At The Possible Canine discussion group, we believe that good nutrition is an essential  cornerstone of good health, and that there are many ways to feed your dog healthfully and without fear of "getting it wrong".  Nutrition is our focus and our passion!   Of course, other factors will influence your dogs longevity and wellbeing and should be open for discussion too. So while our main focus is nutrition and supplements, we are open to discussion of herbs, flower essences, health conditions, and on the weekends, anything dog related at all, including Tellington Touch, homeopathy, behavioural issues.  Since a lot of members are focused on dietary concerns, we strive to offer an open minded learning and supportive environment - one in which all methods of feeding are respected and all levels of knowledge welcomed. Our members feed a variety of diets - home made cooked and raw, or some of each - others use commercial foods, kibble canned or raw pre-mixes - the goal is to  ensure correct, balanced and personalized nutrition for each dog. My own philosophy is that many different approaches to diet can work, and that nutrition, as an ever-changing and expanding field, constitutes a lifelong programme of study, which is most fun when we undertake it together. I believe in community, and in sharing;  I also believe greatly in using science respectfully and wisely, but never becoming so enslaved to it we limit our vision of what might work outside the proverbial box. To that end, we offer an ongoing Tutorial to help newcomers and the more experienced alike understand basic nutritional principles, and attain precise nutritional goals for their dogs. We start with very basics of canine nutrition - nutrient requirements and the foods that deliver them - and help the student learn at their own pace, how to prepare balanced home made meals geared to their unique, individual dog.

In a spirit of finding the best of both worlds, we also explore - pretty much daily - so-called alternative and complementary dietary strategies, herbals, nutraceuticals - always seeking a balance of what's best in both conventional wisdom and innovation..

But The Possible Canine is more than *just* a nutrition list. We're a community of friends,of individuals who above all, share one incredible commonality;a deep and abiding love for our canine companions, and a willingness to seek out and do the absolute best for them. Sharing our stories, struggles, triumphs and losses - as well as our knowledge  - is the very heartbeat of TPC, as we've come to call it. I believe information can, and must! be top quality, but that doesn't mean it needs to be dry, dogmatic or heavy handed. Learning is best accomplished in a fun environment a caring, open-minded and open -hearted one. I consider The Possible Canine a labour of love, and a place where I not only share what I've learned with my members, but learn from them everyday, too. It's a real privilege to invite you to join us.

In keeping with my philosophy that the group is all about and for it's members,and that I am there to serve as much as lead,  I asked them to speak about TPC,  what they get from the group, why they stay there. I'm offering a few of the responses here, because they meant so much to me and I feel honoured to share them.

Maybe you will drop by and say hello, too.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThePossibleCanine

From TPC Member Jeanne Bowry:
"I came to this list as a raw feeder, frustrated at the lack of scientific information provided by any of the raw feeding advocates or authors I could find. As I was buying a puppy I wanted to be sure I was doing what was 100% the best for him, right from the word go – And I was unsure whether raw feeding would do this, despite successfully raising other dogs on a raw diet. There were a number of things that just didn’t add up and I wanted to learn more, I have a thirst for science and my research into raw would not satisfy my need for facts!
Since joining TPC and adopting a scientific approach to feeding my beloved little Happy Pappy’s, I’ve learned that my Montie’s diet was not as great as I thought it was, he was having a few health complaints and since developing a new diet for him he’s healthier than ever. He is on a mixture of cooked and raw now, as is my little puppy Chino, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. TPC has helped me to analyse what I have been feeding and devise a diet that meets their dietary needs. The best thing is, it can work for anyone, whether you cook for your dogs, feed 100% raw, or a combination like I do now. They will also assist the kibble feeder analyse and compare different brands of kibble.
I give TPC a 100% satisfaction rating . :)

From TPC Member Pat O'Sullivan:
There are many things I love, and my 3 Maltese dogs have settled in their own comfy corner of my heart. Their love is unconditional and the joy they give me is endless, so I try to do everything I can to keep them healthy and happy. TPC helps me do this.  It’s a place I go for advice and support on diet as it relates to canine health.  It’s a friendly caring place that offers me support for my dogs when they are in good health or when they are ill.  When my male William was infected with Leptospirosis and his platelet count went to almost zero, I received endless support and advice from TPC, and the group founder, Catherine Lane, personally contacted me and helped me adjust his diet to help build up his platelets.  I’ve discovered first hand that diet can have a positive health impact in dealing with the youngest puppy, a rambunctious teen, right through to senior canine citizens, if you know what nutrients dogs need in their diets  TPC guides dog parents through these stages with solid, science-based nutritional information that is geared to providing the very best diet possible for your dogs. 

From TPC Member Mary Pat MacGuire (MP):
Dear Cat,
I want to thank you for your advise on nutritional information concerning my senior Golden, Samantha (Sam) I want to tell you how just much it has truely meant to me that you have taken the time to read my questions and offer your advice when you could have easily said "Go to the files, read and then come back with any questions you have" I have lurked many a boards and have seen that happen more than once with a newbie. But lately, I've just become so overwhelmed with my Goldens chronic problems, especially the pain with her arthritis and hip displaysia that it's hard to figure out just what to do, where to go or how to do it. So I shot you some questions and you came back with answers, advice, and questions for me.
You have absolutely no idea, none, nada, zilch, how much I appreciate your knowledge and your input.
Again, thank you, thank, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You really are the best.

From TPC  Member Meghan Gates:
There is so much to say about the group, the members, and especially you that I didn't know how to condense it....Cat, you should know how much you have helped me. I have learned so much from asking questions, going through the files, and reading other people's questions and the answers they receive. Your files section is amazing and it has helped me a lot. Everyone has been friendly and so helpful. This is truly one of my favorite groups. Even though I ask a lot of questions that sound stupid or dumb to me, no one complains or laughs at me or anything. You and the others who answer, are completely professional and friendly when answering. You make me feel as if there are no dumb questions, : ). So thank you for all that you do and have done for me and the rest of the group.

THANK YOU, for making the group the very special place it has become . YOU "really are the best!"
Catherine Lane
September 2007