brought to you by
Nature Cure
Keith Spaulding ND LAc
|
Pets and
Pesticides: How to Keep Your Pets Healthy and Your Grass Green |
The following article is copyrighted to the publisher (Nature Cure). Article can be used for informational purposes only but please contact the publisher for permission.
Did you know that the EPA recently announced that a major manufacturer of flea
and tick treatments pulled off the market several products associated with a
range of adverse reactions, including hair loss, salivation, tremors, and
numerous deaths, in cats and kittens?
On March 27 at GreenCAP’s annual alternatives-to-pesticides
lecture--co-sponsored by the Newton Free Library and the Green Decade
Coalition/Newton as well as SPIN (Stray Pets In Need); Buddy Dog Humane Society,
Inc.; Petfinder.com.; Charles River Feline Rescue; and Save a Dog--a very
enthusiastic crowd learned how to keep their pets healthy and their grass green.
Early arrivals caught a compelling sneak preview of part of the video, “The
Truth about Cats, Dogs, and Lawn Pesticides” produced by Sanford Lewis and Jody
Shapiro.
In an affirmation of the message in the Video, Regina Downey, D.V.M., pointed
out how pets are often doubly exposed to pesticides in the pet owner’s attempt
to rid them of pests and to keep lawns free of so-called weeds. Cats and dogs
roll in the “poisoned” grass, lick their fur, and track residue onto floors and
carpets. (To say nothing of the effect upon children who roll around with the
“contaminated” creatures.) Then the dogs’ or cats’ masters often spray more
synthetic chemicals onto their beloved companions in an attempt to control fleas
or some other aliments.
How do you avoid subjecting the animals to synthetic chemicals? Dr. Downey,
reflecting upon her twenty years of experience, stressed her use of the wellness
approach as contrasted with a crisis-management tactic. At length the Doctor
emphasized how proper nutrition and exercise help create a sound immune system
which thwarts disease and infection. She spoke to the consequences of how, in
the absence of good (preferably homemade) food and lots of running to fetch
sticks or clambering up scratching posts, animals may needlessly develop, for
example, autoimmune-related diseases. They may even die unnecessarily early.
To cope with external threats the Doctor suggested methods that also don’t
involve synthethic chemicals. For example, to prevent Lyme Disease caused by
deer ticks, obviously a difficult task, she recommends spraying their animals
with an essential-oils mist, then combing them. The ticks don’t like the oils
and will “hang out” on the fur outside.
Hearing the Doctor was very much like listening to a caring and competent
pediatrician. Proper nutrition and exercise--these [and sound sleep] provide
the basics for sound immune systems that help fend off disease and infection in
children. And of course no parent would knowingly “poison” a kid.
Next Chip Osborne and Pat Beckett, Co-Founders of the Marblehead Pesticide
Awareness Committee and the “Living Lawn,” Marblehead’s Organic Lawn and Garden
Demonstration Project, presented a compelling slide show. The Project is an
eight-year-old example of “seeing is believing” for organic turf management.
Their message also affirmed that of the previous speaker and the Video. They
elaborated upon the why and the how-to approach for organic methods for both
turf management and for yard care--stressing again the health implications for
pets and for children. And pointing out that the organic approach isn’t “rocket
science” and that growing grass isn’t like trying to raise orchids.
For example one slide graphically showed a comparison between the root systems
of grass treated by synthetic fertilizer--very short--and by organic
fertilizer--very long. (Grass needs long roots to thrive.)
Chip told a very moving “dog story.” Stating that years ago when “conventional”
agricultural practices were the norm (for which he had to acquire a pesticide
applicator’s license), he was in the greenhouse business. He brought his two
dogs to the site every day. They settled down in the soil underneath the
benches. Time passed; he slowly became acquainted with the organic methods he
now follows. But it was too late for the dogs: they died premature deaths from
cancer--probably acquired from the exposure to the toxins that dripped down onto
the earth from the plant materials in the benches.
In conclusion Pat showed slides of the demonstration lawn that, despite the best
of intentions, did at one time wither and how the site was restored without
synthetic chemicals. The person caring for the plot, in the absence of the
managers who had taken time off, followed instructions literally--including
mowing high. But dampness from a prolonged hot, rainy spell combined with the
tall grass caused a fungus to develop. Upon their return the owners raked the
debris, put down organic compost, and reseeded the surface. Within a few months
the lawn regained its former glory.
Following their presentations the speakers punted lively questions and answers.
And they referred them to the numerous authoritative references (some visual)
and to the products that graced the display tables.
You will be able to view this program on Newton’s cable channel, NewTV, on
Tuesdays, at 8:30 pm on May 16, 23, and 30. For Comcast subscribers, tune to
Channel 10; and for RCN subscribers, go to Channel 15. For more information
contact the Green Decade at www.greendecade.org.