Welcome to Body, Mind & Paw, the newsletter of The Growlin' Gourmet. Every other month we provide advice, tips and articles on caring for your furry companion. You'll also find special offers and news from The Growlin' Gourmet.

If you like this newsletter please feel free to forward it to your friends. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas please reply to this e-zine and let us know what you think.

All the best,

Marianne & Steve

In This Issue

• A big thank you to our customers

• The Animals in Haiti need your help!

• Article: Keeping Your Dog Happy & Healthy in 2010

• Events

Thank You

The Animals in Haiti Need Your Help!

The goal of ARCH is to raise funds to help animals in earthquake-stricken Haiti and to provide direct aid to these animals once rescue teams have been assembled.

According to the ASPCA, "There are an estimated 5 million head of livestock in the country (mostly goats), a large stray dog population, an untold number of companion animals and native wildlife all adversely affected by the earthquake.”

"Currently, a team of experts in animal emergency response is staging in the Dominican Republic waiting to get into Haiti to begin work. IFAW and WSPA have also begun to stock a mobile clinic with vaccines, antibiotics, bandages, food and other supplies in anticipation of bringing direct aid to animals.”

If you would like to contribute to these efforts please donate here:

WSPA
IFAW

How to Keep Your Dog Happy & Healthy in 2010

1. Provide a healthy diet. If you have spent any time on our website you know how passionate we are about nutrition. Research has demonstrated that good nutrition may be the most important factor in maintaining our dogs health. Many health problems can be traced to dietary deficiencies. Not all commercial dog foods are made from healthy ingredients. Take time to do some reading and research and find a food that contains high quality ingredients and no fillers such as corn and cereal products. Avoid artificial preservatives. For more information on this subject visit our website or check out the following books.

Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats.

Home-prepared Dog and Cat Diets: The Healthful Alternative

2. Make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise. According to the experts 40% of our nations pets are overweight or obese. This is primarily because we overfeed our animals. Too little exercise also contributes to the problem. Exercise releases endorphins and creates a natural “high”. Whether its playing ball in the yard or walking around the block, make sure that your dog gets some exercise everyday. As an added bonus you will get some exercise and get healthier too.

3. Provide regular socialization with “doggie friends”. Dogs are pack animals. They get lonely just like you and I do. If you dog is stuck home alone all day be sure to arrange some play dates with other dogs. Doggie day care is an option or take a trip to the local dog park.

4. Schedule routine vet visits. Regular check-up are important for your dog’s health. Visit your vet at least once a year regardless of your animals health, more often if you have an aging dog or one with health problems. Remember you know your dog best and have much to contribute to the discussion regarding your dogs current state of health and any plan to address a problem.

5. Provide a secure and loving environment. Your home is more than a place where your dog is sheltered from the elements. It is a place where his primary physical and emotional needs will be met. Stress can be just as damaging to dogs as it is to their human companions. Recognizing and minimizing the stress in your dog’s life is an important aspect of maintaining his health. The better you are able to tune in to your furry friends emotional state, the more quickly you will be able to recognize when there is a problem.

Events