I had always been under the impression that vaccinations were essential to Stranger’s health. Why? Well, the doctor said so and in quiet the matter of fact tone I might add. He’s been getting them since he was a puppy. Some were crucial, warding against rabies and parvovirus, but many were routine boosters that I didn’t understand, research, or doubt the validity of.
Lately, I’ve been coming across a lot of articles advising against the plethora of vaccinations, claiming that these vaccinations actually weaken the immune system…
Many holistic vets take a strong stand again them:
“Routine’ vaccination, as it is practiced today, is not always effective (especially in the case of the feline leukemia vaccine), and frequently has adverse side effects, either short term or long term. With the use of multivalent (combination: 3-in-1, 6-in-1, etc.) vaccines that are repeated year after year, the frequency and severity of these side effects in our pets has increased dramatically.
Not surprisingly, most of the problems involve the immune system. After all, the immune system is what vaccines are designed to stimulate. But they do so in a very unnatural way that can overwhelm and confuse the immune system. The body may overreact to normally harmless substances (allergies, especially flea allergies and other skin problems), or even produce antibodies to itself (auto-immune diseases).
At the same time, the body may be sluggish in responding to those things that it should reject, such as common viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. This can result in increased susceptibility to acute infections (such as parvovirus), chronic or recurring infections (such as ear infections in dogs, bladder infections or feline leukemia in cats), or other chronic problems such as arthritis, kidney disease, or even cancer.
In summary, there is a great deal of evidence implicating vaccination as the cause of many serious chronic health problems. For this reason, I do not recommend vaccination for dogs or cats.”
~Dr. Jeffrey Levy
I also found a helpful chart outlining the major vaccinations and their priority level:
CORE VACCINES
NONCORE VACCINES
NOT RECOMMENDED
RABIES(May vary for adult dogs in accordance with local statutes) DISTEMPER PARVOVIRUS ADENOVIRUS-2 (hepatitis virus)
BORDETELLA(Kennel Cough, Canine Cough) PARAINFLUENZA
LYME VACCINE… considered a CORE vaccine in endemic areas. See article on LYME disease LEPTOSPIROSIS (all 4 types)
Ultimately, I think it’s up to individual pet owners. Consider your dog’s health, environment, and stress factors. Choose a vet you trust and most importantly ASK QUESTIONS!
Did you know Queen Elizabeth II is the reigning Corgi fan, more specifically Pembroke Welsh Corgis? It is speculated that corgis have been loyal friends to the royal family since the 9th century. Corgis are known to be highly intelligent, loyal, and territorial. “A big dog in a small dog’s skin.”
Each corgi has its own unique meal, suited to its unique tastes. Still, too bad K9 Cuisine doesn’t ship to England : P
“58) The Queen has owned more than 30 corgis during her reign, starting with Susan who was a present for her 18th birthday in 1944. A good proportion of these have been direct descendants from Susan. The Queen currently has five corgis, Emma, Linnet, Monty, Holly and Willow.
59) The Queen also introduced a new breed of dog known as the “dorgi” when one of Her Majesty’s corgis was mated with a dachshund named Pipkin which belonged to Princess Margaret. The Queen currently has four dorgis, Cider, Berry, Candy and Vulcan.
60) As well as corgis and dorgis, The Queen also breeds and trains Labradors and Cocker Spaniels at Sandringham. There is a special Sandringham strain of black Labrador founded in
1911.”
January 2, 2001: Taiwan’s parliament has passed a new piece of legislation that bans its’ citizens from eating dog meat. More specifically, the meat and fur of pets such as dogs and cats are banned from being used for economic purposes.
Lawmakers note that during hard times, dog meat was a dependable if desperate source of nutrition, but Taiwan has celebrated great economic development in the past years and can now afford to refrain.
I know stories like this make dog lovers squeamish, but I think its important to be aware of different perspectives, new trends, and issues facing dogs around the globe. The better informed we are, the more we can do about it. The good news is that all around the world, it seems that dogs are beginning to garner more respect. As more countries come closer to economic security, more households can afford pets. More households can appreciate the wonder and devotion of a dog as a friend, rather than a possession or a meal.
With Korea’s latest ban and Dog rights movement, there isn’t a single country in the world who still allows for the legal consumption of dog meat; however, the kill and trade still exists, assisted by corrupt officials and the anonymity the internet offers.
Thank you all for your submissions. Shama chose the name Snoopy. At heart, she is an shameless nostalgic. It has been such a pleasure watching this creature grow. I had almost forgotten how much magic there is in puppies. Snoopy is starting to develop a personality, a mischievous and kind one.
I’m sure we’ll hear more from him in the future, or atl east from Shama on his behalf as she is one proud mama. Enjoy your $100 gift card for premium dog food
In 2005, the city of Rome cracked down on animal neglect and abuse, mandating that dog owners walk their dogs every day. In addition, clipping a pets’ ears and tails can earn the owner a fine of up to 500 euros.
This fierce new consideration even extends past the well being of dogs. Round fish bowls, suspected of blinding fish, are regarded as cruel and banned. Pets cannot be left in hot cars. Animals can’t serve as displays in shop windows or as prizes at fairs. Electric and pointed dog collars are outlawed. Lastly and most endearingly, cat colonies must be taken care of on new construction sites. The new laws even recognize and express gratitude to the “gattare” or cat lady, the saint of stray cats who reliably feeds colonies of strays both in the city and in the ancient ruins.
The new rules want to ensure the dignity and well being of the millions of animals in the city (approximately 150,000 dogs and 300,000 cats). Many of these laws will be hard to enforce, but the mayor is planning an aggressive campaign in schools, vet offices, and animal rights organizations. The city will also enlist new personnel who will work with the city police to ensure the health and happiness of the many creatures in Rome.
This story really excited me because it means that our affection and respect for animals is finally making its way into our politics!
I’m sorry I haven’t been posting as often. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the direction I want to take this blog. One of the most amazing things about having a dog and having a blog about a dog is that you’re constantly rediscovering your love and reverence for these phenomenal animals, not to mention, trying to find ways to honor and explore that love.
I’ve been blocked lately. Sure, I could gush about Stranger some more, post training tips, but I wanted to write about something new and exciting.
So! I’ve decided to do a brief series on the lives of dogs around the world, their joy, their work, and the people who care for them.
Please let me know about countries or lifestyles you’re curious about, and I will be happy to research and post my findings.
I found this fascinating piece today. It was a visionary part of The Royal College of The Arts’ Summer Show. The artist, Revital Cohen, created a showcase of futuristic relations in which the dog discovers a whole new role in our lives, one of keeping us alive, being intertwined with medical equipment.
“The first part of the project revolves around the concept of the ‘Respiratory Dog’. The vast majority of greyhounds bred for racing are killed after their short career at the track ends (an estimated 7,500 to 20,000 were euthanised in 2003 alone). Revital advocates training the animal to become a respiratory assistance dog instead of simply killing it: the greyhound’s lung movements are converted into mechanical ventilation as it runs on a treadmill, the treadmill itself functioning as both interface and on/off switch. Rapid chest movements pump a bellows that pushes air into the patient’s lungs, establishing a mutually reliant relationship between man and animal – both keeping each other alive.”
~~~
“The second scenario envisions substituting a dialysis machine with a sheep. Revital’s scenario imagines that through a complex medical process toxins might be removed from the patient’s body through a sheep connected via blood lines to the subject and placed at the bedside at night. During the day the dialysis sheep is allowed to roam in the donor patient’s garden, grazing to cleanse its kidneys and drinking water containing salt minerals, calcium and glucose. During the night waste products from the patient’s blood are pumped out of the body, filtered through the sheep’s kidney and the blood is returned, cleaned, to the patient.”
I can’t seem to get the pictures on here, but please check out the link. They are some of the most striking and thought provoking images I’ve seen in a long time. (May even rival Jan’s dog watching porn on a laptop post : P )
I began to fantasize today about winning that 100 dollar gift certificate from K9 cuisine, spoiling Stranger with new treats and toys and novelties. I’m not eligible, but I went ahead and made a wish list anyways. A girl can dream, right?
So, here it goes…
One tub of Happytails Canine Spa’s bowWoW Butter Balm, perfect for itchy skin or sore paws. Full of botanical goodness (am i sounding like a k9 cuisine groupie yet?), its soothing on irritation and safe to ingest, though I don’t recommends you try.
One bag of Zuke’s Hip Action Treats. Packed with glucosamine, they help canine hip and joint problems. Not for Stranger, but they’d make great gifts for the old lady dogs in my life.
Stranger loves this mix of Lamb Jerky, Lung, Tripe, and Liver. It’s high in protein and gives him energy during a long run. The taste of lamb is also a rare and delicious treat.
Resilient, bouncy, minty! It’s 3 inches and made of Orbee-Tuff, perfect for tenacious teeth. You can put some peanut butter or dog treats in the treat spot and watch your pup figure it out. Joy.
And last, but not least, I would get the FURminator.
The hotter nights get, the worse I feel about dog hair in my bed. What a relief it would be to keep the place clean, keep the dog hair out of food, furniture, kisses!
I think I went over budget, but at least shipping is free! As always, please check out our conscientious and creative sponsor, K9 Cuisine.
They are also offering free samples in case you’re curious but feeling non-committal. I guarantee your dog will love it.
Shama, our marketing consultant, founder of After The Launch, and my very kind boss just adopted an 8 week old maltipoo. I was over at her house the other day, helping her train him, and he is adorable. Somewhere between a marshmallow, a cotton ball, and a blue eyed snow flake, he is a bundle of curiosity and affection. Just wish the cat of the house felt the same way….
Anyways, she’s been having a really hard time naming him so K9 Cuisine is helping by offering a 100 dollar gift certificate for premium dog food to anyone who can submit the perfect name for him. His original name was Bubba, but he isn’t very attached to it and it doesn’t really do him justice.
The deadline is Friday, so get your ideas in soon! You can submit more than one name, as well. Just go to the link below or leave your ideas as comments on my blog and I will pass them on.
