Pet Promise is the food I recommend. It's what I feed my kitty, and he is one healthy boy, knock wood! Though he likes it a bit too much (to him, food is love)so he gets Healthy Weight & Aging kibble as his main diet, and a bit of the wet food as a morning & evening treat. There are other excellent pet foods on the market, but you do have to do your research.
Why do I like it? Well, let's begin with what it doesn't have: NO animal byproducts, NO rendered meat or chicken meals, NO factory farmed meat, NO antibiotic-fed "protein sources" (interesting euphemism for sentient beings), NO added growth hormones, and NO artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. It may be the only pet food endorsed by a holistic physician, (Andrew Weil.)
"Out of respect for our pets, all animals, and the earth, we source our meat only from U.S. family farmers committed to eco-friendly, natural and sustainable practices and the humane treatment of animals."
So for those of you who haven't heard about the appalling ingredients in most pet food (including Hills Science Diet, pushed by Veterinarians), do an Internet search. You will be pretty shocked, I'm sure, as I was.
Carried by Whole Foods, New Seasons & Fred Meyer. For those of us who shop "natural" foods (vs. unnatural?), we know we pay more. Currently, a 6 lb. bag of dry kibble for cats is $13.99 at Freddie's.
No, I don't receive remuneration for my recommendations (more to come) - but hey - maybe I should look into it!
www.petpromiseinc.com.
Dr. Weil: www.weilfoundation.org.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Perennial Hope: One Dog's Journey
On my web site there's a photo of a little dog peering up at the camera, with the caption, "Archie, learning to trust." His wonderful guardians, Melissa & Nick, gave Archie a second chance (or maybe his third or fourth or fifth, since animals cannot tell us where they've been and what they have had to endure before they arrive in our lives.) However, they do know that somebody shot him. This poor little dog has a pellet in his body.
When I met Archie at a client consultation this past summer, it was evident by his body language that he was quite wary of strangers, and he emitted several warning growls. However, he had a trainer, and we all believed that by working together his life could be turned around with consistency, structure, and kindness.
Recently I told his Mom, "I really hope that some day Archie will come to my lap." She assured me that each day he was becoming a happier, more secure little guy. When I arrived for a four day stay with him yesterday, Archie greeted me at the door with a wagging tale! That evening, sitting on the sofa with a wonderful book (Pay It Forward), he sat across from me on the love seat. Much to my surprise, he jumped to the floor, walked over to me, and stared into my eyes. He held the gaze (unusual since staring is usually an indicator of a challenge and possible aggression in the animal kingdom). I talked to him in a soft, reassuring voice, wondering what he would do next.
Suddenly, he jumped up on the sofa, curled in the crook of my leg, his little head resting on my foot, and closed his eyes. My heart did a little leap of joy. Archie is beginning to believe that he is safe, and that he is loved.
Most dogs embody what I call perennial hope. That belief that something good is coming. Thankfully, Archie still had that; he had not given up on the potential goodness of life.
This entry is dedicated to all the compassionate rescuers like Melissa & Nick who open their hearts and homes to the abused, the neglected, the discarded.
The people who demonstrate the goodness of life by providing forever homes for animals, giving them another chance.
After all, isn't that what all creatures deserve?
When I met Archie at a client consultation this past summer, it was evident by his body language that he was quite wary of strangers, and he emitted several warning growls. However, he had a trainer, and we all believed that by working together his life could be turned around with consistency, structure, and kindness.
Recently I told his Mom, "I really hope that some day Archie will come to my lap." She assured me that each day he was becoming a happier, more secure little guy. When I arrived for a four day stay with him yesterday, Archie greeted me at the door with a wagging tale! That evening, sitting on the sofa with a wonderful book (Pay It Forward), he sat across from me on the love seat. Much to my surprise, he jumped to the floor, walked over to me, and stared into my eyes. He held the gaze (unusual since staring is usually an indicator of a challenge and possible aggression in the animal kingdom). I talked to him in a soft, reassuring voice, wondering what he would do next.
Suddenly, he jumped up on the sofa, curled in the crook of my leg, his little head resting on my foot, and closed his eyes. My heart did a little leap of joy. Archie is beginning to believe that he is safe, and that he is loved.
Most dogs embody what I call perennial hope. That belief that something good is coming. Thankfully, Archie still had that; he had not given up on the potential goodness of life.
This entry is dedicated to all the compassionate rescuers like Melissa & Nick who open their hearts and homes to the abused, the neglected, the discarded.
The people who demonstrate the goodness of life by providing forever homes for animals, giving them another chance.
After all, isn't that what all creatures deserve?
Monday, November 19, 2007
New Language
What do the new words guardian and companion animal mean in our relationship to the animals in our lives?
Language is powerful because it influences the way we think. People who adopted animals were owners and their companion animals, pets. New wording is coming into play, and it's already in use by our very own Multnomah Library system.
In most jurisdictions (although this is slowly changing), owner pertains to property. When people divide their household goods (e.g., divorce), animals are treated as property. (So the judge decides that one party gets their sofa and the other their Golden Retriever.) Hard to believe, but true.
The word guardian shifts our perception about our relationship to animals who are our companions. We are caretakers; it is not only our legal reponsibility but also our moral responsibility to provide for their physical and emotional needs. The animals who share the greater web of life with us are sentinent beings. Just like us, they are capable of feeling pain and suffering. So, just as we are guardians of our children (not owners), we are guardians of animals.
The other new term is companion animal for the word, pet. While pet is an easy, three letter word, again it has to do with our relationship. When people took animals into homes, they domesticated them to suit their lifestyles, their preferences, and their needs. But the reasoning behind The Guardian Campaign is that the word pet confers ownership, which may or may not include respect for the animal's inherent nature. Of course, cat people (and some dog people) recognize we can only go so far in molding the expected behaviors of these furry creatures we live with. And of course, dogs, just like children, need to be socialized, or trained, living in a society with others.
Our Multnomah Library system should be commended for incorporating this new language. Hopefully, others in places of authority will do so as well, as we shift our thinking from being owners of pets, to trusted guardians of our companion animals.
www.guardiancampaign.org
www.idausa.org
Language is powerful because it influences the way we think. People who adopted animals were owners and their companion animals, pets. New wording is coming into play, and it's already in use by our very own Multnomah Library system.
In most jurisdictions (although this is slowly changing), owner pertains to property. When people divide their household goods (e.g., divorce), animals are treated as property. (So the judge decides that one party gets their sofa and the other their Golden Retriever.) Hard to believe, but true.
The word guardian shifts our perception about our relationship to animals who are our companions. We are caretakers; it is not only our legal reponsibility but also our moral responsibility to provide for their physical and emotional needs. The animals who share the greater web of life with us are sentinent beings. Just like us, they are capable of feeling pain and suffering. So, just as we are guardians of our children (not owners), we are guardians of animals.
The other new term is companion animal for the word, pet. While pet is an easy, three letter word, again it has to do with our relationship. When people took animals into homes, they domesticated them to suit their lifestyles, their preferences, and their needs. But the reasoning behind The Guardian Campaign is that the word pet confers ownership, which may or may not include respect for the animal's inherent nature. Of course, cat people (and some dog people) recognize we can only go so far in molding the expected behaviors of these furry creatures we live with. And of course, dogs, just like children, need to be socialized, or trained, living in a society with others.
Our Multnomah Library system should be commended for incorporating this new language. Hopefully, others in places of authority will do so as well, as we shift our thinking from being owners of pets, to trusted guardians of our companion animals.
www.guardiancampaign.org
www.idausa.org
Friday, November 9, 2007
Little did I know
Littld did I know at age ten that my first paid job, pet sitter for a French poodle, would become my profession several decades after college. My primary task was to keep Chouchou ("brussel sprout" in French) from whining. I didn't have to walk her, so it left a pretty skewed impression of work, and the realities of pet sitting.
In 2004 my pet sitting hobby became my full time business. I'm learning it's a lot more than hanging out with the cute and cuddly. Like all jobs, it has its joys and challenges.
Tory was adopted from Golden Bond Rescue. We met when she nine years; by age 14, her health was deteriorating, but then she would rally. Her veterinarian called her "wonder dog." This summer I was with her on a long house sit. It was a bittersweet time, since I suspected it would be our last, so I was more present,more in the moment. When informed of her death, I cried deeply. I still remember her joyful "woo, woo" as she jumped in the air, anticipating a walk. She will always have a special place in my heart.
Sometimes clients leave Portland. Some let me know; others simply drop off the radar. It's easy to bond to many of the animals I care for, and at the end of a stay, I sometimes feel a little heart tug, not knowing when I'll see them next. But I'd rather have my heart engaged than not. That's how I came up with the name Heart & Hands Animal Care: combining my heart & my massage trained hands to care for and comfort animals, when their people are absent.
Now I'm on an overnight job for two kitties. Francesca is a delicate, pretty tabby who drools and kneads; likely, she was taken from her mama too early. She and Audrey, her kitty companion, enjoy the "In & Out" game. They sit at the side door waiting for me to open it. About two minutes later, they want to return indoors, only to repeat that over and over.
Their guardians return home soon, and I will return home to my Main Coon, Porter. Tonight I will snuggle with him, and will wake to his love bites & sandpaper kisses. Soon I'll be packing my bags again, to care for more animal friends.
In 2004 my pet sitting hobby became my full time business. I'm learning it's a lot more than hanging out with the cute and cuddly. Like all jobs, it has its joys and challenges.
Tory was adopted from Golden Bond Rescue. We met when she nine years; by age 14, her health was deteriorating, but then she would rally. Her veterinarian called her "wonder dog." This summer I was with her on a long house sit. It was a bittersweet time, since I suspected it would be our last, so I was more present,more in the moment. When informed of her death, I cried deeply. I still remember her joyful "woo, woo" as she jumped in the air, anticipating a walk. She will always have a special place in my heart.
Sometimes clients leave Portland. Some let me know; others simply drop off the radar. It's easy to bond to many of the animals I care for, and at the end of a stay, I sometimes feel a little heart tug, not knowing when I'll see them next. But I'd rather have my heart engaged than not. That's how I came up with the name Heart & Hands Animal Care: combining my heart & my massage trained hands to care for and comfort animals, when their people are absent.
Now I'm on an overnight job for two kitties. Francesca is a delicate, pretty tabby who drools and kneads; likely, she was taken from her mama too early. She and Audrey, her kitty companion, enjoy the "In & Out" game. They sit at the side door waiting for me to open it. About two minutes later, they want to return indoors, only to repeat that over and over.
Their guardians return home soon, and I will return home to my Main Coon, Porter. Tonight I will snuggle with him, and will wake to his love bites & sandpaper kisses. Soon I'll be packing my bags again, to care for more animal friends.
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