In researching this I couldn’t help but to pause on a woman’s story titled “ASK YOUR VETERINARIAN IF CANCER IS RIGHT FOR YOUR DOG” if you’ve ever lost a heart dog to cancer … the question hits you in the gut and hangs out there like a pendulum slamming up against your insides. Both have been touted with “the miracle cure all for our itching babes”. But let’s talk abt what we’re not being told while we’re in that office. Grab your wine coffee or tea… bc this one will be a bit of a read!

Hot take: If you’re only giving your pet turkey tail, you’re missing the magic of mushrooms. Medicinal mushrooms are adaptogens—a team sport. Stacking more than one species delivers broader, often stronger support than any single mushroom alone.

Why not turkey tail alone?

When discussing the relationship between glycerin and cancer, it helps to start with what glycerin actually is—spoiler: not a secret cancer snacky snack. Glycerin, or glycerol, is a simple polyol used in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The idea that glycerin “feeds” cancer mostly comes from muddling how cancer cells metabolize sugars and carbohydrates. Yes, cancer cells can be greedy for glucose, but glycerin isn’t sugar, and the body processes it differently.

Different protein sources and ingredients provide varied amino acid, fatty acid, vitamin, and mineral profiles. Rotating foods allows pets to benefit from a wider range of these nutrients. Typically, we should rotate proteins weekly to bi-weekly (though individual needs may vary, particularly for those with immune-compromised gut biomes where more frequent rotation may be necessary due to histamine sensitivity and skin conditions). While commercial dog foods aim to be "complete and balanced", no single processed food can provide all of a dog's dietary needs throughout their entire life. Rotational feeding can help compensate for potential nutrient gaps in a single food. Why does the standard DVM office (without nutritional education) push a diet that states, what is “complete and balanced” for a 5 year old English Bulldog will be the same requirements for an athletic 5 year old Aussie.

🌿 Discover Usnea: Nature’s Medicine Treasure!🌿

Usnea, also known as "Old Man's Beard," is a lichen with amazing health benefits. Found in forests, it acts as nature's air purifier and offers numerous medicinal properties.

✨ Health Benefits:

- Anti-infective & Antimicrobial: Effective against bacteria like Streptococcus & Staphylococcus.

- Immune Support: Acts as an immune tonic, offering antiviral and antioxidant effects.

- Respiratory Health: Assists in alleviating conditions such as pneumonia and asthma.

- Digestive Aid: Supports issues like ulcers and mucous membrane health.

- Skin Care: Treats infections and inflammations, promoting wound healing.

🧪 Cancer Research: Promising studies show its potential in fighting cancer cells by inducing apoptosis.

🔍 Fun Fact: Historically used for protection and healing, Usnea is now popular in herbal tinctures and skincare.

Let's embrace this natural healer while ensuring sustainable harvesting practices!

Vitamin C is not just essential for iron absorption and immune support—it's a powerhouse of wellness hidden in your favorite citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits. But did you know that these fruits also contain terpenes like limonene and myrcene with amazing benefits? 🌟

1. Embrace Whole Citrus:

   Limonene: Found in lemons and oranges, this terpene is a potent anti-inflammatory, enhancing mood and supporting digestion.

   Myrcene: Present in mangos and lemongrass, it boosts relaxation, amplifies other beneficial compounds, and even aids in pain relief.

3. Superfoods Like Aronia Berries

4. Rosehip Revival

5. Amla’s Wonders

Incorporate these natural sources into your diet to enhance well-being and vitality. Always opt for food first for your nutrient needs!

Glutathione can pair with compounds like CBD, CBG, and THC, much like how medicinal mushrooms work well with adaptogens. Its benefits include cognitive improvement, immune enhancement, anti-aging effects, and inflammation control. Studies have shown its potent anti-cancer properties, such as inhibiting lung cancer growth and enhancing mitochondrial function. It helps detoxify the body by eliminating heavy metals, mold toxins, synthetic chemicals, and free radicals, which can all contribute to chronic illness and inflammation. Since modern stressors can deplete glutathione levels, it's important to maintain and support them for overall health.

Over the past five years, I've collected countless heartbreaking stories from pet owners navigating the complexities of vaccinations and their impact on our beloved dogs, especially those facing health challenges. From a 13-year-old dog with a brain tumor denied medication refills without updated vaccinations to a senior dog diagnosed with lymphoma shortly after routine vaccinations, these experiences highlight the urgent need for a more compassionate approach to veterinary care. Research from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine reveals alarming findings about the risks of vaccinating dogs, particularly those not in optimal health. Autoantibodies forming in vaccinated dogs can lead to serious health issues, raising questions about the practice of vaccinating stressed or ill pets. As Dr. Tamara Hebbler, DVM, reminds us, "Vaccinating a stressed or ill dog violates our Hippocratic Oath: ABOVE ALL, DO NO HARM."

Bee pollen has captured my admiration as a support supplement due to its exceptional nutritional profile, which surpasses many traditional animal sources. Remarkably richer in proteins than any animal-derived food, bee pollen contains more amino acids than beef, eggs, or cheese of equal weight. This makes it one of nature's most completely nourishing foods, as it encompasses nearly all the essential nutrients required for optimal health.

Nutritional Breakdown of Bee Pollen

Nutritional Benefits of Bee Pollen

Rich in Nutrients

Boosts Immune System

Supports Digestive Health

Enhances Energy Levels

Promotes Healthy Skin and Coat

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Allergy Relief

Tumor Apoptosis

Yunnan and its magical little red “emergency” pill! Come fall in love with it!

I can honestly say these pills are probably by far, one of my absolute favorites in my uh oh cabinet. With that being said it completely breaks my heart reading about the miss information that surrounds it.

Why do our DVM’s constantly under utilize this amazing supplement.

A Script is not required for it.

You absolutely can give the orange pills longer than 2 weeks.

YOU CAN GIVE THE RED PILL MORE THAN TWO TIMES WITHIN A 24 HOUR PERIOD!

The red pill is in the foil bubble pack in the center. It is not highlighted. Not all DVM’s tell you about Yunnan nor the emergency red pill.

Yunnan is one of the most universal and diversely beneficial supplement I have within my arsenal for support. For a variety of types of cancer across the board and not just hemangiosarcoma. All of my families (non cancer and more) have at least five boxes stashed away for emergencies.

New study on Rottweilers shows neutering prior to 4.5 years of age has a negative impact on lifespan. Male and female Rottweilers neutered before 1 year of age demonstrated an expected lifespan 1.5 years and 1 year shorter, respectively, than their intact counterparts.

THIS “IS” WHAT BEING A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER IS.

Please understand this is simply a SMALL list of case studies! Remember your algorithms and how they work. If you search for “dangers of dcm or what causes”, you will be shown 3 pages of the most clicked on pages. Contrary to our archaic predecessors views on pediatric castrations. This IS what “being a responsible dog owner” looks like. Too many bash without knowing the education behind it. Nobody is stating “do nothing”, Don’t be responsible. We are stating, showing and highlighting NEW education.

Here’s a link for the parsemus foundation where you can find DVM’s that provide ovary sparing spays along with vasectomies and so much more.

https://www.parsemus.org

while nobody loves talking about these terms it’s important that we do, so that you will know how to better support your mental gymnastics around this as well as your four legged babe. In the last 5 years Im seeing a trend that needs to change. Normalizing these terminologies and getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. I began working with hospice and palliative care dogs about 5 years ago, from the beginning I knew this is what and where I wanted to be and do with my life. I simply just didn’t realize there was an actual terminology and certification for it. The quote “Hospice is not a job, It’s a calling”, has never been so moving to me. For the first time, I have the words that explain how I feel for my clients. How they move me.

When Dolce was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of osteosarcoma, I came across the sea cucumber case studies in all of its glory. The issue however was, it was priced at 3000$ a pound. At that time I could barely afford to breathe, much less be able to support our boy with something like this. Fortunately, for you guys we’ve been able to find better resources for it, along with the correct species strain that is financially attainable.  Just a few of the key benefits that will pertain to my readers are going to be arthritic support and more to the point apoptosis! With 1200 species of Sea cucumber, trust me the search for the right one can be difficult to find. Most products on the market are a species specifically that targets just pain and arthritic support, the Sea cucumber we require is the Holothuria Leucos which is not only useful as an anti inflammatory but its also been accredited for its use in attacking cancerous cells. While I use this religiously in many of my cancers, one of the main ones I use it for as a heavy hitter is for my osteosarcoma canine and feline clients.  Here is just a short list of benefits:

“My heart is shattered, still. It is healing, slowly, in the ways that it can mend. It will always have holes in it, and maybe some other evidence of deep, painful loss, and it will never be the same as it was Before. It is both stronger and more fragile.

More open, and still, closed off.

Our losses are different, but I recognize yours. I hear your words and feel pain because it all traces down to the same roots. I recognize your pain because I've felt my own. Our stories aren't the same, and the name for our loss or the relationship we grieve may be different, but I want you to know I recognize your loss as true and real.

Above all else, I'd want you to feel your loss is validated. Accepted.

I hear you.

I bow to you.” ~ Megan Devine

Today id like to speak about a topic that I come across more often than one would think… when we are taking care of our loved one through hospice or palliative care, sometimes we meet friction from family members and spouses and we don’t know how to ask for help. We don’t know how to ask for them to be on our level with us, or at least support us and meet us where we are with our grief. Grief doesn’t always begin when they’ve left us, for many of us it begins the day they are diagnosed. We as the caregiver know that this day is coming. What will possibly be the worst day of our entire lives.

For those that have lost a heart dog or cat or for those that are watching and or supporting someone that is a caregiver, please with every fiber of your being know that for some of us, “that” loss is and can be the worst loss that has ever been felt. Even over the loss of a human. There is nothing wrong with you or them… with our pets, there is a greater simplicity to what they bring to our lives and what they provide us, and in turn what our role is in loving them. Things that can’t be replicated in a human relationship.

There’s no short order form for the amount of misinformation on the internet… when it comes to just about everything. It’s no wonder the consultations that come to me feel so overwhelmed and frustrated. If you didn’t catch my previous blog regarding all things pumpkin with the actual exception to canned pumpkin being pumpkin, please do so here! I wanted to add a few fun things in here of what else we can do with our pumpkin and was browsing the internet, and I quote, “Do not feed stem leaves flesh or pumpkin seeds”, WHAT!!! No seeds!!! pumpkin seeds are one of my favorite go to’s for a lil extra crunchy treat sprinkled onto our food for a boost of nutrients or better yet, what about DEWORMING! Then again I guess the offices can’t make as much money for deworming off of natural dewormers like pumpkin and papaya seeds as they would panacur …. along with the other harmful effects that it causes.

It’s not really a secret that here in America our product ingredient lists don’t really match the Ingredients list for those in other countries. The truth of the matter is we like to cut corners and pixie dust where ever we can. What is pixie dusting you may ask? Pixie Dusting is the deceptive practice in the supplement industry where companies are legally allowed to include minimal amounts of effective ingredients in their products. I won’t name specific brands but if you look at the back of your ingredients list they’ll be labeled as inactive ingredients much like “mycelium rice bran flour”. Below you’ll find the inactive ingredients to a popular joint supplement. By law they don’t necessarily have to state how much of these are placed into your product…. So while this boasts Turmeric etc in it these are added as well… which for the most part are all inflammatory!

Those groups are truly beginning to feel a bit cultish if we are being honest. Everyone needs a light at the end of the tunnel…. “En vitro” means a Petri dish not a living breathing body. Social media cancer survivors who took an anti medication with their protocols which is ironically left out of the guidelines and stories they sell you. MCT does not require a lifetime of Benadryl and Tagamet… this morning is the 5th dog now I’ve had that is in critical care due to “excessive long term use of Panacur” per their oncologist and Emergency room DVM’s, that family most likely will have to say goodbye today….. 2 years ago I had my first puppy that was accidentally over dosed due to deworming. A colleague of mine is now fixing her 6 month old puppy’s gallbladder liver and pancreas from multiple doses from the breeder. Give some grace…

I was curious what our cancer statistics were for 2023 and came across an article written May of 2024. Its titled “CANINE CANCERS AS MODELS: WE HAVE BARELY TAPPED THE FULL POTENTIAL OF COMPARATIVE ONCOLOGY”, and begins with, “In 2024, an estimated 6 million dogs will be diagnosed with terminal cancer in the United States.”, and while I understand this specific articles focus is in regards to canine cancers as models for human cancers for the development of breakthrough cancer drugs, ( I get the basis of why we are using our dogs as crash test dummies for medical breakthroughs, I’m going to choose to not go down that horrific thought at this very moment), reigning in my emotions, my thoughts go back to, if this was written in May, did we succeed that prediction, as October is days away and the new year will be here in no time? Another piece written in January of 2022, gifted us with the information that 1 of 4 dogs would be diagnosed with cancer and that, it isn’t shocking that human cancer rates are up as well.

I make it no secret that I’m extremely picky and choosy with what products I use and allow within my clients, as well as my home. When I first began, it was basically well-known and mandatory that we would use specific brands. Things change, and as I grew, my values and standards grew for myself and my clients. I started off with a powdered brand of mushrooms for my cancer dogs but began realizing many of them wouldn’t eat their food due to the high volume of powder we were placing in it.