We want freedom for our dogs

I cannot agree more with the idea that the degree of evolution of a society can be measured by the way we treat children, elderly and the animals.

For more than 20 years, I have been a proud Vancouverite who loves the outdoors, healthy life style and my daily dog walks. As a veterinarian who works with dogs and their people on a daily basis,  I can see the undeniable positive contribution of dogs to our health, wellbeing, our society, and our economy.

• Dogs get us out for walks and help us to be active.
• They help us connect with people on walks and prevent isolation.
• They help us to be healthy and reduce our health care costs.
• They allow us to experience unconditional love.
• They keep us company and cheer us up when needed.
• They remind us to be playful and enjoy life to its fullest.
• They teach us to live in the present.

I could go on and on and create a list that would definitely not fit on one page. There have been numerous studies written about the health and emotional benefits of living with dogs. The question I want to explore here is, why dogs, dog bylaws and animal control have become such a huge issue in recent years?

Some people say that this is a response to a few incidences where dogs of careless or irresponsible dog owners injure people. However, punishing all dogs and dog owners for the issues of a few would not be any different than treating all people like criminals when one person causes a crime. This attitude has generated a fiery public debate that polarizes communities and creates a lot of media attention.

Changing the topic for a moment.

One of my favorite songs is Sarah McLaughlan’s “Ordinary Miracle” and the lyrics say:

“The sky knows when its time to snow
Don’t need to teach a seed to grow
It’s just another ordinary miracle today…”

 

I love the lyrics because they are a reminder that there is no need to over-regulate the natural balance and harmony of nature or of a healthy society. The Earth will continue spinning and the seasons will changee without our control and generally  the unspoken rules and general courtesy in our society are much more powerful than excessive control and policing.  In fact such excessive attempt to control others naturally creates rebellion, distrust and disillusion of the general public.

For example, I witnessed an alcohol raid on the beach of English Bay in Downtown Vancouver where the police squads virtually raided the bags of unsuspecting people enjoying a beautiful summer day. While I am not a drinker, the arrogant and rude behavior of some of these officers was a frightening reminder of my past years of living behind the Iron Curtain. It was a reminder that even in democratic society, some people apply for a job with police or in bylaw enforcement because they love the taste of power.

Don’t get me wrong, I do not support heavy drinking neither anarchy, I just suggest that our lawmakers and enforcement could learn a lesson or two from the European countries where drinking in parks is not a big deal and dogs are allowed in parks, restaurants and on transit without disturbing anyone. In my opinion, extreme over-policing generates oppression and anger and makes “drinking in public” more prevalent and serious. The forbidden fruit always tastes the best. But getting back to dogs…

Just the other day, I found a new sign at the Capilano Dam in North Vancouver that said: “No dogs allowed on the lawn.” First I was angry. I have been dog walking in the park and Skai loves to play here! When my anger fizzled out, I realized that this situation could be used us a springboard to an open discussion.

Based on the news in the media, the battle over the freedom of our canine friends has been increasing in intensity. From what I know, the people who demand more animal control and ban of our dogs from parks and beaches are doing so  because they are afraid of dogs or do not like dog poop stuck to their shoes. These people have a tendency to make a blanket statement against all dogs as a result of a few incidents where aggressive dogs injured people.

As a veterinarian, I know that most dogs are loving and not aggressive. To me, restricting all dogs from parks is unreasonable and could be compared to us being treated like criminals when one person causes a crime.

In my opinion, the solution is not in “bylaw” officers sneaking up from the bushes and ticketing people for having fun and enjoying good life with their dogs. It reminds me of the fairytale of my childhood about a kingdom where people were punished for singing.

I understand that not everyone has a good connection with dogs and some people are afraid of them. However, because of the undeniable benefit of dogs on our health and in our society, we, dog lovers can’t tolerate the current situation where dogs owners are discriminated and treated as a second class citizens and the the anti-dog bylaws are getting out of control.

Here are a few ideas to open a discussion about  how to solve the current situation

• Every dog owner in Vancouver should register their dog without an exception which will be helpful to establish the most accurate dog count.
• This ratio of families with and without dogs should reflect the ratio of beaches and parks where dogs are allowed.
• Ideally each large beach or park should have a dog and no dog section to reduce the need to travel to distant locations.
• Led by the example of other developed nations, dogs should be allowed on public transit with a comfortable muzzle with the exception of service dogs who would not need to be muzzled.
• To reduce the risk of accidents and dog bites, it may be viable to create a system of dog registration where off leash privileges would be granted to dogs who graduted from already existing “canine good citizen” certification programs. The registration tag for  certified dogs could be “green color” to recognize safe dogs easily.
• I believe that most people would agree with fining people who mistreat dogs, train them for aggression, act irresponsibly or do not pick up their dogs poop.
• Install poop bag vending machines or stands where part of the proceeds from the sales would go towards animal welfare and dog training. There are great “corn based” compostable bags on the market that are environmentally safe. As an alternative, poop bags posts could be serving “sponsored” by a local advertising business.

The point I want to make here is that while I respect a difference in opinions and do not expect everyone to like dogs, I strongly believe that dogs and their people do not deserve to be treated like second grade citizens. No one likes to be spied on, raided upon in parks or forced out in the gettos of small and second grade public parks and places.

Based on the statistics, 36% of Vancouver families live with dogs and this number should be equally represented in the number of beaches and parks that dogs are allowed in.We pay taxes, we love our dogs,most of us are responsible citizens and yes, Mr. or Ms. Politician, we have the power to vote out those, who do not respect our equality.

With Respect,

Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM

A Vancouver veterinarian, dog lover and advocate.

To support Freedom for Vancouver Dogs Petition join us on Twitter here.

I have always known that dogs are smart but there is another characteristic that is deeply seeded in the canine soul – compassion.

I know no other animal than a dog to jump to the rescue of his friends so selflessly and without thinking twice if their life is in danger.

My dog  Skai regularly jumps to my rescue when I am swimming despite the fact that he much prefers a pasture to the ocean.   I have seen dogs grieving their best friends,  I have seen them protecting or saving  children and I have  also heard of stories where a dog ran to get help when their friends were injured.

As I am thinking of all the different situations,  I can’t  help myself  thinking that dogs are in fact the most evolved life form on this planet.   They without  a doubt are the masters  in showing us what love and compassion really is as you can see from the videos bellow.

All I  want to do today is to say one big  thank you to those dogs and humans who care… and make the lives of others safer and better.

With gratitude,

Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM

If you have been in our community for some time, you most likely know about my efforts to provide you with knowledge about natural disease prevention.

 Good health is like the spring that feeds the river of a good and fun life.

What is your picture of a good life? What are your dreams? What makes your heart sing?

To me, a good life is to be able to care well for those I love, to have a lifes purpose and to have enough time to spend with my family and friends. In my world, a good life is taking Skai to Europe and showing him the places I grew up or making the wild dream of taking him to Hawaii real.

Skai is very lucky but making his life good is not a frivolous indulgence. Caring for him helps me to make a clear statement that every two or four legged soul deserves good food, safety, protection and love.

It is sometimes depressing that there are so many helpless animals and children who suffer unnecessarily. They are hungry, mistreated or suffer from the consequences of lack of food, resources or proper medical knowledge.

In my eyes, Skai represents a symbol of change and hope for a better world.

We have a lot to learn from our animal friends, because they have no problem living in harmony with nature and their history is not lined with war, greed and destruction.

People often complain about the evil corporations as the symbol of greed and destruction of our planet. However, we need to be reminded that these companies would not exist if we, as a collective, didn’t use their products, for example drugs.

This is not to say that drugs are not useful especially in an emergency or a life threatening situation. However, 90% of healthcare problems can be solved better without the use of toxic drugs.

We all should do more and speak louder to our governments to make sure that doctors, who are often caught between a rock and a hard place, have access to knowledge about natural principles of healing.

In the ideal world, doctors should not need to be afraid of being ostracized, marginalized and even legally prosecuted, when they use natural treatments in place of toxic and often damaging drugs. The continuous lobbying of drug companies to push natural products out of the marketplace under the cover to make us safe is ridiculous because pharmaceutical drugs kill more people than any natural treatment ever will.  

Many people tell me that they have been feeling down about the state of the world or the health of their loved ones; not knowing what to do.

I feel that the “feeling down” is just a wake up call from the Universe to start searching for a solution. Sometimes things have to get bad before they get better. The good news is that most of the current health issues can be easily solved by using natural methods before they get serious.

Every week, I read about some of your concerns about the state of veterinary care or the health problems your animal friends have been faced with.

While I will always do my best to be there for you no matter what the health problem is, I hope you will take the opportunity to learn how to prevent these in the future by attending my webinars.

You can also make a huge difference in the lives of others by telling them that there is a natural choice.

With much gratitude,

PS:

Make sure to bookmark 0ur webinar information page to stay informed about our  upcoming webinars.

http://www.peterdobias.com/community/webinars/

Hi everyone,

many of you have been following the story of Indiana, the dog of our client Karen from Toronto.  Several weeks back, Karen was told by her local vet to put Indiana down. Even a panel of 5 veterinary specialists thought that Indy must had had cancer metastases since he was diagnosed with organ lymphoma 18 months ago. To their surprise they found nothing and  Karen kindly shared her story with us.  If she didn’t go with the voice of her heart, Indy would not be alive.

If  you have not read the original article,  click here first before you go on reading the lines below.  Otherwise, here is the update:

Have you ever happened  to be without internet?

It has happened to me today and I think that the “dog gods” are responsible.  I may not  have a TV but  I  am  definitely guilty of spending more time in front of the computer  than my dog,  Skai, would wish. He often  gives me “The Look” when I am working.

I  am often conflicted because I know that at least the main  purpose of my life is to spend time with my two and fourlegged family, friends and others interesting people. How do I decide that I divide the time fairly and do not loose the sight of what matters?

So here I am, sitting  in an internet  café in Tofino, BC, learning that  there is no internet today at this end of th world today.  “You are in the middle of nowhere… so don’t be  surprised that  the internet doesn’t  work!”, the café employee laughed.” She appeared to be entertained over my obvious symptoms of internet withdrawal. Me, no internet…! Neverthless, I have succeeded  not to  throw myself on the floor and I didn’t have a temper tantrum.  However, I am still feeling like if my internet umbilical cord was ripped right out.

My   plan  was  that  I would come out  here with my 2 sisters and their kids only if I could finish some of my work that was “urgent.”   “Yeah,  urgent!, ” I hear the dog gods speaking,  “Living your life is the only urgent thing, take a break and spend more time with Skai. You have been glued to you Mac for days and what is  wrong with you…?”

“But  I am spending a lot of time in front of the computer giving people tips on how to keep the animal friends healthy.  Imagine, they could be spending time in the park or on the beach instead of  the vet office.   It is my way to say  thank you for having such a blast with Skai and other dogs and people.” I  argued.   “I hope that you will make the internet running again, because I need to post a post about our Allergy lecture and Skai’s 10^th birthday fundraiser.” I begged.

“Ok, ok,  you dog gods,  I will  promise that  I will spend much less time on the computer this weekend and more time  with on the beach.  Just make sure  that you will keep Skai “dispatched” as my assistant in life for many more years, will you?” I also hope we will be able to negotiate “a deal”  for other  canines around, they have so much to teach us! No I don’t mean peeing at the corners. I mean how to love and be good.”  Are you hearing me?

“Oh, by the way,  thanks for giving me all  those tips on healing and nutrition, my readers say that they  seem to be making a difference  and the natural supplement formulas that you planted in my head work great.”

I will  also post our conversation  on my  blog to pass on the message:  Computerize only after  the members of  your canine “good life squad” sleeps after a a good walk twice a day. Is that  a  deal?

Thanks for listening!

PS: Taking your dog for a walk or a run at least 45  minutes  2 x a day is essential for his or her health. The backyard is  for veggies or flowers but your dog needs to get o to see the world. If you see the pleading eyes, they are real.  Just make sure you get  of  the office chair or the couch before the dog gods disconnect your internet.  Aren’t dogs great in reminding us what really matters in life?

The note said: “Peter,  watch this video!”   So I did  and I can’t  resist  to share this  incredible story with you.  Be prepared and have tissue ready.

Before you start reading the following lines, I invite you to do a little test. Open your hands with your thumbs touching each other. Place the thumbs at the base of the throat and with the fingers pointing back and surrounding the neck. Now, take a deep breath, squeeze and pull back with all your force keeping your thumbs connected.

This is how many dogs feel when they are on the leash and they are pulling.

If you are still keen to continue with this experiment, put a choke chain around your neck and attach it to a leash. Ask a friend to grab the end of the leash and pull and jerk on it periodically. Welcome to the dog world! No, I will not make you go on with this experiment and ask you to test a prong collar or electric shock collar. I just want you to become more aware of what is happening dogs and that collars have caused more injuries then you can imagine.

One day,

Skai and I were on one of our favorite walks in Capilano Canyon near our home in North Vancouver.  The wild river has carved the rock into breathtaking scenery with moss-covered cliffs, white water rapids and old growth rainforest.

Just a few minutes after starting our walk, I noticed a man with a young German shepherd on a leash. The poor little pup was struggling to say hi however his owner had a different idea. He was determined to prevent his dog from coming closer to us by yanking and jerking harshly on the leash that was attached to a choke chain. With every yank, I caught myself closing my eyes, cringing and feeling sorry for the poor dog. He was coughing and gagging with every jerk and had no idea what was going on.

Suddenly the voice in my head whispered: “Peter, you must say something, this poor dog is helpless and will get hurt,” the voice went on, “maybe the man is not even aware of what he is doing.

“Excuse me,” I started with hesitation, “You may not be aware of this but the choke chain you are using can cause a life long injury and damage and I thought you may want to know why”.

“Thank you, that would be great, I would love that,” the man replied. “I had no idea.”

Here is what our chat was about:

Wondering where the collar originated from?

No one really knows when the use of collars started. Perhaps it was the way the cave people restrained their wild dogs from running away.  However, the first reference to dog collars comes from Ancient Egypt.

The reason why I am so weary of collars is that when dogs pull they can cause a lot of damage. The neck and cervical spine are one of the most important “energy channels” in the body. It contains the spinal cord for supply to the whole body, is where the front leg nerves originate from and it is the energy channel where the nerves controlling the internal organ function pass through. The thyroid gland that regulates the whole body metabolism is also located in the neck.

For years, I have observed the relationships between the neck injuries and health of dogs.  I have learned that if the flow of energy in the neck is interrupted or restricted, a whole array of problems may arise including lameness, skin issues, allergies, lung and heart problems, digestive issues, ear and eye conditions, thyroid gland dysfunctions to name a few. I also suspect that the patients that have severe energy flow congestion in the neck area have a higher cancer rates.

While the purpose of this article is not to give you long description of each condition, I would like to give you a few examples to  help you understand how important the health and alignment of the neck is to the general health of your dog.

Hypothyroidism (low thyroid gland hormone) may be related to collar related injuries.

For the longest time I have been puzzled about the high rates of thyroid issues in breeds that frequently pull on the leash, such as  Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds. It seems obvious that the collar actually pushes on the throat exactly in the area of the thyroid gland. This gland gets severely traumatized whenever a dog pulls on the leash, it becomes inflamed and consequently “destroyed” by the body’s own immune system when it tries to remove the inflamed thyroid cells.

The destruction of the thyroid cells leads to the deficit of thyroid hormone – hypothyroidism and because the thyroid gland governs the metabolism of every cell. The symptoms may be low energy, weight gain, skin problems, hair loss and a tendency to ear infections and organ failure.

Ear and eye issues are frequently related to pulling on the leash.

When dogs pull on the leash, the collar restricts the blood and lymphatic flow to and from the head. My clients are often perplexed when all the ear and eye problems disappear after switching their dog from a collar to the right harness.

Excessive paw licking and foreleg lameness can also be related to your dog’s collar

Leash pulling impinges the nerves supplying the front legs.   This can lead to an abnormal sensation in the feet and dogs may start licking their feet. These dogs are often misdiagnosed as allergic and all that needs to be done is to remove the collar and treat the neck injury.

Neck injuries can cause a variety of problems.

Some dogs suffer severe whiplash like injuries from being jerked around. Extension leashes do not help because they encourage dogs to pull. They are faced with the imminent jerk when they get to the end of the line.

Most people do not know that leashes and collars can be at the core of many problems and that just one incident of pulling or running fast to the end of the leash can be serious. So how can we reduce such risk?

A harness – the collar alternative.

Over the years, I have searched for the best way of making dogs safe and  to prevent neck injuries. Harnesses that have the leash attached at the front of the chest are the best solution because they distribute the pressure of tugs and jerks throughout the whole body and keep the neck and throat free.

Many harnesses on the market have the leash attached on the back and pulling still restricts the front portion of the neck thereby pressing on veins, arteries, nerves and energy channels.

When you choose the right harness, make sure that your dog’s harness is the right fit and follow the maker’s instructions carefully. Use the harness only when leash walking and take it off when your dog is off leash. Ensure that the harness is not pressing or rubbing anywhere and that it is washed regularly.

If your dog is adequately trained, give him as much off leash time as possible. If  you have a “puller” have his neck examined by a vet, physio or chiro experienced in neck assessment. You may want to get his thyroid level measured and the neck and back checked for any signs of injuries. Keep in mind that many veterinarians are not trained in checking spinal alignment and working with the right practitioner is essential.

If you are looking for gentle and effective treatment methods, homeopathy, physiotherapy, intramuscular needle stimulation, chiropractics, acupuncture and massage are the best choices.

I hope that you will join our “gentle leash” efforts and will pass this information onto others. If you would love to see such medieval torturing devices like choke chains, martingale, prong and shock collars become museum pieces, here is an opportunity.

Whenever you see a dog pulling and choking on the collar, gather the courage and talk to the owner.  If you would like to be part of our “gentle leash” movement, you can contact us here.

With Gratitude,

Dr. Peter Dobias

First, I was rather  upset over her quite rude comment. Her ignorance and lack of tact amazed me. Then I started to feel sorry for her because I knew that she was missing out on one of the most amazing gifts that humans ever got.  The miracle of dogs.

Just yesterday, I came across this amazing documentary and  remembered Cathleen’s comments. I decided to send her the link and also write this blog.

This documentary shows that dogs are truly unique and they have evolved along side humans like no other species on this planet.  Some scientist say that if there were no dogs,  humans would be still hunters and gatherers and the evolution of our  civilization  would be halted to a standstill.

Recent research shows that dogs, despite their similarity to wolves,  are very different in the way they understand humans. They are able to read our face and emotions, they are compassionate and willing to risk their lives for us which no other animal would do. Dogs can learn up to 300 words and even comprehend a picture of an object and then select the same from a pile  on the floor. Dogs are  the only species that can respond to pointing. I took this completely for granted and didn’t know that even chimpanzees couldn’t do this.

This documentary also shows, how dogs were selected and domesticated thanks to the dedication and 50 year long experiment of  a Russian scientist in Siberia.

You will also see  how dogs can  help us gain a unique insight into some of the most challenging diseases in humans and possibly  even help in finding a cancer cure.

I have been saying this for a while but this film only confirms that dogs are a true gift to humans and without a doubt the very very best friends. I hope you enjoy this 55 minute video and share it with others.

An if you ever have someone to yell at you in the park to get your dog a leash or tell you that they don’t like dogs, just tell them  how much they are missing out on. They certainly  deserve our respect, care and love because they have been selflessly “serving” us for thousands of years.

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

PART 6

Often I ask myself, is all the hurry really necessary and why don’t we have enough time for her really matters to us, a dog walk, a cuddle with a cat, conversation with your partner, children or a friend and yes, a hug.

We have built up all this clutter and mind noise in our lives and it keeps us away from living. This video is a great reminder of  how important a simple hug is. I’m sending one to you, your cat or dog  and promise that as soon as I post this blog post I will get back to bring you more information about how to keep your animal friends healthy and long living.

With gratitude,

Dr. Peter Dobias

PS:  Enjoy the hug video!

I met Leslie several months ago at  an event organized by natural that the company in Vancouver.   I could see Leslie’s eyes that she deeply cares about her dogs Jazz and Freeway,  but  is also very  passionate  about our community cause of promoting gentle holistic approach to animal care and healing.

Originally, Leslie founded The BC Pet Connection to inform people about the health issues caused by vaccines. As time progressed and the readership grew she realized how much need there is for  providing people  like you with helpful information, empower you and arm you with solid and concise knowledge.

What I admire on Leslie is that she continues bringing truth to us, while she has been looked down upon and criticized by many people  from industries that do not care as much about our pets as about their self-serving interests and profits.

I simply  don’t get  it because there are some many integral ways of making living?  Why do the pet food and vaccine companies base their livelihood on lies and manipulation? It is also remotely possible that they believe in what  they  are doing which is equally tragic because they must be deaf, blind and have no sense of smell.

I’m thrilled to see that the times are changing and the flow of information can no longer be controlled by those who have the big bucks to pay for  TV programming and advertising. The internet and real life communities are growing stronger and there has been such a huge shift. 10  years ago, people were drawing crosses whenever I mentioned “raw diet ”  and  yearly vaccination were also a commonplace.
Today, most people at least know about the benefits of natural food and try to reduce  the side effects of vaccination by vaccinating less.

Today I would like to say thank you to  Leslie who has dedicated her life and resources to help to create this shift and make the lives of our pets  better.

With gratitude,