Carole Stitcher

Personally, I'm not arguing the case for herbal remedies, I know way too little about them to be able to discuss them with credibility. Where Muriel is indisputably correct is the fact that allopathic medicine is relatively in its infancy, and as such often opens its mouth when it doesn't have full possession of the facts. Thalidomide was widely used and considered safe, that turned out to be a bit of a disaster. Anti depressants were prescribed for many years without any consideration of the long term problems which we now know only too well. Antibiotics were the same, now look at the problems we have with so-called superbugs, like MRSA. To add to that, 10 years ago very few people were aware that they also killed off the 'good bacteria' in our bodies. The general public are far better informed these days. There are now studies which show a link between immunisation and developing auto-immune conditions. (That information was given to me by my chest consultant, so I'm assuming it's a good study.) Allopathic medicine has a history of rushing in where angels fear to tread, then having to do a sharp u-turn when everything goes pear shaped. I believe that it is possible, even probable, that some herbalists can do the same thing, and perhaps even some homeopaths, though my, and I have to say single so far, experience would suggest to me otherwise. I went to a homeopath not because I believed in them, but because I had cause to believe in Muriel’s opinion. It seems from the results that she was right. You say you have a problem with the way that Muriel explains it, to be honest I don’t really care how it is explained, there are many things in modern allopathic medicine that cannot be explained, at this time, to my satisfaction. As researchers discover more, no doubt the explanations will come, but along with those will come more changes of direction and emphasis in allopathic medicine. What matters to me at the end of the day is whether it works. In Sooty’s case long term side effects are regrettably not a cause for concern, but short term benefits are. I am not advocating that people should stop visiting their GP or vet, stop taking or giving prescribed medicines, refuse surgical options. I am saying that people should always question, research the options, then determine the best course of action. Wouldn't it be nice if medical people stopped being adversarial in their approach and started to work together in order to best help the patient, whether it be human or canine?

Which could also be used as an argument for the effectiveness of homeopathy. Homeopathic remedies often contain so little of the 'active ingredient' as to be almost or actually undetectable. Long term remedies are often administered by the 'plussing method', which means that the original dosage is watered down over the course of the treatment, but in homeopathic terms more dilute = stronger. Your argument of the effect placebos have would indicate that the human body IS capable of healing itself without chemical intervention, IF it is ALLOWED to do so. Or, in other words, in this particular instance, the human body was twice as effective at treating this condition than surgery. I think you missed my point. I DIDN'T believe in homeopathy, but I kept an open mind and went to see a homeopathic vet in the HOPE that he may be able to keep Sootys quality of life at an acceptable level. He did not say that he would be able to cure her, the tumour is far too large and far too well established for that. What he did feel he could do was keep her as well as possible for as long as possible. It is only in this last few days where I have been less tense and stressed, as it has become obvious that the remedy certainly seems to be working. Make no mistake, the improvement she has made has been greater than I could ever have hoped for. In saying that, she could still go to the Bridge at any time, I am aware of that. I am not suggesting that there is no room for the remedies of an allopathic vet, just that ALL avenues should be explored, and that if we can keep our companion animals well without filling them full of potentially toxic substances, then surely that is a better path to follow? There are instances within 'normal' medical practice which would seem to bear out the homeopathic principle of fighting like with like. A prime example would be that small amounts of digitalis are used to control certain heart conditions, but a large dose will kill. Yes, perhaps there should be clinical trials for herbal and homeopathic remedies, if only to prove that, like in the Nat West adverts, 'there is another way'.

My age, (Which we don't need to go into right now ) means that I am one of the 'scientific generation'. We were taught at school that if something didn't have a scientific basis, then it had no merit. My age has also given me experience and the ability to observe the fact that nature has made great provision for ailments. It did leave me in two minds about things like homeopathy and Reiki. Sootys' liver tumour and the advice and support I have had from Muriel have taught me a few things, and have taught my even more cynical OH even more. Muriel has been sending Reiki to Sooty for quite some time now, and she has had a couple of crises during that time (and I do mean serious crises, where she was all but dead), Muriel concentrated the Reiki even more on those occasions, and she pulled through. Muriel encouraged me to go to a homeopathic vet, but I resisted until the point where it was obvious that her allopathic vets had nothing more to offer her. We went 52 miles to get to the closest one. Sooty had an hour long consult (actually it was considerably longer than that, but that's what we paid for)where the vet actually LISTENED to the things that we told him, asked questions about her, watched her as she snuffled around the consulting room etc. He explained to us the basics of homeopathy, and it was obvious that he is not offering homeopathy as a money making option, he believes passionately in what he is doing. (Remember that homeopathic vets are allopathic ones first, then study further to gain a homeopathic qualification, so they are aware of both sides of the coin). He explained that he needed a couple of days to sort out what was right for Sooty, based on what we had told him, and that he would send the remedies to us through the post. He asked us to keep a diary of how she reacted through the next three weeks, so he can adjust the remedies as required. We are on week three now, and as I am typing this, I have heard her bark. That's the first time she has barked for over two months (she'll be telling her dad off for teasing her). Homeopathy works. I may not have believed it before, but I do now. MY super cynical, 'yes we'll see a homeopath just in case but I really don't think it will help' OH was on the phone to my brother today, reccomending that he sees a homeopath for a problem he has. Homeopathy works. Muriel also encouraged me to follow Sootys lead for what she wanted to eat. After her first recent crisis her red blood cell count was 15 when it should be 45. I made up a concoction of Vitamin B complex rich foods, it looked awful, smelt worse, Sooty loved it, as her anaemia has improved, she doesn't take as much. She was a junk food junkie when allowed to be, while she had the anaemia, she would only eat the 'gloop' as I call it and raw meat, particularly offal and braising steak. (She won't touch pork, maybe when she was a stray she learnt that pork made her poorly). Since she has improved, she has been allowing herself some of the 'bad' things she used to eat, but not in anything like the same volumes. You probably now think that I'm a daft doting 'mum', and you could be right, but one thing I know for certain, the most dangerous thing in this world is a closed mind.

Run free Vinny, you'll be well now

Kathy, I think everyone who knew Grip's story will be thinking of you today.

Sam, Smudge, Honey, Hobo, Murun, Ellie, Misty, Buster, Monkey

Run free in the sunshine at the Bridge Charm to those who miss her

Run free Blackberry. to all who knew her and loved her enough to let her go.

Sorry to hear about Tango. Run free little one

Run free Deanna. Lynne I'm so sorry that you didn't get the opportunity to enjoy each other's company.

Fly me to the moon - Frank Sinatra?

Right said Fred - Bernard Cribbins

Spot on What's new pussycat - Tom Jones

Something's gotten hold of my heart - Gene Pitney

Back in the USSR - The Beatles. Oh God, how old am I?

Run free Meggie Moo, have a great time at the bridge. for you and Dave, Sarah, and my thanks to you for your post. We are in a similar position with our Sooty, we are living on borrowed time with her, and we have no real idea how soon or otherwise she will make her way to the Bridge and we have also not had her with us for long, but her unique personality and her incredible zest for life have grabbed us in a way that we would not have believed possible. Your words, I think, will help us to appreciate the privilege that we have had in knowing her at all, and to accept that all our companions are on loan to us, and to enjoy them while we can.

May I go now? Do you think the time is right? May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights? I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be. So can I take that step beyond and set my spirit free? I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might. But something seems to draw me now to a warm and loving light. I want to go. I really do. It's difficult to stay. But I will try as best I can to live just one more day. To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears. I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears. I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know that my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go. Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you, too. That's why it's hard to say goodbye and end this life with you. So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say, because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today Susan A. Jackson Run free Monkey ? - 6th April 2006

Hi Gooster I'm no expert, but gave Sooty Arnica after her mammary strip, and i think it helped tremendously. She weighs in at about 6kg, and I was advised to give her 30c 3 times daily for a few days. As I understand it, homeopathic remedies are meant to be given until they start to work, so we gave them to her for three days. Hope that helps, but I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will be along.

It could be that some people do not know how to resize, have not got the software to do it, or are not aware that their pics are so big. I'm not a great expert on the subject, but I do have software that can resize pics, and I'm willing to help out other members where I can. Please remember though, that there are only 24 hours in a day and I do have a life to lead, but if peeps have photos they can email them to me, I will resize them and send them back, so they can put the smaller images on their image host.

I'm another Tetley