Sometime over the next few days I will write a post about an amazing connection that Jean made, via Richard in England, with Colin Potter. He is the founder of the site Fight Parkinson’s.
It is mentioned as an introduction to today’s post because Colin stresses the critical importance of the right diet for us humans.
But now I want to go straight to a guest post sent to me by Kathreen Miller on the topic of diet for our dogs.
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Is Organic Food Really Good For Your Dog To Eat?
by Kathreen Miller
If you are searching for information related to organic food for dogs, then you’re probably a firm believer in animal rights and how food affects their health. . Maybe you are also considering how your dog will follow a vegan diet. Or how an organic diet can help improve your pet’s health?
You must understand that dogs require protein-rich foods. Therefore, you should look for balanced and high-quality food so that your pet’s health is not deteriorated. A low intake of protein in your pet could result in anemia which again causes joint pain in dogs.
Pet Bounce is one of the best dog pain medications to allefviate the joint pain in pet dogs.
Therefore, read this article to get information about organic food for a dog and how to make it a part of their regular diet. You might have some questions in your mind. You might think how can you make your dog eat organic food? Is it good for dogs? Before you start such kind of diet for your pet you need to do some research.
Consult a veterinary doctor and speak to him/her about the deficiency and advantage of an organic diet. You need to understand that the stomach of dogs is fragile. An instant change in the diet of a dog makes them suffer from diarrhea or bad breath. The change of diet in your dog should be slow.
If you are starting with organic food for your pet, then initially you need to give them organic food once a week. This will make your dog habitual and accustomed to organic food.
During this time period, you need to ensure that your dog gets a mix of normal as well as organic diet. Then after a considerable period of time, slowly increase the organic food proportion, and finally making it one hundred percent.
Besides, if you are considering about giving your dog the homemade diet then you must know which vegetables and fruits aren’t consumed by your dog. This is of utmost importance as a few vegetables can be toxic to your dog’s digestion. Visit a professional canine nutritionist to receive expert guidance. Also take your dog for health checkups.
This is to make sure that your dog will eat their new food and does not suffer from any diseases.
Why is Organic Food Important for Your Dog?
It is correct, that organic food for dogs is created with natural methods and does not contain any type of additives, preservatives, and artificial colorants. Also, the organic food should be grown in a completely natural manner. But remember, that all organic food brands won’t be entirely free from the preservatives.
Is Organic food Good for Dog’s Health?
As long as you obey the advice of your veterinary doctor, organic food is very good for the health of your dog. If you satisfy the requirements of your dogs, and their health is good, then we can have the idea that organic diet is good for the dogs. There are many types of organic foods. But what makes them bad or good is the range to which they satisfy the animal requirements for the nutrients.
Also, ensure that dogs must get a regular and high intake of protein and they never eat the excess quantity of corn. Since for dogs, corns are not easy to digest.
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I am delighted to add a little about Kathreen’s background.
Kathreen Miller is a pet health expert. She lives in Chicago with her daughter and a dog named “Buddy”. She regularly contributes her write ups to pet health related websites and blogs. In her Free time, she loves listening to music, watching TV and traveling.
On her Pet Bounce site there is an informative article about joint pain in dogs.
Thanks Kathreen for composing this guest post.
I have taken the liberty of grabbing a copy of one of the photos from the Pet Bounce site.
We must do all we can to keep our dogs fit and healthy for as many years as possible!
Last Wednesday I was signed off in terms of being over my medical challenge and the good doctor said I was clear to return to driving; I drove home that afternoon from Eugene to Merlin.
I wanted to offer you good people a sense of what being home, more or less compus mentus , feels like.
A few weeks ago I reported my bike accident. I published the post here: https://learningfromdogs.com/2017/11/24/dont-try-home/
In that post I spoke that on November 22nd I had a bike accident that knocked me out for nearly 8 minutes. I was taken to our local hospital, they did a CAT scan, and declared that there was no serious harm apart from some severe bruising.
Then about 2 weeks ago I noticed I was a little strange. Like I couldn’t write words and other strange behaviors. Jean and I thought it was just part of the healing process. But Alex, my son, became very worried because I was acting so strange. Then friend of 40 years, Dan Gomez, insisted on me going back to the local hospital. I did return last Sunday the 24th. Thank goodness for he saved my life.
That hospital in Grants Pass found more bleeding in my brain, albeit very slow bleeding, and transferred urgently me to the regional trauma center at Eugene. I then had two sub-durnal (sp?) operations overnight before being put onto the ICU ward. The lead surgeon explained that I was within 24 hours of dying! As in if I had not gone back to hospital.
I am now on the Neurology ward at the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, rapidly regaining my strength and hoping to go home over the weekend. Fingers crossed the neurological damage will not be too bad.
So yet another example of always listening to one’s inner mind.
I must add that the care and attention, even love, shown to me by everyone at the hospital has been wonderful beyond imagination! Thank you all! Continue reading “A very lucky day!”→
Hoping to bring a dog into your home? Some people are happy to adopt any dog who’s at the shelter. And some opt to follow the pack and choose one of the most popular breeds in America. But others want to do their research and make sure they choose the right dog. Some dog breeds are easier to own than others, especially for novice dog parents. To find the easiest dog breeds to own, we took a look at a variety of important characteristics. And you might be surprised by the traits that matter most.
You might think you want a smart dog. But highly intelligent dogs aren’t always the easiest to train because trainability is more about a dog’s willingness to follow instructions than his ability to understand them. And you might assume an active dog will be the simplest to keep healthy. But a dog with a lower energy level and no genetic predisposition to disease will actually be easier to handle. Plus, choosing a dog with an easygoing temperament — and minimal grooming needs — will go a long way toward keeping you sane.
Ready to find the perfect dog? Check out 21 of the easiest dog breeds to own.
1. Basset hound
Basset puppy | iStock.com/imants
Want a low-key dog? You might just love the basset hound, a dog breed the American Kennel Club characterizes as “easygoing, laid-back, and even a bit lazy.” These medium-sized dogs aren’t very active. (They do still need regular walks to stay healthy though.) Most dog owners won’t put the basset hound’s hunting prowess to the test. But they will appreciate the breed’s extreme patience with children. Plus, the AKC reports these dogs are “easy to train, and despite their plodding pace, they do well at various dog sports.”
Because the basset hound is prone to obesity, you’ll want to make a point of taking your dog on daily walks. A basset hound is an extreme people-pleaser, and he’ll love to bond with you in obedience classes. These dogs have a short coat, which does shed. But they need minimal grooming. And generally, basset hounds are a healthy breed.
2. Beagle
Small dog sitting on the wooden floor. Beagle puppy
Some of the easiest dog breeds to own are the ones that are friendly and outgoing, rather than hyper-intelligent. The beagle is a great example. The breed’s AKC profile characterizes these dogs as “merry,” “friendly,” and “curious.” The organization promises, “Beagles are loving and lovable, happy, easygoing, and companionable.” They are very active little dogs who need plenty of exercise. But they love to play, and a beagle will likely have you laughing constantly with his antics.
VetStreet reports the beagle is one of the most outgoing, approachable, and people-pleasing breeds. “The beagle is among the top 10 most popular breeds for good reason: He has a bigger-than-life personality and a merry nature that make him a warm and cheerful companion.”
Plus, the beagle is generally a very healthy dog breed. And somewhat controversially, the beagle’s easygoing personality — and the breed’s freedom from genetic diseases — explains why researchers choose beagles for animal testing.
3. Bichon frisé
Another dog breed to consider if you want a friendly and easygoing pup? The bichon frisé. This small dog is a great companion both for adults and older children. He’s happy and curious. And he’s both “playful” and “peppy,” according to the AKC. The organization reports that bichons are “bundles of energy, so they’ll need daily play sessions and walks.” They make great family pets. And they are easy to train because they love not only to perform, but also to please their people.
PetWave describes bichon frisés as “little puffs of personality.” This dog breed loves people. And a bichon wouldn’t mind going everywhere with you, whether you’re walking, running, or driving around town.
The AKC adds that “owners might even delight in watching their dog suddenly experience a burst of energy, known as the ‘Bichon Blitz,’ during which they’ll comically sprint around their space. That period is usually followed by some serious cuddle time to satisfy their lovable side.”
4. Border terrier
Border terriers | iStock.com/shellhawker
Not everybody knows about the border terrier. But you might want to get familiar with this dog breed, which the AKC characterizes as “plucky,” “happy,” and “affectionate.” The border terrier has a moderate energy level but a more laid-back personality than many other terriers. And the AKC explains that even though this dog breed loves exploring outdoors and was bred to be a country dog, “border terriers adapt well to city life — as long as they get plenty of exercise.”
Border terriers get along well with other dogs. But the AKC warns that “their hunting instincts can be aroused when cats or squirrels cross their path.” Nonetheless, the organization notes the border terrier “is good tempered, affectionate, obedient, and easily trained.”
PetWave explains though personalities vary, every border terrier is “curious by nature and will want to be included in all family activities.” The publication recommends a mix of “consistency, confident leadership, and lots of positive reinforcement” when training a border terrier.
5. Bulldog
English bulldog puppies | iStock.com/onetouchspark
If you want a patient and mellow dog, you can’t go wrong with the bulldog. The AKC explains this dog breed is “calm, courageous, and friendly,” plus “dignified but amusing.” What a winning combination. This medium-sized dog has a moderate energy level. And the AKC notes, “Bulldogs won’t beg to be exercised, but they require regular walks and the occasional romp.” Because the bulldog is very intelligent, he does his own thinking. (Hence the breed’s reputation for stubbornness.)
Nonetheless, you can successfully train your bulldog. The AKC advises, “Training is most successful when begun at an early age with elaborate praise and rewards given for good behavior. It also helps if the owner/trainer has a sense of humor and appreciation of the bulldog’s ability to ‘do it my way’ in very innovative ways!”
Rover characterizes the bulldog’s personality as “sleepy.” All jokes aside, bulldogs have an easygoing temperament and won’t bark nearly as much as other breeds (though they make up for it with adorable snorting, grunting, and snoring).
6. Cavalier King Charles spaniel
Cavalier King Charles spaniel | iStock.com/Banepx
Want a dog who really, really loves people? Then, consider the Cavalier King Charles spaniel. According to the AKC, these friendly little dogs “do equally well with active types and homebodies — they can be loyal hiking partners or shameless couch potatoes, depending on the owner’s personality — as long as they get a satisfying walk each day.” They have a moderate energy level so need some exercise. But they are friendly and easy to train. You can trust them with children, and they make a great addition to a family.
According to VetStreet, “The little spaniels are attracted to people the way strawberry jam is to peanut butter. If a Cavalier sees an empty lap, he is likely to jump into it, whether he knows the person or not. And a Cavalier who sees a stranger on the street may just veer in that person’s direction, anxious to make a new friend.”
And though PetWave reports this dog breed loves running around outside as much as curling up inside, this spaniel is a true companion dog. That means you shouldn’t leave him alone for too long.
7. Chihuahua
When you think Chihuahua, you might envision a yappy little dog. But it’s poorly trained dogs who have earned the breed that reputation. According to the AKC, “Inside each little Chihuahua is a miniature king or queen ready to rule their realms, so they need to be taught what is acceptable in human kingdoms.” Nonetheless, this dog breed is intelligent, enthusiastic, trainable, and generally low-maintenance despite their regal attitude.
Chihuahuas can do well in families, particularly if the children in the household are gentle and patient with their dog. Because they’re so small, they require little exercise. That means they adapt well to life in cities, but the breed is hardy enough to enjoy life in rural setting, as well. (Just watch out for cold temperatures to which the Chihuahua can be sensitive.) Plus, many Chihuahuas get along with other pets, especially companions of their own breed.
8. Collie
Collie | iStock.com/Eudyptula
Want a dog who’s both smart and eager to please his owners? You won’t be disappointed by the collie. The AKC explains that collies have “legendary” herding and protecting abilities. But this dog breed isn’t too intelligent — or too proud — to crave your attention and approval. The AKC notes, “Collies can do well in the country or the city but need companionship.” The organization adds that the collie is “great at understanding human’s moods” and gets along well with children. They learn quickly and easily.
According to the Collie Club of America, this dog breed “falls in the mid-range of responsibility when it comes to the practical concerns that influence the choice of a breed as a family dog.” Collies show a gentle, laid-back personality. They are also clean and quiet around the house, and they housebreak easily. They do need to be brushed every week or two. But they are generally odor-free — a plus for any would-be pet owner worried about a smelly dog.
9. Corgi
The corgi will definitely steal your heart if you want an easygoing dog with a lot of personality. The AKC describes this dog breed as “smart and alert, affectionate but not pushy, bold but kindly.” These little dogs are active, but they can adapt to just about any living situation as long as they get regular exercise. The corgi responds well to training.
As the AKC reports, “The time you spend in training, especially during the first year of your pet’s life, will be repaid many times over by giving you a well-behaved companion, one that is bonded to you and your family for the rest of his life.” The organization also notes that a corgi “without a job will often assign himself work, like herding children or his fellow dogs.” This dog breed craves activity and togetherness and will prove incredibly loyal to a family who can provide both. Corgis have a medium-length coat that requires regular weekly grooming, plus an occasional bath.
10. French bulldog
The French bulldog might just be the perfect dog breed for someone who wants an outgoing and people-pleasing companion. These lively little dogs always want attention, and they show a knack for entertaining the people around them. According to the AKC, this friendly dog breed is playful, but smart. They aren’t very active nor particularly athletic. That means brisk walks will be enough to keep them trim and healthy.
Plus, the Frenchie has a well-documented sense of humor. According to the AKC, “You won’t have to worry about a yappy dog bothering your neighbors because Frenchies rarely bark. That said, you can count on them to alert their owners to danger (Look! The UPS guy is coming!).”
French bulldogs, and other dogs with short faces, breathe less efficiently than longer-nosed dog breeds. So you’ll need to keep your dog cool in warm weather and avoid overly strenuous exercise. But they are intelligent dogs, and training is easy as long as you make it a game.
For just two days ago I published a post under the heading of Meat is Heat. It featured an essay by Michael Greger. He of the website NutritionFacts.org. That essay promoted the message:
What we eat may have more of an impact on global warming than what we drive.
Just cutting out animal protein intake one day of the week could have a powerful effect. Meatless Mondays alone could beat out a whole week of working from home and not commuting.
Many of you read that post.
On the same day that I published that post, George Monbiot published an article in The Guardian newspaper that offered the same message, albeit coming at it from a different place but nonetheless just as critically important.
Here it is republished with Mr. Monbiot’s very kind permission.
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We Can’t Keep Eating Like This
This is the question everyone should be attending to – where is the food going to come from?
By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 11th December 2017
Brexit; the crushing of democracy by billionaires; the next financial crash; a rogue US president: none of them keeps me awake at night. This is not because I don’t care – I care very much. It’s only because I have a bigger question on my mind. Where is the food going to come from?
By mid-century there will be two or three billion more people on Earth. Any one of the issues I am about to list could help precipitate mass starvation. And this is before you consider how they might interact.
The trouble begins where everything begins: with soil. The UN’s famous projection that, at current rates of soil loss, the world has 60 years of harvests left, appears to be supported by a new set of figures. Partly as a result of soil degradation, yields are already declining on 20% of the world’s croplands.
Now consider water loss. In places such as the North China Plain, the central United States, California and north-western India – among the world’s critical growing regions – levels of the groundwater used to irrigate crops are already reaching crisis point. Water in the Upper Ganges aquifer, for example, is being withdrawn at 50 times its recharge rate. But, to keep pace with food demand, farmers in South Asia expect to use between 80 and 200% more water by 2050. Where will it come from?
The next constraint is temperature. One study suggests that, all else being equal, with each degree Celsius of warming the global yield of rice drops by 3%, wheat by 6% and maize by 7%. This could be optimistic. Research published in the journal Agricultural & Environmental Letters finds that 4°C of warming in the US Corn Belt could reduce maize yields by between 84 and 100%.
The reason is that high temperatures at night disrupt the pollination process. But this describes just one component of the likely pollination crisis. Insectageddon, caused by the global deployment of scarcely-tested pesticides, will account for the rest. Already, in some parts of the world, workers are now pollinating plants by hand. But that’s viable only for the most expensive crops.
Then there are the structural factors. Because they tend to use more labour, grow a wider range of crops and work the land more carefully, small farmers, as a rule, grow more food per hectare than large ones. In the poorer regions of the world, people with less than 5 hectares own 30% of the farmland but produce 70% of the food. Since 2000, an area of fertile ground roughly twice the size of the United Kingdom has been seized by land grabbers and consolidated into large farms, generally growing crops for export rather than the food needed by the poor.
While these multiple disasters unfold on land, the seas are being sieved of everything but plastic. Despite a massive increase in effort (bigger boats, bigger engines, more gear), the worldwide fish catch is declining by roughly 1% a year, as populations collapse. The global land grab is mirrored by a global seagrab: small fishers are displaced by big corporations, exporting fish to those who need it less but pay more. Around 3 billion people depend to a large extent on fish and shellfish protein. Where will it come from?
All this would be hard enough. But as people’s incomes increase, their diet tends to shift from plant protein to animal protein. World meat production has quadrupled in 50 years, but global average consumption is still only half that of the UK – where we eat roughly our bodyweight in meat every year – and just over a third of the US level. Because of the way we eat, the UK’s farmland footprint (the land required to meet our demand) is 2.4 times the size of its agricultural area. If everyone aspires to this diet, how do we accommodate it?
The profligacy of livestock farming is astonishing. Already, 36% of the calories grown in the form of grain and pulses – and 53% of the protein – are used to feed farm animals. Two-thirds of this food is lost in conversion from plant to animal. A graph produced last week by Our World in Data suggests that, on average, you need 0.01m2 of land to produce a gram of protein from beans or peas, but 1m2 to produce it from beef cattle or sheep: a difference of 100-fold.
It’s true that much of the grazing land occupied by cattle and sheep cannot be used to grow crops. But it would otherwise have sustained wildlife and ecosystems. Instead, marshes are drained, trees are felled and their seedlings grazed out, predators are exterminated, wild herbivores fenced out and other lifeforms gradually erased as grazing systems intensify. Astonishing places – such as the rainforests of Madagascar and Brazil – are laid waste to make room for yet more cattle.
Because there is not enough land to meet both need and greed, a global transition to eating animals means snatching food from the mouths of the poor. It also means the ecological cleansing of almost every corner of the planet.
The shift in diets would be impossible to sustain even if there were no growth in the human population. But the greater the number of people, the greater the hunger meat eating will cause. From a baseline of 2010, the UN expects meat consumption to rise by 70% by 2030 (this is three times the rate of human population growth). Partly as a result, the global demand for crops could double (from the 2005 baseline) by 2050. The land required to grow them does not exist.
When I say this keeps me up at night, I mean it. I am plagued by visions of starving people seeking to escape from grey wastes, being beaten back by armed police. I see the last rich ecosystems snuffed out, the last of the global megafauna – lions, elephants, whales and tuna – vanishing. And when I wake, I cannot assure myself that it was just a nightmare.
Other people have different dreams: the fantasy of a feeding frenzy that need never end, the fairytale of reconciling continued economic growth with a living world. If humankind spirals into societal collapse, these dreams will be the cause.
There are no easy answers, but the crucial change is a shift from an animal to a plant-based diet. All else being equal, stopping both meat production and the use of farmland to grow biofuels could provide enough calories for another 4 billion people and double the protein available for human consumption. Artificial meat will help: one paper suggests it reduces water use by at least 82% and land use by 99%.
The next Green Revolution will not be like the last one. It will rely not on flogging the land to death, but on reconsidering how we use it and why. Can we do this, or do we – the richer people now consuming the living planet – find mass death easier to contemplate than changing our diet?
As many of you know Jeannie and I changed our diet to a vegan diet some four weeks ago. It was done more for personal health reasons than from an awareness of the difference that it made to the future of the planet. But over the last few weeks we have had our eyes opened to the broader benefits of not eating meat. George Monbiot spells out the urgency of change for all of us, especially the richer people in the richer countries.
Am I hopeful that there will be a mass awareness of the need to change? I truly just don’t know. I will close be repeating Mr. Monbiot’s closing sentence.
Can we do this, or do we – the richer people now consuming the living planet – find mass death easier to contemplate than changing our diet?
A counter-intuitive approach to stopping global warning.
About three weeks ago, the 22nd November to be precise, I published a post under the title of Our Beautiful Planet. It included the reply to an email that I had sent to Prof. Bill Ripple or, to give him his full nomenclature, William J. Ripple, Distinguished Professor of Ecology, Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
I reached out to the good Professor because I wanted to share with you what he thought were the top priorities in terms of how each and every one of us should change our lifestyle. You may well recall his reply (my emphasis):
Paul, Consider suggesting that if people want to help, they could have fewer children, reduce energy consumption such as driving autos and flying, avoid meat and eat mostly plant-based foods and avoid wasting food. Below are quotes from our paper. Bill
“It is also time to re-examine and change our individual behaviors, including limiting our own reproduction (ideally to replacement level at most) and drastically diminishing our per capita consumption of fossil fuels, meat, and other resources ….
… reducing food waste through education and better infrastructure; promoting dietary shifts towards mostly plant-based foods
I am keeping my fingers crossed that Dr. Michael Greger is happy for me to republish this article in full. For it so underlines what Professor Ripple is promoting. (Indeed, further browsing on the NutritionFacts website showed that articles are published under the Creative Commons License arrangement.)
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Image Credit: Andrew Walton / Unsplash. This image has been modified.
Meat is Heat: The Effects of Diet on Global Warming
One of the most prestigious medical journals in the world editorialized that climate change represents “the biggest global health threat of the 21st century.” Currently, chronic diseases are by far the leading cause of death. Might there be a way to combat both at the same time? For example, riding our bikes instead of driving is a win-win-win for the people, planet, and pocketbook. Are there similar win-win situations when it comes to diet?
As I discuss in my video Diet and Climate Change: Cooking Up a Storm, the foods that createthe most greenhouse gases appear to be the same foods that are contributing to many of our chronic diseases. Researchers found that meat (including fish), eggs, and dairy had the greatest negative environmental impact, whereas grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables had the least impact. And not only did the foods with the heaviest environmental impact tend to have lower nutritional quality, but they also had a higher price per pound. So, avoiding them gives us that triple win scenario.
The European Commission, the governing body of the European Union, commissioned a study on what individuals can do to help the climate. For example, if Europeans started driving electric cars, it could prevent as much as 174 million tonnes of carbon from getting released. We could also turn down the thermostat a bit and put on a sweater. But the most powerful action people could take is shift to a meat-free diet.
What we eat may have more of an impact on global warming than what we drive.
Just cutting out animal protein intake one day of the week could have a powerful effect. Meatless Mondays alone could beat out a whole week of working from home and not commuting.
A strictly plant-based diet may be better still: It’s responsible for only about half the greenhouse gas emissions. Studies have suggested that “moderate diet changes are not enough to reduce impacts from food consumption drastically.” Without significant reduction in meat and dairy, changes to healthier diets may only result in rather minor reductions of environmental impacts. This is because studies have shown that the average fossil energy input for animal protein production systems is 25 calories of fossil energy input for every 1 calorie produced—more than 11 times greater than that for grain protein production, for example, which is around 2 to 1.
Researchers in Italy compared seven different diets to see which one was environmentally friendliest. They compared a conventional omnivorous diet adhering to dietary guidelines; an organic omnivorous diet; a conventional vegetarian diet; an organic vegetarian diet; a conventional vegan diet; an organic vegan diet; and a diet the average person actually eats. For each dietary pattern, the researchers looked at carcinogens, air pollution, climate change, effects on the ozone layer, the ecosystem, acid rain, and land, mineral, and fossil fuel use. You can see in the video how many resources it took to feed people on their current diets, all the negative effects the diet is having on the ecosystem, and the adverse effects on human health. If people were eating a healthier diet by conforming to the dietary recommendations, the environmental impact would be significantly less. An organic omnivorous diet would be better still, similar to a vegetarian diet of conventional foods. Those are topped by an organic vegetarian diet, followed by a conventional vegan diet. The best, however, was an organic vegan diet.
The Commission report described that the barriers to animal product reduction are largely lack of knowledge, ingrained habits, and culinary cultures. Proposed policy measures include meat or animal protein taxes, educational campaigns, and putting the greenhouse gas emissions information right on food labels.
Climate change mitigation is expensive. A global transition to even just a low-meat diet, as recommended for health reasons, could reduce these mitigation costs. A study determined that a healthier, low-meat diet would cut the cost of mitigating climate change from about 1% of GDP by more than half, a no-meat diet could cut two-thirds of the cost, and a diet free of animal products could cut 80% of the cost.
Many people aren’t aware of the “cow in the room.” It seems that very few people are aware that the livestock sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. But that’s changing.
The UK’s National Health Service is taking a leading role in reducing carbon emissions. Patients, visitors, and staff can look forward to healthy, low-carbon menus with much less meat, dairy, and eggs. “Evidence shows that as far as the climate is concerned, meat is heat.”
The Swedish government recently amended their dietary recommendations to encourage citizens to eat less meat. “If we seek only to achieve the conservative objective of avoiding further long-term increases in [greenhouse gas] emissions from livestock, we are still led to rather radical recommendations” such as cutting current consumption levels in half in affluent countries—“an unlikely outcome if there were no direct rewards to citizens for doing so. Fortunately, there are such rewards: important health benefits…” By helping the planet, we can help ourselves.
There are tons of articles on diet and sustainability. It’s such an important topic that I may review the new science once every year or two. When the U.S. Department of Agriculture entered these waters, the meat industry appeared to freak out, and the Dietary Guidelines debate continues.
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Just reflect on the key message from this article (my emphasis):
“A study determined that a healthier, low-meat diet would cut the cost of mitigating climate change from about 1% of GDP by more than half, a no-meat diet could cut two-thirds of the cost, and a diet free of animal products could cut 80% of the cost.”
In other words, the most cost-effective way of mitigating climate change is to change to a diet free of animal products. Plus, it’s a damn sight healthier for you and me!
It’s stories like this that put a smile on one’s face (and heart!).
Most evenings, after we have finished supper we go into the den, as we call it, and watch a few hours of television. This room has doors to the other rooms in the house and, therefore, during the day may be closed off. Reason why that is useful is that the den is home to our three cats.
Thus, after supper the dogs and the cats get to mingle together, as this photograph of Pedi and Mitts so well illustrates.
All of which is a great introduction to a post that was recently seen over on Mother Nature Network and is republished here for all you good people.
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Removed because of copyright infringement.
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That photograph of Henry and Baloo is so wonderful that I will close today’s post by sharing it with you again but cropped to really focus on them both.
Or more specifically living a long and healthy life assisted by our dogs!
Recently the Care 2 site published a wonderful item about the real benefits of having a dog in our life when we are the ‘wrong’ side of (fill in your own number!).
So here it is for all you good people. I know without a doubt that there will be many nodding heads out there as the article is being read.
According to a 2016 Gallup poll, 44 percent of Americans own a dog. That is a pretty significant number. In fact, dogs are easily the most popular pet among US pet owners—sorry cat lovers. But what is it that makes dogs so great? Well, they’re fun loving, energetic, make excellent companions and… may actually help you live longer.
A recent Swedish study suggested that owning a dog may be linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. According to the study, owning a dog was associated with a 20 percent reduced risk of overall death and a 23 percent reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. The study tracked 3.4 million people over the course of 12 years, including both dog owners and non-dog owners. Interestingly, the effects of dog ownership were most pronounced when subjects lived alone and were the sole caretakers for the dog, as they experienced a 33 percent reduced risk of death.
So what is it that makes dogs so beneficial to our health and our lives? Here are a few theories:
EXERCISE
Dogs need exercise as much as we do, but, oftentimes people prioritize their pup’s needs above their own. Many people would more readily take their dog on a walk than walk alone down the block to get some fresh air and take care of themselves. But lucky for us, exercising a dog means exercising yourself, too! It is well established that regular exercise reduces your likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease. A dog may provide irrefutable motivation to get you off the couch and on a walk, which could be saving your life.
OUTDOOR TIME
Along the same lines, dogs encourage us to get outside more. Being outside reduces stress, can increase vitamin D levels and promotes happiness. It can be easy for us to get lazy and stay snuggled up inside when the weather is less than ideal, but dogs need regular outside access. Our pups encourage us to get outside on a regular basis, which can have a small but significantly healthful impact on overall mood and stress levels.
BENEFICIAL BACTERIA
Having a dog is essentially like consuming a powerful probiotic every single day. Dogs go out in nature, roll in mud and grass, chew on sticks, sniff all sorts of bacteria-ridden substances and then track little microscopic bits of this array of bacteria back into our homes. But that may actually be a good thing. According to the New York Times, “Epidemiological studies show that children who grow up in households with dogs have a lower risk for developing autoimmune illnesses like asthma and allergies — and it may be a result of the diversity of microbes that these animals bring inside our homes.” The wider the spectrum of bacteria we subject ourselves to, the more balanced our own microbiomes will become. Since the microbiome can affect all areas of our health, including the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease, the long term health benefits of diverse bacterial populations should not be underestimated. Dogs, and other pets, do an incredible job of strengthening our microbiomes, which has a profound impact on our health.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
There is something to said for the emotional stability a dog provides. Chronic stress has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death, which makes it even more significant that dogs are great at reducing our stress and anxiety levels. They are like our little furry therapists—they are always there for us, through good times and bad, and they always love us indiscriminately. The companionship of a dog and a human is one of the purest, most mutually beneficial relationships one can have. It’s pretty powerful.
Of course, just giving your parents a dog doesn’t mean they will necessarily live longer—especially if they aren’t ‘dog people.’ But for those who are, next time you come home to a wagging tail and a wild tongue, be grateful to your pup pal for all the amazing things they bring to your life.
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Again and again one realises just how incredible it is to have a dog, or several!, in one’s life!
Some eighteen months ago I published a guest post from Susan entitled: How To Meet The Nutritional Needs Of Pregnant Dogs
I am delighted to offer another guest post from Susan.
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7 Wonderful Ways to Cherish and Honor the Memories of Your Beloved Dog
by Susan Combs.
Our relationship with our dogs is arguably the most genuine and pious one. The shear nature of dogs to shower unconditional love to their owners makes them no less a family member. Their honesty, faithfulness and a deep sense of belonging to their families is the reason as to why they are so adored across all the cultures, communities and societies.
Since it is also the hard truth that dogs tend to live much shorter lives than their owners; which renders the relationship end abruptly in their passing away. This is certainly not a happy stage for any pet owner either.
Therefore, losing a beloved pet, especially a dog is one of the most painful situations for owners. Their affection towards owners in the times of adversity is the most nostalgic part of their memories long after they have gone. By being together through thick and thin with relentless love their owners’ lives are impacted in many ways, and their absence is deeply felt.
If you are also mourning the loss of your dog, it must be difficult for you to cope with this undesirable situation. However, we have some wonderful ways with which you can cherish and honor the memories of your beloved dog.
Here are they:
Plant a tree in his honor
Planting a tree in the honor of your dog is an excellent way to let his legacy live on for a long time to come. Choose a nice spot in your garden or backyard and plant a young tree, preferably an eternity plant. As the day will pass, it will grow up signifying a new life form from the previous one. Eventually, you will witness a sapling grow into a beautiful and strong tree. Till the time you live, this tree will remind you about that special bond with your canine friend.
Make jewelry with his ashes
If you want to keep your furry pal all the time with you, creating jewelry with his remains would be a perfect idea. You can turn his ashes into diamond and wear it in the form of a ring. So there cannot be a better way to pacify his soul than this. Whether you make a ring or wear it as a locket, the shine of the diamond will keep on reflecting his memories. Your friends will also see in awe that the sparkle of the diamond was once your dog himself.
Donate in the name of your dog
You dog meant everything to you, he still does. So, what else would be more heart-felt gesture than to donate for a good cause in the name of your dog? It is also a great way to give back what your dog gave you unflinchingly. You can give money to animal shelters because donating to these organizations is the best possible way to support the lives of other pets. In the situation of cash crunch, you can still donate another valuable asset: time. You can be there, spend some time with them and take care of them. Helping an animal in need is the best chance to remember your beloved dog.
Create a picture book
Since you spent a lot of time with your dog, you must also have taken plenty of pictures of his. So collect all the past photos of your dog at one place; you can also ask your friends and family members if in case they had also taken his pictures. With these photographs you can either create a photo album or a picture book by forming a large collage. It would be better if you take printouts of these pictures and cut & paste them on the wall.
Write an obituary
Didn’t you ever think to pen down the journey of your dog since he was cute little puppy? Now is the time since he is not there with you anymore. So document an insightful journey from the moment when you took him in your hands for the first time to his final moments. Write down how you used to spend time with him, how you used to play with him, what activities did he do at home, and whose life did he touch besides yours. You can post this personal obituary online.
Bury him with honor
From giving him a memorable funeral to making his cemetery, your dog deserves honor in his last rites. Gather all your friends and family in order to say final goodbye to him.
You can also often visit his burial site whenever you like. You can place a gravestone at this spot and write your message for him or whatever you used to feel about him.
Adopt again
If the pain of separation is not endurable for you or if you do not want to let go off your happy life with him, adopting again is the only option for you. This is also a good way to pay your tribute to him as he would also want to pass on a chance to another dog in need.
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As was mentioned in Susan’s previous guest post here again is her background:
Susan works as a Pet Health and Safety Expert and holds expertise in the area of animal/pet care. She has over 6 years of experience in pet healthcare and is a pet parent to a dog named chilly.
Finally, I would like to add a wonderful way of my own to remember our dear dogs. That is write up your own memories of your dog and post them to the special section on this blog: We Shall Not Forget Them.
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Learning from Dogs 