Optimum Choices will offer mini canine massages at
Lakewood on Parade
in Belmar Park (across from the new Belmar shopping center) on Wadsworth
in Lakewood, Colorado
on Friday, August 27 from 4 pm-10 pm and Saturday, August 28 from 11 am-10 pm.
Do you use BioPreparation or
BioSuperfood with your animal? Want to find out how
others are using it? Join the new Yahoo discussion group on Bio-Algae
concentrates for animals:
Austria recently enacted one of the strongest animal rights laws in the
world, including prohibiting docking of dogs' ears and tails.
For more details,
click here.
Optimum Choices now offers pharmaceutical-grade fish oil from ZoneNet. This oil has been processed to remove all the toxins and impurities that are now found in all fish oil, even deep sea fish from unpopulated areas. This means you can safely take large, therapeutic amounts of it.
For more information, click here.
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) has been used for centuries for skin care.
Its strength lies in the ability to revitalize tissue. It is excellent for the
skin, and its aromatic influence helps release negative memories. Although
traditionally used for skin care, its gentle nature makes it a good choice for
very sensitive individuals who have a congested liver. The pioneering French
aromatherapist, Jean Valnet, M.D., recommends it for liver disorders and
hepatitis.
Plant Origin: Egypt, India.
Action: Antispasmodic, antitumoral, adrenal cortex stimulant,
anti-inflammatory, astringent, hemostatic (stops bleeding) anti-infectious,
antibacterial, antifungal, revitalizes skin tissue, and dilates bile ducts for
liver detoxification. Geranium balances the sebum, which is the fatty secretion
in the sebaceous glands of the skin that keep the skin supple. Helps cleanse
oily skin and restores and enlivens pale skin.
Other Uses: This oil may be used for acne, burns, circulatory problems
(improves blood flow), depression, gingivitis, liver problems, sterility,
digestion, eczema, insomnia, menstrual problems, neuralgia (severe pain along
the nerve), regenerating tissue and nerves, pancreas imbalances, ringworm,
shingles, sore throats, liver disorders, hepatitis and wounds.
Application: Diffuse and apply topically. May be added to food or
water as a dietary supplement. Apply where you would use a deodorant.
Fragrant Influence: It may help to release negative memories. It may
also help ease nervous tension and stress, balance the emotions, lift the
spirit, and foster peace, well-being, and hope.
Selected Research: Lis-Balchin, M., et al. “Antimicrobial activity of
Pelargonium essential oils added to a quiche filling as a model food system.”
Lett Appl Microbiol. 1998;27(4):207-10.
Lis-Balchin, M., et al. “Comparative antibacterial effects of novel
Pelargonium essential oils and solvent extracts.” Lett Appl Microbiol.
1998;27(3):135-41. Fang, H.J., et al. “Studies on the chemical components and
anti-tumour action of the volatile oils from Pelargonium graveoleus.” Yao Hsueh
Hsueh Pao. 1989;24(5):366-71.
When I tell people I do canine massage, often their response is something like
“oh, my sister’s dog has arthritis, I bet he would love a massage”. While it’s
true that massage can be very beneficial for elderly, arthritic dogs, they
aren’t the only ones that can benefit. Massage can be very beneficial in
preventing problems in young to middle-aged dogs that don’t have obvious pain
and stiffness. Because of our breeding practices, most dogs have structural
imbalances that over time can lead to sore muscles and deteriorating joints.
Regular massage can help the muscles move and function better, reducing or
preventing the damage caused by these imbalances.
By "structural imbalances", I am not referring to pathological conditions such
as hip dysplasia, where the hip joint is not properly formed and the dog needs
surgery. Instead, I am referring to dogs with healthy bones and joints but
suboptimal angles and placements of those bones. For instance, the majority of
dogs these days have shoulders that are too upright, commonly referred to as
"straight shoulders". This prevents the dog from swinging its foreleg as far
forward as a dog with optimal angles in the shoulders. A dog with straight
shoulders has nothing wrong with it orthopedically, however it cannot move as
nature intended, with a smooth, ground-covering stride. The shorter, bouncy
stride caused by this imbalance leads to more pounding on the front end and over
the years this breaks down the joints and causes muscle soreness. Eventually the
dog will have a problem requiring veterinary attention and possibly medication
or surgery.
Dogs can also have straight hips, which shortens the stride in the rear. More
importantly, having straight angles in both the shoulders and hips provides less
support for the back. This is because the line of the back between the front and
rear legs is longer. Eventually the dog can end up sway-backed, leading to
muscle soreness and pain.
Another common structural imbalance is called "ewe neck" (after the sheep),
where the dog's neck hyperextends backwards and the dog holds its head upright.
This puts a lot of stress on the neck vertebrae and neck muscles, which can lead
to disc problems and muscle pain. This trait is actually deliberately bred for,
because dogs that hold their heads up high look "proud" and "elegant" in the
show ring.
Whether your dog is purebred or mixed breed, he likely has some structural
imbalances since mixed breeds come from a combination of purebreds. So, what can
be done about these imbalances? Since they are inborn, they cannot be corrected
with chiropractic care (though taking your dog regularly to a chiropractic can
help keep its spine in alignment). Massage will not correct the structure
either, but it can minimize the damage and pain caused by the imbalances.
Massage helps keep the muscles in optimal condition so they can move properly,
which reduces stress on joints. If your dog already has some pain and soreness
(which is not always detectable by you), massage can help to alleviate that
and improve the dog's movement. Therefore, In the long run, regular massage
sessions save money by preventing costly vet visits when the dog gets older.
"Hi, my name is Baby Bear but if you don't like that name, you can adopt me
and call me anything you want. See how cute I am? That's me on the right!" Baby
Bear is the current Misha May Foundation dog looking for a forever home. The Misha May Foundation
in Denver offers training and rehabilitation for mixed-breed shelter dogs. For more information about
adopting Baby Bear, call Lorraine May at 303-239-0382. Lorraine is executive
director of the Foundation and a holistic dog trainer.
How to be the Leader of the Pack...and have your dog love you
for it!
by Patricia McConnell
ISBN
1-891767-02-X
Click picture to order from Dogwise
This short little 16-page booklet, now in its second edition,
contains a wealth of
information on handling your dog. Patricia McConnell has a PhD in Zoology with
studies in dog behavior and training. She now runs a dog training and behavioral consulting
business and is regarded as one of the top experts in the field. She is
especially good at explaining the differences in behavior between primates (us)
and canines (dogs). When we communicate to dogs in primate body language, they
often don't "get it".
This book provides guidelines on how to set boundaries with your
dog and clarify your role as leader of the pack, without using harsh
punishments. For instance, she explains how to use "body blocks" to control your
dog's actions, rather than having to rely on a leash all the time. This also
sets you up as the leader, since dogs maintain leadership positions by
controlling the use of space of other individuals. She explains how using your
torso to push at a dog rather than your hands is much more effective because
high status dogs "herd" other dogs by moving or pushing their body. Using our
hands to push dogs away (such as when they jump on us) may appear to them like
we are trying to play, since they initiate play by using their forepaws.
This booklet is useful whether or not you ever plan to do formal
training with your dog. It contains a lot of practical suggestions for everyday
life with your dog that will help you develop a more peaceful relationship with
your dog, particularly if your dog tends to be dominant or aggressive.
Nothing on this website has been evaluated by the FDA. This information
is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please
see a qualified healthcare practitioner for any disease or illness.
Geranium
Dogs can also have straight hips, which shortens the stride in the rear. More
importantly, having straight angles in both the shoulders and hips provides less
support for the back. This is because the line of the back between the front and
rear legs is longer. Eventually the dog can end up sway-backed, leading to
muscle soreness and pain.
