"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.

For some time now I have been working to upgrade and expand the course curriculum, and we still have a way to go. However, interest has been strong; hence I have decided to leave The Basics of Canine Nutrition open to new students at any time. The programme is now self paced and updated, and covers canine nutrient requirements and digestion, understanding dogfood labels, identifying food sources of various nutrients, and generally making sound nutritional choices. We discuss anatomy and digestion, various types of diets (raw, cooked and commercial) and how to use supplements with regard to a home made diet. It is a basic, introductory but very thorough course.

I am pleased to report that some major changes will be taking place in the new year, with regard to other courses. I will be adding an Herbal Intensive as well as short modules on nutritional support for various health conditions, and of course the ever popular Dietary Formulation course. Our format will be changing in order to make more personal mentoring available for each student. Ellyn Grubbe, Dip.ACN, and longtime PossibleCanine Moderator, will be joining the team as a formal Teaching Assistant. Ellyn brings a wealth of experience and training to the classroom setting and is deeply committed to helping students succeed. I will be adding a page regarding the new courses and including Ellyn's biography early next year. Please check back for details as we develop.

For more information on course content, prerequisities, tuition, timetables, or to register, please contact me at catlane@thepossiblecanine.com.

Winter has arrived far too early here in the Gatineau Hills - as I know it has many other places. The quiet, introspective months ahead offer us all an opportunity to spend more precious time in reflection, often following an intellectual or spiritual pursuit. I am blessed in that my work covers both those areas for me. While a lot of what I do is academic, scientific and intellectual - studies, number-crunching, writing - it is all "spiritual" for me insofar as my work expresses something I hold sacred. The dog has been an unparalleled friend to humanity, and in many hearts holds the same place as a beloved human family member. Put very simply, we cherish them. To help bring health and longevity to these amazing creatures is a soulful pursuit for me.

This winter will be a quiet time for me, focused on working with my clients, researching, writing, and completing my Chartered Herbalist diploma - and spending quality time with my own canine family of course. Spring and summer 09 will see me in Ottawa Natural Pets more frequently, doing short seminars on specific topics, and I'm planning at least two long (fullday) workshops on nutrition, all in the Ottawa area.A seminar in Nova Scotia is in the works too - anyone who might like a local seminar please contact me for further discussion. For now, I'm available for online consults as always, and running the yahoogroup with my fantastic moderating team.

On a personal note, this will be my first Christmas in thirteen years without my darling Lila. For all of you who are missing a dog this season, my heart goes out to you; it is so very hard . I'm commemorating Lila with a beautiful shrine in her honour, and with a few new tree ornaments that celebrate her elegant, lovely, comical spirit. I hope you find a way to be with the memories this year too, as well as enjoying the ones still here with you. I include this poem for everyone walking the path of loss this year; they are, indeed, always with us.

Blessings of the Season to everyone, have a safe, healthy and dog-filled winter.

We have a secret, you and I
that no one else shall know,
for who but I can see you lie
each night in fire glow?
And who but I can reach my hand
before we go to bed
and feel the living warmth of you
and touch your silken head?
And only I walk woodland paths
and see ahead of me,
your small form racing with the wind
so young again, and free.
And only I can see you swim
in every brook I pass
and when I call, no one but I
can see the bending grass.
Author Unknown