 341-7509

Alpha-Terpineol - Causes CNS (central nervous system) disorders... "highly irritating to mucous membranes" ..."Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis or even fatal edema." Can also cause "excitement, ataxia (loss of muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and headache." "Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact."
Benzyl Acetate - Carconigenic (linked to pancreatic cancer). "From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough." "In mice: hyperanemia of the lungs." "Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects." "Do not flush to sewer."
Benzyl Alcohol - Causes CNS disorders ..."irritating to the upper respiratory tract" ..."headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure."
Camphor - Causes CNS disorders. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. Symptoms: "local irritant and CNS stimulant" ..."readily absorbed through body tissues" ..."irritation of eyes, nose, and throat" ..."dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions". "Avoid inhalation of vapors."
Chloroform - Neurotoxic. Anesthetic. Carcinogenic. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. "Avoid contact with eyes, skin, clothing. Do not breathe vapors ...Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness." "Inhalation can be fatal." "Chronic effects of overexposure may include kidney and/or liver damage." "Medical conditions generally aggravated by exposure: kidney disorders, liver disorders, heart disorders, skin disorders." "Conditions to avoid: Heat..." Listed on California's Proposition 65.
Ethyl Acetate - Narcotic. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. "...Irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract" ..."may cause headache and narcosis (stupor)" ..."may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys". "Wash thoroughly after handling."
Limonene - Carcinogenic. "Prevent its contact with skin or eyes because it is an irritant and sensitizer." "Always wash thoroughly after using this material and before eating, drinking ...applying cosmetics. Do not inhale limonene vapor."
Linalool - Narcotic. Causes CNS disorders. ..."Respiratory disturbances" ..."Attracts bees." "In animal tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression ...depressed heart activity ...development of respiratory disturbances leading to death."
Pentane - "Danger - Harmful if inhaled ...Avoid breathing vapor." "Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapors may cause CNS depression. Contact can cause eye irritation. Prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis (skin rash)."
CNS = Central Nervous System - Your brain and spine. CNS disorders include: Alzheimer's Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, Dementia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Seizures, Strokes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
CNS exposure symptoms include: aphasia, blurred vision, disorientation, dizziness, headaches, hunger, memory loss, numbness in face, pain in neck and spine.

BY THE "PAWER" VESTED IN ME...

I have a lot of respect for people’s creative expression. We have all experienced or witnessed how it makes us feel young, healthy, and happy when we're in the flow- and rather squelched and depressed when we're not.

Pet parents often express themselves through their animals: outfits, holiday costumes, birthday parties, and the latest craze- doggy weddings.
Personally, I’ve never been drawn to doing those things with my dog. Although we DID always acknowledge her birthday with a long hike and special treats, Buttons never wore outfits except a utilitarian sweater when we were camping overnight in the cold. The one time a groomer put bows in Buttons’ hair, I swear my sweet girl gave me the angriest and most humiliated look until I removed them, and she didn’t seem too happy about my laughing all the way to the car, first.

In addition to being the author of The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood, I am also a painter, a nondenominational minister and wedding officiant. To date, I have written, personalized and performed over 600 weddings. I’ll admit, there have been some bridezillas along the way, but technically, each and every one of the couples I’ve married have been human.

I probably wouldn’t perform a doggy wedding if asked, but I always encourage pet parents to somehow include their dogs in THEIR ceremonies. Many have been ringbearers- the rings secured in a small satin bag attached to their collar, and a few “best men” with black bow ties.
The one I’ll always remember clearly, was the black lab who insisted on licking my toes throughout the ceremony and I never again wore dress sandals to perform a wedding. In truth the toe-licking itself wasn’t so bad- it was the unexpected shock of it as I stood speaking to the couple’s 300 guests.

At the very least, when the venue doesn’t allow dogs, I suggest the couple have a framed photograph of their furry kids on the altar table. That includes beloved canines who have passed. Weddings, after all, are all about love...and of course, so are dogs.

SCENTS: Pleasant or Potentially Deadly?

The following are research studies I've found along my journey towards a more pure way of living; in order to exercise some control over what chemicals my immune system and the immune systems of my loved ones are exposed to in our highly toxic world.
I encourage you to continue your OWN research on the road towards more vibrant health and well-being for you, your children, and your animals.

Making Sense of Scents
Compiled by the late Julia Kendall, Co-Chair, Citizens for a Toxic-Free Marin, borrowing from Irene Wilkenfeld's "Fragrance Facts," and from research contributed by Karen Stevens, Carol Kuczora, Milan Param, Richard Conrad PhD, Susan Nordmark, Susan Springer, Mary Ann Handrus, Susan Molloy, and Sandy Ross PhD.

"Perfumes are increasingly used in an ever wider variety of fields, including perfumes proper, cosmetic products, hygenic products, drugs, detergents and other household products, plastics, industrial greases, oils and solvents, foods, etc. Their composition is usually complex - it involves numerous natural and synthetic sweet-smelling constituents, more than 5,000 of which are known. Perfumes may produce toxic and more often allergic respiratory disorders (asthma), as well as neurological and cutaneous disorders." from the French toxicology journal, Ann Dermatol Vernereol, Vol 113, ISS 1, 1986, P.31-41
84% of these ingredients have never been tested for human toxicity, or have been tested only minimally. N. Ashford, Phd and C. Miller, M.D. Chemcial Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes 1991, p. 61

In 1986 the National Academy of Sciences targeted fragrances as one of the six categories of chemicals that should be given high priority for neurotoxicity testing. The other groups include insecticides, heavy metals, solvents, food additives and certain air pollutants. The report states that 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and many other known toxics and sensitizers - capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. "Neurotoxins: At Home and the Workplace" (Report by the Committee on Science and Technology. U.S. House of Representatives, Sept, 16, 1986) [Report 99-827]
A few chemicals found in fragrances known to be neurotoxic: hexachlorophene; acetyl-ethyl-tetramethyl-tetralin; zinc-pyridinethione; 2,4,dinitro-3-methyl-6-tert-butylanisole; 1-Butanol; 2-butanol; tert-Butanol; Isobutanol; t-Butyl Toluene. Neurotoxic properties of chemicals found in fragrances have caused testicular atrophy in lab animals as well as myelin disease. The myelin sheath protects the nerves and does not regenerate. (Compiled from TOXLINE database of fragrances industry and medical journals.)

Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Lupus, and Alzheimer's are all neurological disorders. Dyslexia is a neurological dysfunction. Could any of these neurological dysfunctions be caused by exposure to neurotoxic chemicals? Symptoms are often identical to chemical hypersensitivity. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is also a neurological dysfunction. Could fragrant fabric softeners or detergents emitting neurotoxic chemicals cause the neurological breakdown?
A few chemicals found in fragrances known to cause cancer and birth defects: methylene chloride; toluene; methyl ethyl ketone; methyl isobutyl ketone; tert Butyl; sec Butyl; benzyl chloride. (Compiled by comparing a list of 120 fragrance chemicals from the EPA obtained through the Freedom of Information Act and California's Prop 65 List of Chemicals).

A few chemicals found in fragrances designated as hazardous waste disposal chemicals: methylene chloride; toluene; meythl ethyl ketone; methyl isobutyl ketone; ethanol; benzal chloride. These chemicals are listed in the EPA's Code 40 of Federal Regulations, Ch 1, Section 261.33.
884 toxic substances were identified in a list (partial) of 2,983 chemicals used in the fragrance industry: "Many of these substances are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, breathing and allergic reactions and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities." (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health report.)
In a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health study conducted by Syracuse Research Corporation, Report No. SRC TR 81-521, 1981, benzoin is named as a chemical used in fragrances found to cause enlarged lymph nodes in both male and female mice and enlarged spleens in males. Liver damage is also cited.
AMICUS journal, Winter '89, Board of Environmental Studies and Toxicology of the National Research Counsel, the research branch of the National Academy of Sciences estimates that "15% of the population experiences hypersensitivity to chemicals found in common household products".

National Institutes of Health, "Issues and Challenges in Environmental Health," NIH Pub. #87-861..."Allergic reactions and hypersensitivity diseases, for instance, are among the most costly of U.S. health problems afflicting at least 35,000,000 Americans."

Article "One Woman's Perfume-Another Woman's Poison", in "Let's Live": "The chief reactions we see are those that affect the nervous system - headaches, anxiety, depression. But anything can be affected, even diet and a personal intolerance for different foods. There are two major ways in which cosmetics and their chemical constituents can affect the body. One is through direct contact. Inhalation is the other major route for molecules of an active substance to enter the blood stream. "There is a route from the nasal passage into the nervous system," says Mandell... "It is the way, for instance, that inhaled cocaine has an effect on the brain."

DON'T LET YOUR dog/cat BECOME A CANARY

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 cleaning and laundry 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, our having to negotiate 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 or 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 deadly carcinoma and given 6 weeks to live, I launched a massive personal research campaign 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. Instead, it meant clearing my home environment of all possible toxins, cleansing Buttons’ entire system physically and emotionally, and then giving her the proper nutritional support so that Buttons’ body could do what an unburdened body does best: HEAL ITSELF.

Buttons went on to thrive for another 11 years. Exactly 1 week before her 19th birthday, she died peacefully of old age in my loving arms. The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood is the story of our nearly 2 decades together.

CONSULTATIONS: HELP IS JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY...

Do you want to help your dog have a healthy life like mine did for 19 years?

Are you feeling lost, alone, or overwhelmed with grief over the loss of a beloved pet?

NOW AVAILABLE: PHONE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE AUTHOR OF "THE HEALING ART OF PET PARENTHOOD"!

HOLISTIC CONSULTATION: We'll discuss such things as your choice of food, treats, toys, and home products- thoroughly going over everything you currently expose your pet to. After explaining why some of those things may actually be harmful to your pet, I'll suggest possible alternatives and offer information to help guide you into creating the safest environment possible in your home.

I'll be happy to answer all your questions and elaborate on issues dealing with holistic care, senior care, and pet-loss as addressed in the book. In some cases, I'll share referrals and research tips.

GRIEF CONSULTATION: I will listen, understand, and share unique, simple, and comforting processes to help you honor your relationship while healing your wounded heart.

30-minute consultations are done on an OFFERING BASIS so that no dog or pet parent is left behind!

For all the details including scheduling and payment, just scroll down the left column of this page.

THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND

My 1st book, The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood spans the 2 decades I spent with the 4-legged love of my life, my heart dog, Buttons. It's our story of the human-animal bond, how I helped her heal from cancer, how she helped me heal from a terrified, bruised and broken heart, and how I emotionally survived her physical death.

The question I get asked most by readers is, "Have you gotten another dog since Buttons died?" It's then that I try to explain. Marketing a book is a full time job, especially when it's not backed by a big publishing house, and its author feels as passionately about the topic as I do. Since I'm not currently in a position to make book marketing my only full time job, but rather, my 2nd full time job, it wouldn't be responsible of me, with such limited time and energy, to try and share my life with a canine companion, too.

But I am immersed as deeply as ever in the human-animal bond, and I have gotten hundreds of dogs since Buttons made her transition. Everyday is a constant flow of emails, the ones about Bruiser and Godiva, Dasher, Carmie, Tinker Bell, Cisco, Biskit, Rudy and Reggie, asking for guidance on feeding the safest food, healthy treat recipes, homeopathic remedies, alternatives to toxic flea treatments.... and the ones from pet parents whose beloveds have recently gone to Rainbow Bridge, thanking me for the validation and camaraderie my book has brought them.

I am blessed by every one of those emails, and although at this time, there is no cold nose waking me up in the morning with a snuggley nudge, I continue to embrace my bond with the animal teachers, and am honored to keep contributing my part to the stewardship we all have of our furry companions.

IN-HOME REPLACEMENTS: Helping Prevent Cancer

As promised, here's the list of what I feel are safer alternatives- ones that I personally have used (see previous post). When choosing to reduce our pet's exposure to less toxic products in the home, we are taking a proactive, holistic approach: addressing the possible causes of cancer rather than treating or suppressing the symptoms.

NOTE: Some alternatives are safe for dogs, BUT UNSAFE , even DEADLY for FOR CATS AND BIRDS (see comment section) PLEASE do your OWN research BEFORE USING ANY of the things I personally choose to use around my dog!!!

• Non polluting, natural laundry detergent w/o petro chemicals, phosphates, formaldehyde, or alcohol-based scent (personally, I like Trader Joe's liquid laundry detergent which is plant-based and scented w/lavender oil)

• I also use Trader Joe's lavender filled dryer bags instead of chemical laden dryer sheets

• Here is some great info on alternatives to monthly flea products. There are many effective options- please do your own research and experimentation to see what works best for you and your pets.
  

Simply put:

1. cedar chips in pet bedding and outdoors
   
2. diatomaceous earth on baseboards (available online)
   
3. nematodes for the yard (available online)
   
4. combo of powdered Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Fennel, Yellow Dock, Wormwood and Rue (all available individually online or at most independent co-ops or health food stores) put in a shaker can and rubbed into pet's fur (NOTE-some herbs toxic and deadly to cats)
   
5. combo of Citronella, Eucalyptus, Cedar, and citrus oils rubbed on hands and then rubbed on dog's ears, belly, etc. (NOTE-some oils toxic and deadly to cats)

• A simple google search of "organic non toxic lawn fertilizer" will give you many safe, affordable alternatives. Remember- your pet absorbs everything it's walking on through its paws.

• Glass or stainless steel bowls for food and water are in my opinion, much safer than ceramic or plastic bowls which can leach chemicals into their contents. Be careful not to place a glass bowl anywhere in sunlight where it could possibly start a fire!
  

• Air fresheners- this should be a no-brainer. Read the labels- why inhale all those chemicals?!?!? Instead, boil some lemons on the stove- (you can then use the cooled liquid to kill fleas on your pet!) or some oranges, cloves and cinnamon- makes your house smell wonderful. Or get some 100% pure essential oils and make your own scented potpourri w/cloth bags and "oiled" cotton balls. Or buy some naturally-scented, non lead wick candles at Whole Foods, or purchase an aromatherapy diffuser (they even make plug-in models!) which will also enhance the mood of everyone in your home instead of exposing them to potentially harmful chemicals. DO your research, however: SOME essential oils CAN be harmful or toxic to some animals including birds and cats!
  

• And finally, replacing negatively-focused, dramatically inclined people :) Well, the best remedy I have found/experienced for that can be found by clicking right here!

COMMENT QUESTION: Have you replaced anything in your home with something natural that's not included on this list?

PREVENTING CANCER IN PETS

Holistic treatment is all about prevention. Start listing the chemicals many of us use in our homes, and it's easy to see see how dramatically we may be adding to the toxic overload of our beloved pets' immune systems.

The following is a short list of things I made sure were not in Buttons' environment. We stopped the cancer she was diagnosed with at age 8 and she lived to be a vibrant 19.

A Quick & Easy Home Toxin ✔list :

• Pet or human bedding or cloth toys washed in non natural laundry detergent or non natural fabric softener

• Pet or human bedding or cloth toys dried in chemical-laden dryer sheets

• Monthly flea products

• Chemical lawn fertilizer

• Non natural rug and floor cleaners

• Secondhand cigarette smoke
  

• Plastic food or water bowls

• Most plug-in or spray air fresheners and non-naturally scented candles

• Negatively focused, dramatically-inclined people (Don't laugh-or actually, DO! Animals are highly sensitive and tend to act as emotional shunts for the people they love and are devoted to.)

COMMENT QUESTION: Which, if any of these things are you currently using around your pet?

Please stop back for my next post: NON TOXIC REPLACEMENTS

Health & Beauty For You AND Your Dog

Early last year, a dear friend of mine turned me on to the health benefits of extra virgin coconut oil. I always heed her nutritional advice and immediately began my own research because:

A. - Everything she has ever shared with me regarding health and physical well-being: green smoothies, rebounding, eating raw, has been incredibly beneficial

AND

B. - She's approaching 60 and looks and lives like a vibrant 40-something

I did a lot of reading about extra virgin coconut oil then, because like so many other people, I was only aware of the negative smear campaign it got several years ago especially regarding movie theater popcorn. But then, thanks to Hanna- MY EYES WERE OPENED!
This stuff is not only EXTREMELY healthy and beneficial, but it's the only oil that doesn't turn rancid when heated. Tropical Traditions is a brand I prefer. They also make a killer (pun intended, I guess, *grin*) botanical broad spectrum disinfectant that I love using at home and consider totally safe to use around beloved pets.

I have also read numerous articles about the health benefits of extra virgin coconut oil for dogs. Most testimonials and vets say adding a little to a dog's diet is a sure-fire way to clear up skin allergies and other skin sensitivity conditions when nothing else has worked. Worth some research for interested pet parents.

Do you use coconut oil for yourself or your dog?
What's YOUR experience with it?

10 Things I WOULD Feed My Dog

Ok, it's always better to focus on the positive-
so here ya go!

1. organic, human-grade, hormone-free, antibiotic-free turkey
2. organic millet
3. organic sweet potato
4. organic, grated veges
5. organic, human-grade, hormone-free, antibiotic-free chicken
6. organic, human-grade, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, grain-fed beef liver
7. organic millet, spelt, or quinoa flour
8. organic egg
9. organic, virgin coconut oil
10. organic, virgin olive oil

ANOTHER NO-NO INGREDIENT

I would never again feed my dog barley. To explain why, here is an excerpt from The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood. To "set up the clip" let me say, that Buttons had been recovering rapidly from a severe stroke in her 18th year.

By January her C neck had disappeared completely and she was able to walk pretty well, her CDS symptoms had lessened and she no longer got “stuck” in corners or behind furniture. The only symptom we couldn’t seem to overcome was the late-night pacing. I figured it might have been too late -- that perhaps she’d had the symptom too long for the alpha-lipoic acid to reverse it.

As a result of my on-line research, I was lucky enough to also have secured the advice of a holistic vet in northern California, Dr. Gloria Dodd. After reading Dr. Dodd’s website, I emailed her and the next day received a detailed response about her experience working with other CDS animals using homeopathy.
Excitedly I called her office. Forty minutes later, I hung up from our conversation with a heart full of hope and a list of suggestions. Number one on that list was for me to send a sample of Buttons’ fur to a lab for hair analysis. This was something I was familiar with, as a few years before, I had sent samples of both my hair and Buttons’ fur to a lab in Texas, which did analysis on people and dogs. Basically, a hair analysis will give you an idea of the mineral levels and their ratios in the body -- kind of like how geologists determine natural history by studying layers of rock. Back then, Buttons’ had come out normal in everything while my analysis had indicated extreme magnesium deficiency, a common symptom of CFS and adrenal exhaustion.

In addition, Dr. Dodd gifted me one of her products called a Healing Halter™, which arrived a few days after our call. It consisted of a green, nylon halter that fit around Buttons’ body and neck with Velcro. Sewn into the halter were quartz crystal mandalas and an anti-radiation bead, which also used the principal of pyramid configuration energy, something I was familiar with from Dad’s energy plates long ago. As Dr. Dodd explained on her website, the halter was designed to balance the body's own electromagnetic field (EMF) and in so doing stimulate the immune system and natural healing mechanism of the body.
In our small apartment, Buttons was never too far from the television or the refrigerator, both of which I knew to have large electromagnetic fields. Ten years before I had gotten rid of the worst culprit, a microwave oven, and I was happy for any protection the halter may have offered her from the other appliances. Again, it was at worst something that I knew couldn’t hurt.

When we got the results of Buttons’ fur analysis we were surprised to see that her level of aluminum was through the roof. It made sense as far as her Alzheimer’s-like symptoms went: the mystery to unravel was the aluminum’s source. Dr. Dodd and I carefully went over all the supplements Buttons had been on over the last five years. The water she drank was distilled. The treats were mostly homemade and always contained natural, organic ingredients. I’d never used aluminum cookware, so that wasn’t it. And then we found it.
Two years before I had taken a natural-care pet consultant’s advice to replace brown rice with barley in Buttons’ food. When she heard that, Dr. Dodd jumped on it, explaining that in the past she’d sent several types of grain to the lab and all the barley had tested the same: containing high, perhaps toxic levels of aluminum. Although Dr. Dodd had some personal opinions as to why that was so, all I cared about was finding the source of aluminum and removing it from Buttons’ world. So I took Dr. Dodd’s suggestion and sent a sample of the organic sprouting barley I’d been special ordering from the health food store to the lab for testing. Sure enough, it came back showing an extremely high aluminum content. Immediately after receiving the results, I threw out the ten pounds of barley I had in the pantry along with the all-natural, dry dog food with barley listed in the ingredients that I kept for travel and emergencies.

Frustrated that even high quality organic products could be toxic, I focused instead on our next step: trying to pull some of that aluminum out of Buttons’ brain. I ordered a series of nosodes -- homeopathic remedies developed for a specific problem, in this case, aluminum, the probable cause of her CDS. All I could do was pray that they were truly clean and natural.

For the next several months, Buttons was on those remedies and the results were subtle, but sure. The late night pacing continued, but her mind seemed sharper, more alert, and her spirit more present, enabling me at times, to bask in the illusion of staving off time. Most importantly, she never developed the CDS symptom of not recognizing me. In any event, between the pacing and the stroke, there was no denying that we were in the beginnings of our major transition, the one that would take her physical body away from me forever.

Copyright © 2008 Nadine M. Rosin. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or retransmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the author.

BUDGET CRISIS: SOLVED!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am honored to introduce POCKET, the dog who has single-pawedly come up with an efficacious solution for the U.S. budget crisis. In her own words, here is the plan:

"Did you see this story? A dog pooped $400.00. I can do that! I poop about eight times a day. I could walk into that AIG place, jump on the conference table, squat, wait 30 seconds, and say "Hey, there's your bonus pal!" I could go to the White House, get on the office rug, lay down a shadoobie, and say "Your stimulas package has arrived, Mr. President." I could go to Congress, drop a deuce, and say: "Here's your earmark Senator." Talk about Troubled Asset Relief."

(As you can see from the above photo, Pocket is ready to serve her country and is anxiously awaiting a call from the White House)

10 INGREDIENTS I WOULD NEVER FEED MY DOG

1. "meal"
2. "byproduct"
3. wheat
4. corn
5. fructose
6. chicken fat (the inorganic kind in most commercial food)
   
7. organ meat that is not human grade
8. gluten
9. soy
10. cheese

For more information, read THIS!

ANIMAL WORLD MAGAZINE

My deep appreciation to Kathy Gorish, Organizer, Florida Week for the Animals, and Christy Crabtree of The Animal World for their time and generous hearts in helping spread the word about the book.

This review can be found on page 12 of Animal World USA,
March 2009 issue

The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood by Nadine M. Rosin
Book Review by Christy Crabtree

"If ever there was a doubt in anyone’s mind that animals can heal us, then Nadine M. Rosin’s The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood will dispel that notion. It is an incredible tale of her emotional and physical journey with her dog, Buttons. Through tremendous emotional turmoil, they are there for each other and in the process Rosin learns more about herself than she ever thought possible.

A spiritual adventure, this book highlights holistic pet care particularly dealing with canine cancer. Buttons was diagnosed with cancer and given six weeks to live yet she triumphed for eleven years to the age of nineteen years old! A powerful message about the gifts that the animals bring to us and what we can, in turn, do for them. A blessing to read and a gift to share."

(Paperback: 296 pages Publisher: Wheatmark (May 15, 2008)

DOG WITH A CAUSE

While The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood, reads easy like a novel, there is a bigger purpose behind the book.

Buttons and I want to thank the hundreds of readers who have taken the time to email and share their stories of how the book has helped and touched them. You readers are the book's only marketing department. Thank you for embracing the mission and helping spread the word!

THE BOOK'S 3-FOLD MISSION:

♥ Helping to remove the words, “It’s just a dog/cat” from the lips of non pet parents everywhere

♥ Helping pet parents realize that 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

"ANIMAL TRANSLATIONS"

Recently, I had the extreme pleasure of being interviewed by animal communicator, Maureen Harmonay and am delighted to be able to share our hour together here with you. Her questions were deep, insightful and probing. I hope my answers did them justice.

Click on the icon below to listen and please enjoy!

4 PAWS UP FOR "7 DAYS WITH 7 DOGS"

I'll admit, when a friend gifted me this dvd and I read on the case that it was written, filmed, starred in, and produced all by one small, independent, husband-wife company, my expectations were rather low.

OH MY DOG...was I ever surprised!!! Nothing small-time, unpolished, or unprofessional about this precious gem. It is by far the most engaging, authentically heart-touching film about the human-animal bond I have ever seen.

I laughed, I cried, I moved my body to the music. I delighted in the scenery, cinematography, and seeing other pet parents willing to not only go to any lengths for their animals, but rejoicing in and celebrating those lengths.

Like a really good dream, the emotionalism and beauty of the film stayed with me for more than 7 days! I enthusiastically encourage you to order a copy for yourself, friends and family, and its focus on holistic pet care makes it the perfect companion gift for The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood!

"Seven rescued dogs. Mostly elderly and most with health problems. You want to take them on the trip of a doggie lifetime, but where do you go and what do you do?

In "Seven Days with Seven Dogs", filmmaker and animal psychic Billie Dean and her filmmaker husband Andrew Einspruch bundle their seven rescued dogs from the Ballyoncree Animal Sanctuary and hit the road on a journey of discovery.

Filmed in some of Australia's most beautiful places, and shot by AFI Award winning cinematograhper Anthony Jennings, the documentary follows Suki, Louie, Tala, Twylah, Cedar, Willow and Raffi as they do everything from stay in five-star resort accommodation to taking a horse-drawn gypsy caravan ride.

A short of "Seven Days with Seven Dogs" has already screened at a number of film festivals and on the ABC’s Stateline (ACT). It’s heart warming and fun, and indeed, is getting quite a following.

The full dog-umentary is now available. It's an hour of uplifting entertainment about seven rescued dogs as they journey through some of Australia’s most picturesque country and having the healing holiday of a doggie lifetime."

A BETTER ALTERNATIVE TO RAWHIDE CHEWS

As I have already shared in an earlier post, the dangers of rawhide include it not being regulated in any way. Some imported brands (China, Philippines) have been reported as soaked in formaldehyde or contaminated with arsenic. These foreign hides may also contain other detrimental things such as antibiotics, insecticides, or lead- things you'd never want your dog to ingest.

Recently on twitter, I read that my beautiful Golden Retriever pal, Mackenzie, tried and fell in love with a safer alternative made from - drum roll... shed deer antlers! Here is the reliable brand that Mackenzie and her dad get from the good folks at Best Bully Sticks. Yum. Yum. Woof!

Teleconference: The Animal Communication Book Club

I am honored to be an invited guest and hope you will join me and renown animal communicator, Maureen Harmonay as we discuss
The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood.
This is from her blog:

Talk with Nadine M. Rosin of The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood on Thursday, February 26th!

"I'm simply delighted to announce that my guest on the next "Conversations with Animal Authors" teleconference will be Nadine M. Rosin, author of The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood, a book that's creating a big buzz among animal lovers across the country. I'll be interviewing her "live" on Thursday, February 26th at 8:00pm (EST), and I hope you'll join me.

In The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood, Ms. Rosin chronicles her 19-year journey with her beloved dog, Buttons, who was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma when she was eight years old, and given just six weeks to live unless she had her tail amputated and followed a grueling course of radiation and chemotherapy.

Devastated, but undeterred, Nadine refused to accept that grim prognosis, and took matters into her own hands. She tapped into her background as a trained therapeutic bodyworker and created a revolutionary holistic regimen for Buttons, eliminating all household toxins from her environment, cleansing her body of all residual toxins, and giving Buttons' body the nutritional support it needed to heal itself. The results were dramatic. Buttons was not only cured, but she thrived for an additional 11 years, passing peacefully of old age a week before her 19th birthday.

THANK YOU, PENNSYLVANIA!

"Love for animals obviously is the driving force behind the Action for Animals Humane Society. The emotion was evident Friday evening at the group's third annual "Love Is in the Air" event at Latrobe Country Club.

An hors d'oeuvres and dessert reception with silent auction preceded a talk by Nadine M. Rosin of Tucson, author of "The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood."

Rosin's long resume includes being a holistic bodywork practitioner trained in BioTouch, deep tissue massage, reflexology and zone therapy; an ordained nondenominational minister; and an artist. She says her most rewarding experience has been as a pet parent.

The book tells the story of life with her beloved cockapoo-terrier Buttons; Buttons' cancer diagnosis at age 8; and the holistic healing approach Rosin used to effect a cure that led to an additional 11 years of life for the spunky canine.

She said another purpose in her writing the book was to offer "comfort, camaraderie and validation" to those going through the grieving process after losing a pet.

Action for Animals board president Kathy Newill apprised the audience of the shelter's ongoing work and upcoming events, including a March 28 cash bash, the yearly Auction for the Animals on May 15 and the Walk for the Animals in September.

"Our shelter is always full," Newill said. "But we're seeing more people having trouble keeping their pets in their homes because of this economic downturn."

She said Action for Animals is responding with an outreach program that includes providing food and vaccinations to aid people in providing homes for their pets. The creation of a pet food bank also is being discussed.

Board members at Friday's gathering included Bernadette Braszo, Rita Whiteman, Laura Guskiewicz, Joanne Bergquist, Dr. Hank Croft Jr. and Gretchen Kuhns.

Among the animal lovers were Dr. Mike and Terry Zorch, Eric and Michele Bononi, Wendy Anton, June Anton, Bea Conn, Paula Maloney, Peg Seabol, Regis and Christine Tomsey, Erick Bergquist and Tina McDowell."

-- Shirley McMarlin

♥VALENTINE'S DAY BOOK SIGNING♥

I will be at the Greensburg, PA PETCO on Saturday, Feb. 14th from noon-3:00 signing copies of The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood, and answering any questions you may have. If you or anyone you know are in the area, please drop by and say hi!

Pennsylvania Readers- Please Come Join us on FEB. 13

6:00pm Latrobe Country Club
$50 ticket donation includes:
Talk, Reading, Q&A, and Sign-dance performance by yours truly.
Hors d' oeuvres, dessert, cash bar, live music, silent auction, gifts
For more information call Laura at 724.850.8802

PREVENTING CANINE CANCER

Please enjoy this beautiful production by Simone di Santi of
A Road Retraveled

PET INSURANCE: GOOD NEWS IN THE CURRENT ECONOMY

As the cases of disease and health care costs continue to rise, there is relief to be found in the growing number of compassionate and reliable pet insurance companies. One that I am particularly familiar with and fond of is EMBRACE Pet Insurance and I have heard only good things about them from fellow pet parents. Below is a short excerpt from the EMBRACE web site. Do you have a story regarding pet insurance? Are your pets insured? Please leave your comments below.

"Eight Reasons You Need Pet Insurance

#1 - No Need to Decide Under Emotional Stress
If your pet suddenly falls sick or is injured, the last thing you want to worry about is having to make a trade off between what you feel is right and what you can afford. Pet insurance allows you to avoid life-or-money decisions like these.

#2 - Pets Can Get Sick Any Time
Young dogs eat stuff they shouldn't, indoor cats don't get enough exercise and can become overweight and unhealthy, older pets get arthritis and high blood pressure. Stuff like this happens, you can't really plan for it.

#3 - Do What Is Right, Not What You Can Afford
When you are discussing treatment options with your veterinarian, you want to focus on doing the right thing, not the cost. Pet insurance helps you do that.

#4 - Seemingly Simple Things Can Cost Thousands
A simple fracture can cost $2,000 or $3,000 to repair. Could you pay this if it happened today?

#5 - You Have How Much Saved Up?
You keep saying you want to set aside an emergency fund for veterinary bills ... how much have you saved up so far?

#6 - Vet Costs Rising Faster Than Your Wages
Veterinary care is expensive and continues to get more expensive as it becomes more sophisticated. The statistics say that our wages are having trouble keeping up.

#7 - It's Not Expensive
Pet insurance that is designed properly can help you plan for life's unexpected turns and be inexpensive too.

#8 - Because They Would Do It for You
The unconditional love your pet shows you every day tells you.

Why Choose Embrace?

We looked at the pet insurance market and talked to lots of pet parents like us. We learned that pet parents weren't happy with inflexible pet insurance policies and companies that didn't give you all the facts to make an informed decision.

Here at Embrace we believe that if you don't like the rules of the game then you should change them. So that's what we're doing.

Embrace Pet Insurance offers a customizable policy unlike any other on the market. This means that as a pet parent you decide how much and what type of coverage you want. The days of small, medium, and large are over!

Embrace's policies cover accidents, illnesses, genetic conditions, even alternative and complementary therapies, and chronic illnesses lasting more than one policy year. And we do not cap claims payments per condition."

Fun, New Way to Find Books You'll Love!

For anyone who loves to read, here is a favorite site of mine. "Flashlight Worthy recommends books so good, they'll keep you up past your bedtime." If you're considering buying my book, or any other from Amazon.com, please consider doing it via the Amazon links on Flashlight Worthy. Then, of course, there's my all time favorite Flashlight Worthy list.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE YOUR NEXT BOOK TO READ?
Please leave a comment!

"Why Flashlight Worthy Exists

Amazon sells every book in print, but the choice can be overwhelming. Flashlight Worthy is here to help:

• We don't list the best selling books — we list the best books
• We don't list 6,072 results when you search for John Irving (including 251 versions of Garp!) — we list each of his 15 books just once.
• We don't make you hunt around for hours to find the very best books on parenting — we do the work for you.

Flashlight Worthy is nothing but thoughtful, hand-picked recommendations...
Organized into hundreds of useful, interesting, fun lists...
And all we do is books. :)

How You Can Help Us

Flashlight Worthy is a labor of love. There's just two of us, but we try to add new lists when we can. As a little added encouragement, we get a small referral fee when you buy one of our recommendations from Amazon (and we mean small — usually just enough to buy a Hershey bar)."

THE DOGGY DIALOGUES! Q's & A's: Insatiable Appetite

As author of The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood and Mom of a dog who survived canine cancer and lived to be 19, people ask me lots of questions about holistic care, senior care, and grief. I am not a vet. Loving pet parent, avid researcher, and inner "roads" scholar are my credentials. That said, please email your questions and let The Doggy Dialogues begin!

Question: from Paula and Zoe

"My baby is a 14 yr old, 3-legged, dog eared, parvo survivor. Her osteoarthritis has been managed very successfully with human grade glucosamine condroitin, along with Rhimadryl for the last 5 years.

I watch her weight very carefully: she gets 1 cup of Canidae platinum with her pills morning and night. I don’t give her treats very often. What I do give her are the end cuttings of any and all vegetables that I prepare for my own meals. This dog will eat any thing! Carrot, celery, tomato, brussel sprout and even onion. Asparagus is one of her all time favorites – she comes a running when she hears me snapping the ends. On the average she is “treated” to raw veggie scraps 2 or 3 times a week.

But, the thing is, this dog is HUNGRY allllll the time. I mean, obsessively. Strangers have accused me of not feeding her. I laugh. She must be kept on a leash at all times, or will quietly and quickly disappear to snack on disgusting morsels other animals wouldn’t touch. Worst of all, she has taken to eating dirt and grass roots by the clumps. Mineral deficiency? Vets say her blood work is fine.

She has also taken to extreme carpet licking, primarily at it’s worst immediately after eating her meal. I don’t really think it’s a pain thing, but an obsession of sorts that I can’t figure out.

What do you know of these behaviors in elderly dogs? Do you have any suggestions regarding the raw veggies – more, less, things to watch out for, etc.,

Thanks for the request for questions, it’s been nice to follow you on twitter."

Dear Paula-

First of all, thank you for your question. I have read in numerous places that onions are toxic to dogs so you'll want to stop giving her those right away. Also, here is some info. on Rimadryl in dogs that, if you haven't already, you may want to consider.

Personally, I believe that Zoe is trying to tell you something and I would consider her communication as important as the vet's. Obviously, her system is not functioning in a balanced way and the cause of that imbalance needs to be addressed before more serious symptoms appear.If it were me, I’d get a second opinion from another vet, preferably, a holistic one. I would go over her entire environment (inner and outer) with a fine toothed comb and see what toxins you may be unconsciously exposing her to that her immune system is being compromised by. After removing those, I would probably add sea meal to her food since there might be a salt/mineral deficiency. In addition, I would consider the possibility of homeopathic cell salts or perhaps a Bach Flower remedy to help cleanse her body of those toxins and then help her body find physical and emotional balance.

Her rubbing her mouth on the carpet after eating is usually a sign of an allergic reaction of some kind. Dogs can be allergic to even the cleanest food ingredients if their systems are already compromised. I would be most careful about the carpet cleaners I was using. Please see my post about possible toxins in her environment.

Her veracious appetite is a symptom of some imbalance, and in my opinion, finding the initial cause is the only satisfactory solution.

Wishing you both the best. Please let us know what happens.

Wishing you vibrant health
and precious moments-
Nadine (and Buttons)

WINTER CARE FOR YOUR DOG FROM HEAD-TO-TAIL

It has been almost 17 years since Buttons and I stopped her cancer with exclusively holistic methods. Since then, I have come to learn that some people are unable to benefit from holistic medicine because they mistakenly think it means treating with natural remedies in lieu of pharmaceutical drugs.

If you are one of those people, please see my post: Holistic Defined. On the up side, through my online book marketing efforts, I am meeting many pet parents whose pet-related businesses are founded on a more accurately holistic platform.

Head-to-Tail is one of those businesses. Here is a bit about them, and some great tips from them.

"Diet, grooming and regular vet visits take care of your dog physically; training maintains your dog's mental and emotional well-being. Head-to-Tail works to improve the lives of dogs and their owners by building stronger relationships through education and training. Training is provided in a safe, fun and emotionally rewarding environment.

The company is actively involved with rescue efforts through philanthropy and volunteering with local community services. We lead by example of responsible, caring pet ownership. "Educate with respect and compassion for people and dogs alike." The goal is to have healthy, well-mannered pet dogs and happy owners. Real-life situations are addressed with realistic solutions. Only positive reinforcement methods are used.

Trainer Loella Springmann has been working with pet dogs since 1993. Head-to-Tail, Inc. opened for business April 2005 to serve Frederick, MD and surrounding areas. Loella is a Animal Behavioral College Trainer Mentor, certified in Pet First Aid by the American Red Cross and is an active volunteer in the community.

Cold Weather Tips:

Adequate Shelter: While I discourage owners from keeping dogs exclusively outdoors, I realize some people do. Dogs that spend most of the day outside must have appropriate shelter to keep out of wind and precipitation. Even dogs with thick fur can freeze to death. Also be sure to provide plenty of fresh, not frozen, water. Snow and ice put dogs at risk of hypothermia. Be aware that each county has codes specifying minimum restraints, shelter, protection and care for dogs (and other pets) punishable by fines or even jail time. If you are not familiar with the laws in your area, contact your local Animal Control, ASPCA or Humane Society.

Increase Exercise: When weather is relatively mild, walk your dog more frequently. Exercise with boost their metabolism, as well as yours, keeping you both warmer, longer. This is also the best way to alleviate stress! In extreme weather, play some fun indoor games together like Hide-and-Seek.

Watch The Feet: Salts and chemicals on sidewalks and streets can irritate paws. After an outing, wash off their feet, and any other effected areas, with a warm wet cloth. Dogs walking in snowy areas may get large ice balls between their pads, causing the dog to limp. Be sure to keep ice clear from this area. For dogs that have a lot of hair between the pads, keeping the hair trimmed will help reduce ice ball formation. Dog boots are also helpful if your will tolerate wearing them. Coats: Many dog breeds’ fur is not made for wintry weather and some are more sensitive to precipitation. Using an appropriate coat keeps them warmer and drier so you can still get out. Select function over fashion. Look for coats that go on and off easily and allow comfortable movement. Remember to never leave a dog unattended in any kind of “clothing”.

Antifreeze: We can’t be reminded enough…keep pets away from antifreeze. Antifreeze is lethal if ingested. Thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

Keep The Leash On: According to the ASPCA “Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.” Keeping your dog leashed also allows you to keep them away from potentially harmful substances.

Car Trips: Do NOT leave your dog unattended in a car. When the ignition is off, cold air gets trapped in a car like a refrigerator."

FLYING YOUR PETS IN-CABIN

One of the first chapters of my book tells of the then harrowing, but now years later, humorous story of Buttons' first cross-country flight. Had THIS airline existed then, I would have considerably less gray hair today.

To find out all about them, please visit their site. For a brief overview- here's how this pet parent-owned, pet-only airline works:

"Welcome to Pet Airways, a Pet Only Airline.
Pets fly in the main cabin, NOT in cargo!

1. Drop your pet off at our Pet Lounge, located at (or very near) an easy-access local airport. You must check in your pet no later than 2 hours before take off. If you choose, you may check in your pet up to 48 hours before the flight. We’ll be happy to board your pet at our PAWS Lodge until the flight.

2. A Potty Break happens less than 2 hours before the flight if pet has been checked in more than 3 hours before the flight.

3. The Pet Limo takes all our pawsengers to the plane an hour before flight time.

4. Pets board the plane and our Pet Attendants make sure they’re all comfortable and that they, and their pet carrier, are secure.

5. A Pet Attendant monitors and checks the comfort of all pawsengers every 15 minutes during the flight. After landing, pets will be disembarked, given a potty break, and board the pet limo for their trip to the Pet Lounge at their destination.

6. Pick up your pet up at the Pet Lounge at your destination, knowing he or she has traveled comfortably and safely in the main cabin of our plane. If you cannot pick up your pet that day, we will be happy to board your pet overnight at the PAWS Lodge.

And don’t forget:

Each time pets move anywhere, from the Pet Lounge to the pet limo or from the pet limo to the plane, we track and record their progress, which means you can monitor your pet’s journey every step of the way online at www.petairways.com

YOUR PET WILL NEVER BE LEFT ALONE. A PET ATTENDANT WILL ALWAYS BE WITHIN A CAT’S MEOW."

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO BE A HUMANE SOCIETY VOLUNTEER?

Meet Emily Waugh- volunteer

"The Central Oklahoma Humane Society was formed in January of 2007. Already we have made great strides in reducing the number of healthy, adoptable animals that are euthanized in Oklahoma City each year (in 2007, that number was 18,000).

Some of our numbers for 2008 are: 4,349 animals were spayed or neutered at our clinic, 1,162 cats were trapped/neutered/returned, and almost 2,000 cats and dogs found new homes through our adoption program!

OK Humane is funded solely through private donations and grants, and receives no government funding. There are only five paid staff members. They all work in veterinary services, administration, management and adoption counseling, so we volunteers have to make up the difference everywhere else.

My background is in graphic design/web design and marketing. I maintain our web site, and am continually improving and growing that site. All our adoptable animals are listed on the site via a Petfinder.com feed. We have applications available for interested adopters, volunteers and foster homes, and a plethora of information and links about pet care.

Our goal is to be a resource for all people in our community, and I am constantly updating and evaluating our web site to make sure it serves as it should. In addition, through our blog, Twitter, web site, etc. I speak on behalf of our entire organization. Before I ever make a statement, I have to make sure I've put aside my own personal opinions and ideas, and that I'm making comments that are in accord with our mission, because our reputation is always on the line. It's a big responsibility and I feel grateful to be trusted in this way.
I began our blog in November 2008. I have learned a lot about blogging from reading extensively online, and I think I've spared myself many of the mistakes of "young" bloggers. For example, I work hard to make all our posts relevant and useful to our readers. If people want information about OK Humane, they can get that in other places--the blog isn't the place to re-post information. Rather, I strive to write interesting, informational articles that are meaningful and useful to our readers.

Much of our communication is shifting to the web, but we do need print materials every once in a while. Anytime OK Humane needs a brochure, flyer, invitation, annual report, etc. I am usually the one who designs it and coordinates with the printer. Often, our print media is our first impression on the community, when they pick up a brochure at a Petsmart store or an event. It's very important that we maintain a professional image, and I believe that donating my professional design skills allows OK Humane to have that image, without paying prices they can't afford.

I love doing what I do best (media) on behalf of the animals, and when I can find the time, I like to actually hang out with them, too! I am proving my dedication by working for free. But I wouldn't do it if I didn't enjoy it and this work definitely brings me a lot of satisfaction. Before OK Humane came to be, I didn't think we'd ever stop the killing of adoptable animals in Oklahoma City. Now, with all of these people working so hard, working together, I believe we really are going to achieve it."

NON TOXIC PET TOYS

During a recent radio interview (link on left column), a very astute listener asked me about the potential dangers of toxins from dog toys, particularly those made in China. Here is a wonderful alternative: meet Amy J. Mork/founder.

"Helping pets leave their pawprints on your heart, not the environment"

"I started The Leash We Can Do with the desire to create a safe place for pets, people, and the environment. The pet industry is almost entirely unregulated. I was spending so much time researching products and contacting companies about their ingredients, manufacturing, etc., that I really wanted to create a business that would be more discriminating when it came to the origin and sustainability of its catalog. A place that people could trust, knowing that the footwork had already been done.

Having a passion for both pets' health and our economic and environmental climate, I decided to exclude many products that are not made in the US. Because I am located in Chicago, this cuts down on a lot of shipping and pollution. I also look at companies that are creating solid and reliable jobs here in America, in addition to quality products. When possible, I've met with founders of companies and toured their facilities. We carry toys that are handmade in the US, toys that are made from recycled items, and other items that support US farmers and manufacturing.

For US residents, buying products made here helps our currently unstable economy and cuts down on shipping costs and waste. While more and more people are thinking of their own carbon footprints, I believe it is equally important to think about our own pets' carbon pawprints.

For instance, there are a number of dog waste bags that say they are biodegradable, but they do not meet standards to make those claims. Because there are only two states (California and New York) that require products to meet qualifications in order to put the words "biodegradable" on packaging, many people are making their shopping decisions without knowing that these products do not actually biodegrade.

I was so frustrated to hear this. This is one of the reasons I wanted to create a business that thoroughly researches all products they carry. Consumers shouldn't have to be an expert on absolutely everything they buy. There should be retailers who will refuse to carry items that do not meet high expectations. Plus, pets love this stuff!

DragonWagon and KisseFace's favorite toys are the Yeowww Catnip toys. They are made in the US and filled with 100% Organic, US grown catnip (the best quality I've ever seen-- and you can see the difference in their excitement!). Our dog, Tinker, loves her Orbee, which is her all-time favorite toy. It's made from recycled plastic and is non-toxic and recyclable. Her favorite outside toy is the Fling Thing, also made from recycled plastic and her favorite feature-- it floats! It's easier for her to retrieve in the water, as it's very visible and she doesn't have to open her mouth as wide and swallow as much water when she picks it up in the lake.

There needs to be more accountability for the production and manufacturing of pet products. The Leash We Can Do is a place that stands up for pets and their people."

MEET GUEST BLOGGER, JANET ROPER...

"With the new year comes the making of new year resolutions: make more money, lose weight, have better relationships. But what about making a new year resolution to begin communicating intuitively with your pet?

Animals form an important part of our lives, and can be an important part of our relationships. Those of us with pets often find ourselves wondering what our companions would say if they could talk. Well, they can, and do talk to us! We simply need to open our minds and build our confidence to hear what our companions are saying to us.

Here’s a fun practice tip to get you started:

Create a list of questions you want to ask your pet. Then, pretend you are a ventriloquist and your pet is your assistant! Ask your assistant the questions and answer in their voice. No fair thinking about the answer, no fair judging the answer. Say the first thing that pops in your mind and let it be. As you play this game with your pet partner, you'll be amazed at the information that you receive and the deep bond you develop!"

Janet Roper is an animal communicator based in Shorewood, MN. She offers individual communication sessions and teleconferences. For more information, contact her at Talk2theAnimals@me.com. You can visit her blog: Talk2theAnimals.net

Where to Turn When a Beloved Pet Passes

When Buttons passed away the week before her 19th birthday, I was hard-pressed to find comfort. Then I googled "pet-loss" and was blessed to find this helpful, empathetic site.

"Chance's Spot was created in the fall of 1998 as a personal tribute to a beloved English Setter, Chance. In February of 1998 Chance was diagnosed with lymphosarcoma and on June 28 he died. The Web site has grown over the years and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that assists grieving pet owners.

At Chance's Spot, we believe that pets are an important and engaging member of the family whose loss results in the same grieving process as would losing anyone close to us. We understand that the feelings generated when a pet dies are real and deserve the same respect as if it were any other family member. Our mission is to advance this notion to the general public and to support an increase in the respect and reverence that is given to the topic of pet loss. Through education, support and information, Chance's Spot assists the public in understanding that the grief suffered when a dearly loved pet is lost is a heartfelt example of how genuine the human - animal bond can be.

Chance's Spot provides an online support group, publications on pet loss, hotline numbers, referrals and an online tributes page where pet caregivers can post tributes to their departed pets. Locally, Chance's Spot provides educational presentations on the topic of pet loss o pet caregivers, pet care professionals and rescue and shelter workers. Area shelters, veterinarians and rescue groups also receive support and information about compassion fatigue - the stress resulting from caring for and helping traumatized animals on a daily basis.

Our yearly fundraisers help educate and support pet caregivers to understand the grief associated with losing a pet. It is our intention for Chance's Spot to be the first organization in the country to provide a memorial garden, pet loss education center and trained staff available to veterinarians and their patients." (VIEW VIDEO HERE)

Helping Dog Lovers Have Well Behaved Dogs

One of the great things about doing online book promotion, is meeting and networking with so many dedicated, interesting pet parents. Today, I'd like you to meet:

LAURIE LUCK took her first obedience class about fifteen years ago. She was just in it for fun, looking for a way to develop a relationship with her newly adopted Australian Shepherd, Freckles. As luck would have it, the class they signed up for was a clicker training course. Laurie didn’t know anything about positive reinforcement training, but she and Freckles were willing to try it. It turned out that the two of them loved the class. In Laurie’s own words, Freckles excelled and made Laurie look like she knew what she was doing. After a few more classes, the instructor asked Laurie if she’d like to assist, and in no time Laurie fell in love with teaching other people how to get along with their dogs.

“When I first started working as a trainer, clicker training wasn’t a mainstream training method. Marine mammal trainers had been using it successfully for years, but it was relatively new to the dog training profession. Change is difficult for people and many were reluctant to change their styles. I hadn’t been using the old fashioned correction-based training long enough to be committed to it, so the switch was natural for me.

I was in my clients’ shoes 15 years ago. I had never used a clicker and didn’t know what it was or how it worked. I struggled with a dog who lost her concentration easily. A dog who found it much more fun to run after a deer than to come to me. A dog who found smells on the ground much more interesting than the sound of my voice. I’ve been there, I have real empathy for what my clients are going through.

I realized that clicker training was easier and faster than the old fashioned corrections-based training. And it meant I could be friends with my dog, celebrating all our accomplishments, not looking for the next mistake and quickly correcting her without faltering. It was more fun to work with my dog using the clicker because we were focused on what she was doing correctly, and ignoring the mistakes.”

To find out more about positive reinforcement training please go to:

Smart Dog University

Laurie Luck holds a master's degree in psychology, is a faculty member of the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior, and is skilled both as a trainer and teacher. She founded Smart Dog University in 2001 to help owners improve their dogs behavior.

DO YOU HAVE AN EXPERIENCE WITH CLICKER TRAINING? PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

This is my pal, Morgan. He is a brave and mighty, 15-year-old, healthy canine cancer survivor.

I cannot look at him without smiling and being immediately connected to the pure, unconditional love that doggies are.

They remind us that we are pure, unconditional love, too. They make us better humans.

Wishing you all a healthy, peaceful, and loving holiday season.

Nadine & Buttons