Is Your Pet Spoiled?

Is Your Pet Spoiled? an article written by Margaret Auld-Louie of Optimum Choices (BioPreparation) - Healthy choices for people & pets, one of our wonderful sponsors, www.optimumchocies.com.

There is no question that many people spoil and pamper their pets; however, it is also true that many things that constitute humane and appropriate care of our animals get labeled as “spoiling” our pets. Unfortunately, this shames pet owners and may discourage them from doing that particular activity, even though it benefits their pet.

With my background in biology, I tend to evaluate care of our pets based on whether it meets their needs as a species for humane and appropriate treatment. In other words, I look at what they need physically, emotionally and mentally. For instance, dogs are pack animals and if we have a single dog as a pet, it still needs to be part of a pack. Packs live, hunt and sleep together. Therefore, sticking a single dog outside in the backyard alone because it will “mess up the house” or “belongs outside” is very unnatural for the dog and frightening. If the dog barks while alone in the yard, it is not because the dog is “bad” but because it is lonely, bored, scared or reacting to nearby people and animals (which can be minimized with a privacy fence). Therefore, letting your dog live in the house with its human “pack” is the most natural and humane treatment of him, rather than “spoiling” him.

Are you spoiling your dog or cat, if they sleep with you on the bed? How about giving them table scraps, supplements, bottled or filtered water or provide massages or adequate stimulation with toys and exercise? In my opinion, spoiling is giving our pets something they want that is not good for them, because they like it (just as with children).

When deciding how to care for your pets, we encourage you to learn about what they need as an animal—a dog, cat, rabbit or whatever species they are, rather than simply viewing them as “furry children”. Learn what they need to be healthy and happy and provide that, rather than just giving them what you would want if you were them. Then you will be truly loving your pets rather than just spoiling them.

To read this article in its entirety and check out other news such as their June Sale on BSF/BP, please visit www.optimumchoices.com/june_2008.htm. Margaret Auld-Louie and Russell Louie have over 75 years of combined holistic experience. You can reach them at info@OptimumChoices.com, 303-271-1649 or OptimumChoices.com.

Saturday, June 21 from 12 - 4 PM - Dooley's Dog House's June event is a fundraiser for Old Dog Haven. This wonderful organization helps homeless senior dogs by providing hospice care, assisted living and placement assistance. Joy will be facilitating mini-sessions from 12 - 4 PM. Each 5 minutes cost $20 which includes $10 donation to Old Dog Haven. Dooley's is located at 1421 Market Street, Kirkland, WA. To reserve your spot, please call Chuck at 425-889-2200. To learn more about Dooley's Dog House, one of our wonderful sponsors, please visit www.dooleysdoghouse.com. Also, Old Dog Haven will have dogs at the store for adoption. To learn more about Old Dog Haven, please visit www.olddoghaven.org

Talk With Your Animals is brought to you by Optimum Choices - www.optimumchoices.com, Pet Essences - www.petessences.com, The Natural Pet Pantry - www.naturalpetpantry.com, Natural Horse Talk - www.naturalhorsetalk.com, Dooley's Dog House - www.dooleysdoghouse.com, Nurtural Horse - www.nurturalhorse.com and ScratchnAll - www.scratchnall.com and our mention - Holistic Horse Magazine - www.holistichorse.com. Also, supporting Talk With Your Animals - The "Attractive" Cat Litter Basket - www.sittinpretty.com. Please let these wonderful people know that Joy sent you.

If you are interested in having a phone session with Joy, please call 360-894-5000 to set up a time. Most of her clients live all over the world. You don't need to live in her area to have a session with your animals or your Soul/Spiritual Guides/Guardian Angels or those (both human or animal) who have passed over.