Back to basics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?!