Sunday, May 26, 2013

In Memory of Beautiful Bleu, Our Beloved Siberian Husky



On November 26, 2012 we lost our beloved Siberian Husky Bleu to spinal cancer.  Bleu had just reached his 9th birthday.  He was far too young to die at such a young age.  We will miss him forever.

Bleu was brought to a high kill shelter when he was only a year old by his owners who bought him from a breeder.  He had pancreatitis and digestive problems  so they advised the shelter not to put him up for adoption.  Husky Haven of LA rescued him and kept him for several years.

Bleu was a happy, playful dog that had special needs as he had a very sensitive stomach and malabsorption.  We kept him going strong using supplements such as K9 Digestive Enzymes and Power Probiotic  which helped him gain weight and absorb his food.

Bleu could run like the wind......
and so it was a complete shock to us that he started to slow down suddenly.  We noticed he didn't want to jump in the van any more and that he didn't curl up in a ball like he used to.  It was subtle at first but then he collapsed in the kitchen knocking over a dish.  We were advised by several veterinarians and specialists that Bleu most likely had disk issues but when he did not respond to treatment, we insisted on an MRI. That was when we received the shocking news---Bleu had spinal cancer.

We got Bleu the best radiation, supplements and holistic care and he made a valiant fight.  He was such a warrier up until the end.  Today is 6 months since we lost him and it still feels like yesterday.  It is hard to think about those last few days but at least we know we did everything possible to save his life and that thanks to the miracle of medicine and GETTING THE MEDICAL TESTS, we knew why he died.  It seems that a lot of times, our pets crash at the end of their lives and not only do we miss them, we are bewildered as we don't even understand the disease that took them.   Even though many specialists told us it was just a back issue, we are so glad we went further and did the tests so that we knew what we were up against.  Rest in peace Prince Bleu.  You are always in our hearts.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Unusual Pet Behavior: What It Means and How To Communicate Better with Your Pet




 Unusual Pet Behavior


Bonnie Taplin, M.A.
Animal Communicator
(949) 636-5500


Throughout the years I have been working intuitively with animals, the typical requests for help I receive deal with issues such as aggressiveness, inappropriate toileting, unresolved health-related issues, and facing the grief and mourning connected with the loss of a pet.  Every now and then, a client calls on me to help figure out why their pet is behaving in what would be called “unusual.”  In most cases, these behaviors appear as a result of a pet’s effort to get a message across and be acknowledged for something important.

Simply put, behavior is a reaction to stimuli.  But sometimes, there appears to be none.  What we must look for then, is some kind of stimuli we would consider passive – or more likely – unintentional.  One case in particular stands out:  a husband and wife came to me to hear what their cats had to say; they told me they each had one cat of their own, and the husband was baffled, and almost annoyed by, his female cat’s continuous staring at him.  When I asked the cat about this, she told me, “I adore him so much!” And, because of the intensity of her love, I was brought to tears.  The husband reacted with surprise, because he was expecting an answer, he said, that had nothing to do with his cat’s love for him!

Another interesting case I was called in for involved a cat who was pulling his fur out.  My client was a middle-aged single woman with three cats; they had recently moved to Southern California from New York.  Two of the cats seemed to have made the transition smoothly; but the other one began biting himself and literally pulling his hair out.  During our conversation, this unhappy kitty eagerly shared with me that he was “offended” that he had not been asked about the upcoming move.  He stated that he was so angry, that he didn’t know how else to get the message to her; so he began pulling his fur out—and THAT certainly got her attention!  Ultimately, I asked the mom if she would apologize and explain the moving issue so her cat would understand.  Later, on follow-up, I learned that this cat’s hair was growing back…and he apparently forgave his mom.

Having met a wide variety of cats, I have learned exactly how intensely emotional these beautiful animals can be.  You may wonder, what about dogs?  Interestingly, canines also have very intense feelings; but they generally have a more diplomatic approach to explaining their feelings and thoughts.  One memorable dog stands out for me:  a beautiful black lab, who lived with her single mom and her male roommate, willingly shared lots of information during our session.  I was contacted by the young lady to find out, among other things, why her dog was showing clingy behavior, displaying separation-anxiety type behavior.   At the very end of our talk, when I always give the animals one last opportunity to say what’s on their mind, this lovely dog said:  “I know my mom loves me, but could you please ask her to stop calling me fat?”  When I presented the woman with this request, her response—as she gasped—was “Oh!  I do call her ‘fatty’ sometimes!” 

In conclusion, I’ve discovered that animals really are much more “conversational” than we might think.  My advice to all who have special animals in their lives:  please tell them what is happening in their lives—keep them “in the loop” so to speak; they do pick up some info, but really could benefit by some details; also—before it gets too complicated, please look for those subtle signs that they are trying to “tell” you something important.  Animals do have lots to share with us, they want to be heard, and they always welcome the chance to say how grateful they are to be a part of our homes and hearts.


Bonnie Taplin, M.A.
Animal Communicator
(949) 636-5500
Thursday, May 9, 2013

Can Pumpkin Help A Dog or Cat with Diarrhea?


If your cat or dog gets occassional loose stool or has any type of digestive problems, a small amount of canned pumpkin mixed into the food can really help. Pumpkin is high in fiber and helps regulate the natural wave action of the intestinal tract. It is also a good source of natural Vitamin A and antioxidants. Some pet owners have become frustrated because their pets wouldn't eat it, but this is often because the pumpkin was given by itself. For finicky pets, start with a dash mixed well into the food and increase slowly. Too much pumpkin can have a laxative effect so limit to 1/4 to 1 teaspoon per meal depending upon the size of your pet.  For more diet tips for pets, visit AskAriel.com



Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Supplements help Husky Juneau!


Juneau

"Just wanted to let you know that since I put my husky, Juneau, on your supplements, his tummy has improved dramatically. There hasn't been one episode of issues ever since, and also, he is far less itchy than he was when we first brought him home. We are so happy to see him happy. And thank you also for they toy that came with our most recent order. Through some miracle, it is still in one piece. I would also like to add that not only have his tummy troubles made a complete turnaround... he is blowing his winter coat and his new one is incredibly soft and silky. A happier, even more exuberant personality is also shining through which I attribute to his overall better health."
Products used: Amazing Omegas, Power Probiotic
MC Segarra-Branes New York , May 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013

Stress and Feline Urinary Tract Infections




Did you know that stress can contribute to your cat's chronic urinary tract infections?  For cats especially, stress can be a trigger that contributes to chronic urinary tract infections and/or feline interstitial cystitis. Stress weakens the immune system.  There might be factors you are not aware of that can be upsetting your kitty.  Sometimes company in the house or another pet in the household could be causing your kitty to hide and be stressed.  There are lots of factors that may beyond your control and others that you can do something about.  For example, feeding time can cause stress if all of the cats are eating out of the same bowl.   If your kitty is prone to stress and UTIs, try feeding your cat separately.  Using a natural homeopathic remedy for a stressed out cat can help reduce UTIs and calm down your pet.   If your cat is stressed or has anxiety, Psystabil can be very helpful.