Thank you to Amanda McGregor of the Salem News and Gloucester Times!

Canine patients treated with Chinese medicine

By Amanda McGregor Staff Writer
Gloucester Times

Seven-year-old Zack behaved like a model patient, sitting calmly while acupuncture needles were inserted into his back to treat his bad knee.

And while he can’t tell you he is feeling better, the results speak louder than words (or barks), according to Zack’s owner, Katherine McAuliffe.

“This is the only thing that seems to work,” she said.

For nearly two years, Zack — a bearded collie and chocolate Lab mix who goes by the nickname “Wookie” — has received traditional Chinese medicine treatments including acupuncture.

His practitioner, Jeanie Marie Kraft, has been treating dogs around the North Shore for years, and she recently co-authored a book — “The Woof and Warp of Canine Pain” — about treating dog pain with traditional Chinese medicine.

“Most dogs are very receptive,” said Kraft, who lives in Salem and runs Four Paws Acupuncture. “I’ve only had one or two that will stand up and shake the needles out.”

On a recent morning, Kraft drove her blue Volkswagen Beetle detailed with paw prints over to Zach’s house, near Collins Cove in Salem.

She began his treatment by giving him a cookie sprayed with calming flower essences, followed by a massage. Most dogs don’t like to be needled in their paws or into an area with pain, she said, so she uses a laser on some of the acupuncture points.

“You just don’t walk in with a box of needles,” Kraft said. “I sit down with them first. I might give them a cookie or a ball and do a massage. I only do house calls so that I’m in their territory. To them, I’m just the cookie lady.”

To McAuliffe, Kraft is much more than the cookie lady. Several years ago, Zach was diagnosed with arthritis and a possible torn ligament in his rear right knee. The pain was so severe that Zach wasn’t able to stand up after a swim in the ocean or after a round of fetch, McAuliffe said.

“He used to get very expensive injections, but that didn’t do anything — he was still limping,” McAuliffe said. “I tried the vet stuff for a while and dragged him in and he’d hide, but he loves to see Jeanie.”

Since the acupuncture, Zach’s pain seems to have subsided and he is active.

“A dog needs to retrieve — that’s his life,” McAuliffe said.

Following Zach’s acupuncture session, Kraft rubbed him with a strong-smelling Chinese liniment that helps with arthritis and circulation.

She also advises clients on pet nutrition, herbal therapy, Tui Na (a form of massage) and more. She said larger dogs are generally easier to work on, and hyper breeds can be difficult.

“I also changed Zach’s diet because wheat and gluten make any kind of pain worse,” said Kraft, whose husband, Norman, has an acupuncture practice for humans on Front Street in Salem.

Going to the dogs

Kraft didn’t set out to be a dog practitioner, but when she attended acupuncture college in San Diego, she had a change of heart. She said her German shepherd was suffering from hip dysplasia.

Read more of this article at http://www.gloucestertimes.com/lifestyle/x1743688528/Needling-the-dog

The publisher of our new book was recently invaded by evil cyber gremlins and the book was hidden on its search engines….not a good thing! Fortunately they were brave, did battle and eliminated the evil buggers. And now these nice responsible publishers are offering 15% off The Woof & Warp of Canine Pain, Treating Dogs with TCM book to make us all happy. How cool is that? And it is not even my birthday. Thank you Lulu Publishing….my heros!

This book is for acupuncturists, acupuncture students and those with TCM training who want to know more about treating dogs with acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is not for the lay person.

Purchase Woof and Warp of Canine Pain with 15% off with coupon code BEACHREAD305 click here to order! Use the code BEACHREAD305 to get your discount!

If you would like to learn more about the NCCAOM approved class: Treating Painful Canine Disorders with TCM click here

Thank you!
jeanie marie

Dear Quan Yin,
How do you stay so beautiful? Any beauty tips for summer? What’s your recommendation for curing bad breath? (not that we have it!)
Thanks,
Ella and Sally (Angel and Devil-dog)

Dear Ella and Sally,
You are so kind to compliment me! It is i who should ask you for beauty tips!

I think a healthy lifestyle is the key to beauty. My pet humans feed me good dog food, a brand that does not have wheat, corn, soy or by-products. Lately they have been cooking turkey, rice and veggies for me- as i have been such a delicate creature with the move, heat and the scary truck sounds of Salem.

I drink only filtered water- never tap! Several downward facing dog yoga poses each day help me to stay flexible and i insist on at least 3 to 4 walks per day. I recommend meditating on squirrels for at least a half hour each day. And my mantra is Om Take Me For A Walk Om…..

I cannot imagine either of you suffer from bad breath. My pet humans add parsley to my food and also give me the Dragon Teeth bones by Solid Gold. I did an entire blog post on those the other day so scroll down to read about them! I think they will be using the Leba dental spray soon on my pearly whites.

Let’s have lunch one day, a walk on the beach or a squirrel meditation. Perhaps we can have our pet humans contact one another. Would love to meet you both since you are so famous in Marblehead! (Of course my feline roomies are still talking about the day Sally came to visit… and they have never stopped playing with Ella’s red ribbon of peace!)
Kiss kiss
Quan Yin

When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them. ~Chinese Proverb

I would like to thank the oh so handsome Dewey for the lovely Kong gift. It was so sweet of him and his pet humans to think of me. These pics are not the best- i am camera shy. Actually i am terrified of the flash.
Soon there will be more pics of gifts from my Aunt Jean and her dog Guinness and cat Ethel who sent a lovely scarf from Texas. My Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Laura sent a beautiful handmade collar too. Thank you all for being so kind.

Opening the present! (Beta-chic would like me to remind everyone that this picture was taken during an extremely humid day which makes her hair turn into the Medusa.)

Chasing the Kong filled with turkey!
For all those who do not know what a Kong is visit their website at www.dogtoys.com/kongtoys.

The Handsome and oh so Debonaire Dewey!

“When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself.”
Tecumseh Shawnee Chief

Thank you!
Until next post remember- Gratitude is the best attitude!
Quan Yin

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry. ~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

It’s the hot dog days of summer. It has been horribly hot here in Salem these past few days. Taking long walks without water can be dangerous for dogs, especially while wearing a black fur coat. So the pet humans bought me this oh so cool water bottle called the Gulpy Pet Water Dispenser. It is easy to carry. Beta-chic carries it in her purse and it has a cool little bowl attached so its easy to sip from. You can find them at most local pet stores.

Oh and please use filtered water not the tap water for your dogs!

Who wants to go for a walk…….
Happy Tails
Quan Yin

Humans are always complaining about stinky dog breath. Mine just bought me a bag of these new cookies. Check out the ingredients! I even liked them. (I can be fussy about treats- which is a good thing i am told!)

It is supposed to be another really hot day today. Guess i will be hiding out in the only room with AC with the cats again. If only the humans would provide squirrels for us to chase in the house.

Wishing everyone a happy weekend!
Quan Yin

Solid Gold Dragon Teeth Biscuits for stinky dog breath!
Ingredients

Oatmeal, Spelt, Krill, Canola Oil, Flax Meal, Dry Spinach, Perilla Oil, Olive Leaf Extract, Green Tea, Chlorophyll, Avocado, Peppermint, Lamb Gelatin, Vitamin E Tocopherols
www.solidgoldhealth.com

Quan Yin reporting for PR duty. I now have a new nickname…. Poopalina. (Apparently the Beta-Chick comes from an odd lineage of Italians with a warped sense of humor who have named their dogs Poopalus, Poopalina and Poosie.)

It’s been a strange since the 4th of July evening for everyone living here. I have had nonstop explosive diarrhea starting the night of the 4th, keeping the humans up a few nights in a row. I had one accident in the house too. Incense does not cover up THAT!

They tried everything to stop it…..including a really mean thing like stopping my regular food. I have been fed white rice with pumpkin. YUCK! Potato and chicken. Yogurt. Given probiotics, Eagle Pack holistic stuff, and Chinese herbal remedies – none of which really fixed it completely. I have gone through an entire box of biodegradable poop bags. I can only hope Al Gore calls to thank me.

And of course both of the humans had countless possible reasons of what caused the poopathon : The stress of the fireworks, the horrid heat, the water, the Salem water, the food, Beta-Chic’s singing (actually i like her singing because it’s so bad it’s funny, also it annoys the Alpha-Guy and especially, the cats!)

So fearing it may be a parasite or cootie they took me to the V-E-T. Beta-Chic was nervous that i would freak out there. I got to ride in her Barkmobile in the front seat with my new seat belt with the window open. Very cool. The real reason the window was down was because we were taking a poop sample in too that stunk up the car. Beta-chic gags a lot. She really needs to toughen up.

And ha ha ha.. i fooled her. I was brave and i actually liked the V-E-T. Everyone was so nice to me there. Dr Leslie Story at Atlantic Vet Hospital in Marblehead rocks! My feline roomies also go to Atlantic Vet hospital when they have too and all seem to like it too.

Dr Leslie got on the floor and talked to me and she did not torture me. How cool is that? So she gave me a check up and then some drug known as Flagyl® (metronidazole). See the link below for info on that.

So today i took my last Flagyl. (It taste best in provolone cheese.) We found out that most of the dogs in this neighborhood have had the same symptoms in the past few weeks. So perhaps it is the Salem water or the city of Salem sprayed some pesticide at the Salem Commons, or the city grass. Unfortunately the City of Salem is not environmentally conscience. .. but that is another topic for another day.
Hoping everything comes out OK … literally!
Happy Tails,
Quan YIn

From http://antibiotics.emedtv.com/flagyl/flagell.html

Flagyl® (metronidazole) is a prescription medicine approved for the treatment of various infections caused by parasites and anaerobic bacteria. By entering a bacterial or parasite cell, the antibiotic creates a reaction that produces free radicals to kill the bacteria or parasite. Flagyl comes in the form of tablets (long-acting and short-acting) and capsules, and is also available as an injection. Some of the side effects that have been reported with Flagyl include a metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, and headaches.”

Supposedly i am part Newfie and part Border Collie. Everyday my pet humans notice more and more Border Collie traits in me. I try to herd them into the same room when ever possible. Herding the cats has not been successful and can be dangerous so i am smart enough to not even bother. I do wish they would fill the yard with sheep… and more squirrels.

Here is the Wiki article on Border Collies. I’m proud to be one. Next post i will talk about being part Newfie!
Stay cool,
Quan Yin

The Border Collie is a dog breed, often cited as the most intelligent of all dogs. They can be fairly energetic, and are used on farms to assist with the herding of livestock. Border Collies are also companion animals.

History

The Border Collie is descended from droving. It was believed that these dogs came from the border between Welsh and English borders, but nothing to do with Welsh. Turned out Scottish-English borders. Mention of the “Collie” or “Colley” type first appeared toward the end of the 19th century. Many of the best Border Collies today can be traced back to a dog known as Old Hemp. It was believed that these dogs came from the border between Wales borders, but actually just Scottish-English borders.

In 1915, James Reid, Secretary of the International Sheep Dog Society in the United Kingdom first used the term “Border Collie” to distinguish those dogs registered by the ISDS from the Kennel Club’s “Collie,” which originally came from the same working stock but had developed a different, standardized appearance following its introduction to the show ring in 1860.

Border Collies are an intelligent breed. The breed has an instinctive desire to work closely and intensely with a human handler.[citation needed] Although the primary role of the Border Collie is that of the working stock dog, dogs of this breed are becoming increasingly popular as pets.

True to their working heritage, Border Collies make very demanding, energetic pets that are better off in households that can provide them with plenty of play and exercise with humans or other dogs.

Border collies are happiest with a job to do. However, a job to a border collie isn’t necessarily working livestock. An activity such as Frisbee, chasing and retrieving a ball, or just simply playing chase will suffice.

As long as the border collie is in the herding/working position (crouched down, tail tucked between legs, eyes firmly fixed on the matter in hand) it considers it work. Their tails are about as long as their body.

A Border Collie’s tail, based on position, shows the mindset the dog is in. A raised, wagging tail is called a “gay tail” by shepherds because it usually indicates the dog is excited and not concentrated on work.[citation needed] The tail lowered or tucked between the legs indicates the dog is focused and ready to listen/work.

Quan Yin has been with us 5 weeks today. Now that she is feeling more at home it is time to start some basic training. So we are rereading one of the best books on dog training: HOW TO BE YOUR DOG’S BEST FRIEND, by the Monks of New Skete… the original dog whisperers!

The Monks are known for their books on raising dogs and their divine canine German Shepherds. While visiting New Skete it is always amazing to see how well behaved their dogs are. I think it is the combination of good training, lots of love and the peaceful environment that they live in.

We have been very fortunate to stay with the monks on several occasions and watch Brother Christopher train dogs. He is Doctor Dolittle in a monks robe! Their method is very compassionate and simple. The dogs are rewarded with praise. However it does require working with the dog on a daily basis. It will take lots of work and patience on our part working with Quan Yin.

We are hoping to bring Quan Yin up to New Skete for the Blessing of the Animals in the Fall. Looking forward to the peace and quiet of New Skete and seeing our dear friends again. It is the closest thing to paradise!

For more information on the Monks of New Skete, their dogs and books visit their website at:
www.newsketemonks.com

I’m clean thanks to the Halo Cloud Nine Shampoo for dogs!

Cloud Nine Herbal Shampoo is a revitalizing infusion of botanical oils and extracts – turning grooming into a pleasurable experience

Ingredients: Saponified Oils of Coconut, Olive and Jojoba, Tea Tree Oil, Rosemary Oil, Sage Oil Cedarwood Oil, Peppermint Oil, Sweet Orange Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Pine Needle Oil, Aloe Vera, Rosemary Extract (as a preservative)

There are several other great shampoo products for dogs on the market. My pet humans decided on the spur of the moment i needed a bath and bought this at Whole Foods. Now they are going to spray me with some stinky Neem oil to keep away the ticks and fleas.