I have asked the publisher of the American Dog Magazine, Jamie Downey, to send a copy of the Jan 2009 issue to city officials in Denver, CO. The upcoming winter issue will be on newsstands nationwide Jan 1st thru Apr 1st, 2009.

The winter issue will include an article I have written on the dangers of Denver’s breed ban entitled, Vet warns dog owners to stay out of Denver, Colorado.

The magazine will be sent to Mayor Hickenlooper, all twelve city council members, Doug Kelley, the Director of Animal Control, and city attorneys.

This fine magazine supports many animal welfare issues and offers excellent articles on dog health care. It’s a win-win for dog lovers and the fight against unfair breed discrimination.

With your support, The American Dog Magazine will send copies of the Jan 2009 issue to named city officials in Denver, CO.

Please send a short thank you to Jamie for her support to overturn Denver’s breed ban at:

www.theamericandogmag.com

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Eric Christensen

Dr. Paula Terifaj gets a loving kiss from one of her bully patients.

Dear City Officials,

Please rid our city of pit bulls so I can feel safe again.  And oh, by the way…

Could you also keep drunk drivers off the streets, stop people from running red lights, and ticket all drivers that can’t remember we have speed limits? These irresponsible people put my life at risk everyday.

I would also feel a lot safer if gang bangers did not have guns and terrorists did not hate Americans. Let’s take away their guns, bombs and secret weapons. Just think how many thousands of innocent lives we could save!

And while we are making our neighborhoods safe again, could you please hunt down and lock up all the pedophiles, rapists and serial killers. Who needs these human predators lurking around?

But let’s take the easy route first, shall we. Round up all the pit bulls and kill them. After all they are just dogs, they can’t fight back. And there are no laws to stop breed discrimination — only people are protected against unfair acts of discrimination. Guilt by association is fine if we are talking about dogs. Innocent dogs will die, but so what. Our streets will be safer for all of us. And it’s pretty simple too. After you make dog ownership a crime, just let the police do all the dirty work. Any dog looking like the breed in question will be hauled off and jailed by animal control. Sentenced without a jury and caged on death row. Our neighborhoods will be safe again.

Don’t listen to any dog owner who cries about how the dog grew up with their three wonderful children and loves to sleep on their beds at night. Others will beg you to hear how special the dog is and recount heart warming stories while they prepare to call a moving van. And no doubt a few more protesters will adamantly defend their constitutional rights by re-stating the 9th and 14th amendments. This time government has gone too far. They say the bells of freedom have stopped ringing. These American freedom fanatics have joined an army of dog rebels called ROVERlution to defend their rights to keep their dogs!

But wait a minute — statistics don’t lie. If you read about my untimely tragic death odds are that I have been killed by a dangerous drunk driver at the wheel of a car. Or perhaps fatally wounded by the bullets of a madman, a carjacking or while visiting my ATM. Worse yet I was the murdered victim of a vicious human predator. Shame on you for not doing more to protect my life! But you need not feel guilty if you couldn’t rid our city of pit bulls. There is a 99.99% chance I was not killed by a mad dog. In fact, fatal dog attacks are rare. More people have been struck and killed by lightning.

Being the fortunate recipient of a sound and rational mind, I don’t let perceived fears make decisions for me. I am not entertained by Nancy Grace and her hysterical news reporting. And I certainly don’t get my facts straight by watching the 5 o’clock news. I do however have a healthy respect for the driver with road rage, lunatics with guns, and the criminally insane. So, to reduce the odds of me departing ahead of schedule, I have cut out unnecessary driving, I limit time spent in public places, and I make sure to keep all  doors locked with a dead-bolt. In fact, I feel safest behind bolted doors, curled up on the sofa reading The New Yorker with my dog pal who loves to snuggle.

And if you pride yourself on making informed decisions,  refuse to react to eager reporters who "sell the news", are able to think like a rational human being, and understand the fight against laws of injustice — then Rover and I would like to invite you over for tea. Just promise you won’t tell my devoted dog pal that her breed has been defamed, persecuted and abused by the human race. She has such fondness for these strange creatures — it would surely break her heart.

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Eric Christensen

Tanner 2003 — 2007

Breed discriminatory laws are sweeping our country and Denver, CO is only one hot spot. Other cities in the states of Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, and Texas (to name a few) have adopted similar legislation. Insurance companies have jumped on this breed bandwagon — placing restrictions on homeowners or refusing to provide coverage if certain breeds of dogs are owned.

If you have been thinking that breed discrimination is not your problem, wake up and smell the illegal dog lying on your living room couch! As a veterinarian, I have added breed discrimination to my list of warnings for dog owners. I now caution my clients (who own one of several dog breeds that have been blacklisted by insurance companies and cities around the country) whenever I am introduced to their American Pitbull Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Chow Chow, Akita, Great Dane, German Shepard, or Doberman. In my state of California, I have personally witnessed the pain of breed discrimination first hand, compliments of Mercury Insurance Company.

For a heavy dose of reality, read what happened to Tanner:

In 2007, Mercury refused to pay a claim when it was discovered that the policy holder owned a dog that a company representative determined was a “pit bull”. The dog was a mixed breed, (a fact that any dog expert would attest to) and so I promptly wrote them a letter of objection arguing that Tanner, the dog in question, was in fact a mongrel by pure definition. In addition, I said I would testify to the fact that in my three years of working with this dog, he had never displayed any signs of aggression.

So, what happened? My client’s daughter was walking Tanner (a playfully strong 80 pound lab bully mix) when his strength overpowered the leash hold of the dog walker (10 year old weighing 80 pounds). When Tanner paid an unwelcome visit to a neighbor’s dog, a scruff broke out and the neighbor was bitten in the hand as he separated the dogs. The dogs were not injured but the neighbor got nasty, real nasty. He got a lawyer and filed a lawsuit claiming he would be out of work for 6 months and wanted to be compensated. He said the injury to his finger (it was his pinky) prevented him from using his keyboard to type.

In the end, Mercury paid the claim and then threatened to cancel the policy unless my client provided them with Tanner’s death certificate. I stood there numb with disbelief while my panicked client was distraught over the prospect of losing her homeowner’s insurance, complaining she could not afford to buy insurance from eight other companies that had quoted her higher rates, since this claim put a “black mark” on her record. I refused her request to euthanize (in this case murder) Tanner and told her I would find a rescue group to foster him for adoption. She was open to the idea. Two days later and for reasons I will never understand or accept, she took her marching orders from Mercury and handed them Tanner’s head on a platter.

I was stunned by the news. I was sleep deprived for weeks —Tanner’s handsome face visiting me at night whenever I tried to close my eyes. I had believed BSL could not get me in California. Oh No! BSL was in other states and other cities — like Denver, CO where I have carried a torch for the last four years. Now I was face to face with the same evil. I had seen the devil. And the devil won.

It’s been one year this month since Tanner lost his life to corporate breed discrimination. I could not write about it then — the wound was too raw, my emotions too unstable. Even now, I have had to reach for the courage to write about it. I’ve had to accept the outpour of more tears and gut wrenching rage.  Please use the heartache and outrage you too may be feeling to protect other dog owners and dogs from a similar situation as Tanner’s. Tell this story to anyone who will listen. Tell them to read their homeowner insurance policy for dog breed exclusions in the fine print. And watch out when it’s time to renew your policy — many carriers have amended existing policies to include breed restrictions.

FYI: insurance carriers are regulated by the state insurance commissioner* — so restrictions can vary according to which state you live in. In California, there are only two insurance companies dog owners will want to do business with: Farmers and State Farm. More than 20 other large insurance carriers (interviewed by a top agent of Roverlution.org) had breed restrictive language in their contracts. Even if you own a poodle, please send your business to insurance companies that do not discriminate against dog owners.

* Contact and write to the Insurance Commissioner in your state telling them you are against breed restrictions and find out which state representatives support your views. They can introduce legislation to prohibit insurance discrimination. If legislation is pending you can encourage your state representatives to support it!

Note: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin (not an all inclusive list) have state laws in place (or pending) which prohibits the denial of insurance based on dog breed ownership. This shows progressive action by these states!

After you study your homeowner’s policy, watch out for your city council. More and more cities have placed the topic of breed restrictions on their agenda. You must watch to see if your city representatives are meeting to discuss your dog. And before you consider a move or vacation, first check to see if you own a blacklisted dog. Bottom line: Both state law and city ordinances must be examined prior to a visit or move. Dog owners are not free to move about in the new America!

Breed discriminatory laws have become a modern day death sentence for any dog caught in the legal crossfire of ignorant lawmakers and biased insurance companies. See other posts on this subject.

Stay informed. Get involved. Or watch more of your freedoms evaporate and just maybe your dog, too.

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Anyone reading this blog has gotten the real lowdown on the vaccination issue —  which should be a non-issue, but clearly still is not! Remember this: Titer testing (taking a blood sample to measure the effectiveness of a vaccine to deliver protective immunity) has proven time and time again that dogs vaccinated between the ages of 6-12 months can expect to have lifelong immunity to distemper and parvo. So, even if your vet is following the 3 year protocol, that does NOT mean you need to revaccinate your dog when you get the postcard in the mail. Do your dog a favor and get the titer test instead. Cost will range between $65 to $75 and you will save money (and spare your dog) when you don’t buy unnecessary vaccines. It’s a win-win!

And now here is the reason for my latest rant…

Last week, I examined a dog diagnosed just days earlier with kidney failure. The worried pet parent wanted to find a more natural approach to treating her beloved dog. As I poured over the most recent medical records, I spotted a vaccine date that made my blood boil. Yep, you guessed it. Right there in the medical record, AFTER the blood test clearly showed advanced kidney disease (sick dog), the vet “updated” vaccines. When this common sense owner stopped to question her vet’s recommendation, he ignored her vaccine concerns and brushed them off his spotless white coat.

And guess what? She was right! The last thing that poor old sick dog needed was to be poked with vaccine needles. The worst time to vaccinate any animal (dog or human) is when they are ill. To do so is poor medical judgment that smacks of greed. I just shook my head, counted to 5 (not my usual 10) and in the most professional manner possible, slammed my reckless colleague.

It’s been two years (2006) since the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) published revised vaccine guidelines calling for fewer vaccines, vaccinating less often and warning of adverse side effects. When veterinarians were cautioned to follow the new vaccine protocols — I simply smiled and said, it’s about time!  So, why are so many vets still not? I can’t answer for them or the corporate institutions they work for. But what I can do is educate you and other dog lovers on how to make an informed decision.

Help save more dogs from needless vaccines — see this 2 for 1 offer:

Get your copy of How to Protect Your Dog From a Vaccine Junkie — save your dog from needless vaccines and I promise to send a FREE copy to one of your friends, co-workers, and even a clueless vet. Just send me their name and email address and I’ll send it as a gift from you. Please put Free Copy in the subject line. Now let’s get busy educating the world of dog lovers who need this important updated information!

And please share this eye opening video, produced by dog health advocate Jan Rasmussen, with all your dog friends. Now, pass the popcorn…

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Forrest behind bars in Denver, CO.

Writers need time to write. Sometimes we steal time—paying bills late, not returning phone calls, and turning down dinner invites — because an inner voice is louder. At times, the voice is so loud nothing else seems as important as it once was. Again, I have to hit the pause button on life because the time is ripe for me to tell you and the world about a dog owner’s nightmare in Denver, Colorado…

Sonya’s story could have been mine or yours if we had been living in Denver in May of 2005…

The saga of Chris McGahey and his dog Forrest continues…

Fast forward to August 23, 2008: After an intense 10 day shout out to Denver officials (phone calls, emails and letters) demanding the release of Forrest, I woke early on a Saturday morning and found this message in my inbox: Protest Rally at Denver Municipal Shelter 666 Jason Street tomorrow Sunday, 24th at 11am.  Bring protest signs!  The campaign I started just 2 weeks ago, (Mission: Save Forrest) had now mushroomed into a full fledged protest! Without thinking — knowing my rational mind could come up with a least a dozen reason why I should NOT cancel my Sunday beach plans to fly the blue skies of Denver — my fingers hit the keyboard. Within minutes, Expedia.com booked me a direct flight leaving for Denver at 6am and returning at 6pm — giving me 12 hours to help save Forrest from another tragic death, another family destroyed by the Denver Dog Dictatorship.

After a 30 minute taxi ride from the airport to the Denver Municipal Shelter (DMS), I would finally meet a pack of dog rebels inside enemy territory. Their faces, like mine, showed anger and panic. I wanted to flip off the city that called us to war — stealing countless hours of daylight and sleep. The city that has filled us with rage and sadness knowing they have marched hundreds of harmless family dogs straight into their killing camp at the DMS. Damn you Denver!

Protester stands outside Denver Municipal Shelter, helping to create a world-wide boycott of the city.

We shouted and waved protest signs at cars driving by. We told the story of Forrest to newspaper reporters talking faster than they could scribble down our outrage. That Sunday afternoon, a small but mighty group of dog rebels shined a bright spotlight on a dark Denver and helped to spare the life of an innocent family dog named after the movie character, Forrest Gump.

Back home, the following day in California I got the call: Forrest would be released. After a 2 month incarceration at the shelter, Forrest was loaded into a one way van headed to St. Louis, MO. Now, here is the rub: Forrest must never return to the state of Colorado or be released back to the family that fought so hard to save his life. Denver plays God again…

This is not one bizarre story. Dog owners are facing discrimination in cities all over the country where lazy, uneducated city council people vote in favor of breed bans — failing to address the real problem: Negligent dog owners!

Could your city become the next Denver — forcing you to move or surrender your dog?

The rights of dog owners are in grave jeopardy! You can help stop the killing of innocent dogs in Denver, Colorado. See the promise I have made to the Mayor of Denver:

Sign the petition.

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In part lll of this series, you learned that all cancer cells were once normal body cells until a compromised oxygen supply damaged the cells’ ability to produce energy — forcing it to switch metabolic gears in an effort to survive.

Eric Christensen/Hook Images

Rosie, my 11 year old white Boxer pup.

Normally, when cells become damaged beyond repair, an automatic programmed cell death mechanism called apoptosis follows. In the event these damaged oxygen starved cells manage to avoid apoptosis and cheat death, they can exist by switching to a primitive method of energy production called fermentation (discussed in part lll), which demands a constant high supply of glucose fuel.

Understanding how cancer cells produce energy and the voracious appetite they have for glucose molecules (provided by sugar and carbohydrates) — twenty times higher than normal cells — leads us to discover natural chemo treatments designed to starve cancer cells. Otto Warburg’s research revealed how cancer cell engines create energy which unlocked the mystery and opened the door to finding real cancer cures — the subject of Part V in this series.

The goal of part lV in this cancer series is to map out how we can ensure higher oxygen transfer into the cell and prevent damage to cellular respiration. Equally important is alerting you to the secondary triggers (events that disturb normal cell functions), allowing a cancerous transformation to begin.

In the simplest of terms, it is the cell membrane that determines which nutrients (oxygen, vitamins, minerals, glucose) get transported across cell membranes and into the cell contents. Referred to as the plasma membrane, it is composed of two main molecules: fats (made from essential fatty acids) and sulfur rich proteins. The fats are arranged in a double layer with large protein molecules dotted about in the membrane (see diagram).

Diagram of the cell membrane, showing fat and protein molecules.

It is important to realize that fats are a crucial component of cell membranes and have in fact been referred to as natural oxygen magnets. Maintaining the integrity of the cell membrane is vital for the passage of oxygen into the cell and to kick waste products back out. Ponder this for a moment: if completely deprived of oxygen, you will die in a matter of minutes. Cancer is just a slower death sentence that begins when individual cells are able to survive without oxygen. And as we know, these sinister cells do not play by the rules!

STEP ONE: The anti-cancer diet plan and nutrient enrichment

As a reader of this blog, you have already been lectured on this topic numerous times. You know that you cannot skip over your dog’s diet for the simple sake of bagged convenience or modify a junk diet with flavored Pet Tabs (imitation vitamin supplement) and expect a healthy result. And you have been taught how to read pet food labels (see Beneful By Purina —Another Pet Food Disaster). Remember the famous adage: garbage in garbage out?  Here’s my twist: garbage in, cancer out!

Prepare meals (or modify a good quality commercial diet) by making protein the most important ingredient. I commonly rotate my dog’s diet between several different protein sources: Poultry (chicken and turkey), whole eggs (scrambled or hard boiled), fish (canned salmon, tuna, and sardines) and diary (cottage cheese and plain yogurt). As I have said before, if you can boil water, you can become a dog chef. See how easy it can be to improve your dog’s diet in just 30 Minutes with a copy of How to Feed your Dog if your Flunked Rocket Science —The smart way to feed your dog on your budget.

I stress diet and nutrition (for humans too) as the best health insurance policy your grocery money can buy! To keep with our topic of cancer prevention, I have engineered a sample diet using foods known to contain specific nutrients (essential fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins and minerals) required for optimal cell function — decreasing the probability for a cancer to develop.

Plan B would be to modify a good commercial diet: cut back on the kibble and add fresh sources of protein listed above as often as you can. And don’t forget to share your leftover veggies!

Why your dog should eat plants

Phytochemicals are compounds found naturally in plants and can protect our cells from damage that can lead to cancer. Here are a few of the most promising discoveries:

• All berries, but particularly strawberries and raspberries, are rich in a phytochemical called ellagic acid. Research suggests that ellagic acid is able to utilize several different cancer-fighting methods at once: acts as an antioxidant, helps the body deactivate specific carcinogens, and slows the reproduction of cancer cells.
• The cruciferous vegetables are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and kale. Laboratory studies suggest that cruciferous vegetables help regulate a complex system of bodily enzymes that defend against cancer.
• Garlic belongs to the group of vegetables called Allium. The National Cancer Institute recognizes garlic as one of several vegetables with potential anticancer properties. One garlic component, called diallyl disulfide, has been shown to exert preventive effects against cancers of the skin, colon, and lung.

Why your dog needs good fats

Only two essential fatty acids are referred to as parent fatty acids — from which the body will make all other important fats needed to synthesize hormones, produce energy, enhance brain function, and more. For purposes of our discussion, we must appreciate the fact that fatty acids are found in all cell membranes and are vital to the transport of oxygen into the cell. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have been referred to as oxygen magnets — pulling oxygen into the cell:

• Linoleic acid (LA)—parent omega-6 fatty acid. Good plant sources: seeds and oils of sunflower, safflower, and hemp plants.
• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)—parent omega-3 fatty acid. Good plant sources: flax seeds* and walnuts.

*Note: I use Udo’s Oil 3-6-9 Blend by Flora which contains the seed sources listed above. It is believed that dogs (and some humans) may lack a necessary enzyme needed to convert the parent fat alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) into the omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA). That means dogs and some people may have a limited ability to derive omega-3’s from flax seeds or walnuts. Therefore, animals that make omega-3 fats from the parent fat (ALA) can be eaten to obtain the omega-3 fats. FYI: Wild caught fish (consume ALA by feeding on algae), grass (contains ALA) fed cattle — not grain fed feedlot beef — and chickens (that are fed more natural diets containing ALA) can all make omega-3 fats. Many health enthusiasts are popping fish oil capsules like candy or like me, eating a lot more sushi — which I find much more enjoyable! For a more thorough discussion on why you need to supply good fats in your dog’s diet, please refer to an earlier post Good Fat, Bad Fat And Myth Of Low Fat Diets.

Nutrient enrichment

Specific nutrients (vitamins and minerals) in whole foods work as co-factors to help essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) transport and utilize oxygen in the cell — previously referred to as cellular respiration.

Key point to remember: oxygen starved cells open the primitive energy pathway to fermentation — the dangerous first step that defines all cancer cells. Eating a variety of whole, unprocessed foods and taking a daily vitamin mineral supplement will help protect against nutrient deficiencies that impair vital oxygen transport systems.

Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals — produced continuously in cells as by-products of metabolism. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage fats in cell membranes, proteins and DNA. Damage to cells caused by free radical attack (stealing electrons) has been implicated in the development of cancer and other chronic degenerative diseases.

Important anti-cancer nutrients can be added as supplements and also increased by the intake of good food sources:

• Antioxidants: Vitamins A (or its precursor, the family of caratenoids) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid), alpha Lipoic Acid
• Minerals: selenium, zinc
• Essential fats: omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
• Phytochemicals: ellagic acid, garlic, medicinal mushrooms (maitake, shiitake, and reishi — one well researched product is AHCC, discussed in part ll of this series)

The antioxidants, minerals, and essential fats listed above are the hammer and nails in your cancer prevention tool kit. Phytochemicals add more muscle — if your dog is a known cancer risk, include one or more of these cancer busters.

Remember, vegetables and fruits are natural sources of antioxidants and offer beneficial phytochemicals at no extra charge!

STEP TWO: Apply a healthy dose of common sense

Just like their human companions, dogs live longer, healthier lives when they eat good foods, get enough exercise, breathe clean air, drink clean water, and stay away from harmful substances. Let’s start by looking at your dog’s environment: Air, water, yard, and people house.   

It’s the environment, stupid

Humans, along with all other animals on the planet, are living in a chemical wonderland which can spell toxic overload for many. In the last 50 years, more than 5,000 chemicals have received patents. From pesticides to engineered plastics to color dyes…these wonder materials paint the world we live in today. Naturally, our pets also consume, breathe and wear our synthetic chemical make-up. Join the Go Green movement — help your pet and the planet — reduce toxic chemical build up.

Fire the bug man!

Dogs pick up pesticides (and herbicides) by paw licking and through an intense desire to smell everything crossing their path. There are natural and much safer methods to deal with fleas and other pests. See Natural Remedies for Fleas and Other Pests.

As a bonus: Practicing good environmental flea control along with frequent bathing may also allow you to reduce or eliminate the need to apply topical flea control products (Advantage and Frontline). Further reducing your dog’s chemical load.

Only Natural Pet Store
carries a good line of non-chemical flea products.

Second hand smoke

If you or a family member are still lighting up — take it outside! Better yet, quit this nasty habit. Studies have shown that pets (cats and dogs) that live with smokers have a higher incidence of cancer.

Even if you can avoid smokers, industrialized air still carries a host of other pollutants. Consider investing in high quality HEPA Air Purifiers for your home. Air filters will help those plagued with seasonal allergies and asthma too! 4Cloud9.com offers an array of high ranking air purifiers.

Simple soap and water for safer produce

Wash all veggies and fruits — fill your sink with water and add a few drops of dish soap. Soak and rinse well. No need to buy costly produce washes. And go organic whenever you can.

Filtered water—it’s for pets too!

Install a home water filter and stop buying all those plastic water bottles. You will save money in the long run by filtering your own water and keep more plastic out of landfills. Dump the plastic and get Sigg water bottles — lightweight aluminum with a special coating that will not leach any mental or chemical residues into the water. BTW: your dog’s water and feeding dishes should be stainless steel or ceramic. Plastic containers can contaminate food and water with chemical resides. Go Green with reusable, attractive Sigg water bottles and get one for your traveling dog too! Got mine on Amazon.com

Before there was Lysol

Household cleaners run the gamut of man-made chemicals — many which carry warning labels for children because they are considered harmful! Commercials coerce you to buy these expensive quick fixes and the joke is on you, the consumer. You can make your own cleaners using good old fashioned baking soda, borax, white vinegar and distilled water — get a spray bottle and add a little elbow grease. My good friend Cindy Scott (she wrote the book on enlightened dog training) convinced me. Cindy says she never uses anything but baking soda and white vinegar — and she’s got one husband, 2 kids, a cat, and 4 dogs! A simple Google search will find dozens of recipes for natural house cleaners. You can also add essential plant oils (such as lemon oil) that have natural disinfectant properties and smell great too. Or, at the very least, choose only earth friendly biodegradable cleaners, like Simple Green or Nature’s Sunshine products.

Be vaccine conservative

I wrote the book warning dog owners of needless vaccines. Refer to How to Protect Your Dog from a Vaccine Junkie — protect your dog from unnecessary vaccines. Don’t be bamboozled by vaccine-happy vets!

In conclusion

Cancer has been called a nutrient deficiency disease by some experts. And there is a lot of truth to this. The body has both repair mechanisms to fix damaged cells — preventing a cell from going bad — and a Special Ops immune system trained for search and destroy missions to find cancer cells and blow them up. But you must supply the raw ingredients for these systems to work properly.

Taking the proactive healthy measures mentioned here will decrease your dog’s cancer risk and at the very least will extend your dog’s expiration date — living longer, living better!

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In the house, fleas can be safety eliminated with a tried and tested diatomaceous earth product made by Fleabusters. This flea powder is applied to all carpeted areas and furniture. Kills fleas physically rather than chemically and is completely safe for pets and children. The company will treat your house and offers a full one year no flea guarantee! Or do-it-your-selfers can purchase Fleabusters powder online at Only Natural Pet Store.

In the yard, let Mother Nature do her thing with beneficial nematodes. Create a biological battlefield using microscopic roundworms that feed on flea larvae and other pests like flies, ants, and roaches.

Fleabusters offers another product, BioBusters, for outdoor flea control. Or look for NemAttack Beneficial Nematodes online or at garden centers.

Keep your dog flea free naturally!

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No, I have not stopped my cancer research … it is still moving along nicely. Sorry, but part 4 won’t be out this week as promised — look for it next week. Last week I was called back for some urgent dog duty by several frantic emails. Duty calls. I had to put the books down and once again join forces with my fellow dog rebels. Get ready for some real fireworks…

Here is a short recap: The city of Denver, Colorado is out to kill another innocent dog. This time it’s a dog that does not even live within the deadly Denver city limits. A fact that does not concern Denver — since Forrest looks like he may carry some pit bull genes and no dog looking to be anything other than a poodle is safe in Denver ever since a breed ban on pit bulls and pit bull mixes was adopted by the city council in May of 2005.

Now they are out to execute a dog named Forrest belonging to Chris McGahey, resident of Adams County — whose dog happened to wander into the pit bull dead zone. Should be as simple as pay your fine and get your dog out of jail, right? Wrong. Not if you are in Denver. Not if your dog looks anything like the bully breed. Unfair and just plain wrong is too mild to express my feelings. I have better words for it, but they are not Internet appropriate. Some people might get the wrong idea — like I am one of those crazy pit bull lovers or just another weirdo animal rights activist. So, I will just keep a lid on my outrage and continue to fight the ignorant with knowledge. And I hope you will, too!

And remember this poem by Helen Keller — who owned the breed of dog now outlawed by Denver and a number of other cities around the country too numerous to list. America has gone so wrong…

Power of One

I am only one, but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do

Invitation to join ROVERlution follows:

August 14th Denver, Colorado at the Denver Dog Jail

As of today, Wednesday August 14th, Forrest’s fate hangs in the balance. Volunteers at the Denver shelter report they have seen cases like this before. Now that Chris was able to plead his case, the decision to release him or kill Forrest (No, this is not euthanasia folks!) could be as soon as tomorrow or as late as next week. So, everyday counts — keep it coming!

Let’s set the record straight

And just for the record — Denver intends to justify the killing of Forrest because it was his owner’s second offense and they aren’t telling the truth, either.

Here is the statement from the Mayor’s office: “Chris was living INSIDE the city limits of Denver”. Not true. Chris and Forrest were NOT living inside the city limits of Denver when Forrest was picked-up by Denver Animal Control. In fact, since Chris had adopted Forrest, they never lived in Denver — they were in Adams County. Chris had apparently lived in Denver prior to having Forrest, but never after he got him. Unfortunately, he had not yet updated his driver’s license to show the new address in Adams County.

First offense: Forrest was stolen and eventually picked up by Denver Animal Control after Chris had moved out of Denver and relocated in nearby Adams County. Chris got off with a warning when he was finally able to prove he and Forrest were not living in Denver. He was told his dog would NOT be released if ever found in Denver again!

Second offense: And then one day, the worst happened. Chris was preparing to move to Fort Collins (a 1.5 hour drive away from Denver) when Forrest somehow got out of his yard. Who among us has not had that frightening lost dog experience? No, Chris was not one of those irresponsible dog owners as some people have been quick to judge. He loves Forrest the way we love our dogs. Chris is living a nightmare. He visits his dog at the shelter every day. Can you imagine that agony?

As if there is any justification to kill any dog simply because city government says so!

Thank You Denver

You have just handed us our breed ban poster child. Forrest tells a story that every dog owner across this country will sympathize with. We all have dogs that look like pit bulls or know dogs that look like pit bulls. They are not the monster dogs you fear and justify killing.

Our message to Denver Officials: It’s time to bring you out of the closet — you need not fear pit bulls any longer. Now you have the real deal. Our dogs can’t fight you, but we sure can! Lucky for you, dog lovers tend to be compassionate folks. We feel you need to be educated, after all, how can anyone judge the ignorant? Here is how we plan to help:

Mayor Hickenlooper, honorable city council members, Doug Kelly (Director of Animal Control) and Nancy Severson (Manager of the City’s Environmental Health department and most importantly Doug Kelly’s supervisor) will be paired up with their very own pen pals. Choose which Denver official you would like to help and send them a weekly email or letter. Could just be an article or story of a pit bull saving someone’s life, sniffing out drugs at the airport, finding a lost camper in a search and rescue mission. Or maybe something personal and special about the bully in your life!

Keep it short and to the point and do it once a week. Full details and contact information about our Denver Pen Pal campaign will start after Mission Forrest completed.

Hit Denver Targets Daily

Mayor John W. Hickenlooper
Phone: 720-913-1311
Fax: 720.865.8787
E-mail:

MileHighMayor@ci.denver.co.us

City and County Building
1437 Bannock Street, Suite 350
Denver, CO 80202

Director of Animal Control
Doug Kelly

Doug.Kelley@ci.Denver.co.us

Manager of the City’s Environmental Health Dept.
Nancy Severson (Doug Kelly’s supervisor)

Nancy.Severson@denvergov.org

Councilman Michael Hancock - President
4760 Oakland St., Suite 175
Denver, CO 80239
Phone: 303 331 3872

michael.hancock@denvergov.org

Fax: 303 331 3874

Contact them daily! Tell them to release Forrest!

Thanks Rovers!

I’ve been copied on more email letters than I could read in the last two days — but I am going to read them all. Why? Because YOU inspire me! I know that I am not one, but many. I know that breed discrimination is wrong. I know breed bans insult my intelligence. I know that irrational fear threatens a free society. I know our rights under the Constitution as Americans are in great jeopardy.

General Packleader www.roverlution.org

Join the ROVERlution!

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Eric Christensen

Dog Chef Dr. Terifaj and founder of The DOGie Bag, with beloved canine companion, Rosie.

Who is a dog chef?

Anyone who can boil water and worries that dog food is not the real deal that consumers have been brainwashed to swallow. Ever wonder what dogs ate before Ralston Purina dreamed up the booming business of making dog food decades ago? Reality check: The family dog ate whatever our grandmothers or great grand mama’s cooked up. True to the heart of all dog chefs, we ain’t taking chances on food that has been marked unfit for human consumption.

Over the years, savvy pet owners have painfully learned that any product labeled as dog food deserves to be well scrutinized. Today’s informed pet owner must do their due diligence before buying any pet food. This task begins by deciphering pet food labels to weed out inferior ingredients. Read how to become a pet food detective. Next, you must buy from companies who can prove they practice quality control manufacturing methods and use only human grade meats and grains in their product lines.

From my research, here are a few companies that are not willing to risk making your dog sick in favor of pleasing corporate fat cats: Nature’s Variety, Natura, and Honest Kitchen. To buy online top quality pet foods, see a full listing reputable pet food companies at Only Natural Pet Store.

Now back to my confession. My dogs eat what I eat—sometimes it comes out of a can or carton—right off the shelves at my local Trader Joe’s. No, nothing labeled as dog food gets into my cart. I grab cans of white chunk chicken, pink Alaskan salmon, light meat tuna in water, and sardines. Next, I head straight for the refrigeration section and load up on cottage cheese and plain yogurt from growth hormone free (no rBST) cows and eggs from drugless (no antibiotics) free range hens! And I am choosing organic whenever I can.

So, on my craziest days, dinner is just a can of chicken or fish or a few scoops of cottage cheese mixed with some brown rice—compliments of my plug it in and just add water rice cooker. No dog chef can afford to be without this magic time saver. One batch makes enough rice to fill dog tummies for a week. All in all, it only takes this busy dog chef less than one minute to prepare what any hound would consider a feast!

And remember… I did, after all, write the book: How to Feed Your Dog if You Flunked Rocket Science—the smart way to feed your dog on your budget. So, if you can boil water, bake chicken, open cans, and follow a few simple instructions…you too can become a dog chef. And I will guarantee you a healthier, happier dog for many years to come. But for those of you who would rather scrub toilets than cook, or like the idea of buying dog chef prepared meals you can just warm and serve—see the company that my dog Rosie inspired, The DOGie Bag.

Bone-a-paw-tite!

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Jan Rasmusen with Jiggy (left) and Chiclet (right).

When Jan Rasmusen nearly lost her beloved dog Jiggy, she dared to ask questions. Why did Jiggy get sick? Could his illness have been prevented?

Some of her answers will shock you and may just save your dog’s life…

Puzzling questions and dogged determination led Jan to wage an all out investigation into important dog health care issues. Her fact finding detective skills and natural wit gave birth to her award winning book, Scared Poopless—the straight poop on dog care.

Jan wrote the book, hopeful that what she had experienced and learned from her research could prevent a health crisis for other dog lovers. In my opinion, Jan has earned her whistle blowing reputation as a full time consumer advocate for dog owners around the globe.

With Chiclet’s help, Jan produced this priceless video. Entertaining and enlightening is the best way to describe this talented writer and producer. Fame is a Bitch is packed with witty humor and a wake-up call for all dog owners. Experience and enjoy this three pound adorable bitch—things will never be the same in your dog house!

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