 "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 as of December 15th the Advanced Nutrition Course is up and running once again. This comprehensive programme features an indepth look at dietary formulation using the NRC Guidelines, so you can tailor your own dog's diet to his or her specific needs – and never worry whether you have the essentials covered. For more information on the current and upcoming programmes, please click *here* or contact me personally at catlane@thepossiblecanine.com.
2012 will see a shorter course on Herbs for you AND your dog; a well as the first of a series of very short but information-packed courses on diet and natural support for several common canine conditions.
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/
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/groups/293521938318/
Season’s Greetings from TPC
It’s been a tradition of mine every Christmas to offer reduced rates on consultations for dogs with health issues, whose owners are facing both mounting veterinary bills and all the financial pressures of Christmas. I also take 10% off any students enrolling in the Basics of Canine Nutrition course, and we can defer enrolment till after Christmas, meaning you get the 50$ savings AND you can start once the festive season is over. With consultations for health issues, traditionally I offer two weeks follow up as you adjust your dog, and aim for as many recipes as I can – some dogs with health issues really can only have one diet, others can manage two or even three, depending on the condition. The follow-up often involves many hours of correspondence, some of which is necessary, a lot of which can reasonably be trimmed. So, to accommodate both the client’s needs and mine, while placing the wellbeing of the dog above all – my Yuletide Special is the same service for $150.00 – that’s a whopping 100.00 off! I will do a maximum of two recipes, with the supplementation of course, and we will need to keep email to needs-must. I enjoy chatting about nutrition – in fact I love it! But, it does eat into my time very greatly. So I am offering a stripped- down service but you still get what you need for dogs who have renal disease, cancer, liver or gastric issues, bladder stones – or as is often the case, a combination of many.
I am working toward an April finish for my Master Herbalist thesis, on canine cancer, so the extra time is good for me as well. I will leave this offer on the table after Christmas, most likely until April. The reduced tuition for the Basics of Canine nutrition will be over January 1, 2012.
The Advanced Canine Nutrition course remains open with an estimated December 15 start up date. There is no reduction for that course, it remains $650.00 plus materials, for students with a solid background in the field, preferably who have taken my Introductory Course .
Blessings of the Season to you all.
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Lioncastle's Daniel of Sarjo – a glowing example of canine possibility
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