Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Family Assistance Center is located in Whittier, CA at the St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church. They are an all volunteer run organization that provides food and clothing for low income families. They service families in need in unincorporated areas of South and East Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, La Mirada, Pico Rivera and Downey. It is open to people in need of all faiths. The volunteers are all women and NHN helps many women that are supporting their families on their own. 



My family and I have been donating food,

Black Belt Alumni Food Drive

clothing and toys for a few months. We held food drives through a couple of our studios, In the Flow Studios Arts and Kadan Martial Arts, and were not prepared for the overwhelming gratitude upon delivering our donations. Sadly their pantry was almost empty before we brought the food we had collected. Many families would have needed to make it on a can of food for the day. It was difficult to believe that an organization dedicated to helping so many in need would be suffering in this way. My family and I decided that day that while we may not have much extra cash at the moment we would find ways to help this heart-run organization. 

Our next donation was personal. We began with clothing. Over the years we've accumulated our fair share of clothes that are still new but we've outgrown, our tastes have changed, our lifestyle has changed, etc. Suffice to say we will not use these clothes, shoes, hats again. We gathered everything we could washed and cleaned the items and delivered our next donations. Again we we met with genuine gratitude and joy for all the people that would be helped. But as we walked back into the food pantry again we were met by empty shelves. 

My heart fell to my stomach when I realized the people we had passed on the way in would have no proteins to bring home, or bread, or fresh vegetables. They would not leave empty handed as all in need are given food but they would not have enough to provide the basics needed for a nutritional meal, especially if they needed to feed growing children. 

I'm writing this post because I know that while many of us may not be able to afford extras or luxuries at the moment we know there are others that are less fortunate and we want to help. One of the noblest ways to express our gratitude for what we have is to be charitable with those that have less. There are many ways we can be a light for another human being without much sacrifice. We can spare useful household items that we are not using. We can donate jackets, shoes, clothes that we no longer wear. We can donate money, no amount is too small and it's tax deductible. We can donate a few extra cans of food we buy in bulk at warehouse stores. 

Providing food is Neighbors Helping Neighbors' primary mission. They are committed to never allowing anyone in need leave empty handed but they can only fulfill their commitment with our help. Beans, bread, rice, canned beef, vegetables and fruits are needed staple items in their pantry. They also try to buy fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible. They accept and appreciate fresh produce donations from your own backyards. 

While fixing all the world's problems seems a monumental task we can take our first steps towards it by helping our neighbors get through the day with a meal and a warm coat. I urge those that are local and inspired to reach out to Neighbors Helping Neighbors and find a way to lend some help. And please stop by inperson to see for yourself the good they are doing. 

A special note for the months of October, November and December they collect food, clothing and toys for Thanksgiving and for Christmas. 

"Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a non-profit community-based organization working to strengthen individuals and families in Whittier and surrounding communities. 

About NHM Food Pantry: The principal service is the provision of food. Among the items provided on a weekly basis to families in unincorporated areas of South and East Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, La Mirada, Pico Rivera and Downey are bread products and two or more shopping bags, including produce and non-perishable items. 

An average of 30-50 families and 188 individuals are assisted on a daily basis. 

NHN does not require a social security number thus serving a population that might otherwise go hungry."

NHN Contact info:
Located: St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 13935 Telegraph Road (Convent), Whittier, CA 90604, USA
Phone: (562) 777-2475
Service Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Director: Rosana Javier Ly
Email: neighbors@sggcatholic.org 

If you're inspired to visit NHN I'd be grateful if you would please leave a comment and or picture about your experience below. Thank you. 

Thank you for honoring the feminine. 

You can find more information about Aurora's Women's Empowerment Organization at:

Website Women's Empowerment: http://www.empowerment.ws/home.html
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EmpowermentWS?ref=hl
Website Kadan Martial Arts: http://kadanmartialarts.com
Poetry Musings Blog: http://speakyourart.blogspot.com


POI

Preparing for Ke-ola's Homecoming

Ke-ola Photo by Kianah Pen

It's been a long road but Ke-ola and our family are finally ready to take the next step in his doggy rehabilitation...integration into our pack this Monday. 

Ke-ola has been ready but we've had to get our other two dogs Sky and River ready as well. We have changed our lifestyle so that we can give each dog in our pack the physical and mental exercise they need. Each dog has a minimum of a daily treadmill session, outdoor walk, place training, state of mind training and impulse control training. We are learning a new language that transcends words. It's a language of understanding and mutual respect. 

Sky and River were also shelter dogs. They were found on the streets together and were kenneled together at the Dover Shelter in San Bernardino. They have relied on each other for their very survival since they were no more than a few months old. They have a very strong bond but as we have learned through Nick, it's not necessarily a healthy one. Nick explained that when dogs bond through such traumatic situations their bond actually becomes dysfunctional. It will feed insecurity and keep them from being open to the world outside of each other and their humans. 

We have been working with River and Sky to help them learn to be independent and self-reliant. Sky has the added challenge of not only being a fearful girl but she doesn't have any doggy social skills other than with River. Nick and Kianah will be bringing some of their pack with Ke-ola on Monday to help Sky with her social skills. 

While Ke-ola's homecoming is just one more step of many other steps we still need to take to become a united and balanced pack we are grateful for the possibility of making it a reality. We couldn't have made it this far without the guidance and support of Nick Martinez and Kianah Pen. They are not only gifted at working with dogs but equally gifted at working with people. They have an innate wisdom and integrity that promotes growth and healing for their human as well as their canine clients. 

I'll post pictures and videos of Ke-ola's homecoming on next weeks blog post.

Thank you for visiting. Wishing you and your pack Peace today and everyday.  

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235


POI

Healing is a Pack Affair

Nick working with River on crate.
Thank you Carrie & Donna for the crate!

Nick Martinez has been working 24/7 for weeks with our boy Ke-ola. He has transformed a scared, abused, unsocialized, street dog into a balanced, well-behaved, confident pack member. Ke-ola is doing so well now that Nick even uses him to help other dogs in their healing process! 

Nick working with River on treadmill.
Thank you Donna Mason & Debbie Herber!

Nick has been working with Ke-ola and each human member of our pack individually and as a group. He has also made several home visits to help us prepare our other two dogs for Ke-ola's homecoming. He has been patient, focused and encouraging every step of the way. My family and I feel blessed to have Nick, Kiannah and his amazing rehab pack to help us. 

Ke-ola doing a pack walk with Nick and some of his special rehabilitation pack. 

These are some hardworking and beautifully balanced canines. Nice job Nick!

Ke-ola enjoying an off leash walk with Nick. The difference in our boy's state of mind and emotional balance is remarkable.

Today marks the first time that Ke-ola and his canine sisters have ever been together. It was a monumental day for all of us. We had been waiting for this day for almost two years. It is amazing what can happen with love, courage, determination and a willingness to grow and change. 

Nick and I walking my pack together for the first time ever.

Nick walking my pack and keeping them calm and balanced throughout.

River & Ke-ola bonding in the shade.

Once we were done with treadmills, individual walks and our pack walk, Nick brought River and Ke-ola into the back yard and let them vibe each other out. It was very touching to see what a gentleman Ke-ola has become. He gave River her space and even calmly let her drink from the water bowl before he did. (Prior to Ke-ola's rehab the sound of a dog drinking from a water bowl would trigger anxiety and he would react poorly) This boy has found his center and his confidence.

Sky still needed more work before socializing freely with Ke-ola. We are on it and look forward to helping Sky find her center like her bother Ke-ola. 

Thank you for visiting. Wishing you and your pack Peace today and everyday.  

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235


POI

Our First Rehab Meeting with Ke-ola

Kadante & Ke-ola

It has been 22 days since Ke-ola began his Doggy Rehabilitation. It was important we not see him until he had found his balance with the guidance of expert dog rehabilitation specialist Nick Martinez and his pack. As I've written in previous posts Ke-ola had undergone abuse at the hands of humans and had never developed any socialization skills with other dogs. (For more info refer to, Day 10 of Ke-ola in Doggy Rehab. It took training round the clock with Nick, Kianah and their pack of special dogs to get Ke-ola in a calm and balance place. He has meet many new dogs without fear or hesitation. He has learned to trust in the dogs around him and to look to his pack leader(s) for guidance. 

Nick has brought Ke-ola such a long way in such little time it is amazing. We finally get to see who Ke-ola really is without the stress and anxiety that had gripped his every moment before. Nick has shown us that Ke-ola is capable of being a calm and relaxed companion in every situation he has encountered so far. Nick's taken him out to dog parks, pack walks, boardwalk strolls, even to out door dinning. It is reported Ke-ola stayed at Nick's feet in an outdoor patio filled with people and other dogs. 

Ke-ola on a pack walk with Nick and Kianah. (Wondering if Nick has a third arm?)

While this is most encouraging news it also means that my family and I now need to work hard to become the calm and assertive pack leaders Ke-ola and our other two dogs need us to be. Yesterday  my oldest son, Kadante, and I got to see and work with Ke-ola for the first time since he started rehab. 

We arrived at 3:30pm. Nick and Ke-ola were waiting for us on the sidewalk. Nick had spoken to us extensively on the phone about our first meeting and how important it was for us to remain calm and keep our excitement to a minimum. It was not easy to refrain from expressing affection as I was so excited to see our boy. I've missed him. I nursed him back to health for months, canceled clients, rescheduled class, cooked for him and loved him. These were the thoughts I was thinking as I went to bed the night before our meeting. Then that morning it hit me, I was only thinking about myself and my feelings not about what was best for Ke-ola. I realized because my family and I had invested so much in him we had to do what was best for him. I had to follow Nick's guidelines to the best of my ability.

We stepped out of the car, greeted Nick and ignored the wagging tail and wet tongue licking our hands. I had to force myself not to look down at him or it would be all over for me. Nick asked who wants to take Ke-ola for a walk first and I volunteered. Ke-ola and I walked for over and hour and a half with just a lead. He listened beautifully and stayed in sync with my energy. When I was calm and relaxed he too was calm and relaxed. When I became tense or apprehensive he did too. Nick was close at hand to offer corrections and encouragement helping me handling the walk properly. (Ke-ola already knows what he's doing, it's on us now.) Once Nick was satisfied that Ke-ola and I had faced enough challenges together it was Kadante's turn to be the pack leader. Kadante also had the opportunity to walk with Ke-ola and learn how to be a better dog handler and leader.  

Ke-ola relaxing with Nick's pack and some visiting dog friends. 1 of 2

Ke-ola relaxing with Nick's pack and some visiting dog friends. 2 of 2

We have a long way to go to develop the skills we'll need to have our pack trust us like Nick's pack trusts him but it is worth it. Seeing Ke-ola relaxed and happy with people and dogs means we need to step up our game so our pack can experience the same. 

Kadante and I have lots of homework to do with our two dogs at home, Sky and River. But the most important work is on our selves. Nick shared volumes of wisdom on our training walk and one of those gems was this, "If you would have gotten an "easy" dog you would need to learn nothing about yourselves. The dog would accommodate you. Ke-ola is not that type of dog. If you are willing to work hard and be committed Ke-ola will teach you about who you really are. He will give you the opportunity to challenge yourselves and to grow."

We will be meeting next week with all the humans in our family and Ke-ola. It will be interesting to see how all our different personalities and energies work together with Ke-ola's. 

Thank you for visiting. Wishing you and your pack Peace today and everyday.  

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235

POI

Day 10 of Ke-ola in Doggy Rehab

Ke-ola has been at his special doggy rehabilitation for 10 days today. He has had the opportunity to decompress and learn to relax. Nick Martinez, Ke-ola's Dog Rehabilitation Specialist, has been focusing on helping our dog release his anxiety with exercise and state of mind training. He's also been giving Ke-ola the opportunity to learn a new way of being around other dogs. He is getting to learn how to be a dog from the very best teachers, Nick's amazing rehabilitation pack! Ke-ola was in desperate need of meeting a well balanced dog pack. Nick said this poor boy was so "unsocialized" that he would get nervous just listing to another dog drink from a water bowl. It seems Ke-ola has only had negative experiences or no experience with other dogs. He misinterprets the most common types of communication from dogs. Nick has also discovered that Ke-ola was likely abused at the hands of humans as well. It's as if Ke-ola's world had been about protection and survival and he didn't have a chance to learn anything else. As I watch the videos Nick sends me, I get to witness his transformation. I see his body becoming more relaxed, his eyes are softer, and he is learning to trust other dogs. For the first time in the year and a half we've had him, the real Ke-ola is starting to shine through.

Nick, Saving Dog's Like Ke-ola Everday

It hasn't been an easy journey for him. He's had some challenges along the way so far but thankfully he is in the perfect place to learn from his mistakes and let go of his anxiety. Nick and Kianah have been working tirelessly to help this boy as much as they can. In only 10 days Ke-ola has met more than 20 new dogs. He has gone on pack walks. He's learned that the treadmill is a safe place to work out alongside your buddies. He's even had a chance to walk around new people and dogs without excitement or anxiety.

Watching his daily videos have brought me to tears more than once. My family and I have known Ke-ola was a wonderful dog deep down inside from the start but just weren't able to help him shine through. He needed to be with a pack of balanced dogs in a controlled environment with an expert Dog Rehabilitation Specialist. It has been a blessing to watch his change and his growth. There is no more deserving dog. He's a great tangible example that dogs don't hold on to the past. They live in the moment and when we are able to communicate a new way of being they have the ability to embrace it far easier than their humans.

Ruby and Kianah

Nick and Kianah have told us that we have our work cut out for us. They don't magically rehabilitate your dog. They work to give the human's in the pack the tools they need to do the work themselves. Our dogs aren't stupid. They know if we are willing to put in the work and the time and will behave accordingly. In Ke-ola's case he also needed dog rehabilitation to erase his past and to teach him the language of dog and of trust.

Ruby has been a big part of his rehabilitation so far. She a happy go lucky ball of energy and is helping Ke-ola learn the difference between excitement, play and aggression. He is getting to see that dogs want to make friends. It means so much to see him with the other dogs. He's been alone on the other side of the glass watching his sisters and longing to play but not knowing how. Thank you Nick, Kianah and all the amazing doggy teachers he's had so far for believing in him and for giving him another chance at the life he deserves. 

Ke-ola made remarkable progress on the treadmill and working out with his new friends. He looks like a different dog from his first video in Ke-ola's First Day of Doggy Rehabilitation.

Nick and Ke-ola going for a walk together. Ke-ola had the opportunity to experience dogs and people all the while learning from Nick how to be polite and relaxed in new environments. 

Thank you for visiting. Wishing you and your pack Peace today and everyday.  

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235

POI

Natural Flea Control; Rid Your Dog and Home of Fleas Naturally

We love our pets and want what is best for them. We know that fleas carry diseases like a tapeworm called Dipylidium caninum, Haemobartonellosis which affects red blood cells, another parasite called Dipetalonema reconditum, Plague caused by Yersinia pestis, Typhus caused by Rickettsia typhi, Tularemia caused by Francisella tularensis. In short fleas can transmit diseases that untreated can be potentially fatal to your dog(s). Large numbers of fleas can cause anemia, especially in puppies and kittens. Some pets have been known to die if the anemia is severe. Flea bites may be unnoticeable on some pets, cause slight irritation in others, and produce severe itching, red lesions, hair loss, and even ulcers in a third group. The severe lesions are caused by a hypersensitivity to the flea saliva and is called flea allergy dermatitis.

Natural flea control encompasses three major fronts of attack to be effective. Your dog's pH balance and nutrition are the foundation. Providing relief and healing of affected skin area and keeping fleas off your pet is the second one. Controlling fleas in your home and garden is the last but is very important in preventing recurrences. 

Some of the holistic tools I'll be sharing with you like Certified Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar and diatomaceous earth (DE) work on all three fronts. Fleas reproduce at an incredible rate. Ten female fleas can produce over 250,000 more fleas in a single month. Estimates are that for every adult flea on your pet, there are around 10 more wherever your pet spends time. That’s why you must eliminate not only the adults on your dog or cat, but the eggs, larva and pupa in your home, yard and your pet’s bedding (1).

Parasites are drawn to the weakest of the species. So the first battle to be engaged in your war on fleas is insuring your pet’s health is optimum and her immune system is strong. Feeding a high quality, species appropriate diet is paramount for your pet’s good health. Over-vaccinating your pet can devastate immune system functioning, as can the overuse of drugs like antibiotics and corticosteroids (1).

To effectively address a flea infestation in your environment or on your pet, you must first understand the life cycle of the flea as what works to kill an adult flea doesn't work with other stages and vice versa.   

Fleas go through the four lifecycle stages of egg, larva, pupa, and imago (adult). Adult fleas must feed on blood before they can become capable of reproduction. Flea populations are distributed with about 50% eggs, 35% larvae, 10% pupae, and 5% adults.

Eggs: The flea life cycle begins when the female lays after feeding. Eggs are laid in batches of up to 20 or so, usually on the host itself, which means that the eggs can easily roll onto the ground. Because of this, areas where the host rests and sleeps become one of the primary habitats of eggs and developing fleas. The eggs take around two days to two weeks to hatch.

Larvae: Flea larvae emerge from the eggs to feed on any available organic material such as dead insects, feces, and vegetable matter. In laboratory studies, some dietary diversity seems necessary for proper larval development. Blood-only diets allow only 12% of larvae to mature, whereas blood and yeast or dog chow diets allow almost all larvae to mature. They are blind and avoid sunlight, keeping to dark places such as sand, cracks and crevices, and bedding.

Pupae: Given an adequate supply of food, larvae pupate and weave silken cocoons within 1–2 weeks after three larval stages. After another week or two, the adult fleas are fully developed and ready to emerge. They may remain resting during this period until they receive a signal that a host is near - vibrations (including sound), heat, and carbon dioxide are all stimuli indicating the probable presence of a host. Fleas are known to overwinter in the larval or pupal stages.

Adult flea: Once the flea reaches adulthood, its primary goal is to find blood and then to reproduce. Its total life span can be as short as one year, but may be several years in ideal conditions. Female fleas can lay 5000 or more eggs over their life, allowing for phenomenal growth rates. Average 30–90 days.

Newly emerged adult fleas live only about one week if a blood meal is not obtained. However, completely developed adult fleas can live for several months without eating, so long as they do not emerge from their puparia. Optimum temperatures for the flea's life cycle are 21 °C to 30 °C (70 °F to 85 °F) and optimum humidity is 70%.

Your Dog's Insides:

Flea infestation is a sign of a problem with a dog's immune system. A homemade diet provides best the type of nutrition for a dogs' physiology, meaning it provides nutrients in a way that dogs can easily digest and fully utilize as opposed to most commercial pet foods and all commercial (kibble) dry dog foods. 

Once you understand the basic elements needed to provide a balanced, nutritional and readily digestible meal, cooking becomes quite an enjoyable and relatively effortless experience. It is an intelligent investment not only in a dog's health, vitality and longevity but also financially. When you add up all the money saved on veterinary visits and medications the cost of making home made food pays for itself. One of my favorite books detailing the importance of homemade meals is Dr. Becker's Real Food for Healthy Dogs & Cats. 

Another important tool in preventing flea bites is making sure your dog's pH levels are in balance. Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (AVC) has been used for hundreds of years to balance the intestinal system and bring pH levels into balance throughout all the systems in the body. 

Keeping a good pH is important, since pests like fleas, ticks, flies, bacteria, parasites, ringworm, fungi, staphylococcus, streptococcus, pneumococcus, and mange are less likely to bother dogs with an alkaline system inside and slightly acidic mantle outside. Since apple cider vinegar makes the skin more acidic but has an alkalizing effect inside the body, it's the perfect treatment for pets.

You can check your dog's ph balance status with pH strips available at any local pharmacy. Just slip the strip into the stream of your dog's urine first thing in the morning. A reading of 6.2 to 6.5 shows a healthy dog pH. Readings around 7.5 or higher are a bit too alkaline but acidic readings below 6.0 are too acidic. Adjust your dog's diet accordingly and using ACV will also re-establish the correct balance.

Suggested Dosage: Start with a one-teaspoon dose mixed into your dog's food twice a day for a 50 lb dog (adjust accordingly by weight) and if necessary increase up to about 1 tablespoon twice a day for the same size dog. By gradually increasing the amount suggested you can make sure your dogs aren't reactive to it and it gives their digestive systems the ability to adjust. Adding a splash of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar to your dog's water bowl can act as a flea repellant, help prevent urinary tract infections and also improves your pet's overall health. 

Another important natural product for the internal health of your dog is  diatomaceous earth (DE). Food grade diatomaceous earth absorbs methyl mercury, E. coli, endotoxins, viruses, organophosphate pesticide residues, and drug residues. Its positive effects include killing intestinal parasites, balancing the intestinal flora, killing viruses, and absorbing toxins. It is also a natural de-wormer. 

There are different grades of DE, we are looking for food grade DE. Since most grades of DE are mined into a fine powder, it can be tricky to distinguish food grade from the others. Food grade is not harmful to humans or other mammals but some of the other grades can include harmful additives, so it's important to choose the kind that's completely organic and food grade.

Warning: Be sure to use food grade diatomaceous earth. Unlike food grade DE, DE for pool filters has been superheated and chemically changed. If the diatomaceous earth you have mentions anything about being used in a pool filter, please make sure it's only used in your pool filter and not for the purposes discussed on this post. The surest way to tell one grade from another is simply to read the product label and ingredients list. Food grade should have no additives or treatments performed to it.

The suggested doses are: 
(I always start with a fourth of the suggested dose for each of my dogs and slowly work my way up. DE is powerful, effective and natural but it will dehydrate your dog (and yourself if you use it) so you must make sure your dog is drinking plenty of water (more than when not consuming DE) and voiding (urinating) regularly. If your dog has kidney problems I would stay away from using DE internally. It is always a good idea to consult with your Holistic Veterinarian before giving something new to your dog. 

Puppies & Small Dogs: ½ tsp
Dog under 50 lb: 1 tsp
Dog over 50 lb: 1 tbsp
Dog over 100 lb: 2 tbsp

 (If you find your dog has contracted tape worms or another type of intestinal parasite please read this article from Wolf Creek Ranch about how to use DE to naturally eliminate them from your dog's system.)  

I did not introduce both ACV and DE to my dogs at the same time. Too many changes can overwhelm and already weakened physiology. I started with DE because my dogs had visible tape worms in their stools. I feed a healthy home cooked diet with added minerals, vitamins and probiotics and added the DE to their meals. (I slowly increased the doses until they had reached the suggested dose for their weight) Once I was satisfied that they had cleared all the parasites from their digestive track I stopped feeding DE daily and began introducing ACV. If you don't have a concern with intestinal parasites you may want to bypass the DE and just use ACV.

Your Dog's Coat and Skin:

Fleas on your dogs' coat must be dealt with on a daily basis during flea season. If you suspect your dog is susceptible to flea allergy dermatitis it is even more important to stay vigilantly on top of preventing flea bites. Once they experience an allergic reaction to a flea bite they may need weeks to calm their immune system and balance their gut and pH levels again. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, for sure! Thank you Benjamin Franklin. 

(If your dog is having an allergic reaction to flea bites that present with red bumps, pimples, hair loss, excessive itching, or lessons try Nu Stock. I'll be sharing more about this remarkable product as it pertains to fleas and your dog's coat later in this article.) 

One of the best tools we have to get rid of fleas from your dog's body is a simple flea comb. Comb your dog daily on a white or other light colored towel so you can see what you’re removing. Drop the combings into a bowl or other container of soapy water and flush it down the toilet when you are done. Even when you’re no longer seeing fleas or flea residue on your pet, it’s a good idea to continue to comb him/her daily until you’re sure his environment is completely flea free. 

Another great tool is our versatile friend Raw Apple Cider Vinegar. We can use ACV on our dog's coat to repel fleas as well as to offer relief from irritated and itchy skin. Here are three ways you can use ACV on your dog.

1. You can prepare a simple ACV, chamomile tea, and water rinse for after bathing. First bath your dog with the correct type of shampoo to address your dog's skin condition. (Please refer to the two Dr. Becker videos provided below to learn about the correct shampoo to use.) You combine 50% ACV with 50% chamomile tea water in a gallon jug (I use about 5 tea bags per gallon mix). Leave ACV rinse on coat and let it dry. Do not rinse with water. The dry rinse will not only repel fleas it will help calm and sooth your dog's coat.

ACV Rinse Preparation:
Use only Raw Apple Cider Vinegar not white, rice, balsamic, etc. Boil two bags of chamomile tea. Let them sit for 15 minutes and remove tea bags. Let tea cool to room temperature. Use one cup of ACV in gallon container. Then add the tea and fill with water. Cover container and shake well. You can use this rinse all over your dog's body and even on and in-between their foot pads. Please be careful not to get inside eyes or ears. I like to pour off my gallon container into a squeeze bottle with a long tip. It makes the rinse much easier to apply and helps avoid getting the rinse in the eye or ears. 

2. For skin application you can spray on or rub apple cider directly on coat. If  sore or open wounds are present, mix the ACV with equal parts water before application to the dog's skin. You can also spray your dog with apple cider vinegar before going out for a walk, in order to repel fleas and ticks naturally. Applying diluted apple cider vinegar to your pet's skin can make your dog seem unsavory to fleas and ticks. You can rub a bit of it into your dog's fur or dilute ACV with water in a sprayer and spray your pet whenever he or she is going outside. Please be careful not to get into the eyes.

3. ACV is great for relieving red or irritated foot pads. Once again you want to dilute ACV with water. To prevent reactions from allergens, chemicals, bacteria or other potentially irritating things your dog might have stepped in on your walk, place a shallow basin at the door and have your dog submerge each paw in it until fully saturated. Do not rise off, let dry naturally. 

If your pooch has a hard time submerging their paws in the mixture you can use the mix in a spray bottle and spray the bottom of your dog's pads making sure to saturate the entire area. Again, let mix dry naturally. 

Diatomaceous Earth is another great tool you can use on your dogs coat. It works by slashing the exoskeleton of the flea causing the flea to dehydrate and die. Going into a little more detail, the diatomaceous earth is formed from algae with siliceous shells. When extracted, they are already dead, but their shells remain. These are razor sharp and while they are too small to even have a small effect on humans, they are deadly to pests. In fact, food grade diatomaceous earth can even be used to kill other pests like bed bugs, chiggers, ants and gnats. You can use DE directly on the fur rubbing it in with your hands, starting from tail to head.

While many people use DE this way on farm animals as well as domesticated animals it can be drying to the skin. DE also works best on adult fleas not their eggs so I choose not to use it on my dogs' skin but many farmers swear by it. If your inspired to learn more about using DE topically on your dog please read Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth for Flea and Tick Treatment from Wolf Creek.

For those of you that have a dog with flea allergy dermatitis I've never tried a product as effective as Nu Stock topical ointment to heal red bumps, bald patches, or secondary skin infections due to excessive itching. I have a dog that was diagnosed highly allergic to multiple environmental allergens. He also suffers from flea allergy dermatitis. Here is a picture of my boy during a "mild" outbreak and an after picture of his healed skin 4 weeks later. 


Nu Stock has been around for over 30 years and has been safely used on animals of all shapes and sizes. It is not easy to find as most commercial pet stores don't carry it. You need to look for a feed store or you can also order online. Their website is minimalistic at best but here is a link to their testimonials page Nustock Reviews. You will be amazed at the before and after pictures and comments. Dogs: Use for many skin related ailments. Application every three days promotes rapid healing of many skin disorders. I have never seen anything work so quickly and completely to eliminate my dog's scabs, welts and red bumps. It is very strong smelling as its composition is 73% sulfur, 25% mineral oil and 2% pine oil. Apply thoroughly to affected areas and let dry completely. Careful of furniture and clothing as it will stain. You may apply Nu Stock every three days, no sooner. You must also make sure to bath your dog and throughly wash off all the remaining Nu Stock and any dirt and dead skin before applying new dose. If your dog is like mine you'll see progress after the very first application. I have used Nu Stock for many things besides flea allergy skin reactions. It's so amazing a product I will be writing an entire article dedicated to it.

Always do a spot check on your dog before applying any new product on your dog's entire body. It's important to remember that each dog has a unique biochemistry due to genetics and environment so not all dogs will react the same way with any given product or supplement. Best to take it slowly with any new element in your dog's life.

Bathe your pet frequently while you’re fighting a flea infestation. Fleas are less attracted to clean animals and the shampoo will kill any fleas on your pet if the water doesn’t get them first. The good news is even parasites can drown! Your dog will feel better after a soothing bath as well. For detailed information about bathing pets for fleas, yeast and/or skin sensitivities please watch Dr. Becker's videos. Important point DO NOT USE OATMEAL PRODUCTS for bathing.

Your Dog's Environment Home and Garden:

Flea Killing/Repelling Tools:

Diatomaceous Earth works best with adult fleas as it destroys their exoskeleton. DE can be used in the garden as well as in the home. It is milled to a fine powered so it's a good idea to cover your nose and mouth as well as wear eye protection when applying in windy conditions or if concerned with irritation of lungs by breathing in the powder.

In the garden, DE can be applied to grass, dirt, in flower beds and in the cracks and crevices where pest like to hide. While FOOD GRADE DE is nontoxic to humans and pets it fatal to all forms of insects. To prevent hurting beneficial insects like bees and butterflies only use close to the ground as these insects usually land on flowers located higher up on the plant. For DE to be effective it must remain dry.

DE can be used inside the house as well. After cleaning affected area thoroughly spread DE on floors, corners, dog bedding, furniture. Give all your carpets a brush (stiff bristles) and a thorough vacuum. This will aggravate the fleas and get them moving about in preparation for your natural flea powder attack. You can rub the powder into the carpets with a broom to make sure it reaches the fleas. Just be careful you don’t get too much powder puffing into the air when you apply it to the targeted area.

Research shows that once the fleas come into contact with the powder, they usually die about 4 hours later. Since flea eggs hatch after about a week of being laid by female fleas (in most scenarios), it’s recommended that you repeat this process once a week for a total of 3-4 weeks. This will prevent a repeat infestation after you get rid of the adult fleas. Make sure to vacuum up all the powder as you will find dead flies. 

Beneficial nematodes kill fleas without the need for dangerous chemicals or toxic pesticides. The beneficial nematode is a type of roundworm and is harmless to humans and our pets. 

The nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae, hunts down fleas in the pre-adult, pupae, and larval stages of their growth, which account for 95 percent of the flea population, even searching out the fleas that lie dormant in cocoons before reaching maturity. The killer roundworm enters the pest's body through any convenient opening, such as the spiracles, where air is taken in, and releases a bacteria that kills the flea within 48 hours.

When the host is dead, the nematode sheds its skin and begins to reproduce inside the corpse. The offspring hunt for new prey, destroying the remaining fleas in the wake of the nematode life cycle. If there are no host bugs to be found, the nematodes starve and biodegrade, leaving no harmful backyard bug alive to tell the story.(3)

Using Apple Cider Vinegar to mop floors, clean counter tops and wash dog bedding is a great way to kill and repel fleas from your home. ACV is one of the best natural cleaning agents there is, and this is largely due to its antimicrobial properties. When added to food, the organic acids in vinegar (especially the acetic acid) pass into cell membranes to kill bacteria.  Foods fermented with vinegar have a natural arsenal of antimicrobial organic acids, including acetic, lactic, ascorbic, citric, malic, propionic, succinic, and tartaric acids. One study found acetic acid to be lethal to even E. coli O157:H7, while other research has shown substances such as acetic acid, lemon juice, or a combination of lemon juice and vinegar to be effective against salmonella.(4)

I know this is a huge amount of information especially if you are just learning about these products and their uses in fighting flea infestations. You can research further with the links I've provided. Using a holistic approach to health means education on multiple levels, as the name implies, we need to look at the whole of the systems not just the parts. The better we understand how things are interconnected the more effectively we can restore balance.

Resources and References:

(1) These Natural Flea-Busters Help Your Pet Enjoy Summer More... by Healthy Pets, Dr. Karen Becker

(2) How to know if your DE is food Grade Diatomaceous Earth at Diatomaceous Earth.com

(3) Natural Flea Control: How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally Nematodes are natural flea killers. 

(4) How Apple Cider Vinegar Can Change Your Life, Dr. Mercola

Official website for diatomaceous earth

Wolf Creek Natural Pet Care Products

Wishing you and your pack Peace today and everyday. 

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235

POI

Ke-ola's First Day of Doggy Rehabilitation

Ke-ola is finally going to get the help he so desperately needs. Today was his first day at Doggy Rehabilitation with a specialized trainer, Nick Martinez and a dozen strong balanced dog pack. Ke-ola is our rescue and adopted Pit Bull Mix from the Carson Shelter. He was not only extremely sick and injured when we got him he had also been very mistreated. His injuries and behavior were consistent with being used as a "bait dog" or needing to survive on the hard streets for a long period of time. We may never know for sure how Ke-ola came to be this way but Nick has given us hope that with doggy rehab, hard work and educating ourselves we can help Ke-ola not only integrate into our pack but also become a balanced and healthy dog with everyone he meets.

Ke-ola has a great deal of allergies so to avoid giving him allergy shots and medications we cook fresh home cooked meals that are balanced with his dietary needs as well as added fish oils, probiotics, coconut oil and vitamins. This means we've cooked up a storm and zip locked his AM and PM meals individually, dated them and froze them for the week.

My husband and I dropped Ke-ola off with Nick and Kianah today. Nick spent a few hours with us explaining the process for Ke-ola and for the rest of our pack at home. He answered all of our questions and gave us all the time we needed to feel comfortable with leaving him. Nick had more than a dozen dogs in the back the entire time we were there. The most amazing part was that we heard not ONE bark! We were blown away in the realization that Nick's pack was so balanced and comfortable that even when "strangers" approached they felt no need to sound off. The pack trusts Nick and his judgement and they behave accordingly. It was a paradigm shift in my understanding of dog and human behavior. Nick keeps telling us that dogs read energy but to see it in action was incredible. 

(Sorry about the video quality but the audio is good)

Many times a dog's behavior is a refection of the subtle and not so subtle energies shared by their humans. While Ke-ola's behavior is a refection of our family he is also a special case. By the time Ke-ola had found his way into our home he had already seen and experienced a lifetime of abuse and neglect. He has never learned how to interact with other dogs. The physical scars that took him six months in quarantine to recover from are nothing compared to the emotional scars inflicted upon him. There would have been no hope for Ke-ola without immersive rehabilitation with a specialized trainer and a balanced dog pack. The wonderful news is that dogs aren't human. They don't hold on to the past when offered a new way of being. Dog's don't define themselves by their previous actions. When we give a dog the opportunity to change their state of mind their behavior changes as well.

(Ke-ola's first treadmill walk)

Ke-ola's abuse came at the hands of humans yet he is willing to forgive humans. His heart is so pure and so big that he made room for a select few of us. He's also been hurt by other dogs yet he still wants to interact and make friends. He just doesn't know how to say hello without overwhelming the other dog(s). No living creature deserves to be abused and neglected but Ke-ola's story is a lesson for us all. While he has seen the very worst in humans his heart is still open and hopeful. I aspire to be more like my dogs everyday. 

A special THANK YOU to all the amazingly generous souls that helped make this possible. The artists, volunteers, family, friends and donors that came out to support our Arts Open House and Ke-ola Fundraiser made this happen. Since dogs feel our energy you all sent so much love to a dog that had only ever felt the opposite. You not only helped him get the rehabilitation he needed but gave him something equally valuable...you showed him he was loved and worth saving. Thank you for caring! You all restored my faith in humanity. 

To the Pit Bull Naysayers:
I've received comments and messages from people that have read my blog that feel that a Pit Bull should not be given a second chance. I've been told that the breed is inherently violent and that they are a danger to society. Some have also insulted me and my family for saving Ke-ola. I prefer to be a positive person so I haven't responded to the critics but I would like to write that all creatures great and small deserve a second chance, especially when they find themselves in negative circumstances through no fault of their own. Any dog can be aggressive regardless of breed and every dog can be helped with the right training and rehabilitation. We humans are the problem and we humans are responsible to fix it. Please don't blame a dog or a breed for what humans created. And for those that have negative things to say about Pit Bull owners, we are a mixed bunch. There is no one "type" of person that owns a Pit Bull. We come from all walks of life but we do share an unwavering love for our dogs. We know that the hype is bunk and that there is no more, loving, kindhearted, loyal and noble dog than our Pit Bull.

Wishing you and your pack Peace today and everyday. 

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235

POI