 "Whatever is unsure is possible, and life is bigger than flesh" is a line from Wendell Berry's wellknown poem Testament that struck a deep chord with me as I was looking for a name for my site. I had hoped to find a name that would express the sense of adventure and possibility I feel when it comes to the field of holistic health care for dogs. Not long after I read the poem, a friend returned a book of mine she had borrowed many years ago and had forgotten to give back - The Possible Human by Jean Houston. Written by a true pioneer in the human potential movement, and a brilliant, inspiring thinker, the title again reminded me of what I wanted most to express in my work and in my site - a vision of a healthier, longer lived, fully actualized canine who not only lives up to, but transcends what we currently think of as his species limitations.
And so, The Possible Canine was born.
What I believe is this: that the health and overall potential of dogs, like humans and other living organisms, rests on the cornerstones of nutrition, emotional wellbeing, responsible veterinary care, and a clean, toxin free living environment. Once these four are aligned we have not only a vibrant, fully realized animal, but a beginning - a framework for developing more of their abilities while at the same time we give back to them in terms of length and quality of life. The companionship of dogs, their intelligence, loyalty, service to humanity in so many capacities, even their role as guides for our spirit, if we choose to see them this way, has been invaluable to our own species for thousands of years. As we push further into uncharted territory of human health - medical advances, nutrition, mind/body medicine, answers to global environmental issues - I know we all want to bring our best friends along with us.
And to this end I dedicate my site.
To progress, balanced exploration of new ideas, canine company, and to Luke and Lila - my teachers, soulmates, bringers of daily joy, and dearest of companions.
Thank you all for visiting.
Cat Lane - May 4/2006
"Catherine Lane is a Canine Nutrition Consultant. I should correct that last statement, she's not just a Canine Nutrition Consultant, she's an exceedingly knowledgeable and experienced Canine Nutrition Consultant. It has been my pleasure to establish a working relationship with Cat Lane. This allowed me to re-learn much of what I thought I knew about canine nutrition, which is humbling and refreshing after being a practising veterinarian for 38 years. When owners have decided to feed their dogs other than commercial foods, it is a luxury to find someone who completely understands the formulations, nutrient requirements, and supplements that my patients require.
They say that the proof of the pudding is in the eating and this certainly applies in this case. By virtue of careful and knowledgable adjustments of my patient's diets, the dogs get better, which allows confidence in the multiple aspects of diet formulation. Each formula Catherine provides is calculated to fulfil the individual's requirements, based on age, physiology, health, and activity level.
When choosing a diet to provide a healthful environment for a dog's development, one can chance it and pick a food off the shelf, being guided by that food's advertising. I would far rather people seek the expert advice Cat offers, absolutely for the good of your canine companions.
I often say to my patients that if I do not know something, I will refer them to someone who does. I use only professionals; people in whom I have total trust and have seen the benefits of their knowledge. I can wholeheartedly support Catherine. You will be advised very professionally and you will develop an admiration for her knowledge and sensitivity in this complex field."
Yours in health,
Dr. L.E.Beltran
B.Vet.Med, Ph.D, M.R.C.V.S.
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At the present time I have three programmes available, all are distance-learning and self paced, so you can start at any time and work as your time and focus will permit. These courses are the popular Basics of Canine Nutrition, the intensive Certificate Course in Applied Canine Herbalism, and the Advanced Nutrition programme, geared to those who wish to formulate recipes and delve more deeply into the field. For more information on the current and upcoming programmes, please contact me personally at catlane@thepossiblecanine.com.
Please check my blog for entries on everything from core nutrition facts, to sample recipes of all description, to all kinds of herbal wisdom and information. http://thepossiblecanine.wordpress.com/
A new course coming up in four weeks, Herbs for you and your dog, please check the blog for updates! Preliminary information here.
ThePossibleCanine is on Facebook now – please drop by if you are in the neighbourhood! Lots of discussion in a friendly and supportive setting. https://www.facebook.com/ThePossibleCanine
Springtime Greetings from TPC
It has been a long time since I updated this page - so much going on with my own studies, with consulting, blogging, running my little (all-species) rescue, and of course, the courses. While this was not a particularly severe winter in my neck of the woods, it does feel like spring is taking forever to arrive – I simply can’t wait to get to the garden and woods, hunting for nettles and ramps while Danny romps around excitedly, as dogs always do after a long chilly winter starts to melt away. Very exciting too, is the new course, for those either starting out with herbs or who may have some background and wish to go deeper. Less technical and more hands-on than the Practitioner’s course, this one will have us all starting our own seeds, wandering the great outdoors learning to ID local healing plants, making salves, tinctures, glycerites and more for our own use- and the benefit of our dogs and cats, too. Spring is my absolute favorite time of the year, fresh with new life and the energy of beginnings; I hope it is a magical and healthy one for you and your animal families as well.
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Lioncastle's Daniel of Sarjo – a glowing example of canine possibility
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