Timi Talks

Posted By Timi on May 11, 2012

I’m a big advocate of incorporating fresh food into your canine child’s diet. Some vets may disagree and suggest kibble is designed to provide everything your pet needs, and supplementing foods may create an imbalance but you should know - Veterinarians are NOT taught about nutrition in their education so, bottom line - I found them to be very wrong. If you want nutritional advice from a vet, please seek that from a Holistic Veterinarian, which IS a traditional vet that expanded their education to include nutrition and alternate measures of healing. While every animal is different and current health and allergy conditions DO vary and affect diet choice, mammals (whether human, canine or other) thrive on fresh foods. It has been proven time and time again that Fresh food can, and does, enhance a pet’s life. Disclaimer: always consult your trusted vet before taking advice. I provide food for thought based on my own experiences but must (for legal reasons) point out that this blog consists of my opinions. Before I get to the list of DANGEROUS FOODS for your pooch, I do have a “Nutrition” feature on my PawChic.com website, as well as a “Fresh Food Idea” page if you care to check it out. Now to the WARNING LIST… (more…)

Category: Nutrition, Safety | No Comments »
Tags: dangerous food for dog, Safety

Posted By Timi on April 20, 2012

I want to thank Kurt Holzberlein [Public Relations/Marketing Consulting] for providing this story and alerting us all of the case. Why? Because this case sets a precedent that helps EVERY pet parent and it’s one to note. Any evolved and caring human being is outraged and dumbfounded that animals are still considered, in the eyes of the law, nothing but property (ie: a sweater or piece of furniture). Our four-legged loved ones depend on us, look to us to protect them, and are part of our families just the same as any two-legged member. I consider my boys, two Pugs, my children and loosing them would be no different to me than loosing another loved one. Many others agree…“The ruling sets a damages precedent that animals are worth more than their replacement value,” said Jennifer Edwards, attorney and founder of The Animal Law Center. “When we lose a pet, we do suffer emotional distress and heartache, just as we would with any other member of our families.”

The facts surrounding this case are maddening. The idea that employees of a maid service carelessly allowed for this poor soul to be hit by a car is unforgivable in and of itself, but the idea that they did NOT rush the dog to the clinic or even call the parent to advise of the injury is unbelievable. Even more sickening, the case revealed that the “cleaners” dumped the dying dog, who was still alive and whimpering at the time!, under a table to expire and for the family to find upon their return. I know, details of these incidences are never easy to hear but the IMPORTANCE of this case warrants its disclosure. Please refer to the law firm’s site for further details: Denver Woman Wins Suit over Death of Dog ALC’s number: (303) 322-4355

Category: General | Msc. | No Comments »
Tags: denver, posh maids, precedent animal death case, woman wins

Posted By Timi on March 26, 2012

Is your dog, or someone’s you know, handicapped? Are they unable to walk on their back legs? There’s no reason to let your dog suffer, not even financial because we have an obligation to our little ones so if need be - put pride aside and solicit for donations or hold a garage sale…do whatever you have to do to make your beloved comfy. Wheelchairs are ridiculously expensive for animals, but for a pet that needs one - they are a Godsend and mean the difference between “living” or just “existing”. Please search online for the best prices available at the time you need the equipment, but as a general reference for “all things handicapped”. You may want to visit the website HandicappedPets.com

Category: General | Msc., Mental Health | Exercise | No Comments »
Tags: dog wheels, paralyzed dog, spinal injury, wheelchair dog

Posted By Timi on March 12, 2012

The TOP THREE reasons a dog will dig up the yard are:

• they are bored
• they are not getting enough exercise
• they are not receiving enough attention from his/her human companions … HOWEVER …

If you can honestly say that your beloved is not suffering from the lack of stimulation, exercise and/or attention - then I do have one suggestion for you: try a sandbox! Hey, kids love them! If your dog truly, truly just loves to dig - then this may be your saving grace. You can hide treat balls (to protect the treats inside) and favorite toys in the sand to encourage your dog to utilize his new sandbox…instead of the yard. Guide him to the new play area, and remember to correct him when found digging the yard and reacquaint him with the approved digging place. (more…)

Category: Mental Health | Exercise, Training | No Comments »
Tags: digging up yard, dog digs, sandbox

Posted By Timi on February 28, 2012

Since veterinarians are not taught about nutrition in school, it always frustrates me when they try to advise desperate parents what to feed their ailing canine child. The LAST thing I would suggest is “Hills” or “Science Diet”. I find them both unbeneficial at best…and more over, have found them to hinder good health with lack of quality nutrition. I generally go through a list of “symptoms” before jumping to extremes, since Systemic Yeast is often a culprit, but if you really want to know (once and for all) if Fido has food allergies, there is a recipe I can offer you to follow. NO kibble. NO feeding anything other than what is in the recipe…or else you are defeating the purpose but after 2 months (and you do need to give it 8 weeks), you should know. How will you know? Your dog should be symptom free after 8 weeks. If s/he’s not, then an ingredient (food) allergy is likely NOT the problem. I say likely because in rare, rare, RARE instances a dog could be allergic to all meat protein sources. But again, that’s really rare. To see if YOUR dog has a food allergy, follow this plan… (more…)

Category: Health, Nutrition | No Comments »
Tags: canine allergy diet, canine nutrition, dog allergies, food allergy, Nutrition, Pitcairn