<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697</id><updated>2012-02-15T22:48:28.354-08:00</updated><category term='animals'/><category term='arts'/><category term='writing'/><category term='spirituality'/><category term='event planning'/><title type='text'>Sindi Somers Loves Writing, Animals and Arts</title><subtitle type='html'>Based in San Diego, but able to telecommute, Sindi is a creative, versatile writer with enthusiasm, a high energy level, expertise and great command of the English language. Animals, spirituality and performing arts are some of her favorite topics, but if it can be written, Sindi can write it! Just ask her!

Nothing from this blog can be printed, published or distributed without written permission from Sindi Somers. All blog content is (c) copyright 2010. All rights reserved.</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>16</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-7886002031982515143</id><published>2010-12-26T01:23:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2011-02-27T16:01:24.926-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Sindi Loves Helping People and Pets in San Diego and Beyond!</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/TRcJ5yoj3lI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/8moqJS-Kb98/s1600/dog.jpg"&gt;&lt;img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554919553833885266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/TRcJ5yoj3lI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/8moqJS-Kb98/s400/dog.jpg" style="display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;i&gt; Your pets know what you are thinking and feeling.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;Changing your thoughts and feelings &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;will change your energy.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;Changing your energy can help your pets change their behavior. &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 130%;"&gt;You can see me doing live readings on TV at links found on my main website &lt;a href="http://www.wildtame.com/"&gt;www.wildtame.com&lt;/a&gt;. Visit the link below. Then click the links on the top left.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 130%;"&gt; &amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.wildtame.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 130%;"&gt;WATCH SINDI DO PSYCHIC READINGS ON TV!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://biznik.com/members/sindi-somers"&gt;&lt;img alt="Biznik - Business Networking" border="0" height="25" src="http://biznik.com/images/dingbats/biznik/view_my_biznik_profile.gif" width="158" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-7886002031982515143?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/7886002031982515143/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=7886002031982515143' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/7886002031982515143'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/7886002031982515143'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2010/12/reality-show-appearance-to-help-with.html' title='Sindi Loves Helping People and Pets in San Diego and Beyond!'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/TRcJ5yoj3lI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/8moqJS-Kb98/s72-c/dog.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-447939855491452710</id><published>2010-05-26T21:25:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-26T21:35:03.693-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Help with Dog's Aggression Towards Other Dogs</title><content type='html'>&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S_305pNgMqI/AAAAAAAAAuI/5vkTqC1QpCQ/s1600/Sindi+and+Ginger+chillin.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S_305pNgMqI/AAAAAAAAAuI/5vkTqC1QpCQ/s400/Sindi+and+Ginger+chillin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475801993104601762" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Best friends Sindi and Ginger just chillin'&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;WHY IS MY &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;DOG AG&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;G&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;RESS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;IVE TOWARDS OTHER DOGS?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;By Sindi Somers&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;April/May 2010 issue of &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;San Diego Pets&lt;/span&gt; magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Many people have contacted me  seeking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;  help with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;their  dog’s aggression towards other dogs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. In re&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;sponse, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;I&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; am&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;sharing an&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; excerpt from a&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; recent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;energy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;reading a&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;nd animal communication  session&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;It is important to evaluate &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;each situation individually,  since every dog is unique&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. However&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;, the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; information obtained during&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; my time with this lovely &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Escondido &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;couple and their sweet dog  Emma,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;can  help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;give&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; insight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; into the cause of aggression  in&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; some  dogs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" &gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;KIM&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt; Why is Emma aggressive  towards other dogs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;? Especially with new dogs, it &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;seems like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;one minut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;e she is okay and the next  she is&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;  not.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" &gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;SINDI&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;I&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;n relation to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;a new &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;dog,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; I &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;see &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;her natural &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;canine instinct kick&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;s&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;i&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;n. S&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;he &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;goes into&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; the process of determining&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;  &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;who&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; will be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;where &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;hierarchy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;, as if in a pack in the wild&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;It is&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; almost &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;as if&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; she becomes a different dog.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;I  also see her protectiveness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;, especially towards&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; you Kim&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. It stimulates competition &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;with&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;in her. Competing to kee&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;p what is hers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;“&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Mommy is mine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;She w&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;ants to get this message  across. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;“&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Don’t mess with what is  mine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;  &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;This aggressive &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;behavior&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;is an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;outward expression of her  power&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;She is learning about her  power as she experiences it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;She is trying things out &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;as she &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;learns and grows as a being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; Because&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; she is getting attention for  her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;aggression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; she continues &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;this behavior&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. She &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;does not&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; know she isn’t supposed to  do this.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;What  beh&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;avior  would you prefer from Emma?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" &gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;CHRIS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Calm and not so aggressive.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" &gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;SINDI&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt; In communicating with&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; Emma about her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;protectiven&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;ess&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;it is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;clear that it is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;fear based&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; and survival oriented. Emma  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;afraid. She &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;does not&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; want an&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;ything to happen to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;either of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;you. She &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;gets&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; caug&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;ht &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;up in&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;her&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; desire to protect&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;uses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; aggression as a protection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" &gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;CHRIS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt; Even when &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;we are&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; not in danger?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" &gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;SINDI&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt; Yes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Even when you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;are&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; not &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;afraid,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;she reacts when &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;something &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;approaches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;“&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;territory.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; She &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;is very aware of energy and  space. She &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;sees both of you as part of her territory to protect. She &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;is being proactive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; She is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;determined&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; to make &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;sure nothing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;mess&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;es&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; with her territory&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;She knows she has a good  thing going! Emma believes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; she is doing her job&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;The most challenging part &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;for her to overcome is the  prote&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;c&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;t&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;iveness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;again &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;e&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;specially &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;of you Kim.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;I  have&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;some  basic training techniques &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;help teach Emma an alternate behavior to her  aggression. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Since Emma likes food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; working with treats will make her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;easier to train. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Using a clicker or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;verbal &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;“marker”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;, such as “yes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;just &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;prior to&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; giving Emma a treat &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;will add additional  reinforcement for the desired &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;calm behavior. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;It will be&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; important to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;discontinue reinforcing the  aggressive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;  behavior. If you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;say,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;“&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;no&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;“&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;stop&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;get excited &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;or give &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; unwanted&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; behavior any type of  attention you are, un&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;intentionally&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; reinforcing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;it&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Just  as Emma is being proactive in protecting her “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;territory”,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; you must &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;also be&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; proactive and reach her  before she goes into &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;an&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;ag&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;gressive mode&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. Be prepared by having treats readily available at all times&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. High value &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;t&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;reats, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;praise, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;affection &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; favorite toy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;s&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;are all rewards &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;give&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;before&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; she reacts. Continue to  reward Emma as a distraction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; to encourage her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;calmness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; until the source of  potential aggressio&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;n &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;is gone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; Your timing is essential. If you miss an opportunity, don’t  worry, but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;do not&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; reward. Try again next time. Reward calm&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; non-aggressive behavior  only.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Whether&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; or not another dog is  present&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;,  you can reward &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Emma when she is calm and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; further reinforce the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;  &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;desired state of being&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; You will be able to fade out  the rewards&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;  as calmness becomes Emma’s default &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;behavior&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Because  aggression can be a dangerous situation for dogs and people, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;I &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;suggest &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;avoiding getting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; too close to other dogs &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;during &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Emma’s&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; learning process&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; Keeping a safe distance will&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; also&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;help you to remain calmer and  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;make it  easier&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; to&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; ignore the aggression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;, if it &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;occurs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;KIM:&lt;/span&gt;  I am worried about my&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; energy. I am afraid that Emma&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; is going to hurt ano&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;ther dog so I have my mom  take&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; her  to puppy socialization class&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;I know if I am there I am going to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;worry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; she is going to react to the  other dogs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;SINDI:  &lt;/span&gt;Great awareness! Yes! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Animals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; definitely tune into our energy and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;emotions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. If &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;we &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;are fearful and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;put out &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;the thought and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;energy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;that aggression &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;is going to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;happen, it most certainly  will&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;! G&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;ood for you for finding  another option&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; as you work on your par&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;t of this healing process&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; It is NEVER just about our  pet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. We  need to change our behaviors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;, energy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; and responses if we expect our &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;pets&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; to do the same.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Email  your questions and comments&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="mailto:sindi@sdnews.com"&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Arial;" &gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;sindi@wildtame.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;. To learn more about Sindi  visit www.wildtame.com.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-447939855491452710?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/447939855491452710/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=447939855491452710' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/447939855491452710'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/447939855491452710'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2010/05/help-with-dogs-aggression-towards-other.html' title='Help with Dog&apos;s Aggression Towards Other Dogs'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S_305pNgMqI/AAAAAAAAAuI/5vkTqC1QpCQ/s72-c/Sindi+and+Ginger+chillin.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-2064655465311527276</id><published>2010-05-05T14:10:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-05T14:26:34.475-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Help for your Pet's Arthritis and Raw and Freeze Dried Pet Food Facts</title><content type='html'>&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S-HglIfcxOI/AAAAAAAAAto/wr3ejH5mPCs/s1600/Mommy+I+think+you+have+some+food+on+your+neck.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S-HglIfcxOI/AAAAAAAAAto/wr3ejH5mPCs/s400/Mommy+I+think+you+have+some+food+on+your+neck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467898351143666914" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:times new roman;"&gt;"Mommy, I think you have some food on your neck!"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div  style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT PET SAFETY, HEALTH AND NUTRITION ANSWERED&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:times new roman;"&gt;By Sindi Somers for &lt;a href="http://www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;San Diego Pets&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; magazine - published in their January/February, 2010 issue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" &gt;Dear Sindi,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" &gt;In your last column you said to never cook chicken necks before feeding them to pets. Why?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;" &gt;- Dana and her three felines, Calliope, Panoodle and Sasha of North Park&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:times new roman;"&gt;Dear Dana and Girls,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:times new roman;"&gt;When you cook bones, they harden making them more likely to splinter. Ingesting cooked bones is potentially dangerous and can seriously harm your pet. I recommend monitoring your pets anytime they are chewing a bone, even if it is raw. Although your pet’s safety is the primary concern, feeding pets raw, uncooked bones and meat is extremely nutritious. More nutrients remain accessible in the food versus being cooked or processed out. Heat diminishes vitamins, minerals and the potency of other nutrients.  Just as with any new food, I suggest transitioning raw meat and bone into a pet’s diet gradually.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" &gt;Dear Sindi,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" &gt;I have been looking for a new dry food for my dog and have found one called Kruncheros by Great Life. It’s supposed to be a freeze dried raw food in bite size pieces like kibble. Is this a food you recommend?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;" &gt;- Consetta and her Yorkshire Terrier Daisy of Tierrasanta&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:times new roman;"&gt;Dear Consetta and Daisy,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:times new roman;"&gt;Although I don’t have first hand experience with Kruncheros, I am familiar with Great Life. After reading information provided on their website www.doctorsfinest.com,  I called the company. They assured me that Kruncheros is a freeze dried raw food making it more nutritious than traditionally prepared kibble. Kruncheros looks like a promising dry food alternative. Because of my limited information about it, I can’t give a personal recommendation for Kruncheros, however I do recommend Great Life as a brand. I currently use their natural anti-flea spray, Tombstone. I am also a fan of pet food that has been freeze dried because it is higher in nutrients than more highly processed and cooked varieties. Kruncheros needs to be rehydrated before feeding. Dry foods of any kind can dehydrate an animal’s body, so it is essential to insure they are consuming sufficient amounts of water. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" &gt;Since I have received multiple inquiries about what to do to help dogs and cats with arthritis, I wanted to address the issue here. Although I am definitely not a replacement for quality veterinary care, below are my suggestions. - Sindi&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:times new roman;"&gt;Glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM are beneficial for cartilage and joint health. Be patient and consistent when administering these supplements as it can take several weeks or months to see results. Sometimes ingredients are added that simply aren’t necessary, such as colored dyes and sugar derivatives, so it is important to always read the contents label.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:times new roman;"&gt;Many have also had great success with an all natural product called Dog Gone Pain (DGP) by Harmony Co. www.doggonepain.com. It has a canine friendly name, but is also appropriate for cats. I called the manufacturer to confirm this. Unlike glucosamine, results can be experienced within one week in many cases. Adding fish or emu oil to your dog or cat’s diet can further aid in relief, as these Omega rich oils have natural anti-inflammatory properties. They also benefit skin, coat and overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:times new roman;"&gt;Although movement and exercise remain important, avoid pushing your pet to do things, such as walk as far as he used to. You may need to give lifting assistance or provide a ramp or stairs if he is not able to comfortably jump up to higher levels on his own. Swimming and water therapy are low impact forms of exercise to consider also. Besides exercise, using gentle massage can help increase circulation in the affected areas and throughout the body. If your pet communicates that what you are doing hurts or is uncomfortable, stop immediately. He may vocalize, pull away or even scratch or snap at you in an attempt to get you to quit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:times new roman;"&gt;Skilled professional animal massage therapists are available and definitely recommended. However, I enjoy massaging my own pets. It is a way to bond and show my affection. To help gain information, I took workshops on animal massage and Ttouch, another therapeutic approach presented at the San Diego Humane Society  www.sdhumane.org. Some basic tips are to avoid bony areas and never massage directly on the spine. Gentle is the key word when massaging animals. Other healing modalities, include acupuncture and energy healing, which can help increase the flow of energies in your pet’s system. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:times new roman;"&gt;One last important consideration is your pet’s immune system. Eating nutritious food, staying hydrated and taking additional supplements and vitamins, including antioxidants, can give your companion animals an extra boost. This can make it easier for their body to heal itself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:times new roman;"&gt;Email your pet questions to sindi@sdnews.com. Visit me online at &lt;a href="http://www.wildtame.com/"&gt;www.wildtame.com&lt;/a&gt;. Happy 2010 to you and your pets!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-2064655465311527276?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/2064655465311527276/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=2064655465311527276' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/2064655465311527276'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/2064655465311527276'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2010/05/your-questions-about-pet-safety-health.html' title='Help for your Pet&apos;s Arthritis and Raw and Freeze Dried Pet Food Facts'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S-HglIfcxOI/AAAAAAAAAto/wr3ejH5mPCs/s72-c/Mommy+I+think+you+have+some+food+on+your+neck.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-4154685210797068883</id><published>2010-02-17T13:51:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-02-17T14:38:38.138-08:00</updated><title type='text'>NEW "Dear Sindi" write in column!</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S3xuCvlZveI/AAAAAAAAAsI/-tUzy0saR5U/s1600-h/Fidodent.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; 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	mso-style-noshow:yes; 	mso-style-priority:99; 	mso-style-qformat:yes; 	mso-style-parent:""; 	mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; 	mso-para-margin-top:0in; 	mso-para-margin-right:0in; 	mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; 	mso-para-margin-left:0in; 	line-height:115%; 	mso-pagination:widow-orphan; 	font-size:11.0pt; 	font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; 	mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; 	mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; 	mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; 	mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} &lt;/style&gt; &lt;![endif]--&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:&amp;quot;;font-size:14;"  &gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: none;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:&amp;quot;;font-size:14;"  &gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;I have been writing articles for &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;San Diego Pets &lt;/span&gt;magazine since September of 2008. I now have a "Dear Sindi" write-in column that I am very excited about! Below is my first write-in column published in the November/December 2009 issue.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:&amp;quot;;font-size:14;"  &gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Help for a Jumping Puppy and a Cat with Gingivitis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:&amp;quot;;font-size:100%;"  &gt;By Sindi Somers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:&amp;quot;;font-size:12;"  &gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;Dear Sindi,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;I'm trying to teach my ten month old puppy, Rigby not to jump on people. He's 22 pounds and I don't mind it, but I have young children and when their friends come over his jumping on them can be bothersome. Do you have any suggestions?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Jumping up is a natural behavior for dogs, so unlearning it can take time and patience. The behaviors that we give the most attention to are the behaviors being trained, whether desired or not. If a dog jumps up and hears "no" or "down" or is pushed off, it is being acknowledged for jumping. Ignoring unwanted behaviors and rewarding preferred ones expedites training.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Try this technique. When your puppy jumps up on you turn your back to him and act like a tree! When you turn around stand completely still. If your dog brushes up against you, licks your hand or continues to jump, it must be ignored. Do not move your hands or body or look at your dog. Each time you interact with your dog and he jumps up, repeat standing still like a tree. Consistency is important, so everyone in the household practicing the tree exercise will greatly assist with the training process. You can even "hire" volunteers to participate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Next it is important to consistently reward desired non-jumping behaviors. When your puppy has all four paws on the ground give him a treat, praise, pets or a toy. Reward with whatever is of high value to him.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;When guests come to your house it can be a whole new challenge, which is why "hiring" volunteers can be beneficial. The key is to be prepared and proactive. The less opportunity your puppy has to jump up and experience this behavior, the easier it will be to untrain it. Bring treats or other rewards on walks and public outings. You can reward him before he jumps as a distraction, but also to acknowledge your preferred behavior.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Don’t be discouraged if your canine companion jumps up sometimes after all your hard work. Learning is a process!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;Dear Sindi,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;Do you know of any homeopathic treatments for gingivitis that might help my cat Juji?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Not necessarily homeopathic, but natural alternatives, yes. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque build up. It can advance into periodontal disease which is a more serious condition. Having your cat examined by a holistic veterinarian knowledgeable about dental care may be beneficial to determine the severity of your cat’s issue.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Regardless of this determination, good nutrition is essential for a strong immune system and healthier mouth. Administering a high quality multi-vitamin with C, A, E and other antioxidants is also beneficial.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Reading the ingredients label on your pet’s food will help you to become your cat’s personal nutritionist. Corn, soy and wheat can lead to digestive problems, allergic reactions and contribute to dental illness in cats and dogs. Cats are carnivores and unless there is some medical reason to feed them otherwise, they actually don’t need grains. However, some felines do okay with small amounts.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Along with corn, soy and wheat, rice, oatmeal, millet and barley are some of the grains found in pet foods. Eating grains and other starchy carbohydrates that turn into sugar may be aiding Juji’s gingivitis.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Chewing on raw chicken necks can add an abundance of nutrients, enzymes and naturally occurring glucosamine and taurine to her diet while helping to clean her teeth. I suggest initially giving her the raw necks in short periods of five to fifteen minutes to allow her system to adjust. If the chicken neck is frozen, thaw it in the fridge. If she doesn’t go for the thawed raw immediately, sit it on the counter to be brought closer to room temperature. You may wish to pour room temperature or slightly warm water over the meaty bone for Juji. Never cook or microwave the chicken necks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;I also recommend brushing your cat’s teeth. Start by gently touching Juji’s teeth and gums with your fingers. Over time progress to light massage. Then try using a small, soft bristled toothbrush found at pet stores and veterinarian’s offices. Pet toothpaste is also available, but check the ingredients as many include a sugar derivative. Sugar substitutes aren’t a benefit to their diet either.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Lastly, &lt;i&gt;FidoDent&lt;/i&gt; by Animals Apothecary is a liquid herbal remedy designed for cats and dogs with gingivitis and other mouth infections. Although I haven’t used this product personally, the company is highly regarded within the holistic pet care community. Available at holistically focused pet stores and online at &lt;u&gt;&lt;span style="color:blue;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.animalessentials.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="color:blue;"&gt;www.animalessentials.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p  class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Email sindi@wildtame.com with your nutrition, behavior, health or other pet questions and energy healing, reading and animal communication requests.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p face="arial" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:&amp;quot;;font-size:12;"  &gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:&amp;quot;;font-size:12;"  &gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-4154685210797068883?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/4154685210797068883/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=4154685210797068883' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/4154685210797068883'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/4154685210797068883'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-now-have-dear-sindi-write-in-column.html' title='NEW &quot;Dear Sindi&quot; write in column!'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S3xuCvlZveI/AAAAAAAAAsI/-tUzy0saR5U/s72-c/Fidodent.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-5015951734034609651</id><published>2009-09-25T15:00:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-25T15:31:04.896-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Unedited Version of My Pet Psychic and Animal Communication Article in San Diego Pets Magazine</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/Sr1B3UakUTI/AAAAAAAAArU/YZ6j_L6cdqI/s1600-h/Sindi+and+Ginger+High+5.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385533148033732914" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/Sr1B3UakUTI/AAAAAAAAArU/YZ6j_L6cdqI/s400/Sindi+and+Ginger+High+5.jpg" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt; &lt;span style="color:#006600;"&gt;Sindi and Ginger give a happy High 5!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;LESSONS LEARNED BY A LOCAL&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;PET PSYCHIC AND ANIMAL COMMUNICATOR &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;By Sindi Somers&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;A slightly edited version was published in &lt;em&gt;San Diego Pets&lt;/em&gt; magazine&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;September/October 2009 issue&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;Through my work as a psychic reader, energy healer and animal communicator, I have learned that actions are a source of communication that really can speak louder than words. Pets may exhibit behaviors that are labeled as problematic issues, but I see them as attention seeking messages. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;Because our pets are affected by us and our energy I look at the relationship between the pet and their person when evaluating behavior. Everything is energy, including our thoughts, words and emotions. If we are upset, both humans and animals can sense it. If our upset energy flows from us and into another being’s reality they will experience it and may display similarly disturbed behavior. This is how easily and intensely we can and do affect each other.&lt;br /&gt;One beautiful puppy I read had abundant energy that tended to spill out and adversely affect others, most notably her older canine brother. She was being her lively, young and often competitive self and was not aware of how her invasive energy was impacting him. I gave her information to help her contain her energy. She was receptive to the communication. I watched her pull her energy in closer to her body. I then gave a healing to help move her energy out of her brother’s space. Both dogs responded to the healing. I received a phone call from the excited pet parents the next day. They reported that the brother dog was noticeably happier and more energetic. His sister’s energy was meant for her body and energy system and was incompatible and non-beneficial to his. He felt better after regaining his space and experiencing more of his own unique energy.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;I am always impressed at how simply informing an animal that its behavior is disruptive or harmful is often enough to motivate them to make a change. Like us, animals do the best with what they have. Often all they need is additional information, including desired alternative behaviors, to successfully meet our expectations. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Just as animals benefit from additional information, so do we. Using their actions as a form of communication can help us better understand our pets. Potty habits are one way they communicate to us. If a housebroken pet is expelling on the floor, it can indicate the need for medical attention. If we rule out the possibility of illness, we can further examine the behavior and what the pet is trying to tell us. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;Although I look at each situation independently I have found that when a cat eliminates outside the litter box it is often an expression of anger, frustration or a dislike of some aspect of its life. It could be as simple as the litter box not being cleaned often enough. It can also represent an irritation brought on by poor nutrition or a vitamin deficiency. Anger stimulated when you are on vacation or working long hours is another favorite. It can be a response to any change in the cat’s environment, including moving to a new home, getting a new sibling, added stress or unresolved conflict affecting humans in the household. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;I had a session with a cat that was continually using the middle of the bathroom floor as its litter box. When I asked her about it she said, “If mommy is going to be bitchy then so am I!” Her guardian was irritated and moving her emotional energy outside of her space and sharing it with others. This gave the cat permission to mirror this behavior, which she did beautifully!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;Another potty related puzzlement is why dogs eat poop. The most popular answer I receive from canines is because it tastes good! I did a psychic reading for one sweet, intelligent pup whose foster parent wanted to know why he started eating his poop. What I saw made me laugh out loud. He was walking along one day and said to himself, “Hmmm…..what’s this?” After deciding to try some he thought, “Hey - not bad! I kind of like it.” And a poop eating puppy he became! &lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;As we share our lives with companion animals, it is important to remember to have compassion for them. We ask that they unlearn their natural instincts and change their behaviors to fit our world. Overall, I would say they are doing a pretty good job of fitting in within our sometimes stringent rules. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;It can be fun to discover why animals do the things they do. When we acknowledge our pets as teachers, as well as our students, we open ourselves up to helpful learning opportunities. If your pet is stressed or anxious, use it as a reminder to tune into yourself to see if you might benefit from a little relaxation time. If your pet is showing signs of aggression, notice if there is something you are frustrated or angry about that you aren’t allowing yourself to acknowledge or communicate. If your pet is enthusiastic and joyous use it as permission to express your enthusiasm and more fully enjoy your life! &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I welcome your comments at &lt;a href="mailto:info@wildtame.com" target="_blank"&gt;info@wildtame.com&lt;/a&gt;. You may also wish to visit my website at &lt;a href="http://www.wildtame.com/" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.wildtame.com/&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-5015951734034609651?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/5015951734034609651/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=5015951734034609651' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/5015951734034609651'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/5015951734034609651'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2009/09/unedited-version-of-my-newest-article.html' title='Unedited Version of My Pet Psychic and Animal Communication Article in San Diego Pets Magazine'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/Sr1B3UakUTI/AAAAAAAAArU/YZ6j_L6cdqI/s72-c/Sindi+and+Ginger+High+5.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-5936556465325360338</id><published>2009-09-04T23:01:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-04T23:11:24.457-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Keeping Pets Hydrated, Healthy and Cool</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="right"&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SqH_c-XhEII/AAAAAAAAArE/NbSTYfYaypo/s1600-h/dog+relaxing+in+pool+file3731249415206.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377860303300137090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SqH_c-XhEII/AAAAAAAAArE/NbSTYfYaypo/s200/dog+relaxing+in+pool+file3731249415206.jpg" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;strong&gt;SUMMER SAFETY&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="right"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;FOR DOGS AND CATS&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="right"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;By, Sindi Somers&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="right"&gt;Published in &lt;em&gt;San Diego Pets Magazine&lt;/em&gt; July 2009 issue&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For those of us that live in sunny San Diego County, it can be helpful to remember hot weather safety tips year round. With the onset of summer, it is especially important to consider our pets’ potential to become overheated and dehydrated.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Fresh cool drinking water needs to be available at all times for pets. On hot days you might want to put bowls in different areas, making it easier for pets to get to water and stay hydrated. Water bowls for outdoor pets should be placed in shaded areas so they stay cool. It is recommended to empty outdoor bowls when pets are not outside to deter mosquitoes.&lt;br /&gt;Cats instinctively get their moisture from food. If they are on a dry kibble diet, consider integrating moist food. High quality canned, thawed frozen raw or home cooked lean unseasoned meats will increase fluid consumption, as well as nutrition and flavor. You can even manually add a little extra water to whatever they are eating. If your cat does drink from the water bowl, giving some form of moistened food is still highly beneficial and encouraged, not only on hot days, but year round.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In addition to proper hydration, providing adequate shade is essential if your pets are outside for any length of time. A dog house can trap heat and should not be considered shade. Nor is a shady tree always sufficient. Consider installing an awning or other tented structure that will remain shaded regardless of which direction the sun is shining. Air flow through the structure is also important so that the area underneath remains cool.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If pets are indoors during the day and you don’t have air conditioning or want to minimize its usage, keep it cooler inside by closing the blinds. You might want to leave at least one window accessible for pets to see out. Some pets choose to rest on a tiled floor to stay cool. My dog opts for the bathtub so I always leave the curtain pulled to one side.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When it comes time for exercise, extreme caution should be used on hot days. Schedule your dog’s walks, playtime, beach visits and other outings in the evenings and early mornings to avoid the sun when it is at its hottest. This can help lessen the risk of your dog overheating or getting heatstroke, which can be fatal. Sidewalks, pavement and sand can also get very hot on your pet’s paw pads. Paw boots are available for those dogs willing to wear them.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When venturing out, it can be beneficial for some pets to wear sunscreen. If they are a hairless breed or have been shaved, the shaved or exposed skin is at risk for sunburn. In addition, the nose, especially pale nosed cats and dogs need protection. Any area where the skin is thin or there is no hair could benefit from sunscreen on a sunny day. There are sunscreens designed specifically for pets, but human grade sensitive skin or baby sunscreens can be okay. Some ingredients however, such as common Zinc Oxide are toxic and should always be avoided. Protective eye wear and sunglasses, including Doggles brand are also available. &lt;a href="http://www.doggles.com/"&gt;http://www.doggles.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bringing along water on walks and excursions is also a good idea. Portable water bowls are available for pets in a variety of styles. My favorite is the Water Rover. It clips to my belt and allows unused water to be saved for later in the walk. &lt;a href="http://www.waterrover.com/"&gt;http://www.waterrover.com/&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You may find that your pets naturally slow down when the temperature rises. However, if they are in need of some activity, indoor play is another option. Playing tug with a rope or other dog friendly toy is a great way to work your dog’s muscles and mind. If you have the room, you can modify fetch by rolling the ball vs. throwing it or use a lightweight stuffed toy to throw. Training sessions with praise and food rewards can also help break up the day. Providing edible chew treats, such as bully sticks and raw marrow bones or a Kong or other treat dispensing toy filled with snacks can further help exert energy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One last, but crucial reminder is to never leave your dog in the car on a hot day. Even in the shade with the windows down, the interior of a car can reach over 100 degrees in mere minutes. Leaving a dog in an open bed truck while driving or stopped is also dangerous. In addition to the hazards of the sun’s rays, flying debris can get into animals’ eyes. Of course if you have to stop suddenly or are in any type of accident your pets are also completely unprotected. Seat belt harnesses can be purchased to ensure safety when riding in cars, but tying your dog in to the back of a truck doesn’t lessen its chance of severe injury.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Keeping these precautions in mind can help ensure you enjoy a safe, healthy and happy summer with your pets. I welcome your questions and comments. You can email me at info@wildtame.com or visit me online at www.wildtame.com.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-5936556465325360338?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/5936556465325360338/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=5936556465325360338' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/5936556465325360338'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/5936556465325360338'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2009/09/summer-safety-for-dogs-and-cats.html' title='Keeping Pets Hydrated, Healthy and Cool'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SqH_c-XhEII/AAAAAAAAArE/NbSTYfYaypo/s72-c/dog+relaxing+in+pool+file3731249415206.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-4589982123217533834</id><published>2009-08-25T14:32:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-11-14T23:49:46.880-08:00</updated><title type='text'>NON TOXIC FLEA TREATMENTS FOR PETS - article in the May/June 2009 issue of San Diego Pets magazine</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SpRffuuWsAI/AAAAAAAAAqM/R29i0l4WUd0/s1600-h/boxer+rolling+in+grass.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374025254082883586" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SpRffuuWsAI/AAAAAAAAAqM/R29i0l4WUd0/s200/boxer+rolling+in+grass.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SpRfk09xZsI/AAAAAAAAAqU/jhV_WWDZ_8s/s1600-h/dog+looking+at+grass.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374025341657507522" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 200px; height: 150px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SpRfk09xZsI/AAAAAAAAAqU/jhV_WWDZ_8s/s200/dog+looking+at+grass.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SpRgvdVnbyI/AAAAAAAAAq0/C7BOuZ9kBZs/s1600-h/flea+comb.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374026623805255458" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 200px; height: 200px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SpRgvdVnbyI/AAAAAAAAAq0/C7BOuZ9kBZs/s200/flea+comb.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SpRfuLa8yGI/AAAAAAAAAqc/COecIzK7Wic/s1600-h/dog+and+cat+on+bed.jpg"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Author's Note:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;em&gt;Since writing the article below I have found what, in my opinion is one of the best inventions in the world! The flea comb!!! The teeth on the flea comb are so close together, they easily remove fleas, flea eggs and their eliminated "flea dirt." By flea combing my active dog and indoor cat daily I have nearly eliminated my once frustrating flea problem. The fleas have been extra fierce in San Diego County this year. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by this issue, I now experience life without fleas! I find an occassional one or two fleas when flea combing after my dog's daily rolls in the grass, but that is it! My pets and I are much, much happier!!! Daily flea combing (I started with twice a day and now do it once a day), along with vaccuuming every 2 to 3 days are my number one tips for a flea free household. Save money and your pet's health! Avoid using the topical spot-on and ingested pill form flea treatments. I am so thrilled about this simple, but genius invention, that I Googled in an attempt to find the inventor of this useful item. I couldn't find out the originator, but whoever you are. XXOOXXOOXXOOXX from all of us!!! &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The flea comb I have is like the one in the above photo. I bought it for a little over $4 at Point Loma Pet Pantry in the Pt. Loma area of San Diego, just east of Ocean Beach. &lt;a href="http://pointlomapetpantry.home.att.net/"&gt;http://pointlomapetpantry.home.att.net/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Also - although it has worked wonders for many, I have had to stop using the Buck Mountain Parasite Dust mentioned in my article. It irritated my respiratory system and every time I used it I would get a cough that would last for a couple days. The cough was my body's reaction to the dust as it tried to rid itself of the irritation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Thanks to the flea comb I very rarely use any sprays or other treatments at all anymore! Want tips on how to most easily use the flea comb? Want to teach your pet to LOVE its flea combing sessions? Email me at &lt;a href="mailto:info@wildtame.com"&gt;info@wildtame.com&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Life is about learning. I love the educational process and continual journey. I also enjoy sharing what I learn with you!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;DILIGENCE CAN KEEP SAN DIEGO DOGS AND CATS FLEA FREE&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;By Sindi Somers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We all know what fleas are, those annoying dark colored creatures that hop on our pets when they sit or roll in the grass, visit the beach or park or stop to say hello to a fellow furry friend. Although they seem to jump as if they are flying, fleas are wingless insects capable of piercing skin and sucking blood. This in itself, sounds unappealing, but add to it the potential of having these unwelcomed visitors as permanent residents in your home, laying eggs, multiplying relentlessly and causing stress and potential discomfort to you and your pets. Although this is not a desirable situation, it is one many of us have experienced. In addition to this, some animals are allergic to flea saliva. This allergy can lead to more severe skin irritation that gets worse as the animals lick, scratch and bite the affected areas in an attempt to get relief. Fleas are also capable of transferring diseases between animals. It is obvious we need to keep fleas away from our pets and homes, but how do we do it?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Most people have heard of the over the counter “spot on” treatments, such as Advantage and Frontline. Although some may have success with these, fleas can and do build up a resilience to them. If you have tried these or similar pesticides and they have not worked, now you know why! In addition to the possibility of these products not solving your problem, they are highly potent chemical pesticides! There are many other products, including pesticides administered in pill form that I have not mentioned. Some are available over the counter, while some can only be purchased in a veterinarian’s office.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I admittedly have used some types of the aforementioned toxic items to prevent flea infestations. However, once I learned about their potency, I became interested in finding less harmful alternatives. It is disturbing to read the labels on the “spot on” and related flea treatments. They advise us humans to “avoid contact with our skin and wash immediately” if it occurs. With such a warning, should we be so quick to apply them to our pets? It does not make logical sense, let alone seem like a kind thing to do to our beloved companion animals.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has had its eye on these toxic flea formulas for some time announcing its findings along the way. The EPA most recently announced that more than 44,000 potential cases of adverse reactions related to spot on treatments, including Frontline Plus, were reported to them in 2008. The effects ranged from skin irritation to seizures and in some instances, death. To read their report in its entirety visit &lt;a href="http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/flea-tick-control.html"&gt;http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/flea-tick-control.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So, what can we do to keep our pets safe and flea free in San Diego County, which seems to be paradise for this pest population? Luckily, we have a number of independently owned health conscious pet stores throughout San Diego County that offer natural alternatives to the toxic options.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have tried a variety of natural products and found that, once applied they worked great temporarily. From this, I learned that flea prevention is not a one time thing. Unlike the claims of 30-day results made by the manufactures of the toxic pesticide products, the natural items need to be reapplied and used more frequently. However, it is worth it to me to avoid filling my pets with toxins. I also have learned that using multiple products is sometimes necessary. The severity of your flea issues can vary depending on what part of the county you live in. However, if faced with this problem, patience and diligence win the race over the aggressive fleas.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To give you a head start when addressing your external environment, helping your pets have a strong inner defense is essential in successful flea control. Nutritious foods and any needed supplements, along with adequate exercise will help build and maintain a healthy immune system. Fleas prefer a weak host, as it allows them flourish with more ease. The healthier your pets are, the less likely they are to be affected by fleas.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bathing can also help eliminate fleas on your pets, but be careful not to over bathe them, which can lead to dry skin and other issues. A monthly bath with a gentle, natural shampoo, along with thorough water only rinses as needed, will help in the fight against fleas. If needed, an additional sudsy bath can be added of course, to keep your pets clean and flee free.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is also important to remember that the fleas on your pet are only a part of the war to conquer. In addition to those that you can physically see, you can rest assured that there are growing flea families happily nesting in your rug, bedding, upholstered furniture and anywhere else that provides a safe place for them. I recommend very frequent vacuuming of carpet areas, as well as upholstered furniture. Immediately disposing of the used vacuum bag with help avoid reinfestation. Frequent washing of pet bedding and anything else your pets may lay on is also crucial. These cleaning processes will aid in the killing of any eggs left by the prolific fleas that have plagued your home. It will be difficult to achieve the flea free results you are aiming for without tackling the larger physical living environment, as well as your pet itself.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tomb Stone by Great Life is a spray that seems to kill fleas on contact, or at least slow them down enough so they can be picked off. I was told it is safe to spray it on bedding, furniture, and any surface, as well as on your pet. With lavender being one of the main ingredients, I found that it smelled pleasant, which is a plus when spraying it in and on your home environment. Citronella based Purely Botanical Flee, Flea! by Dancing Paws is another spray that some have had great success with. Both sprays are available at Paw Country in La Mesa &lt;a href="http://www.welcometopawcountry.com/"&gt;http://www.welcometopawcountry.com/&lt;/a&gt;. I recommend spraying the product into your hand firsts and then applying it on your pets. Some animals do not like the sensation of being sprayed directly and prefer a gentler application.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Buck Mountain Herbal Gold Parasite Dust for Animals, which is available at Point Loma Pet Pantry &lt;a href="http://www.pointlomapetpantry.com/"&gt;http://www.pointlomapetpantry.com/&lt;/a&gt;, has brought relief to many pets. I recommend applying it on your pet while either outside or in an open area. Since it is powder, particles can be inhaled during the process and you may find this unpleasant, as I did. This powder can be applied directly onto your pet, bedding, furniture, as well as the carpet and then vacuumed up. However, it is a yellowish powder and not everyone may choose to have this added to their belongings. Grocery store purchased, Borax, which contains Boric Acid and Diatomaceous Earth, available at Paw Country and Point Loma Pet Pantry, are two other flea killing powders that can be sprinkled on carpets and vacuumed up.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Another option is FTI Pet Products’ Flea Treats. Both my dog and cat love these tasty tablets as treats! They contain Brewer’s Yeast and B vitamins and are available at Point Loma Pet Pantry, Healthy Pet Pantry in El Cajon &lt;a href="http://www.healthypetpantry.net/"&gt;http://www.healthypetpantry.net/&lt;/a&gt; and Wholesome Choice Pet Market in Rancho Bernardo &lt;a href="http://www.wholesomechoicepetmarket.com/"&gt;http://www.wholesomechoicepetmarket.com/&lt;/a&gt;. Some people swear by them. I have never used them alone, but instead as an additional precaution, along with a spray, the parasite powder, and of course diligence.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you have questions about flea treatments, behavioral issues or nutrition concerns, I welcome your emails at &lt;a href="mailto:info@wildtame.com"&gt;info@wildtame.com&lt;/a&gt;. You may wish to visit my website at &lt;a href="http://www.wildtame.com/"&gt;http://www.wildtame.com/&lt;/a&gt; to learn more about alternative and holistic approaches to pet care.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-4589982123217533834?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/4589982123217533834/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=4589982123217533834' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/4589982123217533834'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/4589982123217533834'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2009/08/non-toxic-flea-treatments-for-pets.html' title='NON TOXIC FLEA TREATMENTS FOR PETS - article in the May/June 2009 issue of San Diego Pets magazine'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SpRffuuWsAI/AAAAAAAAAqM/R29i0l4WUd0/s72-c/boxer+rolling+in+grass.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-6702270117356596729</id><published>2009-08-22T18:01:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-22T18:46:35.108-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Home Cooking and Raw Diets for Pets - Article by Sindi Published in San Diego Pets magazine</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SpCXAaFdL3I/AAAAAAAAAos/JyXmZVk9ZiE/s1600-h/Website+portrait+photos+075.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372960388711001970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SpCXAaFdL3I/AAAAAAAAAos/JyXmZVk9ZiE/s400/Website+portrait+photos+075.jpg" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;Ginger eats a nutritious diet consisting mainly of fresh raw meats, including organ meats. She also benefits from both ground and whole raw bone, vegetables, some fruit, fish oil and vitamins and supplements as needed. Sindi also enjoys a healthy diet, but will leave the raw meat to Ginger's taste buds. Sindi opts for fish, eggs, beans, vegetables, fruit, grains and supplements. She does have a little dairy and is in the process of adding more meat to her diet. Right now she is working on reintroducing turkey. Both Ginger and Sindi go ORGANIC whenever possible!&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Below is Sindi's article published in the March/April issue of &lt;em&gt;San Diego Pets&lt;/em&gt; magazine.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color:#006600;"&gt;Wholesome Home Cooking and Fresh Raw Diets Benefit Pets’ Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;What you do today will have an effect on your pet’s future. This includes what you choose to feed them. Following the tragic and fatal events leading to the pet food recall in 2007, more pet parents have chosen to pay attention to what is in the food they are feeding. Now, faced with the recent FDA reports that popular chicken jerky treats made in China could be causing severe illness in dogs, even more consumers are reading the label.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So how do we keep our pets safe and fed? Some have chosen home cooking for Felix and Fido. Others are buying only pet food and treats manufactured in the USA, with the thought being that the ingredients and processing is better monitored, and therefore safer. I know of a number of people opting for home cooking, including people purchasing dehydrators to make their own chicken and other protein sourced jerky treats.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I love my pets and know you love yours. I am conservative and cautious when it comes to choosing what they consume. Even the most superior dry kibble and canned wet foods are highly processed, eliminating much of their nutritional value. Because of this, I generally avoid adding them to my dog and cat’s menu plan. Basing my choices on safety and quality nutrition, I occasionally serve my pets unseasoned home cooked meals, but mainly feed them minimally processed raw meat based pet food, along with fruits and vegetables. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As a representative in the healthy pet food industry myself, I hear some people remark that they do not feed a raw or home cooked diet because of higher costs. When calculating everything together however, you may find that it is less than you think! Since these meals are less processed than dry kibble and canned products, your pets will receive a much higher level of nutrients per ounce of food. This will leave them more fully nourished and satisfied at the end of a meal. Feeding healthier, more nutrient rich foods is also a way to prevent some health issues, lessening veterinary costs down the road. Some medical conditions arise due to poor nutrition, so what you invest in your pet’s diet now, can end up saving you money later on!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Another argument I hear from pet parents is that it takes too much time and work to prepare food or handle frozen raw diets. Because of the busyness of people's lives today, their hesitancy is not surprising. With so much information and help now available however, making these healthy dietary choices for our pets is easier than ever before. If you are unable to make a full-time switch to one of these nutritional paths, Samantha Sarsilmaz, owner of the Point Loma Pet Pantry www.pointlomapetpantry.com, stresses the importance of "adding freshness" to your pets' diets. Adding fresh, lean, unseasoned raw or cooked meats, vegetables and fruits greatly increases the amount of accessible nutrients in your pet's diet, whether it is daily or on occasion. Of course, the more frequently you add fresh, nourishing ingredients, the greater the benefits.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;With so many people turning to alternative feeding practices there are pet food and treat recipe books available, as well as other resources to assist the home cook. Kelly Bolken, Dog Behaviorist, Nutritional Consultant and owner of Paw Country holistic pet store in La Mesa &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.welcometopawcountry.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;www.welcometopawcountry.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;, suggests, “A good guideline for home cooking is 65-95% meat (including organ meats and ground bone) and the remainder, fruits and/or vegetables.” Kelly continues, “I rotate around between green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and sometimes I add a little quinoa for added protein when I am low on meat. You can use just about anything. When home cooking, it is essential to add calcium if ground bone is not included. The other two supplements that are required are EFA’s (fish oil) and a multi vitamin. I rotate my multi between several products, including bee pollen, Positive Health, Animal Essentials Multi, Animal Essentials Green Alternative and I also use Diatomaceous Earth and/or kelp for their myriad minerals and other health benefits.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In addition to fresh, home cooking and the use of supplements, Kelly, Samantha and I are all supporters of feeding a raw diet to pets, including our own. This is the best and easiest way to ensure they are getting the nutrients needed. There are many brands of raw pet food formulated into complete meals, adding varying amounts of fruits, vegetables, vitamins and minerals. The food comes in pre-measured out patties or nuggets, cutting down on preparation time. It is also available in bulk form allowing pet parents to measure out their own desired quantities per meal. Researching the different brands of raw frozen pet food and their ingredients can help you make the most informed and healthiest choice for your pets. Please note that not all brands of raw diets are complete meals in and of themselves. Checking company websites and gaining information from informed staff members at healthy pet stores and other holistically focused professionals is encouraged.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Feeding raw diets formulated into complete meals by health conscious pet food companies can take a lot of the guesswork out of proper feeding. While the home cooking route can take more thought and care to ensure your pets are getting the dietary balance they need. Additional supplementation and vitamins can benefit any animal, regardless of diet depending on their individual needs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;In addition to learning about needed supplements, when home cooking, it is essential to stay up to date on what “people foods” are acceptable and safe, and which are not. Chocolate, onions, chives, fried and fatty foods, as well as those seasoned with salt and other potentially dangerous and unnecessary additives top the list for most popular pet species. Some pose threats to some and not others. Grapes and raisins can be fatal, while dairy products can be problematic causing digestive issues. Garlic and avocado are others to avoid, although small amounts can be found in some pet foods and supplements and might be okay in those forms. Caution is still advised however, since each animal’s sensitivity levels vary. Their bodies differ, just like ours do. Visit the ASPCA website for current information regarding food and household safety for pets. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.aspca.org/"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;www.aspca.org&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;With so many different and often conflicting philosophies regarding pet care, the bottom line is always what I am personally comfortable with. The same is for you and all consumers. We ultimately need be consistent advocates for our companion animals, doing our own research and implementing what is best for their unique, individual needs. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;If you have pet nutrition, or other animal care or behavior questions, I welcome your emails at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="mailto:info@wildtame.com"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;info@wildtame.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-6702270117356596729?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/6702270117356596729/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=6702270117356596729' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/6702270117356596729'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/6702270117356596729'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2009/08/wholesome-home-cooking-and-fresh-raw.html' title='Home Cooking and Raw Diets for Pets - Article by Sindi Published in San Diego Pets magazine'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SpCXAaFdL3I/AAAAAAAAAos/JyXmZVk9ZiE/s72-c/Website+portrait+photos+075.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-5358721863549724291</id><published>2009-03-20T17:22:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-03-20T17:33:38.433-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Home Cooking and Raw Diets for Pets</title><content type='html'>My newest article is on newsstands now! I will be posting my article here on my blog soon, but in the meantime you can view and/or download it from &lt;a href="http://www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com/"&gt;www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;em&gt;Wholesome Home Cooking and Fresh Raw Diets Benefit Pets' Health&lt;/em&gt; can be found in the March/April issue on pages 18 and 19.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You can also pick up a free copy of San Diego Pets magazine at Paw Country pet store in La Mesa, Point Loma Pet Pantry, Bone Appetit Ocean Beach Pet Supply and other locations throughout San Diego County.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.welcometopawcountry.com/"&gt;www.welcometopawcountry.com&lt;/a&gt; - Paw Country in La Mesa&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.pointlomapetpantry.com/"&gt;www.pointlomapetpantry.com&lt;/a&gt; - Point Loma Pet Pantry in San Diego&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.boneappetit-ob.com/"&gt;www.boneappetit-ob.com&lt;/a&gt; - Bone Appetit Ocean Beach Pet Supply in San Diego&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you have pet nutrition or other animal care or behavior questions, I welcome your emails at &lt;a href="mailto:info@wildtame.com"&gt;info@wildtame.com&lt;/a&gt;. I can also be reached by phone at 619-384-0761.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-5358721863549724291?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/5358721863549724291/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=5358721863549724291' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/5358721863549724291'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/5358721863549724291'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2009/03/home-cooking-and-raw-diets-for-pets.html' title='Home Cooking and Raw Diets for Pets'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-8631947702521297887</id><published>2008-12-08T20:21:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-08T20:48:31.872-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Another article by Sindi Somers featured in San Diego Pets magazine along with a photo with Ms. Ginger in the December 2008 issue!</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/ST3zMoDoGHI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/Q4h2R2ZQ3B4/s1600-h/More+of+Sindi+and+Ginger.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277641736584697970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/ST3zMoDoGHI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/Q4h2R2ZQ3B4/s320/More+of+Sindi+and+Ginger.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt; San Diego girls and Seattle transplants, Sindi and Ginger Somers help each other stay healthy with daily walks, &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;playtime, hugs and fresh food including veggies like the asparagus in hand.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;*Cat parents please make note of one additional reminder not mentioned in my article. Certain house plants, including the holiday favorite poinsettas are poisonous to cats and can be fatal if ingested.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;TIPS FOR KEEPING PETS SAFE AND HEALTHY&lt;br /&gt;DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As published in the December 2008 issue of &lt;em&gt;San Diego Pets&lt;/em&gt; magazine.&lt;br /&gt;View and download the issue in its entirety at &lt;a href="http://www.sandiegopetsmagzine.com/"&gt;http://www.sandiegopetsmagzine.com/&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;By Sindi Somers&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;It is often implied and almost universally permissible for us humans to eat extra helpings and goodies during the holidays. During these times of celebration, it can be equally tempting to extend this over indulgent tendency to our beloved pets. Although it can be fun and an expression of our affection to lavish our pets with additional snacks, it is important to remember that just like us, nutrition is an important consideration year round. I am not suggesting eliminating treating, but inside being aware of feeding in moderation, meal portion sizes based on your pet’s activity levels and making overall healthy food choices.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;More and more of us are including our pets as valuable members of the family. Our challenge is to satisfy our desire to include our pets without getting them too far off their regular diet and nutritional path.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One idea is to feed your pet their meal at the same time you eat so they will be busy with their food for at least part of the time that you are enjoying yours. Giving your pet a new or favorite toy or something healthy to chew on is another option to help deter tableside begging that might be hard to ignore. I find that giving my dog a tendon chew, bully stick or uncooked, raw beef marrow bone helps keep her occupied while I eat my dinner. This helps her to feel included in my mealtime activity instead of being left out.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If your pet is highly food obsessed like my dog, you may need to come up with some additional plans of action when snacking. If I am snacking between meals or I don’t have a chew or bone for my dog, even a small taste or treat can help her know that she is not being punished or deprived. It can be helpful to wait until you are done eating so you don’t feel the need to give multiple tastings. I am lucky that my dog likes vegetables and some fruit. While I might be eating something with a high caloric intake, I can be giving her cauliflower, green beans. asparagus or other non-starchy vegetables. This adds to the fiber and nutrition of her diet while adding minimal calories.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Another option that may work is to give praise and affection instead of a food reward. Your pet might prefer the food, but if you give praise, petting and gentle massage after you have finished eating, it will know you love it and that food isn’t the only way you show you care&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bonnie Barton, Nutritional Consultant and Manager of Paw Country holistic pet store in La Mesa (&lt;a href="http://www.welcometopawcountry.com/"&gt;http://www.welcometopawcountry.com/&lt;/a&gt;) suggests “making feeding time more interesting” and thus more fulfilling for pets. Using toys designed to slowly administer food as they are played with will take more time and energy than simply placing your pet’s meal in a bowl. Having to think and manipulate the toy to find a way to get the food out of these clever devices will challenge your pet’s brain and can help take its attention off other household activities, such as family mealtime and snacking.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This alternative feeding process not only exercises your pet’s mind, but it can satisfy dogs’ and other animals’ natural scavenger and food finding instincts. It can also be quite entertaining for us pet parents and our holiday guests to watch! “Treat toys” do not have to be limited to holiday use or special occasions. They can actually be implemented frequently, even daily to add excitement and mental stimulation to your pet's feeding routine.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Another option I have seen work beneficially is using a treat toy, such as a “Kong” or similar brand with a large opening and filling it with wet canned, moistened dehydrated or freeze dried or fresh raw or cooked food and then putting it in the freezer. Feeding the food in this frozen state will add even more time to the food consumption activity.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In addition to food made specifically for pets, feeding nutritious “people food”, such as the vegetables I feed my dog and the “cooked food” mentioned above, can be a favorable option. Kelly Bolken, Behavior and Nutrition Consultant and Owner of Paw Country says, in addition to implementing raw food, “the best diet for your pets would be to make them an extra plate of what you are eating, provided you eat a healthy diet." Her experience has revealed that feeding table scraps will not create ill-behaved pets that beg at the table unless they are being fed directly from the table. Kelly continues, “Many table scraps, especially lean meats and cooked vegetables, are actually healthier than the traditional kibble that most of us feed our pets.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is because manufactured pet food is highly processed, which diminishes vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes and its overall nutritional value. Giving unseasoned, freshly cooked or raw meats and vegetables, as well as some fruit will help your pets receive more of the actual nutrition that is eliminated during factory processing. I use the analogy of how I may choose to have a fresh raw salad, versus a processed can of green beans with a long shelf life in order to obtain more nutrients in my diet.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;Although it can be fun and a healthy addition to your pet’s diet to feed them what you are eating, there are certain items that should be completely avoided to preserve your pet’s health. Chocolate is probably the most well known no-no for pets. However, there are many others that can cause severe illness and even death. Depending on the type of pet you have, it is best to avoid onions, including chives, grapes, raisins, salt, caffeine, certain species of mushrooms, diet products containing the sweetener Xylitol and other artificial sweeteners, macadamia nuts, fat, fried and processed foods including ham and bacon, cooked bones and alcoholic beverages of any kind. Spoiled and moldy foods should never be fed and dairy foods should be given with caution. Although dairy products are not necessarily considered poisonous, they can lead to digestive issues in some pets, especially when fed in large amounts.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have personally heard both sides of the argument in whether to allow dogs to consume the vitamin rich avocado. Although there is documented evidence that dogs, as well as cats, birds, cattle, goats, horses and even fish have been harmed and even killed from ingesting some part of the avocado plant, the controversy remains. The avocado holds many beneficial health properties that when given in small amounts may, for some outweigh the risk of illness. With its proven toxicity that has led to gastrointestinal distress and more serious complications in some pets, it is important to know that not just the meaty fruit, but all parts of the avocado plant are toxic. In addition to the avocado, the pit, leaves and bark of its tree contain a toxin called persin that is harmful to animals, especially when ingested in large quantities.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Birds seem to be especially sensitive to the avocado’s toxic element. Some of the most detrimental effects, including fatalities have been seen in birds, as well as rabbits, horses and cattle. There is enough evidence of its toxicity in its raw form that has kept me from personally feeding it to my own dog and cat, but I have heard multiple reports that some dogs tolerate it without any visible issues when consumed in small amounts. Consumers may even notice avocado as an ingredient in some FDA approved pet foods. According to information on the ASPCA website, there is not enough data about the avocados used to discourage pet parents from feeding processed pet food that contains avocado.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Kelly of Paw Country encourages people to also resist the urge to feed their pets the turkey skin and drippings, which are a popular part of the American holiday meal. She emphasizes, “The extremely high fat content of these items may lead to pancreatitis. Alternatively, if you would like your pets to share in the holiday fun the best thing you could offer them is a piece of lean turkey, preferably unseasoned. You can break it into small pieces and feed it as a reward for good behavior or put it in the pets bowl or treat toy with their meal.” Kelly adds, “Pumpkin and sweet potatoes are also a great source of fiber and vitamins and a few tablespoons of either can be added to your dogs food for variety and to supplement their diet.” &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For the most current information on safe foods and those to avoid, you may wish to visit the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center on their website at &lt;a href="http://www.aspca.org/"&gt;http://www.aspca.org/&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One last reminder is to not overlook the importance of continuing your pet’s exercise regime during the holidays. A long walk or play session can help diminish your dog’s energy level and inspire calmness and naptimes. Cats, birds and other pets need attention and play time too, so be sure not to forget them! A half hour to an hour of physical activity before mealtime or prior to guests arriving can help your pets release stress, anxiety and excess energy once again increasing the chances of having calmer animals requiring less attention and treats during meal and snack times.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The holidays are meant to be enjoyed! You don’t need to completely deprive your pets to keep them healthy when including them in the festivities, but you don’t need to overindulge them to show you love them either. By knowing your pet you can devise a plan to help give them the mental stimulation, nutrition, physical activity and TLC, they need so you and they are satisfied and happy this holiday season.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-8631947702521297887?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/8631947702521297887/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=8631947702521297887' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/8631947702521297887'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/8631947702521297887'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2008/12/sindi-somers-has-another-article.html' title='Another article by Sindi Somers featured in San Diego Pets magazine along with a photo with Ms. Ginger in the December 2008 issue!'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/ST3zMoDoGHI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/Q4h2R2ZQ3B4/s72-c/More+of+Sindi+and+Ginger.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-922493117904791569</id><published>2008-12-08T20:12:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-08T20:33:18.029-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Sindi Somers published in San Diego Pets magazine September 2008 issue!</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/ST3w-ihldDI/AAAAAAAAAkI/Okq7q9-4IFc/s1600-h/Sindi+and+Ginger+smooch+reduced+size.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277639295558317106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/ST3w-ihldDI/AAAAAAAAAkI/Okq7q9-4IFc/s320/Sindi+and+Ginger+smooch+reduced+size.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt; Sindi and Ginger Somers say hello with a smooch!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A HAPPIER YOU – A HAPPIER PET&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As published in &lt;em&gt;San Diego Pets&lt;/em&gt; magazine September 2008 issue.&lt;br /&gt;View and download this issue in its entirety at &lt;a href="http://www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com/"&gt;http://www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com/&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;By, Sindi Somers&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;Even physicists agree that everything is energy. We are energy, our pets are energy and so are our words, thoughts and emotions. Telepathy is a form of non-verbal communication. It is a transference of energy in the form of information and thoughts.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I believe that we all communicate telepathically, whether we are consciously aware of it or not. In our interactions with others, we give and receive our thoughts, beliefs and expectations. It can be confusing to people and pets when we say or do one thing, but actually think, believe or expect another. When the energy behind the words doesn’t match what is verbalized, it creates a conflict in what is communicated. Conflicting messages not only create confusion, but can also lead to frustration, depression and anger, as well as unwanted and troubling behaviors.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;Animals are clear readers of energy and skilled telepathic communicators. Our pets tune into us more than we realize. They not only communicate to us, but they are also aware of what we are communicating to them. To establish clearer communication, it is helpful to remember that we are not only relaying words, but also energy, thoughts, beliefs and our true intentions.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;Our pets are also aware of our emotions and can experience what we are feeling. Our fear, grief, the stress level of their caregiver(s). If things are not harmonious in the external environment, anxiety, anger and stresses can and do affect our pets. A pet’s stress level is often a reflection of the internal is also affected. A pet may have experienced fearful and even abusive experiences in its past. Residual anxiety from these memories can be further stimulated and intensified by the fears and stresses present in the pet’s new home.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;Caring pet parents often worry if their pet is okay, healthy and happy. Although it is important to be aware of changes in our pet’s behavior and address potential medical issues promptly, our concern can sometimes do more harm than good. Often we move our worry energy and concerned thoughts outward and into our pet. This sharing of energies simply adds to the stress and discomfort of the pet.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;In addition to us wanting our pets to be okay, our pets want us to be okay too! As we project our concern onto them, they are busy taking on our problems in hopes of making us happier and less tense. We are trying to ensure their well being, while they are trying to ensure ours!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;This may seem like an impossible situation to resolve. In actuality, it is quite simple. Sometimes we put our attention on our pets or other aspects of our external surroundings to avoid what is going on within us. By addressing our personal issues, resolving our own problems, acknowledging our true feelings and emotions, we don’t have to look for outside distractions to help us avoid ourselves. In turn, our pets don’t have to come to our rescue quite as often. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;The more we take care of ourselves, the more at peace everything in our life becomes. The calmer and more contented we are the more relaxed and secure our pets can be.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-922493117904791569?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/922493117904791569/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=922493117904791569' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/922493117904791569'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/922493117904791569'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2008/12/sindi-somers-published-in-san-diego.html' title='Sindi Somers published in San Diego Pets magazine September 2008 issue!'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/ST3w-ihldDI/AAAAAAAAAkI/Okq7q9-4IFc/s72-c/Sindi+and+Ginger+smooch+reduced+size.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-3606343117720909244</id><published>2008-10-27T21:14:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-27T23:09:15.236-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='event planning'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='arts'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='writing'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='spirituality'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='animals'/><title type='text'>I Can Write Anything --- Literally!!!</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SQaqmFxDriI/AAAAAAAAAjw/zfjLqx25MFI/s1600-h/DSC_0065_copyblack+cat+cropped.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262080785988693538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 157px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SQaqmFxDriI/AAAAAAAAAjw/zfjLqx25MFI/s200/DSC_0065_copyblack+cat+cropped.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SQaqWE3rNII/AAAAAAAAAjg/WS9VBjV0mPo/s1600-h/559896_stylus_in_hand_02.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262080510870107266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 100px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 74px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SQaqWE3rNII/AAAAAAAAAjg/WS9VBjV0mPo/s320/559896_stylus_in_hand_02.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SQam0e1j3jI/AAAAAAAAAio/9ArxfEPRxUo/s1600-h/407749_51351285.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262076635190124082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 100px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 66px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SQam0e1j3jI/AAAAAAAAAio/9ArxfEPRxUo/s320/407749_51351285.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I haven't posted for a while and so here I am with a new post. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;I believe it is important to know our strengths and our weaknesses. Writing is something that I have always done and it comes naturally to me. I love communicating with others and writing is a part of that passion. It is one of my strengths. Like all of us I have plenty of weaknesses, but I don't want to bore you with those here. :-)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Although I have experience writing about a variety of topics, my favorite subjects to share information about are animals, including pet nutrition, spirituality and the arts. If you need assistance or coverage in these areas, I would especially love to talk to you!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;I also offer event planning services. If your animal or arts organization is looking for an enthusiastic party, fundraiser or special event planner I could be who you're looking for!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;For over 20 years I have also been offering psychic readings and energy healings. I enjoy these interactions with people and their pets. More information about this aspect of my business can be found on my other blogs:&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.wildandtame.blogspot.com/"&gt;http://www.wildandtame.blogspot.com/&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.sandiegopsychic.blogspot.com/"&gt;http://www.sandiegopsychic.blogspot.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;I hope to hear from you! 619-384-0761 or &lt;a href="mailto:sindisomers@gmail.com"&gt;sindisomers@gmail.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-3606343117720909244?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/3606343117720909244/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=3606343117720909244' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/3606343117720909244'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/3606343117720909244'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-can-write-anything-literally.html' title='I Can Write Anything --- Literally!!!'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SQaqmFxDriI/AAAAAAAAAjw/zfjLqx25MFI/s72-c/DSC_0065_copyblack+cat+cropped.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-427993257460372893</id><published>2008-08-16T14:55:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-08-16T15:21:55.481-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Press Release Writer and Animal Lover - Writing Sample</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SKdRH32eytI/AAAAAAAAAYs/HOZRMcxpcqw/s1600-h/the+holistic+hound+dog+photo.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235242287534885586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SKdRH32eytI/AAAAAAAAAYs/HOZRMcxpcqw/s320/the+holistic+hound+dog+photo.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Below is a press release I wrote for Paw Country, a heatlthy pet store in La Mesa, CA. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I will be including other writing samples in future blog posts.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.welcometopawcountry.com/"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Paw Country Hosts Pet Food and Toy Drive&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Paw Country is hosting a pet food and toy drive through the end of the year. Paw Country’s goal is to collect 500 pounds of food, as well as toys and other pet products. All items collected will be donated to the San Diego Animal Support Foundation to improve the welfare of animals in shelters and rescues throughout the community.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The San Diego Animal Support Foundation is committed to helping the animals of San Diego by providing support to legitimate, local non-profit organizations. Additionally, at no cost to the local shelters and rescues, the Animal Support Foundation teams up with local media partners to feature adoptable pets on television every day. More information about the San Diego Animal Support Foundation is available at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.sdshelters.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#6600cc;"&gt;http://www.sdshelters.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To help encourage donations to the drive, as well as ease the pocketbook for holiday shoppers, Paw Country is currently having a year-end sale, which includes both small and big-ticket items. While you are out doing your holiday shopping, don’t forget your four legged friends!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Paw Country&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Paw Country is active in assisting animal wellness and rescue organizations by donating goods, services and store funds on a regular basis.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Paw Country teaches a holistic approach to pet care by offering nutritious and safe food, treats and supplements, as well as toys, books, humane collars and other items. It is located in the Lake Murray Village shopping center on Lake Murray Blvd. in La Mesa. This locally owned healthy alternative for dogs and cats is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Another added feature to visiting Paw Country is their experienced and knowledgeable staff. These caring professionals are a valuable resource to people wanting the best for their pets. Store proprietor, Kelly Bolken, is herself a dog owner and certified pet dog trainer (CPDT) and also a former employee and dog class instructor at the San Diego Humane Society. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-427993257460372893?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/427993257460372893/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=427993257460372893' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/427993257460372893'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/427993257460372893'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2008/08/press-release-writer-and-animal-lover.html' title='Press Release Writer and Animal Lover - Writing Sample'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SKdRH32eytI/AAAAAAAAAYs/HOZRMcxpcqw/s72-c/the+holistic+hound+dog+photo.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-827375413979986206</id><published>2008-08-16T02:13:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-08-16T02:25:42.184-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Copywriter in San Diego</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SKab2hDCVyI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/RKl_zDhaNuA/s1600-h/794884_typing.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235042977751127842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SKab2hDCVyI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/RKl_zDhaNuA/s320/794884_typing.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;I write copy. Good copy. Great copy. Attention getting copy. I've changed lives with my copy. I'm a copy creator, but never a copy cat. I'm innovative, creative and meet deadlines. Look no further for all of your writing needs.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;Want more attention and more business? Hire me as your copywriter. Based in San Diego, but able to telecomute nationwide, I am the copywriter for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;619-384-0761 or&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="mailto:sindisomers@gmail.com"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000099;"&gt;sindisomers@gmail.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt; - contact me and I'll get the job done!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-827375413979986206?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/827375413979986206/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=827375413979986206' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/827375413979986206'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/827375413979986206'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2008/08/copywriter-in-san-diego.html' title='Copywriter in San Diego'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SKab2hDCVyI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/RKl_zDhaNuA/s72-c/794884_typing.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-2378930009380984410</id><published>2008-08-15T12:10:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-08-15T12:39:05.234-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Introducing Sindi the Writer - Serving San Diego, California and Beyond!</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SKXXks31WGI/AAAAAAAAAYA/MobSiaBoHoM/s1600-h/photo+by+ocean.jpg"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234827167408674914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SKXXks31WGI/AAAAAAAAAYA/MobSiaBoHoM/s200/photo+by+ocean.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;I am a professional writer that loves to write. My strong sales and marketing background has helped me to acquire a voice that is pleasantly persuasive and appealing to a variety of audiences. I am versed in both creative and business writing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;What do I write? You name it! If it's writable, I can write it!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;BLOGS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;SCRIPTS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;PRESS RELEASES&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;BROCHURE COPY&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;WEBSITE CONTENT&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;SLOGANS AND TAG LINES&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;JINGLES AND THEME SONGS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;LOVE LETTERS AND POEMS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;ARTICLES AND STORIES&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;PROPOSALS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;RESUMES&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;REVIEWS&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;You name it and I can write it! I offer fast turn around times and excellent customer service.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;Call Sindi the Writer at 619-384-0761 or email me at&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="mailto:sindisomers@gmail.com"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#3333ff;"&gt;sindisomers@gmail.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-2378930009380984410?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/2378930009380984410/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=2378930009380984410' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/2378930009380984410'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/2378930009380984410'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2008/08/introducing-sindi-writer-serving-san.html' title='Introducing Sindi the Writer - Serving San Diego, California and Beyond!'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/SKXXks31WGI/AAAAAAAAAYA/MobSiaBoHoM/s72-c/photo+by+ocean.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3205371600804802697.post-3794927791092090548</id><published>2008-07-30T17:20:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-12-08T20:53:05.290-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Let Me Help Get You Noticed!</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/ST35i2aO9fI/AAAAAAAAAkg/5FkoLUQzjzE/s1600-h/writerforsite.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277648715464504818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/ST35i2aO9fI/AAAAAAAAAkg/5FkoLUQzjzE/s320/writerforsite.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;Writer for Hire!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;My name is Sindi Somers and I began writing not too long after I was able to operate a pencil. Call me at 619-384-0761 or email me at&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="mailto:sindisomers@gmail.com"&gt;sindisomers@gmail.com&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;if you have questions or a writing project to discuss.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;Press releases, articles, blogs, copywriting for print and websites, business correspondence, advertising slogans, jingles and theme songs - no job is too big or too small. In addition to quality writing, I offer fast turnaround times. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000000;"&gt;I hope to hear from you. Thank you!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3205371600804802697-3794927791092090548?l=sandiegowriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/feeds/3794927791092090548/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3205371600804802697&amp;postID=3794927791092090548' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/3794927791092090548'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3205371600804802697/posts/default/3794927791092090548'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sandiegowriter.blogspot.com/2008/07/let-me-help-get-you-noticed.html' title='Let Me Help Get You Noticed!'/><author><name>Sindi Somers</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/17355514632542926762</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/S9jWiXBHfEI/AAAAAAAAAsk/rB7UEIPWSkA/S220/Sindi+and+Ginger+I.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AKc7PP9PBHI/ST35i2aO9fI/AAAAAAAAAkg/5FkoLUQzjzE/s72-c/writerforsite.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
