The Power of Prayer - Henry the Miracle Kitty Part II

 

This is my friend, Henry.  He really is a miracle kitty.

A few months ago, I wrote about the power of prayer and my friend, Miss Jo’s, kitty, Henry.  Everyone, especially the doctor, was sure Henry had a terminal intestinal problem, but then the miracle of healing took place. If you forgot the details, you can go back to March 28, 2013 and read his story.  Well, it is now 4 months later, and I thought I should give you an update on Henry.  He is still very much alive!

Henry has been on vacation with his family and doing very well.  He has gained weight; in fact, he weighs more than he ever has, but he is still a small kitty. He is happy, playful and as inquisitive as ever.  When he went to the doctor for his last follow-up visit, the doctor scratched his head again because not only was there no evidence of the original tumor diagnosis, but also, even the thickening of the intestine was gone this time!! Ultrasounds don't lie!  Henry is 100% well.  This time his mommy, Miss Jo, did her yippee dance in her heart.  As she told me, “I had done a yippee dance in the vet's office when he told me the mass was gone (on the miracle visit in March), and I didn't think he could handle another.”  So with her permission I asked if I could once again share what Miss Jo calls a blessing.

Lately on Facebook there have been a number of very sick pets in need of prayer.  My little friend Jack, a remarkable Pekingese saw the need and set up a prayer line through his Facebook page,  Jack’s Journey.  You should read about his personal story on his page, but in addition, take notice of what  Jack calls  his Puppy Prayer Chain.  It is doing so much good!

There’s also my friend’s page called Light ACandle by Emmitt's Place & Miss Cali the Spoiled Yorkie.  The page name may sound a bit funny, but it is a very serious page.  It's a page “…for all furiends and human friends to come and share all who need prayers. Remember ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.”

Miss Jo did this portrait of Henry when he was recently helping her in her studio.

I don’t know about you, but I love my doggie community of friends who help  those in need of prayer.  After all, there certainly is power in it.  Look at Henry! There is no medical explanation why Henry’s health is perfect!.

The Benefits of Whole Pumpkin

My favorite pumpkin!

Last time, I gave you a message from Bean O'Brien on healthy treats that do not come from a store and told you that I would discuss whole pumkin in my next blog.  First, I have a question which leads into my message.

Did you ever wonder why doggies do all that butt sniffing that humans find disgusting, hilarious or both?  Well, the answer deals with our anal glands which "produce fluid with a distinctive odor that identifies (us) and tells other dogs (our) sex, approximate age, health status, and other things." (Petfinder)  So, it's more than just saying, "Hello, glad o meet you!"

But our signpost greeting card glands need to be healthy and empty themselves during our bowel movements. When they don't, you might see us scooting on our hineys on the ground or on the new carpeting (that is a little more comfy after all). We are not showing you a new trick; we are trying to relieve ourselves of discomfort.

Little dogs, and even not so little dogs, sometimes have trouble with their anal glands emptying naturally. They even can get impacted; if this happens often enough, it could not only cause permanent damage to our delicate tissues, but also result in expensive veterinary bills. To avoid complications, impacted glands need to be expressed with the help of a groomer or veterinarian.  Pet parents can be taught how to do this, too, but it can be a bit tricky and very smelly. 

Well, here's where the pumpkin comes into the picture!  Whole pumpkin (NOT PUMPKIN PIE FILLING) adds bulk to our stools so that we can begin to expel our own anal glands.  I know; I am proof of this!  

I love my pumpkin.  It was like a miracle for me!

 In addition, it is like a super food for digestion; it can curb diarrhea, ease constipation and we LOVE it.  Go figure!  But, because it is rich n Vitamin A which is stored in the liver , moderation is the key.  You can read all about it in Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Puree?

I wonder if next Halloween I will attack a few carved jack-o-lanterns on my morning walk.

My advice for today:

• Mix about a tablespoon of whole pumpkin in your pet's food.  Remember this adds a few calories, so cut back on a treat or two.
• Read the article above for more information about pumpkin.
• Check out the video link below on expressing your pet's anal gland.
• ALWAYS check with your veterinarian before making any change to your pet's diet or attempting to express your pet's anal gland

   
PS - I'm told if your pup likes to feast on his own poop, pumpkin tastes great going down the first time but is nasty recycled!

Healthy Treats!

As you know I love treats and having my breakfast and dinner, too.  Well, my friend, Bean O'Brien and his mom have some wonderful ideas about healthy treats that are NOT purchased dog treats, are healthy and are right in your own house!  Can you believe it?

I enjoyed my bone snack from the prize I won in my friend Sam's contest.

Bean's  mom gets  clients asking her about whether or not it is safe to give their pets people food for treats.She says that it can be! So, let's just talk to her about snacks. 

Here's what Bean's mom has to say:

"Try a baby carrot instead of a milkbone. They are crunchy & sweet. If your dog is overweight & you’re worried about the carb factor..., many dogs like a green bean. But of course some human foods are NOT good for doggies & kitties. Some no-nos are chocolate, coffee, onions, grapes, raisins, & macadamia nuts. Little nibbles of meats (chicken, beef) are super yummy, but doggies shouldn’t have too much fatty meats; that can lead to pancreatitis! And be careful not to give bones that can splinter. Cheese is one of Bean's favorites, but too much can have a binding effect for some dogs."

So,  remember friends, as Bean and his mom  say,  "Your pet’s treats don’t have to come from the pet supply store. They can be found right in your fridge!"


Let's all stay healthy!  Okay?  

In my next blog, I think I will tell you how important whole pumpkin can be!  I know; I am living proof, thanks to the good advice of my good friends, @Drs. Kristen Nelson, D.V.M. and Shagufta Mulla.

PS If you haven't read Dr. Nelson's book Coated with Fur - A Vet's Life, you are missing out on a great read!  I know!!!

 

Dental Hygiene Is Important - Risks of Anesthesia Free Cleaning

Dental hygiene is important; brushing your pet's teeth helps keep their teeth and gums healthy. Here is a short video of how I get my teeth brushed.

But even more important than brushing my teeth is getting my teeth properly cleaned.  I know you have heard a great deal about cleaning without anesthesia...well, that is a fine practice, but it should NEVER replace a veterinarian's traditional cleaning, and I will tell you why.

I have my friend,  Dr. Chris Visser, and his wonderful dental office to thank for this invaluable information. This article and the photos that accompany it will prove my point, and I know Dr. Visser and his staff will agree with me.  I hope you take the time to read the following article and decide for yourself what you want to do.

Please click on this link: Consequences of Anesthesia Free Pet Dental Care

As for me, I don't want my mom to take me to have my teeth cleaned without anesthesia to a pet boutique or my groomer ; that's where I want to shop and be pampered not have my annual teeth cleaning!  I want my veterinarian or doggie dentist to clean my pearly whites!

My advice for today:

Do not fall prey to the myths of anesthesia free dental cleaning!

Henry the Miracle Kitty - the Power of Prayer!

This is my friend, Henry.  You will love his story.

If you never believed in miracles, you might after you read Henry's story. When my friend Henry was on vacation with his parents early last fall, he got very sick.  His parents immediately took him to their vet upon their return, and Henry was put on a steroid and an antibiotic for a few weeks and had a few more followup visits to his doctor. It was decided that poor little Henry should have an ultrasound and a colonoscopy! His vet then discovered that Henry had a large mass on the outside of his colon, and it was spreading; a biopsy sadly indicated that the mass was cancer. The doctor was shocked and Henry's parents were devastated to hear this sad news; after all, their Henry was only 3 years old.  Since the mass was restricting Henry's colon so much, he was given 3 months to live. Henry was to be kept on his meds along with an additional antibiotic to try to clear up the inflammation along the inside of his intestine.  This would keep him comfortable.

Here's where the miracle starts! After that last appointment about 6 weeks ago, Henry's mom started praying fervently for him. In her own words: "When I fed him, when I held him, when I gave him his medicine, when we napped and when I just generally looked at him, I prayed for him. With every syringe of medicine (3 of them 2x a day), I would tell Henry that this was magic juice and was what God was going to use to help heal him. 

 So..........

Henry started gaining weight.  He had been down to 6.5 lbs.(Henry never was a large boy, like some of my more robust feline friends!); he was now up to 8.6 lbs!!!!!  He was pooping everyday, and had the most normal poops he had ever had in his life.  So, when his parents recently took him to the vet for yet another ultrasound, this time the doctor returned shaking his head not in sadness, but in bewilderment, announcing,  "It's gone! The mass is TOTALLY GONE!"  He showed Henry's parents the ultrasound and said he looked everywhere for it, and it was totally not there. Well, Henry's mom started jumping up and down doing a happy dance, just like I did yesterday when I heard this news.  The doctor had no explanation.  That's when Henry's mom said that she had been praying for Henry every day since his diagnosis. 

Can you believe it???????   His mommy and daddy were so happy.  I am so, so happy, too.  Henry still has some thickening in his intestine, and the doctor thinks it is a  food related allergy, so they are working on that. That happens to humans, too....did you know that?

Henry's mom thinks that God had to heal him cause He was tired of her bugging him!  Maybe that's true; you can be the judge of that.   All I know is that Henry is a miracle kitty and there is power in prayer!

                Happy Passover and Happy Easter to all of you!

 

Lucky Shamrocks!

I can't believe I gave out over 104 lucky shamrocks this week; I probably could have given out 50 more--but I ran out.  Daddy said we should keep a 'spread sheet', whatever that is, on how many little prizes we make and give, so we know how many to make for the next holiday.  I guess that will be a good idea once I know what a 'spread sheet' is.  Anyway, I promised I would tell you about my one friend at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center.

Let me set the stage.  Mom and I always start on the fourth floor and work our way down to the lobby and gift shop where I do tricks and then just greet people.  On the fourth floor, my first visit is Arizona Oncology where I do my tricks in the reception room and then go to the infusion room where I meet, greet and entertain from one to twenty patients receiving treatment.  Yesterday as I walked down the hallway, I heard, "Oh, it's Zoe. I am so glad you're here; you always make me so happy."  The sad thing was I am not sure who she was because she had a mask over her face, but I must have seen her before because she certainly knoew me.  So, I ran right up to her, but jumped in the infusion chair next to her.  As she petted me and told me again how happy she was for my visit, mom gives her one of my lucky shamrocks with my picture on it.

As she looked at it and thanked me (not my mom), a nurse's voice came from the lab room, "Rip off that mask, Mary; your numbers are great  - 40,000!"  Well, she literally ripped off the mask with one hand, flung it on the floor, signaled for me to jump into her lap, kissed me on the head  and said, "Oh Zoe, see.  Your lucky shamrock already did its thing; you are God's little angel in fur."  Sigh.....Mary made my day and mom's, too.

I continued on my visits and was thanked for all of my shamrocks; I ran out by the time I got to the second floor!  I guess I will start on the second floor when I am giving out Easter Eggs in a few weeks, or better yet, my 'spread sheet' will tell me what I need to know!

 Advice for today:

• Plan ahead
• Don't be caught short
• Use a spread sheet