In A Wheelchair and Want A Dog?
The training organisation Dogs for the Disabled has added an enthusiastic introduction to the book: “Waggy Tails & Wheelchairs” – which I have to say could be bettered as a title — praising it as containing a wealth of tips that will prove invaluable information that any wheelchair or scooter user who is contemplating getting a dog would do well to read.
The author, Alexander Epp, became confined to a wheelchair at the age of 21 after a car accident but this didn’t prevent him from undertaking many tours on a handbike, complete with tent and accompanied by one or more stray dogs. This led him to acquiring his own dog and he is completely realistic about the work involved in having a dog, but it is very convincing that if the right strategies are in place, it will be a tremendously rewarding experience for both the individual and the dog.
Companionship is hugely important to all of us, whether fully mobile or confined to a wheelchair, and there is no doubt that dogs make a tremendous, loving, stimulating companions. But is it really a good idea to take on a dog, because there certainly are a number of things to consider from the cost involved to whether you have your own transport and how much help and care is available to you
Certainly, wheelchair and mobility scooter users face their own particular challenges when it comes to dog ownership: how will they walk their dog; train and teach it; play games with it, and, all importantly, how do you deal with the dog mess? –From his unique viewpoint, the author answers all of these questions and concerns and allows readers to assess and determine whether they can share their special lifestyle with a dog, and what they can do in preparation to make it as simple, easy and straightforward as possible
If you can’t find Waggy Tails & Wheelchairs – The complete guide to harmonious living for you and your dog by Alexander Epp in your local bookshop then go to the website at www.velocebooks.com and for every book sold, a contribution of 50 pence will be made to the Dogs for the Disabled charity.
Health problems your dog can smell out
Dogs are wonderful friends, supports, playmates but they could also be an early diagnostic tool for your health as they can apparently smell cancer and low blood sugar. The Pine Street Foundation, a cancer-education and research centre in San Anselmo, California has just published a study showing it was possible to train dogs to identify, based on breath samples, which patients had lung and breast cancer. They are now recruiting for a second trial using dogs to diagnose ovarian cancer.
I have heard of dolphins diagnosing tumours and cancers through sonar, and certainly Chinese herbal practitioners often smell your skin to diagnose certain conditions but using dogs is a new one to me. In diabetics, the presence of ketones – substances made by the body during the metabolic process – can be smelled in urine and on the breath when blood sugars are high. Dogs can pick up on other smells that humans can’t when glucose levels drop.
Maybe you want to buy your dog a healthy treat and keep his nose in tip top shape as a form of health insurance?
p.s – If you are looking for a place to compare dog insurance visit a great little site we foun recently: www.whatdoginsurance.co.uk
