Wondering who I am? I\u2019m Merit Badge Awardee Jane (MBA Jane for short). In my<\/span> former life<\/a> \u2026\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n For this week\u2019s Outpost\/Pampered Pets Beginner Level Merit Badge<\/a>, I was inspired by my new pooch, Mr. Darcy. A lovely (and loving) black Labradoodle, Mr. Darcy was having some joint problems, and some skin problems. Also, he has a flatulence issue that’s eye-watering, to say the least.<\/p>\n Labradoodle by Guy Frankland via Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n While I had made a commitment to myself to read food labels, watch my health and diet, switch to organic living, and take my supplements, I hadn\u2019t actually applied my knowledge to my four-legged friends yet.<\/p>\n Mr. Darcy looked up at me, woefully, from his bowl of crunchy, dry, soy-based nuggets one evening. I swallowed my locally sourced rainbow trout and felt guilty.<\/p>\n Not guilty enough to fry him up one of his own, mind you, but darned close. Close enough to let him lick my plate, and close enough to make me promise he wouldn\u2019t have to finish that 50-pound sack of questionable dog food languishing in my garage.<\/p>\n My quest for natural pet care was afoot. As I absentmindedly scratched Mr. Darcy behind his ears the next morning (trying politely to ignore his serious dandruff problem) I thumbed through the yellow pages, which in this day and age means I was surfing the web. First I checked out some testimonies and stories from pet owners who had switched to holistic and natural veterinary habits.<\/p>\n In the beginning, I wasn\u2019t quite sure I understood the idea: would they be sticking needles in Mr. Darcy (I didn\u2019t think he\u2019d go for acupuncture),<\/p>\n Photo by Kyle Hunter via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n lighting candles,<\/p>\n Photo by Sander van der Wel via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n and practicing yoga with him (not with those hips of his),<\/p>\n Photo by Caroline Klebl via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n or chanting things while lighting feathers (he does love a good chicken feather)?<\/p>\n Types de plumes. Larousse pour tous, 1907-1910 via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n Naturally, I was being overly dramatic in my assumptions, and I learned this from the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association:<\/p>\n \u201cThe (AMVMA) explores and supports alternative and complementary approaches to veterinary healthcare and is dedicated to integrating all aspects of animal wellness in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.” The techniques promoted in holistic medicine are minimally invasive and incorporate patient well-being, lifestyle, and stress reduction. Holistic thinking is centered on love, empathy and respect. Use of blood tests, x-rays, and similar objective diagnostic techniques is minimized in favor of sensitivity to the animal. Nearly every form of medicine and therapy used in alternative medicine for humans is also used in holistic veterinary medicine.<\/p>\n A healthy diet free of\u00a0additives<\/a>\u00a0is central to a holistic approach. Holistic veterinarians believe that, through nutrition, most disease can be prevented.”<\/p>\n Why, that didn\u2019t sound weird at all! In fact, it sounded like common sense. Excitedly, Mr. Darcy and I booked our first appointment with a recommended holistic vet. Although, to be honest, since getting rid of our nasty bag of toxic additives we used to call food, and supplementing with more healthy fare,<\/a> I\u2019m not sure we\u2019ll even need that appointment \u2026 Mr. Darcy\u2019s skin is getting glossy and smooth (and dandruff free) and his joints seem to be those of a puppy\u2019s again. Plus, he hasn\u2019t cleared a room in over a week, if you know what I mean.<\/p>\n Coincidence? You decide.\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with\u00a06,188 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far\u20148,837 total! Take it away, MBA Jane!!! MJ\u00a0 Wondering … Continue reading ![\"labradoodle\"](\"http:\/\/www.raisingjane.org\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/labradoodle.jpg\")
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