in this issue
Authors'
Note
Beans/Nuts
stop tumors
Virus
Alert
Katrina
Update
Is Garlic
OK?
Need a
Fundraiser?
Subscribe
Archives
|
Why Do We Do This?
"He
is your friend, your partner your defender, your dog. You are his life,
his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true. To the last
beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such
devotion."
- Anonymous
We
saw that quote on a 2005 Australian Terrier calendar. When we think back
on all that Sparky did for us, those words certainly ring true. When
Sparky got non-Hodgkins lymphoma, just over five years ago, we were
pretty discouraged, to say the least. Should we go all out and do
absolutely everything we could? Or should we do the minimum and see what
happens?
It was actually
Sparky who gave us the answer. Here he was, courageously trying to live
his life, follow his routines, making the effort in spite of the fact
that his poor, weakened, disease- and chemo ridden body seemed beyond
repair.
"Well,"
we said, "if he himself wants to give it all he's got, then we've
got to give it all we've got." Sparky inspired the
whole journey.
After the first
two years of remission, we got the idea to write our book, "Sparky
Fights Back." We didn't want our experience and all we had learned
to just go to waste, undocumented. And now we're doing this newsletter -
it's all because of Sparky's spunky example. In his sixth year of
remission, he continues to encourage us every day!
We
are both excited about this issue. The new University College
London study on the benefits of
beans and nuts is especially astonishing.
Also check
out the article about Garlic,
considered by some to be toxic in dogs.
Wishing you
success in all your battles,
-- Josée and
John
Got ideas? Please continue to e-mail
news items to us at authors@sparkyfightsback.com
.
|
Bring On The Cashews, Peanuts, Lentils
Scenario:
There's a certain enzyme that cancer seems to need pretty badly if it
wants to grow. So scientists calculate that if they can make something
that destroys this enzyme, it would go a long way in inhibiting the
cancer. Then it turns out that nature has already provided that
"something" in a common food!
That was
certainly true with curcumin, the substance found in the spice
called
turmeric (see our August, 2005 issue in the archive).
In that case the enzyme that cancer needs is COX-2. Curcumin
works better than the drugs they created for this purpose - more
effective and virtually no side effects!
Now we learn
that there is another enzyme that cancer needs, called "phosphoinositide
3kinase. And, amazingly there is something in common foods that
inhibits it. The something is called inositol
pentakisphosphate (InsP5). What foods contain InsP5? Would you
believe nuts, beans, lentils and grains?
We're not
making this up! A new study out of the UK's University College London,
published in the Cancer Research Journal indicates that lentils, peas,
cashew
nuts, peanuts, kidney beans and navy beans are all rich in InsP5. They
will begin clinical testing soon. Meanwhile, why not consider adding
some of these foods to your dog's daily diet along with a sprinkle of
turmeric? Couldn't hurt.
There is a
strong suggestion that InsP5 enhances chemotherapy. If you have a
cancer-dog, we think you should check this out!
more here
and
here
|
Cancer-dogs Vulnerable
There
is a new, highly contagious canine flu that is going around the country.
It's been reported to be deadly in some cases. The disease is spreading
in kennels and at dog tracks, according to reports by veterinarians.
If your dog
gets a cough, or persistently gags, it could be this new flu, and you
would be wise to see a veterinarian immediately. The flu, which we
understand mutated from a horse influenza strain, is mostly curable.
However puppies and senior dogs are at higher risk. We would assume that
dogs undergoing chemotherapy would also be at high risk. The virus has
also been detected in animal shelters and pet shops.
more here
|
Rescue Operation Still Needs Our Help!
Our
list of subscribers is growing steadily, as the word gets around. We
sent out two emails about the hurricane Katrina animal rescue effort,
listing animal charity organizations accepting donations.
We do not
personally endorse any of these organizations - we leave the choice
up to you. We realize the list isn't complete. All we're trying to do is
help the dogs. One woman
cancelled
her subscription because we listed a group she didn't approve of.
Another dog owner expressed disappointment on our omitting her favored
group, which was AKC-CAR.
This noble organization of the American Kennel Club should certainly
have been included -- we apologize. 100% of their donated funds go to
the dogs, 0% to administration costs. You can donate online here,
or send check/MO to:
AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief
Fund
Attn: Ms. Kim Luong
c/o American Kennel Club, Inc.
260 Madison Avenue - 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016-2401
https://www.akc.org/donations/index.cfm
In
case you missed the emails, here is a list of charities that were listed:
|
Some Say No
Our
dog Sparky has been given garlic since way back. We've read about the
benefits to dogs of garlic's qualities as an anti-oxidant in many
articles and books. In last month's issue, we listed garlic as part of
our anti-cancer diet.
A reader
informed us that garlic and onions can be toxic to a dog, causing
haemolytic anaemia, where the pet’s red blood cells burst while
circulating in its body. Onions are worse; garlic would only be toxic in
larger quantities. This information led us to brush up on other foods
that some consider toxic to dogs and other animals. Some of these foods
are controversial, while there is a consensus on others. As always, we
try to present what we discover and let you decide.
more
here about toxic foods
and
even more here
|
Big Discounts on "Sparky Fights Back"
Many
of our readers are associated with Animal Rescue Groups, Shelters, and
other organizations that need funds. Foley Square Books is now
offering our best selling book "Sparky
Fights Back: A Little Dog's Big Battle Against Cancer" at
DEALER DISCOUNT prices (55% off list!) on orders of five or more.
This is a
great fundraising idea that doesn't require any cash outlay. Just take
orders for the book, and Foley Square will do the rest -- even ship them
individually to addresses you provide.
For more
information about this no-risk fundraising idea, email Foley Square at johnk@foleysquarebooks.com
|
MEDICAL
DISCLAIMER
This newsletter is for informational purposes only, and the intent is to
provide sources of possible veterinary assistance, treatments and
other help for owners of animals with cancer. The authors do not in any way
endorse or make claims for any of the medical personnel, medical
facilities, treatments, therapies, medicines, or methods recommended,
described or quoted herein. Nothing herein should be deemed to be
medical or veterinary advice, since no doctors or veterinarians are
employed by or connected with this publication. Visitors are directed to
consult with licensed veterinarians for all medical advice. Although
every effort is made to avoid factual errors, we cannot guarantee the
accuracy of any of the content of publication.
|
|
To
order
"Sparky Fights Back: A Little Dog's Big Battle Against
Cancer,"
go to our Book
Page
Signed copies still available!
NOW AVAILABLE IN MOST
BOOKSTORES!
(Ask for it)
|
Email us at: authors@SparkyFightsBack.com
|
Click
to subscribe or unsubscribe
We apologize if you have received this email in error. We
do not want to send our newsletter to people who don't want it. Please
unsubscribe if you don't want any future emails from us.
|
|
|