Honoring our American Heroes For Their Sacrifices

On this Memorial Day weekend, we send our sincere gratitude to all those that have given the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation. Their unselfish acts have allowed us to continue to enjoy the freedoms that our country was founded upon. However, it is not only the heroic men and women of our military that has sacrificed, but also their canine counterparts who performed their duties with loyalty and honor.

Here are a few facts about these  American canine heroes you might find of interest:

• The United States military has approximately 2500 dogs in active service today with about 700 being deployed overseas.
• They undergo extensive training in tracking, attack maneuvers and bomb, weapons and drug detection. Only approximately half the dogs make it through training and the trained K-9s are extremely valuable (likely worth over $100,000). However, their real value is in the lives they save. With  98% accuracy in their detection skills, the peace of mind they provide to the troops is priceless.
• Dogs in service aren’t all German Shepherds. Highly trainable Labrador Retrievers and Belgian Malinois are often used.
• The dogs mourn the loss of their handler and their handlers mourn the loss of them. They have a special bond; many dogs will act depressed and will often reject a new handler during this mourning period. For those military pups lost in combat, the squad will turn their feeding dishes upside down, hang up their leashes, and leave the kennel door open to symbolize their loss. The poem Guardians of the Night will also be read to honor them for their sacrifice.

 Military Working Dog Teams National Monument

Award Winning Filmmaker JD Disalvatore Trying to Make Los Angeles a "No Kill" City

“I was not only captivated by the ingenuity, bravery and gumption of the rescuers, but also completely sucked into the world of the animals themselves. I feel compelled to share that with everyone…”

JD Disalvatore

JD Disalvatore, an American LGBT award winning film and television producer/director and gay rights activist, was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer. As anyone knows who has been touched by cancer, it can be overwhelming, but during this difficult time (and only thinking of herself) she has made it her mission to save the dogs of Los Angeles and turn it into a “no kill” city.

Her passionate journey began when she began volunteering for the East Valley Animal Shelter and saw firsthand the reality of dogs and cats being euthanized. However, the experience also introduced her to the passionate people, rescues, and organizations that are fighting to save these precious beings from euthanasia. Those experiences led her to make the documentary called “How to Save a Dog”, and it will showcase the incredible effort it takes to rescue a dog. She will also include a series of 20 to 30 educational videos for social media to help educate the general public and different subjects (i.e. How to Foster a Pet, etc). For more information on her project visit the official website here. 

Ms. Disalvatore is an inspiration to us all!

New Guinness Record for Oldest Cat Alive!

Scooter, a 30 –year old Siamese cat from Mansfield, Texas, has just set the new Guinness record for being the oldest cat alive.  He was born on March 26, 1986 and has lived a happy active life (including visiting 45 of the 50 states) with owner Gail Floyd. To obtain the record, evidence had to be submitted to prove the cat’s longevity (videos, witness statements, etc). He still has a way to go to obtain the record of the oldest cat to have EVER lived. That record is held by  Creme Puff who lived to be 38 years and 3 days old.

Scooter is in good health, other than recovering from a broken leg suffered over a year ago, and his veterinarian says “Scooter is quite an amazing cat, with a strong will to live’. The best way to help your pet have a long and active life is to provide them with a healthy diet and supportive holistic supplements such as: Amazing Omegas for Pets, Power Probiotic for Pets, Renelix and Oxicell.

5 Tips For Surviving Shedding Season

The sun is shining, the days are longer and spring is in the air. However, for many, it is also the beginning of the battle of the seemingly never ending shedding season. Here are 5 tips to help you survive the season:

1)  Feed your pet essential fatty acids- Omega 3 (essential fatty acids) are essential for helping your pet maintain a nice coat and will reduce shedding.  Examples: fish oil, flaxseed oil.   Amazing Omegas provide essential fatty acids and nourish the skin and coat.  Many pets are not getting enough essential fatty acids from their diet which can make their coat appear lackluster.  Amazing Omegas can bring back the shimmer in your pet's coat.
2)  Give your pet a bath more frequently- It will help get rid of the dead hair and lessen the amount found throughout the house.
3)  Regular Brushing- More frequent brushing will help your pet's fur stay manageable. It can also be a nice bonding time for you and your pet.  Using a Furminator or other special deshedding tool is helpful.
4)  Cover the Furniture- it may be helpful to cover your furniture with machine washable covers or sheets. Remove them, throw them in the wash and you can be ready for a guest in a minute!
5) Clean out the vents and vacuum more often--shedding season is a lot of work so it's important to try to tackle it before the fur collects everywhere (under refrigerator, behind furniture, on drapes, etc.)

Holistic Supplements and Diet help Archie the Scottish Terrier

We love hearing  success stories from our happy clients who use holistic care to help their pets. Here is one we received recently...we are so thrilled to hear Archie is doing so well!

Hi 

We wanted to let you know how great Archie is doing with all the help you have given us.  With Archie being a Scottie we have had to deal with Scottie Cramp and the possibility of Cushings.  When he developed Scottie Cramp the breeder told us to not expose him to any of the causes that made the Scottie cramp happen.  Instead, with your help, we exposed him to the causes which are anything that made him excited.  By doing this we made the causes a norm in his life which have diminished the cramp or done away with it all together.  His legs are now strong and he can go up and down the stairs without any help.  By watching his blood tests we have been monitoring his ALK Phosphates and Cortisol levels.  When they started to increase, we added Canine Cushing support.  After being on the product six months his water intake is back to normal and so far his blood work is stabilizing.  Along with the Cushing support he is on a raw diet and a number of other supplements (Lypozyme, Special SAMe for dogs, Gastro ULC, and Amazing Omegas) you have recommended for balance.   We want to thank you so much for all the help and care for “Archie”.

Rich, Patty and “Archie” California 2016

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Dog Receives Highest Honors

Lucca, a retired U.S. Marine Corps dog, was honored with the The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) “Dickin Medal” during a ceremony in London. It is considered the highest honor that can be given to an animal for military service in the world. Lucca completed more than 400 explosive-sniffing missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and had no human casualties during any of her missions. However, she suffered the loss of one of her legs from a homemade bomb in Afghanistan in 2012. After her recovery,  she has retired and now Lucca resides with her handler at Camp Pendleton in California.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/u-s-marines-dog-lucca-receives-pdsa-dickin-medal-after-n550786

Natural Canine Cushings Disease Treatment Helps Standard Poodle

Max

Max is a 12 year old Standard Poodle with Canine Cushing's Disease (hyperadrenocortism).  In this condition, the adrenal glands overproduce a hormone called cortisol resulting in symptoms such as panting, excess water consumption, increased appetite, bloated belly, hair and skin problems and a weakened immune system.  The Ask Ariel Canine Cushings Support supplement helps to reduce overall cortisol levels, thereby improving the dog's symptoms of Cushings Disease.

We are greatly appreciative that Max's family shared his success so that other pet owners know there is hope for this challenging health condition.

 "Max has been using the Canine Cushings Support formula for 4 months with good results.  Max's appetite has gone from voracious, always hungry to pretty normal.  His thirst was almost unquenchable, drank so much water!  We are so happy we found a remedy to help him with his Cushing's Disease."

 D. Franke, Wisconsin

 

House of Representatives Introduces PAWS Bill to Help Veterans

Cole and Kaya

On Wednesday, March 16^th , Representative Ron DeSantis (R- Fl) introduced Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act (PAWS).  This pilot program would give trained service dogs to veterans that have severe levels of PTSD and are under the care of a VA primary care doctor or mental health professional. It would authorize the VA to spend up to $27,000 per dog to obtain them from an accredited organization and covered under the VA health insurance plan (pet care insurance).

Rep. DeSantis stated “Thousands of our post-9/11 veterans carry the invisible burden of post-traumatic stress, and there is an overwhelming need to expand the available treatment options,” and “The VA should use every tool at their disposal to support and treat our veterans, including the specialized care offered by service dogs.”  A strong supporter of the bill is Corporal Cole Lyle, a six year Marine Corps veteran who currently has Kaya, a service dog, to help him battle PTSD. He stated that Kaya “helps him overcome the struggles of PTSD on a daily basis”. 

Studies have shown that service dogs can lessen anxiety/stress and reduce the need of medications in those suffering from PTSD. The PAWS Act would allocate $10 million to fund the pilot program. 

Happy Tail: Dog Lost at Sea Reunited with Owner

Luna-waiting to be reunited with her owner

On February 10, 2016, Nick Haworth was out fishing with his trusty companion, a one year old German Shepherd named Luna, when she fell off the boat into the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California.  He contacted the authorities and told them she was a strong swimmer and would be heading toward land. The closest land was a Navy facility on San Clemente Island (2 miles away). The Navy aided in the search to no avail and Luna was presumed lost at sea. Haworth posted on his Facebook page "RIP Luna, you will be greatly missed.”  

That all changed on Tuesday, March 15^th, five weeks after being lost, when Luna showed up with tail wagging to greet the navy crew as they showed up for work.  She did not miss a step and jumped right in the car when they whistled for her. After being examined, it was determined that Luna was uninjured, but a bit malnourished (a diet of small rodents seemed to help her survive). Haworth was out of town when he first received the news, but they were reunited on Thursday when he returned. What a happy ending to the story!

Warning: Tea Tree Oil May Be Toxic To Pets

Many people use Tea Tree Oil as a natural treatment for skin problems such as cuts, burns, rashes, yeast and bacterial infections.  The oil can be found in a variety of human products such as soaps, toothpaste and skin creams.   Tea Tree oil has a smell like camphor and is touted for its bactericidal and fungicidal properties.

In small concentrations (.1% to 1%), tea tree oil is tolerated and safe for cats and dogs.   Thus,  it is found in many pet shampoos and sprays.  But, what most pet owners don't realize is that in anything but the tiniest, most dilute dose, tea tree oil is actually toxic for pets and can result in death.  If taken orally, Tea Tree Oil is toxic but even application of 100 percent essential tea tree oil in high enough amounts, has the potential to cause liver failure and death.

Unfortunately, the oil's popularity has resulted in larger numbers of households with bottles of 100 percent tree tea oil, and accidental ingestion or improper dilutions of this highly concentrated oil can be harmful to pets.  Most pet owners that use the oil assume  it is a safer alternative than using medications.

Tea tree oil contains chemicals called terpenes that work effectively against bacteria and fungi.   However, terpenes are rapidly absorbed whether taken orally or applied on the skin. This means that if a pet owner topically applied  concentrated oil to a pet's skin, it could result in the same toxicity as accidental oral ingestion. Given the tendency of pets to groom, especially cats,  the toxicity risk of topical applications is very dangerous. Symptoms follow within a few hours after exposure.  If you have accidentally applied this to your pet, please contact your veterinarian immediately and try to wash the oil off the skin right away. 

Symptoms of toxicity vary depending on the dose of  Tea Tree Oil that the pet was exposed to.  Drooling or vomiting can occur with mild doses of the oil.  More serious symptoms include tremors, seizures,  difficulty walking, symptoms of liver failure.  If your pet displays these signs, please don't hesitate to take your pet immediately to an emergency veterinary clinic.  While tea tree oil pet products tout their benefits, the products may not contain enough to make them worthwhile or worth the risk of overexposure.  It's unfortunate that this wonderful natural supplement for humans is quite problematic for pets.

How Safe Is Your Pet in Your Car?

How safe is your pet while traveling in your car? The Center for Pet Safety, a nonprofit watchdog group found many (25 out of 29) pet restraining systems to fail in a recent crash test. The failure is not only unsafe and dangerous for your pet, but can also increase the risk to you and your family in the event the pet becomes a projectile and hinders the driver to react to the situation. The products do not fall under the Consumer Products Safety Commission and lack regulations or products standards, so do your research and find the best restraint system for your pet and vehicle type.   Definitely do not drive with your pet on your lap for your safety and your pet's.

Prepare Your Pet for the Winter Storms

With the major winter storms, it is important to make sure your pet is protected.  It is not just the fear of hypothermia to worry about, but also chapped paws and itchy skin caused by cold, snow and rain. Remember if it is too cold for you it is too cold for your pet.  

Here are some things to think about:

•  Keep your home humidified.
• Never shave down your dog in winter and consider a coat or sweater for short haired dogs.
• Be sure to wash and dry paws after walks to remove ice, salt and snow melt chemicals. Wearing booties and/or applying petroleum jelly to paws can help too.
• Do not bathe your pet too often in winter; as it may remove essential oils and cause dry skin.
• Pet’s burn extra calories when exposed to the cold, so feed them accordingly.
• Provide a warm spot to rest, away from cold drafts and consider adding a cozy blanket.
• During the cold winter months, do not leave your pet unattended outdoors (or in a parked car), pets can become disoriented and get lost.

 Adding Ask Ariel’s Amazing Omegas for Pets to your pet’s diet can help battle cold-induced dry, flakey, itchy skin.

How Your Dog Can Influence Your Love LIfe

We have all heard “love me, love my dog” and a recent study conducted by Indiana University and Match.com have found it to be true. Together, with PetSmart, they surveyed and found that people (more often women) judged their date by how they reacted and interacted with their pet. 

Other finds included:

• Women found men that had adopted a pet to be more attractive
• Women thought  how a man interacted with a pet to be a good indicator in potential behavior with children and how involved they might be in the care of children.
• Dogs were thought to be more accurate in assessing potential than other types of pets- Cat owners did not tend to think it the interaction was an indicator.
• Men were more likely to use a dog to attract women

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/01/160109-animals-humans-behavior-psychology-dogs-cats-science/

http://www.columbiatribune.com/arts_life/pulse/owning-a-dog-might-up-your-sex-appeal-if-you/article_36a86bdc-170f-5c7e-bc8a-141ac61196f6.html

How Can You Help Your Child Avoid Asthma?

The BBC recently reported that, in a large Swedish study, children were less likely to suffer with asthma by the age of seven, if they were exposed to dogs and cats during their first year of life.  The researchers tracked 650,000 children and found that the risk was lowered by 13%. The effect was even greater if they lived on a farm and were exposed to even more animals. 

However, a high percentage of asthmatic children are allergic to pet dander and acquiring a pet will not help desensitize them, but could make them worse. If you do have a pet, the following may help your asthmatic or allergic child:

• Try to keep pets out of your bedroom and where possible living area
• Regular grooming and bathing of cats and dogs can help
• You could try using air filters and an efficient vacuum cleaner. This might be helpful for people who have cat allergies; however the evidence on the benefit of these remains unclear
• No breed of dog is completely "non-allergic" because they all shed dander

The study just adds more evidence that having a pet can be good for the entire family. 

BBC news: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-34697408

Ask Ariel's Dog Brain Booster Helps Senior Dog with Dementia

"Carson, my beloved 14 year old Jindo Chow, was showing signs of extreme dementia. He was pacing all night, barking at nothing and exhibiting other odd and upsetting behavior. His quality-of-life was terrible and my husband and I were at our wits end… no sleep and just so worried.  We tried Anipryl and while it helped his dementia for a while,  the side effects almost killed him. We did not know where to turn until a friend recommended Ask Ariel’s Dog Brain Booster. OMG, what a difference it has made… it is a miracle herb. Carson has no more dementia traits; he sleeps thru the night, doesn't bark at nothing, and all his other dementia behaviors have disappeared. I wouldn't believe it if I wasn't living it, but it is like I said a miracle supplement. I could not be happier and my husband and I also have our lives back. No words can express our gratitude.
Thank you Ask Ariel!!"
Michele and Carson   California, 2016