Have you ever seen a more handsome dog?!?!
Hans is a Weimaraner, a breed of hunting dogs from Germany. He has a wonderful disposition, unless he is threatened or if I'm threatened. He's very protective of me, my household, & my cats.
Hans is an excellent travelling companion and does not get sick in the car. He stands up and sticks his head out of the window if he can, or he sits in between the two front seats, or he lays down on the back seat. He's just perfect. He even takes corners well. If you turn a corner and yell, "Hang on, Hans!" he will brace himself for the turn to keep from falling over. He's so smart, he amazes me sometimes!
Hans is under the care of an excellent holistic veterinarian:
Dr. John Fudens
1171 Lakeview Road
Clearwater, Florida 34616
(813) 446-3603
I cannot recommend highly enough holistic veterinary care for your four-legged companions!
Let me explain. In 1995, I found a lump near Hans' left hip. I took him to the vet whom Hans had been seeing since puppyhood. The vet said that they would remove the lump and do a biopsy. I was a mess. No, that's an understatement. I did not want to live, thinking that my most beloved friend and companion could have cancer.
So, Hans had surgery. I cried for two solid days while he was in the hospital. When he returned home, I nursed his wounds. I had to wait a week until the biopsy results came in. Then, the news...
The lump was fatty tissue and the vet advised me to put Hans on a diet regimen. "OK, fine," I thought naively, "I'll put him on diet food."
Hans was eating Science Diet, one of the best commercial dog foods around. He really enjoyed it, but when I tried to give him the low-calorie stuff... well, let's just say Hans didn't go for it. I had to dress it up so much that it was no longer low-cal. So, I tried different brands, and I started him on canned diet food, which was a little (but not much) better.
Then, in the summer of 1997, Hans was laying on my bed with me. As I was petting him, I felt another lump. My heart leapt into my throat. "It can't be!" I thought. I started to sob. Not again.
My awareness of alternative medical techniques had led me to attempt to have a healthier diet. I took supplements from the health food store and tried to maintain an awareness of my own body. My dissatisfaction with traditional Western medicine for my own health needs also kept me from returning to a traditional veterinarian. I called a local health food store, and they referred me to Dr. John Fudens. I made an appointment as soon as possible.
Dr. Fudens and Barbara (what a woman! nutritionist, networker, fount of information!) both remarked on Hans'... uh... girth. He was huge, so huge that I couldn't find a doggy door to accomodate him. After just a few minutes, Dr. Fudens was able to tell me that Hans' problem was not cancer (thank the Goddess!!!!!) but a poor diet, not enough exercise, and fat. Dr. Fudens and Barbara saved my dog's life.
Now, Hans eats better than I do. That's no exaggeration. Dr. Fudens started him on fresh raw meat, fresh steamed, then later raw, vegetables, lentils and oat bran. He dropped 30 pounds!!! Later, after the weight loss, we increased the amount of meat, and started giving him starch. He has the energy of an adolescent dog of a year or two -- he's EIGHT YEARS OLD!It costs me about as much as Science Diet. I should eat so well!
But really, he's worth it. Hans is my soulmate. He's saved my life before, when I thought I wanted to end it all. He's magnificent, brilliant, funny, loving, playful, and at last, healthy!
So there he is. Teufel Duke of Dusk Hansel (his AKC name). Everyone should have a Hans in their lives.