Comments on: Holistic Care: 22 years in 500 words http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/ The Web blog of the Pet Connection, a pet-care feature syndicated internationally by Universal Press. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:53:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Mark Bullock http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251228 Mark Bullock Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:42:19 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251228 Wonderful article--wish more vets like you existed Wonderful article—wish more vets like you existed

]]> By: Lisa http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251149 Lisa Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:56:05 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251149 Thank you for so eloquently articulating the concept of holism. So many, it seems, fail to understand what should be obvious. I am so very tired of those who take the concept of "natural" to illogical extremes, who make so-called natural rearing into a religion. To me such individuals are as hard to bear, as narrow-minded, as those who discount every modality that has not been proven by a flurry of double-blind studies. I want what is best for my dogs, and I do not want to be ridiculed for endorsing homeopathy any more than I want to be labeled a "murderer" for euthanizing a dog who is starving to death owing to liver failure. Natural is not always preferable, and science does not have all the answers. Thank you for so eloquently articulating the concept of holism. So many, it seems, fail to understand what should be obvious. I am so very tired of those who take the concept of “natural” to illogical extremes, who make so-called natural rearing into a religion. To me such individuals are as hard to bear, as narrow-minded, as those who discount every modality that has not been proven by a flurry of double-blind studies. I want what is best for my dogs, and I do not want to be ridiculed for endorsing homeopathy any more than I want to be labeled a “murderer” for euthanizing a dog who is starving to death owing to liver failure. Natural is not always preferable, and science does not have all the answers.

]]> By: Keeper of the Catnip http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251101 Keeper of the Catnip Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:54:46 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251101 Ooops.... http://www.drdomore.com/ Ooops…. http://www.drdomore.com/

]]> By: Keeper of the Catnip http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251078 Keeper of the Catnip Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:45:09 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251078 What a lovely post Christie. A phenomenal articulation of concepts I have until now not been able to give words. Having just recently buried a beloved feline friend of 24 years, I can certainly attest to the power of holistic animal care. Miss Cali died of her own will, free of any debilitating disease. She died of old age, as I wish it could be for all animals. I find comfort in knowing there is such a devoted group of like-minds on the planet. I've heard it said that it only takes a small percentage(3%?) of devoted individuals coming together to create great shifts. As I embark on fulfilling my greatest dream (becoming a holistic veterinarian) I am realizing that there is a growing number of students who are in fact looking toward a more complementary and holistic veterinary career. The future will bring more holistic veterinarians to satisfy the desire of holistic pet guardians in the world. Here's a video that the readers of this feed might like if they haven't already discovered it: Dr. DoMore http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84RLMs4BHSo What a lovely post Christie. A phenomenal articulation of concepts I have until now not been able to give words. Having just recently buried a beloved feline friend of 24 years, I can certainly attest to the power of holistic animal care. Miss Cali died of her own will, free of any debilitating disease. She died of old age, as I wish it could be for all animals.

I find comfort in knowing there is such a devoted group of like-minds on the planet. I’ve heard it said that it only takes a small percentage(3%?) of devoted individuals coming together to create great shifts. As I embark on fulfilling my greatest dream (becoming a holistic veterinarian) I am realizing that there is a growing number of students who are in fact looking toward a more complementary and holistic veterinary career. The future will bring more holistic veterinarians to satisfy the desire of holistic pet guardians in the world.

Here’s a video that the readers of this feed might like if they haven’t already discovered it:
Dr. DoMore
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84RLMs4BHSo

]]> By: Cardimom http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251058 Cardimom Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:32:50 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251058 Maybe it's just where I'm at in my life, but ak I was reading, I kept thinking 'Replace food/medication/whatever with training (or whatever you want to call it)and you've summed up a thinking persons approach to dog (animal) training!' This paragraph in particular struck me. It’s about looking at the whole animal and his or her whole environment, genetics, and lifestyle. It’s about making the best, most informed decision possible using all available resources, the one that relieves suffering and illness without doing harm. Balancing risk and benefit. Not seeing the animal as a collection of parts, but as a living creature in a dynamic environment. Don't get me wrong, the intended point of the post is striking too. Like I said, it must just be where I'm coming from mentally. . . Maybe it’s just where I’m at in my life, but ak I was reading, I kept thinking ‘Replace food/medication/whatever with training (or whatever you want to call it)and you’ve summed up a thinking persons approach to dog (animal) training!’ This paragraph in particular struck me.

It’s about looking at the whole animal and his or her whole environment, genetics, and lifestyle. It’s about making the best, most informed decision possible using all available resources, the one that relieves suffering and illness without doing harm. Balancing risk and benefit. Not seeing the animal as a collection of parts, but as a living creature in a dynamic environment.

Don’t get me wrong, the intended point of the post is striking too. Like I said, it must just be where I’m coming from mentally. . .

]]> By: emily http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251046 emily Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:29:09 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251046 I think there is a propblem with the term holistic. Because even as a person very vehement about literal holism (taking into account lifestyle, relationships, psychology, agnecy and the whole animal in every sense fo the word) I hear the term used most often in relation to things like aura cleansing, pet whispering and other practices that I consider overly credulous. While this term relate to everything from appropriate feeding to psychic messages from dolphins and their alien friends there will always be an acceptability problem. I think there is a propblem with the term holistic. Because even as a person very vehement about literal holism (taking into account lifestyle, relationships, psychology, agnecy and the whole animal in every sense fo the word) I hear the term used most often in relation to things like aura cleansing, pet whispering and other practices that I consider overly credulous. While this term relate to everything from appropriate feeding to psychic messages from dolphins and their alien friends there will always be an acceptability problem.

]]> By: Carol http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251041 Carol Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:12:32 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-251041 I'm so fortunate to have a vet that respects my wishes. They are excellent traditional vets but are open to holistic methods - sometimes at my suggestion and sometimes by theirs. I believe in using every reasonable method available to keep my pets happy and healthy. Christie - I read your piece a few weeks ago about the extraordinary challenges you faced in keeping one of your dogs alive due to kidney failure, and the dilemma in deciding when enough is enough. I faced a similar challenge a few weeks ago with a little cat about 3 yrs old who never had much of a life. Reading that article helped immensely in making my own decision. I know this is "off topic" but wanted to express my appreciation. I’m so fortunate to have a vet that respects my wishes. They are excellent traditional vets but are open to holistic methods - sometimes at my suggestion and sometimes by theirs. I believe in using every reasonable method available to keep my pets happy and healthy.

Christie - I read your piece a few weeks ago about the extraordinary challenges you faced in keeping one of your dogs alive due to kidney failure, and the dilemma in deciding when enough is enough. I faced a similar challenge a few weeks ago with a little cat about 3 yrs old who never had much of a life. Reading that article helped immensely in making my own decision. I know this is “off topic” but wanted to express my appreciation.

]]> By: kb http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-250860 kb Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:32:56 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-250860 Now if I could just find a vet that thinks like Christie. Now if I could just find a vet that thinks like Christie.

]]> By: Lola http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-250714 Lola Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:12:28 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-250714 So beautifully summed up, yet so succinct. The primary point: work towards the well-being of the patient, not the well-being of the theory. Bravo! So beautifully summed up, yet so succinct. The primary point: work towards the well-being of the patient, not the well-being of the theory. Bravo!

]]> By: Janeen http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-250679 Janeen Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:17:46 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/12/holistic-care/#comment-250679 " ...holistic isn’t about the substances you use; it’s about how you think." That completely and absolutely sums it up in one lovely sentence. In fact, I may need to steal that quote (of course giving you credit!!!) Well Done! ” …holistic isn’t about the substances you use; it’s about how you think.”

That completely and absolutely sums it up in one lovely sentence.

In fact, I may need to steal that quote (of course giving you credit!!!)

Well Done!

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