Mar 08.qxd - Connection Magazine

The Golden Years
by Anne Singer, Shampoo chez Inc
Most dogs’ life-span is 12 years.
An average-sized 1-year-old
dog is equal to a 15-year-old
person; at 2 years, equal to a 24-yearold
person. After the second year,
each dog’s yearly age is equivalent
to 4 human years. A 9-year-old dog is
equivalent to a 52-year-old person. Giant
breeds age differently. A 1-year-old
is equivalent to a 12-year-old person
and then ages 7 human years for each
canine year.
Small and medium dogs are
seniors at 7 to 9 years and giant dogs
are seniors at 5 to 7 years. Small dogs
generally live longer than large dogs
because they tend to have fewer medical
problems.
As dogs age, their metabolism
changes as it does in humans. Following
are changes that dogs go through
as they age:
1. Coping with Heat or Cold
They have a decreased sensitivity
to thirst, causing them to dehydrate
easily. Diffi culty in tolerating the heat or
cold is caused by problems in adjusting
their body temperature.
2. Decrease in Smell and Taste
Because they lose their interest
in food they can become thin or malnourished.
Hearing and seeing abilities
decrease. Cataracts are common, poodles
being prime candidates. They become
disoriented and can get lost.
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3. Dental Problems
Dental disease worsens if it is not
taken care of when the dog is younger.
Gum infections can be dangerous.
4. Entire Digestive System Slows
Down
Less saliva is produced to start digestion;
less liver function; less intestinal
absorption of nutrients; and a decrease in
the movement of the intestines. Vomiting,
large stools, gas, constipation and
poor nutrition result because nutrients
pass through the intestines without
being digested. Food with less protein
is required and fed at least three times
per day.
5. Skin and Coat Changes
The skin loses its elasticity and
becomes dry or oily. The muzzle will
gray and the nails become brittle. The
skin becomes more sensitive.
How We Can Help
1. T-shirts and sweaters are a
must in the winter. In the summer, when
out on walks/hikes, take along a portable
water system. Indoor/outdoor pet doors
allow the senior pet to go in and out of
Dr. Laurie.
This event will take place on
April 19 th from 4pm to 5:30pm in
Santa Cruz. To make your donation
and receive your ticket please contact
The Planet Love Project Chapter of
the heat.
2. To help encourage eating,
canned food can be part of the meal
because it generally smells better than
dry.
One brand of canned food should
not be mixed with another brand of dry
food. Canned food may be necessary
for dogs with tooth and gum problems.
Senior food should only be fed. Low fat
treats and supplements to take care of
digestive problems are available. Antioxidants
to help fi ght the damage caused
by free radicals should be given.
3. Use skin and coat supplements
for skin problems and shampoos
for sensitive skin.
4. Natural arthritis supplements
and safe heating pads made
especially for pets should be used for
the stiff older dog.
As pet owners we need to be
aware of the problems and solutions
available to improve the quality of life
for our older pets.
Anne Singer, owner of Shampoo-chez
at 1380 Soquel Avenue,
Santa Cruz and editor of the “Shampoo-chez
Newz,” has been an advocate
of quality, natural, nontoxic
pet products for the 23 years that
Shampoo-chez has been in business.
For questions call (831) 427-2284.
Visit Shampoo-chez on the Web at
www.shampoochez.com for location
and store hours, information on their
Self-Service Dog Wash, professional
grooming for dogs and cats, vaccination
clinic, useful facts and recipes,
testimonials, and natural pet products
which can be ordered and shipped to
you or delivered locally.
Dr. Laurie Moore’s offi ce: (831) 477-
7007. Dr. Laurie’s work is honored by
Gangaji and Jacquelyn Aldana, two
planetary Gurus and humanitarians
of this day and age. The Connection
Magazine is endorsed by Dr. Wayne
Dyer, Barry & Joyce Vissell and 15
years of many loyal readers.
www.theconnect.com/, www.
inside-the-circle.com/lpf2.html, www.
animiracles.com/.
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Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership
organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals
and plants in their natural communities.
Defenders of Wildlife can be contacted at: 1130 17th Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20036, www.defenders.org/. To save wolves: www.
savewolves.org/, for the Arctic Refuge: www.savearcticrefuge.org/.
yeast or molds. . .
dew and cantaloupe are prone to being
• Brewer’s yeast
contaminated with mold)
• Breads, pastries and other raised • Fruit juices (canned, bottled or
bakery goods
frozen)
Page 7 High-carbohydrate
vegetables: corn, lima beans, English
peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams,
winter squash, acorn squash and butternut
squash
Whole grains: amaranth, barley,
corn, millet, oats, quinoa, rice, teff,
• Cheeses and prepared foods that
contain cheese
• Milk, buttermilk, sour cream, and
sour milk products (some individuals
tolerate fruit-free, sugar-free yogurt)
• Condiments, sauces and vinegarcontaining
foods (mustard, ketchup,
• Fermented beverages (alcohol, root
beer and cider)
• Coffee and tea
• Leftovers
Dr. Tonya Fleck can be reached
for appointments at The Vital Health
Center at (831) 477-1377.
rye and wheat
monosodium glutamate;
Protein foods: beans and le- steak, barbecue, chili, shrimp
gumes
and soy sauces; pickles, pick-
Fruits: fresh, whole fruits and led vegetables, relishes, green
freshly prepared juices
olives, sauerkraut, horserad-
Foods you must avoid . . .
ish, mince meat and tamari;
Sugar and sugar-containing vinegar and vinegar-contain-
foods: sugar includes sucrose, fructose, ing foods such as mayonnaise
maltose, lactose, glucose, galactose, and salad dressing)
mannitol, sorbitol, honey, molasses, • Malt products (malted milk
maple syrup, maple-sugar, date sugar, drinks, cereals and candy)
turbinado sugar, and corn syrup • Processed and smoked meats
Packaged and processed (sausages, hot dogs, corned
foods: most canned, bottled, boxed, beef, pastrami, smoked fi sh)
packaged and processed foods con- • Mushrooms and other edtain
refi ned sugar and other hidden ible fungi
ingredients
• Peanuts and pistachios
If you are allergic to yeast, • Dried and candied fruit
you must avoid all foods that contain • Melons (watermelon, honey-
Page 23 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.theConnect.com ▲ March — April 2, 2008