Gifts of the Heart

We are gifted everyday with different presents. Some are more subtle than others. Today I was gifted with a look. I almost missed it being caught up in the business of everyday life. Busy getting everything done to start the week tomorrow. Checking emails, doing laundry, vacuuming and reviewing the schedule for the week. The dogs were busy trying to keep up with all that I was doing watching me running from room to room. I think I was starting to give Takla, my Lhasa, a headache so she headed upstairs to get some quiet. Maggie, my one Aussie, was busy working on a bone and Addison, my other Aussie, was lying on the bed half dozing off to sleep. Now Maggie I should tell you that is blind and Addison is deaf. Addison is starting to look her age but still has a lot of life left in her, Her eyes and nose bear the signs of aging with the white fur filling in a once black face. For some reason her eyes seem smaller to me now.

I had just gotten almost everything done and was getting ready to settle in to finish up some other writings I was doing and was gathering my things to move into the livingroom with my computer. I dimmed the lights down for Addison whose eyes were struggling to stay awake, it was in that moment she lifted her head and I could feel that heart connection hit my heart as our eyes met. In my rush to complete my tasks for the day I almost missed that special moment. She drew me to her with that look of love. She has been through so much with me, as has Maggie. They have seen me at my best and at my worst. They hold the secrets I have told them and love me unconditionally. It was in that moment with Addison that my heart melted and I laid down on the bed with her. I thanked her for her gift of love and told her that Mommy had picked her first and that made her even that much more special. She is the first dog that was all mine.

She laid her head back down and closed her eyes as I kissed her forehead. There was an ever so slight smile on her face as she drifted off into her dreamland. It is a precious memory that I had to share here. It made me think how many other moments have I missed with my girls. I have made a mental note to try and stay more present in the moment just as my dogs do, just as all animals do. Thank you Addison for the gift of love today, Mommy loves you very much. Don't miss those precious moments for these are the things life is made of not the lists or the endless things that seem important at the time. I promised each of them I would do better and hope that they would be proud of me because I have nothing but love for each one of them.

Happy Trails,
Sherry

Another Recall???

Seriously how many of these do we need to have before we get the message about the quality of the food being provided to our animal companions? Iams had a recall of their veterinary dry cat food on July 25th, then on August 3rd the recall was expanded to include Eukanuba for both cat and dog. Iams and Eukanuba is manufactured by Proctor and Gamble. This is just one of several recalls over the years from this particular company.

It is also interesting to note that Proctor and Gamble just bought out a large pet food company that has been supplying local and independant pet food store owners for years. These foods have been trusted and a few of them have not been affected by a recall at all. That company was Natura Foods. Natura produces California Natural, Innova, Innova/Evo, Healthwise, Mother Nature Treats and Karma pet foods. These were foods you could count on to remain loyal to it's customer base to be sure they were providing the best quality ingredients for their products. Many in the industry are betting, and more than likely it will happen, that once Proctor and Gamble completes the take over and becomes comfortable with the products they will begin to look at the "bottom line" on all of these brands. What that means for the comsumers is that the food formulas will change, and not for the better, they have to, Proctor and Gamble is in business to make money. Yes all companies are out to make money but there is something about integerity that is missing from some of these larger conglomerates. Give me a Mom and Pop place producing pet foods that are healthy and I will support them any day!

Many of the folks coming into the pet store I work at are already switching brands, they are not waiting until Proctor and Gamble tells them they have made the switch. If you are currently using Iams, Eukanuba, California Natural, Innova, Innova/Evo Healthwise or Karma pet foods please consider upgrading your food now. Talk to someone who knows nutrition, one place not to go is your local vet, vets are not trained in nutrition, just as our doctors are not. The local small pet food companies in your area are often times a gold mind of information when it comes to nutrition. You will be glad you did. There are pet foods out there that have not been affected recalls you just have to look. I know my dogs will always eat better than I do, I have confidence about no recalls with the foods I feed them, so should you!

Happy Trails,
Sherry