Archived Message of "Natural Pet News"
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NATURAL PET NEWS
August 7, 2000 Edition
http://www.TheHerbsPlace.com/pets.html

This Issue Contains:

DONNA'S COMMENTS - Hero Dog

HEALTH/HERBAL INFO - Ear Infections, Spaying

SUCCESS STORY - No Pet Odors in My Kitchen

BEHAVIORAL/EMOTIONAL ISSUE - What Are we Doing to Our Cats?

PRODUCT FOCUS - Hawthorn Berries for the Heart

FEATURED WEB LINK - Feral Cats

LIKE THIS NEWSLETTER/REFER A FRIEND

BUYING SUPPLEMENTS AT WHOLESALE PRICES

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** DONNA'S COMMENTS **

Stories like these are hard for me to read, and yet I realize that life also
requires death. It's nice to think of how much a hero this police dog was
and it's a testimony to how important animals can be in our lives.

FLORIDA MOURNS DEATH OF HERO DOG

Atlas, a 2 1/2-year-old rookie in Miami's K-9 unit, died in the early
morning hours of Sunday, July 23, after being shot by a suspected carjacker.

The Belgian Malinois was in hot pursuit when the suspect opened fire,
hitting the dog in the stomach. Another bullet just missed his human
partner, Officer Wayne Cooper.

As reported in the Miami Herald, Sgt. Ben Damico spoke on behalf of the
department when he said, "Certainly, if the dog takes the bullet, he takes
it instead of the police officer. He gave his life for the officer." A
memorial for the canine hero was planned for later in the week.

Have a great week!
Donna

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** HEALTH/HERBAL INFO **

EAR INFECTIONS

Pack mullein leaves and flowers in a glass jar and cover with olive oil. For
increased antibiotic effectiveness, you can add a clove or two of garlic per
pint of oil. Let the mixture sit for two to three weeks. Strain and apply
several drops of the warmed oil into the ear canal.

---
SPAY AWAY

Much as you love your pets, and cute as they may be, there are important
reasons to spay. Veterinary Medicine About.com Guide Janet Crosby elaborates
on why pets shouldn't parent.
http://vetmedicine.about.com/library/weekly/aa022500a.htm

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** SUCCESS STORY **

NO PET ODORS IN MY KITCHEN

"I just mopped the kitchen floor in a gallon of water, a squirt of Sunshine
Concentrate and 7 drops of Lemon Essential Oil. I really like using bleach
because it disinfects, since I have a dog and cats, but I know it is so bad
for me and them, so I'm trying the Lemon Oil which smells so wonderful that
it makes my mouth water! A really nice benefit is that the floor is not
sticky or slippery which is the typical problem with chemical floor cleaners
and the bleach leaves a residue that I have to rinse off. No rinsing with
Sunshine Concentrate and Lemon Oil. It sure is nice to smell lemon and feel
refreshed after mopping the floor instead of dazed out from chemical
vapors." Robin

Read about Sunshine Concentrate - many uses:
http://www.theherbsplace.com/sunconc.html

Read about Lemon Oil:
http://www.theherbsplace.com/essential.html

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** BEHAVIORAL/EMOTIONAL ISSUE **

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO OUR CATS?

Declawing is a very common practice in the U.S. While the stated policy of
the American Veterinary Medical Association implies that onychectomy should
be a last resort and only performed "when the cat cannot be trained not to
use its claws destructively," little is done in most (but thankfully, not
all)) clinics to inform cat owners about effective and proven alternatives.
We have discussed in detail what constitutes a suitable scratching post and
how to train your cat to use it. This solution to destructive scratching
problems is simple, inexpensive, and satisfies the cat's natural
instincts--and it works!

Some recently published books on cat behavior shed more light on the
declawing procedure. Dr. Nicholas Dodman is a veterinarian and director of
the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University School of Veterinary
Medicine. He is the author of the best-seller, "The Dog Who Loved too Much:
Tales, Treatment, and the Psychology of Dogs." He is a nationally recognized
leader and innovator in the field of domestic animal behavior. His new book,
"The Cat Who Cried for Help: Attitudes, Emotions, and the Psychology of
Cats" treats the subject of declawing with startling honesty:

"The inhumanity of the procedure is clearly demonstrated by the nature of
the cats' recovery from anesthesia following the surgery. Unlike routine
recoveries, including recovery from neutering surgeries, which are fairly
peaceful, declawing surgery results in cats bouncing off the walls of the
recovery cage because of excruciating pain. Cats that are more stoic huddle
in the corner of the recovery cage, immobilized in a state of helplessness,
presumably by the overwhelming pain. Declawing fits the dictionary
definition of mutilation to a tee. Words such as deform, disfigure,
disjoint, and dismember all apply to this surgery....in veterinary medicine,
the clinical procedure servers as a model for testing the efficacy of
analgesic drugs. Even though analgesic drugs can be used postoperatively,
they rarely are, and their effects are incomplete and transient anyway, so
sooner or later the pain will emerge."

Ingrid Newkirk's book--new on the bookshelves--describes another, more
lasting pain that may plague declawed cats long after the operation. In her
book, 250 Things You Can Do to Make Your Cat Adore You, she
states..."declawed cats can suffer chronic back and joint pain as shoulder,
leg, and back muscles weaken. No wonder cats suffering in this way may bite
when scratched or stroked too hard."

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** PRODUCT FOCUS **

HAWTHORN BERRIES

Hawthorn Berries strengthen the heart. The small reddish fruits of the
hawthorn are used as food in many countries. In the 19th century, an Irish
doctor included them in a "secret remedy" for heart disease. His discovery
was popularized in the 1890s by a group of American physicians known as the
Eclectics, who used hawthorn preparations to treat cardiac troubles such as
weak heartbeat and angina. Over the past 80 years, research has confirmed
that hawthorn has positive effects on the cardiovascular (heart and blood
vessel) system, probably through the action of plant pigments called
flavonoids.

Dr. Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D., professor of pharmacognosy at Purdue University
School of Pharmacy in West Lafayette, Indiana, and author of The Honest
Herbal says, "Hawthorn seems to have a direct positive action on the heart
itself when taken over the long term. Apparently, it's a mild and harmless
heart tonic."

Hawthorn is often used for pets with foamy drool or those diagnosed with a
weak heart. http://www.theherbsplace.com/shopG-I.html#hawthorn

HERB USAGE TIPS:

We have used herbs and supplements with pets since 1982 and that was before
there was a market for "natural pet products." We've always adapted to the
pet. Want more info on administering herbs to your pets?
http://www.theherbsplace.com/givetopets.html

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** FEATURED WEB LINK **

FERAL CATS

With ten years experience in managing a feral colony in Southern California,
this author lends her expertise on ferals and raising/socializing their
kittens.

http://cats.about.com/library/guest/ucfeature4a.htm

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** BUYING NATURE'S SUNSHINE AT WHOLESALE **

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warehouse at 30-35% OFF retail. There is NO SIGN-UP FEE if you place a $40
or more wholesale order at the time you sign up. No monthly minimums to
purchase - you never need to order again. You can sign up on the telephone
if you have a credit card.

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or get automatic-return info by sending an email to:
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IMPORTANT NOTE: The stories, suggestions, and information in this newsletter
are not meant to diagnose or prescribe. If your pet has a medical problem,
you may want the advice and recommendations of a veterinarian. All stories
and information content that is passed along in this newsletter is for
informational purposes only and is not necessarily endorsed by "The Herbs
Place.com" This is a personal publication by Donna Watkins. The ideas and
information expressed in it have not been approved or authorized by anyone
either explicitly or impliedly. In no event shall Donna Watkins or "The
Herbs Place.com" be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any
action arising in connection with the use of this information or its
publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or
defamation.

--
Blessings of Peace and Health to You Today!
Randal and Donna Watkins
http://www.TheHerbsPlace.com
The PLACE for HERBS is "TheHerbsPlace.com"