Did you know that what you feed your dog can affect how often your companion goes to the vet?

Have you really stopped to think about what is in the food that you feed your dog?

Have you ever read the contents? Do you understand what they are saying?

Do you realize that even if it sounds OK, there are ways that the manufacturer can mask the meaning?

Just how do you know what to feed your dog? What food does your dog need? Why?

Are you tired of paying vet bills?

Do you know that there is a way to reduce or almost eliminate them?

Does this sound like you have to do a lot of research?

Well, the research has been done for you! And it is all covered in some very good books that are on the market today.

They explain what foods your dog needs and why.

But only you can answer these next two questions.

"Do I really want to feed the best quality food to my dog in order to improve her health and to increase her life expectancy?

Do I really want to learn what I can do to help my dog feel better?"

If your answers to these questions are "Yes!" then continue to read this blog and also educate yourself by getting a good book on natural dog diets.

You and your dog will be glad you did.

To the health and life of your dog…

Sandra

You want your dog to be healthy and full of energy! You
think you're doing all the right things, but there are those times that you realize that he just isn't feeling well. Or worse, he is REALLY sick!

Nature has provided your dog with a good adequate immune system and it is designed to fight disease when it comes along. That is unless something has compromised that beautifully designed system.

A strong immune system is what allows your dog to fight off the minor and major illnesses with which he comes in contact, and it is the key to healing.

The basis of good health and a strong immune system is diet.

If you are feeding a poor quality, commercial diet, your dog may develope allergies, gain weight, have digestive, heart, kidney, and liver problems. The typical commercial dog food on the market today is still of poor quality and will lead to health problems in your dog.

Two other strong contributing factors are plenty of exercise and lack of stress.

It is important for your dog to get an adequate amount of exercise. Take him for a long walk, take him to the dog park and let him run! Throw the ball, or a stick for him to fetch. Let him get the exercise that he needs.

Stress can suppress the immune system and leave your dog open to illness and disease. Exercise helps to reduce stress. Bonding with your dog and petting him or messaging him will help also. Notice anytime that he may become stressed, and eliminate whatever is causing the stressful situation.

But Diet is the number one thing that contributes to a strong immune system and good health. It is important to feed the correct diet to your dog. Not only is it important to learn what the correct diet is, but it is just as important to learn and understand why it is the best for him.

Nature designed a natural diet for your dog. Do you know what it is? Do you know why those foods are the best for your dog? Nature's diet for your dog is raw meat, raw bones, and raw vegatebles and fruits. I suggest that you get one of the good books on the market today and educate yourself about the subject.

Once you understand which foods are best and why they are the best, you will be able to pick the appropriate food for your dog, and he will be healthy, have a strong immune system, and live a long life. You have the power to increase the quality and length of his life.

Sandra

I have received this before, but this time, I
received it from a wonderful friend of mine, and
decided that there may be some of you who have
not read it.

It is such a good lesson!

"A Dog's Purpose, (from a 6-year-old)"

"Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine
a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The
dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little
boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and
they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer.
I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker,
and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for
the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements,
Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good
for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure.
They felt as though Shane might learn something
from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my
throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane
seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last
time, that I wondered if he understood what was
going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped
peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept
Belker's transition without any difficulty or
confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker's death,
wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal
lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who
had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'
Startled, we all turned to him.

What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd
never heard a more comforting explanation. He said,
'People are born so that they can learn how to live
a good life -- like loving everybody all the time
and being nice, right?' The six-year-old continued,
'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they
don't have to stay as long.

Live simply
Love generously
Care deeply
Speak kindly

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn
things like:

* When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
* Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
* Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your
face to be pure ecstasy.
* Take naps.
* Stretch before rising.
* Run, romp, and play daily.
* Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
* Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
* On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
* On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
* When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
* Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
* Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
* Stop when you have had enough.
* Be loyal.
* Never pretend to be something you're not.
* If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
* When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close
by and nuzzle them gently.
* Always be grateful for each new day and for the
blessing you have."

"ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!"

As I said, wonderful lessons from our furry friends.

Take care of your dog while you can by feeding him a
natural diet.

Sandra

I read this entry on Craigslist-Charlotte yesterday, and felt that you would what to know about this potential threat.

"Please read my story - this may save your dog's life."

"Last Thursday, my husband and I went to pick up our daughter from daycare, get gas, and get our car washed. We were gone for maybe 30 minutes.

When we came back, we found our sweet, beloved 3 year old dog, Chilly, dead in our bedroom.

She, unfortunately, died from getting her head stuck in a family size bag of chips that I had left on our living room table. She suffocated!!!

What a horrible way to die. I have been told not to feel guilty over this but I can't stop thinking that if I had known a bag of chips could kill my 100 lb, sweet, innocent dog - I would have NEVER, EVER left that bag on the table or anywhere she could get to it, for that matter.

I have also been told that this was a "freak accident" - but it's NOT....I have looked on the internet and this has happened more than you think. This was PREVENTABLE!!!

I am sick with guilt; she depended on me to protect her and I failed.

This email if part of my healing process. If I know that I can save ONE dog's life by getting this message out, then Chilly's tragic death had meaning. She will be deeply missed.

Please pass this along through whatever source you choose - maybe if I had read a posting like this, Chilly would still be chasing squirrels.

Thank you for reading.
Amy"

I responded to Amy and let her know that I would be letting other people know of her loss, and the danger that took her beloved dog's life.

Hopefully, because we passed this story along, no other dogs or pets will be lost in this manner in the future.

Remember Amy, Chilly, and their family in your thoughts.

The best of health to your dog

Sandra

I have just watched an inspiring video and knew you would want to watch it also.

Lis' Kristoff has spent the past eight years of her life with brest cancer. On April 8, she was diagnosed with leukemia.

She was given three weeks to live.

She loves agility with her dog, Diva a Chinese Crested, and her wish was to run one last time with her.

The video is of her doing exactly that at the Dallas Agility Working Group Trials, on April 12.

This video is a wonderful reminder of what is important in life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zlhkMwppKw

We must live our lives to the fullest.

Bless you and bless your dog.

Sandra, Digit, Pip, and Squeeze
The Naturally Healthy Dog™

A few days ago, I walked over to my neighbor's to meet her new dog Lily. She is a white Bull Dog who weighs 50 pounds. Lily was friendly and came right to me to say "Hello." I noticed that she was rubbing herself on the grass and was getting more and more frantic.

My neighbor picked her up and her entire stomach and chest area was covered with red bumps. She told me that she had given Lily a bath with her own human shampoo the day before and I told her that might be the cause. The dog was getting more and more frantic.

I ask if they had sprayed anything on the grass, fertilizer, anything, and she said they had not. I suggested that we give her another bath right away with a shampoo that I had that is made for puppies, is tearless and is made with Chamomile, Aloe Vera and Vitamin B5.

The important thing was to wash off any residue that might have been left from the human shampoo the day before, and the Chamomile and Aloe Vera would sooth the skin.

I came back to the house and got a container of Aloe Vera Juice (which I feed to my dogs) and took it to her. She had already bathed Lily in the puppy shampoo, and she was a good bit calmer. I told her to put some Aloe Juice in a cup, dip cotton pads in it and dab it all over Lily and to keep doing it from time to time.

She asked me if she should take Lily to the Vet, and since she does not use a Homeopathic Vet, I told her "No," that a regular Vet would just give her prednisone or cortisone, and that would just suppress what the body was trying to do. The dog had come in contact with something that she was having a severe reaction to, and it was trying to eliminate it though the organ of the skin. We wanted to give it a chance to come out and the body to heal itself, and not suppress it and drive it deeper into the body.

She came over the next day to report on Lily. She was doing fine and they were continuing to put the Aloe Juice on her to sooth her.

We started to look for what else may have caused this event. They had not sprayed the house or the yard for any reason. They were feeding her what she was accustomed to; she had not washed her bedding in a new detergent. She had not washed her food or water bowl in anything different.

We kept going back to the food issue, since so many allergies are food related. Suddenly she remembered that she had bought some "no name" dog biscuits at one of the "super stores" and had given her two the night before and two the morning of the outbreak. Without having the bag for us to see the ingredients, she did remember that the first three ingredients where some form of wheat, and we know that all regular dry food has preservatives. Many people and dogs are allergic to wheat, wheat products, and we know that preservatives are bad for our dogs and can cause skin allergies and more.

So, we will probably never really know what caused the reaction that Lily had, but we can be pretty sure that it was something in the dog biscuits and/or the human shampoo, or a combination of both. My neighbor threw the dog biscuits away and is buying a brand name gentle shampoo made for dogs. She is also seriously thinking about changing Lily's diet over to more natural foods, now that she can see one of the consequences of feeding a low quality commercial processed dog food.

This is just one of many conditions that can be avoided by feeding the natural, raw whole foods diet. I will continue to work with my neighbor to educate her even more to the benefits of the Naturally Healthy Dog.

Good Health to Your Dog!
Sandra

This article was written during the Fall/Winter Holiday season, but it really applies to any time of year and any occasion.

This is the time of year when there is a lot of activity around your home. Getting ready for the holiday season, shopping, visitors in and out of the house, and cooking, sometimes in the hectic pace, you may overlook your dog. Your dog can become stressed because things are different from the normal pace, and he knows that something "is up."

He can begin to worry or become fearful because he doesn't understand what is going on. This can produce stress that causes the nervous system to release adrenaline and other chemicals into the bloodstream. That causes the lungs, heart and blood pressure to increase and can deplete the body of its natural chemicals that help your dog to relax and calm down. This constant action can cause physical and mental fatigue.

So, what are the signs of stress? The physical signs are panting, diarrhea, drooling, vomiting, red eyes, dilated pupils, shivering, drinking too much water, and even sweating paws. The behavioral signs can be excessive tail wagging, jumping on people, pacing, barking, digging, and biting his leash.

How can you help your dog calm down?
1) The most important thing is for you to breath deeply and reduce your own stress. 2) Be sure that you are feeding a diet that does not contain grains. Low carbohydrates
help to slow him down.
3) Don't react, just respond. Whatever he has done, respond to it in a calm manner.
4) Give him things to do. Use toys that contain food, play some search games with him.
Help him use his energy in different ways.
5) Encourage and reward his calmness. Let him know that you want more of the same
by rewarding him with a treat, acknowledge him in a calm voice, but do not make
eye contact with him. He will learn that if he relaxes, he will get your attention.

One of the best things that you can do for your dog is to learn her body language. She communicates with you all the time, and probably wonders why you just aren't getting what she is saying.

Some calming behaviors that have been seen in dogs are sniffing the ground, tongue licking, yawning, eye blinks, averting their eyes, ignoring you, shaking themselves out like they are wet, and scratching themselves. What your dog is really saying is, "I'm uncomfortable with this" or "I'm trying to understand what is happening."

The next time you see your dog exhibit one of these behaviors, try doing something that would calm you down. Yawn several times (don't talk to or touch her) and you well see her yawn and begin to settle down. Another thing that you can do, which we all like, is to touch her gently. This will lower her stress level because her body will start producing serotonin, dopamine and beta-endorphins.

By being able to recognize stress in your dog and to use stress reducing methods, your dog will be healthier and live longer. And it will bring you closer. Now who wouldn't want that?

Good Health to Your Dog!
Sandra

The 1997 study by oncologists from Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine also provided knowledge of some other foods to avoid.

Chocolate – I hope that you already know to never, never, NEVER feed your dog chocolate. It contains theobromine, which is toxic for your dog. It also contains caffeine which is a nerve irritant. Your dog can go into a coma and die from eating chocolate.

Sugar – Sugar in whatever form, is addictive, causes damage to the pancreas, and depletes the body of vitamins and minerals.

Dairy Products – Milk has foreign hormones and lactose, which is a sugar. Most dogs do not have the lactase enzyme that is needed to digest lactose.

Grain – Dogs do not need the carbohydrates in grains for nutrition and energy. Fats and protein in a natural dog diet provide the fuel that your dog needs. Grains break down into sugar in the body and they can also add to many health problems. They can cause your dog to have skin allergies, hot spots, bloating, ear infections, joint problems, and digestive disorders. Some vets believe that they weaken the immune system and the pancreas.

Raw Salmon – Be careful in feeding salmon. In fact, it is better and safer to give your dog Norwegian Salmon Oil. Salmon poisoning is an infectious disease caused by a parasite fluke on salmon. Although it is mostly found in Pacific salmon, it can occur elsewhere.

Onions – Raw or cooked, one quarter cup of onions can make a 20 lb. dog sick. Onions cause toxicity by oxidizing hemoglobin in the red blood cells. When this happens, it forms clumps in the red blood cells which prevent them from carrying the oxygen that is needed. These small clumps are called Heinz bodies and when veterinarians see them, they strongly suspect onion toxicity. The signs of onion toxicosis are the same as anemia and low oxygen in the body – lethargy, weakness, red urine,
decreased stamina, and pale or bluish gums.

Raisins and Grapes – Can cause toxicity in dogs. Some dogs may never be affected, but for the ones who are, it is best to avoid feeding to any dog. Some dogs will develop kidney damage within the first days of eating grapes and/or raisins, which can lead to kidney failure and death. So, it is in the best interest of your dog to avoid this food altogether. If you dog should accidentally eat grapes or raisins and have a reaction to them, their first reaction will be vomiting. Get them to a Vet immediately in that if they are treated early, they can recover. At this time, it is not known what the toxin is.

Macadamia Nuts – They are toxic to dogs and create hind limb weakness, tremors, depression, vomiting and fever. Dogs usually recover.

Moldy Foods – Dogs can have indiscriminating taste, as we know. And moldy food can produce tremor syndrome that can result in seizures.

Peach Pits – The pits and seeds of most fruits are toxic to dogs. Signs of poisoning are drooling, vomiting, and lethargy. If you suspect that your dog has eaten a peach pit or pit or seed of any fruit, take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Bread Dough – A ball of dough can obstruct your dog's gastrointestinal tract. Also, the yeast can ferment in your dog's stomach and cause signs of ethanol ingestion or drunkenness.

I hope that you find this helpful, and that it has helped raise your awareness that not all foods that may be good for you are appropriate for your dog's health. Many can cause very severe health problems. By avoiding potentially dangerous foods, and providing healthy foods, you can add to the quality and joy of your dog's life.

I wish you the best of life for you and your dog.

Sandra

Since diet is the foundation to your dog's health, you want to feed the best diet possible. I for one believe that the whole foods raw diet is the best. It consists of raw, organically raised meats and organic fruits and vegetables.

By feeding this quality food to your dog, you will improve his health, quality of life and extend the length of his life. But along with knowing what is best to feed your dogs, you must also be aware of what NOT to feed your furry companions.

The old saying is true – you are what you eat. If you feed poor quality dog food to your dog, his digestive system will bear the consequences. The organs that are affected are the liver, pancreas, kidneys and skin. The liver and pancreas are affected as part of the digestive system and the liver, kidneys and skin as part of the elimination system.

The most damaging thing about the majority of dry commercial dog foods on the market today is that they contain toxic dyes, chemicals and preservatives. Those toxins build up in the body and over time cause damage to the liver and kidneys.

The number one killer of dogs today is cancer. In 1997, oncologists from Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine published diet recommendations to help combat cancer. Since cancer cells thrive on sugar and create lactate as a waste, they recommend excluding lactate-containing and glucose-containing fluids. The lactate poisons the dog by depleting its energy, making it weaker.

So, limit sugars and simple carbohydrates. A diet that can meet the anti-cancer recommendations is a homemade species appropriate diet. That diet is the whole raw foods diet.

In Part 2 of this article, I will list the other foods that this study warned about feeding to your dog.

The best of health to your dog.

Sandra

Since flea season is approaching, I thought I would pass along some natural ways to prevent fleas.

For flea control, there are two areas to address. First is reducing the adult fleas on your dog, which also includes reducing egg production. Second is to reduce the various stages of the flea life cycle in the environment, both in the house and in the yard.

1. As always, diet is the beginning. The most important
thing that you can do is to feed your dog a diet that
will strengthen his overall health. Healthier, well
nourished dogs suffer less from fleas in that they are
more able to endure and repel flea attacks. Fleas are
more likely to attack a weaker, under-nourished dog.

2. Bathe your dog frequently. Do not use a typical flea
shampoo because of the chemicals. Use a dog shampoo
that you can get at a health food store, such as Buddy
Wash. They have a flea formula that has lavender in it
not to kill fleas, but to repel them. Or you can use their
regular shampoo. The point is that shampoo will kill the
fleas, as long as you leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
Just be sure to rinse well to get all the shampoo out of
the coat and off the skin.

3. Between baths, comb your dog with a flea comb to
search for adult fleas. When you do find a flea, put it
in a cup/bowl of soapy water which will kill it. You can
also use alcohol to kill fleas. Flea comb everyday, as
this will interrupt the egg laying process.

4. Wash pet bedding regularly. This removes flea eggs and
larvae. If you use a blanket fold up the corners first
to prevent dispersing any insects/eggs when picking up
the blanket. If your dog sleeps in a crate or dog bed,
be sure to wash them as well.

5. Vacuum carpets and furniture frequently. Concentrate
your effort under furniture, around baseboards and
where your pet spends the most time.

6. If your dog or cat goes in and out of the house, keep
your grass short and let it dry out before watering each
time. One great thing to do is to treat your lawn with
Nematodes,a parasitic, microscopic worm. I just treated
my yard with Nematodes that kill fleas only. You can also
get a mix of Nematodes that will kill a number of different
pest in the yard as well as fleas. You can go to
http://www.GardensAlive.com and find out more information.

But the biggest key is to have your dog in the best health possible and the way to do that is to feed him the natural raw diet. With all the recalls that occured in 2007, it should be very clear that the only way you can be sure that the food that you feed to you dog is safe, is to prepare your own food.

The best of health to your dog,

Sandra
3/28/08