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What Does Earth Day 2010 Mean to Me? – My Opinion May Surprise You

Chris L Wagner — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:44:29 +0000

I could tell you about the importance of recycling, keeping wildlife protected and so on, but you already know about these things. We all should be responsible stewards of this planet and protect it and its inhabitants as best we can. However, I want to go a little deeper into what Earth Day means to me.

On April 22nd 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin saw his dream come true and Earth Day was born. Various organizations around the country wanted to bring awareness to the people about the damage us humans had on the environment. Many say that this marked the beginning of the environmental movement.

Now, 40 years later we are more aware of the products we buy, the cars we drive and the effects we have on wildlife and the environment. All around us companies are making eco friendly alternatives and car manufacturers mileage standards are way up. I’d say we’ve made good strides in most areas.

My background story

Some of you may know that I’m a pet sitter and have loved animals all my life and wouldn’t think of hurting one. (except for spiders and ants, but I feel guilty about it!). When I launched my online pet products store, I naturally gravitated towards eco friendly and holistic pet products.

Me with some friends

My father was an immigrant from a very poor town in Southern Italy and taught me and my brothers the value of a dollar and not to waste it. When something broke, he fixed it. I can remember him recycling when I was just a kid which was way before it was a popular thing to do. It was ingrained in me from a very early age to respect the things we have and not to be wasteful. As an adult, I have kept that tradition going.

Having said all that…..

For the first time in human history, humans now have the ability to change the ecology of our planet. The pollutants and waste that we produce is having an effect on the environment as it has never had before. Therefore, we as an intelligent species have a responsibility to overcome and fix our shortcomings.

That is all well and good and I’m totally on board with that, BUT we must not forget that humans are part of this Earth. We didn’t come here from another place outside the universe, we are a part of it and as a part of the whole, we should be protected too.

When government uses environmental policies to make a political point and disregard the fact that humans can also be harmed by these policies is abhorrent to me.

Child suffering from malaria

Did you know that after 25 years after banning DDT, there were 50 million preventable deaths? In 2006 the World Health Organization reversed its ban and endorsed the use of DDT to combat Malaria. However a U.N. agency reverted back to endorsing less effective ways, such as chloroquine to win the war on Malaria. As a result, millions more poor people will die. The DDT kept the mosquito population as bay, but when that was gone, the people had no defense. I’m not saying DDT is good or bad, I’m just pointing out that politics should not win out over human suffering.

Delta Smelt

Here in California in the San Joaquin Valley, the bread basket of America, 30-40,000 farmers have been put out of work and tens of thousands of acres are bone dry because they turned off the water supply to save a 2 inch Delta Smelt Fish. This in turn, raises the price of food and we will have to get it from other countries. If we are trying to buy local, why would they shut off the water of our local farmers and force us to go outside the area? It’s just counter intuitive to me.

These are just two examples over many years that policy has won over human heartache and suffering.

So, what does Earth Day mean to me?

It means that we as thinking, feeling beings have the responsibility to look after our oceans, forests and wildlife. However, we are one with the Earth and have a moral duty to protect our fellow man.

I would prefer decisions were not made for a political point and made with “what is the best solution for all involved”. Sometimes we have to think outside the box and not shut down lumber companies to save the Spotted Owl, for instance. Isn’t there another way, so no species has to suffer? And, if a solution can’t be found, who do we chose to save – Human or Smelt?

Chris L Wagner

From One Pet Lover To Another

Alternative Treatments for Animals – Can you say, “OOOMMM”

Chris L Wagner — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:07:33 +0000

In my recent travels through social media, especially in the LinkedIn groups, I have become aware of alternative treatments for animals. I was familiar with Canine Massage, but not some of the other natural therapies.

We were having a discussion in one of my groups about whether or not they actually work. Many of the practitioners have seen firsthand the wonderful healings of their companion pets. Some were not so convinced. I think that if it works for your pet, then it works! It doesn’t matter how you heal your pet, it just matters that your pet gets healed.

OOOMMMM

I believe that preventative medicine is the first course of action and of course that means feeding your pet a nutrient rich holistic pet food. So many allergies and other illnesses come from what you put in your dog. Read my post on What you don’t want in your dog food. That can get you started in the right direction. Learn to read the labels and know exactly what they mean.

There are too many alternative treatments to put in one post. Please go to the Full directory of alternative treatments for animals. I do not condone or condemn any of these practices. This is just to let you know what’s out there to help your pet in need. Please consult your Veterinarian before trying any of these therapies.

Here’s a brief description some of the alternative treatments for your pets.

Canine/Equine Massage: This is the manipulation of the soft tissue of your pet. Can be used as a preventative or for injuries. Also, helps agility or sports dogs.

That feels soooo good!

Reiki: Reiki is Japanese for ‘universal life force energy’, the word can be split into 2 parts – ‘Rei’ meaning universal and ‘Ki’ meaning energy. The practitioner uses energy transference and touches the animal in different parts of his body.

Acupuncture: Practiced for thousands of years in China and now has become more mainstream here in America, is used for both humans and animals. The acupuncture needles, used along meridian lines, are meant to unblock the bodies energy lines to redirect the energy and rebalance your body. Shiatsu is a kin to acupuncture, but using the hands along the meridian lines instead of needles.

Animal Communication: is the ability of the practitioner to use telepathy to interpret the animals thoughts, feeling, words and mental images. Telepathy means “feeling across a distance”. This can be used to find out why your pet is doing a certain unwanted behavior, or to get a better understanding of their feelings.

This is supposed to help me!!

Aromatherapy, Flower Essences and Herbal Remedies: Taking their cue from nature, practitioners use herbs, oils from plants and flower essences to treat ailments or alter moods such as anxiety. These therapies are nothing new and have been around since the dawn of time. Animals in the wild learned how to self-medicate and early humans have been using plants and flowers for injuries and sickness since the beginning. Read my prior post about Essential Oils for Pets.

Magnotherapy: uses magnetic energy fields to speed up the blood supply allowing more oxygen to flow providing more absorption of nutrients.

There are many others and if you would like to investigate these natural therapies more or find a school in your area, here are some links that can help you: Natural Healers, Alternative Medicine, Natural Animal Health, Naturally Complementary.

Chris L Wagner

From One Pet Lover To Another

Waggy’s Pet Sitting

Waggy’s Holistic Pet Food

Green Pets Eco Living – An Interview with Marisa Herrera

Chris L Wagner — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:59:01 +0000

I’m so excited to be able to introduce you to Marisa Herrera. Marisa is a Green Pets Eco-Living Consultant that is dedicated to reaching out to the global community and teaching us how to make our homes and pets in harmony with Mother Nature. She is also passionate about a raising the funds to open up an animal sanctuary in Mexico.

Chris: Marisa, thank you for stopping by Waggy’s Pet Tips and Tales. Please tell us how you started out on this wonderful journey in helping animals and families become more eco friendly. What is your working background?

Marisa: Thank you, Chris, for having me. It’s great to connect and talk with you! My journey started a long time ago with my love of animals and my desire to help them in any way possible. Since young, I’ve also had a deep connection with Nature and concern about the environment. I grew up in Mexico City and remember wanting to help and rescue all the stray dogs I would see. I saw so much apathy, cruelty and injustice that it forever touched me. I have been an animal and environmental advocate for decades and, finally, I’ve reached a point in my life where I had to pursue my passion and purpose of dedicating my life to help as many animals as I can while helping Nature, too. So, this is how Green Pets Eco Living was created in late 2009. I integrated my passions, interests, background and knowledge to help pet parents “green” their companion animals and create toxic-free home environments so their pets can live as long and healthy as possible. By incorporating eco-friendly practices, your pets, you and the planet all benefit from living green and having a green pet.

Marisa and Roco

My working and academic background is diverse. I’ve done environmental education, administrative work, public relations and field research. My academic background covers tourism management, wildlife management, restoration of natural systems, ecological landscape design and sustainable gardening. Over the years, I have developed my environmental conscience and have learned about ecology, sustainability, holistic living and holistic pet care.

Chris: I see you have loads of information and videos regarding living an eco friendly life. Can you tell us what things we can learn from you?

Marisa: Indeed. Living an eco friendly lifestyle starts with awareness and education. Awareness that we live in a highly toxic world that affects us and our pets; that our planet needs help and that we have options to create non-toxic and more sustainable environments at home, our communities and the world.

This is my approach: Bring awareness about the problems, conditions and risks associated with doing things the conventional way (from the foods we feed our pets and eat ourselves, to the cleaning supplies, cosmetic and personal care products we use and the vaccination regimes to which we expose our pets). Awareness about the toxic overload that is all around people and pets in their very own homes but are unaware of it. Educate and present the options and benefits of implementing safer, holistic and eco-friendly practices for you and your pets. Promote action by taking that first green step, by implementing the solutions for a healthier and greener lifestyle for you, your pets and the environment. This whole process assists pet parents to reduce and eliminate the toxics that abound in most homes now and, in turn, help their pets live long, healthy lives.

For example, let’s take pet food. What type of food do you feed your pet? Is it the nutritionally-devoid commercial brands, or the vet prescribed diets? Are you aware that many types of pet food use fillers made from corn and/or by-products (meat “meals”), artificial flavourings and colours, and ingredients that are grown with toxic pesticides or synthetic preservatives or contain ingredients that are deemed unfit for humans? These pet foods are harmful to your pet’s health and to the environment. So, what are the options? There are high quality commercial pet foods that contain superior sources of protein; organic, whole, unprocessed vegetables and grains and other foods. Another option is home-made organic food for your pets. There are various online recipes and resources to help create wholesome, healthy and properly balanced meals and treats.

Being exposed to a toxic environment by what we eat, drink, breathe and absorb through our skins overloads the immune system leading to potential health risks and degenerative diseases. We see this in people and animals. However, because our pets have shorter lifespans, faster metabolisms and are constantly on the ground, they are at higher risk with less exposure than people.

Chris: I know that you are passionate about opening up an Animal Sanctuary in Mexico. If you had all the funds you needed, and could afford to have the sanctuary of your dreams, what would that look like? What kind of animals would you house?

Marisa: Yes, I am passionate about having my animal sanctuary in Mexico and help those most in need. It has been a dream of mine for 10 years now, but finally I am taking action to make this a reality. This is one of the reasons I created Green Pets Eco Living…to raise the funds to afford and maintain my animal sanctuary. My intent is to open the sanctuary in 2010.

I will describe my sanctuary: The Animal Sanctuary is located in the Colonial Region of Mexico; it’s an hacienda nearby natural habitat. With my team of local staff and national and international volunteers, we rescue, rehabilitate, provide medical care, find foster homes, facilitate adoptions, and provide permanent refuge to as many animals in need as we can, including domestic, farm and exotics. We deal with animals that have been abused, injured, abandoned and the numerous stray animals without any hope of a life worth living. We also help people without the financial resources to pay for veterinary care by providing complimentary veterinary services for their companion animals. Our free mobile clinic reaches remote communities.

Our ongoing humane education program facilitates resources and information about treating animals with compassion and respect and being better stewards of Mother Earth. We have partnered with the local school Board to give complimentary Humane Education presentations throughout the school year. It is our belief that we need to teach the young generations about treating animals with compassion and respect, and living more harmoniously on Earth.

Marisa

We conduct low-cost and free sterilization programs for dogs and cats, both in-house and out in the local communities. The local government agencies support our on-going sterilization campaigns as a public health effort. The Sanctuary provides internships to Mexican veterinary students, who work along with our resident veterinarian in performing these surgeries and other veterinary care.

The Sanctuary is also a Nature Retreat where people come to connect with Nature and her creatures, a place to find simplicity and refuge from the hectic demands of urban living. Our accommodations are simple and comfortable with the touch of Mexican culture. The Nature Retreat is another fund-generator for the Sanctuary. The people you find at the Retreat have all one thing in common, whether they are volunteers, staff or guests; they all love animals and have an appreciation of Nature. This is what brings us together.

Here at the Sanctuary we have a mission: To help animals (domestic, farm and exotics) most in need by providing rescue, rehabilitation, medical care, temporary and permanent residence, and humane education to foster animal compassion, respect and protection.

Chris: Please tell us about your consulting business. Exactly what does it mean to have an eco friendly consultant?

Marisa: Actually, just this month I launched my online consulting services as a Green Pets Eco-Living Consultant. I am very excited about this! It will allow me to assist a global community of pet parents in creating toxic-free, healthy home environments for their pets and themselves. As an Eco-Living or Eco-Friendly Consultant, I also show you how to incorporate eco-friendly practices that are good for the planet. Our pets rely on us to provide for them; they are not aware of the toxic overload that may surround them in their homes and communities.

There is a lot of information online about green living, which can be overwhelming. I simplify the process for pet parents who don’t know where to start, don’t have the knowledge, patience or time to do all the research to start living green with their pets. Through my services, pet parents become aware of the options and the solutions they have available. I help them discover new ways to immediately implement easy steps to green their pets, themselves and transform their homes to healthy living spaces so their pets can live long, healthy lives.

For instance, my One-On-One Personalized Phone Consultation covers a thorough assessment of what your pets are exposed to, your home environment and the potential risks to your pets and you. I provide you with recommendations and solutions to improve the health and safety of your pets and to create a toxic-free home.

Chris: If someone wanted to start living green with their pets, but didn’t know what to do, what would you suggest?

Marisa: That’s an excellent question, Chris, because I believe many people face that situation. They hear about “going green” or having a “green pet”, but they may feel overwhelmed by all the information out there, which, in turn leads to a standstill. I would suggest starting with small steps, actually one step at a time so that taking action is doable and satisfying. Once pet parents see the benefits, I believe they will be motivated to move on to their second green step and so forth.

A good way to start living green with your pets is by starting to think toxic-free and learning to identify harmful, toxic substances you don’t want for your precious pets, yourself or your home. This gives you a foundation to start eliminating toxic products. It’s important to read labels. The words “caution,” “warning” and “danger” point to the toxic ingredients in a product. You need to avoid them! Buy products that are free of synthetic ingredients like colorants, fragrances and preservatives, and are cruelty-free; that is, not tested on animals.

An example on how to apply this information to start living green with your pets is with flea and tick products. Read the labels of whatever product you intend to buy. The conventional flea and tick products on the market are highly toxic; they are pesticides, basically! Pesticides are poisons and we know that they are dangerous and harmful to the environment, but what effect is it having on our precious pets?!

If you are currently using these toxic treatments on your pet, first, get rid of those collars, spot-on treatments, etc. Detoxify your house by washing bedding, clothing, and other things with which your pet has come in contact. This leads you to your second green step; that is, the use of a natural, biodegradable, phosphate, formaldehyde and chemical-free laundry detergent. It’s also important to bathe your pet regularly using a natural, bio-degradable, chemical, phosphate and cruelty-free pet shampoo. And by doing this you easily move on to your third step of grooming your pet with non-toxic products. As you can see, one step leads you to another and as you move on, you will have the awareness and information to select toxic-free and eco-friendly products for your pets and yourself.

Chris: It’s been wonderful to talk to you today. Please tell everyone how they can reach you on the web and on Social Media.

Marisa, I wish you all the luck in the world on your Animal Sanctuary and thank goodness there are people like you that care deeply for the animals that have no voice.

Marisa: Thank you very much, Chris! I’ve enjoyed our talk, as well. I appreciate your good wishes and the work you do to help animals, as well. Every step, every action counts!

I can be reached via my website: www.GreenPetsEcoLiving.com , Twitter: http://twitter.com/marisa_herrera ; Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MarisaHerreraDupuis , and my YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/MarisaHerreraDupuis

Chris L Wagner

PawFriendly Landscapes – An interview with owner Elizabeth Bublitz for a Beautiful Pet Friendly Yard

Chris L Wagner — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:25:56 +0000

Elizabeth, I’d like to thank you so much for letting us interview you today. I’m very excited to hear about your company and the tips you can provide us for making our yard more pet friendly.

Elizabeth: Thank you! I’m so honored you asked me!

Chris: I wanted to interview you because pet friendly landscaping is very close to my heart. I love to garden but also board dogs in my home. Needless to say, they have wreaked havoc in my back yard, and I’ve invested a lot of money into barriers to keep them out of my plants.

Chris: Were you always a landscaper with pets in mind or did that come about later? What inspired you? Tell us about your company.

Remove sod to create doggie runway

Elizabeth: I’ve always been a plant and dog nerd. When I was working for other landscape companies, I was heartbroken when clients would complain about their dog. They always said something like, “I love my yard but just look at what my dog did!” There was no concern as to why their dog was “destroying” their yard, they were just very angry with their dog.

When I started my company in 1998, I wanted to prove to people that dogs and plants can share a yard. Their “destructive” behavior is simply their instincts. They get triggered by certain elements in their yard and act like dogs. They’ll bark at squirrels, go to the bathroom, etc. so I figured out what type of material to use so they weren’t killing everything.

I’ve always consulted with my vet about solutions since I have had no other resources to rely on – it’s been a lot of trial and error in the past 12 years but that’s what makes it successful. We’ve figured out concepts that nobody else tried.

Chris: What a great idea to consult with your vet! I have to tell you that I have literally almost been in tears after a dog has crushed my plants. We put a lot of work into our gardens and to see all that hard work go to waste, is heartbreaking. What can we do to keep our flower beds looking nice and keep the dogs out?

Red Flagstone in green grass for dogs to run across sod for squirrel Patrol

Elizabeth: One word of advice is never plant along the fence. This includes grass. No plant can withstand urine or heavy foot traffic. Dogs actually make a yard more interesting since we incorporate walkways and/or organic shapes based on their habits. We create runways along the fence with 1.5” Round River Rock (Stones). If your dog eats rock (many of them do) we use pavers and pea gravel or crushed granite (that can pass through their stomachs). The bed line is about 3’-5’ wide – we never plant 3’ feet from the fence since that will be their runway to do their squirrel patrol, bark at a neighbor’s dog, bark at passer-byers, etc. By the way, three foot wide walkways are a perfect size dogs and humans to use. We respect their habits.

We add thorny/textured plants, like junipers, roses, pyracantha, barberry to deter dogs from entering gardens. We also use large cobble or chunky rocks that are awkward for dogs to walk on. The material we choose depends on the size, age and total of dogs in a backyard.

Creating retaining walls for gardens also prevents dogs from trampling through beds.

Chris: You are so right, I had to put up a metal barrier so the dogs don’t go to my back fence and bark at my neighbor’s dog. I know that poisonous plants are a big concern for our pets. Can you please tell us which plants are most harmful to pets?

Elizabeth: Lilies!!!!! All lilies! They are especially harmful to cats but they cause kidney failure very quickly in dogs too. Every time I’ve been a vendor, I’ve had someone come to my booth and tell me to get the word out about lilies. They’ve either lost a dog or their dog has kidney issues because he ate a lily. I will install them in front yards only.

Other plants include: foxglove (heart problems), bulbs of iris, tulips, daffodils, holly berries, ivy, lupine, apple seeds, tomato plants/fruit, etc. There are so many – I’ve listed them on my website and I’m writing a third book about toxic plants with my veterinarian.

On the other side of that coin, we do NOT install ornamental grasses in backyards – they’re not toxic but dogs eat them and it’s not fair to the plant since they can never grow.

Chris: Unless your completely organic, from time to time , we might have to use pesticides in our gardens. I sometimes use soap and water to get the aphids off in the Spring. What are your thoughts on that and what would you recommend as alternatives to commercial pesticides?

Elizabeth: Vinegar is an herbicide. It kills everything so only use it on the weed or plant you’re trying to kill. It must be used when it’s warm – above 70 degrees and it’ll take about a week to do its magic.

Composting is a good soil amendment. Or peat and manure – such as cow and peat, sheep and peat work to amend garden beds.

In some situations chemicals need to be used. I don’t have a chemical license because we do not do maintenance so I always contact my arborist who knows all of my clients own pets so he uses chemicals that won’t hurt them or educates them about the life span of the chemical.

I always tell clients if they’re going to use a chemical – read the label and call poison control - 1-800-222-1222 – it’s free and they’ll help. The ASPCA always has a poison control but it costs money – have your ccard ready when you call them – (888) 426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.

Chris: Is it true that putting tomato juice or ketchup in your dogs food can get rid of the urine burns on your lawn? If not, what can we do about it?

Elizabeth: I’ve consulted with numerous vets about this and they tell me they are all myths. I’ve never heard of a good solution. So, we work with the dog’s habits.

If the dog is going to the bathroom in the same area (they are very habitual) then we pull out the sod and install rock (if their dog does not eat rock) and let them use it as the bathroom area.

Male dogs are always lifting their leg on plants and people continue to replace the plant. Rather than replacing the plant, I incorporate statues into the garden where he’s lifting his leg. This is a technique I call “the fire hydrant” solution. Statues can be planters, bird baths, sundials, boulders, etc.

If dogs are going to the bathroom randomly around the yard, I ask the dog owner to relocate his or her feces to one area and when they start using that area, praise them only when they’re finished going to the bathroom – not during. Then they’ll realize that is the bathroom area. Again, I would not install any plants in the bathroom area, only rock or wood (if they eat rock) but the wood mulch can trigger them to eat it or dig at it – plus it needs to be replenished every other year or so. The plus side to wood mulch is it neutralizes the odor.

If wood and rock mulch are not an option, we’ll use pavers or concrete as a bathroom area. Dogs continue using the area regardless of our changing the texture of it. I’ve only had one dog not use the area once we changed it – he was a Border Collie. For some reason, he did not want to continue using the are a but that’s the only one I knew about.

Chris: Thank you for all the great advice and it’s been great chatting with you. As your final question, can you please give us your best tips for a “Paw Friendly” yard and where people can find you.

Elizabeth: Dogs’ habits add interest to a yard. Never get mad or angry at them – there are so many cost effective solutions for their habits.

One important element that needs to be considered is edging. Edging is used whenever there is a transition in a yard. Say your yard is shaped like a “box of sod” and you want to create runways along your fence for your dog. You would have to remove the sod and install edging so the sod does not migrate into the new bed and the new bed’s mulch, say rock, does not migrate into the sod. Steel edging is the dangerous edger because it comes with a safety cap that always weathers and leave s the top exposed. Edging is like a knife and will severely slice paws. Some dogs have a permanent limp from their injury. Many dog owners do not know why their healthy dog went outside but came back with a cut paw –it’s always the edging.

The safest edging is: roll top, various plastic edgings, brick, pavers, timbers, etc. They are pet friendly and some are very attractive.

I have a fan page on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Golden-CO/Pawfriendly-Landscapes/223141086885 and my website is www.pawfriendlylandscapes.com

Chris: Thank you so much for sharing all your wonderful information with us and I hope everyone will join you on your Facebook fan page to learn more.

No go out and pull some weeds!

Chris L Wagner

Waggy’s Pet Tips and Tales Blog.

Waggy’s Pet Sitting

6 Reasons to use Bamboo Products for your Pets

Chris L Wagner — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:03:00 +0000

We hear a lot about Bamboo these days – about their many uses and being an ecologically sound choice. But just why is it the latest material that’s used in everything from medicines to flooring so popular in the green community and around the world?

One of the reasons why Bamboo is so eco friendly is because it’s the fastest growing plant in existence. It can actually grow as fast as 48 inches in a 24 hour period and grow to its full height in one growing season. That’s only 3 to 4 months! You could actually watch it grow! This fast growth allows it replenish itself in a short period of time, usually 3 to 5 years, without having to destroy more forest for the bamboo.

A variety of Bamboo Stalks

Bamboo is actually a grass that varies in height from 1 foot to as high as 100 feet. It grows in a variety of climates from the cold mountains to hot tropical regions, and they are distinguished by their root systems – Runners and Clumping bamboo. I’d love to have bamboo in my garden, but the ones I love are the runners. The root system will spread across your garden and sprout up everywhere and it’s very hard to stop. The clumping root system pretty much stays where you’ve planted them.

Because of the fast growth, no use of pesticides and other incredible properties, it’s what they call a sustainable product. According to Sustainable Products Corporation, “Sustainable products are those products providing environmental, social and economic benefits while protecting public health, welfare, and environment over their full commercial cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to final disposition”. Basically, they are good for the Earth and people alike.

The sustainability of Bamboo has also reach the pet industry. Since there are so many uses, I’m only going to concentrate on how they make it into bamboo fabric that we can use for dog clothing and dog and cat accessories including collars and leashes.

Bamboo Dog Collars

2 methods used to turn the bamboo stalks into fiber for fabrics

Mechanical Process: The bamboo stalks are crushed which allows the natural enzymes to break it down even more. This allows them to comb out the fibers which will be made into fabric. This process is the most natural way to make bamboo fabric.

Rayon Process: They use chemicals to break down the fibers. However, this process is not without controversy because they may use lye, carbon disulfide and other strong acids. As of 2009, the US Federal Trade Commission handed down new guidelines to qualify bamboo when processed with chemicals. They have to say “from bamboo” instead of “natural bamboo fabric”. Please keep that in mind when buying bamboo products.

6 reasons to use bamboo products for your pets

It’s naturally Anti-Bacterial and Odor Resistant, however when they use the Rayon process, it destroys the Anti-Microbial qualities.
It’s hypoallergenic and has UV protection which is great for sensitive pets.
It’s super absorbent and fast drying which is good for swimmers or when you walk your dog in the rain.
It’s breathable and self regulates the temperature. So in the Summer, it keeps your pet cooler.
It’s 100% biodegradable and we all like that!
When processed naturally, there are no pesticides, insecticides or fertilizers. Now that’s eco friendly!

There are other natural fabrics that are used in pet products including hemp and organic cotton. Using these types of fabrics are good for your pet and the planet.

To see our full line of bamboo collars and leashes, please go to Waggy’s Eco Pet Products.

Now go out and walk your dog!

Chris L Wagner

10 Ways to Make your Brown Dog Green

Chris L Wagner — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:45:42 +0000

I always find it funny when I read articles about greening up your dogs. If you think about it, a dog is already natural and organic. It’s the humans that make our pets bad for the environment, from leashes and collars made from petroleum, polyester bed covers and clothes, shampoos with chemicals and so on.

As you know, there is a large movement all over the world to go “green” and help keep our planet clean. As a consequence, there has been a bounty of new products on the market to help us be more eco friendly conscience.

Superdog Saving Our Planet

So, when it comes to your dogs (or I should say human owners), what can you do? When you first get your new doggy, there are so many things you need to purchase that it can be overwhelming. It’s just like bringing home a new baby!

Since I do own Waggy’s Eco Pet Products, I’m going to shamelessly plug my store, but this is our business and I’m glad I can help you out! If it’s not in my store, I will provide links to places that do carry these products.

Here’s a list of things you will need and are good for the planet:

Food and treats: are the number one items you need. There are scores of natural, organic and human grade products you can buy. I realize that organic brands are more expensive, but please don’t skimp on this purchase. Go to this link for a list of natural and holistic dog food companies and do a little research. Don’t forget you can always offer your dogs cooked meat, pieces of fruit and vegetables and bits of cheese for treats.

Leashes/Harnesses and Collars: Purchase these items that are made out of hemp, bamboo and other natural products. The bamboo plant is very quick growing and does not require the use of pesticides and herbicides to thrive. Hemp is also fast growing and is known for its strength, durability, absorbency, anti-mildew and antimicrobial properties.

Dog Beds: There are beds made of Hemp, organic cotton and filled with shredded plastic bottles, buckwheat and other natural fibers. Shredded plastic bottles may not sound soft, but they are made from a special fiberfill blend spun from post-consumer plastic beverage bottles. Many of the beds are filled with the equivalent of more than 50 recycled plastic bottles.

Cycle for Shredding Plastic bottles

Dog Bowls: Buy ceramic, stainless steel and even canvas eco travel bowls.

Dog Crates: Stainless Steel crates or crates made out of wood are a good solution. How about making your own dog crate with recycled wood to fit your decor! You can also find eco friendly crate pads to put inside or recycle old blankets you aren’t using anymore.

Dog Shampoos, Lotion and other pharmacy items: There are many items on the market from Shampoos, conditions, sunscreens, ear cleaners and even essential oils for dogs. These products are made with natural ingredients that are detergent and alcohol free. Natural vitamins and supplements can be found, but please consult with your Veterinarian before purchasing supplements just to be on the safe side.

Biodegradable Doggie Bags and In Ground Waste Digesters: I’m sure you know what biodegradable doggie bags are, but what is an in ground waste digester? A Doggie Dooley is a container that is buried in the ground and treats your dogs waste with enzymes which turns it into a liquid that is safe for the environment. There are different models, some of which are made of plastic, but there is a galvanize steel model that would be more eco friendly.

Dog Toys: These are a must especially if you have a puppy that will want to chew on everything! If you have a large dog with big teeth, they can go through chew toys in a matter of minutes! For an eco friendly option, you can always tie some old socks or tee shirts together for a tug of war toy. For ideas on how to make your own dog toys, please go to Homemade dog toys.

Cleaning Products: There is no doubt in my mind that your dog will either urinate, vomit or poop in your house. There are many products in your local stores, but you can also make your own cleaners. Please go to Homemade Cleaning Products for Dogs for ideas and learn about how green ingredients work.

Dog Clothes and Raincoats: Although these aren’t essential unless you live in cold weather regions, you can still be green when buying clothes for your pooches. Clothes made with fast growing sustainable bamboo and organic cotton are wonderful and have excellent wicking properties. Believe it or not, there are raincoats made from recycled materials and then when your done, you can recycle it again!

Other helpful tips:

Adopt a dog instead of buying a new puppy.

Use old towels to dry off your dog after a bath instead of using an electric hair dryer.

Recycle old towels to clean your dogs paws after a wet and muddy walk.

If you don’t use tap water, use a water filter instead of bottled water.

Now go out and save the Earth!

Chris L Wagner

From One Pet Lover to Another