|
We do live in an increasingly toxic environment. Volumes
are written about new illnesses and diseases that seem to
pop up every day. Rather than dwell on the negative, I'd
like to focus on the positive.
I live on a beautiful 90 acre horse ranch. I do consider
myself lucky. My biggest traffic jam is caused by our Rottweiler,
Missy. She is 14, weighs 130 pounds, sleeps right next to
the bed and is always right underfoot. She's not going to
move. Therefore, all household and porch traffic is diverted
around her. My husband and I usually try to spend a few
minutes of quite time in the morning in gratitude time.
Since our days here are usually unpredictable and as the
saying goes, "The best laid plans...”, well,
you know the rest. We eat a pretty healthy diet and get
plenty of exercise (without going to the gym). Our days
are full, but at least we are doing what we love. I guess
you could say our stress is more of a chosen path. Our other
dogs, all rescues, a Catahoula, a chocolate lab and a miniature
Australian Shepherd are all like me, on the go. My husband
and Missy, the Rottie, on the other hand, work when there's
work do be done and do a fine job, but sure know how to
relax. So we somehow co-create together with about 40 horses
and a motley crew of other creatures that have made this
their home. Because I am a holistic practitioner and we
both believe in living as we teach, are surrounded by an
incredible environment. Perhaps, some of this has to do
with expectation. For I believe that we create our reality
each second by our thoughts and emotions. I see my animals
as healthy and content. I believe we are a vortex of healing
energy and are creating a wonderful, energetic space. This
way of life is powerful and creates the actions that provide
a path to a healthy mind and body.
However, the reality of our changing environment and lifestyles
has shown that more and more, the animals of our planet
are coming down with serious and inexplicable health problems.
This continuing and escalating situation itself causes extreme
stress for both the animal and caring owner. Invariably,
in seeking better health for our animals (and our own lives
as well), we are often left with answers that are both disturbing
and costly, with no end in sight. Often after series of
blood and urine tests, etc. we find conditions or disorders
that require medications or even surgical intervention (each
having their own negative long-term effects). A compromised
immune system is normally nor even considered in this type
of treatment of diagnosis. The immune system can be endangered
due to mental or physical stress and the symptom treated
while the underlying cause is overlooked .
In natural or holistic practice, the main consideration
is to provide the highest level of care for an animal to
keep the body in the optimum level of health. This is not
only referring to the physical, but to the mental and emotional
needs as well. When an emergency does arise, all predisposing
factors are attended to. Most animals in optimum health
with a prime constitution can go through many external factors
and the effects might be slightly noticed. An animal with
a compromised immune system is at high risk for any disease
or condition, and also slower to recover from an injury
or illness.
All the organs play a crucial role in the operation of the
body. Heart, lungs and the circulatory system provide fresh
blood and oxygen to the cells. The liver and kidneys must
be working properly and kept cleansed of toxins to keep
the animal's own natural defenses working. Detoxing an already
compromised animal should never be done without the advice
and help of a trained practitioner. Detoxing is dangerous
if done improperly since toxins being released into the
system can damage tissue.
The use of antibiotics has many side effects and their overuse
has been known to kill animals by killing the good and bad
bacteria in the digestive system. The good bacteria are
crucial for the animal to absorb nutrients the animal must
have to keep the immune system strong and able to fight
disease. In some cases, the gut can actually stop working
completely from the overuse of antibiotics and cause starvation
or other digestive and nutritional related diseases caused
by the body's inability to absorb nutrition.
Our environment plays such a huge part in our health today
and there are times we cannot avoid being contaminated,
but there are many things we can do to change the way we
live and the choices we make to limit the exposure to us
and our animals. For all the negatives, just search the
web and you will find that man’s ingenuity has given
rise to many resources and solutions.
Therefore, we strive through a healthy lifestyle of nutrition,
exercise, environment, mental, emotional, love, freedom,
spiritual and all good things to nurture the optimum life-force.
Submitted by:
Bennie Jean Kuehnle
The Animal Institute of Holistic Health
Back
to Related Articles
|
