1.  What does it mean when something is called “holistic” and how is it different from other treatments?

    Holistic medicine is a valid, centuries-old, proven way of treating illness and disease with natural remedies that work.  Long before pharmaceutical companies and the FDA mandated medical care, medicine relied on time honored, proven methods. There is nothing on this earth that cannot be cured. Life is balance--yin and yang-- and every negative is offset by a positive. When you realize that, and apply it along with positive thought and energy, you create a positive healing force.

2.  What are the benefits of using holistic methods?

    Holistic methods, particularly holistic nutrition is based on the belief that we can physically and emotionally benefit from a properly balanced diet and can prevent many health problems in the future. This applies to our pets as well as us humans. Holistic nutrition addresses digestion, balance, and moderation. It has been shown that by making the proper food choices many health problems can be prevented, including heart disease, obesity, cancer, and diabetes. A veterinary practitioner and a holistic veterinary practitioner can work together for the benefit of your pet’s health.

3.  Why did you decide to choose holistic treatments for Buster?

     I realized that traditional veterinary treatment options were limited in Buster’s situation. With his age -- he was 10 years old, which is elderly for a big dog of 163 or so pounds -- the first option offered was amputation of his leg. Many people don’t know this, but with pets, amputation is done at the shoulder or hip. That option truly did not seem viable for Buster. The next option was radiation and chemotherapy, which the vets said would only be a palliative--a pain-control measure--and would not extend their prognosis of 1-2 months survival. We had an excellent vet who was interested in alternative approaches and he felt that we could control pain medically, so I decided to find out what else could be done, holistically, to help Buster. Outside of needing to lose some weight, he was otherwise healthy. Bright-eyed and alert, I couldn’t see not trying to do all we could to try and halt the disease as much as possible.

     There is always hope, even with a dire prognosis. Of course, medical prognoses depend on a lot of individual situations--age of pet, when diagnosed, severity of illness--but even if you have the best vet in the world (and we have had those!), medical science and holistic medicine are two different approaches and you have to dig sometimes to find out what's the best way for you, and what's best for your beloved pet. Personally, I don't believe in giving up until all avenues are exhausted or if the severity of the illness becomes an issue in the pet's quality of life. Fight the good fight. Even if it doesn't work out as you wish, you will know you did all you could. If your pet had that choice for you, they would do everything they could to help you out. 
 

4.  What changes did you make for Buster?

     Diet: This was the first change, immediately made. We had always fed him quality brand dog foods, but I knew from my own reading and interest in holistic medicine that anything that was carbohydrate or sugar needed to be eliminated as much as possible. Cancer feeds on sugars, and the body converts carbohydrates into sugar as well.

     Protein and veggies are the main staples to this type of diet. Whatever we were cooking for us, we cooked an extra portion or two for Buster. This included chicken and beef, especially. Sometimes I would buy a package of boneless chicken breasts and sauté them in olive oil, garlic and herbs, and add turmeric. Cottage cheese became a staple, not only for the high protein, but because it is used in European methods of treating cancer along with flaxseed oil. No more cookies or doggie bones! But to make up for that, we got dried liver (sold at pet stores) that is used for training, since it was 100% beef liver. Also, canned sardines made not only a great treat, but a way to hide some supplements we needed him to eat.

            Supplements and Vitamins were added right away as well. In addition to Buster’s usual multivitamin, we added vitamins C and E, shark cartilage, salmon oil, and the spice, turmeric, which has been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors. Also, we found a source for vitamin B-17, commonly called laetrile, which is highly regarded as an anti-cancer supplement. Laertrile is found in apricot kernels, which are ground up to be added to food. They have a bitter taste, so I used a lot of garlic powder (also an anti-oxidant) in Buster’s food to try and offset their taste. Laertrile was banned by the FDA in the 1970’s and that was very controversial as it was being proven quite effective as an anti-cancer vitamin supplement. Not one of the FDA’s finer moments, in my opinion.

            Acupuncture: In August 2007, we found a holistic vet, Dr. Linda Gray, who is also a licensed master acupuncturist. After she examined Buster and worked with him (she makes house calls), she would give him acupuncture treatments. The first time he looked at her quite suspiciously, but he let her treat him as he lay on his comforter in the kitchen. After she was done, he zoned out. He was sleepy and relaxed and rested quite awhile.

5.  I am interested in finding out more about holistic and natural methods for my pet but when I begin to research it I get very confused.  Where do I start and how do I know I’m getting the best information?

?    Read and research.  Begin by educating yourself about holistic health care and its many components.  There is a great deal of information on the internet and in books and magazine articles.  Learn about what it can and cannot do for your pet.

?    Work in collaboration with your pet’s veterinarian.  They know your pet’s health history and can guide and educate you.  If your veterinarian isn’t interested in pursuing a natural / holistic course of treatment along with the medical treatment, consider finding one who is. And, my own personal opinion is that if your vet is NOT interested in alternative medicine or holistic treatment as a possibility to help your pet, you need to find another vet who is.

?    Use common sense when deciding to use a particular method, whether dietary changes or supplement.  Don’t rely on just one source but research further to find additional support for it.  

6.  What should I look for in food?  What makes a food or treat fit into a holistic plan?

     Natural ingredients, no fillers, cereals, etc. Meats and veggies, especially veggies cooked lightly, are ideal.

7.  Where can I buy the supplies and food I need to implement a holistic plan for my pets?

     If you’re planning on feeding the best quality diet you can, you really don’t have to cook your pet’s meals--although they do love home cooking. Canned pet found has only been around for the past 50 years or so, I believe. Prior to that, dogs and cats and other pets were fed ‘people food.’ I do think that the marketing for pet foods has made folks think they have to feed canned or dry pet food because of additives and vitamins. That’s really a misconception. A good balanced diet is key for your pet--same as for you and me.

     Fortunately, the booming dog and cat market includes genuine interest in creating quality canned and dry foods and there are many great varieties available today, even in your standard grocery store, Target or Wal-Mart. And, a dry food that has a grain base is not ‘bad’-- for a healthy pet.  Look at the ingredient label, just like you should be doing for your own food. The less additives, the better. Many foods now list things like chicken, veggies, rice, etc.

On a cancer-fighting diet you want to avoid rice, white flour and corn by-products in particular. For a healthy pet, those products should be alright. If you’re feeding your pet a good, healthy food, those ingredients should only be in that food in moderation, anyway.

8.  I have a new puppy.  Should I be thinking about using holistic food and treatment for her?  Is it only for dogs that are sick?

     A holistic diet is great for a new puppy! There is no way to guarantee, unfortunately, against any illness, but the right food will certainly help a new puppy’s growth and help him or her develop properly.

9.  When did you decide to turn Buster’s story into the book, Breakfasts With Buster, and what was your purpose for writing it?

     I started thinking about making Buster’s story a book around August of 2007. I had a pile of books I had purchased (which are listed as resources in Breakfasts with Buster), notes all over the place, printouts from online research and I had long before realized that while there are a lot of books on various aspects of cancer, treatments, etc., nothing had quite satisfied me as a guidebook as to where to start. I had started from scratch with my research, based mostly on my own experience in using natural supplements to help problems I personally had, such as debilitating migraines, which could be treated by strong medications, but I’ve never been much on taking painkillers if I could avoid them, so I had tried a recommendation I had found to use magnesium to help ease migraines. It worked extremely well for me. That spurred my interest in alternative and holistic medicine.

     Around this time, we had the great fortune to find a wonderful holistic vet and she came out to examine Buster. She approved of what we were doing thus far, and added recommendations of supplements which were aimed at improving his body’s ability to fight cancer and hopefully reduce the site of the tumor, on his front left leg. Those supplements are detailed more in the book--what he was given and how it was supposed to help him.

     We actually lost Buster in November 2007 because the tumor itself began enlarging around September, externally, as well as began invading the bone. Two weeks before we lost him, he was x-rayed and the traditional vets were absolutely floored when they looked at his chest x-ray and saw no sign of any tumors anywhere in his system. The basic problem with bone cancer is that it normally spreads very quickly through the bone marrow and tumors appear in the lungs, liver, and other organs. Buster had no tumors apparent in any of these organs. For what it was worth at the time, that told us that at least we were doing something right. We were in discussion about getting a surgeon to go in and try and de-bulk the tumor on his leg when further x-rays showed that his forearm was fracturing and a break was imminent. It was at this point that we realized there was little else we could do to help him.

     My purpose for writing the book, in addition to trying to give other folks a starting point if they are facing such a serious illness with their pet, was also to pay tribute to Buster. Buster was our four-legged son. We have had a lot of cats, and several dogs, over the years. All were special to us, but Buster truly was like a little furry person. He was sweet, loving, intelligent, trusting, courageous,  protective and loved to play and loved his kitties.

10.  What do you want people to know about you as an author and an animal lover and advocate?

     Some people seem embarrassed to admit that their pets are their beloved family. Why? Love is something that is not restricted to humans. Pets are more honest and loving than many people. Do the best you can for your cat, dog or other pet. They know you are trying to help. Talk to them. They DO speak English (or whatever language you are using)!

     Now, more than ever, pet shelters and rescues need help. Even a little--whether money, time or material needs--can make a difference in a pet's life. Get involved.

11.  As someone who has raised many animals, what words of advice do you pass on to new pet owners?

     We are entrusted with our pets and have a moral and spiritual obligation to do all we can for them. After all, their love for us is unconditional. They don't only love us if we feed them--they love us because love is their nature. It's painful when money becomes an issue in the health treatment of a beloved family pet. I feel--if you would do all you could for a child, why aren't you doing all you can for a pet?