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Make a New Year’s Resolution for Pets Too!

Author urges pet owners to think natural for their dogs’ care in 2010

      PATAPSCO, MD – (January 7) - Valerie Wood, author of Breakfasts with Buster, the recently released book about her dog Buster and his battle against bone cancer, is urging all pet owners to make a New Year’s resolution that will benefit their beloved animals. 

      Wood turned to holistic and natural methods to give her mixed-breed Buster a good quality of life after his diagnosis, changing the foods he ate, adding supplements and vitamins, and using acupuncture.  In her book she emphasizes that the changes she made for 10-year old Buster can benefit young dogs as well.

      “This is the time of year when people make resolutions about diet and healthy living for themselves,” said Wood.  “Our pets can benefit from a healthy diet that contains more natural foods as well so they should be given their own special resolution this year.”

      Wood recommends that dog owners consider making some of the changes she used for Buster and detailed in Breakfasts with Buster.

?   Good health for dogs begins with a quality natural diet.  For dogs that are eating canned, commercially prepared foods, find a brand that contains high-quality protein and has no fillers or chemical preservatives.  Avoid foods with corn, rice, wheat or other grains.

?   Dog owners that choose to supplement canned food or make their own homemade food can use lean cooked meat – such as skinless chicken breasts – and cooked vegetables such as green beans, spinach and collard greens.  Both of these should be cooked without fats, such as butter, and without salt added.

?   Cooked oatmeal is a good addition to food as it can reduce inflammation and help cleanse the dog’s body of toxins.  The amount to add should be determined according to the dog’s body weight; Buster was 167 pounds and received ¼ cup two times a day in addition to his other food.

?   Garlic powder (not garlic salt) can be added to food to give it additional flavor and, as with humans, it can act as an astringent or cleansing ingredient.

     Wood advises that dog owners should do their own research and check resources for holistic and natural methods, and consult with their dog’s veterinarian, before making significant changes to their pet’s health and feeding plan. 

     “I am not a medical professional but I had an interest in holistic methods and wanted to use them to help Buster.  I worked closely with Buster’s doctors throughout his illness to make sure that I was doing the right things for him and not causing harm,” said Wood.  “It’s our responsibility as pet owners to take care of our beloved animals; they count on us and we owe them the highest quality of care.”

     More information about Breakfasts with Buster, along with a comprehensive resource list, can be found at the book’s website at www.breakfastswithbuster.com or at Wood’s official website at www.valeriejwood.com. 

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