The Scales Don't Lie: Mama Begins to Lose Weight

Mama eagerly anticipated her noon appointment on Saturday as we traveled the winding road of Del Dios Highway from Encinitas to the Acacia Animal Health Center in Escondido.

After pulling my van into a parking space, I opened the sliding door and grabbed the leash which quickly became taut as Mama lunged and made a beeline to the entrance.

This was a girl on a mission!






When I opened the door to the reception area, she announced her arrival with a bark that was directed to a bull dog named Olive who was politely seated to the right and a boxer to the left.

Mama is beginning to show signs of an inflated self-image, fancying Drs. Bausone and Harrison as her "concierge physicians."

She received a dose of humility when Dr. Harrison appeared, then conspired with me in attempting to coax her on the scale.

No such luck.

After Dr. Harrison temporarily conceded defeat during round one of the weighing competition, Mama followed him gingerly into the examination room.

"This is NOT the same dog!" he remarked after a visual examination. This was the second week in a row he uttered these words.

Mama was pleased with his assessment, then surrendered control so that he could do what he does best: healing her using a treatment called veterinary orthopedic manipulation (VOM).

Dr. Harrison noted that her muscle tone was much better.

The spine was giving her some discomfort, probably from pulling on the leash.

He used a VetroStim along the vertebrae to stimulate the muscles and ganglia. Mama enjoys the treatment because it feels like a massage.

A Vibracussor was used on her body as well as her head (see photo) to drain congestion caused by allergies.

Then an Accelerometer(see photo)was used to stimulate her thyroid.

When treatment was completed, Mama was relaxed and more willing to mount the dreaded scale.

She had reason to be proud. Improvements in diet and exercise, and the addition of thyroid medication, translated into a weight loss from 100.6 on her previous visit to 100 lbs.

Although the road to achieving an ideal weight of 75 lbs. was probably going to be a slow one, she was on her way!

Friendship Blossoms at the Park

Mama's physical well-being has been tended to through a homecooked diet, quality veterinary care and a full-service grooming.

I complement this with a daily hike at San Dieguito Park in Rancho Santa Fe which provides a good workout and a psychological cleansing.

My late dogs Truman and Henry, along with Ollie who is still with me, loved the sights, scents and sensory diversity of the park. There are velvety green lawns that cushion the paws along with steep, primitive trails where quail, lizards, rabbits and other wildlife thrive.

The first time I took Mama to the park she seemed to be on sensory overload. Since then, she looks forward to a new adventure each evening like the rope bridge (left) which still eludes her.

The greatest benefit is the bonding that has taken place between her and Ollie who is recovering from the loss of Henry who shared these walks until his passing on May 12.

As Mama discovers the joys of the park, Ollie has come to appreciate his new companion.

This is evidenced from these photos taken yesterday.

Mama Mia! Flippin' Pizza(s) for Shelter Pets!

Jason Bennett, owner of Flippin' Pizza in Encinitas, has stepped up to the plate to find homes for the thousands of animals being surrendered at county shelters.

Beginning today, he is offering 3 FREE cheese or 1-topping pizzas to Encinitas residents who adopt a shelter animal.

What motivates Jason, who only bought the business a few months ago?

"First, I love dogs," he said. "I read in the newspaper how many pets are being brought to the shelters because of the economy, and eventually euthanized because there are not enough homes.

"I thought this would be a great incentive for people to adopt a shelter pet."

To take advantage of the promotion, patrons must present a signed San Diego County - Animal Services Adoption Agreement dated June 24, 2009 or later along with a valid drivers license with a signature that matches the one on the contract.

Offer is only available to Encinitas residents at the Encinitas store.

"Flippin' Pizza is all about being part of the neighborhood," Jason said. "We want people to consider us their neighborhood pizzeria."

Flippin' Pizza
215 S. El Camino Real, Encinitas
(760) 632-1497

* Offer expires 90 days after contract date.
** Limited to animals adopted at San Diego County Animal Shelters in Carlsbad, San Diego and Bonita. See contact info to the right.>>>>>>

"This isn't the same dog," Dr. John Harrison

Mama arrived last Sat. afternoon for her second VOM (veterinary orthopedic manipulation) appointment with Dr. Harrison. He recognized a vast improvement right away.

"She's walking a lot stronger and is more socially aware," he said. "She's not fearful. She leaned right into me when I started to work on her."

Dr. Harrison also noted that her spinal muscles were stronger,the goal he set a week earlier when he saw her for the first time. His initial concern was to relieve stress on her spine caused by her weight.

While I was thrilled with the results I can't say I was surprised.

Several years ago I had a spaniel-dachshund mix named Ben who became paralyzed from the waist down when he was about 12 years old. A chiropractor who heard of Ben's condition through a mutual acquaintance called and asked if he could treat him. He added that he couldn't charge me because he wasn't a veterinarian, but that he had been very successful with farm animals with neurological damage and old dogs with back problems. I agreed to give it a try.

Within 3 weeks, Ben was running on Dog Beach again.

Word of his recovery spread. A reporter approached me about being interviewed for a segment on national television. Ben's veterinarian was so enthusiastic with the result, that she also appeared on the show to testify to the effectiveness of the treatment.

Today, veterinary orthopedic manipulation has entered the mainstream. Dr. Harrison routinely works on dogs, cats, birds and rabbits through his association with the San Diego Chapter of the House Rabbit Society.

I had to giggle when he described how each pet has their own way of expressing relief from pain.

"Dogs start to shake and relax after treatment," he said. "Rabbits will groom themselves. Horses will bend the neck down and lick.

"Cats are funny. They will actually push into the Vibracussor because the vibration reminds them of purring. They are not as frightened as people would think."

The cost of each treatment is $50. Dr. Harrison says it takes 3 to 5 treatments before the patient will show results.

“Afterwards, we’ll see the animal once a month or as needed,” he said. “It’s always good to use prevention rather than crisis care.”

For more information about VOM treatment call Dr. Harrison at (760) 510-8345. You can also call the Acacia Animal Health Center at (760) 745-8115 or visit www.aahc.us.

Before & After: Beauty Makeover

The top photo was taken June 3, the day I brought Mama home from the county shelter on Palomar Airport Road. How sad her eyes look. You can see the lack of "affect."

The bottom photo was taken June 18, after a morning at the Windsong Resort for Pets in Escondido, named "2008 Best of San Diego" by San Diego Magazine.

Mama proves what we already know: Under the skin, girls are all alike! We love being pampered!

Behind-the-Scenes at The Windsong Resort for Pets

At 9 a.m. on June 18, Mama and I arrived at the Windsong Resort for Pets off Deer Springs Road in Escondido. The spa in owned by AKC-licensed judge Michael Dougherty and his wife, Michelle, who is an accomplished sculptor and horticulturist.

I met the Dougherty's last year when I first wrote an article about Michelle's exhibit at the Flower & Garden Show at the 2008 San Diego County Fair, and later about their Windsong Resort for Pets. I was delighted to run into them again at this year's fair as Michelle was putting the finishing touches on her exhibit at the Flower & Garden Show.

When a friend who was with me urged me to tell them about Mama, Michelle responded, "If there is anything we can do, please let us know." Michael quickly followed, "Yes, we want to help."

We took them up on their offer. Last Thursday Mama spent 3 hours being pampered at the posh resort.

Groomer Michelle Millington and department head Susan Sholar spoiled the young English lab with a pedicure, furminator treatment (removal of dead hair in the undercoat to reduce shedding), tail and pants trim and "hygienic detailing." This included an ear cleaning and other treatments too personal to mention.

Afterwards Mama was lathered up for a milk bath shampoo and oatmeal conditioner.

Michael has judged show dog competitions throughout the world including for the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club. He was distressed to think that an owner would breed Mama repeatedly, while not taking proper care of her, and allowing her to get dangerously obese.

"Anyone who loves dogs, and appreciates their value in one's life, wouldn't do this," he said.

"This is an opportunity for Mama to regain her true self. She's had a tough life, but she's on the right track to a great one!"

He added that Mama was a little guarded at first, then gave in to her "Inner Diva."

"When we put her on the grooming table, her claws were tense like she was grabbing to hold," he said. "After a few minutes, the feet absolutely relaxed. Her nails no longer were digging for traction."

Susan was complimented when Mama showed affection while being coiffed and groomed.

"When I was filing her nails, she put her paw on my shoulder," she said.

Michael took note of Mama's beauty, inside and out.

"She's got a great temperament," he said. "Her head is slightly wedge-shaped, but it should elongate out a bit visually as she drops the weight. Her overall station, structure and balance are very correct."

For more information about the Windsong Resort for Pets call (760) 233-5060 or visit www.windsongpets.com.

Mama Gets her First Acupuncture Treatment!

Yesterday was a big day for Mama who received her first acupuncture treatment from Dr. Bausone!

If you look closely at the top photo, you will see one white needle in the middle of her head. Dr. B explained that he placed it in a governing vessel in order to raise her yang or "positive energy."

In the next photo, several white needles were placed along shu points on her back. This is for general tonification, an acupuncture term meaning "to strengthen the body." Other needles were placed in her back legs in order to drain the "dampness," a reference to phlegm. A needle was also placed inside her back foot to relieve pain as a precaution.

As the photos indicate, Mama was relaxed and enjoying the attention.












Dr. B reviewed her blood panel which revealed extremely low thyroid levels. This, of course, could explain her excessive weight gain. Simple medication, along with exercise, dietary changes and the acupuncture and VOM treatments she is receiving at the Acacia Animal Health Center should restore her to complete health.

On a positive note, Dr. B. said her x-rays were absolutely perfect!

This young girl has a full life to look forward to thanks to the compassion and generosity of Drs. Bausone and Harrison.

For more information about acupuncture treatments for pets call the Acacia Animal Health Center at (760) 745-8115 or visit www.aahc.us.