Newman’s Own Organics Adult Dog Food Formula

What this means is that even once you’ve found an awesome food do a search online now and then to make sure its still awesome and hasn’t been recalled. Thats right even the companies with the best intentions rely on human error, greed and profit margins. A perfect example is Nutra Pet produces of some top name brand dog foods such as Evo, California Naturals, Mother Nature and Innova has recently sold to Proctor and Gamble.  Here is an article about it

You should also know that Proctor and Gamble owns Iams and Eukanuba. Iams was petitioned by Peta for animal testing. Read more about Animal Testing.  Long term how will this affect the Nutra Pet foods has got many of us greatly concerned.

Read this site to see the poor dogs used in Iams testing. Trust me you won’t buy it again: http://www.iamscruelty.com/photos.asp

Even the superior food I feed my dogs “Taste of the Wild” owned by Diamond Pet foods produce products in the past that were part a huge recall. Since then it seems that the company cleaned up their act and realized the huge losses in not providing a premium safe product. I search monthly making sure there are no changes in processing.

The bottom line is that you’ll need to continue to research and then watch the health of your dog. If you can consider making your dogs food.  If you want a reality check read this site: http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/ If it scares you it should.

If you would like an excellent book on natural pet health including cat and dog foods you can make at home check out: Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats Do yourself and your beloved pet a favor and take the time to read it. You can spend the money and time now or later at the Vet.

I am researching several companies to see if we can purchase free range meats at an affordable cost along with fruits and veggies to make dog food that can be stored in the freezer. If we all pull together perhaps we can find an affordable option for our pets. If you’re interested please email me and be sure to subscribe to our blog for updates.

I am always skeptical with treatments that make big claims and in the last 5 years, especially now, look for alternative and holistic treatments. Vetnox makes two treatments; (see banner link below to read ingredients, order and details )

Arthro-IonX™ – for hip and joint problems.
Promaxol™ – for pain management

This is a homeopathic treatment that is safe and no side effects. I talked to people using it and they rave about it. So I ordered some for my Rottie “Bear” who is suffering from severe canine Osteoarthritis in his back leg. He’s old and although I can watch his weight, give him light walks, he still suffers. I was giving him 1 anti-inflammatory a day that cost 1.00 PER PILL and Metacam, a pain relief medicine that was costing me almost 150.00 per month. I hated seeing him in pain.

It’s been just a week now and I’ll be darn if I don’t already start to see a difference. I’m sure it takes time but I’m impressed by how quickly its working and it’s very affordable. I’ll keep you posted on the outcome. If you have a dog, cat or horse suffering from severe joint, arthritis or hip you might want to consider trying this stuff. They offer a 60 Day, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Here at Dancing Creek Farm we take dog food and health very serious. Over the past 15 years I have taken care of countless animals, especially dogs that had skin problems, allergies and even more severe cases - Diabetes, cancer and tumors. Although I am not a Vet there is no doubt in my mind that food and environment play a major part in the health and longevity of  pet and family.

Commercial foods are filled with harmful chemicals and ingredients that are not beneficial to your pets health. I urge you to take the times and research this. Please read this one article CLICK HERE however do your own research. Each year I learn more and see the results not only in my own dogs but dogs I take care of. I know at least a dozen dogs I’ve recommended food and supplements that have had amazing results and off harmful medications.

Any pet food company, even the highest rated can experience a recall. It even happens with out own human food supply, however the base ingredients, preservatives, food quality and additives in most commercial dog foods are just awful.

We choose Taste of The Wild because it’s a grain free food filled with excellent quality ingredients. Click here read them. Because it;s grain free and filled with healthy fibers from fruits and vegetables your dog will eat less and within a short time you’ll see changes in their coats, muscle tone and overall well being. In addition I also add additional fish oil and vitamin E. Sometimes I add sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed) , sometimes a little natural REAL yogurt, chopped apples, etc. If you’re unsure just email me.

Dog Food Reviews: http://www.rateitall.com/t-353-dog-food-brands.aspx

Other harmful chemicals found in cleaners and pesticides which are commonly used around the home could be harmful to you and your pet. Cleaner like “Simple Green” found at Sam’s Club or many stores or what we use is Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds, 32-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 2). This stuff is highly concentrated and safe enough to to clean your fruits and veggies, countertop, floors, everything! You’ll be amazed how will it cleans, although you may need to use a clear rinse water after cleaning floors.

Harmful pesticides you spray on your lawn and yard can cause illness or even death. As mentioned in my article on natural tick and flea treatments we use a garlic spray Mosquito Barrier – Liquid Spray Repellent – 1 Gallon it says Mosquitoes, however we use it for ticks, fleas, all types of insects that raid our gardens. It helps cut down on flies but we still use fly traps because flies can carry all types of disease. This is another reason to use Vinegar and Garlic as a tick and flea treatment because its often given to horses to keep flies away.

Considering your dogs health by feeding healthy food, supplements, healthy environment, LOTS of fresh water (change several times a day to encourage drinking) and lots of one on one times, love and affection will extend your dogs life and you’ll save lots of money on Vet bills.

If you live in Danville you can buy Taste of The Wild at Legget’s Town & Country. Please tell them we sent you. We’re working on a discount!

I’ll be covering more on this as well as natural healing herbs and supplements soon. Please subscribe to my blog and tell your friends.

Here is an article from Humane Society

This article primarily covers over the counter treatments, however like any pharmaceutical you should investigate the side effects before dosing your beloved pet.

In the past few years taking care of dogs I’ve seen all types of crazy illnesses in dogs of all ages. Young dogs with severe skin allergies, liver problems, diabetes and more. Although I feel many things collectively contribute to this I can’t help but think that we are poisoning our animals and then continuing to poison them with prescribed medications that also have harmful side effects.

I began a mission to find ways to heal my animals naturally and keep fleas and ticks at bay. Not only my own dogs but the dogs I care for. I can’t prevent an owner from using products but I can recommend foods and treatments that work for me. I’ve had amazing results.

Natural Flea and Tick Treatment That Works!

You can purchase this already mix and it will cost you a lot more but its super simple. In my dogs food I put a teaspoon of organic raw apple cider vinegar.  Next I add garlic. Before you make a decision research the facts. CLICK HERE Carefully research before many any decision even from the most trusted source.  I purchase garlic gel caps  from Sam’s Club. I put a whole cap in my Rottie’s food while in my toy I break it and only add 1/2. I also add Brewers Yeast. It’s best to start small and test. If you feel more comfortable you can also get a pet made yeast and garlic pill:

NaturVet Brewer’s Yeast & Garlic (1000 Tabs)

Does it REALLY WORK?

I will always try natural first. Still there was a part of me that worried that my dogs would get fleas and ticks and give them to our boarders. I am responsible for their pets so I did make sure I checked them every day. I don’t use harmful chemicals on my lawn or garden. I purchase this:

Mosquito Barrier – Liquid Spray Repellent – 1 Quart, For Grassy Areas; Yards, Parks, Athletic Fields And Golf Courses, Keeps Away ticks, fleas, gnats, fire ants and black flies for nearly a month

I buy the gallon which is highly concentrated and it will last me all season with some left over. I do a lot more gardening then the average person. I spray the dog yards, lawn around my house, my fruit trees, everything gets sprayed. It’s approved for organic gardening. I add a teaspoon of any kind of oil, shake the sprayer often and this seems to help it stick better. I really love this stuff and spray every 2 weeks.

I also have free range hens running around eating every bug in sight!  So I’m thinking there’s no way to really tell if the vinegar and garlic work, right?

The other day I needed to quickly go down to the creek. The grass was high and on the back end of my 30 acres it’s woods and lots of ticks. It was too late, I looked around and there was Bear and Cheyenne following behind me. I figured they’d be covered in ticks! I get back to the house and start digging through their coats hunting for ticks. They didnt have not ONE single tick BUT I had FIVE on me!  I decided I needed the same flea and tick regime as my pets! I was taking garlic already and now I drink two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar a day. In fact I’m going to start feeding it to my hens and see if it helps with mites and to my pig!

I’ll be posting some more pet health tips that I’ve actually tried and know that it works. I am not a Vet only someone that has tried things that worked for me. It’s up to you to research and make calculated choices for you and your pets.

Across the nation and especially in areas of Virginia 1000′s of dogs are left chained or in small pen with very little love and human contact.  Please please support this cause.  If you have a dog that is chained or pen, please read and learn about your options. If you are unable to care for your pet please contact the spca.org

Here at Dancing Creek Farm we have secure areas for dogs, however they are still confined. Having a nice fenced area is not enough. You need to provide that pet with fresh clean water at all times. Take your pet for a walk, brush, cuddle and love them. That’s what makes our facility so special is the time we take to ensure the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of every animal here. Animals are precious and deserve the best life you can give them.

“A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbols mean nothing to him. A water-logged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his. It is really quite that simple …”  From the movie, “Marley & Me”

I just watched the movie “Marley & Me”.  The story is based on the life of a dog & his owners. It’s a great story, although with a sad ending, especially for dog lovers. I warn you that the ending might make you cry. I hadn’t cried like that in years. Unfortunately I could relate to ending where he had to put Marley to sleep. In my 50 years and caring for countless animals, I never get use to their life ending. The difference for me is when I put a dog down that has had a happy and full life as opposed to an animal that had to suffer due to illness and end his life too early. The pain and suffer haunts me for years. I still get pain in my heart every time I look at a picture of dogs I had and lost.

Today  I own five adopted  dogs.  I never planned on having so many, especially running a dog boarding business. I have enough dogs to take care and get paid for it. Yet somehow they enter into my life and I’m always grateful they had. I swore I would not take another dog after my chocolate lab, “Little Man” died. I had  two other dogs, getting older and when they were done I was done taking care of animals. Its not that I don’t love animals, I do, but if you own animals you know how difficult it is to get away , especially if you own a lot of animals. If you have two dogs, no problem. Get a friend or board them. When you have FIVE dogs, a pet pigs, chickens and a cat,  its pretty hard to get a family member or friend to volunteer to watch your animals. Forget about the expense of boarding.

There are days when I want to pull my hair out. I just can’t listen to another bark, crying, bed hogging and cleaning up piss & poop. Sometimes I get in my van just to get away from the farm and escape. I admit that there are those days when I wonder why in the hell I ever took on such responsibility. And then I’m sitting at my computer and my boxer with a serious under bite, tongue hanging out, walks over to me and lays his head on my arm while looking up at me with sad eyes. “Kiss me mommy.” No matter how busy I am this gets me every time. I stop what I’m doing and kiss his little face. My dogs can do the silliest things and make me laugh when I feel like crying. The amount of loyalty and love a dog gives is like none other. People come and go. Dogs stay as long as you allow them in your life.

A cute video of dogs decorating a tree. Click here to check it out.