Letters to the Editor

Dear Spot,

Thank you for publishing the recent article: The Great Debate: Vaccinate?.

AlexI have a 3.5-year-old Weimaraner mix, and I am strongly opposed to having
him vaccinated regularly.  He was vaccinated as a puppy and has lived indoors
his whole life thus far.  Of course we go on our daily runs/walks, but I
don’t feel I should have to vaccinate my dog if he primarily lives indoors.

Many of my friends and colleagues think I am being careless or that I
don’t care for the wellbeing of my “son,” when the opposite is true.  Why
force heavy metals and unknown sources of parasites and viruses into my
pooch?  He is fed a holistic diet, purified water and is very healthy and
active.

Glad to see you brought this to light!

Adam Gitter
Lake Oswego, OR

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Dear Spot:

Do I ever want to say “thanks” for your wonderful article on vaccines in the September 2011 issue of Spot.  I’ve always loved your magazine and now have even more reason to with such a well-written and educational article by Nikki Jardin.  (Thanks, Ms. Jardin!) 

Fred (the black Lab) with my senior German Shepherd, Misty.I have studied and read countless research articles on the issue of vaccinating and have carried my criticism of scheduled shots/yearly boosters into my role as a mom.  I have a very progressive, liberal view on this topic and am worried that we’re not only over-vaccinating our animals, but we’re also over-vaccinating our children — to what end? 

New vaccines are being developed at an alarming rate.  Western medicine (and the ideology of vaccines, medications galore) prevails in this country and that carries over into veterinary practices without a doubt.  My 12-year-old black Lab/St. Bernard mix, Fred, became very ill about 3 years ago and I knew he was dying.  I had been a “dutiful” dog owner, vaccinating every year and doing everything I was supposed to.  I don’t know if it had anything to do with vaccines, but I began cooking his food and feeding him human-grade raw meats/veggies and stopped vaccinating, and today Fred is an energetic, healthy, happy 12 year old.

Thank you for bringing up this topic and helping to educate others who may not have considered this issue.  I hope eyes are opened and people now think about the issue of vaccinating with a more critical eye.

Jolea A. Cooper

via Email 

Paws Up!

Tuffy is one of the first 1000 dogs SPOT helped to spay/neuter.Great news for Lane County dogs:  Stop Pet Overpopulation Today (SPOT) recently helped spay/neuter its 1,000th dog.  The sole mission of the nonprofit is helping low-income dog owners get their dogs fixed.  According to board president Joey Curtin, “We work with members of our community who would not otherwise be able to get their dogs altered by providing them with vouchers for the surgeries.”  SPOT works with two low-cost clinics, the Willamette Animal Guild and Greenhill Humane Society, for the surgeries.  Although both clinics charge low fees, many pet owners cannot afford even those amounts.  SPOT steps in and helps those dog owners pay for their dogs’ spays or neuters.

The system is quick and easy.  Call 541-485-7768, leave a message, and a helpful volunteer will call back within 72 hours.  After a brief interview, a surgery voucher, if appropriate, is issued. 

SPOT raises funds through fundraisers, grants and donations.  Curtin says, “Money from any source is very welcome as it is immediately used to fund the surgeries.”  Learn more about SPOT Lane County at www.spotspayneuter.org. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  SPOT currently has funding for spay/neuter surgeries for large dog (40 lbs and over).  Owners of large dogs are encouraged to call, as these need to be used prior to the next grant application to fund additional s/n procedures for all animals.

To the Editor:

I always enjoy reading Spot, but when reading your article on Holistic Health [June ’11] I was a little concerned about one of the quotes.  In the second-to-last paragraph Kerri Duncan talks about massage as a detoxification tool for a dog’s organs.  She says “You don’t need a certificate to massage your animal.  Just sit down and rub ‘em!”  I definitely agree that rubbing your dog has benefits for both you and your dog, but there are certain massage strokes and techniques used for particular reasons.  For example, there is a specific massage technique that would be useful in helping increase immune function for dogs going through a detox program or for routine pet health maintenance.  This immune-boosting technique is very different than rubbing your dog and would produce a much more beneficial effect for the dog as a whole.  So, while yes, rubbing is nice, your dog can get much more out of a massage session with a Certified Animal Massage Practitioner. 

Thanks so much! Rubi Sullivan, Heal Animal Massage • 503.380.4487 • www.healnw.com

From the Editor:

Rubi Sullivan of Heal regularly offers dog massage classes for owners throughout Metro Portland.  Check for upcoming classes at healnw.com.  Few if any classes will be offered in July, as she will be traveling to Best Friend’s Animal Sanctuary.  While there she’ll do a mentorship under the director of the school (from which she graduated); the second week she’ll teach a class.

Memorial

Boofy ~ 2001-2011

Please wait for us in that country of

gentle flowing waters

where happy dogs swim,and then rest

in the tall sweet  green grasses.

Rest there, and wait for us

in that country of warm sunlight

and cool shade.

Bark out a greeting,when you see the faces

of our mothers and fathers

Rest and wait for us

in that meadow filled with those beautiful flowers

that form the living face of God.

Michael, Tana, and your doggy

and kitty sisters and brother,

Gretta, Princess Kittypants, Kittymomma and Blubby

Myla Li ann and Tawni

Dear Spot,

Hello my name is Myla Garlitz, I am 10 years old. My dad Rick works with your brother Geoff at Cummins Northwest. I told my dad about Spot and he told me he was in it. He helped save 4 kittens — Tater Tot, Tangie, Baby, and Monkey. I thought it was so cool that my dad was in your magazine.

I love your magazine, I read it at my school when I have free time. I look forward to hearing from you! I attached a pic of me and my dog Tawni. She is a 7-month-old Shi tzu puppy. She is my very own and I give her a lot of LOVE.

Sincerely,

Myla Li ann

Lowell, Oregon

From the editor:

After writing Myla to ask permission to share her letter with you, here’s what she wrote back:

Dear Spot,

I am so excited I can hardly take one breath, and Tawni is running around in circles so I think she is excited too.

Here is a little info on Tawni. She hates water. After we give her a bath she runs around all over in relief that the bath is over. Sometimes when we relax on the couch she likes to lick our toes. She loves to curl up in my bed with me. That's all the things I can think of right now.

Your friend,

Myla