The Last Chance Dog: and Other True Stories of Holistic Animal Healing

by Donna Kelleher

Yogi, a scrappy Jack Russell terrier, has a pain in the neck and hasn't walked for weeks.
Nikita is a fifteen-year-old seal point Himalayan cat who has lost all interest in eating.
And then there's Angel, a curious cockatoo whose bacterial infections defy every antibiotic known to science.
Meet just a few of the remarkable, real-life characters in The Last Chance Dog, a collection of heartwarming, entertaining, and instructive tales as told by Donna Kelleher, one of the country's most esteemed holistic veterinarians. Here she recounts a series of complex and compelling cases, taking us through the intuitive art of diagnosing animals and curing them with safe, natural remedies -- such as acupuncture, herbal treatments, and chiropractic adjustments -- when conventional veterinary medicine has failed. In The Last Chance Dog, Kelleher offers advice on everything from vaccinations and pet-food shopping to affordable, easy-to-administer treatments for allergies, digestive problems, urinary tract infections, pain, hot spots, itchy skin, fear, and anxiety. Inspirational and nothing short of miraculous, the stories of ailing and recovering animals -- and the people who love them -- are as unforgettable as they are true.

Genres: Dogs, Reference

279 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2003

Reviews

[Gato Negro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from the local library since my cat has a condition covered in one of the chapters. Very informative, well-written and easy to read.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Last Chance Dog' is a collection of anecdotal stories from Seattle-based holistic veterinarian Donna Kelleher. The stories all follow a similar formula--a sick animal treated by standard, Western medicine is failing to get better. As a last resort, the animal is taken to Dr. Kelleher, who combines the Western approach with traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic care, and herbalism. Often, this proves to be just what the animal needs, and the once-sickly animal begins to thrive again. Far from being trite, these stories are inspirational in their encouragement to treat illness with a multifaceted approach that occasionally verges on the shamanistic. At the end of each story, Dr. Kelleher includes instructions for animal care particular to that case, and recipes ranging from a basic, everyday meals you can make your animal to tinctures that treat various inflictions which can compliment Western veterinary care. Her descriptions of the practice of Chinese medicine are fascinating, and made me want to learn more about that system of medicine. While I wasn't always crazy about her personal reflections, I admired her compassion for each animal, and her willingness to admit that she too has episodes of self-doubt. While I feel that Dr. Kelleher may be a bit too New Age for some, I would highly recommend this book to animal-lovers, or even to pet-less people who have a strong interest in complementary medicine.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book inspired me to try to find a holistic vet, as I really want to learn more about healing plants and herbs etc.

[Lu]

holistic dog care & storeies