Write your NC Representatives to Support Humane Euthanasia

This article is from the North Carolina Coalition for Humane Euthanasia website (http://www.ncche.com/)

Davie's Law/ Humane Euthanasia in Shelters (House Bill #6) was filed Wednesday, January 28 in the North Carolina General Assembly by Representative Cary Allred. The bill is named for a puppy who survived a North Carolina gas chamber, later to be found in alive a plastic bag in a dumpster by a citizen taking out her trash. Many shelters still use the CO gas chamber and other cruel and inhumane methods to end the lives of lost and abandoned animals. If Davie's Law passes, it would ensure that no animal would ever again be subjected to this treatment in a North Carolina shelter.

The bill is endorsed by the American Humane Association, Animal Law Coalition, In Defense of Animals, Born Free USA, and many veterinarians and animal welfare organizations. It would require humane euthanasia by injection of sodium pentobarbital, or an alternate oral version of the drug, for all animals euthanized in the custody of shelters. Sixty-five animal shelters in North Carolina euthanize primarily by injection, and fifty-nine of those report using this method exclusively. Employees in those shelters have been trained to safely deal with wildlife and aggressive animals. Still, thirty-two county and city shelters kill animals in gas chambers made of cinderblock, metal, and even wood.

House Bill #6 can be found at this link http://ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2009&BillID=H6. Other primary sponsors include Representatives Rick Glazier, Ty Harrell, and Pat McElraft.

Please call and email your state legislators and ask them to support "Davie's Law," House Bill number 6. Find out who represents you in the North Carolina General Assembly at this link http://www.ncleg.net/GIS/RandR07/Representation.html. Personal visits, calls, written letters, and emails are best, but a form letter is also available at the NCCHE website. Please take time to let your legislators know how you feel in your own words.

Contact nccoalition@yahoo.com to join our mailing list, or to attend a hometown meeting with your legislators.

Our tax dollars are paying for this cruel form of euthanasia. Tell the government that we want this to change!

Colloidal Silver

This is relatively new in the alternative treatment spectrum but it is very effective as an antibiotic.

It is available in a gel or liquid form and can significantly reduce the length and severity of almost any type of bacterial infection. The best type of colloidal silver is produced with a highly technical electro colloidal process using electrical current. The process allows for extremely fine particles to be suspended indefinitely in a solution of steam distilled water, replacing the need for any chemical or stabilizers and making a true colloidal clotuoiton.

Colloidal silver works by destroying the enzyme responsible in the bacteria or virus, for cellular respiration- depriving the organism from breathing and preventing them from developing resistance and immunity. Colloidal silver is toxic to at least 650 pathogens including fungi, protozoa and parasite eggs.

Colloidal silver can be used topically for burns, cuts, bug bites, dermatitis, rashes and abscesses. Taken orally in small doses it fights cold, flu, eye infections, and other invading infectious agents. It is not toxic, will not suppress the immune system and does not damage the friendly bacteria in the lower gut.

Silver occurs naturally in soil as a trace mineral but because our soils are depleted of these elements, they are no longer available to us except as supplements.

Colloidal silver is tasteless, odorless and does not sting topically. It does not interfere with other drugs but if taken in large doses can cause nausea.

You get what you pay for so make sure you are buying a high quality colloidal silver. One reliable source for colloidal silver is Nannosil (www.harmonixtherapy.com.

I have used this on my cats as a topical rinse for skin issues and given it to them in water for health issues. I have also taken it for myself for fungus infections. It is a product that should be in everyone's first aid kit.

Blog Award

A belated thank you to Creek Cats for this award from months ago. It took me this long to get this on my blog!!!

Here is the meaning and rules of this award:
"This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

My insert link is not functioning...so please excuse the blog addresses instead of the links!

I would like to pass on this award to http://simplycats.beetle-blog.com/, http://caringforbella.blogspot.com/, http://blissyo-elgarden.blogspot.com/, http://catphilanthropy.blogspot.com/, http://kattoniccats.blogspot.com/, http://furrydancecats.blogspot.com/, http://sumacstories.blogspot.com/, http://zoolatry.blogspot.com/.

Check out our new cat blog!

I have made a new blog just for the rescued feral cats of Wildcat Woods. Check it out and say hi to them.

http://wildcatwoodscats.blogspot.com
(Sorry that I can't seem to get this to connect to my blog!)

Natural Antibiotics Instead of Drugs

There are times when the health issue of your pet is so severe that you must use an antibiotic drug. But there are side effects to them:
Allergic reaction
Bacterial resistance
Diarrhea
Dry eyes
Fever
Immune-mediated anemia and platelet problems
Immune-mediated joint inflammation
Vomiting
Yeast infections

Some of these side effect will subside or can be diminished by taking the antibiotics with food, and taking probiotics during the course of the antibiotic treatment.

Herbal Antibiotics
For illnesses that are not acute, try taking any of the following herbal antibiotic substitutes:
Alfalfa
Astralgus
Boswelia
Burdock
Dandelion
Echinacea (not for long time use)
Ginger
Ginseng
Gotu Gola
Hawthorn
Horsetail
Licorice (not for long time use)
Marshmallow
Milk Thistle
Nettle
Olive leaf
Red clover
Sage
St. John's Wort
Turmeric
Yarrow
Yellow Dock

For skin problems requiring topical antibiotics, try:
Aloe Vera
Antibacterial shampoos
Colloidal silver
Herbal rinses with chamomile and goldenseal
Olive leaf

Dosages: I use the rule of thumb my vet told me --- to give 1/8 or 1/4 of what a human dose is, depending on the size of your pet.

I am not a vet and have no medical training.  Please take your pet to a vet for any serious injuries and conditions.  And it goes without saying...always talk with your vet before giving herbs if your animal takes other medications. Herbs can react with other drugs.

Goodbye to Socks Clinton

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Socks, the cat who won international fame during his years in the Clinton White House, was euthanized Friday after months of treatment for cancer.


Socks was adopted by Chelsea Clinton when her father was governor of Arkansas.

Socks, who was born in 1989, was put to sleep about 10 a.m. at Three Notch Veterinary Clinic in Hollywood, Maryland, said veterinary assistant Rae Dera. Veterinarians say he was probably either 19 or 20 years old.

The cat had been losing weight since November and had been treated at the clinic, Dera said. He had been suffering from a cancer in his mouth and jaw.

Since the Clintons left the White House in 2001, Socks had lived with Betty Currie, former President Bill Clinton's secretary. The Clintons were known to have visited Socks, and Currie, when in Washington.

He had been a stray and was adopted by Chelsea Clinton, the Clintons' daughter, when Bill Clinton was governor of Arkansas.

"Socks brought much happiness to Chelsea and us over the years, and enjoyment to kids and cat lovers everywhere," Bill and Hillary Clinton said in a joint statement released by the William J. Clinton Foundation. "We're grateful for those memories, and we especially want to thank our good friend, Betty Currie, for taking such loving care of Socks for so many years."


The black-and-white feline was a fixture at the White House during the Clintons' eight-year run. He was often photographed on the president's shoulder and was given free rein of the presidential residence -- showing up in photos in the Oval Office and White House press briefing room.

He had his own online fan club, appeared at animal charity events and was one of the subjects of now-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's book, "Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets."

National Spay Day Feb. 24, 2009

This is an annual campaign of The Humane Society of the United States to inspire people to save animal lives by spaying or neutering pets and feral cats.

This event is officially the last Tuesday of February, with events and activities taking place throughout the month of February. The 15th annual Spay Day USA is Feb. 24, 2009.

Why: Four million cats and dogs—about one every eight seconds—are put down in U.S. shelters each year. Often these animals are the offspring of cherished family pets, even purebreds. Maybe someone's cat or dog got out just that one time or maybe the litter was intentional, but efforts to find enough good homes failed. Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats and a proven way to reduce the vast numbers of animals who are born only to die prematurely and without a family who loves them. Learn more about why you should spay or neuter your pet.

Do something to spread the news about Spay Day USA!

The above information was from the Humane Society web site.

Choosing a Healthy Puppy

When choosing a new dog, you need to be very familiar with each breeds' temperaments, needs and potential health issues. But once you have chosen a breed that will suit your lifestyle and preferences, how do you tell if a particular animal is a healthy one?

This check list will help pinpoint any congenital defects as well as assess the possibility of chronic health problems to come.

Coat color
White animals can have extra problems like skin cancers, or deafness. Gray collies can often have a blood immune issues with increased susceptibility to infection.

Eyes
The eyes should be normal size for the breed and clear of discharges.

Movement
Does the dog move normally or does it swing its hips from side to side as it walks? This could be a warning sign of hip dysplasia. Are the legs normal length and are the front and back legs in the right proportion relative to each other?

Nose pigmentation
Is the nose of normal pigmentation? Light skin noses can be subject to sunburn or skin cancer.

Temperament
Avoid puppies that seem unusually aggressive, clinging, jealous, fearful, suspicious, hyperactive, noiy or unaware. These traits can be difficult to change and to live with.

Look for a puppy that responds well to you. Try this. Roll him on his back and hold him there. If he fights to get up, he may be difficult to train and be aggressive. A dog that keeps his tail low or acts submissive will be the most devoted and easiest to train.

Another way to see how compliant the puppy will be is to pick up a foot and watch how the dog reacts to that. Most will struggle a bit but not too much.

Puppies who stare back at you with intensity are going to be dominant and hard to handle. Those who avoid all eye contact will be shy and hard to establish a relationship with.

Attractive coat
The coat should smell and look healthy and clean. The skin should be pliant and firm with a healthy pink color.

Breathing sounds
The puppy should breathe quietly and easily. Any rasping sounds can be signs of problems to come.

Ears
Check inside the ears for signs of inflammation, or dark and waxy discharge. This could be a signal of chronic ear trouble.

Check the navel.
Feel around the navel for lumps. Lumps can signal a hernia.

Jaws
Are the upper and lower jaws the same size? Do the teeth fit together well? Are the gums healthy?

For more information on dog breeds and choosing a puppy best suited for your family check out Puppies for sale http://www.puppies-forsale.co.uk

Hawthorn for Heart Problems

When I found out one of my cats had a heart murmur, I read up on what to give Joey for this. I found the herb hawthorn to be a great help.

Hawthorn is listed in herbal books as one of the best tonic remedies for the heart. It may be used safely and in long term treatment for heart weakness or failure, palpitations and high blood pressure.

This herb helps the heart in many ways. It dilates the arteries, improving the heart's blood supply. It increases the heart's pumping force and eliminates some types of heart rhythm disturbances.

I sprinkle a bit in Joey's can food every day. He is doing well so hopefully this is helping make his heart stronger.

Since heart issues are very serious, consult with your vet first about using hawthorn as a long term heart tonic.

Aconite for Colds

The homeopathic remedy Aconitum napellas (made from monkshood) is useful for early stages of acute illnesses such as colds, fever, cystitis or even conjunctivitis. Often the illness shows itself after exposure to cold, wind or icy temperatures.

One of the indications that Aconite is the correct remedy is suddenness. The symptoms are also intense - redness, pain, fever.

Another element of this remedy is fear - use it when a traumatic incident has happened and your animal is very fearful after. Use it for anxious animals or before a trip for those who have a fear of travel.

I usually give a low dose of 6c or 12c three or four times within one day. That should cancel out the symptoms. If not then try another remedy suitable to the symptoms.

I use this for myself and find that if I use it before an illness sets it, I clear right up.

Book Review: Pets Tell the Truth by Agnes Julia Thomas, Ph.D.

I have read many books by animal communicators and have even hired one to help me with my cat behavior problems but this book was by far the most helpful in terms of explaining the process of animal communication and giving us all a glimpse of how pets think and where they go when they die.

Dr. Agnes has a Doctorate in physiological psychology and worked as a counselor for brain damaged children and adults. She also has 25 years of experience working non invasively with lab animals to research the brain and developing a respiratory control system. She is nationally recognized for her research. All this is information on her background is for the skeptics out there who don't believe in animal telepathy. This woman is a scientist and educator.

Dr. Agnes has been communicating with animals since 1992. When she lost her own cat Missy to cancer after losing her husband a few months before, she was devastated enough to contact an animal communicator herself to have some closure concerning another cat Frosty who also had cancer and was dying. This opened a door to another world for her and this book lets us peek into it.

After using communicators several times, Dr. Agnes decided to learn to to this herself and has helped many other people with their animals and to learn animal communication themselves. I found this book to be more scientific and yet more metaphysical than any other I've read about the subject.

She explains how to learn telepathic communication, compares the human mind with the animal mind, and teaches us the mysticism and spirituality of animals, discovering the real science of metaphysics along the way. Finally she explores animals and the afterlife.

I picked up this book after I lost a dear young cat to urinary blockage. It gave me much needed comfort about where my Manny was now and how animals are connected to us still, even after death.

If you are still not sure what animal communication is about, read this book and you will have a wonderful sense of how and why we are connected to our pets and about the power of love.

Check out the web site for Dr. Agnes at www.petstellthetruth.com.