While I think ALL my animals have actually been my “heart” animals, some just seem to stand out from the others. Fridge was one of those dogs that simply stole my heart and ran away with it! His complete story is in my book, Animals Taught Me That. Due to his petit mal seizures, I began to learn about the toxins that hinder us from being well. I won’t go into the details of why he began having seizures, but suffice it to say it had to do with being raised completely conventionally rather than naturally which began shortly after his first round of vaccinations. Fridge maintained his general amicability throughout his life although there was aggression evident due to his brain issues, which of course can also be traced back to the liver as well – there is a definite brain-liver connection as God designed things to be. The liver is what filters toxins out of the blood but it can also only handle so many toxins repeatedly over time. Fridge had definite triggers to his seizures. I began to notice that shortly after the use of pesticide applications in our home and yard, he would have a seizure.
In order to aid and support Fridge, I began organic gardening and eliminated household pesticides, which did indeed reduce his seizure occurrence but did not eliminate them. I am grateful to him though as that began my journey into natural, whole health for both people and animals.
Part of the problem is that we have been conditioned to believe we must fear these so-called pests and to annihilate them at all costs. As I share a little bit on the wrong thinking about that, I am very aware of the commentary on this subject that could potentially ensue such as:
“I live in a very endemic area for heartworms, we have to use the drugs or our pets could get infected and die,” or “My pets are raw fed but they still get covered in ticks every time we go for a walk and I can’t chance them getting Lyme disease“, and on and on and on the arguments go. I am not saying they are not valid, because these folks live with the evidence of this. However, thinking naturopathically, we are looking at it all in an unnatural light. God created these bugs for a reason and they, like all living things on this planet, have a purpose.
Insects or “pests” as we’ve come to feloniously call them also have “babies” – the larvae are their babies. Their life spans aren’t as long as mammals or other species so they get busy propagating their species fast and abundantly because bugs are also food for other bugs and species! So in order for their species to survive they have to be prolific in reproduction. For that to happen they have to find a suitable host whether it is in your lawn, garden, animals, or us. Some parasites will “use up” the host such as fly predators that eat up the larvae of flies. Fly larvae (aka maggots) eat rotting flesh, waste debris, etc. There is all a check and balance in nature – until the human factor enters in and wants to try and do away with all of it thereby upsetting the natural balance of things.
“At high tide the fish eat ants; at low tide the ants eat fish.” ~Thai Proverb
There are also parasites that prefer a host that won’t be consumed but weak enough for their species to thrive. A weakened animal is going to be a nice host for a variety of internal and external parasites. We all have parasites even if we don’t want to think about it and some of our illness symptoms can be attributed to parasites. The same holds true for animals. However, that said, there is a way to look at it all and then approach this all in a different light without the common toxic products.
The idea is to get us all thinking outside of the current paradigm. Let me share an excerpt from an article that sheds some natural light on this pesky subject:
“Pathogens and micro-organisms are part of life. They are the original life forms and they fulfill a very complex function. All forms of cellular life on earth share genetic links. Humans are genetically linked to so-called pathogens, or microorganisms. We actually consist of bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites and other microorganisms and they form part of our system. Plants and animals are also made up of these. Béchamp (Pasteur vs Bechamp and the Germ Theory) discovered that if he stopped fighting microorganisms and instead improved what he called the ‘milieu’, the environment of the cells, the so-called ‘pathogens’ did not disappear but actually aided in repairing the cells. By not focusing on the disease but on healing instead, Béchamp witnessed the pathogens doing the same. When he concentrated on the disease, however, and literally tried to combat it, the pathogens proved themselves to be the worst enemy. He showed that micro-organisms are the bridge between life and death, and the stage in between — disease.” ~Mike Donkers, Understanding the True Meaning of Disease
When we attempt to combat nature rather than work within the parameters and balance God set, nature will always win…always. Nature is winning because we “fight” or “battle” it rather than work in the symphonic harmony God designated. That includes prevailing against fleas, ticks, heartworms and a multitude of other creepy crawlers. They are not the enemy, we are. We battle nature constantly and what doesn’t die with our onslaught emerges stronger, more resilient and yes resistant.
Fridge was the dog God used to help me begin to understand all of this by showing me to eliminate the poisons first; to connect the dots rather than memorize them as we have been taught in the educational system. God used Fridge to encourage me to question how toxic pesticides that are actually poison could actually prevent or protect anything.
God did not make a single mistake in creation; rather it is the arrogance and hubris of mankind (aka pride) that is perpetuates the problems that are masquerading as solutions. Those toxic solutions however, only benefit the companies manufacturing them, the government for reasons I won’t even go into here, and the medical industry that furthers the agenda.
Humankind only exacerbates all of this by continuing to assert that we can somehow magically improve upon the immune system, vegetation, food production, water, etc. However, all we are doing is perpetuating our demise, bringing devastation upon everything on the planet.
My sweet boy, Fridge, suffered due to my ignorance but he served his purpose well here on earth because I began to listen to God, to receive His gift of love in Jesus during the life of this precious dog.
My Neo Mastiff Shadrach, on the other hand, taught me VERY outspokenly (he was NEVER subtle about anything) why I needed to stop using all these toxic products and to embrace the alternatives.
Additional resources:
http://www.liversupport.com/the-connection-between-brain-fog-and-liver-health/
http://www.livescience.com/40440-your-liver-may-be-eating-your-brain.html
PHOTO ATTRIBUTION: Fridge the Golden Retriever all by Dr. Kim Bloomer. Copyright 1999 All Rights Reserved.
Kim Bloomer, V.N.D., N.D. is an animal naturopath as well as being certified in small animal nutrition, with years of experience in animal wellness. Dr. Kim is a published author, writer, and blogger. Dr. Kim is the founder of the Holistic American Pet Academy with Doug Reed. Subscribe to her DOGgone Newsletter for updates or to her blog via email. Copyright ©2005-2024 Aspenbloom Pet Care, Dr. Kim Bloomer, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Author/Publisher. This article is intended to be educational. However, it is not intended to be a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified animal health professional. Dr. Kim Bloomer and Aspenbloom Pet Care, do not assume any legal responsibility for misuse of the products discussed in this article. The only essential oils referenced on this website are Young Living.
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