Many, if not most, people start to
learn about holistic methods of health care because of a bad or
unsatisfactory experience with 'orthodox' medicine. Usually the
"newcomer", faced with the fear of the unknown, tiptoes into
this new world of knowledge determined to find out if there is a
'better way' of doing things.
Without a guiding light or a personal
'guru' he begins to find information about the wonders of this product
or that product and all the 'magical' benefits that can be derived
from using it. Lets face it, there are some pretty wild statements
being made out there and some of them can be downright
dangerous. For example here are a couple I have run across .
"Just use a little apple cider
vinegar…no more heartworm problems".
"Parvo is easy to cure. Just use
mega doses of Vitamin C".
When you remember that the newcomer is
still thinking along the lines of "take this (pill) for
that" you begin to realize that what is really needed is a
complete change in mindset!
Holistic health care is not really
about using this remedy or that remedy (rather than a drug) to
"fix" a particular problem. Sure it can be done, and quite
often with awesome results. Sometimes that's all the newcomer is
interested in. The expectation level is still oriented from lifelong
habit that health care is based on treating sickness. Good health care
is based on PREVENTION!! That's what holistic health care is
all about.
For those that are willing to embrace
the 'lifestyle' the rewards are enormous. There is a very distinct
learning curve in realizing that the principals involved are elegantly
simple but need to be applied in totality-not splintered into
component parts and used with slap dash application whenever it is
"convenient".
The real payoff comes in the second, third, and subsequent generations
of animals raised naturally. I have several shih tzus that have
never seen the inside of a vets office!
The point is, it doesn't happen by
accident. It happens by taking the time to learn and apply a few basic
principals. It does mean that the newcomer must have the courage to
break the 'conditioning' of the fear mongers, and develop the ability
to separate 'hype' from fact. With a dash of common sense, an open
mind, and a willingness to dig for tried and proven methods, the
newcomer will be able to answer many questions for themselves. With
knowledge will come the ability to make well informed decisions on
diet, vaccination, etc.-without fear of "doing something
wrong".
Well meant criticisms from friends,
veterinarians, and particularly other breeders, will be put into
proper perspective and will no longer haunt your conscience with the
"I know better than you" syndrome.
As time passes and you see the glowing
health that your shih tzus enjoy, you will be filled with a deep sense
of satisfaction that no money on earth could ever buy. As your bitch
free whelps another large litter of vigorous healthy puppies, you know
full well that the little extra time involved in holistic health care
is the best investment you ever made. Your sense of confidence will
grow .
It is normal that when your practical
experience has proven beyond any doubt the wonderful benefits your
dogs have enjoyed, you want to share it with others that simply are
still caught in the "orthodox" trap.
After a few hard lessons with their
attitude of "my mind is made up-don't confuse me with the
facts" you learn that not everybody is ready to hear your
message. Sometimes the best thing you can do is bite your lip and stay
silent!
At least with vaccinations, we can
point to "orthodox" literature condemning the practice of
annual boosters (even if most conventional vets are still pounding
away at this particular money tree). Don't be afraid to speak out on
this one gang.
One thing I have learned over the past
decade is that you never stop learning!! Actually it's fun and does
keep me young and enthusiastic (and busy!). I don't know where the
learning curve will take me, but I am enjoying the journey.
