• Buckely’s Story: Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher by Ingrid King

A story about the important role animals play in our lives by teaching us universal lessons about opening the heart and living a joyful life.

• Kindred Spirits by Allen M. Schoen, DVM

How the remarkable bond between humans and animals can change the way we live.
Also by Allen Schoen with Pam Proctor: Love, Miracles and Animal Healing
A heartwarming look at the spiritual bond between animals and humans.

• Soul of a Dog by Jon Katz

You cannot go wrong with any novel by this local author.

If you are concerned that you or the recipient on your list will not have time to sit and enjoy an entire book, consider a monthly subscription.  The Whole Dog Journal features articles such as:
How to choose the right dog food
Finding the right rawhide chew for your dog and
Crate training made easy

So, go ahead and finish up that shopping and wrapping so you can relax with a great book (ideally, with a cuddly critter on your lap).

• The Nature of Animal Healing: The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for your Dog and Cat by Martin Goldstein, DVM.  This book is divided into three parts for easy referencing: Understanding Disease, Taking Action, and Understanding Your Pet.

• Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard H Pitcairn, DVM and Susan Hubble Pitcairn. Here is another very accessible choice. Part one is Natural Health for Pets and Part Two is an easy to use Quick Reference section.
• Four Paws Five Directions, A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs by Cheryl Schwartz, DVM. Not only are there three parts: The Theory, The Diagnosis, The Treatment, this indispensible guide contains several pages of color photos clearly illustrating  meridians and acupressure points.

Pet nutrition can be a source of confusion and frustration for the discerning pet guardian. Give the gift of simplicity and clarity with these books that contain clear language and of course, recipes.

• Not Fit for a Dog! The Truth About Manufactured Dog and Cat Food by Michael W. Fox, DVM, Elizabeth Hodgkins, DVM and Marion E. Smart, DVM. Published this year, this resource contains up to date information, research and recommendations.
• Real Food for Healthy Dogs and Cats, Simple Homemade Food by Beth Taylor and Karen Shaw Becker, DVM. From the front cover to the pledge on the last page, this book literally shows how healthy feeding is at the core of caring for our pets in a holistic way – body, mind and spirit.

Look for these valuable additions to any pet health library at your favorite Hudson Valley bookstore and have a joyous holiday season.

Be thankful for comic relief. Is it possible to look at a kitten or puppy without smiling? Do you share your life with the Golden Retriever who holds his leash in his mouth on walks? Have you met the Great Dane who hides his head and thinks you can’t see his 150 lb body sticking out from behind the sofa? Who can resist the cat who sits on the exact newspaper article you are reading? (Admit it you are more entertained than annoyed when this happens.) And, of course, there’s always the Tabby who curls up on the freshly cleaned laundry.

Appreciate companionship. In this age when most of our communication occurs via text messages, phone tag and 140 character tweets, it can be nice to interact with someone without an opposable thumb. Not only are pets good listeners, they understand with senses that we humans do not even possess.

Feel unconditional love. It’s trite, but it’s true. If pets did not invent unconditional love, they certainly perfected it.

So as you navigate throughout the Hudson Valley this week, if traffic is crawling and check out lines are out the door and you remember to stop and count your blessings, be thankful not only for, but also to silly, loyal and beloved pets, past and present.

It is not uncommon this time of year to notice your dog or cat with a runny nose and some sneezing. Frequently, when a pet is fighting a cold, you’ll see discharge from the eyes. In a pet with an otherwise healthy immune system, these signs tend to be mild and self-limiting. As for human risk, most people are surprised to hear that pets are more likely to pick up cold and flu viruses from us than we are from them.  You may have recently read about the cat who contracted the H1N1 virus from her owners.

Still, it can be difficult to differentiate between sniffles and something more serious. Your veterinarian can help you determine if your pet needs some extra fluids and extra love or more aggressive diagnostics and treatment. Here are some points you may discuss with your vet:

• When the heat kicks on for the first time of the season, a lot of dust and debris that has been accumulating in the vents during the warmer months is kicked up. This causes physical irritation to the eyes as well as aggravation of allergies.

• Allergies are another cause of “goopy eyes” that show up this time of year. Many pets are allergic to house dust mites. If they spend much time outdoors during the spring, summer and fall, the symptoms tend to be worse in the winter, when they are exposed to dust for longer periods of time. Dust allergy symptoms are not a sign of poor housekeeping. In an allergic pet, it only takes a minute amount of dust to cause significant symptoms. Most holistic veterinarians spend a lot of time working with pets who suffer from environmental allergies and are a great resource for discussing an integrative approach to this chronic nuisance.

• Corneal ulcers are another cause of eye irritation. Be suspicious and seek immediate medical attention if the symptoms are unilateral, your pet seems to be in pain, squints or paws at the eye or has a history of trauma. Your vet will place a medical stain in the eyes to test for ulcers. If the dye does not wash out, it will outline the ulcer and treatment will be initiated. This condition, if left untreated can have severe consequences.

Take care, stay warm and don’t forget to talk to your veterinarian about how to boost your pet’s immune system with good nutrition and herbal supplements this cold and flu season.

So far, October has been a busy month at this progressive facility. It started with the rescue, nursing care and re-homing of an injured turkey. This Hudson Valley rescue helps a variety of species in a variety of ways. Providing outstanding care for all its residents, Warwick Valley Humane Society combines shelter animal medicine with holistic veterinary medicine.

Once again, a truly integrative approach to wellness is at work. Bach flower essences, such as Rescue Remedy help in emergencies. Acupuncture has been utilized for cats with chronic upper respiratory disease, painful oral ulcers and high fevers. Steroid -free natural ointments have helped many dogs and cats with mild skin irritations. Anxious pets are often soothed with the help of calming pheromone sprays. And immune boosting supplements and probiotics are routinely administered. Additionally, the shelter relies on the expertise of local conventional practitioners for more complicated or severe cases and situations where both holistic and western medicines, used concurrently are in the patient’s best interest.

Somehow, the devoted Humane Society staff still finds time to enjoy the more light-hearted aspects of pet care and the end of October is proving to be as quirky as the beginning. “Quinn has been at the shelter a year. He’ll do anything to go to a good home,” smiles Warwick Valley Humane Society President Suzyn Barron commenting on the usually macho Lab-Pit Bull mix’s Halloween costume. (He’s dressed as a woman. See photo.)

Interested in meeting more lovable, adoptable pets dressed to impress? Stop in on Saturday, October 31, between noon and 4pm. The Warwick Valley Humane Society is located off Kings Highway in Warwick at 48 Public Works Drive and open daily from noon to four. For more information, contact the shelter at 845-986-2473.

Integrative veterinarian and naturopathic doctor (for people), Dr. Steve Marsden, explains that the popular pain relief aspect of acupuncture is more of a side effect. Another very significant benefit is in addressing the underlying disharmony in the body. Helping Qi and Blood to flow and integrating the organs with each other and their external environment has effects that outlast the temporary endorphin release immediately following an acupuncture treatment.

You may have already heard of the benefits of acupuncture as part of a holistic or integrative approach to pain management for arthritis. So, what other common conditions can we look at with a Traditional Chinese Medical approach? Allergic conditions, digestive issues, urinary incontinence, seizures, asthma and cancer are all situations where using the best of both eastern and western medicine is the most effective way to help our pets. Of course, acupuncture is not a silver bullet. Regardless of the modality, diet (including appropriate nutritional supplements) and possibly lifestyle changes are essential when managing illness.

Interested in acupuncture for your pet in the Albany area? Visit the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society at www.IVAS.org and click on the Search for a Veterinarian icon. Acupuncture services are also available at Shaker Veterinary Hospital in Latham , NY, Kilshannagh Veterinary Clinic in Ancramdale , NY and coming soon to South Peak Veterinary Hospital in Saugerties , NY

Please spay your pets:
Spaying your dog or cat prior to her first heat greatly decreases her risk of developing breast cancer later in life. And here’s the really good news, cancer prevention is only one of the many health benefits of spaying prior to sexual maturity. Quicker recovery time and fewer risks associated with anesthesia and tissue-handling are just two. Of course, there are behavior benefits as well – less roaming, for instance. If that wasn’t enough, this act by responsible pet owners also helps reduce pet overpopulation and by doing so reduces the number of animals euthanized in shelters and helps to decrease the strains on other animal rescue organizations.

Support the immune system:
Whether it is influenza, cancer, asthma or any other ailment, disease prevention starts with health maintenance. Taking an integrative approach to wellness means looking at stress reduction, water purity, exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins (on your lawn, in your home or on your pet) and appropriate use (not overuse) of vaccines. What about vitamins and supplements?  Discuss immune support from nutritional supplements with your veterinarian.  You can work together to maximize the health benefits to your pet with an individualized approach to supplementation.

Provide the best nutrition you can:
No discussion of immune support or cancer prevention would be complete without a good look at nutrition. Do you feed raw? Home cook? Splurge on a high quality commercial diet? Maybe you have been able to use a combination of all these feeding methods. If so, it is probably because you know that excessive processing, poor quality ingredients and fillers, chemical preservatives and artificial colors do nothing to help your pet ward off disease. Good nutrition is an investment in good health.

Notify your vet of any new lumps or bumps:
Regular check ups with your veterinarian are essential for early detection. Many practices have switched to twice yearly exams, especially for older pets. Be sure to mention any new lumps or bumps you have noticed on your pet. Prior to your appointment, note if there has been any change in size, shape, color or consistency of the lump since the time it was first noticed. Noting if the area of concern is causing your pet any discomfort and whether he or she has a history of cancer is also important.

Smith Ridge Veterinary Center in South Salem, NY offers a wide variety of conventional and holistic pet care options. Their website has great information on cancer prevention through a focus on wellness in addition to integrative approaches to cancer treatment.

Mental stimulation – We are all multi-taskers these days. And let’s face it, is much easier to let dogs out in a fenced yard than to start digging around for that old harness and leash. Yet, simply running unencumbered, may have temporary rewards for your pet, but does not have the same anti-anxiety benefits as walking on a leash. Walking in a purposeful, controlled manner with a human companion also exercises your dog’s mind (your patience may get a bit of a work out too, but stick with it). If you share your life and home with a very smart dog, you have probably noticed how easily he or she can become bored. These special creatures thrive when they are asked to use their remarkable skills and exceptional learning capacity.

Basic training – Why not take this opportunity to review simple commands such as heel, wait and focus. Paying attention to commands in the face of distractions can be very challenging for some dogs. However, walking with a pet who has mastered impulse control and being “in step” with the person at the other end of the leash can be an incredibly rewarding experience for you as well as your pet. These communication skills can also make outings more enjoyable and safer for everyone.

Human-animal bond time – Whether it is a family outing or a chance for one-on-one time with you and your four-legged best friend, being outdoors, especially on a crisp, colorful autumn day in the Hudson Valley can help you relax and unwind together.

Socialization for you and your dog – Do you feel that your animal companion would benefit from experience socializing with other pets or people? Routine walks can really help reinforce desired behaviors. Additionally, after all the leaves have fallen and the crispness in the air turns just plain cold, it is easy to retreat into our homes for the winter and experience some degree of isolation. Happily, pets are the world’s best ice breakers. And knowing they are depending on these important social, mental and physical excursions may help provide motivation to venture outdoors.  That is, at least until it gets really, really cold.

• Benefits to you – You can’t walk your dog without getting some exercise yourself!

• Release of anxious energy – Many undesirable pet behaviors are related to anxiety, which often stems from not having an outlet for excess energy. Do you recognize some of these ways dogs try to tell us they need a release? Chewing the couch (pillows, doors, walls) is frowned on. Chasing the cat never seems to end well. Bolting out the door the second it is opened is not appreciated (or safe). And, enthusiastically jumping on people is a no-no.

In all seriousness, behavior problems are among the most common reasons pets are surrendered to animal shelters or brought to vets for euthanasia. Even in less severe situations, unaddressed anxiety can be the cause of behavioral issues as well as physical side-effects. For instance, many frustrated pets will groom or lick excessively resulting in unsightly lick granulomas (skin lesions that can be difficult to manage).   A nice brisk walk may help burn off some of that pent up energy and provide a nice distraction in an otherwise unstimulating day.

Physical benefits - The worst thing for stiff, arthritic joints is immobilization. However, chasing balls, running and jumping are poor choices due to the increased stress those activities put on already damaged joints. Low impact exercises such as walking and swimming are great for arthritis or physical rehabilitation after surgery or injury. (As always, consult with your veterinarian about the most appropriate exercise regimen for your pet.)

These rewards are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to the value of regular leash walks.  Check back (or better yet subscribe) for an in-depth look at the role of walking in training, socialization, mental stimulation and the human-animal bond.

So, bundle up and get ready to rediscover the beauty and wonder of the Hudson River. And don’t forget to share this gift with your devoted pet pals.

Probiotics – You have probably heard about the benefits of probiotics for intestinal health. That is only part of the story. Intestinal health is actually a vital component of the overall immune system. Beware, not all probiotic products are the same. They differ in number of live microorganisms (the only way they are beneficial in a product), the number of different types of bacteria and the concentration per dose. So if you are interested in adding any intestinal health supplements to your pet’s diet, ask your vet for a recommendation.

Stress reduction – As pets become more and more like family members, many people find intense connections with our furry (or feathered, or scaly) friends. It has been long accepted that animals have exceptional intuition about human emotion. Now, we are starting to recognize an intuition of our own about our pets’ needs – both physical and emotional. A common complaint veterinarians often hear is, “Something’s just not right, Doc. No coughing, sneezing or limping, but I know my pet and there’s just something off.” If you have concerns about fear, anxiety, phobias, stress or pain, investigate them with your veterinarian and address the issues to the extent you are able.

Daily multivitamin – Integrative veterinarian, Dr. Doug Knueven, author of The Holistic Health Guide: Natural Care for the Whole Dog, lists a daily multivitamin as one of the supplements that may help every pet. If you are home cooking for your pet, depending on the recipe you are following, you may already be adding a multivitamin in with the food. If not, this is another instance where a discussion with your veterinarian is in order. Not only are there species specific vitamins available, there are products that are tailored to the age of the pet as well. Certainly, a senior dog has different vitamin and mineral needs than a kitten and if you are going to invest in daily supplementation, it is worth going with the most biologically appropriate choice.