This has nothing to do with fair trade or recycling but I thought I must tell you about it anyway. It has to do with health. I own three dogs, one of them is a border collie called Judy.
Judy is now 13 years old and whilst she is still very playful and brainy, she started suffering from arthritis 1 year ago. Most border collies are afflicted by this as they like being outside and Judy had a penchant of sleeping on cold slabs even during the winter. Collies get heated up very quickly as they have a very thick skin. Believe me - nothing (other than her chewies) could move her and I spent up to an hour sometimes luring her indoors. Now, of course, she's lapping up the sunshine and doesn't mind a bit of warmth and more comfort.
Anyway, being a health conscious person and believing strongly in the power of natural supplements like herbs and minerals, I put her on glucosamine with chondroitin approx. 9 months ago. It seemed to help but I knew she was in pain when every walk took longer and longer. 4 months ago I added devil's claw to her supplements which is a herbal anti inflammatory.
And now comes the stunning bit: last Sunday I read in the Sunday Times Magazine about bromelain and turmeric being excellent anti inflammatories. Of course I went to my health food store, spent £20 and bought both. I started Judy on one bromelain and one turmeric tablet in the morning and one turmeric pill in the evening. Today is Thursday - and Judy has made a remarkable recovery! At first she started to walk much better - noticeably so, because even Gary made a comment and he is super critical. Then she wanted to join me for more than one walk a day. Yesterday she ran around in the park with another large dog, something she hasn't done in the last 8 months or so.
Altogether she is perkier, doesn't just lie around all day long and has become more like the dog I knew. He arthritis will not go away and her one back leg is still stiff, but she seems to be more pain free and that can only be a good thing. And I think what works for her must work for humans as well. I shall go and tell my mother who has rheumatoid arthritis, but I suspect she will pooha me and stick to her genetical time bomb injections......
I am going to Norfolk next week for a holiday - I think I should really discover England better and anyway, I want to do my bit to reduce the carbon output and brave the English weather which is not so bad right now, isn't it? When I am back I tell you about my other dog, Bess and how I treat her eczema. I have found out what works and what not for her and maybe that helps one of you or someone or some animal you know.
I have just published a bit of a bio, in case you are interested. About who I am and my background. Go to my website and click on "something about Sabine".
Take care now.
Sabine
