ecodog

HEALTHYLIVINGFORYOURPET

CORBETTMARSHALLANDJIMDESKEVICHFOREWORDBYTHOMASMASON,D.V.M.PHOTOGRAPHSBYAIMÉEHERRING

Textcopyright©2008byCorbettMarshallandJimDeskevich.

Forewordcopyright©2008byChronicleBooks.

Photographycopyright©2008byAiméeHerring.

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanyformwithoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher.

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataavailable.

ISBN:978-0-8118-7207-2

ManufacturedinChina.

PhotoStyling:IngridLeese

Aswithanycraftproject,itisimportantthatalltheinstructionsarefollowedcarefully,asfailuretodosocouldresultininjury.Everyefforthasbeenmadetopresenttheinformationinthisbookinaclear,complete,andaccuratemanner;however,noteverysituationcanbeanticipatedandtherecanbenosubstituteforcommonsense.Checkproductlabelstomakesurethatthematerialsyouusearesafeandnontoxic.Becarefulwhenhandlingdangerousobjects.TheauthorsandChronicleBooksherebydisclaimanyandallliabilityresultingfrominjuriesordamagecausedduringtheproductionoruseoftheprojects

injuriesordamagecausedduringtheproductionoruseoftheprojectsinthisbook.

ChronicleBooksLLC680SecondStreetSanFrancisco,California94107

www.chroniclebooks.com

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.