Keeping our animal friends
healthy and happy
by Al Fry
​
According to some of the sacred traditions, humankind was once slated to be the benevolent overseers to some of the less sophisticated life streams and animals. This role apparently got side-tracked by alien intruders who came as "gods" and interbred with us.
The church-based Book of Enoch covers this in some detail, but doesn't get across the point that this invasion cost our species its natural animal instinct, and changed our body wiring.
Most animals, for example, automatically shun foods that are poison or unhealthy. The chickens I usually have running around half wild will shun the genetically altered corn I provide, unless they are very hungry.
Throughout history we have had much of our population living close to the land and raising healthy foods and animals by ignoring the frantic drive toward profits at any cost. with the advent of corporations, all this changed and we are now being poisoned at every level.
I try to avoid the usual packaged and devitalized foods in packages, cans and cartons, etc. Various grains and legumes are easy enough to find in bulk, and all it takes is common sense and some processing tools, like grain grinders, to take in the proper nutrients. Rats usually sicken and die young on the usual fast foods, and other animals, like pets, are no exception.
At the turn of the century, most pets got table scraps and meat, and had better health. When pet food came along, the illness really rose until one lone congressman pushed legislation to force the pet food industry into adding nutrients. his dog starved from lack of minerals, etc.
What has happened in recent years is the soil producing the grains is getting devoid of less recognized elements, like chromium and zinc, and the rendered meat carcasses used in cheaper brands is coming from animal shelters.
The sodium pentabarbitol used in euthanasia is winding up in the pet foods. Even cooked and nuked meat is a poor substitute in a pet's diet when the usual enzymes are missing.
I try to get a little raw meat and other enzymes in my pet's diet, even if i must chop up some raw veggies in a chopper or blender. I pass up pork and raw sea foods because the parasite problems with such "unclean" meats (see Bible).
While most health pets can tolerate some of the less active parasites, I also add some diatomacious earth powder to almost every bowl of food. This supplies silica for strong bones and teeth, and kills off most intestinal parasites. I also add some powdered kelp for seaweed to be sure of mineral intake.
The oceans are where all the leached out minerals wind up, and this is literally the "blood" of Mother Earth. the blood or "sap" of trees and plants have natural protective resins and oils in them, and these can also help with our health issues.
Very diluted catnip oil, for example, repels mosquitoes and such, while garlic and cedar tree oil will repel most bugs.
Geranium and rose oil will repel ticks, and on and on this antichemical strategy could continue. Vet and farm supply stories have many useful potions, and among the best is activated charcoal. This can absorb most of the poisons that our pets encounter.
Probiotic powder is also important because of so many forms of antibiotics in the usual meats and foods. Antibiotics kill off the good microbes, as well as the bad, and that's obviously not good.
Oil of oregano and colloidal silver are a couple of substitutes that I prefer over antibiotics.
You can get natural pet care books from health food stores, or call 877-917-9829, and you can get herbal oils from Aroma, 800-308-6284.
AHVA.com can refer you to liocal holistic veterinarians.
​
Al Fry writes from Garden Valley, idaho.
OTHER ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
The Paleo Diet• A Message from Lemon Tree Where should you retire? • The 3-day Cleansing Fast •Rushing Woman Syndrome by T Stokes
•The Offering Plate • Conceal Carry Permit
What you ought to know about loneliness
by John Cali • The real estate chase is coming to an end by Ann Ulrich Miller • The Italian
Tomato Garden, and Wispy Letters
The real estate chase is coming to an end
by Ann Ulrich Miller
​
Chasing Houses. Nice title for a book I might write someday. One of the chapters will surely be "Life with Boxes," or how about "Gambling With Earnest Money"? all over the country, prices of homes seem to be skyrocketing. Those who need to buy a home are scrambling to grab one before it (gasp!...) goes under contract. At first I thought this was just a problem here in Colorado, and envisioned in my mind folks flocking to this state to take advantage of the lax marijuana laws.
But it appears to be other places as well. Ever since we sold our beautiful Sunny Brook minifarm, we've been searching for new homes. You virtually have to be right there as soon as a home you can afford comes on the market, in order to snatch it before someone else comes along.
Too many times it's happened that way. in June, I was sure I had found just the right place and I commended myself for being lucky enough to find something I could afford that met most my criteria, including a beautiful mountain view, a wood stove, fenced yard for a pet, being in the country, and having a large garage/storage unit.
Alas, after the inspection, I had to forget my dream as there were too many things wrong, and just like that, it lost its appeal. The scary part was the fact that I couldn't afford anything else in the vicinity, which was probably a godsend in retrospect.
for weeks I bemoaned my loss. Doug wasn't having much luck either in his search. We were just grateful that we have a roof over our heads and the ability to renew the lease on our apartment if need be. Anyway, i considered finding a piece of land and putting a brand new modular home on it. that appeared to be an affordable, appealing alternative.
But finding a piece of ground that would accept a modular (which, contrary to popular belief, is as good as, if not better constructed than a stick-built house) was a bigger challenge. I'd find a suitable land parcel, then learn there were the dreaded "covenants." I even found two acres with a mountain view and all of the utilities in, water tap paid and installed, even with two shares of irrigation. I was ready to make the offer, but when I checked back to see about the modular, I was floored when I was told there was going to be an additional $85,000 set-up charge, which included a garage, of course.
That dream crumbled before my eyes, and in desperation, I then began drawing up house plans and talked to a builder, who was going to give me a quote. But before I could be disappointed one last time, my real estate agent, Eileen, called to say there was a house that had just hit the market that I might like. I stared at my carefully drawn "weekend-long project" house plan, then said okay, I'd go see it.
Wouldn't you know? It was the one! I knew it right away. I liked it. It wasn't exactly in the country, but it's on half an acre, in a quiet rural subdivision, landscaped with trees, and a view of the Grand Mesa. The house is in good condition, and I may not be getting everything on my wish list, but I decided to buy this house.
I made a verbal offer on the spot. A couple of days later, I had the contract in hand. In just 30 days I get to move into my new home, God willing. As you can imagine, I am happy and looking forward to finally getting settled.
Why are house prices so high and still climbing? Who can afford a house these days? that is a debatable subject outside the realm of this publication. And I am not the only one who has been cursed with the gypsy blood. Several friends or acquaintances have been roaming, trying to find their Utopia. But I've always believed that once you decide you're going to settle down, you can make any place "home" if you have the right attitude.
I've moved eight times in the last 10 years, and the gypsy in me probably won't ever leave. Orchard City may be home for now, but I can't forget Pagosa Springs and how drawn I still feel to that paradise.
But for now, the gypsy is going to have to sit down and be quiet. I'll let you know next issue how the move went.
​
Ann Ulrich Miller is publisher of Wisp.
​
