Reviewed by Rochelle Marsden
Published by Dogged Truth Publishing
ISBN:- 978-0-9523047-8-3
Soft Cover Book
No. of Pages – 380
Available from https://www.catherineodriscoll.com/uk-orders.html£14.61 UK
£23.69 -Rest of World- https://www.catherineodriscoll.com/rest-of-the-world-orders.html
This is known as the Dog Owner’s Manual and I don’t have a dog so why on earth did I want to review it? It was because of the “and yourself” in brackets after the rest of the title. I mean, come on, we are homeopaths and know that what is good for animals in homeopathy will also be good for humans!!
It begins with the usual Introduction but in my eyes with a difference. It really sets the scene for this book. Catherine is concerned that animal owners are not told the whole truth by their veterinary surgeon in regards to vaccines and drug treatments. She says clients are rarely given full information to make an informed decision. Apparently, you would be fobbed off even by the vet’s professional body when you tried to make a complaint if your dog dies because of a vet induced disease. Catherine then goes on to describe her first-hand experience of doing as the vet told her regarding treatment and food and wanted to know why her four beautiful Golden Retrievers all died much earlier than expected from various diseases. She then formed Canine Health Concern and many dog owners contacted her to also raise their animals a more natural way. This book is to show the alternatives that are out there.
Part I begins by describing “The Problem” and I love the phrase “We need to understand clearly that modern medicine is not as great as it is cracked up to be”! This is how she writes all throughout the book. She says it as it is, straight from the heart. She describes the research she has done and her campaigning despite not being a medical doctor or vet. She came to the conclusion that “diet is causal when it comes to ill health” and that you don’t cure by suppressing with drugs. She now has some vets on her side because of her work. The second chapter is titled “The Causes of Ill Health” followed by “Inflammation:The Modern Epidemic”, which gives a good explanation of the 3 types of immunity plus immune system componentssuch as T Cells.There is an excellent chapter on “Diet” followed by a very informative chapter – “Using Supplements”, which is continued in more detail in Part III. Over-vaccination issues and Environmental Toxins come next followed by her take on conventional medications.By Chapter 11 we are onto stress and its whole body effects. Nearly everything in Part Iis as relevant to humans as it is to dogs!
Part II is Common Canine Diseases, but the information about most of these diseases is just as useful for humans. There is excellent information on useful complementary therapies within the arthritis section and descriptions of homeopathic remedies for asthma in which she does say it is best to consult a homeopath. Cancer is a large section and there are certain ones pertaining particularly to dogs. Conventional treatments and tests are also discussed within each disease. The amount of research Catherine has done is amazing. Since diabetes particularly interests me I found the gene therapy research that has been carried out in diabetic laboratory beagles fascinating, especially that they plan to try this with humans. Full references have been given in the appendices at the back. I found it shocking to read that the “pharmaceutical companies are in a race to alter and patent powerful cannabinoids so they can make money out of them”. This was in a discussion on using CBD oil in diabetes. There are a couple of pages on controlling epilepsy with diet in dogswhich might help a human wanting to cut down their drugs. Within Thrombocytopenia is a discussion on how TCM could help,with the names of the remedies and research studies with humans in it. I could go on and on about Part II but I think you have probably understood what it contains now!
Part III – “The Solutions”. The first chapter is “Genetics Solutions” and I think is summed up by the sentence that reads, “Genes do not determine health if you know how to live right”. Chapter 2 goes into more detail about “Dietary Solutions” including how to repair a leaky gut and a recipe for bone broth and sauerkraut. Chapter 3 goes into the use of nutrients and herbs with discussions that range from Aloe Vera and the Budwig Protocol to Medicinal Mushrooms and homeopathic nosodeslet alone colloidal silver ,cannabis,colour therapy and my favourite EFT, so plenty of information here to read. Chapter 4 is the last one, whichis “Busting Stress”and includes research on the vagusnerve.The book concludes with Appendices which tell us where to find all the references notated in the text.
This is the author’s latest book published in 2018 and at this moment can only be obtained from her website. I think it is great value considering the size of the book, good quality paper and print, let alone the enormous amount of well researched information on how you can help your dog and yourself stay healthy. To me it is a must read, a real page turner and I thoroughly recommend it whether you have a dog, or like myself not!
