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A Case History of "Blue"

CAROL BENNETT

The author, after finding a blue-green algae product helped her become more healthy and alive decided to try the same PROCESSED algae on her com-panion dog. The algae Carol used is "aphani-zomenon flos-aquae," sometimes with additions of other items such as enzymes. The experimental design was that often used in human case studies and gives a model for other such studies.

Editor's note: The extreme importance of this article,to me, is its presentation of a new kind of case history to study animals: one similar to the meaningful ones we find so valuable in human studies. This means taking into account such variables as the individual's ancestory including parents and all other relatives, roles or scripting within the sibling constellation, early experiential background including finding any intense or traumatic experiences,etc. I began eating freeze-dried blue green algae products in February 1993. By May 1993 I was so impressed with the health benefits that I also decided to try it on my dog, Blue. The following is a history of my non-invasive experiment:

Early History:

Born: 11/9/80 Age at time of writing: 14

Mother was Basset Hound. Father was Beagle.

April 1981: Rescued from animal shelter by author (at age 5 months)

Sibling relationships:

Step-siblings over the years consisted of 79 other companion animals including other dogs, cats, parakeets, a ferret, horses,and guinea pigs. Her personality with all of these different animals was accepting. She played readily with all, including the birds who sometimes protected themselves by pecking her nose.

Personality characteristics:

She was, except in the case of the last 3 Yellow Labrador siblings, the dominant dog.

It is suspected that she had a tramatic experience with a male in her first few months because she would sometimes bark and cower with certain males, although always friendly and secure with females. This behavior continued for 12 of her 14 years.

In her first 12 years her diet was varied, partly because of her skill in finding and getting into neighbor's as well as our garbage. She was also fed table scraps. At 12 years of age she was given 1.5 cups of a dry pellet food ("National").

Blue was also a rebel. She was stubborn and destructive to cupboard and other doors and fences whenever they got in her way. She refused comply with any requests except to beg and "sit pretty." Heeling was out of the question. She had a mind of her own.

History of her depression and treatment:

3/15/93 Blue lost her will to live. Deterioration was noticed 6 months previously when it became almost impossible for her to get on or off the couch. She slept about 23 hours per day, and most of her coat had turned gray. Hair fell out by the handfull, dandruff had become a problem, and she had an awful odor about her.

She no longer greeted company, nor did she beg for a treat. She stopped trying to escape from the yard or house. She would not play with any other animal and even lost interest in garbage. I finally decided to put her to sleep. However,I decided to try giving her the same food supplements I was taking,and suddenly Blue was the subject of what turned out to be a 1.5 year research project.

3/15/93 - Started on 1/2 teaspoon of processed algae, continuing daily diet of 1.5
cups National dry food. After the first week, more activity each day.

4/30/93 - 6 weeks of diet: much more activity and interest in surroundings and all the gray hair fell out. Added an enzyme tablet and more algae with sprouts. Continuing increase in energy and ability to get around. Eyes cleared some.

6/15/93 - 12 weeks: Only showed signs of age after a 5 mile walk.

7/15/93 - 16 weeks: Digging under fences again and getting into garbage. Redness around eyes gone. Gums turned to puppy pink. Mouth and body odor pleasant again.

8/15/93 - 20 weeks: Old problems returned. Cut back on algae.

9/15/93 - 24 weeks: Playing with Labrador roughly, and showing energy. Gave more supplemental processed algae and enzyme foods.

1/15/94 - 10 months of diet: Added enzyme capsule to her meal.

1/30/94 - She was sporting the healthiest coat I had ever seen, dandruff was gone, and not one black hair left behind when she got off my white bedspread

2/15/94 - 11 months: Maintained until this time (Fall 1994) on algae with supplements. Her health steadily improved. She decided to comply with my command. She stopped eating stools.

3/15/94 to 9/15/94 - 18 months: Blue's gray has returned to her muzzle, but otherwise she continues to be a very active happy dog these days. Deep cracks in her foot pads disappeared. She wags her tail when I walk into the room now, even if she is sound asleep.

Discussion:

In future case history research, it would enhance studies to include even more complete details, for example about the history of parents and their relatives, the mother's pregnancy, details on his or her birth and first few months of life, the interrelationship with significant others and all other possible influences.

To research our health through non-invasive observation of healthy animals in their own environment makes more sense as
an effective approach and is more ethical than infecting healthy animals.

Carol Bennett

Founder
The Animal Connection Network
Durango, Colorado

Carol Bennett,for the past 19 years, has balanced the raising of her two children
with a successful career in animal art, taught classes in animal art for children as a volunteer, raised 79 pets, and assisted her husband in coaching three different sports.

For the last 3 years she and her daughter, Summer, have co-raised 3 Yellow Labrador Retrievers for the San Rafael School of Guide Dogs.

Carol teaches Aquasize (aerobics in water), and edits a monthly newsletter for the Animal Connection Network (which studies the use of blue green algae with animals). She is also on the Board of Directors of Black Feather Animal Shelter in Durango.

For information about the Animal Connection Network^TM conference calls you may contact Carol at (303) 259-4629.

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