Nervous System: Lavender essential oil has a calming scent which makes it an excellent tonic for the nerves. Therefore, it helps in treating migraines, headaches, anxiety, depression, nervous tension and emotional stress. The refreshing aroma removes nervous exhaustion and restlessness and increases mental activity.
Sleep: Lavender essential oil induces sleep and hence it is often recommended for insomnia.
Pain Relief: Lavender essential oil is also an excellent remedy for various types of pains including those caused by sore muscles, tense muscles, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, backache and lumbago. A regular massage with lavender oil provides relief from pain in the joints.
Urine Flow: Lavender essential oil is good for urinary disorders as it stimulates urine production. It helps in restoring hormonal balance and reduces cystitis or inflammation of the urinary bladder. It also reduces any associated cramps.
Respiratory Disorders: Lavender oil is extensively used for various respiratory problems including throat infections, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. The oil is either used in the form of vapour or applied on the skin of neck, chest and back. It is also added in many vaporizers and inhalers used for cold and coughs.
Skin Care: The health benefits of lavender oil for the skin can be attributed to its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It is used to treat various skin disorders such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammations. It heals wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburns rapidly as it aids in the formation of scar tissues. Lavender oil is added to chamomile to treat eczema.
Hair Care: Lavender essential oil is useful for the hair as it can be very effective on lice and lice eggs or nits.
Blood Circulation: Lavender essential oil is also good for improving blood circulation. It lowers blood pressure and is used for hypertension.
Digestion: Lavender oil is useful for digestion as it increases the mobility of the intestine. The oil also stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile and thus aids in treating indigestion, stomach pain, colic, flatulence, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Immunity: Regular use of lavender essential oil provides resistance to diseases.
Other health benefits of lavender essential oil include its ability to treat leucorrhoea. It is also effective against insect bites. The oil is also used to repel mosquitoes and moths. You will find many mosquito repellents containing lavender oil as one of the ingredients.
As with many other essential oils, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender essential oil.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
How Could You?
How Could You?
More Info: Click here
When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask, "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.
My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect.
We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.
She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate.
Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.
There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.
I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said, "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar, as he screamed, "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.
You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked, "How could you?"
They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.
I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured, "How could you?"
Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said, "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her.
It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.
Copyright Jim Willis 2001, all rights reserved
A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in American & Canadian animal shelters.
Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial purpose, as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice. Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.
More Info: Click here
When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask, "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.
My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect.
We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.
She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate.
Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.
There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.
I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said, "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar, as he screamed, "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.
You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked, "How could you?"
They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.
I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured, "How could you?"
Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said, "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her.
It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.
Copyright Jim Willis 2001, all rights reserved
A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in American & Canadian animal shelters.
Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial purpose, as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice. Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Many people deal with dogs home destruction when they leave home even for a short period of time. There are a few tips that may help. Here are a few tips.
1. There are certain things you do before you leave home that tells your dog you are about to leave. Try doing some of those things that will tell him you are leaving but don't leave home. For example pick up your keys or purse. Maybe even open the door but then sit back down.
2.Practice leaving your dog alone for short periods of time. Pick up your keys and leave for 1 minute. You can also try leaving through a different door, rather than the usual door.
3. Gradually increase the amount of time you stay away. This will accustom your dog to your absence.
4. This is the hardest part, I know, but it very important. Avoid overly emotional good-byes and greetings. Instead, pat your dog on the head and offer a quick good-bye or hello.
5. Keep your dog confined in a safe area while you are away. Be sure to leave a bowl of water and plenty of chew toys. Kong toys are excellent you can apply a small amount of peanut butter inside for them to enjoy. Maybe have a special toy that they only get while you are away. It may give them something to look forward to.
6. Exercise your dog for an hour each day in places other than your yard or home. This helps your dog feel comfortable in other locations and lets him burn off steam. They will be more relaxed after a good dose of exercise.
7. Praise your dog often to build self-confidence, rather than punishing him for exhibiting frightened behaviors. Punishment only increases anxiety and makes the situation worse. If he urinated while you were away. They will may hide for fear of being punished but will not associate the punish with the accident.
1. There are certain things you do before you leave home that tells your dog you are about to leave. Try doing some of those things that will tell him you are leaving but don't leave home. For example pick up your keys or purse. Maybe even open the door but then sit back down.
2.Practice leaving your dog alone for short periods of time. Pick up your keys and leave for 1 minute. You can also try leaving through a different door, rather than the usual door.
3. Gradually increase the amount of time you stay away. This will accustom your dog to your absence.
4. This is the hardest part, I know, but it very important. Avoid overly emotional good-byes and greetings. Instead, pat your dog on the head and offer a quick good-bye or hello.
5. Keep your dog confined in a safe area while you are away. Be sure to leave a bowl of water and plenty of chew toys. Kong toys are excellent you can apply a small amount of peanut butter inside for them to enjoy. Maybe have a special toy that they only get while you are away. It may give them something to look forward to.
6. Exercise your dog for an hour each day in places other than your yard or home. This helps your dog feel comfortable in other locations and lets him burn off steam. They will be more relaxed after a good dose of exercise.
7. Praise your dog often to build self-confidence, rather than punishing him for exhibiting frightened behaviors. Punishment only increases anxiety and makes the situation worse. If he urinated while you were away. They will may hide for fear of being punished but will not associate the punish with the accident.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
I watched a video the other day about the abuse that happens in slaughter houses. It sickens me to my very soul what happens to these animals. I am not saying that everyone has to become a vegetarian, that is a personal choice. It's the way these animals are treated. Show these animals some compassion. I felt the extreme fear in them. It has haunted me ever since. Peta will never convert every one to be vegetarian. I think they need to focus on changing how people treat them. At least the Humane Society is working to improve conditions for the animals. It is a proven fact that happy cows produce more milk without it being chemically or hormone induced. I think that these animals are treated like they are because they are just considered a product to be mass produced. Which comes down to greed and we lose something along the way. Our compassion. Please watch the video about their intelligence. I will leave you with one quote that I came across as a final thought.
When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power the World will know Peace - Jimi Hendrix
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Goose Kill Despite Community Pleas
Goose Kill Despite Community Pleas What is so sad is that these beautiful birds were put down because they don't fit in our world. There were alternatives to what they did but killing these birds was cheaper and less trouble. They could have just had someone use a power washer and hose the sidewalks down. As our population grows wildlife will fit less and less in our communities. Remember as the Native Americans said we need to think about the next 7 generations. Whatever you do how will it effect the next 7 generations. If this does not stop, one day we will just be telling our children about these animals. We have got to learn to share this planet. This is not just our world but there's too.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Body Language-eyes
Having worked with animals for many years I have learned a few things about them. Most importantly when dealing with pets is understanding body language. The eyes are the window to the soul. It speaks volumns if your willing to take the time to notice. Starting with the eyes, if your dogs eyes are open wider then normal can indicate that your dog feels frightened, stressed or threatened. Which if pressed could lead to aggression. I usually call them fear biters.
If your dogs eyes are squinted often accompanied with shaking may indicate pain or not feeling well.
Staring or looking directly at your pets is considered threatening behavior to your pet. I was working a dog once who was staring at me and growling with an occasional bark. I turned my head and kind of watched her without looking at her. I kept my movements slow and was turned so as to not face her. She stood directly in front of me and continued to stare at me letting me know she was a threat. I slowly turned so that she was not directly facing me. She moved back in front of me to continued to let me know she was a threat to me. Luckily she was a small dog or I would not have been in that position. Not to say that she couldn't have hurt me if she wanted to. I knew exactly what she was telling me. I still had to work with her so I had her owner bring her outside for me and I was able to put her in the van and was trim her nails. She felt comfortable in her territory and felt she needed to guard her home from the threat.
If your dog looks away is signaling that they are submissive and not a threat or worried. I will usually yawn which is a calming signal to dogs. They will lick usually lick their lips if they are nervous but I will talk more about that later.
If your pet is looking at you from the corner of his eyes showing the whites parts around the eye with a rigid body posture and may have a slightly lowered head it may be a position leading to aggression often seen with guarding of food or toys.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Fear of Storms and Noises
Well it's that time of year again when storms pick up. Some pets are afraid of noises, especially storms. We really don'tknow what causes this fear. It could be associated with lightening, electricity in storms, or low pressure changes. Some breeds may be more prone to developing fears. I know I have owned 2 older dobermans that have had fear of storms. When I brought the first one home she was very destructive. I adopted her as an older dog. I knew what I was getting into when I got her. She was the retired blood donor from the veterinary hospital I worked at. They wanted to put her down. I wanted to take her home knowing the risk. She did improve somewhat when I took her home. Maybe she was worse when she was around the other dogs boarding with us. No one really knows since they can't tell us. She passed away a year later.The one that I have now is not nearly as bad but you can tell she is afraid. She will go and hide or wants comfort. I want to comfort her but I don't want to encourage her fears by rewarding her with a pat on the head. I know that my attitude can influence her fear. Comforting her is positive reinforcement of her fears. I have found natural treatments to help with her fears. Chamomile herb is wonderful way to treat her fears. They can drink it, but most pets may not drink it when there is a storm around. They do have it in a pet chewable and drops for dogs. If they won't eat it, you can try chamomile in a tea and put it on a cotton ball near their face so they can smell it. It's scent alone may help.
Some of the signs of fear are:
- Hiding
- Urinating
- Defecating
- Panting
- Pacing
- Seeking comfort
- Trembling/shaking
- Barking or whining
You may be able to help your pet. Don't comfort or punish your pet. Comforting or telling your pet it's ok is going to be interpreted by your pet as a reward for the fearful behavior telling your pet that they should be afraid of the storm. Punishing your pet will increase your pets fear of the storm. Some pets do well having a small area to feel comfortable. A crate is a nice place for your pet. You can leave the door open so they can come and go as needed. Especially if they are not use to the crate. Staying calm helps to reduce their anxiety. They will think if you are afraid they should be afraid. Sometimes they do look to others on how they should react. Some times if it is severe you could try conditioning your pet to the sounds of thunder by recreating the sounds during a less stressful time. One of the things I have tried. I use a herbal scent that is calming like chamomile and use it during calm times. Like in the evening when I'm home and everyone is relaxing. This will help to get them use to the scent and associate the scent with a calm memory. Then I will introduce a cd with the sounds of thunder on it. I introduce the scent again and play the cd on low where they barely hear it and everyone is calm. I do this for a week and then increase slightly the sound. When you get to the point that the pet is reacting I just reduce the sound and continue a little longer before I increase the sound. I just do this for short periods of time. 15-20 minutes is fine. When conditioning the pet to the scent of chamomile accupressure for anxiety can be beneficial. There is a point between the eyes that is a little "V" groove. Stimulating that point can help. Most dogs really like that area rubbed. Then every time they smell the chamomile it will bring back the calm memories that come with it. Doing accupressure when a pet is afraid is not effective because they can be so afraid and do not respond. Sometimes I hear a song from when I was in high school and it will always bring back memories of a good time. Sometimes it's just the feelings that I remember. So the same thing can happen with them. But the chamomile is calming so it is best to associate the scent.
Friday, March 12, 2010
How to help calm your dog
Have you ever noticed when your in a room full of people or you see a picture of someone yawning that you would start yawning yourself. What about when you go to the dentist. I noitced that I could not stop while at the dentist. Then when I get home I am so tired. It seems to be very calming to us. It's also very calming to dogs. One of the things I noticed while grooming was that when dogs were nervous that they licked there lips frequently. I started yawning and noticed that if they were paying attention that they would start to yawn too. Soon after that they seemed a little calmer on the table. It got me to thinking that when we yawn that it's not contagious like we joke about but that it calms us. So when your in a room full of people and someone yawns, subconsiously we recognize it and start yawning to help calm that person. So when you go to the dentist and start yawning your just trying to calm yourself. I even found when I think of a nervous pet I get the urge to yawn. Sometimes when I yawn alot trying to calm a pet on the table I find I'm very tired when I'm finished grooming.
My cats tolerate my dogs for the most part. One of my cats, not too much. She started growling at my dog carly. Carly, froze, slowly turned her head away from the cat and slowly lowers her head slightly and starts yawning to let her know she wasn't a threat. I know that facing a dog and staring is considered threatening. So I realized that all the moves she made were to let the cat know she was not a threat. I think that all animals are here to teach us compassion and understanding of other creatures around us. Next time your with your pet especially around other animals, watch how they greet each other. You might just learn to speak dog.
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