For Paws is happy to welcome Holy Molé to our site as a regular feature. The zen critter cartoon is rapidly capturing the hearts and minds of readers across America. Holy Molé is a cartoon that represents the place where higher aspirations of existence intertwine with the practicality of everyday living - and the characters are totally "cute."
So join us at For Paws Hospice every week for a new edition of Holy Molé and The Journey Not Taken Alone.
We would like to thank cartoonist and author Rick Hotton for his generous support of For Paws and all the animals who seek their own path through life's wondrous journey. "It does not matter how fast you go as long as you do not stop."
Friday, November 5, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The cutest, scariest animal on the planet
SARS, H1N1 and other pandemic diseases that jump from animals to humans are on the rise, and predicting and tracking the emergence of new diseases is crucial to saving lives; EcoHealth Alliance scientists are actively working in many countries to identify potential infectious disease threats through viral discovery
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - In a speech presented last week at the TEDMED 2010 Conference in San Diego, Calif., Peter Daszak, a leading disease ecologist and president of EcoHealth Alliance (formerly Wildlife Trust), cautioned attendees about the rise in the number and severity of animal-borne diseases that jump to humans. In fact, approximately 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases affecting humans today is of zoonotic origin (a disease that jumps from wild or domestic animals and spreads to humans).
"Around the world a rising number of diseases like SARS, monkeypox, and HIV are spread due to trade in wildlife, and these diseases have serious public health, economic, and conservation consequences," Dr. Daszak said. "Using EcoHealth Alliance's unparalleled experience in the field, the organization is working to identify, predict and mitigate disease outbreaks."
As the leading cause of human fatalities worldwide, infectious diseases lead to the deaths of 13 million people per year, and over three-quarters of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) originate from wild or domestic animals and spread to humans. According to Daszak, biological impoverishment, habitat fragmentation, climate change, increasing toxification, and the rapid global movement of people and other living organisms have diminished ecosystem function, which results in unprecedented levels of disease. These factors pose a threat to the survival and health of all species.
"The Cutest, Scariest Animal on the Planet"
To provide a real-world living example of this very serious situation, Daszak introduced the TEDMED audience to what he calls, "The cutest, scariest animal on the planet" -- the sugar glider, which is a small gliding marsupial with huge round eyes and a long tail. "I'm most afraid of this particular little animal, because the people are going into the forests of Indonesia to catch them, bring them into captivity, and ship them around the world – straight into our homes, where we hold them, kiss them, and cuddle up to them," he said. "What easier way could there be for any one of this species' 100 new viruses to spread to humans?"
In 2009 the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated a new global emerging pandemic threat program based on EcoHealth Alliance's innovative hotspots map; the five-year program, called PREDICT, brings together a coalition of organizations to research and better understand emerging diseases among high-risk wildlife and in high-risk countries. Working with the University of California at Davis, and using EcoHealth Alliance's mathematical modeling team and local networks, the organization collects and tests samples from India, China, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - In a speech presented last week at the TEDMED 2010 Conference in San Diego, Calif., Peter Daszak, a leading disease ecologist and president of EcoHealth Alliance (formerly Wildlife Trust), cautioned attendees about the rise in the number and severity of animal-borne diseases that jump to humans. In fact, approximately 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases affecting humans today is of zoonotic origin (a disease that jumps from wild or domestic animals and spreads to humans).
"Around the world a rising number of diseases like SARS, monkeypox, and HIV are spread due to trade in wildlife, and these diseases have serious public health, economic, and conservation consequences," Dr. Daszak said. "Using EcoHealth Alliance's unparalleled experience in the field, the organization is working to identify, predict and mitigate disease outbreaks."
As the leading cause of human fatalities worldwide, infectious diseases lead to the deaths of 13 million people per year, and over three-quarters of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) originate from wild or domestic animals and spread to humans. According to Daszak, biological impoverishment, habitat fragmentation, climate change, increasing toxification, and the rapid global movement of people and other living organisms have diminished ecosystem function, which results in unprecedented levels of disease. These factors pose a threat to the survival and health of all species.
"The Cutest, Scariest Animal on the Planet"
To provide a real-world living example of this very serious situation, Daszak introduced the TEDMED audience to what he calls, "The cutest, scariest animal on the planet" -- the sugar glider, which is a small gliding marsupial with huge round eyes and a long tail. "I'm most afraid of this particular little animal, because the people are going into the forests of Indonesia to catch them, bring them into captivity, and ship them around the world – straight into our homes, where we hold them, kiss them, and cuddle up to them," he said. "What easier way could there be for any one of this species' 100 new viruses to spread to humans?"
In 2009 the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated a new global emerging pandemic threat program based on EcoHealth Alliance's innovative hotspots map; the five-year program, called PREDICT, brings together a coalition of organizations to research and better understand emerging diseases among high-risk wildlife and in high-risk countries. Working with the University of California at Davis, and using EcoHealth Alliance's mathematical modeling team and local networks, the organization collects and tests samples from India, China, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
First Nite - man eats dog food for pet charities
Lucky Dog Cuisine founders Dr. Janice Elenbaas and her husband Jeff Ginn kick off a month long event to benefit pet charities For Paws Hospice and Canine Cancer Awareness with a dog food eat in, the Who.
The challenge - What, husband to eat dig food for one month.
Where, in famous restaurants like Hilton Heads Bistro 17 and family dining rooms everywhere.
When, October (see opening paragraph)
The goal - Why, introduce human grade dog food to America's dogs and doggy people who want to share.
Why, why not? Doesn't your dog deserve a good meal, don't you?
Join the event and send your support to Jeff along with some recipe ideas and we'll post them at For Paws Hospice. Be your best friend's best chef.
The challenge - What, husband to eat dig food for one month.
Where, in famous restaurants like Hilton Heads Bistro 17 and family dining rooms everywhere.
When, October (see opening paragraph)
The goal - Why, introduce human grade dog food to America's dogs and doggy people who want to share.
Why, why not? Doesn't your dog deserve a good meal, don't you?
Join the event and send your support to Jeff along with some recipe ideas and we'll post them at For Paws Hospice. Be your best friend's best chef.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Vet-Stem CEO to present at veterinary meeting in Oct
POWAY, Calif., Oct. 1: Vet-Stem, Inc. announced that Dr. Robert Harman, DVM, MPVM, CEO of Vet-Stem, will present a talk entitled "Stem Cell Therapy: Mechanisms of Action" at the Annual Research Symposium of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) in Seattle, WA, October 21, 2010.
Dr. Harman has presented at more than 40 veterinary and human stem cell conferences since the founding of Vet-Stem in 2002. The ACVS is the largest veterinary surgical meeting in the world, with over 7,000 attendees from around the globe. This seminar talk will provide continuing education for veterinarians on the most current research about how stem cells work to provide healing and improvement in quality of life of animals.
As the founder and scientific director of Vet-Stem, Dr. Harman has been at the forefront of development of the practical applications of stem cells in our animal populations and has consulted with a number of human stem cell companies to share these veterinary findings for the benefit of potential therapy for people.
Vet-Stem's clinical team has rapidly developed this market, training over 4,000 veterinarians in the United States alone and providing stem cells for treatment of over 7,000 horses and dogs. Peer-reviewed publications in the journals Veterinary Therapeutics and the American Journal of Veterinary Research have demonstrated the effectiveness of these types of treatments in horses and dogs. In addition, Dr. Harman has co-authored two publications on how these stem cells from fat tissue can help treat multiple sclerosis and autoimmune diseases in people.
_______________
Editor's note: For Paws Hospice recently used the resources at Vet Stem to preform stem cell surgery on a patient Buddy, a GR with hip dysplasia and a ruptured knee. Buddy is recovering well - see: http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/Editor/1229, "Stem cell surgery"
Dr. Harman has presented at more than 40 veterinary and human stem cell conferences since the founding of Vet-Stem in 2002. The ACVS is the largest veterinary surgical meeting in the world, with over 7,000 attendees from around the globe. This seminar talk will provide continuing education for veterinarians on the most current research about how stem cells work to provide healing and improvement in quality of life of animals.
As the founder and scientific director of Vet-Stem, Dr. Harman has been at the forefront of development of the practical applications of stem cells in our animal populations and has consulted with a number of human stem cell companies to share these veterinary findings for the benefit of potential therapy for people.
Vet-Stem's clinical team has rapidly developed this market, training over 4,000 veterinarians in the United States alone and providing stem cells for treatment of over 7,000 horses and dogs. Peer-reviewed publications in the journals Veterinary Therapeutics and the American Journal of Veterinary Research have demonstrated the effectiveness of these types of treatments in horses and dogs. In addition, Dr. Harman has co-authored two publications on how these stem cells from fat tissue can help treat multiple sclerosis and autoimmune diseases in people.
_______________
Editor's note: For Paws Hospice recently used the resources at Vet Stem to preform stem cell surgery on a patient Buddy, a GR with hip dysplasia and a ruptured knee. Buddy is recovering well - see: http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/Editor/1229, "Stem cell surgery"
What's for dinner
The tables are set, the invitations sent and tonight Bistro 17, one of Hilton Head SC'c premier dining spots plays host to Lucky Dog Cuisine for the kick off of a month long gastronomic Tour de Force of doggy dining.
Co hosts Dr. Janice Elenbass and her husband Jeff Ginn, founders of Lucky Dog Cuisine, begin the month long eat-event at Bistro 17 with friends who will join in the eat with you dog bistro style event along with Jeff who will be eating their brand Lucky Dog Cuisine the entire month.
Anna, owner of Bistro 17 is generously donating all the profits from this evening's gala to animal charities. Bistro 17 is one of several restaurants in Hilton Head that offer Lucky Dog Cuisine as a regular menu item option for their human guests who want to treat their dogs to a night of dining out.
For Paws Hospice and Canine Cancer Awareness are the two organizations that Lucky Dog Cuisine has selected as their charitable partners. Please support Lucky Dog Cuisine by asking your favorite dog friendly restaurant to try Lucky Dog, their dog diners will thank you for it.
Co hosts Dr. Janice Elenbass and her husband Jeff Ginn, founders of Lucky Dog Cuisine, begin the month long eat-event at Bistro 17 with friends who will join in the eat with you dog bistro style event along with Jeff who will be eating their brand Lucky Dog Cuisine the entire month.
Anna, owner of Bistro 17 is generously donating all the profits from this evening's gala to animal charities. Bistro 17 is one of several restaurants in Hilton Head that offer Lucky Dog Cuisine as a regular menu item option for their human guests who want to treat their dogs to a night of dining out.
For Paws Hospice and Canine Cancer Awareness are the two organizations that Lucky Dog Cuisine has selected as their charitable partners. Please support Lucky Dog Cuisine by asking your favorite dog friendly restaurant to try Lucky Dog, their dog diners will thank you for it.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Urban coyote
Editor's note: A dear friend and co-worker, a constant friend of animals who despite her hectic work schedule devotes a considerable amount of time to a feral cat colony lost a friend and companion of thirteen years this past weekend. The cat came to her as a wild kitten and stayed even as it retained its feral ways and in my friend's words, "Lived life on her terms." But wild is a hard fate to ignore and meeting coyotes in the midst of an urban landscape my friend's friend met a wild thing's end and now her companion is left to mourn and at once wonder at a life so well lived.
From Maine to Florida and from California to the Atlantic seaboard Americans are increasingly coming face to face with one of nature's most determined and successful predators, the coyote. Once confined to the western territories by more powerful cousins like the grey and red wolf the coyote has spread its range to farm yards and suburban back yards throughout the United States.
Often this first encounter with humans ends in misfortune for the most innocent, the family pet. Coyotes are opportunistic hunters and will prey on any food source in its range, small dogs and cats are no exception. The fact that human companion animals and small farm livestock are attractive to the coyote is in large part why farmers very early on determined that livestock needed to be confined and protected. The same holds true in towns and cities. Animal control laws require that domesticated pets be on a leash or confined under supervision to the property of their owner, not just for our protection but theirs as well. Dogs and cats allowed to roam freely will inevitably encounter other animals both domestic and wild, the result can often be tragic.
Animal control officials concede that trying to eliminate the coyote would be both expensive and ultimately futile. Left to their own devices coyotes will naturally fill the niche created when larger predators are driven out by human development.
Coyotes prey on mice, rats and other small rodents, even insects; coyotes are the ultimate carnivore and while their hunting activity may keep pest populations under control when preying on pests give way to hunting pets, public opinion changes.
Coyotes are wary of human contact and attacks on humans are very rare, unfortunately for our pets that natural wariness doesn't carry over. Alternately, uncontrolled dogs attack and kill increasing numbers of children and pets in the United State each year and still people continue to ignore existing animal control laws.
_______________________
The coyote is one of the most successful land predators on Earth, behind the grey wolf. Its name comes from the Aztec word 'coyote' which means "barking dog". They have an incredible range in size and coloration. Coyotes from the north are larger (avg. 75 lb. (34 kg)) than those farther south, such as Mexico (avg. 25 lb. (11 kg)). Their color is generally a light grey with black ticking and pale under-parts. Coyotes that live in the mountains tend to be darker and desert coyotes tend to be more yellowish in color. They may have cinnamon markings on their face and sides of their body.*
Coyote's range includes Canada, the contiguous 48 States and Mexico. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, from tundra to forest to scrub land to the outskirts of cities and suburban settings. They will thrive in any area just as long as there is a prey base.
For a first hand story of coyotes in an urban garden read Fab Five by our friends at "The Tucson Gardener. "
*Coyote data: The Canine Specialist Group
From Maine to Florida and from California to the Atlantic seaboard Americans are increasingly coming face to face with one of nature's most determined and successful predators, the coyote. Once confined to the western territories by more powerful cousins like the grey and red wolf the coyote has spread its range to farm yards and suburban back yards throughout the United States.
Often this first encounter with humans ends in misfortune for the most innocent, the family pet. Coyotes are opportunistic hunters and will prey on any food source in its range, small dogs and cats are no exception. The fact that human companion animals and small farm livestock are attractive to the coyote is in large part why farmers very early on determined that livestock needed to be confined and protected. The same holds true in towns and cities. Animal control laws require that domesticated pets be on a leash or confined under supervision to the property of their owner, not just for our protection but theirs as well. Dogs and cats allowed to roam freely will inevitably encounter other animals both domestic and wild, the result can often be tragic.
Animal control officials concede that trying to eliminate the coyote would be both expensive and ultimately futile. Left to their own devices coyotes will naturally fill the niche created when larger predators are driven out by human development.
Coyotes prey on mice, rats and other small rodents, even insects; coyotes are the ultimate carnivore and while their hunting activity may keep pest populations under control when preying on pests give way to hunting pets, public opinion changes.
Coyotes are wary of human contact and attacks on humans are very rare, unfortunately for our pets that natural wariness doesn't carry over. Alternately, uncontrolled dogs attack and kill increasing numbers of children and pets in the United State each year and still people continue to ignore existing animal control laws.
_______________________
The coyote is one of the most successful land predators on Earth, behind the grey wolf. Its name comes from the Aztec word 'coyote' which means "barking dog". They have an incredible range in size and coloration. Coyotes from the north are larger (avg. 75 lb. (34 kg)) than those farther south, such as Mexico (avg. 25 lb. (11 kg)). Their color is generally a light grey with black ticking and pale under-parts. Coyotes that live in the mountains tend to be darker and desert coyotes tend to be more yellowish in color. They may have cinnamon markings on their face and sides of their body.*
Coyote's range includes Canada, the contiguous 48 States and Mexico. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, from tundra to forest to scrub land to the outskirts of cities and suburban settings. They will thrive in any area just as long as there is a prey base.
For a first hand story of coyotes in an urban garden read Fab Five by our friends at "The Tucson Gardener. "
*Coyote data: The Canine Specialist Group
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Healthy Natural Dog Food: Part 1 Humans vs. Dog
By Dr. Janice Elenbaas
I have always been interested in knowing how dogs function. Looking at how they are built and how they differ from humans helps us understand them. With this knowledge, we can also choose foods that suit their physiology to help them live long and healthy lives. For those of you that are frequent readers, you know I have a passion for healthy natural dog food. To understand the differences between humans and dogs is to understand why they need quality proteins and whole foods.??
Let’s start with the teeth and jaw. Dogs have 42 well-spaced teeth. People have 32 and our teeth are close together. The space between dogs’ teeth allows food to enter quickly. Dogs’ mouths are funnels to get food into the stomach as quickly as possible. Your dog gulping his food is his natural way of eating. He has fewer taste buds than we do, so there appears to be no need for him to savor his dinner! Our canine friends also lack the ability to grind food. Their jaws only allow up and down movement, not side to side like ours. They also do not predigest starches in the mouth like we do. We get cavities. Dogs get tarter build up, but no cavities!
It takes about 5 seconds for food to move from their mouth to the stomach. Once in the stomach, the food is stored and digestion begins. Dogs have more acid in their stomachs than people do and this allows them to break down bacteria more effectively than we can. They also have this antibacterial ability in their saliva.
The small and large intestine in the average human is approximately 36 feet long. That’s the length of a school bus! A 70 lb dog has a 6-foot long intestine therefore dogs need high quality proteins to be able to digest them quickly. People have longer digestive systems so we can handle eating raw fruits and vegetables. Give a dog a piece of whole carrot and it comes out the other end much the same way it entered!
Complex carbohydrates and vegetables should be cooked and vegetables pureed to allow predigestion. Cooking keeps the glycemic index low to help maintain even blood sugar levels. This causes less stress on the pancreas and liver and less chance of developing diabetes.
If you are like me and have your dog sleeping on the bed with you it’s not a great leap to understand that after being domesticated for thousands of years dogs, while different from humans in many ways, are similar in others. You need whole natural foods to thrive in our environment and your dog needs healthy natural dog food to do the same.
Always remember, Health comes from the inside out!?
or more information or to contact Dr. Elenbaas please visit www.luckydogcuisine.com
Dr. Elenbaas has enjoyed a long and successful career as a Chiropractor to both humans and animals. As the first woman recognized in Canada to treat animals and a founding member of the first Ontario Veterinarian Chiropractic Association Janice is passionate about animal’s health. Combining her years of nutritional study with a natural approach to health care and her lifelong love of animals Dr. Elenbass founded www.luckydogcuisine.com; a company dedicated to providing all American, all natural, "Human Grade" cooked meals for dogs.
I have always been interested in knowing how dogs function. Looking at how they are built and how they differ from humans helps us understand them. With this knowledge, we can also choose foods that suit their physiology to help them live long and healthy lives. For those of you that are frequent readers, you know I have a passion for healthy natural dog food. To understand the differences between humans and dogs is to understand why they need quality proteins and whole foods.??
Let’s start with the teeth and jaw. Dogs have 42 well-spaced teeth. People have 32 and our teeth are close together. The space between dogs’ teeth allows food to enter quickly. Dogs’ mouths are funnels to get food into the stomach as quickly as possible. Your dog gulping his food is his natural way of eating. He has fewer taste buds than we do, so there appears to be no need for him to savor his dinner! Our canine friends also lack the ability to grind food. Their jaws only allow up and down movement, not side to side like ours. They also do not predigest starches in the mouth like we do. We get cavities. Dogs get tarter build up, but no cavities!
It takes about 5 seconds for food to move from their mouth to the stomach. Once in the stomach, the food is stored and digestion begins. Dogs have more acid in their stomachs than people do and this allows them to break down bacteria more effectively than we can. They also have this antibacterial ability in their saliva.
The small and large intestine in the average human is approximately 36 feet long. That’s the length of a school bus! A 70 lb dog has a 6-foot long intestine therefore dogs need high quality proteins to be able to digest them quickly. People have longer digestive systems so we can handle eating raw fruits and vegetables. Give a dog a piece of whole carrot and it comes out the other end much the same way it entered!
Complex carbohydrates and vegetables should be cooked and vegetables pureed to allow predigestion. Cooking keeps the glycemic index low to help maintain even blood sugar levels. This causes less stress on the pancreas and liver and less chance of developing diabetes.
If you are like me and have your dog sleeping on the bed with you it’s not a great leap to understand that after being domesticated for thousands of years dogs, while different from humans in many ways, are similar in others. You need whole natural foods to thrive in our environment and your dog needs healthy natural dog food to do the same.
Always remember, Health comes from the inside out!?
or more information or to contact Dr. Elenbaas please visit www.luckydogcuisine.com
Dr. Elenbaas has enjoyed a long and successful career as a Chiropractor to both humans and animals. As the first woman recognized in Canada to treat animals and a founding member of the first Ontario Veterinarian Chiropractic Association Janice is passionate about animal’s health. Combining her years of nutritional study with a natural approach to health care and her lifelong love of animals Dr. Elenbass founded www.luckydogcuisine.com; a company dedicated to providing all American, all natural, "Human Grade" cooked meals for dogs.
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