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From the ASPCA
Secondhand Smoke: Silent Killer Hurts Pets, Too
http://www.aspca.org/news/tri-state/04-24-09.html#1
Health officials often talk about the dangers of living with a smoker, but few pet parents are aware that our animal companions face similar risks—from respiratory problems to cancer—when exposed to secondhand smoke. New research suggests that secondhand smoke is unsafe at all levels—for humans and pets—so it's time to get serious about ditching those butts for good.
One recent study shows that nearly 30 percent of pets live with at least one smoker. This is a grave concern, according to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, Medical Director of the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center, since secondhand smoke can damage the nervous systems of both cats and dogs.
"Tobacco smoke has been shown to contain numerous cancer-causing compounds, making it hazardous for animals as well as humans," says Dr. Gwaltney-Brant. "Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause many of the same harmful inflammatory changes in the airways and lungs of dogs as their human counterparts."
Cats who live with smokers are prone to developing malignant lymphoma, perhaps as a result of ingesting carcinogenic residue when it settles on their fur. Kitty's canine counterparts are especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke's respiratory effects, and can develop life-threatening nasal and lung cancers.
Nicotine—found in cigarettes and other tobacco products—is also highly toxic to animals if ingested. A dog who accidentally eats tobacco may develop weakness, muscle twitching, decreased breathing rate, and finally collapse, coma and possibly death. The ASPCA strongly recommends keeping your pet away from tobacco as well as secondhand smoke.
In honor of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month this April, why not resolve to avoid smoking around your pet? Smoke outside and preserve the lungs of your two- and four-legged family members. Or better yet, toss those cigarettes in the trash—your pet will thank you! For more information about protecting the health of your furry friend, please visit the ASPCA’s Guide to Pet Care.
Even the title of this blog is awesome. How often in one’s life do you think we could get to interview a horse that we gave a Reiki session to. In all honesty, I never even thought about it until this horse’s Mama suggested it. You know me and animal communicators! They are awesome! So we were able to set it up with Janet Roper. This was her horse that we had the honor to Reiki! 
When we did the Reiki session on this horse we were told he was lame and could not walk. There was pain in his leg. We did the session and the energy flowed. We heard later that in less than 24hrs he could walk and was 85% better. What thrills we felt again! Candy and I are always amazed at the healing energy. We are always in awe and humbled. When we hear back we are feel blessed as well hearing the energy has helped the animal/pet.
Janet said when she saw her horse a few days later he stumbled as if he just had sea legs but then he was great! So our question to Shiloh the horse was what did the Reiki feel like to him? He said it was a golden light in a triangle coming to him in 3-D. He felt it and it traveled up his body (hip, feet, hock). He felt tingles and they were “good tingles”. We asked him, how did you know that “we were there”. Shiloh answered I would have to be very silly to not know you were there. Humans are so ignorant. Horses are much more intuitive and I am also a teacher. He said, how could I not know and the horses all around me knew and respect what we had done.
I was like whoa, wait a minute. What? I was still processings his answer of “how silly we were to ask…” laughing to myself… but then I said, do you horses talk about what happened or do you just know? He said they all just know. Horses are sensitive and have a much higher intuition. SO then Janet tells us there are 30 horses and she too had noticed that the barn was quieter since the Reiki. The horses all felt the energy as well. The horses all said they respect what we have done. We said WOW!!
Shiloh said he has gotten healing from the other horses but never a human. He said he liked the word “Reiki”. He also said that he didn’t know where or what California is but he knew it was far from his barn. He knew the energy went up to a star and back down in a trajectory like fashion.
When asked if he wanted a second session he began to tell us his right side of his neck hurt, then his left side. Also his teeth on the right side. He ended up with sending energy to his tail. We laughed and took that as just Reiki me everywhere!! 
Since this interview, for me personally I have an even stronger sense and purpose of helping these animals. I thank God and the Universe for the gift of Reiki . I thank Janet Roper and Shiloh for the wonderful gift of sharing.
I’m sure this won’t be the last time Shiloh receives Reiki.
Horses We Reiki by Candy and Ming (www.reikifurbabies.com)
We were asked by http://www.tppc.tv/ to write an article about horses and we realized what a great opportunity this would be to share some of our experience with giving reiki to horses! Candy and Ming wrote this one together.
The first horse that we ever sent reiki to stirred a whole bunch of different emotions in both of us. This surprised the both of us. How funny, alert and intuitive the horses are to the reiki. The horses are very receptive and open to the healing energy that was being sent. Each horse had something to say about it. The responses are very “human like”. They are the “old souls” as people who love horses tell us. It really is true. 
Respecting the privacy of our clients, we’ll speak in general terms of the horses. Some of them received healing for tumors and such. Others received mental healings because of abuse they had suffered in the past. During the reiki session we didn’t even know that they had been abused until we started the healing. Sometimes they would express such anger and we would explore why they were angry. Some had witnessed their Mama being abused. Others had been abused themselves. It is so interesting to us that the horses were really present in the room with us. The connection was very powerful.
Long after we concluded the reiki sessions, in our own daily lives, a horse would insinuate themselves into our conscious minds. An example is Candy was getting a massage and was very relaxed. One of the horses came back and wanted to come and talk. The horse had so much to say and was just nuzzling. When we told the owner, she wasn’t even surprised and said the horse had done that before! Ming had a similar experience where she was sending reiki to the sibling (a dog) and the horse came in to the session and wanted more reiki! Ming had to tell the horse to be patient. We told the owner and the horse did get a 2nd session later on! These situations have only occurred with horses that we have given reiki to. We find this so interesting and awe inspiring.
As we continue to reiki, we also grow as practitioners. Every single animal, from the smallest animal to every person we reiki, we learn.
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Candy and Ming
www.reikifurbabies.com
reikifurbabies@gmail.com
Here is a blog written by an animal lover who tried Reiki for her dog. Very interesting!
http://biggreybirds.wordpress.com/2009/01/17/reiki/
Sago Palm Plant Kills Puppy
This article can be found at:http://www.aspca.org/news/national/03-20-09.html#1
Submitted by Bailey, Rovering Reporter :
Sago
It’s hard to believe a houseplant could harm a tough cookie like the Woytek family’s Lab mix, Amber. A survivor of Hurricane Ike, the young pup was diagnosed with distemper in the months after her adoption from the Houston SPCA in September 2008. But according to Laurie Woytek, Amber defeated the often fatal virus—and went on to form a tight bond with her canine “sister” and partner-in-crime, Scout, a one-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback mix.
Early last month, Laurie discovered that Amber had eaten parts of a sago palm plant. Sago palm—with its dark green leaves and hairy trunk—has become a popular houseplant in recent years, but unbeknownst to many green-thumbed pet parents, it’s also highly toxic to cats and dogs.
Immediately ill, Amber was hospitalized at a nearby emergency clinic. Says Laurie, “I was very scared, but thought, ‘She's tough—she'll make it through.’” After several days in the hospital, the emergency veterinarian delivered the heartbreaking news to the Woyteks—Amber had developed jaundice and life-threatening liver failure.
“We took Amber to our regular veterinarian to discuss our options with him,” explains Laurie. “She suffered seizures in the car on the way, and we ultimately made the very difficult, yet humane decision to let her go.”
Sadly, Amber’s story is all too common. Since 2003, the ASPCA has seen an increase by more than 200 percent of sago palm and cycad poisonings, and 50 to 75 percent of those ingestions resulted in fatalities. According to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, veterinary toxicologist and vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, all parts of the plant are toxic, not just the seeds or nuts, and common signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure.
Before the Woytek family said their final goodbyes to Amber, they took her home to see her best buddy, Scout. “As Amber lay still on the floor, Scout kept nudging her as if to say, ‘C’mon, get up,’” Laurie says. “They weren’t just 'sissies'—as we referred to them—they were best friends.”
“It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do,” reflects Laurie. “Amber is truly missed and will forever be in our hearts. She was our little princess.”
In memory of Amber, and to mark the end of National Poison Prevention Week, March 15-21, the ASPCA reminds all pet parents to stay informed about protecting pets from accidental poisonings. Please read our poison prevention tips online.
What is Bloat?
Submitted by Bailey, Rovering Reporter :
We just lost a good friend on DS from Bloat. We would like to dedicate this article to him: http://www.doggyspace.com/profile/21397
Introduction
Bloat is a life threatening condition that can result in death if it is not treated quickly. Bloat is also termed Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, (GDV), stomach torsion, and twisted stomach. Dogs that develop bloat can die within a matter of hours if emergency surgery is not carried out to correct the condition. Even with emergency surgical measures almost 1/3 of all dogs diagnosed with bloat do not survive.
Causes of Bloat
The condition of bloat is believed to occur when a dog swallows air, but for some reason the dog is unable to get rid of the air through burping. The air becomes trapped in the stomach (Gastric Dilatation), and the swollen stomach then begins to press on the diaphragm and other surrounding organs. Large veins in the abdomen are unable to pump blood back to the heart, and the dog soon has trouble breathing. The stomach filled with air eventually rotates (Volvulus), and the blood supply to the stomach is cut off. The tissues of the stomach quickly begin to die once the rotation occurs.
Symptoms of Bloat
Signs of bloat include swollen stomachs, vomiting or gagging continuously with no fluids coming up, rapid shallow breathing, severe pain, and constant salivation. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, take your dog to a veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately.
Breed Susceptibility to Bloat
There is an extremely strong link between certain breeds and incidences of bloat. Breeds which seem to suffer the most from this dreaded condition include: the Great Dane, the Saint Bernard, the Weimaraner, the Irish Setter, and the Gordon Setter. The condition also occurs more often in male dogs that are over the age of two. If a dog recovers from an episode of bloat, there is an increased risk that the condition may occur again. Preventative surgical measures which reduce a dog’s chances of develop bloat again are available.
http://www.youpet.com/pet-health/article/?articleid=282
What To Do If You Dog Has Separation Anxiety
Submitted by, Bailey, Rovering Reporter:
Its certainly not uncommon for your dog to have separation anxiety, its actually more common then what you think. I’m not sure if that comes from the way so many people have taken their dogs into their homes and treated them like family or if its just the genetic make up of some dogs. Whatever it is, there are ways to control this.
First, you need to identify if its a mild, moderate or a severe case of anxiety.
For mild cases of anxiety, make your leaving very low key. Don’t make a big production of it by saying bye and hugging and kissing your dog, make it seem like no big deal. When you arrive home, don’t make a big deal either, pet your dog for half a minute, maybe a little treat, and be on your way. You can also leave a shirt or a blanket down for your dog that has your smell on it. This may help to make them a little more comfortable.
If their anxiety is a little more moderate then that, you may want to have safety cues for your dog, such as leaving the tv on, or giving them a favorite toy. Practice these cues with your dog. He will come to understand that these cues mean you are coming back.
For more severe cases of anxiety, go through you normal steps when preparing to leave the house. First start with putting your coat on, then sit down till your dog sees it as no big deal. Then go on to getting your keys, another sign dogs come to realize. Again, sit down till your dog doesn’t care. Next approach and open your door. Keep doing this till its not longer a problem for your dog, then leave for just a couple minutes. Repeat each of these steps until your dog is fully comfortable with your leaving when all the steps are put together. If your dog gets upset at any point, go back to the beginning and start over. Eventually, your dog will have become desensitized to your leaving, which is what we are aming at. Start out with short periods of time away from home and work your way up to longer periods of time.
No matter what age you dog is, you will be able to help his anxiety by determining the severity and laying out a game plan by following these steps.
Article from Animal Chatter: http://sheneedstoknow.com/pets/2009/03/05/what-to-do-if-you-dog-has-separation-anxiety/
Praying for our men and women in the armed forces to come home safely.
May they forever remain blue stars...
Safe People-Foods Your Dog Will Love
Submitted by Bailey, Rovering Reporter :
Not another dog biscuit or peanut butter stuffed Kong! How about mixing up the pup snacks with safe table scraps she’ll love? You already know about the people foods your dog should never have (click here for a refresher), so how about safe, healthy choices from your fridge or pantry? We sat down with our vet advisor, Dr. Adam Behrens for suggestions.
Great news! Dogs, like us, can handle a variety of different foods. Although meats should be the mainstay of your pup’s diet, it’s also okay to introduce vegetables, grains and even fruits into your dog’s diet, though they should only make up 5 to 10 % of your dog’s daily intake. But Dr. Behrens cautions people with small dogs to take it easy on the extras. “You can easily overdo treats with small dogs because they are so small. They don’t require a lot of food and are the most susceptible to weight gain or pancreatitis due to rich foods.” It’s also important to consider that dogs of all sizes may have sensitive gastrointestinal tracts or allergies to particular foods, such as wheat. That’s why it’s best to talk with your vet before introducing new foods into your pup’s diet, and introduce any new foods slowly.
Finally, remember not to feed your dog anything that you wouldn’t eat yourself. Fat, gristle and poultry skins aren’t healthy for your dog to eat either – nor are foods containing high fructose corn syrup.
People-Food Picks for Pups
Lean meats. No surprises here, doggies love meats. Just make sure you serve only the lean stuff. Eating high-fat chicken skins, steaks and roasts can lead to gastrointestinal upset or even pancreatitis (a painful and sometimes fatal condition for dogs).
Vegetables. Try mixing in some carrot sticks, green beans, celery sticks, cucumber slices, zucchini slices, raw broccoli and raw cauliflower.
Fruit. When serving fruit to your dog, make sure to remove all of the seeds first. Apple slices, orange slices, bananas, peaches and watermelon are all good choices for your best friend.
Carbs. Cooked baked potatoes or instant mashed potatoes just might be a hit with your dog. You can also try plain cooked bread for a doggie snack (without nuts or raisins!) or plain, cooked pasta and white rice are good too. Some veterinarians even recommend serving plain rice with some boiled chicken to dogs that have upset stomachs.
Other Foods to Offer. Dogs live for this stuff: Cheerios, cooked eggs, peanut butter, oatmeal, yogurt (plain, lowfat, unsweetened, unflavored), cottage cheese and cheese.
www.woofreport.com/no_no_nibbles
Article from:
http://www.woofreport.com/
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3/15/09
This wonderful article was written by Ming. She is a Reiki Healer and she describes her practice and what happens during Reiki healing. Please contact her at Reikifurbabies@gmail.com to find out more.
Reiki
Blessings on your Furbabies
Reiki (pronounced Ray-key) comes from the Japanese Rei and Ki meaning spiritually guided life energy. Reiki for pets is a form of spiritual healing that helps harmonize the mind, body and soul of your pet. It can be used as a treatment for relaxation as well as a tool for releasing negative emotions and limitations. Reiki is not a religion.
Reiki for animals can treat ailments that may be currently inhibiting your pet whether you notice it or not. It can reduce stress, relieve pain, headaches, stomach upsets, asthma, back problems, sinus, respiratory, canine hip dysplasia, anxiety and more. It can help with abused animals, neglected animals. After performing Reiki with your first session you will see results.
Reiki is ideal for animals because it is gentle and non invasive. It doesn't cause stress, discomfort or pain yet yields powerful results. For healthy animals, Reiki maintains health, provides peace and contentment.
For dying animals, Reiki is a gentle way to provide comfort to your pet and keep them from being afraid and anxious.
Animals respond faster than people and positive results are often seen in a shorter period of time.
Because Reiki is a healing energy, it will never harm you or your pet.
This is the best thing about reiki, it can be done distantly:
Distant Healing Treatments:
Is very effective and can be even preferable. Some animals may live too far away or fearful of strangers, elderly or close to death. But they absorb Reiki distantly. Distant treatments are cost effective for the working owner and quicker to schedule. Distant Reiki offers same benefits as hands on. Distant Reiki treatment can provide relief from surgery, emotional healing, behavioral issues and ease transition to death. After a distant treatment results can be seen soon.
What makes Reiki Fur Babies different from others is that there is TWO reiki practitioners that will reiki your pet.
SO you are paying one price for the two sessions. This allows one of us to work on one part of the pet while the other can work on another part, even do a mental healing if need be.
We have done mental healings on a horses. The owner told us that she had tried several animal communicators and the horse would not talk to them. This horse was abused. Upon the session and a mental healing, we have given this horse two reiki sessions and he has let us in each time!
Another issue is grief. Mental healing helps with pets that are grieving.  The siamese cat that was grieving for her sister and sang the song that sung to her and her sister was also given a mental healing.
So questions that I receive, can reiki help my dog with its psychosis? yes. Can reiki help with my dog being so afraid? yes. Can reiki help my pet be less anxious, yes!
Here are some testimonials:
 I adopted Casper at age three from a pit bull rescue. Although his home situation wasn't a very happy one, at least just before he went to the rescue, as far as I know he was never abused.  He has always had problems with allergies - he was almost completely hairless when I adopted him, and the allergy specialist vet said he had the worst case of pruritis he'd ever seen. Now he sports a pretty thick hair coat, and his allergies are under control with medication (steroids). He has to be medicated in order to manage the allergies, which I know will shorten his life, but his condition was so severe, and he was suffering so much that I made the choice to let him have a shorter but very happy life. He is seen regularly by a vet, and so far is not showing signs of any side-effects from the meds. His other problem is his hind end. He lives to play; has injured his ACL ligaments a couple of times while playing, and as he ages his hind legs are getting weaker. After Casper's reiki session, Mama wrote :Casper obviously LOVED his reiki session! I had my back turned and was tending to some horses, not focused on him at all, when I heard scampering coming across the ice behind me. I turned to see him skittering as fast as he could in my direction with the daffiest grin on his face! When he got to me all 70 pounds of him was bouncing up and down, a ball of grinning, kissing excitement. He spent the next hour playing ball with Nicki and me, and was absolutely glued to me when he wasn't running around - he definitely wanted to communicate his joy. When I came inside and sat down in my usual easy chair, he hopped up on the ottoman, looking me in the face and trying to kiss me. We went for a ride in the car about an hour later, and all he wanted to do was put his head in my lap,, love on me and have me hug him. He's finally worn himself out and is taking a nap.
I noticed you said he was looking all around when you were working with him. When Casper gets excited and/or meets new people, he "spins" - it looks like he's chasing his tail (and sometimes he is), but most of the time, he's just whirling around. Like I said, he wasn't where I could see him when you were working with him, so I don't know if that's what he was doing, but I wouldn't be surprised!
Casper has been a bit depressed-seeming (for him, since he's the eternal optimist) lately, so you made his day. Thank you! Vicki, Maryland
Right after a reiki session with a chocolate lab 3 and 1/2 years old : I can't say anything about her hips right now, but she's obviously incredibly relaxed right now...so relaxed, in fact, that she's dangerously close to falling off of the couch while she sleeps! Next day:
Just wanted to give you an update on Yumi. The only upside to her leg pain is that it makes MY bed my own. Finished up some image processing last night (I'm a pet photographer on the side) and headed into the bedroom, only to find Yumi sound asleep and managing to hog the whole bed. How she manages to spread that 85 lbs out to take up so much space is totally beyond me. She hasn't jumped up there on her own in months because it's even higher than the couch. On our walk this morning, she walked somewhat normally which was surprising since it wasn't even 30 degrees outside! Justine, North Carolina
When Aimee came to us with Yoshi the rat this is what she said, She is having trouble walking, moving, and even being able to eat. They said it's an inner ear infection and vertigo. She is on some medication to help, but she certainly needs something else to help her feel better. After a session last night and then this morning, (equivalent to 4 reiki sessions since 2 of us are reiki'ng her) Aimee tells us
Yoshi did so much better last night, it seemed that she improved as the night went on. She isn't fully recovered, but there is such a difference. I can't thank you enough, I can see already that she feels much better and less stressed. She ate well last night and this morning, and seems to be holding herself up in a more balanced way. Thank you again! So glad to have connected with you! Aimee, UTAH
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From the ASPCA
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/17-common-poisonous-plants.html
Watch the video to see the plants:
Members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result.
Common 17 Poisonous Houseplants
Lilies
Members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result.
Marijuana
Ingestion of Cannabis sativa by companion animals can result in depression of the central nervous system and incoordination, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, and even seizures and coma.
Sago Palm
All parts of Cycas Revoluta are poisonous, but the seeds or “nuts” contain the largest amount of toxin. The ingestion of just one or two seeds can result in very serious effects, which include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.
Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
The bulb portions of Tulipa/Narcissus spp. contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.
Azalea/Rhododendron
Members of the Rhododenron spp. contain substances known as grayantoxins, which can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression of the central nervous system in animals. Severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.
Oleander
All parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic, as they contain cardiac glycosides that have the potential to cause serious effects—including gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.
Castor Bean
The poisonous principle in Ricinus communis is ricin, a highly toxic protein that can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death.
Cyclamen
Cylamen species contain cyclamine, but the highest concentration of this toxic component is typically located in the root portion of the plant. If consumed, Cylamen can produce significant gastrointestinal irritation, including intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported in some cases.
Kalanchoe
This plant contains components that can produce gastrointestinal irritation, as well as those that are toxic to the heart, and can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate.
Yew
Taxus spp. contains a toxic component known as taxine, which causes central nervous system effects such as trembling, incoordination, and difficulty breathing. It can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death.
Amaryllis
Common garden plants popular around Easter, Amaryllis species contain toxins that can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia and tremors.
Autumn Crocus
Ingestion of Colchicum autumnale by pets can result in oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage and bone marrow suppression.
Chrysanthemum
These popular blooms are part of the Compositae family, which contain pyrethrins that may produce gastrointestinal upset, including drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, if eaten. In certain cases depression and loss of coordination may also develop if enough of any part of the plant is consumed.
English Ivy
Also called branching ivy, glacier ivy, needlepoint ivy, sweetheart ivy and California ivy, Hedera helix contains triterpenoid saponins that, should pets ingest, can result in vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea.
Peace Lily (AKA Mauna Loa Peace Lily)
Spathiphyllum contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest.
Pothos
Pothos (both Scindapsus and Epipremnum) belongs to the Araceae family. If chewed or ingested, this popular household plant can cause significant mechanical irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
Schefflera
Schefflera and Brassaia actinophylla contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest.
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