Natural Care For Pets

Linda Fortune

Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

My personal experience with enzymes.

Welcome back to this important discussion regarding enzymes,

My first experience with enzymes came when I was working with my naturopath. I was very ill with the Epstein-Barr virus and had been for ten years. Much to my dismay, Western medicine has little to offer where viruses are concerned and my state of health continued to decline year by year. Finally, I was fortunate to hear of a naturopath who specialized in treating the Epstein-Barr. Among other things, she introduced me to digestive enzymes. After taking them for a month, I was amazed to experience a shift in my state of my health. For the first time in ten years. I observed that I was feeling significantly better and felt a renewed sense of hope. Under the supervision of my naturopath, I continued taking the enzymes for another five years.

In August of 1994, I had the intuitive awareness that the virus was gone. And, I am happy to report, it was true. I have not had a symptom since that time and I have totally returned to my physically active life of hiking, skiing, and walking. As I am sure you are aware, physical activity has to be greatly limited when one is ill with a virus. 

Having suffered for a total of 15 years, my healing was miraculous to me and I attribute it directly to the enzymes. Then, after some time and continuing to feel very good, I eventually stopped taking them. They got placed on the back burner so to speak. It seems that I did not totally understand the significance of enzymes in our overall health at that time even with having this healing experience. I hadn’t generalized their degree of importance to overall good health.

In the past few years, I have come to a renewed awareness about enzymes and their importance to our and our animal’s health and have resumed taking them on a daily basis. When I think of enzymes, I have the image of Packman going around gobbling up virus and cancer cells, other waste material, and aiding digestion. I have become acutely aware of the part they play in our state of health and, of course, what is true for us is also true for our animals. We all need enzyme rich foods.

Next entry: Tip 16 and How I have applied what I know to my animals.

Blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune

Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent feline

Tip 15: Enzymes are vital to health.

Welcome,

With enzymes being so important for animals and humans alike, you may be wondering how we can get more enzymes into our bodies, especially as we age.

Think of it this way. When we are born, we have a ‘bank account’ full of enzymes naturally in our bodies and our bodies continue to produce them into our late 20’s. At that point our body production starts to diminish.

We can continue to add to our ‘enzyme bank account’ by eating living raw vegetables and fruits which are naturally loaded with enzymes. On the other side of the spectrum, as we eat processed foods, our enzymes are used up in the process of digesting these foods and our enzyme level decreases. Thus, we need to replenish our enzymes and that is very important.

Simply put: high enzyme levels contribute to maintaining good health and the lack of enzymes opens the door to illness.

We can also increase our level on enzymes by taking supplemental digestive enzymes. Our animals can take them too. A naturopath can give guidance on enzymes for human consumption and naturopathic veterinarians know about this for animals. Natural pet food stores also carry a variety of plant enzyme supplements for animals.

Next entry: My personal experience with enzymes.

Blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune

Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

Supplemental digestive enzymes.

Tip 14: Get your enzymes through fresh fruits and vegetables with additional support from supplemental enzymes.

Welcome,

Just to let you know, I will continue to place Regal’s touching video at the top of each blog entry. That way, it is easily accessible. Now, back to my discussion of enzymes.

To support human and animal bodies alike, digestive enzyme supplements have now been developed for our intake. My first introduction and experience with digestive enzymes came when working with a naturopath. I had been very ill with the Epstein-Barr Virus for ten years and had found no medical help despite years of searching. Lucky for me, I finally heard of a particular naturopath who specialized in helping people with the EBV. Western medicine, as you may be aware, has little to offer in the area of helping people with viruses.

Upon starting with my enzyme therapy, I felt a significant shift in my state of feeling better within the first month. Considering that I had suffered for the prior ten years, it was an amazing and most welcomed shift. Then, after taking my enzymes religiously for an additonal five more years, the virus was completely out of my system. About three years ago, I resumed taking supplemental enzymes when I was again reminded of how important they are to one’s health and to their support in the prevention of disease. I take WobenzymN on a daily basis and feel enriched by these enzymes.

Then, knowing what I know now and making the decision to bring a 14 year old cat, Tux, into my home, I decided to apply all that I knew. I gradually tried to introduce her to the raw food diet which is nature’s avenue of helping felines get their enzymes. However, having been conditioned to cooked foods, she was not interested in any raw foods that I brought to her. So, I got her some digestive enzymes at the natural pet food store. Needless to say, she too gets her daily enzyme supplement added to her food every day.

Just a bit of feedback regarding Tux. A friend had seen Tux shortly after I had gotten her. After four months of eating the highest quality of canned and dry foods and having her daily enzymes, my friend visited again. Her comment was “Boy, Tux looks good. Her coat is so shiny!” To say the least, this was wonderful and fortifying feedback that affirmed that I was on the right track.

This whole issue of enzymes is very interesting and worth investigating. If we want to stay healthy and keep our animals healthy, we need to keep our bodies and theirs filled with enzymes. Because this is so important, I will continue to share more of what I have learned about enzymes.

Next entry: Tip 15 and Foods filled with living enzymes are vital to both animal and human health.

Blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune

Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

Regal Video

Welcome,

I just wanted to make a comment about Regal’s video which will continue to be posted here.

Two things are going on simultaneously where my writing cat stories and blogs are concerned. My Regal book was published last August and this wonderful video and its message is an extension of this creative process. I offer it here because the video’s message is important concerning our animals. My deepened awareness came out of writing her beautiful story after she passed and I felt it crucial to share.

Secondly, I will be continuing my discussion and sharing about natural care for pets. While spending most of my time writing and marketing my book on Regal, I do have more to say about pet care.

In the meantime, do enjoy Regal’s video and, please, let others know about it.

Let me know how the video touches you!

Blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune

Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

What are enzymes?

Tip 13: Learn how to get enzymes into your diet.

Welcome back!

We will continue on with our discussion of enzymes. What are enzymes anyway and why are they so important to health?

Enzymes are those substances produced in the body or are additionally brought into the body through living foods that make life possible and maintain health. Enzymes are needed for every chemical reaction and digestive action that takes place in the body. And, this is true for humans and animals alike. Our bodies cannot utilize minerals, vitamins, or hormones without enzymes. And, as Dr. Edward Howell states in Enzyme Nutrition, enzymes are “the manual workers that build our body from proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.” We need enzymes to live and to maintain health.

With enzymes being so important for both humans and animals alike, how can we get more enzymes into our bodies as we age? It is important to understand the concept that when we are born, we have, as it were, a full ‘bank account’ of enzymes. Also, our bodies naturally continue to produce enzymes up into our late twenties as well as absorbing them from fresh vegetables and fruits. Then as we age, our bodies produce fewer and fewer enzymes. We further reduce our ‘bank account’ of enzymes in our bodies as we utilize enzymes to digest the processed foods we eat. Thus, it is paramount to replenish enzymes back into our bodies. To do that, we need to eat a selection of raw vegetables and fruits which are naturally filled with living enzymes. Fresh, raw vegetables and fruits are absolutely vital to our health. 

Regarding our animal friends, if we better understand their digestive needs, we can give them foods which are most appropriate.  Kymythy R. Schultze’s Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats: The Ultimate Diet is a wonderful book that addresses animal systems, what they need, and how to feed them naturally. Cats, for example, have a digestive system that is geared for raw foods. Mice and birds, of course, would be their natural source of enzymes if they have access to the outdoors. Since many of us have indoor cats and generally tend to buy processed pet foods, we need to support our felines by bringing them the best possible foods. We could either choose to make our own pet meals as suggested in Kymythy’s book which would focus on fresh and raw ingredients or we can pick those pet foods which are of high quality and natural ingredients. These need to be composed of animal products, not animal by-products, and which also include a mix of vegetables. 

There is one other avenue for adding enzymes into our or our animal’s bodies. I will address this in my next blog.

Next entry: Tip 14 and Supplemental digestive enzymes.

Blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent FelineChristmas and New Year Good Wishes!

Welcome,

For the past 4 months, I have been sharing much of what I have learned about pet foods, the problem of processed foods, and the new alternatives that are available to us. Learning about these things and applying what I already knew has been rewarding for me and I hope for you also. There is much to consider when we think about what we will feed our animals as well as ourselves. I find the principles regarding enzyme rich living foods worth contemplating as we take a more serious look at the health of our animals and our own lives. Next month, I will continue on with the wonder of enzymes.

For now, having been in the intense process of writing and publishing Regal’s book during the past 2 ½ years, I have decided to take a much needed vacation for the remainder of December and will restart my next blog entries on January 11, 2009. I will continue to share information I learn about natural pet health.

With Christmas here, you may want to consider giving Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline to one or two of your animal loving friends or family members. This is a biographical account of my Regal Cat’s life which reveals her vast array of feelings, intelligence, and spiritual nature. The story is heartwarming, softly humorous, and touching. Regal really represents “Everypet” and any animal lover will relate with her and be reminded of their beloved pets. This is a beautiful 6” x 6”, hardcover gift book of 216 pages. You can purchase this book on http://www.catacumen.com.

In the meantime, I wish you a Holy Christmas Season and a Happy New Year.

Next entry: Tip 14 and What are enzymes?

Blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

Digestive enzymes are absolutely necessary for good health. Part 2

Tip 12: Processed foods do pose a problematic issue.

Welcome,

Let’s start with an historical look. Up until about 60 years ago, people use to make up their own food for their cats and dogs. I image some of it was left over from the table while some remnants of meat, chicken, or fish may have been bought specifically for a pet. Left over’s from the table may have consisted of a combination of some protein, vegetables and maybe some grains. Some of this may have been cooked and some of it raw. In addition, cats would catch mice and birds which were all fresh and rich in enzymes. Meals could have been balanced in nutrition and maybe some not so. But, the chances are that some of the food was fresh and in its natural state.

With the advent of commercially prepared foods and the ease of buying processed foods, we got into the habit of buying processed foods for our animals as well as ourselves. What we are becoming increasingly aware of is, in processed foods, we lose the enzyme benefits contained in alive, fresh foods. The very act of processing foods destroys the enzymes that are in fresh foods and that are needed to maintain a healthy body.

Simply put, when we are born, our bodies are loaded with enzymes. In the earlier stages of our lives, our bodies produce even more. And, when we eat fresh foods, the level continues to stay high. As we or our animals eat processed foods, enzymes go to work to digest these foods and our enzymes gradually diminish in quantity. As they diminish, the potential for good health diminishes.

Since we are becoming aware of this need for enzymes, people are shifting more to buying and balancing their diets with fresh locally grown organic vegetables and fruits. What I have come to understand is that animals need living enzymes to maintain health just as we do. That’s why I feel that Regal’s diet of processed foods contributed significantly to her health issues. She was not an outdoor cat and so had no access to any mice or birds. She ate processed foods all of her life.

The inherent problem of processed foods is that enzymes are destroyed and they are absolutely vital for our health and the health of our animals.

Next entry: Christmas and New Year Good Wishes

Blessings, Linda

Linda FortuneAuthor of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

Digestive Enzymes are Absolutely Necessary for Good Health. Part 1

Tip 11: Digestive enzymes…gold, pure gold to the body!

Welcome,

Today, I am going to start sharing a story which will ultimately culminate with sharing about enzymes and their importance in our human and our animal’s bodies. It was from writing Regal’s story and her kidney failure that I started to contemplate the relevance of enzymes and health, that I reflected on what I had learned years ago about the need for living foods, and then what this all had to do with the issue of pet food quality and Regal’s health.

I initially took Regal in to see her new vet after she exhibited signs of not feeling well. She had started to pee on the carpet and had become very grumpy. As part of her diagnosing process, one the vet’s first questions was “What are you feeding Regal?” I remember telling her the brand name of Regal’s food and feeling very proud because I thought I had been feeding Regal the best of what was available. I was soon to discover that this was not the case.

With the vet’s question and her recommended change of Regal’s diet, I started my exploration regarding pet food quality. Since that time, I visited natural pet food stores, compared label contents, talked with knowledgeable people, reflected on what I already knew about the value of living foods, and did some reading. It’s been an eye-opening experience.

Three things have stood out for me during this quest for knowledge. The first is the inherent problem of processed foods, for all of us—humans and animals alike. The second is the quality or lack there in of the ingredients contained in pet foods. And, the third considers the whole issue of living enzymes. Naturally, all these are rather entwined.

Next entry: Tip 12 and Digestive enzymes are absolutely necessary for good health. Part 2

Blessings, Linda

Linda FortuneAuthor of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

My take on an important election vote.

Welcome,

Before I continue with my blog entry concerning digestive enzymes, I just have to extend my joy and salute the people of California, The Humane Society of the United States, Oprah Winfrey, and all the people who worked on passing Proposition 2 in California.

As we contemplate the whole issue of natural pet health care, the problem of animal confinement in factory farms is certainly an important issue. Now, since Prop 2 was passed by California, it seems very important to acknowledge those who chose to have our farm animals treated in more appropriate ways.

Basically the people of California chose to stop the worst abuses of factory farms. Prop 2 will stop the confinement of farm animals to limited spaces for the duration of their lives. Let me quote directly from Wayne Pacelle’s blog on November 5, 2008:

“Giving farm animals a little extra room to stretch their limbs, to move like animals should, is a small matter for us humans. But it’s a very big thing for a hen who would otherwise be confined with a half-dozen other birds in a cage about as big as a filing cabinet for her whole life. It’s a really big thing for a sow who would otherwise be stuck in a crate so small she can’t turn around. It’s a way big thing for a calf who would spend life chained inside a miserably tiny crate.

Prop 2 will phase out those inexcusable confinement systems and usher in a new era. No state in the U.S. and no Agribusiness titan anywhere in the nation can overlook this mandate: people do not want their farm animals treated with wanton cruelty.”

I feel very deeply about how animals are treated in whatever setting they live with us. Having become acutely aware of animal feelings, intelligence, and spiritual natures as I was writing Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline, I have come to an increased deep sense of responsibility, that we humans have, in the compassionate care of all our world’s animals. The passage of Prop 2 in California is a major step in the recognition of this responsibility. It is a major step in the development of our own human consciousness.

I totally concur with Wayne Pacelle again when he states “As a result, you’ve brought forth a new, more compassionate age.” I say, let us all continue this work of compassionate care of all animals and learn to see the magnificence of all animals as we learn to live more in the present with them. This will not only enrich their lives but our own as well.

Next entry: Tip 11 and Digestive Enzymes are Absolutely Necessary for Good Health!

With blessings, Linda

Linda FortuneAuthor of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

Tux and Her New Food Experience
Tip 10: You have to go with the flow and make food adjustments gradually.

Welcome,

As I said briefly before, I have gotten another cat and quite unexpectedly. A dear friend had suddenly become ill and with a poor prognosis, the need for new feline homes became apparent. My friend had two older felines, Millie and Tux. They were sisters, about 13½ years old, and were beautiful calicos. Millie went to a relative and Tux eventually came to me. The delightful story of Tux, by the way, is being told on http://petstoriesblog.com. It is called ‘The Evolution of Tux and Linda’ and will be a fun read if you are interested.

Having brought Tux home, I knew that I wanted to follow through with my new found knowledge and feed Tux in healthier ways while making sure that she had plenty of enzymes. I immediately went to a natural pet store and got a variety of high end natural cat foods filled with animal products rather than animal by-products. I also got some frozen samples of raw prepared cat foods which consisted of those animal products that a cat would eat if it ate naturally. And, I brought a bottle of digestive enzymes.

Felines can be pretty finicky about what they eat and I knew that I would have to experiment with what to feed Tux, to see what she would accept. Also, being an older cat, she had been trained to eat the processed foods and I was not sure what she would be willing to try. I started with one variety and, over the following days, presented other varieties to her. Some she was hesitant about while others seemed pretty enticing and she ate them with relish. When I offered her the thawed frozen raw sample foods, she would not try them. I eventually settled on three or four varieties that she seemed to enjoy, sprinkled them with digestive enzymes, and enjoyed watching her adjust to these new foods which were much healthier then her previous ones.

Being an older feline, I knew that her whole system had been geared toward canned foods, not raw, and I wasn’t going to force that upon her. I have subsequently included some bits of raw meats in her diet and she has eaten them with relish. Once this is established, I will again try to introduce the raw samples and see if she is ready to expand to this more natural cat diet. If not, we will just continue on with the high quality prepared foods fortified with digestive enzymes.

Tip 11 and Digestive Enzymes are Absolutely Necessary for Good Health!

With blessings, Linda