Most puppies reach maturity between the ages of one and two. Age seven marks the onset of the “senior” or “golden” years, for most canines, although large and giant breeds mature more quickly, and are considered seniors at age five. Not only do dogs age seven times more quickly than people, signs of aging are insidious, occur slowly and require a keen eye to detect. Once dogs hit maturity, the aging process begins. Although adult and/or senior pets may outwardly appear to be in peak health, internally their clock, like ours, keeps ticking and aging takes its toll within your pet’s body long before any signs are visible externally. Longevity research has validated the fact that along with keeping your dog lean, or what scientists call “caloric restriction,” organic diets and proper nutritional supplementation can slow the aging process and extend your dogs healthy years significantly.
Longevity is attributed to 70% to lifestyle and 30% to genetics. Up to 90% of diseases in dogs are due to the degenerative processes associated with aging. Optimize your dog’s health, wellness and longevity by starting your pet out on an anti-aging regime sooner rather than later. Preliminary results from an 11 year lifetime study using a vitamin product called PAAWS reveal an increase in life expectancy by up to 30%, or 3-4 extra healthy years’ owners and their canine companions enjoyed together. The study boasts of small breed dogs less than 35 pounds thriving at age 24 and large breeds over 80 pounds enjoying quality days at age 18.
A successful longevity program starts by supplementing your pet’s body with the critical nutrients it needs on a daily basis. Along with a good organic dog food diet and proper veterinary care, look for natural, USA made, balanced vitamin dog supplements, made specifically for dogs, backed by clinical trials, from a company with a veterinarian on staff. The vitamin product you choose should clearly state the ingredients, amounts of each nutrient and most importantly the source from which each nutrient is derived.
Traditionally veterinary and human medicine has both been based on a disease based, or retro-active model, focused on treatment of disease rather than prevention. Newer concepts of health, including “Anti-Aging Medicine” focus on pro-active or preventative models of medicine, geared to optimize health and prevent, retard and/or reverse unwanted aging changes.
Talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of a pro-active health care plan for your pet. He’ll be living proof of your success and thanking you for years to come.
Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M.
Holistic veterinarian, author and anti-aging pet health Diplomat, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is a practitioner at the American Pet Institute in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Dr. Osborne is available by e-mail at drcarol@drcarol.com or toll free by phone at 1-866-372-2765. Her website is www.drcarol.com.
Having the confidence that your dog will come immediately each and every time you call him can be one of the greatest gifts your dog can give you. It’s remarkably easy to train a dependable Come When Called if you adhere to these training practices: reward the desired behavior and be consistent with your training.
Before you begin training, decide what verbal cue you will use. It’s very important that you not use a cue that your dog has already learned to ignore. I recommend that you use your dog’s name and a cue such as “here”. Now that you have decided on a verbal cue, let’s get started. Grab 10 very small dog treats and go to a quiet area with your dog. With Fluffy right in front of you, give your cue, “Fluffy, here!” immediately followed by a treat. Repeat until your treats are gone. What does Fluffy have to do to earn these treats? Nothing. Just by being with you, Fluffy gets her treats. Repeat this exercise several times each day for a week.
Your next training step will be to repeat the exercise with Fluffy loose in a room in your home. When Fluffy is distracted, give your cue, “Fluffy, here!” Don’t repeat your cue. Fluffy should turn and come to you. Immediately give Fluffy 10 very small treats, one at a time, before sending Fluffy to go off and play again. Repeat this exercise 5 to 10 times each day. Remember, Fluffy gets 10 very small treats each time!
Once Fluffy understands this game, begin practicing in different rooms of your home. Add distractions such as toys, bones, or playing with the children to the game. Vary the treats that you use. For more distractions that are more difficult to leave, use the very best treats.
When you are comfortable that Fluffy will come every time you call, take your training outside. Make sure that Fluffy is on lead when you take her outside. She’s not ready for off lead training yet. Begin working in a quiet area as free of distractions as possible. Remember this is a new location with many new distractions. Begin with the simple exercises and build on the difficulty each week.
Continue to practice with Fluffy in different locations. Add distance slowly. It’s not fair to expect her to leave her friends and come running to you from across the dog park after just a few weeks of training. If you are consistent with your training and you reward Fluffy lavishly when she comes to you, you will have a dependable Come When Called before you know it.
Beth Willingham, CPDT is the canine behavior specialist member of the Agile K9 Path team. She began training and competing in performance dog sports in 1982. She currently competes with her Golden Retriever, Frost. Beth offers a holistic approach to solving behavior or performance issues based on the individual needs of each dog. Contact Visit the Agile K9 website at www.agilek9path.com or contact Beth directly at beth@agilek9path.com.
Name: Kathy
Pets species and breed: Gordon Setter-male
Pets age and weight: 2 years-70 lbs
Pets health status: Good
Are they spayed or neutered? No
Animal owned for: 2 years
Question:
“I am looking for a recommendation on food to help a just turned-two male to put on some weight. Stewart is a highly active Gordon Setter. He has a lot of energy and his preference is to be outside. Since the spring he has lost what weight he gained over the winter. He is 27 inches at the shoulder and skin and coat is in great condition.
We have had him on a variety of foods trying to find something he will like and eat. Most recently he has been on Kent Native #4 food, which has a high protein and fat content. Of all the foods we have tried, he will eat this one most of the time. However, we find that we still supplement in some way. His preference is cooked chicken livers but there are times when this doesn”t do the trick either. He doesn”t like canned food and he is not overly fond of fish. We joke that because he has European bloodlines that he thinks he is a gourmet, but I am really concerned that we cannot get any weight on him. (Girls in season do not help)
He does not seem to be in any distress health wise that would indicate a thyroid problem. For his size and weight, he should be about 80-85 pounds, but barely touches 70. This breed does take a long time to mature. I have in the past had dogs on Burns Pet Health, Pinnacle Holistic and Solid Gold dog food, but I am reluctant to put Stewart on any of these if he cannot maintain his weight at the lower protein and fat ratios. Is it better to have a food where these ratios are closer together such as 20/15 or one where the ratio is farther apart such as 42/18? Thank you for your assistance.
Answer:
Thanks for your nutrition questions Kathy. A few thoughts on Stewart…even though he seems overtly very healthy, I would have your veterinarian check him for the possibility of malabsorption. There is a medical condition called EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) in which the pancreas does not make enough enzymes to properly digest the food and can lead to poor weight gain/lack of weight maintenance in an otherwise healthy dog.
Also, it sounds like Stewart is outdoors most of the time. Chronic parasitism with the protozoal organism called Giardia is a common cause of malabsorption in outdoor pets that otherwise feels normal. I would ask your vet to check him for both of these things…just to be sure.
As far as options for a diet for Stewart, it is important to remember that fat has more calories per gram than either protein or carbohydrates. Fat has 9 calories per gram, whereas carbs and protein have only 4 calories per gram. With Stilmoors heavy activity schedule, he is likely better suited to a higher fat diet. When comparing diets, it is critical to do so on a dry matter basis (ask your vet to help you with this calculation if you are unsure). The Kent Native 4 you have had him on has 38.9% protein and 27.8% fat. There are many other diets that offer higher fat percentages. As an example, Evo canned dog food has 54.5% protein and 36.4% fat. The Evo 95% beef canned dog food has 41% protein and 41% fat.
It is also important that you look at the source of ingredients from a digestibility standpoint. The Kent Native 4 diet has “chicken meal” as the first ingredient. “Chicken meal” is a product made through a process called rendering. This always means it is considered “unfit for human consumption” because of the variability and quality of the end product. Rendered meals have lower digestibility than whole meats so even though the food is relatively high protein, it may not be highly digestible protein. Obviously Stewart needs a highly digestible, high quality food to gain and maintain weight with his active lifestyle.
For more information on reading and understanding pet food labels to choose the best food for Stewart, please see my article here.
K9 Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into helping animals?
Signe: I’ve always had, valued, and respected animals since I was a child. At one point had considered becoming a veterinarian. When I moved to New Mexico, I read about a cat with a serious heart condition that needed surgery. I contacted Barbara Bayer, president of CARMA (Companion Animal Rescue and Medical Assistance) in Corrales, to see if I could help. Even though, fortunately, someone else had already stepped in to help the cat, I inquired about other animals that had special needs. In the interim, I volunteered to socialize cats to be ready for adoption to loving homes. While doing so, I met and worked with cats who were less likely to be adopted because of disability, age, or temperament. One by one I adopted them.
Tony, for example, was a large orange long-haired cat with a lion face and huge soft green eyes who had been hit by a car. CARMA located him at the pound where he was covered in feces and dragged his hind quarters. With assistance he regained some unsteady walking ability. With his spinal cord injury he was also semi-incontinent, losing control any time he became aroused. Once in my two-story home we played up- and down stairs racing games As a result, he had to learn to negotiate the stairs and also hop onto my bed to sleep with me. In what seemed like no time, he was tearing around the house, as if he had no disability at all.
Just a few of the other cats that I adopted were an old, scarred cat with broken teeth from chewing on rocks; a blind cat who had impaired kidneys from a severe infection in her youth; a kitten missing part of its brain, due to its mother having had distemper, who could only hop awkwardly and died several weeks later of seizures; an old skeletal cat with 8 rotten teeth that had to be removed; two-legged Maine Coon, with functional legs on the right side and short stubs on left who could run when he whirled his tail like a propeller; kitten with hydrocephaly and movement problems, not expected to live; and a kitten who lost one eye to a razor-sharp foxtail seed pod and lost sight in the other due to raging infections.
K9 Cuisine: What is the secret to your success-how have you gotten to where you are today?
Signe: My success as an animal socializer and adopter has mostly to do with my understanding, empathy, and valuing of animals and my considerable patience with them. I’m a Social Psychologist and cognitive-behaviorist by training so I tend to see animals in their environmental and historical context. I know that whatever started a behavioral or emotional problem is not necessarily what is maintaining it today. I also know that you don’t get cooperation by trying to make an animal bend to your will. You have to understand what will provide the animal with what it wants and needs at the same time providing you what you want and need. It’s a sensitive dance. I have one large palomino-colored long-haired cat who was abused and abandoned. He was wary, unsure whom to trust, and never let down his guard. Yet after several years, he has come to look forward to jumping on my lap and cuddling up on my chest for petting. He’s still a bit wary but has come a long way toward feeling kitty security.
K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?
Signe: What makes me different is that I can put myself in the place of the animal and sense wherein the problems lie and how best to address them. Being a psychologist helps. Also in my life I’ve had to care for elderly parents that required sometimes extraordinary tolerance and patience. I can step back from a problem to assess it objectively, so I’m not immobilized or stuck in the quicksand of emotion. I also don’t panic in emergencies, act impulsively, or respond in anger. This type of temperament helps to maintain a secure and unconditional love environment for the animals. Cats are especially sensitive to the emotional cues of humans.
K9 Cuisine: What is it about animals that you love?
Signe: While I’ve had many dogs and cats and love them both, I care for cats now because of where I live and that cats don’t absolutely need to go outside, whereas dogs do. All my 18 cats are house cats because there are many dangers for them here, from snakes, coyotes, raccoons, bears, hawks, owls, fleas, ticks, poisonous insects and insecticides to ferals who may be ill or infected with FeLV or FIP. I love the individual personalities of my animals, their quirks, antics, likes, and dislikes. They are infinitely fascinating if you regard them are companions rather than objects you “own.” I’ve found that dogs and cats can be your very best friend. They will listen when others don’t. They don’t judge you when you do something stupid or embarrassing. They’re always there for you and provide the most basic of human contact: touch. If you provide the necessities of life and affection, they will provide unconditional love in return. They’re the gift that keeps on giving.
K9 Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your work?
Signe: The neatest part about my work with cats is when they understand what I’ve been trying to communicate to them and respond appropriately, because they choose to, not because they have to. Also there’s nothing quite like having a dog or cat show that it’s glad to see you when you appear and then want to share its attention and affection with you.
K9 Cuisine: Where do you see pet rescue going?
Signe: No-kill rescue groups are likely to continue and expand as people who care about animals see the increasing need. They will also want to be a replacement for animal control and shelters that kill unadopted or unclaimed animals after a short stay (and that may have reputations for abuse or lack of appropriate care). In difficult economic times people who care about animals are even more passionate about striving to do their best to help as many as is possible of the every-increasing horde. I believe that because of the programs and work of many larger animal protection organizations that their education efforts are slowly shifting the country’s feelings about animals in a more positive direction. The biggest problem for smaller no-kill rescue groups is finding funding and having a large group of volunteers to act as foster parents. Recruiting enough people to foster is a huge understaking.
K9 Cuisine: How do you fit into that-what are your future plans?
Signe: CARMA, which is an all-volunteer, no-kill, 501(c)(3) non-profit rescue group will continue to look for more ways to educate the public, provide medical assistance and foster housing to animals waiting for adoption, have adoption clinics every week, and continue to create events by which to raise funds and awareness to get more volunteers. Currently CARMA has arrangements with local veterinarians and with local merchants to supply them with damaged pet food and litter packages. CARMA has been recognized by the state of NM, has received grants from large corporations as well as supplies of building materials from local franchises. They are also setting up a vehicle-donation program. When I have the time, I send out press releases and stories to the print and electronic media to help keep CARMA in the spotlight. CARMA works with other rescue groups throughout the country and has had many “waggin’ trains” to transport dogs and cats to rescue groups or no-kill shelters in other states, such as those that help FeLV or FIP cats. CARMA will keep doing what it has been, try to expand it reach and influence, and help as many homeless animals as possible.
K9 Cuisine: How can people find out more about you and your work?
Signe: CARMA (Companion Animal Rescue and Medical Assistance) is located in Corrales, New Mexico, and has been a 501 (c) (3) non-profit for many years. It rescues animals that are abused, abandoned, neglected, or at risk of being euthanized. Adoption clinics are every Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. CARMA has a fee of $85-$100 for cats and dogs. The fee pays for the spay/neuter and age-appropriate vaccinations. The application process involves filling out a paper application and then going through a verbal screening with one of their members. They also do a home visit before adopting out the animal. Animals who are currently looking for loving homes can be found at http://tinyurl.com/m5n5ht
One of CARMA’s principal goals is to work with local Animal Control organizations to intercept animals before they are euthanized. CARMA is working closely with Corrales Animal Control to facilitate the transfer of animals into foster care or adoptive homes. CARMA stresses local involvement, but will reach out to all communities to assist animals in need and to identify safe and appropriate placement. And it is always looking for foster homes for its dogs and cats. You can contact CARMA at P.O. Box 1233, Corrales, NM 87048, (505) 342-8070 or at barbaracarma@msn.com.
K9 Cuisine: Tell us a little about you!
Signe: As a Social Psychologist, I emphasize the need for socially effective interpersonal skills and personal marketing strategies and tactics. I teach individuals how to confidently and successfully present and promote themselves. My latest book of five, “Diagonally-Parked in a Parallel Universe: Working Through Social Anxiety,” is going into its 2nd. Edition. I also have a home-study program on mastering Small Talk. Currently I work with self-conscious professional service providers to help them confidently toot their own horns, be known, liked, and trusted, make money with integrity, and forget about “selling.” It’s through a trust-based relationship marketing program. www.ConfidentSelfPromotion.com. As long as I can do so, I will continue to foster and adopt special needs cats, like the two three-legged kittens that should be available to me soon to foster.
$780,000 HOME TO GO TO ESSAY WINNER TO BENEFIT ANIMAL SHELTER
CONWAY, NH – Roscoe, a comical Jack Russell Terrier – and his owners – will be awarding their $780,000, fully furnished New Hampshire resort home to the winner of a creative essay contest, to benefit their town’s animal shelter. The home is located in North Conway, a picture-postcard perfect New England town surrounded by a pristine landscape of lakes, rivers and mountains. Golf, five ski resorts, upscale shopping outlets, and fine dining are minutes away.
“My wife and I have long admired the dedication, hard work and accomplishments of the good people at the Conway Area Humane Society, and so when the time came for us to move to a warmer climate and part with our house, we wanted to find a way to do that and benefit the shelter at the same time,” says the home’s owner Jerry Meiliken “It’s a win-win approach, and we’re excited to find out who will enjoy this home that we’ve cherished so much since we built it nine years ago.”
The town’s no-kill animal shelter, the Conway Area Humane Society, has rescued over 5,000 animals since it opened its doors in 2003, almost one animal rescued per family in town. While the shelter’s donor base continues to provide the major part of its operating budget, innovative non-traditional fund-raising is increasingly important, as the shelter seeks to grow the number of animals it places.
Virginia Moore, Executive Director of the shelter, explains that the home will be awarded through an Essay Contest. There is a $50 entry fee, which must be accompanied by the contestant’s choice of one of the following: a written essay, a video, photography, poem, or song explaining why they should win Roscoe’s house. Humorous entries, or those that tug at the heartstrings, are encouraged. A community panel will blind-judge the entries, and select the Grand Prize winner. The entry deadline is September 30, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Details on where to send entries is available online here , or by calling (603) 447-5605.
In additional to the Grand Prize, all entrants are eligible to win $15,000 in cash prizes. Two early-bird raffles will be held, one for $10,000 on August 10, 2009, and one for $5,000 on September 10, 2009.
For complete contest rules, a photo tour of the home, and information about the area, please visit here.
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The Conway Area Humane Society (CAHS) is a non-profit, Dog Adoption Center and Cat and Small Animal Adoption Center. The Cat and Small Animal Adoption center was established in 2003 followed by the completion of the Dog Adoption Center in 2004. CAHS houses homeless pets from many areas of New Hampshire; when space is available, the shelter accepts animals from other parts of the country. The shelter assists approximately 1,000 pets each year. For more information, visit us here.
Name: Joan Ingle
Pets species and breed: Lab
Pets age and weight: 71/2 61 lbs.
Pets health status: Good, but has arthritis
Are they spayed or neutered? Yes
Brand of food: Solid Gold – holistique blendz
Animal owned for: 6 years
Question:
“My lab has been on Solid Gold – Holistique Blendz for about 6 months. She does some scratching which may be related to the food – I”m not sure. However, she has developed arthritis in both elbows. I was told from a pet store owner that grains irritate arthritis and that I should change to Barking at the Moon. Please advise. I can”t find in my internet searches anything about grains and arthritis.”
Answer:
“Thanks for your inquiry. Sounds like you have two different questions. One is whether or not your dog’s scratching is related to the Solid Gold dog food. Please read my article http://www.halopets.com/pet-education/pet-articles/food_allergies_in_pets.html that discusses food allergies in detail. In general, food allergies are not terribly common and there are many more common things that can cause scratching especially at this time of year (fleas, inhaled allergies, etc).
Arthritis is a common joint problem in dogs and is estimated to affect 20% of dogs older than one year of age. Many times their symptoms don’t show up until later in life, although the arthritis changes have been present for many years. Read my article http://www.halopets.com/pet-education/pet-articles/dog-arthritis.html for a thorough discussion of arthritis in dogs. What the pet store owner may have been referring to (that grains irritate arthritis) has been documented in people who are gluten-intolerant. Whole grains contain gluten and other compounds (including lectins, phytates, high omega-6 : omega-3 ratios) that can aggravate or cause inflammation. There have been many reports of arthritis signs resolving completely in gluten-intolerant people that go on a gluten-free diet. This really doesn’t apply to dogs and cats as gluten-sensitivity and gluten-intolerance is exceedingly RARE. Although the pet store owner is “up” on his grain knowledge…it really applies only to people.”
Reward-based trainers focus on what the dog does correctly, and builds the ‘perfect’ dog from that foundation. So rather than a chunk of ice that we’re chipping off to make a statue, think of reward-based training as being made from clay. You can build it up exactly how you want to, without fear of making a wrong move and ruining the whole thing.
Dog trainers often fall into two camps: reward-based trainers or more traditional trainers that focus on punishment. There’s another camp that’s in between that calls themselves ‘balanced trainers’, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll lump those two together and say that anyone who punishes via force or fear falls into the more traditional camp. I’m a reward-based trainer, and I’d like to tell you what that means, why I do what I do, and what got me started in the first place.
When I got my first dog as an adult, I took a class at a big-box store. I already had a little aversion to prong collars, but after a couple of sessions with Spoon being too interested in the other dogs, the trainer convinced me it was a good way to get control. And it was, for about two weeks. At that point, I realized that I had put myself on the opposite team from my dog. Instead of working together to make progress, I felt like it was always me versus Spoon.
Here’s how I fell out of love with the prong collar…
I had heard a little about clicker training, but the teacher for my class told me that it was a silly gadget, that I’d be stuck using it forever. But the books I was reading said that wasn’t true, and they just raved about clicker training. One day, my curiosity got the best of me. I took a little lid to a juice bottle and used it as my first clicker.
The idea was to pair the click sound with a treat, so every time I made the juice lid pop, I fed Spoon a treat. I decided to click and treat every time she looked at my boyfriend. So when she’d glance at him, I would click and feed her a dog treat. She didn’t look at him because I asked her to, but because it was a small apartment and there wasn’t much else to do. Half a baggie of dog treats later, she would take the treat and snap her head back to him as soon as she could, to earn the next click.
Wow! I was hooked. I soon learned that to add a cue at this point, I just needed to say it right before she did the behavior, and only click/treat if I had asked for it. So I said, “Where’s Steve?” and she’d look at him (because she was going to anyway) and I clicked and treated. Five more times and then I didn’t say the cue. She looked anyway, but just like the Simon Says game, Simon didn’t say “Where’s Steve?” so no food for that. Then back to cuing and feeding for when she did it.
Once she got that down, we didn’t need the clicker – that was just to tell her what I wanted in the first place. For years, we’d play hide and seek in the woods and Spoon would always be able to find him.
After the little clicker experiment and the teamwork I felt, popping her with a prong collar made me a little sick to my stomach. I tossed it in the trash. From that point forward, I’ve been doing reward-based training with my dogs and loving it. I even started a business in 2003 called Ahimsa Dog Training, and we use reinforcement for regular training, but also for big problems, like aggression. I picked the name “Ahimsa” because it’s a Buddhist doctrine of non-violence toward all living things. Punishment is so seductive that I wanted to pick a name that would keep me on the reward-based path.
I’ve since learned that you can’t really combine rewards and punishments, or you end up with ‘poisoned cues’ – so my instincts to trash that collar were right!
Look for more stories from reward-based dog trainers from around the world!
Below is an interview with Adriana Trenev of Natren, Inc., maker of natural probiotics for animals. They help animals who are suffering from intestinal problems, antibiotic side effects, or general illness. Their products are 100% natural and safe and are ALL MADE IN THE USA!
K9 Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into pet health products?
Adriana: My family (my parents Yordan and Natasha Trenev, and myself, their daughter, Adriana Trenev) have been in the probiotics industry in the United States for the past 30+ years. My parents founded our family-owned and operated company, Natren Probiotics Inc. in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It started with just the two of them, and now we’re a company of 60+ employees! Our company began with human probiotics, but gradually the demand arose for animal probiotics. It was a natural extension of our line that our customers really appreciated!
K9 Cuisine: What is the secret to your success with your organization-how have you gotten to where you are today?
Adriana: The secret of my family’s success is to do something you are passionate about and that you believe in! Of course, you’ll work hard to make sure you succeed when you believe in what you’re doing. We also feel like it’s our mission to help people and animals with our products and that makes it motivating to come into work each day.
K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?
Adriana: Natren probiotic products are different from the rest of the junk on the marketplace because we have set rigorous standards of product quality and excellence that no other probiotic manufacturer can match. We have a potency guarantee of our products through a printed expiration date, and we have an international Drug GMP certification, which means that an independent, third-party agency has come in and inspected our plant. They certify that we have a pharmaceutical grade facility and that all of our label and potency claims are true. Safety for both humans and animals is our #1 priority, as well as making a healthy, natural supplement that produces results. That’s why we have a 90-DAY money-back guarantee for every customer.
K9 Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?
Adriana: In my family, we’ve had a dog since I was in second grade! We have always loved animals. Our first dog was our American Eskimo, Prince, who is still alive and doing great today (at the ripe old age of 16)! In fact, when the vet sees him, he always compliments us on how well we have taken care of him and how young he still looks and acts. Of course, he gets our CanineDophilus Product everyday. In addition to Prince, who is our family pet, 2 years ago, I got a four-pound Chihuahua named Chloe, who is just the love of our lives! She is very healthy and active, as well, and she loves fresh-cooked organic chicken breast as her treat. She also receives the dog supplements everyday. In general, though, our family loves the loyal, unconditional love that dogs give-they really have the ability to brighten your whole day in an instant.
K9Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your work?
Adriana: The neatest park about our work is when we see results in our customers and getting those phone calls where they tell us how much better they or their pets are doing-it inspires us to work harder!
K9 Cuisine: Where do you see the pet health industry going?
Adriana: Pet health is extremely important in a country that spends around 40 billion dollars annually on their animals. They are not just animals anymore; they are a part of the family. Everything we have been hearing suggests that health and safety concerns are really being taken seriously now, as well as high-quality products for pets that were not available even ten years ago.
K9 Cuisine: How do you fit into that-what are your future plans?
Adriana: We have recently expanded our line to include two more animal probiotics-the Avian Vegi-Dophilus and the Gastro Vegi-Dophilus for Animals. We have launched our own animal centric web site- www.natrenanimals.com because we know the power of a high-quality probiotic for animals, and we have seen the customer demand for such a resource.
K9 Cuisine: How can people find out more about you and your organization?
Below is an interview with Rhonda Copeland (aka Vision Runner), a blind 45 year old from Montana. She plans to run 36 miles each week for 34 weeks. But, the mileage makes up a virtual run to Burbank California, where one of her favorite shows, The Ellen DeGeneres Show takes place. Rhonda is also running to raise at least $30,000 for the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization. Read our interview with her below:
K9 Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into running to raise money for guide dogs for the blind?
Rhonda: I was diagnosed with RP over 12 years ago, and have been slowly losing my vision over the years. I have also been a runner for 17 years. Running is my passion, and that was something I didn’t want to give up. In Sept of 2008 I started a blog about being a blind runner. It’s about overcoming obstacles and envisioning a new reality.
The way I got into running to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind was I wanted something to challenge me in my running. I was healing from a severe case of sciatica this spring, and needed some motivation. So my partner and I came up with a virtual Run Over to Ellen’s. It’s a 1,222 mile fund-raising event that will take me 8 months to complete with the goal of raising $30,000 for the “Guide Dogs for the Blind” organization. I don’t need the use of a guide dog right now, as I get along okay with my white cane, but there are a lot of blind and low vision people who, without the use of a guide dog, have lost not only their sight, but their sense of freedom and ability to be independent as well. I know how important it is for me to be independent, and I wanted to be able to help others have that too.
K9 Cuisine: What is the secret to your success with your running-how have you gotten to where you are today?
Rhonda: I guess the secret to my running is that I enjoy it so much. I do things to keep my running fun and new, like this virtual Run Over to Ellen’s fund-raising project to raise $30,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind. The challenge of running well beyond what I thought I could accomplish in a week, to the thought of actually getting on the Ellen TV show are all motivating to me!
I have always run for enjoyment, and I’m not a competitive runner, however I have competed in several race events over the years, including finishing a marathon, and a half dozen half-marathons, plus other races. I think all my running throughout the years has gotten me to where I am today, running more miles in a week than I ever thought I would want to, and not only that, but continuing to do it as my vision deteriorates more and more to the point where I have to run with my white cane.
K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?
Rhonda: I guess what makes me different from other runners out there is that I am running with a white cane weaving back and forth across the path in front of me. Running is supposed to be one of the easiest and simplest of sports, and for most people, it is. But for me, it has become quite a challenge every time I head out the door to go for my run. I can’t just head out to run wherever my feet take me, I have to plan ahead and run on controlled paths, and I mentally have to be on top of my game, no runner’s haze for me. I can’t afford to zone out while running. I have to concentrate very hard on what’s around me all the time.
K9 Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?
Rhonda: Well the best thing about dogs is that they love you absolutely unconditionally. We should take a lesson from them in that respect. And of course puppies are the cutest thing ever, and they just have to make you laugh.
K9 Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your work?
Rhonda: Well right now my work is to run! And I love to run. But more importantly, I feel that I can actually make a difference in the world. That is why we set up this fund-raising project for Guide Dogs for the Blind to be a grassroots sort of thing. If everyone gives just $1, they too can be a part of making a big difference in the world. It’s about a lot of people giving a little to make a big difference!
K9 Cuisine: Tells us more about the charity you’re running for.
Rhonda: Guide Dogs for the Blind is a great charity. All the services provided by “Guide Dogs for the Blind” to the blind and low-vision recipients are at no cost whether it’s the dog or the guide dog training or alumni services or retirement of the guide dog…There is no charge to the recipient. It costs quite a bit to raise and train a dog to become a guide dog, but the service that they provide is invaluable to the individual who receives one.
K9 Cuisine: What are your future plans related to helping dogs?
Rhonda: I don’t know at this point, I’m still in the middle of this project…Maybe I’ll do a Run Over to Oprah’s! LOL
K9 Cuisine: Tell us a little about you!
Rhonda: I was born and raised in Montana. I had 33 years of good eyesight, but over the past 12 ½ years I have been losing my vision to RP, a genetic eye disease. But that hasn’t kept me from doing what I love to do, and that’s run. I did have to give up driving, riding my bike, and various other activities that I enjoyed, but I was determined not to have to give up on my running.
I have a blog over at RunnerInsight where I am updating with new posts three times a week, mostly about being a blind runner. I try to keep it inspiring and motivational, because even though we may not all have a physical obstacle, we all have some kind of obstacle or barrier or issue that we need to face in life. My strong belief is that it’s not what happens to you that matters, but what you do with it that defines your success in life. I am also in the process of creating a video workshop on How to Make Running More Enjoyable. So watch for that, it should be available before the end of the year, if not sooner.
K9 Cuisine: How can people find out more about you and the organization?
Rhonda: Check us out at www.RunOverToEllens.com, that’s my fundraising project website. My blog is at www.RunnerInsight.com and the donations page is at www.FirstGiving.com/VisionRunner.
