Canine Nutrition & Pet Talk

I've done a lot of research regarding canine nutrition and commercial dog foods just don't cut it. Too many fillers and preservatives and not enough real wholesome food. They NEED human grade meats as well as other protein, whole grains, vegetables and fruits just like us. Not to mention bone meal cartilage, vitamins and supplements. There is a chapter in Dr. Martin Goldstein's book, "The Nature of Animal Healing" that's invaluable if you want to know more about canine nutrition. Or you could go raw. My dog Buster doesn't like raw and I would have to introduce it to his system very slowly. One day I hope to have him on raw because I think it would take care of his allergy issues. In the meantime, my friend Megan has started a great company called Zen Chien. She makes nutritious meals for dogs and vacuum seals them and delivers them once a week. Here's a clip of a show we did called Pet Talk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DwDRn7ZLYk

PUT PUPPY MILLS OUT OF BUSINESS!!!

Thinking of adding a pet to your household? You are in for joy like you couldn't imagine if you spent 100 years in a smoke filled room just thinking about it! But PLEASE...first think of rescuing. If you have your heart set on a particular breed (which is a fine way to select a dog or cat that will best suit your lifestyle), shelters have MANY purebreds or designer mixed breeds. There are also many rescue sites dedicated to certain breeds (just Google!). Another way to go is to find a responsible breeder. You can find help with that through the ASPCA website and the American kennel club. BUT PLEASE DO NOT get your animal companion from a pet store!!!! The chances they are from a cruel puppy mill are 99%!!!! In fact, please do not even buy pet supplies from stores that sell puppies or kittens. We need to put these inhumane puppy mills OUT OF BUSINESS!!! To find out more on the cruel practices of puppy mills you can check out this link I obtained from the ASPCA website: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_puppymills
Good luck with your search and if there's anything I can do to help just contact me by adding a comment. There's a lot of valuable info on the ASPCA web site. Good luck!

Dogs & China

This is an email I recently received from the author of Merle's Door (Ted Kerasote), please check out the link.

Dear Readers and Friends:
China not only has a poor record when it comes to human rights. It also treats dogs and cats with unusual cruelty. I've written an op-ed on this topic, which appears in the March 23, 2008 issue of Salon.com. You can read it by clicking on this link: http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/03/24/animal_cruelty_china/index.html
As always, thank you for your many kind comments about Merle's Door and your continued support.
With warm regards,
Ted Kerasote

I wrote back...what can we do? This was his reply:

What can we do? If we're stockholders in a company that does business in China, we might attend a shareholders' meeting and suggest that the company make one of the requirements of sealing a deal with its Chinese counterpart be that the Chinese company begins an educational campaign with their workers about treating dogs and cats more humanely. We cannot buy Chinese goods, but that's extremely difficult in that so much of what we use in our daily lives is no manufactured in China. We can support the better-organized campaigns that target Chinese terrible human rights record. Both human and animal rights are connected in China, and if they soften on the former, the latter, I think, will follow.

Merle's Door

If you'd like to read the best, most insightful, amazing, touching wonderful true story about a human and their canine companion...read Merle's Door by Ted Kerasote. You will learn the most amazing things about the mind, emotions and capabilities of a dog. I have never had a more wonderful, insightful reading experience. It's incredible what you can learn from your dog if you give him/her the chance. I have never heard of a dog that was given this kind of a chance until now. It's not only the best dog story I have ever read; it's one of the best, if not THE best book I've ever read. Everyone who is blessed to be the human companion to a canine should read this book. And even if you don't presently find yourself with a dog, you will love this book. I cannot say enough about it. Read it and let me know what you think.

meeting people with dogs

I was just walking my dog, Buster, in Bryant Park and met a lovely woman who had a Westie named Sophie. She told me she'd had a rough year and Sophie was the only reason she got out sometimes. She joked that if there were only a way you could drink wine and meet people with your dog and it got me thinking. I told her about a site called meetup.com. It's a great site to sign up for. It's a way to meet people that are interested in just about anything you can think of. It's not a dating site although it is a great way to meet people that are interested in the same things you are and you can sign up to join as many groups as you like. They have reading groups,walking groups (just about anything you can think of) and groups for almost every kind of dog breed. They meet up and often plan great events. You can even start your own. Get out and do something you love with your pal!

If you have a dog or cat companion the best book to read is The Nature Of Animal Healing by Dr. Martin Goldstein. It tells you what you need to know regarding vaccinations and feeding and more. It's the best thing you can do for your companion animal to educate yourself on these topics. Did you know that 52% of dogs die in the USA of cancer now? And it is widely believed it all has to do with over vaccinating, medicating and poor nutrition. This book will change the way you look at all of this.

Pandora's Briefcase

This is my first entry. I plan on writing about all things Dogs, saving companion animals, holistic care of animals, humane treatment of animals, and to pepper it with interesting things I hear, see or experience that may or may not have anything to do with animals.