WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY NEW PUPPY?

If your pediatrician suggested that you feed your toddler only cereal, because it has EVERYTHING she needs for life how fast would you find a different doctor? All of us have a natural desire to feed our four legged friends the best food possible from the beginning of their life . We vets have been suggesting that a PROCESSED CEREAL is the best way to feed our dogs (and cats). So often when I hear this question it is really which "dog food" is the best one? I liken the question to which TV dinner would you recommend. My answer must be NONE! If you must feed some dry food there are many out there that are reasonable. Innova, Wysong, Urban Wolf, Evolve, Canidae, Flint River, to name a few (in no particular order). There was a recent article in Whole Food Journal from the editor who visited multiple dog food manufacturing facilities. It was interesting that she found, in general, the smaller companies had very high quality ingredients and not so great sanitation practices. The large companies used the least expensive ingredients and impeccable sanitation. 

All that being said I recommend a whole food diet. This can be raw or cooked foods. The reasons for feeding one or the other (or a combination) is based on many factors including individual constitution. There will never be one diet that is always right for every puppy! Supplements esp calcium are needed on this type of diet if RAW bones are not included. Chinese Medicine helps dictate the specifics of the diet. This is based on the individual dog and the dog’s environment. This is not the easy cookbook answer that we all tend to like. There is NOT a PERFECT answer. Even if there was a perfect answer, it will not remain the perfect answer! The nutritional demands of all living things shift and fluctuate every day.

I encourage you to explore and research all the information you can on diet and feeding. Listen to your own intuition. The more information you have (I assure you much of it will contradict itself)the more you will be able to weigh the pros and cons of what you are feeding. I strongly recommend using Chinese Food therapy priciples. They acknowledge the inherent diferences in individuals and vary feeding recommendations accordingly. 

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS TO FEED YOUR DOG EVERYDAY KNOWING YOU ARE GIVING IT THE BEST DIET YOU POSSIBILY CAN AT THAT MOMENT! (YES EVEN IF IT IS DRY FOOD!) OFFER THE FOOD WITH A SENSE OF LOVE AND REVERENCE FOR BOTH THE FOOD AND YOUR PET.

Finally one last thing, if anyone tells you to do something with regards to your feeding that you CANNOT do with a good feeling in your gut and in your heart then DO NOT DO IT!!! Your intention cannot be pure in this instance and the negative feeling you bring to this WILL be swallowed by your dog!!

To learn more about using Chinese Food Therapy for your dog contact me @liz@acupuncture4pets.net

HAPPY FEEDING

Seasons Greetings 2009:

This year brings to an end the first decade of the 21st century. WOW. What a ride!! In case you did not know....The decade will end with a BLUE MOON December 31!

For my birthday I rescued a 6 year old F/S Yellow Lab. Her name is Goldie. Willie (my 13 year old cat) set the rules early and all is well.

I began the year with the first of 6 meditation retreats in Ojai. We are a group of 24 people who have chosen to meet every 6 months for the next 3 years. We had our second retreat in June. What a wonderful way to reground and reenergize!

While at the retreat in June we had the opportunity to sleep outside with only a sleeping bag. We were invited to find a place alone and spend the night and next day in silence.

I chose a spot near a creek with running water. I let go of my attachment to sleeping and allowed myself to enjoy the experience however it unfolded

As a gift from my heart...Here is the Essence of that night.

A NIGHT OUTSIDE

“The moon hides itself behind a blanket of clouds,

Its light still present.

Frogs chant a call and response.

Night marches on.

This is a mild night:

The darkness only gray.

Enough light to walk by.

The breeze almost too subtle to feel.

The temperature feels like a cool kiss.

Slowly the cloud blanket rumples.

And through it the moon presents herself:

Shy, partly hidden,

Allowing the blanket to dance over her

Revealing parts of her but NOT ALL.

Then through another opening in the blanket

A star appears.

Only one

Directly over head....I smile

Slowly dozens more come to dance

Almost as shy as the moon.

Sleep too is dancing in and out.

Body hugging the earth.

An earth warm , soft, embracing.

Yet she demands the body shift.

For a moment

Heart beat and frog chant are synchronous.

Slowly, gently more light.

The blanket of clouds is receding.

The moon is Bright in the Dawn sky.

Now it is the Sun who is shy.

Its light has silenced the frog chant and

Awakened an orchestra of birds.

Behind both there remains...

The constant drumming of gently flowing water.

The sun has awakened the voice within

These words flow forth.

The sky is clear blue.

The air is sharp, crisp, cold.

The clouds have settled to earth as dew.

The dew is relaxed

It calmly awaits the Sun’s warmth to invite it skyward once again.

Meanwhile the earth drinks in the dew’s nourishing sweetness.

Full Light

But the Sun has yet to rise over the Mountain.

Finally it Blesses the Mountain with its appearance.

The warmth of its Full Presence is felt.

GRATITUDE

BLESSINGS

PEACE.”

A NEW DAY BEGINS

I thank each of you for enriching my life with your Presence.

Namaste

&

Happy New Year

Love,

Liz, Willie & Goldie