Doggies Everywhere

Just a little setback

2010-02-11T21:30:00.005+08:00

Charly had a little set-back last week. From wonderfully recovering skin 2 weeks ago, it seemed like the skin on her chest made an about turn towards deterioration once again. Dissecting every detail I could remember of her activities in the week since her last acupuncture, I remember Helena proudly saying she had acquired a great bargain on chicken parts from the neighbourhood market.

Images of chicken parts flashed across my mind, and I knew that was the culprit. Dr Susanna had told me enough times that chicken gave too much heat my "hot dog". And possibly 2 to 3 days of chicken vegetable soup for breakfast had adversely affected her recovery progress.

Immediate decree to stop all chicken in my pack's diet, and waited anxiously for another week to see if my gut feeling was right. As off today, it appears that chicken is definitely an allergen to my Charly. And if she isn't having chicken, neither are the rest of the pack.

So at today's acupuncture session, Dr Susie confirmed that Charly's recovery is back on track. But acupuncture must proceed to ensure all healing channels are open to receive the best benefit of nutrition, and Charly just can't bear to look, eventhough the sausages that come after the needles are just 20 minutes away. Her burka helps to pass the time in relative bliss.

Here's a thought... since the channels are kept clear and open with acupuncture, it stands to reason that any allergen will also be absorbed that much quicker. No wonder the effects of those chicken parts were swift. God knows what the farms put into their produce. I'm glad my pooches are having no more of it.

Post-walk wash down

2010-02-06T21:26:00.006+08:00

It's important to wash down the dogs after their walk. They drool while sniffing over all the overnight odours, pick up love-grass and other grass seeds, and are downright hot to trot by the time they get home.

All of them now know what "wash face" means. So the moment I call out "wash face" everyone starts getting into position. Ozzy is first by the garden hose.

He shakes off even before I can finish rinsing his big head.

Then it's Daisy.

She always wants to be #1 for any activity. But she realises Ozzy can't get into the sink, so as long as she gets rinsed off in the sink before Charly, she remains in a good amiable mood. Woe betide if Charly should be rinsed before Daisy. A grouchier dog, I have never come across.

A quick inspection to remove all love grass which causes them so much discomfort, it's wash down from head to rump to toe. Inspection of the anal glands, is imperative too, especially if they scoot around.

After all that is done, a good hard shake and roll on the ground gets rid of all that excess water and it's time for a sun bath.

Occasionally, it rains in the morning and the dogs have to miss their work. It's then that I have to contend with sad, dejected faces like this.

Ozzy loves grooming

2010-02-03T07:14:00.001+08:00

and he loves being told he's a "handsome boy". Grooming not only makes good bonding time with him, it gives me a total upper body workout!

Charly's warts

2010-01-28T21:10:00.012+08:00

Poor Charly! After 10 years on kibble food (and the good stuff, mind you), the lack of beneficial enzymes, protein and wholesome nutrition in general took its toll on her.

Inside left ear flap

Outer left ear flap

Base of skull at the top of left ear

Inside left front paw has a huge one and a smaller one at the base of the dew claw.

Base of toe on left hind leg

Left hind leg toe and there's another little wart on the next toe as well.

Left rump ~ this wart has been here for as long as I remember.

Front left paw on base of 2 toes.

Left hind leg thigh wart fell out a week ago.

This was a longstanding wart on the right side of her neck. It fell out about 3 weeks ago.

This one on the right side of her jaw has been there for a long time too.

With Dr Susie's treatment and advice, and absolute faith that Charly will get better and the will to follow the natural path of good nutrition and absolute perseverance, Charly has made a remarkable turn-around from the pathetic state she was in a month ago.

It was heart-breaking to watch her hit rock-bottom, everyday just praying that that was the lowest level, and yet she would sink yet another step lower.

But 2 weeks ago, it was as if a the final combination to her vault of problems just clicked into place and the unravelling of her plagued health began overnight. No longer am I overcome with revulsion to cuddle her. A month ago, her odour was just too offensive to have her near. Baths were every 2 days. Now, she can go a week without a bath and she still smells reasonably fresh. The most basic trick, you won't believe how simple.... Apple Cider Vinegar treatment for her ears. I found the treatment recipe on the internet 50:50 ACV:Water, which I further energise with my BioDisc. It has relieved her ear problems like magic. Her ears are drenched with this solution every morning. No amount of Surolan, or whatever other vet recommended ear treatments or washes have ever had this kind of success.

Forget everything commercial vet products have pushed down your throat, your dog needs natural food. Raw food is loaded with enzymes that extracts and unlocks the full potential of all the food your dog consumes. Bone dry dog kibble and cooked food have lost the vital keys of nutrition. Would you eat dry biscuits every day if your doctor says is packed with nutrients? Do you abandon intuitive gut feeling of knowing what's best for your body? I have chosen to trust my intuition and instinct to now recognise and make the right decisions for my own health and that of my dogs.

Cocker Spaniel before and after look

2010-01-28T20:52:00.003+08:00

My girls grow out their lovely curly hair for 6 months, and then snip - snip away, and it's down to the skin. The first time Daisy was shaved to the skin, she was so embarrassed at being naked. But even she could not deny how good she felt to have that thick coat come off. 3rd time around, she's looking forward to her 1/2 yearly shave.

And a lucky thing too, cos if she hadn't, I wouldn't have discovered the fleas. Yes, fleas. My poor girl was carrying those awful creatures around in that wooly coat. No wonder my poor Oz has flea=bite dermatitis. Now that I know what's going on on everyone's skin, I can manage it all effectively and holistically. I've learnt Sodium Polyborate is a safe environmental flea control application. My challenge is ~ where do I get it? When I do find out, I shall update this post with that resource.

O Where has this little friend gone?

2010-01-21T19:10:00.002+08:00

Ozzy is so sad that his little friend (who hates the sight of Ozzy) seems to have moved away. Every time we walk by, Oz runs up to the fence to look for this fiesty little MinPin bobbing up and down.

Sunshine on shoulders

2010-01-19T18:21:00.002+08:00

makes my girl happy

and better yet with little brother

Back to basics

2009-11-26T16:25:00.015+08:00

After Pepper was diagnosed with spondylosis that caused his hind quarters to be paralysed, I went in desperate search of a remedy. I simply could not accept that my little Pip could be afflicted with such a debilitating condition. No chance it was hip dysplasia, something could be done and must be done. Mainstream vets who have not opened their minds to ancient remedies could only recommend surgery and painkillers. At 12 years of age, surgery was not an option, and what is life without mobility and only painkillers to keep going. No, I have no tolerance for ignorance.

Knowledgeable and open minded vets informed me that traditional Chinese acupuncture had yielded good results on some of their patients. A sinseh in USJ 1 had success with a Retriever, then I heard of another vet who concentrated solely on Traditional Chinese Vet Medicine (TCVM). Dr Susanna Brida-Hofherr, Pepper's saviour and bearer of yummy sausages.

Pepper started weekly sessions late January 2009 and by September he was climbing stairs up to my bedroom at least 2 or 3 times a day. He didn't need anymore help in doing his toilet, his hind legs have become robust and he is back to his old annoying habit of marking the curtains and the odd-sudden appearing box or luggage. A good problem to have. Pepper is once again a healthy young-old man, so happy in his outlook, I feel I need to schedule myself of weekly acupuncture sessions.

Why is it TCVM isn't common here when we are an Asian country with lots of Chinese roots? I cannot answer that question, I am still baffled by professionals who stop seeking knowledge once a precious piece of paper is placed in their hands. TCVM has a tremendous place in every pet loving society. No one can stop death, but certainly everyone was a useful and productive life before death and TCVM can do that for your animal. Just ask Pepper, he'll only be too glad to show off his 'new' legs. The video below was shot in May 2009, just 4 months of acupuncture and he was confidently back on his feet and in the mood to chase Charly round the block.

Since September, just a monthly top up keeps him going nicely. I must admit that too long an interval, and he starts showing signs of weakening. He is an old dog and just the miracle of getting him back up on his hinds satisfies me. It would unreasonable of me to expect a total cure. Dr Susanna does a wonderful job with animals she graces with her skills. She is packed with knowledge that has exceeded far beyond my expectation. I pray more veterinarians realise the benefit of TCVM in geriatric care of their patients. Absolutely nothing to lose, everything to gain.

My German Shepherd was plagued with an unsettled stomach since the time we got him at age 8 weeks. After learning about animal nutrition from Dr Susanna, I switched to home-cooked food for all my dogs in February 2009.

Within a week of the switch, Ozzy's tummy had settled and was excreting normal looking stools; no more of that runny, bubbly smelly stuff that began as kibble food... and I was feeding one of the best makes known on the market.

My Charly, in her 8th year switched to 'senior' food and then began her decline in health and vitality. She's now 10 and 2 years of havoc wreaked by the 'senior' food on her body and skin, she looks years older than 12 year old Pepper.

With Dr Susanna's help and guidance, I have embarked on the reversal process of the detriment inflicted by processed food on a puppy-mill'd dog. Charly was never of strong constituency and kibble never improved it at all.

Now in November, with more knowledge from Dr Susanna, I am bravely switching over to Raw Meat and Bones.

Daisy is in good health, thankfully, and I certainly want her protected from any affliction, so even she's on the same diet. She really means business when a bone is in her possession.

The dogs love it, and I'm waiting for the next round of miracles. My Charly needs one desperately, my beautiful girl so devoted to me is no longer vibrant. Everything about her has deteriorated, only her loving spirit is still in tact and her keeness to play ball even though her energy doesn't last more than a couple of far fetches. But I know in my heart, that she is due for a miracle, and I'm even more sure that it will appear before Christmas this year, a fitting present for my beautiful girl.

Morning routine

2009-11-06T12:23:00.004+08:00

Every morning my Awesome Foursome have a routine warm up exercise before their walks, on the front green.

First gotta check out who's been passing through overnight;

Reclaim territory;

What creatures been using the underground channels;

Inventory fallen sticks to see if trees are over-shedding;

and end the session with a bit of doggie line dance.

Ready for an outing

2009-10-30T12:12:00.003+08:00

With the Mini all kitted out with the boot lining, the pooches knew that fun-time was in store, only a car-ride away. Barely had I installed the boot-lining, they all clamoured in, pushing poor Pepper out of the way and now nowhere in sight.

New Blanket for Oz

2009-10-23T12:01:00.000+08:00

Oz has been complaining that all the others have a nice soft bed to sleep on but he's only got a cold floor. So mummy went out in search of some bedding large enough for the big boy. IKEA's largest dog bed is still a little small so trekked the supermarts and true to its name GIANT, I found a padded blanket big enough for the big boy and bed-crasher Charly. Snug as 2 bugs in a rug.

Doggies just want to have fun

2009-09-08T22:48:00.000+08:00

It's great to be able to take our dogs out for a swim. 3 of my dogs were absolutely born for the water. How often and more importantly where can we take them to swim that the water is clean enough? Most lakes in the Klang Valley are not totally natural lakes, but water-catchment ponds that fill up from drains diverting to it. Probably the water-flow path was pre-existing and development just re-defined it.

Anyway, there is a great spot just out of town at Tasik Biru, Kundang. An abandoned mining pool that is recreation to jet-skiers and anglers and now once a month, to a couple of us dog lovers. It's an ideal spot, but far from idyllic ~ you won't believe the trash picnickers leave behind. Why does that happen? Do the picnickers not realise that the more trash they leave behind, that's more trash which will accumulate for their next visit. What will we find should we open up the minds of such people? As much garbage between their 2 ears I suppose.

Well, prefer to focus on the fun our dogs had so just take a look at the pics and see for yourself.

Every dog needs a spa

2009-08-16T18:51:00.007+08:00

and a mud spa at that. Now that I've dug up my porch-side garden, my big boy is enjoying the cool comforts of a mud spa.

This little garden trench is really shady and cool. I've dug up the soil, mixed in humus and replanted with ornamental banana both the red and pink variety.

Then just today, I emcee'd the opening of a medical center and one of the congratulatory bouquets was sculpted with hydrangeas. Now I know hydrangeas grow well in cool climes, these specimens must have been imported. I'm greatly tempted to try planting a hydrangea or 2 in this cool corner.

But I must remember to keep a space for Big Boy. The minerals from the soil soothes and nourishes his skin and he looks too comfortable to give it up for anyone, even domineering goldie here. She's dictated where he can sleep in the house, but outside, Big Boy pays Goldie no mind!

Give a dog a bone

2009-08-15T19:27:00.003+08:00

After looking high and low, well maybe not so high, I was in PJ Old Town market where I was reminded of the numerous beef stalls there. My search for beef marrow bones had come to an end.

I spied 2 whole legs ~ femur and tibia dangling from a very friendly stall. I stopped in my tracks, asked how much and at RM9 per kg, I said OK to both legs. Weighed in a little over 4 kgs.

Got them cut up to German Shepherd Dog sizes for Oz to gnaw on till kingdom come. Was he in for a treat?!

A tapioca dog

2009-07-18T19:28:00.005+08:00

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine a dog would eat raw tapioca..

Well this little girl obviously craved some enzyme in it because she devoured that raw tapioca as if her life depended on it. It was freshly harvested and kept aside to be fried into chips, but this little Goldie quick as lightning, snuck a piece out from the niru and proceeded to motor-mouth through it.

She must have been a pig in a previous life!!

The Many Uses of a German Shepherd Dog

2009-05-23T20:45:00.007+08:00

I bet you never knew a German Shepherd Dog could peel coconuts. Well seeing is believing.

And then of course to enjoy the spoils after that jaw-breaking, neck-twisting work.

Stray dogs shipped off to an island

2009-04-10T18:20:00.002+08:00

This is an interesting idea.

Never would have thought the people of Pulau Ketam would care about stray dogs and actually give a humane thought about their lives. But this is a novel idea, a kind of doggie Alcatraz.

Apparently they were earlier sent to a nearer island, but kept swimming back! Well now that they are on the farther away island of Pulau Tengah which is reported to be uninhabited, it's quite likely they will turn feral again, and who knows, this might be the beginning of reverse evolution. Is this the start of the Malaysian wolf?

Well we certainly won't be around to see what these dogs descendants are like in 100 years, but wouldn't that be really interesting if it could happen. Dogs evolved to their current form because of their domestication. And now that they are returned to the wild... very interesting

My dogs love to swim

2008-11-02T10:39:00.004+08:00

But unfortunately I can't find a safe or clean place for their favourite activity. How I wish there were dedicated parks for dog-owners to exercise and socialise our dogs. Dogs are social animals and they really know how to enjoy the simplest joys in life.

Watching my 3 dogs engage in any activities makes me laugh and appreciate the time I spend with them. So completely different are their characters, it is no wonder that people treat and regard dogs as humans. However, I will not insult their canine ancestry by dressing them up in ridiculous costumes. But I do believe in keeping my dogs safe, so I have invested in safety vests for all 3 of them. Here's my littlest one who loves to play dress-up.

Maybe that's it... the toy dogs love to play dress up which is why they are so amenable to dressing up. Eureka!

Still that doesn't resolve the fact that there is no decent place for them to swim.