My travels with Pets Gone Green University  (PGGU) recently took me to Albuquerque, New Mexico (NM); yep you got it, just when wild fires were blazin'. The day Los Alamos residents were leaving their city (6/27/2011) we were on the road to northern New Mexico and Taos. In fact, our Taos hotel put out a call to evacuees, their rooms would be free. Dogs and their people (along with a few felines) took up residence not knowing how long their stay might be. Of course, my transcriber Mom met a few people (and some of their misbehaved dogs) taking note of their stressful fire and smoke accounts. Most had packed what they could in their cars and left, doubtful they would ever see their homes again or be able to return to work at the Los Alamos National Labs.

It likely an aspen tree - that blew down in a windstorm, which in turn knocked out  nearby power lines - set off the Las Conchas (Los Alamos)  
fire. The fire advanced rapidly due to strong winds, a week later rains fell allowing firefighters to make giant strides in containing it. This is already the largest fire in NM history. As of this writing, the fire is still burning. Los Alamos residents have been able to return home as fire growth has slowed down.

According to NM forestry division reports, the last three of New Mexico’s largest forest fires have taken place in the past 10 years. According to the Christian Science Monitor(CSM), “While big fires have happened before in New Mexico, scientists see a recent pattern that may be the most severe since the last Ice Age. Among the causes: fuel buildup due to fire suppression, a decline in annual snowpack, and a warmer climate.” This was the conclusion of University of New Mexico geologist, Grant Meyer, who studies climate interaction and weather conditions. He said, part of it as well and the data is very good on this, “it's climatic warming – human industrial activity and land-use changes have pumped increasing amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.”

At the end of the day I say, “This is just doggone common sense” from CSM, “a long-term average decline in annual snow pack provides the bulk of the region's water, along with rising average temperatures means the fire season is longer and fuel is more dried out.” Who can argue with that?

Read my Examiner post on how a Taos citizen action effectively shut down a giant consumer fireworks sales tent.

Cedar Dog

 

 

 

 

If you missed the Pets Gone Green University (PGGU) class on pet nutrition Saturday June 18, 2011, "It was "paws-itively amazing, hands-on goodness; a treat for any human with cats and dogs," explained one Colorado attendee. 

"Our cats and dogs are in serious trouble," warned PGGU Distinguished Professor Kate Solisti. "A major reason for the increase in disease and early deaths is the toxic ingredients used in most commercial pet foods," the fiesty instructor explained.  Even "natural" or "premium" brands, she said, "do not provide the most important ingredient that our pet's bodies crave -- "raw, life force energy." Wheat Ridge, Colorado is home to Pets Gone Green University. 

Cedar Dog founder and chief visioning officer along with her transcriber Kathy Deitsch opened the meeting by explaining their eco-friendly agenda. Deitsch asked, "How many of you know your pet's impact on the earth, your impact on your pet's health (and your own), what you are going to do about it and who you will tell."

Deitsch laid out the courses of study currently being offered at PGGU. We have high quality instructors, leaders in the field wanting to teach here.  Solisti and Cedar Dog will make more news in coming months as they announce more break-through initiatives.

Deitsch reminded attendees that Cedar Dog's urban poop-to-power initiatives, research and leadership around diverting pet waste in plastic bags from landfills is cutting-edge. It is our intention said Cedar's transcriber, " to set the pace nationally, encouraging people to learn and use pet waste options; like flushing, composting, doggie in-ground septics, worm bins and bringing community digesters to your neighborhood. Remember too, high quality food in means less quantity out in the yard. We are totally committed to teaching "green principles and practices" at PGGU, said Deitsch. Pet parents need to know how to sort through the "how to be greener" challenges families face everyday.

Read more on instructor Solisti

 

 

I believe “our humans are clueless when it comes to knowing what to feed us.” Human companions, including pet food manufacturers expect us to love the dreadful stuff in our bowls.  Bottom line nourishing, high quality pet food will save hundreds of dollars on vet bills. That’s why I asked Professor Solisti to come on board and “tell it like it is; our people need the truth.”

In March, I named Kate Solisti, the first distinguished professor at Pets Gone Green University (PGGU). Solisti is an internationally known speaker, author, educator, and expert in dog and cat nutrition and an illustrious animal communicator. 

Below is a question and answer Mom and I did with PGGU professor Solosti:

Why are you teaching Cat & Dog Nutrition at PGGU?

Kate Solisti: Teaching dog & cat nutrition and introducing people to interspecies communication fits well with the mission of PGGU. Cedar's agenda is all about a healthy environment = healthy pets + educated guardians. I have been educating companion animal guardians for almost 20 years, which has made an impact on countless animal's lives.

 How is cat & dog nutrition an eco-agenda item?

Kate Solisti: Dog & Cat nutrition is "green" because I teach based on Nature's designs. I start with how dogs and cats are built to eat, next we look at what they are designed to eat and next we create the simplest, minimum waste meal plans as possible for each companion. Less waste in the meals = more useable nutrients = more absorption by the animals = less waste in the yard. I also share the reasons for and the importance of providing as many organic ingredients as possible.

How does good nutrition affect our pets?

Kate Solisti: Good nutrition is the foundation of health. Plain and simple. 75% of dog, cat and human immune systems are governed by the gut. What we eat and how well we absorb nutrients has a tremendous impact on our immune systems and therefore, our overall health. Without wholesome foods, healthy gut flora and receptive cells, our bodies weaken, become diseased and die prematurely.

 Why come to this course, what makes it different.

Kate Solisti: This course is different because of all the bases I cover. Students will leave with a working knowledge of their animal's digestive systems and their perfect design for specific foods. They will be able to intelligently discuss nutrition with their veterinarians so together, informed guardian and vet can make the best diet and treatment decisions for each animal for the lifetime of that animal. Guardians will receive knowledge to enable them to choose wholesome prepared foods, or to create balanced diets themselves with the ingredients best suited to their own animals. This course really should be part of every guardian's education.

Why would you miss this? Register Now, Early Worm registation still applies.

Woofs,  Cedar Dog

I have been quiet for a reason lately. I have taken on some new projects along with my regular "mouthing off" about eco-solutions for a pet's daily life. And, I am running behind. Mom and I are also working on a third and maybe fourth book. You see I have things to say, we have to get the word out. Today's post is a great example of our need to "wake up our human companions." They are falling behind.

NEWS Flash

Diabetes: Preventable!

Dental Disease: Preventable!

Flea Infestations: Preventable! 

According to Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, DVM and chief medical officer for Banfield:Flea infestations are up 16 percent. Now, 78 percent of dogs and 68 percent of cats over the age of three have some form of dental disease. That represents a 12 percent increase for dogs from 2006 to 2010.

The rates of diabetes in pets are rising faster than for humans. From 2006 to 2010, diabetes rates in U.S. dogs increased by over 30 percent, and by 16 percent in cats. In humans, the rate rose 10 percent over the same four year period.

Now read what Dr Becker says. She is all about wellness and education and taking action. Now that's good! Creating wellness prevents illness in the lives of both pets and in their people. After all, if our humans aren't well, who cares for us. Remember too, we take on your stresses. Bottom line, what you do for us, do for yourself too. 

Do all of us a BIG favor, take action! You can start by signing up for the Cat & Dog Nutrition class PetsGoneGreenUniverstiy is offering June 18. Early Worm special has been extended.Take a moment and think about it, you need us and we know we need you!

Woofs, Cedar Dog

I love April, the month launches with my birthday today, April 1. It is also the month I have established as Green Your Pet Month. With the energy of spring comes a new day, a time to refocus on the earth, its natural beauty, and our responsibility to care for it. It is our work, animals and humans alike.

I wrote in my first book, “The Earth matters to me. When my paws pat the soil, I take in its energy. Sometimes this makes me act silly and playful, and then I run as fast as my legs will carry me. Other times, I tip myself over and wiggle in the grass, and it rubs my back. This feels yummy!

 Every so often, I park myself in the middle of a daffodil patch. The flowers smell good enough to eat, but I don’t eat them ‘cause they’re poisonous. I lay very still, my legs stretched toward the sky, and the sun warms my pads and tummy. I listen to the sounds of life around me. Sometimes I fall asleep, and then when I wake up my whole body feels toasty.

I am part of the natural world of water, air, dirt, plants, trees, animals, and bugs. I am also part of the life force shared by all living things. When I honor this force, I feel balanced. Yes, I am part of the natural world. We all are.Am I passionate about taking care of our earth? You bet I am! I would like all of us to become better stewards of the earth and its creatures. The earth’s health and my own are interconnected. That is why I wrote my books. I want to show pets ‘n their people how easy it is to go Doggone Green.”

It was three years ago this month that I published my first book, the second was published April of 2009, Eco-Solutions for a Pets Daily Life. 

Wow, what a ride it has been. In the last weeks, I have launched Pets Gone Green University and the distinguished professor series, Mom, and I announced our speaking gig in June at the statewide Colorado Association of Recyclers annual conference, and today I am re-launching Green you Pet Month (watch the video), this time as a nationwide endeavor. We have to get this done; pets and their people have work to do.

As you read this, Mom and I invite you to do four things; decide how green your household is and ask yourself, do I know how to do better? Green you Pets; how many of Cedar’s eco-agenda items do you do today? Commit to learn and do better, mark a goal for you, your furry ones, and your household. Focus on one thing you will do differently to reduce-reuse-recycle this month and JUST do it!

We want to hear from you. Would you leave a comment and tell us what you do TODAY with your pets and in your household that is GREEN.

“It’s a new day for cats and dogs,” said Cedar Dog as she named Kate Solisti, the first distinguished professor at Pets Gone Green University. Solisti is an internationally known speaker, author, educator, and expert in dog and cat nutrition and an illustrious animal communicator.

As founder of Pets Gone Green University and professor emeritus the can-do canine said, “Our humans are clueless when it comes to knowing what to feed us.” The canine author says in her books, “Many of our human companions, including pet food manufacturers expect us to love the dreadful stuff in our bowls.” Bottom line she says, “Nourishing, high quality pet food will save hundreds of dollars on vet bills.” That’s why I have asked Professor Solisti to come on board and “tell it like it is; our people need the truth.”

The duo announced the distinguished series through Cedar Dog’s transcriber, Kathy Deitsch. Solisti’s first introductory course on cat and dog nutrition will be at the University on Saturday June 18, 2011.  Click here to register.

Solisti warns, “Our cats and dogs are in serious trouble. One major reason for the increase in disease and early deaths is the toxic ingredients used in most commercial pet foods that have been fed to generations of American animals. Even the best "natural" or "premium" brands do not provide the most important ingredient that our pet's bodies crave -- raw, life force energy.” Each class teaches how cats & dogs are built to eat and what they require for optimum health. Join us and do better.

________________

Kate Solisti has authored or edited numerous books and videos. Her work embodies nineteen plus years of experience in the US, Great Britain and in Europe working as an animal communicator, intuitive counselor, educator, mentor and dog and cat nutritionist.

Cedar Dog, the strong-willed Chesapeake Bay retriever serves as Dean of the College for Sustainable Behaviors. Her research and expertise are on Poop-to-Power projects, emerging technologies, and Eco-Solutions for a Pet’s Daily©.

Cedar Dog tells pets and their people:

• Reduce your pet’s impact on the earth
• Learn how you impact your pet’s health & pledge to do better
• Learn to protect your own health as pets depend on you to care for them
• Tell five other people to do the same

Kate Solisti June 18th courses, register now!
Kate Solisti books
Cedar Dog books

Mom and I usually breeze through several newspapers each day, both online versions and occasionally a print edition. We prefer online as it is greener option. We look for animal news, humans reaching past their small-minded selves, new technologies, and issues of the day.

Today in the Denver Post, Dan Haley, an editorial chap discussed life lessons with his pooch. Read Dan's opinion piece, Letting Go of Riley. Riley was clearly the family’s greatest teacher. It sounds like Dan got the unselfishness message, that is when things are bigger than you are. Bless Dan and Riley for sharing what animals do best; we are your best teachers, just be still and listen.

Woofs, Cedar Dog

You might want to read my tribute to Brady and Abby, my sisters, my teachers.

As many of you know, I sent my transcriber Mom to the Colorado state house yesterday. Her “marching orders,” make our representatives aware of animal cruelty issues.

Paws up to her; she went, she worked, her report back last evening was just as I expected, our state house member and state senator are onboard. What’s next? Spread the word - educate more! So come on two-leggeds, we need you onboard.

The numbers yesterday were grand, 200 folks “walking their talk” for animals. Were you one of them? The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and ASPCA.org sponsored the Colorado Lobby Day. Holly Tarry (HSUS) and Jill Buckley (ASPCA) made clear the job at hand, give animal lovers the tools and direction to spread the word amongst lawmakers. The message, we’re here; we need individual lawmakers to join the conversation with the Colorado Lawmakers Animal Protection Caucus. Pets and their people serve as the paws and feet on the ground for reliable animal protection information. The challenge; provide an organized and efficient medium for protecting animals as Colorado focuses on its economic priorities.

Here is what you need to do. Are you with us?

Send Holly Tarry a note, she is the lobbyist for the Humane Society – Colorado. Tell her Cedar Dog sent you, you are here to help. Holly's email: htarry@humanesociety.org

Educate yourself on the issues. Be willing to show up and talk to your state lawmakers. We’ll support you and go along if need be.

Woofs, Cedar Dog

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I had Mom post our discussion on shellacked dog waste? Check it out at Examiner.com.

We wrote it because we've been challenged this winter with the ice cold weather and snow. We researched some ideas a couple of weeks ago and tried a few of them. By gosh they helped. Let us know what you think.

Ah, warmer weather this week, opportunity to scoop and clean up the yard. Of course if you don't like the work you can always hire a scooper pooper service. Found a scooper biz yesterday that has an awesome video, what a hoot!

Oh, in case you are wondering, that's my brother Ernie on the front loader in the Examiner article! Cute isn't he? I do worry about his driving skills cuz he has huge challenges staying focused. He hates my saying this but he is still sooooo puppy; his birthday is in ten days. He'll be three.

Woofs, Cedar Dog for Mayor