The News at Home
Zoey's in love with the next door neighbor's Labrador Retriever. There's no mistaking the way she prances in front of him but frankly, Zoey doesn't seem to understand that this is a one-sided love affair. The Lab carries logs of wood around his yard (must be what makes Zoey think that he's so irresistible) and Zoey, at all of 19 pounds, is offering him twigs through the fence. If her love interest is inside the house, she whines at the fence until the neighbor takes mercy on her and lets him out. Should the Lab ignore her, Zoey begins to bark demandingly until he comes over to see her. She then barks again, at a pitch that can shatter glass, until he lies down so she can lick his face. Usually, the poor hen-pecked Lab complies. When he doesn't, Zoey cries and paces along the fence line.

The neighbors may be moving and I can't help but wonder if it wasn't the Lab's idea to put the house up for sale. With our high maintenance Zoey always at his heels, even this good-natured boy might want to pack up his wood logs and move on!

What's New at monicasegal.com
New Product: Antioxidant Booster

This blend of powdered Meek Raspberry Seeds, Vitamin E and Selenium provides antioxidants and much more. An increasing body of evidence shows that tannins work as anti cancer agents. Tannins are also helpful for dogs that have diarrhea. Further, the Hollings Cancer Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina has researched ellagic acid and shows promise for the same purpose. Raspberry seeds contain ellagitannins and our Antioxidant Booster makes fortifying your dog's diet as easy as adding some powder to the food.

Each teaspoon of our Antioxidant Booster provides Powdered Meek Raspberry Seeds, 40 IU Vitamin E and 4 mcg of Selenium.

For more information about the benefits of ellagic acid and tannins, please see our "Helping The Immune System" file at K9Kitchen.

Myth of the Month: Supplement Labels Tell All
As most of you know, my dog Zoey has colitis. This is a life-long condition that can be kept under control but there is no cure. One of the common problems with this, and other conditions that translate to sensitivities and allergies, is that the reaction can be to any food or supplement given. Due to the food allergies these dogs exhibit, supplements are used to compensate for the limited variety of foods the dog can eat. Zoey was reacting to every supplement I gave her until I started looking at laboratory assays.

What Is A Lab Assay?
Every label makes a claim. For instance, the label on a bottle of vitamin E tells us the potency of the product. How do we know that the claim is true?

Labels do not tell us what other products may be in the supplement. For instance, some vitamins may be derived from plant mold. We're not likely to see this mentioned on the label. How can we be sure of the purity of the product?

Acidophilus is a wonderful probiotic that can be helpful to the immune system in general and the digestive tract in particular. However, the organisms must be viable if we expect the product to work. Unfortunately, many of the products tested have been proven to contain lesser amounts of live organisms than the label claims. How can we be sure that we're getting what we're paying for?

There are products that do indeed provide the potency the labels claim and have been derived from good sources but what about disintegration time? A product that doesn't disintegrate properly is of little use to the body.

Lab assays are the result of independent laboratory testing. The product is tested and the findings are recorded on a "certificate of analysis". These findings are compared to the label claim. If they don't meet the claim, the product is considered to be of poor quality. If disintegration time doesn't meet the standard set, the product fails.

A healthy animal ingesting inferior products isn't likely to be any better or worse from the experience. A sick animal that reacts to inferior products or doesn't receive the expected benefits is a better guide. Zoey was this guide for me and Lab Assays have become my standard expectation when considering a product. Familiarizing yourself with lab assays can make the difference between money well spent on helping your pet and wasting resources and time.

Recipe of The Month
When dogs spend time outdoors in warmer weather, a cool treat is often appreciated more so than a regular chewie. To turn your hot dog into a very cool dog, try this:
1 small container plain yogurt
1/2 apple
handful berries (strawberries, blueberries etc)
small wedge of melon

Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and liquefy. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze. Serve frozen cubes as treats.

Until Later…

Monica

If a dog's prayers were answered, bones would rain from the sky.
-- Old Proverb