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ecodog
HEALTHYLIVINGFORYOURPET
CORBETTMARSHALLANDJIMDESKEVICHFOREWORDBYTHOMASMASON,D.V.M.PHOTOGRAPHSBYAIMÉEHERRING
Textcopyright©2008byCorbettMarshallandJimDeskevich.
Forewordcopyright©2008byChronicleBooks.
Photographycopyright©2008byAiméeHerring.
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanyformwithoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher.
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ISBN:978-0-8118-7207-2
ManufacturedinChina.
PhotoStyling:IngridLeese
Aswithanycraftproject,itisimportantthatalltheinstructionsarefollowedcarefully,asfailuretodosocouldresultininjury.Everyefforthasbeenmadetopresenttheinformationinthisbookinaclear,complete,andaccuratemanner;however,noteverysituationcanbeanticipatedandtherecanbenosubstituteforcommonsense.Checkproductlabelstomakesurethatthematerialsyouusearesafeandnontoxic.Becarefulwhenhandlingdangerousobjects.TheauthorsandChronicleBooksherebydisclaimanyandallliabilityresultingfrominjuriesordamagecausedduringtheproductionoruseoftheprojects
injuriesordamagecausedduringtheproductionoruseoftheprojectsinthisbook.
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ThisbookisdedicatedtoJordan,Gertrude,andBuddy,ourloyalfriendsandcompanionsfornearlysixteenyears,andtoalltheotherdogsthathavebeen,andcontinuetobe,apartofourlives.Ourdogstaughtussomuchaboutunconditionallove,livingthegoodlife,runningwithwildabandon,andnappinginthesunasoftenas
youcan.
Foreword
Introduction
PART1:AHEALTHYDOG
GROOMING
GroomingSupplies
HomemadeGroomingSupplies
BathingTips
PROJECT:LEMONFLEATONIC
PROJECT:DRYSHAMPOO
PROJECT:HERBALFLEAPOWDER
PROJECT:FLEA-REPELLANTROSEMARYTONIC
YourGroomingRoutine
PROJECT:GROOMINGKIT
PROJECT:TOTEBAG
FOOD
AGuidetoIngredients
Wetvs.Dry
HomemadeDogFood
YourDog’sDiet
VegetarianDogs
PROJECT:MEATLOAF
Snacks
PROJECT:BREATHTREATS
PROJECT:QUICKDOGTREATS
PROJECT:HOMEMADEJERKY
PROJECT:SHINY-COATTREATS
GENERALHEALTH
Exercise
WeightyMatters
NormalVitals
PROJECT:FIRST-AIDKIT
PROJECT:PETTRAVELKIT
AlternativeHealthCareforDogs
PROJECT:BEGINNER’SDOGMASSAGE
PART2:AHEALTHYHOME
HOUSEKEEPING
ChecklistforaClean,Dog-LovingHome
HomemadeAll-PurposeCleaners
AFreshHome
PROJECT:WINDOWANDGLASSCLEANER
PROJECT:LIQUIDCLEANSERANDSCOURINGPOWDER
PROJECT:DRAINCLEANER
PROJECT:TOILET-BOWLCLEANER
PROJECT:OVENCLEANER
PROJECT:AIRFRESHENERSANDDEODORIZERS
PROJECT:STOVE-TOPAIRFRESHENERS
PROJECT:NATURALODOR-ABSORBERS
PROJECT:FLOORCLEANERS
PROJECT:PERSONALIZEDDOGTOWELS
“Accidentswilloccurinthebest-regulatedfamilies.”
EverydayDangers
FoodDangers
Eco-FriendlyPestControl
YOURDOG’SSPACE
PetsandYourFurniture
PROJECT:RECYCLED-SWEATERFELTEDBLANKET
PROJECT:TRAVELBLANKET
Bedding
PROJECT:RECYCLEDDENIMDOGBED
PROJECT:LAVENDERSACHETS
PLAY
PROJECT:BRAIDEDT-SHIRTBONE
PROJECT:FABRICFISH
PROJECT:SOCKANIMALS
Leashes,Collars,andTags
PROJECT:OUTDOORSKIT
PART3:RESOURCES
Organizations
Publications
Products
Bibliography
Index
TableofEquivalents
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Iamacaregiverofanimals,butIexperiencepetcarefromtwodifferentperspectives:frommyprofessionalroleasaveterinarianandfrommyroleasguardiantotwoFrenchbulldogsknownasFannyandManny.Mymissionasaveterinarianistohelpcompanionanimalsattainhealthandmaintainqualityoflife.Inmyotherrole,Igettoenjoythebenefitsofmakingananimalapartofmyfamilybyprovidingthemwiththedailymaintenanceandupkeep—thefeedingandbathing,thedailystrollstothepark,thepettingandplaying,theregularveterinarycare,andthelovingcompanionshipthatallcontributetotheirhealthandhappiness.
OvertheyearsIhaveseenmajorchangeinthequalityofveterinarycareavailabletodogsandcats.Wearenowinthehigh-techageofveterinarymedicine,wherethingslikedigitalradiology,ultrasound,endoscopy,andlasersurgeryarecommon;whereadvanceddiagnosticslikeMRIarenowbecomingreadilyavailable;andwhereveterinarypracticesarenolongerone–ortwo–doctorclinicsopenfivedaysaweek,butmultidoctorhospitalsoperating24hoursaday.However,nomatterhowadvancedthediagnosticortreatmentabilitiesofveterinarymedicinebecome,thebasiccarethatyouprovidetoyouranimalcompaniondaily,includingdietandnutrition,exercise,andemotionalwell-being,isthetruefoundationfortheirlong-termhealthandqualityoflife.
EcoDogaddressesmanyofthesefundamentalsofdogcare,anditdoessoinaninnovative,educational,andfunway.Forexample,Ihavelearnedthroughtheyearsthatbetternutritionhasthebiggestimpacton
youranimal’soverallhealth.
EcoDoggivesyouapathtoexplorebetternutritionusinghome-cookeddietsasanalternativetothemass-produced,processeddogfoodmostofusfeedourpets.Therecipesincludedareeasytomakeanddelicious,ifMannyandFannyareanyindication(theyespeciallylovedthemeatloaf!).
Inthesepagesyouwillalsoreadaboutalternativeandholisticveterinarymedicine,includingacupunctureandhomeopathy,whichcanhavewonderfulcomplementarybenefitstotraditionalveterinarycare.Additionally,EcoDogdrawsalinkbetweentheenvironmentandhealth,andgivesyoustrategiesforchoosingapaththatavoidsmanyofthechemicalsandtoxinsthatwevoluntarilyexposeourselvesandourpetstoonadailybasis.Asabonus,youwillfindallkindsofprojects,fromhomemadeshampoosandnontoxichousecleanerstohomemadechewtoys,whichwilldelightandchallengetheMarthaStewartinallofus.
Whetheryoucurrentlyhaveacaninecompanionorareconsideringinvitingadogtobeamemberofyourfamily,EcoDogisaguidetopetcarethatoffersamultitudeofbenefitsandoptions.Itwillbenefityourdogbygivingyounatural,alternativechoicesforcaninecarethatshouldincreasehisorherhealth,well-being,andlongevity,whichinturnwillbenefityoubecauseyouwillhaveahealthierandhappierfamilymemberthatwillbeapartofyourlifeforalongerperiodoftime.Andasanaddedbonus,byfollowingtherecommendationscontainedonthefollowingpages,youcanhaveapositiveeffectontheenvironmentthateveryoneofus,includingouranimalandhumancompanions,mustshare.
—ThomasMason,D.V.M.
Introduction
Ourpetsarealwaysthereforus,ourconstantcompanionsingoodtimesandinbadtimes.Inreturn,wewanttogivethemthebestliveswecan.Wewanttomakehealthychoiceswhenitcomestotheircareandfeeding,choicesthatarealsogoodfortheplanet,justaswedoforourselves.
OurdogsJordan,agoldenretrieverandyellowLabradormix,andGertrude,alittleredhoundandshepherdmix,werewithusfornearlysixteenyears.Weadoptedthemwhenwewerecollegestudents,andtheykeptuscompanyasweworkedlatenightsondesign-schoolprojects.Theyhappilyenduredmanymovesduringtheirlonglives,fromhousestoapartmentsandbackagainandfromcitytocountry.Ourdogsloved,inspired,andoftenfrustratedus,andwelovedthemforit.Throughtheyears,wealwaystriedtomakethebestchoicesfortheirhealthandhappiness.Inthebeginning,manyofthosechoicesweredictatedbyourstudentbudgets.Weboughtwhateverfoodwecouldafford,withnorealthoughtgiventoingredients.Ourhousehold-cleaningsupplieswereusuallytheoneswehadbecomefamiliarwithgrowingup.Astheyearswentby,webecamemoreconcernedwithourownhealthandthatoftheenvironment.Welearnedabouttheimportanceoforganicsandthedangersofpollutantsinourfood,air,andwater.AndsoweworriedaboutJordan’sandGertrude’shealthaswell.Webegantoreadtheingredientlabelsonthedogfoodwewerebuyingasconscientiouslyasthelabelsonourownfood.Whentimepermitted,wespeciallypreparedourpets’food,andwelearnedhowto
supplementtheirdietsforoptimumhealthastheygrewold.Weswitchedfromthetoxichouseholdcleanerswehadbeenusingwhenwerealizedweweren’tgoingtochangeourdogs’habitoflickingwetfloorsordrinkingfromthetoiletbowl.
EcoDogprovidesvaluableinformationonhowtocareforyourdoginawaythatisgoodforyourpet,goodforyou,andgoodfortheenvironment.Weoffertipsongrooming,includingrecipesforshampoo,aswellasnontoxicpestcontrols.Weincludeinformationongoodnutritionandgiveyouthebasictoolsyou’llneedtoreadthelabelsoncommercialdogfoods,aswellastopreparespecialhomemademeals.Wealsodiscusshowtocreateahealthyhomeforyourpet,includingeco-friendlyhousekeepingoptionsandtipsoncreatingcomfortablespacesjustforyourdog.Weevenhavegreatideasforrecyclingyouroldjeansandsweatersintocomfortabledogbedsandfuntoys.
WehopeEcoDogwilleducateandinspireyoutothinkaboutyourdog’shealth,yourownhealth,andthehealthoftheplanet.Whetheryouareaneworanexperiencedpetowner,whetheryourdogisyoungorold,thechoicesyoumakewillhaveanimpactonyourcaninecompanion’shealthandhappiness.Letyourdecisionsbringyourpetsasmuchhappinessastheyhavebroughtyou!
PART1AHEALTHYDOG
Ahealthydogisahappydog,andahappydogwillgiveusyearsofunconditionalloveandcompanionship.Andthegreatnewsisthatwhat’shealthyfordogsishealthyfortheplanet.Inthissection,wewilldiscusstheimportanceofgoodgroomingandnutritionforyourpet’soverallhealth.Youwillfindbasicrecipesfornontoxicpestcontrol,andwewillgiveyouthebasictoolsyou’llneedtochoosethebestfoodforyourpet,includingideasforhomemademealsandtreats.
GROOMING
Someownersthinkthatbecausetheirpup’sdistantcousin,thewolf,doesn’ttakeregularbathsandseemstodojustfine,theircaninefriendcandowithout.However,whilehemayappeartodoagoodjobgroominghimselfwithoutyourassistance,thetruthisthatintoday’sworld,yourpetisexposedtomanymoreunhealthy,hazardous,andeventoxicsubstancesthananycreatureofthewildencounters.Chemicalsandparticles—fromyourcar,yourhouse,orevenjusttheairoutdoors—thatyourdogshouldnotbeconsuminggettrappedinhiscoat.Ifyouarenotbathinghim,heislickingthemoff,threateninghishealth.
Unfortunately,manyproductsonthemarketmeanttokeepyourdogcleanandpest-freecanthemselvesbedangerousforherhealth.Thepurposeofgivingyourdogabathistohelpremovedirt,grease,andunhealthycontaminantsfromherfurandskin.Sowhywouldyouuseashampoocontainingchemicalsthatmaybejustastoxicasthesubstancesyouaretryingtoremove?
substancesyouaretryingtoremove?
Inthissection,wewillguideyouthroughtheimportanttaskofkeepingyourdogcleanandpest-free,andkeepingyoubothsafeandhappy.
GROOMINGSUPPLIES
Manypeoplerelyonchemicalsinshampoosforpestcontrolandhelpwithskinconditions.Abandoningtheseproductsmaybenerve-racking,forfearofanout-of-controlinfestationoranunhappy,uncomfortabledog.However,manyall-naturalproductsandsubstancescanprovidethesameresultsastraditionalpetproductswithouttherisk.
Manycommercialsoaps,whetherformulatedforyouoryourpet,containharmfulchemicaldetergents,syntheticpreservativesandfragrances,petroleumproducts,orartificialcolors.OtherharmfulsyntheticadditivesinsoapsincludeFD&Cdyes;theantibacterialstriclosanandtriclocarban;thepreservativesEDTA,TEA,andDEA;andthedetergentsandsurfactantssodiumlaurethandsodiumlaurylsulfate.Noneofthesearegoodforyou,yourpet,ortheenvironment;attheveryleasttheymayirritatetheskin,andsomehavebeenlinkedtoasthma,nervedamage,orcancerinhumans.
Whenchoosingashampoo,youcanchooseanaturallybiodegradablecastilesoap,whichismadefromvegetableoilsandisusuallyfreeofartificialpreservativesandsyntheticfragrances,orahigh-qualitynaturalproductformulatedspecificallyfordogs.(OurdogGertrudeinparticulardidn’tcareforscentedshampoos,andwouldpromptlyrollinsomethingputridtocoverthescent!)Trytoavoidshampooswithsyntheticpesticidesormedications,optinginsteadforproductswithnaturalinsectrepellents,likepennyroyaloil,andskinsoothers,like
naturalinsectrepellents,likepennyroyaloil,andskinsoothers,likeoatmeal.Anddonotuseconditioner.Remember,ifthereisanyproductresidueleftonyourpet’scoat,itwilllikelybeingested.
Thosewhorelyonmedicatedshampoototreattheirdog’sskinconditionwillfindthatthereareoftennaturalingredientsthatperformthesamefunctionasthesechemicals.Ifyourdogsuffersfromitchyskinoranallergicskindisease,lookforanall-naturalshampoowithoatmealtosoothe,oraloeveratoreduceinflammation.Ifyourdoghasverydryskin,shampooswithanyofthefollowingingredientsmayprovehelpful:lacticacid,carbolicacid,urea,oliveoil,vegetableoil,coconutoil,lanolin,biotin,pantothenicacid,andessentialfattyacids.
Afleainfestationisoneofthebestreminderstobatheyourdogregularly.Fewthingscausemorediscomfortandembarrassmentthanahomefullofjumpingblackspecks.Thesepeskylittlebiters,liketicks,arenotonlyannoyingtoyouandyourpetbutcanalsoposeahealthrisk,especiallyforolder,weak,orsicklydogs.Butmostfleacollarsandshampooscontainchemicalsthatareunsafeforconsumption.Manyofthelabelswarnthatpeopleshouldevenavoidskincontactwiththeproduct.Ifsomethingisnotevensafeforyoutotouch,howsafecanitbeforyourpettowearorbeimmersedin?
Combingyourdogwithafleacombistheonlycompletelychemical-freewaytogetridofthesepests,butunlessonlyafewfleasburdenyourdog,thiswillmostlikelynotbeenoughtoreallycontrolthem.Oneofthebestthingsyoucandotofightfleasistobrushyourdogregularlyinadditiontousingthefleacomb;brushdailyforlonger-hairedbreeds,andeveryfewdaysfortheshorter-haired.Whileusingafleacomb
activelyremovesfleasfromthefur,combingandbrushingkeeptheskinandhairhealthy,distributingsecretionsfromoilglandsontotheskin,wheretheydissuadefleasfromestablishingthemselves.
Herbalfleacollarscontaininginsectrepellantandall-naturalinsect-repellantshampooscanhelp.Lookforashampoowithd-limonene,anaturalextractofcitrusfruitsthatkillsfleasandticks.Ifyou’vealreadyfoundanaturalshampooyoulike,youcanalsoaddafewdropsofessentialoilofpennyroyaloreucalyptustothebottletocreateyourowninsect-repellantshampoo.Essentialoilsshouldalwaysbedilutedtoavoidskinirritation.
Itisimportanttorememberthattopicaltreatmentswillnotentirelyridyourpetoftheseuglyparasites,andthatotheraspectsofyourdog’slifeandhealthmayhaveabiggereffectthanyouthink.Feedingyourdogabalancedandnutritiousdietalsoaffectsfleas,becausethehealthieryourpet,thelesssusceptibletofleashewillbe.Later,we’llprovideinformationonwhatexactlyahealthydietis,andwhattypesofsupplementsyoucangiveyourdogthatmayrepelfleasnaturally.
Whenaninfestationissevereandthesealternativeproductshavebeenunsuccessful,orifyouareworriedaboutyourdog’shealthbecauseofageorsmallsize,lookforproductswithinsect-growthregulators(IGRs).Theseareusedtocontrolfleafertility,nottopoisonthem,andareavailableastopicalororaltreatments,orasspraysthatcanbeusedaroundthehouse.
HOMEMADEGROOMINGSUPPLIES
Readinglabelstoavoidthechemicalsincommercialpetcarecanbeabitofaheadache.Oneoftheeasiestwaystoskipthischoreistomake
bitofaheadache.Oneoftheeasiestwaystoskipthischoreistomakeyourownproductsbycombiningherbswithcommonhouseholdingredients.Onthefollowingpagesyou’llfindsomegreatandsimpleideasforall-naturalgrooming.Throughout,trytousefresh(orevenhomegrown)herbswheneveryoucan,formaximumpotency.
BATHINGTIPS
Somedogsaremorecooperativethanotherswhenbathing.Hereareafewtipstohelpyoukeepyourresistantbatherascalmaspossible:
Remembertobegentleandspeakinsoft,reassuringtones,nomatterhowfrustratedyoumayget.
Fillthetuborsinkwithlukewarmwatergradually,afteryouhaveplacedyourdoginit.
Wetandlatheryourdog’sneckfirsttotrapfleasthatmaybetryingtoescapetothehead.
Shampootheentirebodyandgentlyrinse.
Shampooasecondtime,thenletitsitforfiveminutesbeforerinsing.
Whileyouwait,useafleacombtogetridofanyfleasthatarestillhangingon.
Rinsethoroughlywithplainwater.
Youmaywanttouseavinegar-waterrinsetohelpremovesoapresidueandpreventdandruff.Simplymix1tablespoonwhitevinegarwith1pintwarmwaterandrubthroughfur.Rinsewithplainwater.
Useseveraltowelstodryoffyourdog,andmakesureshehasawarmplacetodryherselfoffcompletely.
Batheyourdogonceeverymonthortwo,unlesshehasabadfleainfestationorskinproblemsordischarges,inwhichcaseweeklybathsmaybenecessary.
PROJECT:LEMONFLEATONIC
D-limoneneisagreatnaturalfleakillerthatisusedinmanyall-naturalfleashampoos.Youcaneasilyextractitfromalemontomakeatonicforyourpet’sfleaproblemsormange.Itissomildthatitcanbeuseddaily,iftheproblemissevere.
•Lemon
•Water
01.Thinlysliceawholelemon,includingthepeel.
02.Addthelemonto1pintboilingwater.
03.Letsteepovernight.
04.Thenextday,spongethesolutionontoyourdog’scoat.Youmayalsostrainoutthelemonpiecesanddecanttheliquidintoaspraybottleforfrequentapplication.
PROJECT:DRYSHAMPOO
Ifyourpupresistsaregularwaterbath,youmaywanttotrythisdryshampootospot-cleangreasy,dirtyareas.Youshouldnotusethismethodasacompletesubstituteforaregularwaterbath,butwithadifficultdogitcanbeahelpfulalternativetostretchthetimebetweenbaths.
01.Place½to1cupbran,oatmeal,orcornmealonacookiesheet.
02.Placeinawarmovenfor5minutestowarmthegrain.Donotallowthegraintoburnorbesohotthatitwouldbeuncomfortableforyourpet.
03.Rubthegrainintofurwithatowel,removingitfromthecookiesheetasyouuseitsotheremaininggrainstayswarmaslongaspossible.
04.Paymostattentiontotheareasofthebodythataredirtiestorgreasiest.
05.Brushtreatedareasthoroughlyuntilallthegrainisremoved.
PROJECT:HERBALFLEAPOWDER
Therearemanyfleaproductsonthemarketthataremadefromchemicalsintendedtokillthepestsinyourpet’scoat.Thismayseemlikeaneasyandeffectiveoption,butrememberthatchemicalstoxicenoughtokillfleasarenotgoingtobehealthyforyourpet.Puttingthesechemicalsdirectlyonyourdog’scoat—theeasiestplaceforhimtoingestthem—justdoesn’tmakesense.Weofferanalternative,intheformofpowderedherbsmeanttorepelthefleas,whilebeingharmlesstoyourdog.
•Eucalyptus
•Rosemary
•Lavender
•Fennel
•Yellowdock
•Pennyroyal
01.Combineasmanyofthepowderedherbsasyoucanfind.
02.Mixtogetherequalpartsofeachherbinashaker-topjar.
03.Brushyourpet’scoatbackwardwithyourhandoracombwhilesprinklingthepowderontothebaseofthehairs.Applysparingly,payingspecialattentiontotheneck,back,andbelly.
04.Putyourpetoutsideforalittlewhileafterward,sohispestsescapeintoyouryard,notyourcarpet.
PROJECT:FLEA-REPELLANTROSEMARYTONIC
Usethistonicafteryourdog’sbathtorepelfleasandmakehiscoatsoftandshiny.Therosemarywilladdapleasantscenttohiscoat,butnotsopleasantthathe’llmind!
•Rosemary
•Water
01.Combine1teaspoondriedrosemarywith1pintboilingwater.
02.Steepfor10minutes.
03.Straintoremoverosemaryandletliquidcooltobodytemperature.
04.Pourthesolutionoveryourpetafterhisfinalrinse.
05.Patdry.
YOURGROOMINGROUTINE
Groomingnotonlygivesyoutheopportunitytospendalittleone-on-onebondingtimewithyourpet,butitisalsoagreattimetotakeaminutetocheckonyourfriend’shealth.Bygivingyourdogaquickonce-over,youmaydetectsignsofasignificanthealthproblembeforeitbecomesaseriousissue.
Checkthecoatandskin.Isthecoatoverlydryorgreasy?Isthereanunusualodor?Aretheresignsofskinirritationorinflammation?Istheredandruff?
Checkforevidenceoffleasandticks.
Checktheeyesandareaaroundthem.Aretheyclearandbright?Isthereanydischarge?Aretheresignsofirritation,suchasbloodshoteyes?
Checktheearsforexcessivewaxormites.Isthereanoffensiveodor?
Checkyourpet’steethfortartarbuildup,chips,cracks,orotherproblems.Arethereanysignsofgumirritationorinflammation?Unusuallyfoulbreathcouldbeasignofadentalproblemorgeneralpoorhealth.
Checkforsignsofcuts,bruises,andsprains.
PROJECT:GROOMINGKIT
Whenitistimetogiveyourdogabath,cliphisnails,orsimplybrushhiscoat,ithelpstoknowthathispersonaleffectsareallinoneconvenientplace.Hereisalistofitemsthatareimportanttokeepinyourdog’sgroomingkit.
01.Shampoo(dryshampooisagreatchoicefortraveling)
02.Tonic(seerecipesonpages19and24)03.Tweezers(forremovingticks,splinters,etc.)
04.Smallscissors(forclippinghairfrombetweenfootpads)
05.VitaminEoilandcottonballs(forcleaningears)
06.Moistwipes(tohelpremovedirtthatgetsstucktothecoat)
07.Towels(towipefeetafterawalkortodryoffafterabath)
08.Hairbrush,fleacomb,brushmitts
09.Eyewipes(tohelpreducetearingstainsundertheeyes)
10.Dog-specifictoothpasteanddogtoothbrush
Theseitemscanbeeasilystoredinawashablecanvasbag;followtheinstructionsonthenextpagetomakeyourown,orpickupaready-madeoneatahealth-foodstoreorboutique.
PROJECT:TOTEBAG
ThisbagcanalsobeusedfortheFirst-AidKitonpage54andfortheOutdoorsKitonpage111.
MATERIALS
•1yardofatleast45-inch-wide,heavy,undyedorganiccottoncanvas
•1spoolofmatchingcottonthread(orinabrightcontrastingcolor–wedouble-dog–dareyou!)
TOOLS
•Tailor’schalk
•Ruler
•Scissors
•Iron–fullofwaterforplentyofsteam
•Ironingboard
•Sewingmachine
•Straightpins
SIZES
•Choosethesizebagyouwant,thencutyourmainbodypaneltothecorrespondingspecifications.
•Smallbag:sideA:22inches,sideB:30inches
•Mediumbag:
sideA:21inches,sideB:33inches
•Largebag:sideA:29inches,sideB:35inches
•Strapsizestocut:sideY:26inches,sideX:5inches
01.Usingthetailor’schalkandyourruler,markouta29-by-35-inchrectangle(ifyouwishtomakethelargestsize;usethealternatemeasurementsonthepreviouspagetomakeadifferentsize)onyourcanvas.Thiswillbethebodyofyourbag.Thenmarkouttwo26-by-5-inchrectanglesonthecanvas.Thesewillbeyourhandles.
02.Cutoutallthreepieces.
03.Withthewrongsideofthebodyofthefabric(i.e.,thesideyouwouldlikeontheinsideofthebag)facingup,folddownsideA½inch,ironingdownthefoldtokeepthecrease.
04.Foldthesamesideoveranother½inch,hidingthecutedgeofthefabric,andirondownthenewfold.
05.Repeatsteps3and4onsideC.
06.SewdowntheironedseamsofAandCasclosetotheinneredgeaspossible.Theseedgeswillbethetopedgesofyourbag.
07.Repeatsteps3,4,and6onsidesBandD,butonlyfolddownthesides¼inch.
08.Nowfoldthispieceinhalf,rightsidestogether,sothattheedgeofAisflushwiththeedgeofC.
09.SewupthesidesofBandD,nowfoldedinhalf,rightinsidetheseam,whereyouwillonlybesewingthroughtwolayersoffabric.
10.Placethefoldedbaseofthebagonatable,sothesidesstandupvertically.
11.Foldtheseamedsidesofthebagintowardeachother,pressingthemflattothetable,seamslinedupwiththecenterofthebase,andoneontopoftheother.Thisshouldcreateasquareshape,withthebaseofthebagonthebottom.
12.Flipthesquareover,sothebaseisontop.PlaceyourruleroncornerRsothatthe5½-inchmarklinesupwiththecenterseamperfectly.
13.Keepingtheseamlinedupwiththe5½-inchmark,adjusttherulersothatonesideofcornerRmeetsthebeginningoftheruler,andtheothermeetsthe11-inchmark.(Ifyouaremakingthe
mediumsizebag,thismeasurementshouldbethesame.Ifyouaremakingthesmallbag,therulershouldbeheldwith2½inchesbeingthecenterpoint,and5inchesbeingthetotalwidth.)14.Drawalinewithyourtailor’schalkalongtheruler,thenpindownthecornerstoavoidshifting.
15.Repeatsteps12,13,and14oncornerQ.
16.Sewalongthelinesdrawnwiththetailor’schalk.Thiswillcreatearectangularbaseforyourbag.
17.Flipthebagright-sideout,sothesetrianglesthatmakeuptherectangleareontheinside,layingflatagainstthebottom.
18.Sewalongtheedgesofthetrianglesinsidethebag,ascloselyaspossible,takingcarenottosewonesideofthebagtotheother.Thebodyofyourbagisnowdone.
19.Movingontothehandlepieces,laythemwrong-sideupandfold
downsidesY½inch.Ironthemdown.
20.Foldthehandlepiecesinhalf,wrongsidestogether,sothatXisfoldedinhalf.Iron.
21.SewalongsideYasclosetotheedgeaspossible.
22.FoldsidesXup½inchonbothsidesofthestripandironthemdown.
23.Pintheendsofthehandlesontothebagabout9inchesinfromtheseamsand2inchesdownfromthetop,withtheendsofthefoldededgesagainstthesideofthebag,sotheyarehidden.
24.Attachthehandlesbysewingarectangularshapearoundtheedgesofthe2incheswherethehandlesoverlapthebag,andalongthetopedgeofthebag.
25.Addstructuretoyourbagbymeasuringinfromthetopseamofthebag5½inches,folding,andpinningthefoldedfabricdowntothebottomcorner.Repeatonallfourcornersofthebag.
26.Sewupabout¼inchintothesefolds,thenremovethepins.
Yourbagisnowcompleteandshouldbeabletostandonitsown!
FOOD
Ifyouarereadingthisbook,chancesareyouarecommittedtoahealthylifestyle.Youwatchwhatyoueatandmakeinformedchoicesforyourselfandfortheplanetbyaddingorganic,minimallyprocessedfoodstoyourdietasoftenaspossible.You’vegivenyourdogasafeandlovinghome,butmaybeyouhavenotgivenasmuchthoughttoyourpet’sdietasyouhavetoyourown.Goodnutritionisprobablythemostimportantcontributionyoucanmaketoyourdog’sgoodhealth.Providingherwithawholesomedietwillhelpkeepyourdogatanoptimumweight,giveherastrongimmunesystem,andhelpherholdoffdiseasesassociatedwithaging,suchasdiabetesandcancer.Plus,avoidingchemicalsandtoxinswillensureyourfriend’shealthforyearstocome.
Withsomanychoicesavailablebothcommerciallyandinhomemademeals,itiseasytobecomeconfused.Theidealdietforyourdogshouldincludefreshandminimallyprocessedfoods,organicwhenpossible,thatarepreparedwithhigh-qualityingredientsfreeofadditivesandartificialflavors,colors,andpreservatives.Yourdog’sdietshouldbebalancedtomeethernutritionalneeds,delicious,andeasyandeconomicalforyoutoprepare.Thetruthis,theidealdietforyourcaninecompanionistheidealdietforyouaswell.Afterall,iftheoldadages“youarewhatyoueat”and“garbagein,garbageout”holdtrueforus,theymustholdtrueforourpetsaswell.Whetheryouoptforcommerciallyavailabledogfoodsorchoosetopreparehomemademealsforyourdog,thissectionwillgiveyouthebasicinformationyouneedtomakeaninformedchoice.
tomakeaninformedchoice.
AGUIDETOINGREDIENTS
Mostofusdonotpaymuchattentiontothefoodwefeedourdogs.Wemaybuythelowest-costfoodatourlocalsupermarketorfeedstore,wemaychooseamedium-priceproductfromanationallyrecognizedbrand,orwemayspendalittlemoreforapremiumbrandthattoutshealthbenefitslikemoreenergyorashiniercoat.Howmanyofusactuallyknowwhatisinourdog’skibble?Infact,manyofthe“premium”brandsarenobetterintermsofqualityofingredientsthantheirlow-costalternatives.Wespendcountlesshoursreadinglabelsandcomparingnutritionalvaluesforourownfood,butsimplytossaforty-poundbagofkibbleintoourshoppingcarts,takingjustenoughtimetocheckwhetherwearebuyingbeeforchickenflavor.Andevenifwetookthetimetoreadthelabelsondogfood,wouldwebeabletomakesenseofthelistofingredients?
Pet-foodmanufacturersarenothighlyregulated.IntheUnitedStates,theAssociationofAmericanFeedControlOfficials(AAFCO)isaprivateadvisorypanelthatsetstheminimalnutritionalstandardsthatmustbemetinorderforacommercialdogfoodtostatethatitoffersbalancednutrition,buttheAAFCOhasnoinputastothequalityofingredients,nordoesitperformanytestingorhaveanyenforcementauthority.TheFoodandDrugAdministration(FDA)takesnoactiononpetfood,excepttorequiremanufacturerstosubstantiateanyspecifichealthbenefitstheyclaimforanyfoodtheymake.
Justaswiththelonglistofchemicalsandfillersinprocessedfoodforpeople,manyoftheingredientsinsomecommercialdogfoodscanbepuzzlingormisleading.Herearesometowatchoutfor:
puzzlingormisleading.Herearesometowatchoutfor:
•Meat,meatby-products,andmeatmealsareverydifferentingredients.Whenthebagofkibblesays“chicken,”don’timagineitcontainsthesamemeatyouwouldserveatyourtable.Meatisthefleshofslaughteredanimals,andmayincludemuscle,tongue,andheart.Meatby-productsaretheclean,unrenderedpartsofslaughteredanimals—notincludingthemeat—andmayincludelungs,spleen,kidneys,brain,liver,blood,bone,anddigestiveorgans.Meatmealisarenderedproductfromtissues,excludingblood,hair,hoof,horn,manure,andstomachcontents.(Renderingisanindustrialprocessthatconvertswasteanimaltissuesintofatandproteinmeal.)
•Cornandcornmealshouldnotappearhighontheingredientslist—thisisanindicationthattheyarebeingusedasaninexpensiveproteinsourceintheplaceofahigh-qualityprotein,likemeat.Asinhumans,sugarcanaggravatediabetesindogs.
•Crudeprotein,whichcannotbeutilizedbyyourpet,canincludebeaks,hair,hooves,feathers,andtendons.
•Fragmentsofoneparticularfood(suchascorn)areanindicationthatmuchofthenutritioninaparticularfeedisbeingderivedfromtheby-productsofprocessingthatoriginalfoodsource.(Wholefoodsaremorenutritiousthanprocessedfoods.)
•Artificialcolors,artificialflavors,flavorenhancers,andtextureenhancers(suchassodiumcarboxymethyl-cellulose,anedibleplasticthathasbeenoutlawedbytheFDAforhumanconsumption)shouldnotbefoundinfeedmadefromhigh-quality
wholefoods.
•Cellulosegumandguargumareusedtobindingredientstogetherintokibbleorchunksandhavenonutritionalvalue.
•Propylgallateisapreservativelinkedtoliverdamage.
•BHAandBHTaresuspectedcarcinogensthatareallowedinhumanfood.However,ourexposureislimited,sinceweeatawidervarietyoffoods;thesepreservativeshaveagreatereffectondogs,whomayeatthesamefoodfortheirentirelives.
•Potassiumsorbateisapreservative.
•Ethoxyquinisapreservativethatwascreatedasarubberstabilizer.Itisaveryeffectivesyntheticantioxidantusedinanimalfeedtokeepfatsfromgoingrancid.Itisusedinfarmfeedsforlivestockintendedforhumanconsumption,aswellasinourpets’food.Ithasbeenlinkedwithinfertility;neonatalillness;skin,hair,andcoatproblems;immunedysfunction;anddiseasesoftheliver,pancreas,andthyroid.
•DogfoodsmaycontainYellow5,Yellow6,Red40,andBlue2,allofwhichareinorganicandtoxic.Theyareaddedtomakethefoodmoreappealingtothepeoplebuyingthefood,nottoourdogs.
•Livestockgrownforthecommercialmeatindustrycancontainresiduesofantibiotics,synthetichormones,andheavymetalslikearsenicandmercury.Thelong-termeffectsofthesechemicalscanbedevastatingtoourhealthandtoourpets’health.Trytodeterminethesourceofanimalproteinusedinanycommercialproduct,andchooseoneproducedhumanelywithnoaddedantibioticsorhormones.
Therearemanygreatcommercialdogfoodsonthemarketwithwholesomeingredientsthatwillprovidehigh-qualitynutritionforyourdog.Thesecommercialfoodsofferconvenienceforbusylifestylesandarecosteffective,evenifabitmoreexpensivethannationalorsupermarketbrands.Armedwiththeinformationabove,andalittlecommonsense,youwillbeabletomakeaninformedchoice.Whilethereisno“best”foodtofeedourpets,thelistofthingstolookforisassimpleandstraightforwardasthelistwewouldchooseforourselves.Lookforaproductwithhigh-qualityanimalproteins(orvegetableproteins,likebeans,ifyouchooseavegetariandietforyourpet;seepage41)atthetopofthelist.Cannedfoodsshouldlistwholemeat,fish,orpoultryastheirfirstingredient.Wholegrainslikerice,barley,andoatmealareexcellentsourcesofroughageandshouldbeminimallyprocessed.Wholevegetableslikepotatoes,peas,andcarrots,alsoprocessedasminimallyaspossible,arewonderfulingredientsthatmaybeidentifiableinthefoodingoodcannedfeeds.
Ifindoubtaboutthequalityofyourpet’sfood,donothesitatetocontactthemanufacturerwithanyquestionsorconcernsregardingthesourceoftheingredients.Narrowyourchoicesbasedonqualityofingredients,price,convenience,andaccessibility(somechoicesmaynotbereadilyavailablelocally),andtryafewtoseehowyourdoglikeseachchoiceandwhichseemstoofferthebestbenefittoyourdog’shealth.Anewdietmayupsetyourdog’sstomach;toavoidthis,transitionfromonebrandtoanotherslowly.
WETVS.DRY
Onceyouhavenarrowedyourchoicesdowntoafewbrands,thenext
Onceyouhavenarrowedyourchoicesdowntoafewbrands,thenextquestionyoumightaskyourselfis“wetordry?”Whiledrykibbleandwetcannedfoodgenerallycontainthesamevitamins,minerals,andothernutrients,eachtypeismadequitedifferently,withingredientsfromdifferentsources.
Cannedwetfoodsusuallycontainmorewholefoodsandhigh-qualityproteins,andfewerchemicals,preservatives,andartificialcolorsandflavors.Cannedfoodsaregenerallylowerincalories,aswell,sincemostofthosecaloriesarederivedfromproteinsources.Andalittlewetfoodcancomeinhandyifyouneedtogiveyourdogasupplementormedicine:crushapilloraddliquidmedicinetoafewspoonfulsofwetfood,anditwillgodowneasilyandstress-free.
Kibbleismadebycreatingdrydoughthatisextrudedtoformnuggets,whicharethenblendedwithameat-by-productmeal(oftenalow-qualityproteinsource)andotheradditives,extruded,cut,dried,andsprayedwithfatsandflavorings.Becausetheextruderswillworkonlywithdryingredients,kibblecontainsahighpercentageofstarchesandgrains.Mostofthecaloriesinthisfoodarederivedfromthesecarbohydratesources.Kibbleismoreconvenienttouseandisusuallylessexpensive.Itdoesnotrequirerefrigerationafteropeningandtravelswell.
Fromanecologicalstandpoint,cannedfoodmaybethebestchoice.Notonlyisitgenerallyofahigherquality,butcanscanberecycled,whereasdry-kibblebagsoftenendupinthelandfill.
Ifyouchooseadryproductoveracannedproduct,trytostorethefoodinitsoriginalbaginabinwithalid.Thebagshavebeendesignedfor
optimumstoragebykeepingmoistureout.Or,ifyouprefer,youcan
storethefoodinanFDA-approvedfood-gradeplasticbinwithanairtightlid.Washanddrythesecontainersbeforeaddinganewbagoffood,asleftoverbitsandcrumbscanbecomerancid.Ifyourdoghesitatesorrefusestoeatherkibbleandisnotshowingsignsofillness,thismaybeasignthefoodisrancidandshouldbediscarded.
HOMEMADEDOGFOOD
Manypeopleareoptingtopreparehomemademealsfortheirdogs,ortoaugmentcommercialfoodswithwholefoodsfromthekitchen.Beforetheeasyavailabilityofcommercialdogfoods,mostpetdogswerefedscrapsleftoverfromthedinnertable.Whenyoumakeyourdog’smealsfromscratch,youknowexactlywhatisinherfood.Youcanchooseavarietyofhigh-qualitymeatsthatarefreeofantibioticsandhormones,andorganicvegetables,fruits,andgrainsgrownwithoutpesticidesorherbicides.
Youmaythinkthatpreparingyourpet’smealsisoverlycomplicatedortimeconsuming.Butifyoualreadyhaveahealthydietandbeginwiththefoodyouwouldprepareforyourself,ortheleftoversyoumightotherwisethrowaway,itiseasytomakeamealthatwillmeetyourdog’snutritionalneeds.Forconvenience,youcanmake“stews”usingavarietyofmeats,vegetables,andgrainsandfreezeserving-sizeamountsforuselater.Also,considermakingone-potmealsthatarenutritiousanddeliciousforbothyouandyourpet.
Dogsdohavespecificnutritionalrequirementsthatshouldbemetforgoodhealth.Usethefollowingguidelinesandbasicingredientstomakemealstosuityourdog’sneeds.Ifyouneedtorelyoncommercial
mealstosuityourdog’sneeds.Ifyouneedtorelyoncommercialproductsasyourdog’sprimarysourceoffood,usetheselistsasaguidetosupplementingandaddingvarietytomealtime.Remembertocuttheamountofdryorcannedfoodyounormallyusetotakeintoaccounttheextracaloriesfromthewhole-foodsources.
YOURDOG’SDIET
PROTEIN:30%to60%
•Chicken,turkey,beef,lamb,fish,eggs,beans,tofu
CARBOHYDRATES:30%to60%
•Grains,potatoes,corn
FRESHVEGETABLESANDFRUITS:10%to30%
•Anythingexceptonion,grapes,andraisins,whichcanbeharmfultodogs
todogs
CALCIUMSUPPLEMENT:
•Cookedeggshells,yogurt,cottagecheese
Aswithanychangeindiet,startslowlywhenswitchingyourdogtohomemademeals.Asyourdogadapts,replacealittlecommercialfoodatatimewithwholefooduntilyourpetisonadietof100percenthomemadefreshfoods.Watchhimforchangesinhealth—bothgoodandbad—andtakenoteofhislikesanddislikes,makingadjustmentswherenecessary.Ifyouarecommittedtoahomemadedietforyourpet,youmaywanttoconsultwithaveterinarynutritionistforadvice.
VEGETARIANDOGS
Somevegetariandogownersmaypreferthattheirpetbeonavegetariandiet,aswell.Somepeoplechooseavegetariandietbecausetheyareopposedtokillinganimalsforfood,whileothersareembracingvegetarianismforeconomicandenvironmentalreasons.InADietforaNewAmerica,JohnRobertsnotes,“Areductioninmeatconsumptionisthemostpotentsingleactyoucantaketohaltthedestructionofourenvironmentandpreserveourpreciousnaturalresources.”Raisinganimalsforfoodrequiresmassiveamountsofwaterandotherresourcesandconsumesmorethan70percentofthegrainswegrow.Reducingtheamountofmeatweeatcanmakeapositiveimpactontheglobalenvironment.Unlikecats,whicharetruecarnivoresandrequireveryspecificnutritionalsupplementationifonavegetariandiet,dogsareomnivoresandcandoquitewellonavegetariandietaslongastheirbasicnutritionalneedsaremet.Itshouldbenotedthatdogsdon’tadaptaswelltovegandiets,soeggsshouldbeconsideredagoodsourceof
protein.
Whenswitchingyourdogtoavegetariandiet,youcaneitherchooseagood-qualitycommercialvegetariandogfoodorprepareyourown.Adietbasedonbeans,wholegrains,andsoyproductsshouldmeetyourdog’snutritionalneedsaslongasyoumaintaintheproperbalanceof30to60percentproteinand30to60percentcarbohydrates,plusdietaryfats.Calciumsupplementsarevitalinanyhomemadediet,andagood
multivitamincontainingvitaminB12maybenecessaryforvegetariandogs.Varietyisimportantinanydiet,butitisespeciallyimportantinavegetariandiet,topreventnutritionaldeficienciesorexcesses.
Eggshellsareanexcellentandconvenientformofcalciumcarbonatethatoftenendupinthegarbage.Baketheshellsfor10minutesina350°Foven,orfor1to2minutesinamicrowavetokillanybacteria,suchassalmonella.Storetheshellsintherefrigeratorandgrindthemwithamortarandpestlebeforeaddingthemtoyourdog’sfood.Onelargeeggshellprovidesapproximately2,000milligramsofcalcium;oneeggshellperfortytosixtypoundsofbodyweightshouldbeadequate.(Ifyouarefeedingyourdogcommercialdogfoodandaddingwholefoods,however,youdonotneedtosupplement,sincetheseproductsoftencontainexcessiveamountsofcalcium.)GertrudeandJordanalsolovedafewtablespoonsoforganiccottagecheeseoryogurt(greatsourcesofcalciumandprotein)intheirbreakfastbowl.
PROJECT:MEATLOAF
Wearebigfansofagoodmeatloaf,andJordanandGertrudewere,too.Weadaptedabasicmeatloafrecipeusingleanmeatsandaddingdifferentgrainsandvegetablesforvariety.Ourdogslovedgarlic,sowealwaysaddedtonsofit,finelychopped.Wewouldmakeafewoftheseatatimetofreeze,usingdifferentflavorsforvariety.Usebeef,groundturkey,chicken,orlamb,butavoidporkorveal,whichcanbetoofatty.Inplaceoftheoatmeal,youcantryotherwholegrains,suchasbrownriceorquinoa.
•2poundsgroundmeat
•1cupcookedorganicoatmeal(Wepreferaminimallyprocessedsteel-cutwhole-grainoat,likeIrishoatmeal.)
•¾cuporganicflaxseedmeal
•½cupfreshorganicparsley,finelychopped
•2largeorganiceggs
•1tablespoonfinelychoppedgarlic(Startwiththisamountandaddmoreifyoulike.)
•2cupsfreshorfrozenorganicvegetables(Useavarietyofvegetables,suchaspeas,corn,dicedcookedpotatoes,andgratedcarrots;donotincludeonions.)
01.Preheattheovento350°Fandplacetheovenrackinthemiddleslot.Mixalltheingredientstogetherwithyourhands.Transferthemixturetoaloafpan,orusea13-by-9-inchbakingdishandforma
loafinthecenter.Bakefor1hour.
02.Feedaccordingtoyourdog’ssizeandcalorieneeds.Letyourdog’sappetitebeyourguide.Ifafteraweekorsoyourpetseemstobelosingweight,feedhimmore;ifhegainsweight,cutbackabit.
SNACKS
Gointoanypetstoreandyouwilllikelybeconfrontedbyshelfaftershelfofdogtreatsinmanyflavors,sometoutinghealthbenefitslikeshinycoatsorfreshbreath.Treatscanbeagreatwaytorewardourpetsforgoodbehavior;itfeelsgoodtospoilourdogsonceinawhile.Justbesuretoreadtheingredientsfirst.Refertopages36and37foralistofingredientstoavoid.PayparticularattentiontothepresenceofartificialcolorslikeYellow5,Yellow6,Red40,andBlue2,aswellasthepreservativesBHAandBHT.Thesepotentiallyharmfuladditivesaremoreprevalentinsnacks,whicharemarketedtobeappealingtopeople.
Whenchoosingacommercialtreat,likebiscuits,foryourdog,lookforthesamequalityingredientsyoulookforinherfood.Somemayincludeingredientslikeglucosamineforhealthyjoints,chlorophyllormintfor
ingredientslikeglucosamineforhealthyjoints,chlorophyllormintforfreshbreath,andgarlictofightfleas.Trytheseproductsasanadjuncttogoodnutritionalandveterinarycare,andwatchforthepositivechangesindicated.Choosetreatswithhighproteinandfiberandlittleornoadditionalflavorsorpreservatives,andavoidsnacksandtreatsthatcontaincheese,peanutbutter,orotherfattyorsweetingredients.
Freshvegetablesandfruitmakedelicious,wholesomesnacksandareagreatwaytousevegetablesinyourrefrigeratorthatareabitpasttheirprime.Arawcarrotorapplemakesagoodchewtoy,withtheaddedbenefitofantioxidantslikevitaminCandvitaminA.Frozenpiecesofbananacanbeawelcomesnackonhotdays.GertrudeandJordanlovedafreshlypoppedbowlofpopcorn(weleftthebutterandsaltoffoftheirportion)asanicemovie-nighttreat.
Itiseasyandeconomicaltomakehomemadetreatsandsnacksforyourdog.Makesureyourpet’streatsarenotonlydeliciousbutgoodforherbyfollowingthesesimplerecipesandusingthebestorganicand,whenpossible,locallyproducedingredientsyouwoulduseforyourownfood.
PROJECT:BREATHTREATS
Theparsley,mint,andcharcoal(availableinmosthealth-foodstores)inthesetreatswillhelpkeepyourpet’sbreathsweet-smelling.(Charcoaloftencomesincapsuleform,soyou’llhavetobreakopenthecapsulestoreleasetheproduct.)Lookfororganicallygrownherbsforthesebiscuits,ortrygrowingyourown.OurbelovedGertrudehadtheworstbreathimaginable;theseeasytreatshelped.
•1cuporganicwhole-wheatflour
•¼teaspoonsalt
•½tablespooncharcoal
•1egg
•1½tablespoonssaffloweroil
•¼cupfreshorganicparsley,chopped
•1tablespoonfreshorganicmint,chopped
• cupwholeorlow-fatorganicmilk
01.Preheattheovento400°F.Greaseabakingsheetwithbutteroralittleoil.Inabowl,mixtogethertheflour,salt,andcharcoal.Inanotherbowl,combinetheegg,oil,parsley,andmint.Stirtheflourmixtureintotheeggmixture,thenaddthemilkuntilthedoughhastheconsistencyofdropbiscuits.Dropheapingtablespoonsofdoughontothegreasedbakingsheet,leavingabout1inchbetweenbiscuits.Bakeforabout15minutes.Coolonawirerack.Store,
tightlycovered,inaglassorceramiccontainerintherefrigeratorforuptoaweekorinthefreezerforuptothreemonths.
PROJECT:QUICKDOGTREATS
Manyofuscanbarelyfindthetimetofeedourselvesgivenourbusyschedules,muchlesstomakehomemadesnacksforourpets.Whenyoudon’thavetimeformixing,rolling,andcuttingyourowndogbiscuits,trythisquickandeasyrecipe,whichusesjusttwoingredients.WheatgermisagreatsourceofvitaminE,andorganicbabyfoodiswidelyavailable—trymeatorvegetableflavorsforvariety.Iftimeisnotlimited,youcanpuréeyourownorganicmeatsandvegetables.WealwayskeptasupplyofthesetreatsinaprettyglassjaronthecounterforGertrudeandJordan,sincesomeexpertsfeelthattoxinsfromplasticcontainerscanleachintofood.
•1cuporganicwheatgerm
•2smalljarsorganicbabyfood
01.Preheattheovento350°F.Greaseabakingsheetwithbutteroralittleoil.Combinetheingredientsandmixthoroughly.Rollthemixtureinto1-inchballs.Placetheballsonabakingsheetandflattenthemwiththebackofafork.Bakefor25to30minutes.Removeandcoolonawirerack.
Variation:Tryadding1tablespoonpuréedgarlictowardofffleas,or2tablespoonsgroundflaxseedorflaxseedmealforashinycoat.
PROJECT:HOMEMADEJERKY
Makingyourownjerkyisagreatwaytobesureyoualwayshaveahigh-protein,healthysnackonhandtorewardyourpet.Thesearegreattreatstosharewithyourdog’sfelinepalsaswell.Choosealocalgrass-fedmeatwheneverpossible,asthisreducestheenvironmentalimpactofpesticideandherbicideuse,aswellasthepollutionthatisaby-productoftruckingfoodhundredsorthousandsofmiles.
•Beefliver
•Beefkidney
01.Greaseabakingsheetwithbutteroralittleoil.Cutthebeefliverand/orkidneyintothinstripsandplacethemonthebakingsheet.Bakeat200°Fforabout45minutes,untilthemeatiscookedthroughforasofttreat,oruntildriedforjerky.(Thetimewillvary,dependingonyourovenandclimate.)
PROJECT:SHINY-COATTREATS
Asdogsage,theircoatsandskincanbecomedry.Flaxseedmealsandoilsareagreatsourceofomega-3fattyacids,whichmaybebeneficialtothehealthofyourdog’sskinandcoat.Flaxseedmealisextremelyperishableandshouldbestoredintherefrigeratorandconsumedquicklyuponopening.Flaxseedoilshouldnotbeheated,butaddeddirectlytofood.Thisrecipecallsforlocallyharvestedhoney.Beekeepersworkhardtomaintaincrucialbeepopulationsthataredamagedbytheoveruseoftoxicherbicidesandpesticidesandbyurbanization,sodotrytosupporttheirefforts.(Forhumans,localhoneyissaidtobebeneficialtoallergysufferersintheareafromwhichitisharvested,soyou’llbenefitaswell.)•1cuporganicwhole-wheatflour
•¼teaspoonsalt
•4½tablespoonsflaxseedmeal
•1organicegg,preferablyfromalocalsource
•1tablespoonlocallyharvestedhoney
• cuporganicbeeforchickenstock(homemade,ifpossible)
01.Preheattheovento400°F.Greaseabakingsheetwithbutteroralittleoil.Inabowl,mixtogethertheflour,salt,andflaxseedmeal.Inanotherbowl,combinetheeggandhoney.Stirtheflourmixtureintotheeggmixtureandaddstockuntilthedoughhastheconsistencyofdropbiscuits.Dropheapingtablespoonsofthedoughontothebakingsheet,leavingabout1inchbetweenbiscuits.Bake
forabout15minutes.Remove,coolonawirerack,andstore,tightlycovered,inaglassorceramiccontainerforuptoaweekorinthefreezerforuptothreemonths.
GENERALHEALTH
Unlessyouhaveaveryspecialdogthathasmasteredhumanlanguage,realizingthatyourpuphasastomachacheisrarelyassimpleasjustasking.However,ourdogsdogiveussignsthattheyarenotwell.Byjustpayingattentiontoyourdog’sbehaviorandbody,youcancomprehendmorethanyoumightthink.Thissectionwillprovideyouwithtipsonhowtokeepyourdoghealthy,signstolookforifyouthinkyourdogmightbeill,andwaystohelpyourdogincaseofanillnessorinjury.
EXERCISE
We’vealreadydiscussedtheimportanceofgroomingtokeepyourdoghealthy.Anotherbasichealthmeasuretowhichownersoftendonotpayenoughattentionisexercise.Aquickjogtothefooddishisnotenoughtoqualifyyourdogasactive.Adogthatgetsfrequentexercisehasahighermetabolismandahealthierimmunesystem,andismuchhappier.You’llbemuchhappier,too,asdogswhoexercisefrequentlycanbemuchlesslikelytohaveannoyinglittlehabitslikejumping,chewing,andwhining.Sohowmuchexerciseisenough?
Yourdogshouldgethalfanhourofvigorousexerciseatleastfourdaysaweek.Everydayisevenbetter,andthathalfanhouradaymaybeeveneasierthanyouthink.Aswithapersonstartinganexerciseregimen,startoffgraduallyandbuildupyourdog’sworkout.YoucanplaycatchorFrisbeetogether,orhecanjogalongsideyouasyoubothenjoythebenefitsofexercise.Ortrywalkingwithyourdogtoyourerrandsinsteadofdriving,togetbothofyoufitwhileyousparetheair.
errandsinsteadofdriving,togetbothofyoufitwhileyousparetheair.
WEIGHTYMATTERS
Itisestimatedthatbetweenone-quarterandone-halfofalldogsintheUnitedStatesareatleast15percentoverweight.Mostofthesedogs,likemanypeople,aresimplyeatingtoomuchatmealtime,eatingtoomanysweetandfattysnacks,andnotgettingenoughexercise.Ourdogsseemtosufferthesameconsequencesofobesityaswedo:diabetes,cardiovasculardisease,arthritis,andincreasedriskofcancerandotherdiseasesthatcompromisegoodgeneralhealthandmaydecreaselifeexpectancy.Weightgaininpetsalsohasaprofoundeffectontheirjoints.Hipsandkneesworkmuchbetterwhennotrequiredtobearextraunnecessarypounds.Fordogs,theriskofjointdamageseemstobecumulativefromayoungageandwithonlymoderateweightgains.Actualweightisnotanaccurateindicationofwhetherornotyourpetisatheridealweightforherbreed,size,andage.Yourveterinariancangiveyouachartorguidelinesforjudgingyourpet’sbodycondition.Justasinpeople,weight-controlindogsisbothahealthissueandaquality-of-lifeissue.
NORMALVITALS
Knowingwhatisnormalintermsofbasichealthcanbeconfusing,especiallyforafirst-timedogowner.Yourvetmayaskyouquestionsaboutrespirationorheartrateifyoucallwithhealthconcerns,anditisbesttobeeducatedabouthowtocheckthesevitalsignsandwhatisnormalbeforethathappens.Alwaysrememberthatdramaticbehaviorchangemaybeasignofsicknessorpain.Doesyourdogshrinkbackorsnapatyouwhenyoutouchcertainareas
whilepettingher?Shemaybeinpainandtryingtoletyouknow.
HeartRate:
Tocheckyourdog’sheartrate,useyourmiddleandfirstfingertolightlytouchhighupontheinnerthighwhereitmeetsthebody.Ifyouareunabletofeelthepulseontheinnerthigh,trytheundersideoftheankle,rightabovetheheelpad.Onceyouhavelocatedthepulse,watchthesecondhandofaclockandcountthebeatsforfifteenseconds.Multiplybyfourtogettheheartrateforoneminute.Thenormalheart-raterangeforpuppiesuptooneyearis120to160beatsperminute(bpm).Foradultdogsthirtypoundsorless,itshouldbe100to160bpm,andfordogsoverthirtypounds,60to100bpm.
RespirationRate:
Tocheckyourdog’srespirationrate,counthowmanytimesyourdog’sribsriseandfallfor15seconds,usingthesecondhandofawatch.Multiplybyfourtogettherespirationrateforoneminute.Thenormalrestingrespirationrateforadultdogsistentothirtybreathsperminute.
Temperature:
Takingyourdog’stemperatureisnotthemostenjoyableexperienceforeitherofyou.Weallwishitcouldbetakenjustaseasilyasahuman’s,withthethermometerunderthetongue,butI’mafraidthisisnotthecase.Itismosteasilydonewithtwopeople—onetoholdandscratchherheadtodistracther,andonetoinserttherectalthermometer.Whiletheotherpersonisholdingyourdog’shead,shaketherectalthermometerdownto96°Forlower.Diptheendofthethermometerintolubricatingjelly.Insertitforthreeminuteswhileyougentlyholdyourdogunderthestomachandtheotherpersonscratchesherhead.Removethethermometerandgentlywipethebulb
endwithatissueorpapertowel.Avoidtouchingtheendofthethermometerwithyourskinandaffectingthereading.Normaltemperaturefordogsis101.5°F,butiscommonlywithintherangeof100.2to102.8°F.Above104°Forbelow99°Fmaybeasignofillness.
PROJECT:FIRST-AIDKIT
Thereoftenisnothingmorestressfulthanfindingyourselfunpreparedinanemergencysituation,askingyourself,“WheredidIputthebandagesandgauze?”Keepingafirst-aidkitstockedwithup-to-datesupplieswillhelpeaseyourmindwhenyouneedtohelpyourdoginacrisis.Tostoreyourfirst-aidkit,makethetotebagonpage28,useanoldshoeboxthatisstillinsturdycondition,orusealargeplasticlunchboxthathasbeenthoroughlycleaned(agreatoption,sinceitiswaterproof).Hereisalistofitemsthatyourfirst-aidkitshouldinclude.
01.Acardthatlistsyourvet’snumber,aswellasthenumberforthenearesttwenty-four-houremergencyvetorvethospital02.Gauze
03.Cottonballs
04.Cotton-tippedapplicators
05.Low-tackadhesivebandagetape
06.Acebandages(self-adhesive)07.Smallscissors
08.Tweezers
09.Hydrogenperoxide
10.Antibacterialointment
11.Aloe-veragel
12.Hydrocortisonecream
13.Cornstarch(tohelpstopbleeding)
14.Latexgloves
15.Rectalthermometer
16.Towels
17.Blanket
PROJECT:PETTRAVELKIT
Hereisagoodlistofthingstoincludeinaseparatebagwhentravelingwithyourpet.Again,theseitemscanbestoredinalargetotebag(seepage28forinstructionsonmakingone).
01.Minifirst-aidkit:
•Gauze
•Tape
•Scissors
•Tweezers
•Latexgloves
•Towels
02.Phonenumbersofveterinariansintheareainwhichyouwillbetraveling03.Alistofhotelsalongyourroutethatacceptpets,incaseyouneedtostopforthenightunexpectedly04.Travel
blanket(s)forthecaraswellasthehotelroom,friend’shouse,orcampsite–whereveryouaretraveling05.Afewofyourdog’sfavoritetoys
06.Plentyofdogfoodforthedaysyouwillbegone(ifcanned,besuretobringacanopenerandacontainertosealleftovers)07.Treats
08.Metalfoodandwaterbowls
09.Acoupleoftowels
10.Anextraleash-and-collarset,withdogtagsattached
ALTERNATIVEHEALTHCAREFORDOGS
Thereisnoquestionaboutthepopularityof,andconfidencein,alternativehealthcareforpeoplethesedays.Itseemsweallknowatleastonepersonwhoinsiststhathisacupuncturistcancureanythingforanyone.Sowhynotlookintoanalternative-carepractitionerforyourpet?Usedincomplementaryfashionwithtraditionalmethods,theseformsofhealthcare,whichhavebeenknowntoworkbetterthanstandardmedicaltreatmentinmanycases,cancutdownontheamountofmedicationyourpetmayneed.Herearesomeoftheavailableoptions;seetheResourcessection(page113)formoretips.
•Homeopathyfocusesmainlyontreatingthesymptomsofaconditionwithadilutedagentthatwouldproducesimilarsymptomsinahealthyindividual.Itisbasedontheideathat“likecureslike.”Asubstancesuchasipecac,whichcausesvomiting,canbedilutedextensively,putintoasugarpill,andbeusedto
alleviatenausea.Thesetreatmentstendtohavealmostnoside
effectsandcanbeextremelyusefulonceyoulearntheproperwaytoselectandadministeraremedy.
•Chiropracticcarefocusesmainlyonthealignmentofthespinalcolumnanditsrelationshiptothenervoussystem,movement,circulation,andnerveimpulses.Thetreatmentinvolvesmanipulatingthevertebraetorestorealignmentwherediscsmayhavemovedoutofplaceandbeputtingpressureonthespinalnerves.Chiropracticcarecanbeusedtohelpawiderangeofconditions.Manyveterinarianshaverecognizedtheeffectivenessofthistreatment.
•AcupunctureispartoftheancientholistichealingsystemoftraditionalChinesemedicine.Thepracticeinvolvestheinsertionofneedlesintospecificpointsofthebodytobalanceoutthelifeforceofabody,toactivateenergy,andhelpthebodydoitsownhealing.Itcanbeaneffectivetreatmentforarthritis,aslippeddisk,hipdysplasia,skindiseases,andchronicgastrointestinaldiseases,suchaschronicdiarrheaandvomiting.
•Acupressureutilizesthesameprinciplesofenergyflowasacupuncture,butisadministeredonlybypressureofthehands,notneedles.Bylearningsomeofthesepoints,andtheproperwaytoapplypressure,youcanusethistherapyathometohelpyourdogwithpainordiscomfort.
•Massagetherapyinvolvesrubbingyourdog’sbodywithvaryinglevelsofpressuretoimprovecirculation,aidwithphysicalandemotionalrelaxation,alleviatedepression,andstimulatethe
immunesystem.Itisoftencombinedwithacupressuretoalleviatepainandhealinjuredtissues.Massageisprobablytheeasiestofthealternativeremediesforyoutopracticeathomewithyourdog.Anytimeyoutouchyourdoginacaringway,beitpetting,grooming,ormassage,ithaspositiveeffects.
PROJECT:BEGINNER’SDOGMASSAGE
Youknowyourdoglovesyourattention,andheprobablycan’tseemtogetenoughpetting.Massageprovidesemotionalcomfortandiscalmingforyouaswellasyourpet.Ithelpsimprovebloodcirculationandcansoothetiredandsoremuscles.Wehavelaidoutagreatbeginner’smassageexercisetopracticeonyourdogtohelpyoufine-tunethetherapeuticbenefitsoftouch,animportantwaytobondwithyourdog.Schedulemassagetimewhenyoubotharerelaxedandwon’tfeelrushed—perhapsfirstthinginthemorningorrightbeforebedtime—andbeconsistent,sinceyourmassageskillswillimprovewithpractice.Ifyouhavemorethanonedog,rememberthateachonewillhavehisownspecialneedsandlikesanddislikes.Jordanwouldbehappytobepettedandmassagedforhours,whileGertrudehadamuchshorterattentionspanandwouldoftengetupinthemiddleofamassage.
Yourhandsaretheonlytoolyou’llneedtomassageyourdog.Youcanusedifferentpartsofyourhandstoapplydifferenttypesofpressure.Fingersaregoodforpinpointingtension,andflatpalmsaregoodforoverallsoothing.Payattentiontotheamountofpressureappliedandvaryaccordingtoneedandthecomfortlevelofyourdog.
01.Thegeneralatmosphereofamassageshouldbearelaxingone,sohaveyourdoglieonherside.Speaksoftly,andgentlypetheruntilsheisrelaxed.
02.Paycloseattentiontoeverythingyoufeelalongyourdog’sskinasyourunyourhandsoverherwholebody,headtotailanddowneachleg.Carefullycheckforareasthatmaybesoreortender.Thisisalsoagoodtimetocheckforunusuallumpsorforcutsyoumaynothavenoticed.
03.Usingthepalmofyourhand,applygentlepressuretomuscularareasinacircularmotion,beginningattheshoulder.Dothisalloveryourpet’sbody,payingattentiontowheresheseemstolikethepressurethemostandwheresheseemsuncomfortable.Largerdogswilllikemorepressurethansmallerones.
04.Runyourfingertipsdownthesidesofherspine,becomingfamiliarwitheachvertebra.Donotapplypressure.Gentlymassagethetissueoneithersideofthespinewithyourfingertipsinsmall,circularmotions.
05.Massageeachofyourdog’slegs,beginningwiththelargemuscleabovetheknee,gentlyrubbingbackandforthwiththepalmofyourhand.Thenmovedowntheleg,runningyourfingertipsalongthetendonsandgentlybetweenthetendonandbone.Finally,gentlyrubthepadsonthebottomofthefoot,aswellastheskinbetweenthepads.(Ifyourdoghasverysensitivepads,skipthispart.)
06.Useyourfingertipstogentlyrubthemusclesonherhead,givingattentiontoherforehead,cheeks,ears,andmuzzle.
07.Tofinish,repeatthefirststep,gentlypettingthelengthofyour
dog’sbody,fromheadtotailanddowneachleg.
PART2AHEALTHYHOME
“Homeiswheretheheartis”isacommonlyheardphrase,butwhatabout“homeiswherethehealthis”?Ourhomesareoursanctuariesforourfamilyandfriends,includingoneswithfourlegs.Itisessentialthatwetakethefirststepstocreatingahealthierenvironmentandplanetbyfirstcreatingahealthyhome.Inthissection,wewilldiscusshowtobeginkeepingahealthyhousehold,byusingnaturalorhomemadecleaningproductsandnaturalpestcontrol,makingyourowndogbedandblankets,andmakingsmartchoiceswhenscouringthemillionsofproductsonstoreshelves.
HOUSEKEEPING
Inthisdayandage,withgermwarfareatanall-timehigh,itseemsthereisanewcleaningproductonthemarketeveryday.Onewillgetridofgreasefasterthanthenext,whileanotherwillsanitizeyourfloors,walls,andairsoeverythingissafetotouchandbreathe.Intheory,thisisagreatthingthatissupposedtomaketheworldahealthierplace.However,inpractice,mostofthecurrentcleanersontheshelvesareevenmoretoxicthanthehazardstheyaretryingtodestroy.Yourdogisespeciallyatriskofcomingincontactwiththesetoxinsaroundthehouse.Forexample,itisnotlikelythatyouwilllickthebottomsofyourfeet,butthereisagoodchancethatyourdogwilllickhis.Anychemicalsthatareuseddirectlyonthefloororlandonthefloorasaresultofbeingsprayedwillendupinyourdog’sinternalsystem.
Commerciallyproducedcleanersarecertainlythemostconvenientbuthavethehighestpercentageoftoxins.Hereissomeinformationtokeepinmindwhenselectingacommercialcleaner:
Paradichlorobenzeneisacommoningredientinmothrepellentsandisakeyingredientinmanyairfresheners.Thischemicalisknowntocausecancerinanimals.
Perchloroethyleneisusedindrycleaning,andstudieshaveshownthatittoocausescancerinanimals.Ifyougetyourclothesbackfromthedrycleanerandthereisanyodor,simplyremovethemfromtheplasticbagandairthemoutoutsideuntiltheodordisappears.Donotputthedrycleaningintheclosetrightawayintheplasticbag,asyouandyourdogwillendupbreathinginthesetoxicvapors.
Phenolandcresolarebothtoxiccompoundsfoundmostlyinproductsusedtodisinfect,deodorize,andsanitize.Petscanbeparticularlysensitivetophenolcompoundsandcanbecomeveryillwithanyexposure.
Alwaysreadingredientslists,andkeepaneyeoutforessentialoilsandingredientsthatyourecognize.Keepinmindthattheterm“natural”isnotregulatedbytheFDAoranyotheradministrativebodyandisoftenusedtomarketproductsthatcontaintoxicingredientsliketheoneslistedabove.Andfinally,itdoesnottakemuchtocleanmostareasofyourhomeunlessitisverydirty,soyoushouldnothavetosuccumbtousingtoxicchemicalsinmostcases.
Nomatterwhattypesofcleanersyouuse,itisimportanttokeepthemstoredinasafeandeffectiveway,sotheyremainoutofreachofchildrenandpets.Keeptheminlockedcabinets,preferablyonesnotlocatedatgroundlevel.Utilityroomswherethereisventilationandthesubstancesareoutofreachofsmallhands,paws,andlong,pinktonguesareideal.Ifyoudonothaveaseparatespace,though,youcanstoretheseitemsingalvanizedmetalcontainers,withholespunchedinthe
theseitemsingalvanizedmetalcontainers,withholespunchedinthesidesforventilation,orinmeshbasketsthatzipclosedorhavelidstosecurethem.Mostcleanersshouldbekeptinspraybottlesorglassjarswithtight-sealingcaps.
CHECKLISTFORACLEAN,DOG-LOVINGHOME
Usedoormatsatallentrywaystohelpremovedirtanddebrisfromyourshoesandyourdog’spads.
Keepentrywayssweptorhosedofftominimizethetracking-inofoutsidedirt.
Removeorcleanshoesuponenteringthehouse.
Keepabasketoftowelsbyallentrancestowipeyourdog’sfeetassheentersthehouse,especiallyifshehasbeenrunningthroughmuddyorwetareas.
Vacuumoften,preferablywithavacuumcleanerthatisfittedwithaHEPAfiltersystem.(HEPAstandsforHighEfficiencyParticulateArrestance;thistypeofdry-mediafiltercaptures99.97percentofparticles0.3micronsandlarger.)
Brushandbatheyourdogregularly.
Keepyourdog’sfoodandwaterdishescleanatalltimes.
Refreshyourdog’swaterseveraltimesaday.Usefilteredorbottledwater.
Eliminatecarpetingwherepossible.Carpetsholddirt,flealarvaeandfleas,andmold.Syntheticcarpetscanoff-gas(releasechemicalfumes),creatingatoxicenvironmentforyouandyourpet.
Reduceyourdependenceonpotentiallytoxiccleanersbyswitchingtohomemadecleanserswhenpossible.
Keepyourhousewellventilatedtoreduceindoorairpollution.Airfiltersareusefulthroughoutthehouse.
AFRESHHOME
Whenyouwanttohaveasensethatyourhomeisclean,youwantittosmellgood,too.Alltoooften,though,wecoveruptheodorsinourhomeswithspraysandchemicalsthatquicklymaskthesmells,butthatendangerthesurroundingsbyleavingafilmonsurfaces.Ortheproductsthemselvesmaycontainharmfulaerosols.
Petodorsinthehomecanbecomeoverwhelmingattimesandtrulymakeyoufeellikeyourhouseisnotclean.Hereareafewsimpletipstomaintainingafreshandclean-smellingenvironment.
•Naturalessentialoilscanhelpkeepyourhomesmellingfresh.Usethesesolutionsasarefresher,afteryouhavedoneyourdeepercleaning.Simplyplaceafewdropsofanyoftheseinapintofwater,fillaspraybottlewiththesolution,sprayontoacottoncloth,andgiveyoursurfacesaquickonce-over,justtoaddarefreshingfragrancetotheair.
Lavender;Rosemary;Thyme;Citronella;Eucalyptus;Sage;Mint;Lemongrass;Lime;Orange;Grapefruit;Lemon;Pine;Wintergreen;Cypress
•Simplyplaceafewdropsoflavenderessentialoilontheinsideofthecardboardtoiletpapertube.Eachtimeyouspinthetube,itwillreleasethefresh,relaxingscentoflavenderintotheroom.Youcanalsouseeucalyptus,rosemary,oranyessentialoilthatyou
canalsouseeucalyptus,rosemary,oranyessentialoilthatyouprefer.
•Hangsomecutbranchesofeucalyptus,rosemary,orlavenderinsidetheshower.Thesteamwillallowthebranchestoemittheirnaturalscentmorestronglythanusual.
HOMEMADEALL-PURPOSECLEANERS
Thealternativetoseekingoutsafeandeffectivecleanersistomakethemyourself.Hereisalistofthevariousareasofyourhomeandhowtocleanthemsafelyforyouandyourpet.
PROJECT:WINDOWANDGLASSCLEANER
•3tablespoonslimejuiceorlemonjuice
•1tablespoonwhitevinegar
•¾cupwater
01.Mixallingredientsinaspraybottle.Applytowindows,thenwipecleananddrywithpapercoffeefiltersornewsprint,whichwillhelpreducestreaking.
PROJECT:LIQUIDCLEANSERANDSCOURINGPOWDER
01.Amixtureofvinegar,salt,andwaterinequalamountsmakesaneffectiveliquidcleanser.Trymixingequalpartscoarsesaltandbakingsodawithenoughwatertomakeapasteforaneffectivescouringpowder.Foreitherrecipe,applythesolutionwithadampspongeandwipeorscrubawayuntilclean.
PROJECT:DRAINCLEANER
01.Pour1cupbakingsodafollowedby2cupsboilingwaterdownthedraintofreshenanyodors.Tounclog,pour1cupbakingsodaand1cuphotvinegardownthedrain,cap,andletstandfor5minutes.Flushwithhotwater.
PROJECT:TOILET-BOWLCLEANER
01.Pour½cupwhitevinegarand3tablespoonsbakingsodaintothetoiletbowl.Letstandforatleast30minutes.Scrubwithabrushorascouringpad,thenflush.
PROJECT:OVENCLEANER
01.Scrubtheinsideoftheovenwithamixtureofequalpartsbakingsodaandcoarsesaltwithenoughwatertomakeapaste.Thenplace¼cuplemonjuiceintheovenandleaveovernight.Thenextmorning,wipeawayanyremaininggrease.Besuretohaveadequateventilation,asthelemonscentmaybequitestrong.
PROJECT:AIRFRESHENERSANDDEODORIZERS
A.Setoutopendishesofvinegartoabsorbodors.
B.Sprinklebakingsodaovercarpetedareas,letstandforatleast30minutes,thenvacuum.
C.Spreadlavenderbudsonthefloorbeforevacuuming.
PROJECT:STOVE-TOPAIRFRESHENERS
01.Placeanyofthefollowingingredients,eitheraloneorinacombinationthatappealstoyou,intoapotofwater,bringthewatertoaboil,andsimmeronthestoveforonetotwohours.
•Cinnamon;Cloves;Allspice;Bay;Juniperberries;Orange,lemon,orlimerinds;Eucalyptusleaves;Mint
PROJECT:NATURALODOR-ABSORBERS
A.Keepanopenboxorcontainerofbakingsodaintherefrigerator,closets,laundryhampers,diaperpails,trashcans,andanyotherspaceswhereodorscaneasilygettrapped.
B.Leaveuncoveredbowlsoflemonjuice,vinegar,orcharcoalthroughoutyourhometocaptureodors.
C.Leaveafewslicesofwhitebread,uncovered,intherefrigerator.
PROJECT:FLOORCLEANERS
Thefloorsofyourhomeareprobablythemostimportantareatofocuson,sincethisiswhereyourdogwillspendmostofhistimewhenindoors.Andsincedogslickthemselvesasanaturalwayofgrooming,anytoxinsthatcomeintothehouseandlandonthefloorwillmostlikelyendupontheirtongues.Floorsholddustanddirt,soitisimportanttocleanthemasoftenaspossible.
A.Wall-to-wallcarpetshouldberemovedwhereverpossible—itcollectsalltypesofdustanddebris,includinghair,footprints,andpests,suchasfleas.Whileitmaynotbepossibletoremoveallofthecarpetinyourhome,itispossibletofreshenandcleanit,aswellaslargearearugs,bymixingequalpartsbakingsodaandboraxandsprinklingthemixturelightlyovertheentirecarpet.Letthepowdersitforabout1hourbeforevacuuming.
B.Fortileorvinylfloors,amixtureof1gallonhotwaterand2tablespoonscastilesoapworkswell.Thesetypesoffloorsshouldbecleanedinsmallsectionsatatimewithawell-wrung-outmop.Asthissolutionisnontoxic,itisnotnecessarytorinsethefloorsaftermoppingonce.
C.Woodfloorsarecleanedbestwithamixtureof½cupwhitevinegarto1gallonwarmwater.Placethemixtureinaspraybottleandapplyittosmallsectionsofthefloor,thendry-mopasyougo.
PROJECT:PERSONALIZEDDOGTOWELS
Yousharealotofthingswithyourdog:yourhome,yourcar,maybeevenyourbed.However,youdon’tshareyourdog’sdish,andyoumaynotwanttosharetowels.Thisprojectisagreatwaytopersonalizeyourdog’stowelssoyouwon’tgetthemmixedupwithyourown.Havingaspecialtoweljustforyourpetmeansyou’llalwayshaveonehandy,reducingwastebynotruiningyourowngoodtowels.Choosingorganiccottontowelsreducestheenvironmentalimpactofagriculturalherbicidesandpesticides,aswellassavingwaterusedtoprocessthecottonfiber.Youcanalsousetheseinstructionsforpersonalizingyourtotebag(page28).
MATERIALS
•Embroideryfloss,inacolorthatcontrastswithyourtowel
•Graphpaper
•Pencil
•Tracingpaper
•Organiccottontowelwithaflatstripepanel
TOOLS
•Embroideryhoop
•Needle
01.Usethegraphingpaperasaguidetodrawoutyourdog’sname(orwhateverelseyoumaywanttolabelyourtowelwith).Youmaywanttooutlineeachletter,orfillitinwithXsordiagonallines.Be
creative.
02.Ifyouareconfidentinyourembroideringabilities,youcanusethegraphingpaperasaguide.Ifnot,placethetracingpaperoverthegraphpaperandcopythepatternontoit.
03.Placetheembroideryhoopinthecenteroftheflatstripepanelofthetowelandtighten.
04.Ifusingthetracingpaper,pinittothetowelsothepatternyouwillbestitchingiswhereyouwantittobeonthepanel.
05.Stitchoverthetracingpaperwithyourembroideryfloss.
06.Oncefinished,tearawaythetracingpaperandremovethehoop,andvoilà!Fidohashisveryowntowel.
“ACCIDENTSWILLOCCURINTHEBEST-REGULATEDFAMILIES.”
—CHARLESDICKENS
Withoutadoubt,yourdog,atsomepointinhislife—usuallyasapupandasaseniorcitizen—willpeeinyourhouse.Wewouldalmost150percentguaranteeit.Welcometotheworldofpetownership!Whiletheactmaybeunavoidableattimes,therearewaystocleantheareatoavoidare-pee-tperformance.
Itisimportanttocleantheareaassoonaspossibleaftertheaccidentoccurs.Trytogettoitbeforeitsoaksthroughcarpeting,oryouwillhavetopullup
thecarpetandcleanthepadfirst.Besuretogeteverylastbitofurineoffthefloor.Useacleanermadewithhydrogenperoxide,greatforeliminatingurinestainsandsmells;followthedirectionsonthepackage.Ifyouhavewoodfloors,youcanalsoapplystraighthydrogenperoxidetothearea.Letitsoakin,thenwipewithadampcloth.Lettheareadrycompletelybeforemop-pingagainorapplyinganyothersolutionorfinish.Pet-stainremovalproductsthatarespecificallyformulatedtohandlepetmessessuchasurine,feces,blood,andvomitarealsouseful;theyoftenincludeenzymesthatbreakdownthewasteuntilthesmellisgone.
Ammonia-basedcleanersshouldnotbeused;theysmelllikeurinetoadogbecauseammoniaisacomponentofurine.Ammoniaproductswillattractadogtotheareayouaretryingtocleanandencouragethemtopeethereagain.
EVERYDAYDANGERS
Asdiscussedintheprevioussection,therearemanytoxinsaroundusinoureverydaylife.Someoftheseitemswecannotavoidusing,soextraprecautionsmustbetakentokeepourpets,ourchildren,andourselvessafe.Agoodruleofthumbtofollowisthis:Ifsomethinghasawarninglabelfordangertohumans,itissafetoassumethatitisevenmoredangeroustodogs(orchildren,forthatmatter).Forexample,ifyouareusingaproductthatrecommendsadequateventilation,thenyourdogshouldberemovedfromtheareapriortotheproductbeingused.
Hereisalistofsomecommonhouseholdhazardstokeepawayfromyourdog:
•Anypesticides,insecticides,andherbicides.Ifyourdogingestsanyofthesesubstances,contactyourveterinarianimmediately.
ofthesesubstances,contactyourveterinarianimmediately.
•Lawnandgardenproducts,especiallymostsnail-andslug-baitproducts.Ifingested,thesepoisonscancauseanythingfromdroolingandvomitingtodeath.Seeknaturalalternativestooutdoorpestcontrol.
•Rodent-baitproducts.Usetrapsthatdonotkilltherodents,thenreleasetheminaseparatelocation.
•Certainplants,especiallycastor-beansfromthecastor-oilplant,poinsettia,dieffenbachia,philodendron,foxglove,monkshood,datura,oleander,milkweed,sagopalm,morningglory,andanythingintherhododendronfamily.
•Garbageandrottenfood.Dogslovetorootthroughthetrash.Whilethecontentsofyourtrashmaynotbepoisonous,it’sbettertobesafethansorry,somakesureyouhaveacanwithasecurelid.
•Litterboxes.Whileonedoesnotliketoconsiderthisfact,itistruethatalmostalldogsfindcatboxestobeasnackbaroftastytreats.Inevitably,yourdogwillwanttogiveyouabigkissrightafterthisindulgence.Theonlywaytotrulykeepyourdogsoutofthelitterboxistomakesureitisoutofreach.Usingonewithasnap-onsecurelidcanalsohelp.Ifyoudohavecatsanddogscohabiting,trytouseanaturallitter,asopposedtoaclumpingclaylitter.Clumpinglitterscancreatehighlevelsofdust,whichcancauserespiratoryproblemsfordogsandcats.Also,flushingclumpinglittercanclogpipesandinterferewithsewagesystems.Naturallitters(suchasawheat-basedlitter)alsodonotcontainperfumes,
butabsorbodorsthemselves.
•Prescriptiondrugs.Weallknowthehazardsofoverdoseofprescribeddrugs.Keeptheseitemsinhighcabinets,awayfromyourdogsandchildren.
•Over-the-countermedications.Whiletheseareusuallylesspotentthanprescriptions,theyarestillformulatedforhumansandshouldbekeptawayfromdogsatalltimes.
•Recreationaldrugs,suchascigarettesandmarijuana.Theseitemsareverydangerousfordogs.Dogsthatlivewithindoorsmokersaretentimesmorelikelytodeveloplungcancerandrespiratoryproblemsthanotherdogs.
•Moststore-boughthousehold-cleaningproducts.Asdiscussedearlier,allcleaningproductsshouldbekeptoutofreachofdogsandchildren.
•Electricalcords.Dogstendtochewonthese,especiallyaspuppies.Makesuretokeepthemsecuredagainstbaseboardsandasfaroutofreachofyourdogaspossible.Electricshockcanoccuriftheychewallthewaythrough.
•Anylead-paintedwood,aswellasotherleadorzincobjects.Asforchildren,thesesubstancesaretoxicifingested.
•Gasoline,motoroil,antifreeze,andanyotherpetroleumproductsorsolvents.Makesuretocleanupanyspillsthatoccurinthegarageordriveway,asyourdogmaybetemptedtolicktheareas.Antifreezeisespeciallydangerous,anditsmellsandtastessweettodogs.
•Pressure-treatedwood.Thisissoakedincopperandarsenic.Make
•Pressure-treatedwood.Thisissoakedincopperandarsenic.Makesurenottousethistypeofwoodwhenbuildinganoutdoorkennelforyourdog,whomaychewontheboardsandingestthepoisons.
FOODDANGERS
Commonfoodsthatcanbepoisonoustoyourdogincludechocolate,grapes,andraisins,certainmushroomvarieties,macadamianuts,andwalnuts.Inaddition,somestore-boughtfoodsmayhavebeenexposedtopesticides,soitisimportanttowashallfoodsbeforefeedingthemtoyourdog.
Theremayalsobetoxinsinfoodsthatarespeciallyformulatedfordogs.Somecannedfoodshavebeenshowntocontainhighamountsoflead,aswellaslargeamountsoffluoride.(Excessivefluorideingestioncancauseanythingfromarthritisandasthma,tokidneyandbladderproblems.)Foodsthatcontainfishproductsmaycontainhighlevelsofmercury,whichcancauselossofappetiteaswellasdamagetothenervoussystemandthekidneys.Thisisofhigherconcernforcats,butsomedogfoodscontainfishproductsaswell.Toavoidthesetoxinsineverydayfoods,makesuretofeedyourdogadietthatisfreshanddoesnotcontainprocessedproducts.
Vitaminsupplementsarealsohelpfulincopingwithsomepollutantsandtoxins.Calciumhelpsprotectagainstcertainradiationandleaddangers,asdoesvitaminA.VitaminsEandCcanhelpcombatairpollution.Askyourvettoadviseyouonappropriatedoses.
ECO-FRIENDLYPESTCONTROL
Whenkeepingacleanhouse,youwanttodeterpestslikeants,roaches,moths,andespeciallyfleas.Traditionalpesticides,however,contain
moths,andespeciallyfleas.Traditionalpesticides,however,containchemicalsthataredangerousforpeopleandextremelytoxicforyourpet.Whenatallpossible,consideranalternativetoreadilyavailabletoxiccompositions.
ANTS
Agooddeterrentforantsistopouralineofcreamoftartarorchilipowderwhereveryouseethementeringthehouse.Antswillnotcrossoverthatlineofpowder.Andwhileyoumaynotwanttheantsinsideyourhouse,theyarehelpfuloutsideit,sincetheyeatflealarvaeinyouryard.
ROACHES
Thenumber-onebestwaytodeterroachesistokeepfoodcleanedupatalltimes.Youshouldalsocaulkallcracksarounddoors,cabinets,moldings,andwindowframes.
MOTHS
Lavenderisagreatalternativetomothballs,whichnotonlysmellhorriblebutaretoxictodogs.Lavendersmellsrefreshingandcleanandisanaturaldeterrentagainstmoths.Keepsachetsinlinenclosets,drawers,closets,andpacked-awayclothes,andperhapsevenplaceacoupleinsidetheliningofyourdog’sbed.
FLEAS
Let’sfaceit,fleasareaheadache;theycanbetheagonyofanypetandpetowner.Nomatterhowhardyoutry,yourdogwillbesusceptibletothemfromtimetotime.Whilefleascanbeinsidious,theycanalsobecontrolled.Itisbesttostartwiththemostnaturalandleasttoxic
controlled.Itisbesttostartwiththemostnaturalandleasttoxicalternatives,asopposedtoresortingtoheavy-dutypesticides.
Ahealthydietandlifestylearethebeststarttoanybeneficialflea-controlprogram.Thoroughsanitationisalsoessential.Consistentcleaningisimportant,sinceadultfleasliveaboutthreetofourmonths,duringwhichtimetheyarecontinuouslylayingtinyeggs,whichresembledandruff,onyourpet.Whenfleaeggshatchintolarvae,theyliveincracksandcrevicesofyourfloors,rugs,upholstery,blankets,theground,andprettymuchanywhereelsetheycanfind.Regularcleaning,especiallyofyourdog’sbedding,disturbstheflea’slifecycleandcangreatlyreducethenumberofadultfleasthatenduponyourpet.
Steam-cleanyourcarpetsregularly,especiallyattheonsetoffleaseason,inthewarmermonthsoftheyear.Vacuumandcleanyourfloorsandfurnitureatleastonceaweektopickupanyfleaeggs,larvae,andpupae.Concentratearoundyourpet’ssleepingarea;fleaslovetoattachthemselvestoyourpetwhilesheisatrest.Besuretouseavacuumattachmentthatcanreachintocracksandcrevicesonyourfloorsandfurniture.Ifyouaredealingwithaheavyinfestation,youmaywanttoplaceafleacollarinsidethevacuumbag.Disposeofthebagsregularly,astheycancreateanidealenvironmentfordevelopingfleasandlarvae.
Launderyourpet’sbeddingatleastonceaweekwithhot,soapywater,anddryitinstrong,directsunlightoronthehighestpossibleheatsetting.Batheyourpetwithanaturalflea-controlshampoo,andusenaturalfleapowders.
Useafleacomb,afine-toothedcombthattrapsfleas,makingiteasytodisposeofthem,asoftenaspossibleonyourdog.Youcanfindoneatmostlocalpetstores.Asyoucombyourdog,concentrateonthehead,neck,back,andhindquarters,especiallyatthebaseofthetail.Youwill
neck,back,andhindquarters,especiallyatthebaseofthetail.Youwillseethefleasinthecomb.Astheyaccumulate,plungethecombintohot,soapywaterandremovethefleaswhilesubmerged.Disposeofthewaterinthetoiletandflush.
OUTDOORFLEACONTROL
Itisimportanttomaintainthespacesurroundingyourhouseaswellastheinsidewhentryingtocontrolfleas.Mowandwateryourlawnonaregularbasis—moresunlightcanpenetrateshorter-mownlawns,andtheheatwillkilltheflealarvaeinthesoil;thewaterwilldrownanydevelopingfleas.Aswementionedearlier,donotdiscourageantsoutsideyourhouse,astheylovetoeatfleaeggsandlarvae.
Sterilizeyourpet’sfavoriteyardspots.Somedogsliketonapandloungeinbarespotsinyouryard,usuallybecausetheyareintheshadeandhelpkeepthemcool.Asthesespotsusuallycontainnograss,theycanbeadifficult-to-controlbreedinggroundforfleas.Fromtimetotime,removeanydebrisfromtheareaandcoveritwithheavyblackplasticsheeting.Leavetheplasticonforafewdays—theheatthatbuildsupunderitwillkillfleasandlarvae.Applyingagriculturallimefromtimetotimeonmoist,grassyareasalsohelpstodryoutfleas.
YOURDOG’SSPACE
Whenitcomestohomedecoration,wespendcountlesshoursandoftenlotsofmoneytocreatehomesthatareareflectionofwhoweare.Unfortunately,whenitcomestoitemsforourpets,thechoicesareoftenlessthanexciting.Butusingingenuity,simplecraftskills,andalittlerecyclingknow-how,wecancreatebeautifulitemsforourpetsthatwemayfindourselvescoveting.Plus,craftingtheseitemsyourselfallowsyoutobesuretheyarefreeofharmfultoxins.
Ifyouarenotrecyclingfabricyoualreadyownfortheprojectsinthissection,considerorganiccottonfabrics.Availablefromspecialtyfabricstoresandonlineretailers,theseproductsareproducedwithouttoxicpesticidesandareprocessedwithoutchemicalfinishes.Don’tworryaboutbeinglimitedtoaneutralpalette;improvingtechnologiesareleadingtonontoxicdyesinbright,cheerfulcolors.
PETSANDYOURFURNITURE
Whetherornotyourpetisallowedonthefurniturereallyisamatterof
Whetherornotyourpetisallowedonthefurniturereallyisamatterofpersonalpreference.Somepeoplecan’timaginekeepingthesemembersofthefamilyoffthesofa,andothersbelievethefloorordogbedsarethemostappropriateplacesforadog.
Commerciallyproducedfurnituredoesnotpresentanyparticulardangerstodogs,butaswithallthingsinyourhome,avoidtoxicmaterialsthatcouldbeingestedbyyourpetorabsorbedintotheearth.Organiccottonandwoolaregreatforupholsteredfurniture,pillows,rugs,anddrapes.Cotton,wool,andnaturallatexareallexcellentalternativestosyntheticcushionmaterials.Bambooisawisechoiceforfurnitureandflooring,asitgrowsquicklyandsustainably;takecarethatthebrandyoubuyisnotprocessedwithsomanychemicalsastodefeatthepurpose.Buyingantiquewoodfurnitureisagreatwaytoavoidwoodveneers,particleboard,andotherwoodproductsthataremadewithformaldehyde.Finally,low-orzero-VOCpaintsarelargelyfreeofthevolatileorganiccompoundsthatarebelievedtocauseeverythingfromheadachesanddizzinesstocancerinhumans;theywillhelpkeeptheairinyourhomeascleanaspossibleforyouandyourdog.
Ifyouallowyourpetsonthefurniture,butdon’twanttoweartheirhaireverywhereyougo,oneeasysolutionistohaveablanket(orafew)onhandtokeeponthesofaorbedorinthecar—anywhereyourdoglikestositorsleep.Yourpet’sblanketcanbeassimpleasacouplepiecesofhemmedfabric.Somethingasbasicasthefollowingprojectmaybeagoodchoiceforatravelblanket.
Ifyoubringyourdogtothehomesoffriendsandfamily,considermakingthemgiftsoftravelblanketsthatcoordinatewiththeirfurniture.Suddenly,yourbestfriendmaybecomeasought-afterguest!
Suddenly,yourbestfriendmaybecomeasought-afterguest!
PROJECT:RECYCLED-SWEATERFELTEDBLANKET
Weallhavethatfavoritesweaternearingtheendofitsusefulnessthatwecan’tbeartopartwith.Ratherthanthrowingawayunwearableoldsweaters,givethemanotherlifebymakingthemintoblankets.Usetheseblanketsinthecar,onthesofaorbed,oranywherethatneedsalittleprotectionfromyourdog.(Ifyourunoutofsweaters,tryyourlocalthriftshop,whichmayhavesweatersthatareunwearableanddestinedforthelandfill.)
MATERIALS
•Anumberofadult-sizelargeandextra-largesweatersincolorsthatwilllookgreatinyourhome.Theactualnumberofsweatersshouldbedeterminedbythesizeoftheblanketyou’remaking.Baseyourdecisiononthesizeofyourdogandwhatyouintendtousetheblanketfor.Onlyanimalfiberswillfelt,sothesweatersshouldbe100percentwool.(Labelsshouldread“notmachinewashable.”)
•Additionalfibercontentcouldbeangora,alpaca,cashmere,ormohair—butnocotton,linen,oracrylics.Trytousethicksweaters,whichfeltbetterandwillprovidemorecushioningforyourpet.
•Eco-friendlylaundrydetergent(Lookforonethatismadeusingplant-basedingredientsandthatisbiodegradable,andthereforeofminimalimpactonourwatersystemsandaquaticlife.)
•Upholsteryortopstitchingthread
TOOLS
•Washingmachine(Forfelting—top-loadingonesworkbest,asyou’llneedtostopthecycleperiodicallytocheckyourprogress.)
•Scissorsorrotarycutter
•Matwithagridforrotarycutting
•Sewingmachine
•Steamiron
•Sewingneedles
FELTING
01.Fillthewashingmachinewithhotwateratthelowestpossiblewaterlevelthatwillcoverthesweaterstobefelted.
02.Addafewtablespoonsofyourfavoriteeco-friendlydetergent,placethesweatersintothemachine,andsetitonanormalwashcycle.
03.Checkthefeltingprogresseveryfewminutes,assomeitemsmayfeltfasterthanothers.Feltingtimeswillalsovarybasedonthenumberofitemsbeingfelted,watertemperature,theamountandtypeofdetergentused,andtheintensityofyourmachine’sagitation.Theprocessmaytakeoneormorecyclestocomplete,andthickersweaterstendtofeltfasterthanthinnersweaters.Youcantellthefeltingisfinishedwhentheknitstitchesarenolongerdiscernableandthefabricissmoothanduniform.
04.Allowthesweaterstorunthroughtherinsecycle,butnotthespin
cycle,whichcancreatepermanentcreases.
05.Removethesweatersandrollthemindrytowelstoremoveexcesswater.Laythemflattoair-dry,ordrytheminawarmdryer.
ASSEMBLY
01.Usingeitherscissorsortherotarycutter,cutallofyourfeltedsweatersintothelargestsquareyoucancutconsistently.Ribbedcuffsandhemscanbeused—theywilladdtextureandinteresttothefinishedblanket.
02.Arrangethepiecesinawaythatispleasingtoyou.Dependingonthecolorsofthesweatersyouchose,youcanarrangethesquaressothatpiecesofthesamecolorarenevertouching,orinanypatternyoulike.Keepaddingpiecesuntilyoureachyourdesiredsize.
03.Setyoursewingmachinetozigzagstitch,andadjustthestitchwidthtothewidestpossiblesetting.Butttherawedgesofthefabricpiecestogether,andtakecaretolineuptheseamwiththecenterofthepressurefoot.Sewthepiecestogetherandthensteam-presstheseamsflat.Assemblestripsofsquarestogetherfirst,thenseweachstriptogether.Ifasewingmachineisnotavailable,youcansewtheseblanketstogethereasilybyhand,usingawhipstitch.
04.Tofinishtheblanket,trimtheedgestogiveitacleanedge.Theblanketmaybefinishedwithasimplehemmededge,awhipstitchededge,orabias-tapebinding.Youcanalsoleaveitraw—thefeltededgeswillnotfray.
PROJECT:TRAVELBLANKET
Thisisaneasy30-by-48-inchblanketthatyoucantakewithyoumostanywhere.Itisalwayshelpfultohaveoneortwointhecaraswellasonhandaroundthehouse,toslipontothesofaortheendofthebed.
MATERIALS
•2yardsof60-inch-wide100percentcottonfabricofyourchoice(twill,medium-weightcanvas,broadcloth...anythingthat’snotsynthetic)
•1yardof60–inch-wide100percentorganiccottonbatting
•Matchingthreadforseams
•Contrastingthreadfortopstitching
TOOLS
•Scissors
•Sewingtapemeasure
•Ruler
•Straightpins
•Tailor’schalk
•Sewingmachine
•Iron
•Ironingboard
01.Cutouttwo32-by-50-inchpiecesofthecottonfabric.
02.Cutoutone32-by-50-inchpieceofthebatting.
03.Laythecotton-fabricpiecesoneatoptheother,rightsidesfacing.
04.Laythecottonbattingontopofthecottonpieces,lininguptheedges.
05.Pinthelayerstogether,denotingwiththetailor’schalkastop-and-startlocationforsewingthatleaves6inches,soyoucanturnthepieceinsideoutonceitissewn.
06.Sewthelayerstogether,makingsuretoleavethe6-inchopeningandtoback-lockstitchonthestartandstoppositions.(Thiswillreinforcetheseamsforwhenyouflipthepiecesinsideout.)Sew1inchinfromtheedgeonallsides.
07.Flipthelayersinsideout,makingsuretopointoutthecornersasmuchaspossible.
08.Foldintheopening,andpressalltheedgesflat.
09.Pinthethreelayerstogetherabout2inchesinfromtheedge.
10.Topstitch¾inchinfromtheedge,makingsuretocatchallthreelayersatthe6-inchopeningtoensurethattheyaresealed.Youmayalsosewknotsinrandompatternsasawayofbastingthelayerstogether,oraddyourdog’snameorinitialstothefinalproduct.
BEDDING
Wealllovetheideaofacomfortableplacetosleep:aplacethatfeelssafeandcozy,aplacetorelax,rest,andunwind,eitherforanaporagoodnight’ssleep.Whileyourdogmaynotbesoconcernedwiththreadcount,perfectlypressedlinens,orevenwhetherthebedismade,shedoesappreciateaplacetocallherown.
Opinionsdifferonwhetheryoushouldallowdogsonthefurniture,whetheritbeonasofaorchairorcurlinguponyourbedtosleep.Butevenifyouletyourdogusethefurniture,itisstillimportantforhertohaveher“own”place.Ourdogswerefunnyabouttheirsleepingspots.Jordanjustwantedtosleeponyourfeet,sohewasalwaysatthecenterofactivity(you’vegottoloveaLab).Gertrude,ourlittlehound-shepherdmix,likedherquietspaceandwouldcurluponawashclothonthefloor,justbecauseshethoughtitwasthatmuchcozier.Oneofbothdogs’favoritespotswascurledupinsideanylaundrytheycouldfind.Dogslovethingsthathavetheirowners’scent,whichmakethemfeelsafe,feelingthattheirownersarenotfaraway.InJordan’sgoldenyears,weboughthimatherapeuticheat-and-massagebed.Hereallyenjoyedit,andwecouldtellitmadehimfeelmorecomfortable.
enjoyedit,andwecouldtellitmadehimfeelmorecomfortable.
Therearemanytypesofdogbedsavailable.Oneofthemostimportantthingstokeepinmindwhensearchingforoneisthatthecovershouldberemovableforfrequentwashing.Thereisnopointspendinganymoneyortimeonthe“perfect”dogbedifitcannotbecleanedeasily.
BEANBAG-STYLEBEDS
Thesebeds,usuallyfilledwithloosecedarshavings,ground-upnaturallatexfoam,andnaturalcottonbatting,aregreatfordogsthatliketorootaroundbeforetheygetcomfortable.BesuretoavoidonesthatcontainStyrofoambeadsorsyntheticlatexmaterials—youwanttomakesurethatifthebedsplitsopen,thereisnothingtoxicinsideforyourdogtoingest.
FOAM-ANDPILLOW-INSERTBEDS
Somebedscontainarectangularpieceoffoam,whichcanbetexturedononesidetooffertherapeuticsupport,especiallyforolderdogs.Otherbedscontainbaffledfeathersanddowninserts,whichofferplushercushioning.Again,besuretoseekoutabedwithanaturallatexinsert,asopposedtoasyntheticone.Syntheticlatexisapetroleumproduct(naturallatexisderivedfromtherubbertree).Petroleumisnotarenewableresource,andthesyntheticlatexwilloff-gas(releasetoxinsintotheair).Theamountofoff-gassingdependsonhowmuchsyntheticlatexisintheproduct;you’llknowitbyitschemicalscent.We’veseendogschewupandingesttheirfoambeds,soit’svitaltoseekoutnontoxicfoam.
CUDDLEBEDS
CUDDLEBEDSTheseareroundbedsthathaveahighback,whichallowsyourdogtotrulycurlupandgotosleep.Dogsofallshapesandsizesseemtolovethese.Mostarefilledwithfeather,down,ornaturalcottonbatting.
PROJECT:RECYCLED-DENIMDOGBED
Thisbedismadefromthoseoldpairsofjeansthat,forsomereason,youjustcannotseemtothrowaway.Byusingtheminthisproject,youcanfeelgoodthattheyarenotgoingtowastehanginginyourclosetorsittinginadrawer,butcaninsteadbeacomfortforyourfour-legged,tail-wagging,loves-to-curl-up-and-sleep-any-chance-he-getsfriend.Wealsoincludeinstructionsforthepillowinsertandalavendersachettokeepitallsmellingfresh.Ifyoudonotwanttomakeyourowninsert,youcanpurchaseonefromavarietyofhomeandcraftstores.Whenpurchasingacommercialproduct,besuretolookforthefollowingnontoxicmaterials:naturallatexfoam(notsynthetic),wool-stuffedpillows,orfeather-and-downstuffedpillows.
SIZES
•Small:22by22inches
•Medium:28by28inches
•Large:36by36inches
MATERIALS
•Severalpairsofoldjeans
•2to4yardsofcottonbroadcloth(dependingonthesizebedyou’remaking)
•Matchingcottonthread
•Sew-onVelcro
TOOLS
•Ruler
•Scissors
•Sewingtapemeasure
•Sewingmachine
•Iron
•Ironingboard
•Straightpins
DOGBED
01.First,decidewhichsizebedyouwouldliketomake.Forthesmall-sizebed,youwillneeda23-by-57-inchpieced-togetherdenimpanel.Forthemedium-sizeone,thepanelshouldbe29by69inches,andforthelarge-sizeone,37by85inches.
02.Cutofftheseamsandhemsofthejeanstocreateflatpanels.(Saveallthescrapstousefortheinsert.)03.Cutsquareandrectangularpiecesoutoftheflatpanels,makingsurethatthewidthis
consistent.Thelengthsmayvary,dependingonyourdesign.
04.Usingthecutpieces,layoutapatternthatyoulikeandthatwillbeofthechosensize.Keepinmindthatyouneedtoallowa½-inchseamallowanceonallsides.Forexample,seediagramsonpage95.
05.Sewyourpiecestogetherinstrips.
06.Onceallthestripsaresewn,beginsewingthemtogethertoformthelargerpanel.
07.Whenthepanelisdone,foldoverthewidthedges1inch,twice.Irontoholdthecrease.
08.Pinthefoldedheminplaceandsewclosed,asclosetotheinneredgeaspossible.
09.Laythefullpanelright-sideup.Measurethedesiredfinallength,less2inches,infromtheleft-handside(e.g.,forthesmallbed,thedesiredendlengthis22inches,someasurein20inches).
10.Foldthispanelovertomatchtherightsidetogether.
11.Measure2inchesbeyondthefoldededge,foldovertheright-handsideofthepanel,andcreaseitonthismeasurement.
12.Pininplace,makingsurethatasyousew,youremovethepins,soyoudon’tenduprunningoverthemwiththesewing-machineneedle.
13.Sewupthelengthsides,½inchinfromtheedge.
14.Flipthepillowcase,makingsuretopointoutthecornersasmuchasyoucan.
15.Irontopressoutalltheedgesflat.
DOGBEDINSERT
Thisbedinsertisagreatwaytorecycleusedclothingthat’snotfittobeworn.
01.Cutoutonepieceofcottonbroadcloththatistwotimesthefinishedlengthofthedenimcover,plus4inches,and1inchwiderthanthefinishedcover.
02.Folddownthewidthedges1inch,twice.Irontoholdthecrease.
03.Pinandsewitclosed,asclosetotheinneredgeaspossible.
04.MeasuretheVelcrotofitalongthewidthedgeofthepanel.
05.PinthemalesideoftheVelcrotooneedgeandthefemalesidetotheotheredge.
06.SewaroundtheouteredgeoftheVelcrostrip.
07.Foldthepanelinhalflengthwise,sothattheVelcrostripsareontheoutsideandnottouching.
08.Pinthepaneltogether,andsewalongthelengthsides,½inchinfromedge.
09.FlipthecoversotheVelcropiecesmeet.
10.Fillthepillowcasewithanyremainingfabricscraps,oldTshirts,socks,sweatshirts,towels,andanyclean,softclothingthatyourdogwouldenjoysnugglinginto.
11.SealtheVelcroendsclosedandinsertthestuffedpillowintothedenimcover.Tossinacoupleoflavendersachetsasapestandodordeterrent.
12.Asanextrapersonaltouch,youcanembroideryourdog’snameorinitialsontotheoutercover.
BEDCOVER
BEDINSERT
(twicethsizeofFinisheddog-bedcover,plus2”oneachshortplus½”oneachlongend)
PROJECT:LAVENDERSACHETS
Lavenderisagreatnaturalpestrepellent.Keeptheseeasy-to-makesachetsaroundyourhouseandinyourdog’sbeddingtokeepitfreshandpest-free.
MATERIALS
•2five-by-seven-inchpiecesoforganicorrecycledfabric(cotton,linen,denim)
•Matchingcottonthread
•½cupdriedlavenderbuds(availableatmosthealth-foodstores)
TOOLS
•Sewingmachine
•Iron
•Ironingboard
FINISHEDSIZE
•4by6inches
01.Laythetwopiecesoffabriconeontopoftheother.Ifthefabrichasaclearrightside(e.g.,aprintedfabric),makesuretherightsidesfaceoneanotherontheinside.
02.Sewaroundthreeofthesides(thetwolengthsidesandonewidthside)½inchinfromtheedge.Besuretoback-lockthestitchonthestartingandstoppingpoints.
03.Flipthesewnpiecesright-sideout,andpushoutthecornersasmuchaspossible.Presstheedgesflat.
04.Folddowntheopenend½inchfromthetop,sotheedgesfallintothepocket.Pressflat.
05.Fillthepocketwiththelavenderbuds.
06.Holdingtheedgeclosed,sewalongtheopenend(back-lockthestitchonbothsides).
PLAY
Dogswillalmostalwaysbeinthemoodtoplay.Theonlyexceptionsarewhentheyarenotfeelingwell,whentheyareexhaustedattheendoftheday,and,ofcourse,whentheyareeating.Thesimplementionoftheword“outside”wouldsendourdogsintoafrenzyofexcitement.Wheneverweleftourdogsathome,Jordanwouldgreetusatthedoorwithwhatevertoywasnearby,histailwaggingtothepointthatwethoughtitmightcomeoffhisbody.
Playisaboutcompanionshipandenjoyingeveryminuteofeachday.Dogslovetheirtoys,andownerslovetobuythem.Dogsalsolovetochewtheirtoystothepointofdestruction,atwhichpointtheyareindangerofingestingsomeofthematerials.Themostdangeroustoysouttherearethesoft,squishy,plasticonesthatbounceandsqueak;also—gofigure—theseareusuallytheonesdogslovethemost.ThemainmaterialtoavoidwhenpurchasinganewdogtoyisDINP(diisononylphthalate),whichisusedtomakehardPVCplasticsoftandpliable.TheproductionofproductscontainingDINPcancausepollutionintheatmosphereandinnearbywatersourcesandsewagesystems.AndtheingestionofDINPinanimalshasbeenshowninteststocauseliverandkidneydamage,andsometimescancer.Sowhensearchingforanewdogtoy,besuretolookforonesmadeofnaturalrubberorlatex.Thesetoysprovideanontoxicandenvironmentallyfriendlyalternative.
Inthissection,wewillgiveinstructionsonhowtomakeavarietyofdogtoysyourself,usingsimplematerials,somecreativity,andalittlebitoftime.
PROJECT:BRAIDEDT-SHIRTBONE
Chewtoysareagreatwaytokeepyourdogentertained.Usethesebonesattheparkoraroundthehouse.Makingtoysforyourpupoutofoldclothingcanbereallyeasy,aswellasagreatwaytogetaseconduseoutofoldjeansorsweatshirts.Whentheboneisdirty,simplythrowitinthewashingmachineonthecoldsettinganddrywithhighheat.
Thesebonesaregreatifyouhaveateethingpuppy.Soaktheboneinwater,thenplaceitinthefreezeruntilfrozen.Givethefrozenbonetothepuppyandtheywillgnawonitandthecoldclothwillsoothetheirachinggums.Itisrecommendedthatyoudothisoutside,asthemeltingofthebonecancreatequiteapuddle.
MATERIALS
•Old100%cottonTshirts
•Scissors
•Anextrapairofhands
01.CutthesleevesandthecollaroutoftheTshirts(leaveshoulderseamsintact).
02.Cut2-inch-widestripsfromtherestoftheT-shirt,soyouhaveatleast12strips.(Itisimportanttocutfromtheshoulderseamstothebottomseamsinordertoendupwithaslongofstripsaspossible.Thestripsthathavetheshoulderseamonthemwillbetwiceaslongastheothers.Theselongerstripsarebetterforlargerbones.)
03.Onceyouhaveallofyourstripscut,arrangetheminanycombinationyoulike,sothatyouhavethreesetsofstrips,containingatleastfourstripsineachset.
04.Holdingallthreesetstogether,tieoneendinaknotandpulltight.(Thisiswheretheextrapairofhandscomesin!)
05.Makesuretheknotisastightaspossible.Separatethestripsagainintotheirsetssothatthethreesetscanbebraidedtogether.
06.Braidthestripsetstogether,leavingabout8inchesattheendinordertotieanotherknot.
07.Asbefore,tieaknotinthefinishingend,andpullreallytight(withyourextrapairofhands).Pretendyouareplayingtug-o-war!
08.Trimtheendsabitsmallertomakethemtidier.
PROJECT:FABRICFISH
Buyinganexpensivedogtoymadeofsyntheticmaterials,whichyourdogisonlygoingtodestroywithdailyplayanyway,mayseemabitillogicaltoyouafteryouseehoweasythisprojectis.Andjustthink:They’resoeasytomakethatyoucanturnoutawholeschoolof‘eminanafternoon.Whetherornotyourpupenjoysthewater,he’lllovecatchingthesewhimsicalclothfish.
MATERIALS
•Strongcottonmaterial,likeoldjeans,sweatshirts,ortwillpantsorshirts–somethingthatwillholdupagainstyourdog’steeth
•Spoolofcottonthread
•Cottonstuffing
•Embroideryfloss(optional)
TOOLS
•Tailor’schalk
•Scissors
•Sewingmachine
•Needle
01.Usingyourtailor’schalk,drawtheshapeofyourfishonthecottonmaterial.Yourfishcanbewhateversizeyouwant.Makesuretodrawit1inchlargerallthewayaroundthanyouplanforittobe,toleaveroomfortheseamallowance.(Someofourotherfavorite
shapestomakearebones,cats,andsimplecubesandballs.)
02.Cutouttheshapeyouhavejustdrawn.Itiseasiestifyoucutthroughbothlayersoffabricatonce,soyourshapeisexactlythesameonbothsides.Justbesuretherightsidesaretogetherbeforeyoucut.
03.Ifyourfabrichasarightandwrongside(likeasweatshirt),makesuretherightsidesaretogether,andsewalongthelineofyourdrawing½inchinfromtheedge,leavingtheendofthetailunsewn.
04.Turnthetoyinsideoutthroughtheopenendofthetailsotheseamsareontheinside.
05.Stuffyourfishwithasmuchcottonstuffingasdesired,dependingonwhetheryourpuppreferssquishytoysorfirmones.
06.Tucktheseamallowanceintothegapandwhipstitchtheopeningclosed.Besuretodothistightlyandsecurelyifyouwantyourtoytolast.
07.Ifyouwanttoembellishyourfish,useyourneedleandembroideryflosstogobackandwhipstitchalongtheseams,stitchoneyesandfins,orcreateapatternofstitchesacrosstheentiresurface.
PROJECT:SOCKANIMALS
Nowyoufinallyhaveauseforallthosepartnerlesssocksfloatingaroundinyoursockdrawer:Usingtheseoldsocksandanall-naturalcottonorwoolstuffingmakesaneco-friendlytoy.Letyourcreativityloosewiththeassistanceofsomecottonembroideryfloss.Whoknows...theselittlecreaturesmayjustbecomeyourdog’snewbestfriends(withtheexceptionofyou,ofcourse)!
MATERIALS
•Oldsockswithnoholes
•Cottonstuffing
•Contrastingcottonthread
•Cottonyarninacolororcolorsofyourchoice
TOOLS
•Sewingmachine
•Embroideryneedle
01.Laythesocksoutinapatternthatmakesaninterestingshape.(Thereisnorightorwrongidea.)02.Stuffeachsockwiththecottonstuffing,makingsuretoleaveaspaceatthetopforahemsothepiecescanbesewntogether.
03.Folddowntheedgeofeachsock,andstitchittoamain“body”ofthecreation,whichshouldalsobestuffed.Back-lockthestitchorgooverthesameareaseveraltimeswiththesewingmachinetoensureareallystrongandsecurestitch.
04.Makesurethatalltheseamsarestitchedclosed.Pullthefabricaroundtheseaminmorethanonedirectiontomakesureitcanholduptoyourdog’swearandtear.
05.Thenembellishasyoudesire,usingthecottonyarntocreateeyes,mouths,hair,ears—anythingthatyoucanenvisionwouldbefun.Thebackstitch,crossstitch,andrunningstitchwillprobablybemostusefultoyou.Youcanalsopinchasectionofthesockandstitchbehindittocreateraisednosesoreyebrows.Ifyouprefernot
toembroiderverymuch,usetheseamasthemouthandjustmakeeyes.Thereareasmanypossibilitiesastherearestraysocks!
LEASHES,COLLARS,ANDTAGS
Whiledogssometimeswearcoats,T-shirts,snowboots,oraccessoriesthattheirownersjustcannotresistputtingonthem,mostoftentheyaresimplywearingacollarwithatagandbeingwalkedonaleash.Thedesignandstyleofcollarsonthemarketareasvariedasbreedsofdogsthemselves.Someareencrustedwithrhinestones,whileothersaremadetolookliketorturedevices,withspikesprotrudingfromtheband.Whilepersonalstyleisonewaytochooseacollarandleash,thedecisionshouldalsobebasedonwhatissafe,strong,andlong-lasting.
Someofthemostdurablecollarsonthemarketaremadeofnylonwebbing.Thesetypesaregreat,becausetheyarereallystrongandcanbethrowninthewashiftheybecomesoiled.However,theycannotberecycled.Whileleathercollarsaredurableaswell,iftheygetwetorstained,theycanbegintosmellanddeteriorate.Othergoodchoicesarestrongcanvasordenimcollars.Therearemanypatternsavailableinthis
strongcanvasordenimcollars.Therearemanypatternsavailableinthisstyle,andtheyarealsoeasytoembellishifyouwanttopersonalizethemforyourpet.(Inordertopersonalizeyourdog’sfabriccollarand/orleash,simplysketchhernameorapatternontheouterside,thenstitchoverthetopoftheoutlineinbright-coloredembroiderythread.)Yourdog’scollarshouldalwayshaveup-to-datetagslistinghername,yournameandaddress,andaphonenumber,ifyouwish.Thisway,ifyourdogbecomeslost,thepersonwhofindshercaneasilycontactyou.Somemail-ordercatalogsofferleashesandcollarsthatyoucanhavemonogrammedwithyourdog’snameandevenyourphonenumber.Ifyourcityortownrequiresthatyourdogberegistered,youshouldhaveherregistrationtagsonthecollar,aswell.Makesurethatanypersonalizedtagsthatyoubuyarerustproofanddonothavesharpedgesorangles.Itisalsoadvisedtoremoveyourdog’scollarwhenshecomesinside—thereisnoneedforhertowearher“necklace”indoors,unlesssheseemsparticularlyfondofthestyleandfeels“naked”withoutit.Justbesuretoplacethecollarbackonyourdogbeforeshegoesoutsideagain,especiallyifyouarelettingherouttorunoff-leash.Whenyouleastexpectit,shewillrunofftogoonawildadventure,andifsheisnotwearinghercollarandtags,itmaybedifficulttofindherandreturnherhome.
PROJECT:OUTDOORSKIT
Oneofthebestthingsyoucandoforyoursanityasapetowneristokeepyourdog’spersonalbelongingstogetherinoneplace.Thiswillkeepyoufrompurchasingduplicateitemsandwillmakeiteasiertokeepyoursuppliescleanandmaintained.Storagecantaketheformofawickerbasket,agalvanizedcontainer,anoldshoeboxcoveredinsomeinterestingfabricorpaper,oreventhetotebagfrompage28.Keepthisstoragecontainernearthemainentranceofyourhome.Itisalsohelpfultokeepaleash-and-collarsetbythegaragedoororthebackdoor,justincaseyouhavetogooutinahurryandcannotgettothe“boxset.”Hereisalistofitemsthatyouroutdoorskitshouldinclude.
01.Leash
02.Collar(whichshouldhaveacurrent-informationdogtagattached,containingyourdog’snameandyouraddressandphonenumber)
03.Toysforgoingtothepark,suchasaballandtheBraidedT-ShirtBone(page100)
04.Afewtowelsforthosewet,muddystrollsthatyouareboundtotakefromtimetotime
05.Bootiesforyourdog’sfeet,particularlyforwhenitissnowing—thesaltfromthesidewalkcanirritatethepadsoftheirfeet.
06.Acollapsibledogbowlandbottledwaterforhotdays
07.Treatsinaresealable,airtightcontainer
PART3RESOURCES
WhilecaringforJordanandGertrude,webecameincreasinglyinterestedinalternative,holisticcareandtheuseofeco-friendlyproducts.Thefollowingorganizationsandpublicationsofferawealthofinformationonhealthcareforyourpet.We’vealsoprovidedalistofcompaniesthatprovidenaturalfoodsandarangeofeco-friendlyproducts,fromtoysandfoodbowlstocleaningproducts,thatwon’tharmyou,yourpet,ortheenvironment.
ORGANIZATIONS
AmericanHolisticVeterinaryMedicalAssociation(AHVMA)2214OldEmmortonRoadBelAir,MD21015410-569-0795www.ahvma.org
AnimalVeterinaryChiropracticAssociation442154E.140thRoadBluejacket,OK74333918-784-2231www.animalchiropractic.org
AmericanVeterinaryDentalSocietyP.O.Box803Fayetteville,TN37334800-332-AVDSor931-438-0238www.avds-online.org
AustralianVeterinaryAssociationUnit40,2aHerbertStreetSt.LeonardsNSW2065(02)94315000www.ava.com.au/aahv/
BritishAssociationofHolisticNutritionandMedicinewww.bahnm.org.uk
HolisticAnimalTherapyAssociationofAustraliawww.hataa.asn.auAWebsitethatoffersasearchforpractitionersofholisticanimalcareinAustralia.
HumaneSocietyoftheUnitedStates2100LStreetNWWashington,DC20037202-452-1100www.hsus.org
InternationalAssociationofAnimalMassageandBodywork3347McGregorLaneToledo,OH43623800-903-9350www.iaamb.org
InternationalVeterinaryAcupunctureSocietyP.O.Box271395FortCollins,CO80527970-266-0666
www.ivas.org
WorldSocietyfortheProtectionofAnimals—USA34DelossStreetFramingham,MA01702508-879-8350www.wspa-usa.org
Pleasevisitwww.wspa-
international.org/contact_offices.
aspforalistofinternational
officesintheUnitedKingdom,
Africa,Asia,Australia,Canada,
Denmark,Germany,Latin
America,Netherlands,andNew
Zealand.
SocietyforthePreventionofCrueltytoAnimalsInternational(SPCA)www.spca.com
PUBLICATIONS
TheBark800-227-5639www.thebark.com
Aquarterlyprintmagazineand
onlineforum.
ModernDog800-417-6289www.moderndog.com
Thelifestylemagazineforurban
dogsandtheircompanions.
NaturalRearing541-899-2080www.naturalrearing.com
Aguidetoalternativehealthcare
fordogs.
TheWholeDogJournalwww.whole-dog-journal.comSUBSCRIPTIONSINUSA:
P.O.Box420234PalmCoast,FL32142800-829-9165
SUBSCRIPTIONSINCANADA:
Box7820STNMainLondon,ONN5Y5W1Canada800-829-9165
Amonthlyguidetonaturaldog
careandtraining.
PRODUCTS
EarthDoggy4128TrenthamDrivePikesville,MD21208877-331-9866www.earthdoggy.com
Arangeofproductsthatare
bothEarth-friendlyand
chemical-free.
EverydayStudio415-421-1600www.everydaystudio.com
Abeautiful,modernselection
ofpetdishesandcat-scratching
trees.
George877-322-3232www.georgesf.com
Astylishrangeofwell-made
productsfordogs,cats,andthe
humansthatlovethem.Itstocks
asmallselectionofhealthy
treats,too.
HealthyHome.com289422ndAvenueNorthSaintPetersburg,FL33713www.healthyhome.com727-322-1058
Agreatsourceforhealthy
productsforyou,yourhome,andyourpets.
Heartypet.com800-851-2809www.heartypet.com
Alargeselectionofhigh-quality
petfoodsandsuppliesfrommany
differentbrands.
InterfaceFlor866-284-3567www.interfaceflor.com
Environmentallyfriendlyflooring
options.
NaturalPetMarket263RiceLakeSquareWheaton,IL60187800-460-1549or630-682-4522www.naturalpetmarket.com
Aninterestingselectionofall-naturalpetfoods.
NutroProducts445WilsonWayCityofIndustry,CA91744800-833-5330www.nutroproducts.com
Alargeselectionofnutritiouspet
foodsmadewithhigh-quality
ingredients.
OldMotherHubbard800-225-0904www.oldmotherhubbard.com
Thiscompanymanufacturesboth
itsownbrandofpettreatsand
theWellnessbrandpetfood.
High-qualityingredientsareused
inallitsproducts.
OnlyNaturalPetStore888-937-6677www.onlynaturalpet.com
Naturalandholisticpetproducts.
PetPlanetOutfitters877-387-4564
www.healthypetnet.com
Naturalfoods,treats,andpetcare
fordogsandcats,includingpet-safehome-cleaningproducts.
PlanetDogOutfitters800-381-1516or207-761-1515www.planetdog.com
All-naturalhealthandwellness
productsfordogs.
SeventhGeneration802-658-3773212BatteryStreet,SuiteABurlington,VT05401www.seventhgeneration.com
Acompletelineofhousehold
productsusingrenewable,
nontoxic,phosphatefree,and
biodegradableingredients.
SwheatScoop800-SWHEATS(794-3287)or218-846-9610www.swheatscoop.com
Naturalcatlitter.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
JanAllegrettiandKatySommers,D.V.M.TheCompleteHolisticDogBook:HomeHealthCareforourCanineCompanions.CelestialArts,2003.
DebraLynnDadd.HomeSafeHome:ProtectingYourselfandYourFamilyfromEverydayToxicsandHarmfulHouseholdProductsintheHome.J.P.Tarcher,2005.
Dr.MichaelW.Fox.TheHealingTouch:TheProvenMassageProgramforCatsandDogs.NewmarketPress;reissueedition,1990.
MartinGoldstein,D.V.M.TheNatureofAnimalHealing:ThePathtoYourPet’sHealth,Happiness,andLongevity.BallantineBooks,1999.
TracieHotchner.
TheDogBible:EverythingYourDogWantsYoutoKnow.GothamBooks,2005.
AnnMartin.FoodPetsDieFor:ShockingFactsaboutPetFood.NewSagePress,2002.
ShawnMessonnier,D.V.M.NaturalHealthBibleforDogs&Cats:YourA—ZGuidetoOver200Conditions,Herbs,Vitamins,andSupplements.ThreeRiversPress,2001.
RichardH.Pitcairn,D.V.M.,andSusanHubblePitcairn.Dr.Pitcairn’sCompleteGuidetoNaturalHealthforDogs&Cats,ThirdEdition.Rodale,2005.
MichaelPollan.TheOmnivore’sDilemma:ANaturalHistoryofFourMeals.ThePenguinPress,2006.
KimberlyRider.TheHealthyHomeWorkbook:
EasyStepsforEco-FriendlyLiving.ChronicleBooks,2006.
JohnRobbins.DietforaNewAmerica:HowYourFoodChoicesAffectYourHappinessandtheFutureofLifeonEarth,SecondEdition.HJKramer,1998.
INDEX
accidents,77
acupuncture/acupressure,57
airfresheners,70–71
bathingtips,18
beds,90–95
blankets,84–89
breathtreats,45
chiropracticcare,57
cleaning
ofaccidents,77
checklist,65
products,63–64,66–72
coat,treatsfor,47
collars,109
dangers
everyday,78–79
food,79–80
deodorizers,70,71
diet.Seealsofood
ideal,35,40
vegetarian,41
draincleaner,69
exercise,52
fabrics,organiccotton,83
first-aidkit,54
fleas,16–17,19,22,24,80–81
floorcleaners,72
food.Seealsodiet
commercial,36–39
dangerous,79–80
homemade,39,42
importanceof,35
snacks,44–49
wetvs.dry,38–39
furniture,84
grooming
importanceof,15
kit,27
supplies,16–17,19–24
tips,18,25
healthcare
alternative,57–59
exercise,52
first-aidkit,53
vitalsigns,53
weightcontrol,52
heartrate,53
homeopathy,57
jerky,46
lavendersachets,97
leashes,109
massage,57–59
meatloaf,42
organizations,114
outdoorskit,111
ovencleaner,70
pestcontrol,80–81
products,116–17
publications,115
respirationrate,53
shampoos,16,20
snacks,44–49
sockanimals,105–7
tags,109
temperature,53
toilet-bowlcleaner,69
totebag,28–33
towels,personalized,75–76
toys,99–107
travel
blanket,88–89
kit,56
treats,44–49
vegetariandogs,41
weightcontrol,52
windowcleaner,68
TABLEOFEQUIVALENTS
Theexactequivalentsinthefollowingtableshavebeenroundedforconvenience.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Ourspecialthanksgotoourassistant,EmilyMarquoit.Hercontributionsinresearch,writingandediting,projectconception,andsamplecreationhavebeeninvaluable.WeoweadebtofgratitudetoEmilyforhertirelessdevotiontothisproject.Sheisnotonlyaspellingandgrammarchamp,butshefindswaystomakeuslaughafterhoursinfrontofacomputerorasewingmachine.
ThankstoMegMateoIlascoforrecommendingusforthisproject,andtoLisaCampbellforgivingusthisopportunity.Lisa’ssupportandencouragementhaveeasedusthroughtheprocessofwritingourfirstbook.
ThankstoMerrillJohnson,D.V.M.,andMichaelRoth,D.V.M.,andtheirstaff,LindaWilton,RachelRich,RoseKnox,PamEldert,andNoreenDick,forprovidingsuchgoodcareforJordanandGertrudeinthelastyearsoftheirlives,andforprovidingcomforttous,aswell.Dr.Rothgraciouslyprovidedguidanceduringtheinitialresearchforthisbook.
Wehavebeenblessedwithpetsandsurroundedbyanimalsformostofourlives.Theircompanionshipandloyaltyhavetaughtandcontinuetoinspireustoliveabetterlife.Weencouragereaderstousethisbookasastartingpointtoprovideamoreecologicallysensitiveandsustainablelifefortheirpetsandforthemselves.