Pet Lovers & Pet Professionals ~ Why Join Our Life's Abundance Team?!

1. Because You Love Pets: People often say that it’s a privilege to be able to earn a living doing something you love and are passionate about. I’ve met many people who are in all sorts of occupations, and have told me they would rather work with pets because that’s what they truly care about. Is that your story? We are offering people just like you the opportunity to earn an incredible income while helping pets in the most fundamental way . . . premium nutrition. 

2. Because We Offer the Best: When you put your name behind something, it better be something good. People will remember you for what you do and what you represent. With most home based opportunities, people will see you and run the other way. Not so here. Friends, family, and the general public will respect your choice to become a pet professional and will want to hear from you. The Life's Abundance products will speak for themselves as they improve pets lives, making you look good and not ruin your reputation. 

3. It’s An Exploding Industry: Pet product sales are a $53+ billion dollar industry. Pet stores are opening up everywhere. Ever heard of the expression, “right place, right time?” We are setting a new trend with the massive internet market. 

4. Opportunity to Work From Home: In the United States, over 21 million people enjoy the benefits of working from home. No set time to start or end work, no commute, no dress code, and no one watching over you all day. Plus, there is minimal overhead, unlike the thousands of dollars normally associated with opening a traditional business. 

5. Ease of Engagement: If you’ve ever tried sales before, you know that it makes a huge difference in your success if you sell something that people want to hear about. We all know what it’s like to be confronted with a telemarketer, or an insurance salesman, or the stereotypical “car salesman”. No one wants to be viewed as a pushy salesperson, and you definitely don’t want to be rejected by friends and family. With Life's Abundance, you do not have this problem. Talking about the care and well being of pets is a welcome subject with most people. In fact, people will often thank you for making a recommendation because you will probably be the only person they’ve ever talked to who is knowledgeable in this area. This “ease of engagement” makes it easy to approach people, and you’re not viewed as a salesperson. 

6. No Inventory Requirements: Most home based opportunities require you to load up on inventory through personal purchasing requirements or “buy your way to success” programs. At Life's Abundance, we impose no such requirements. In fact, it’s unheard of to offer pet foods profitably without buying large quantities of food in order to get preferential pricing. 

7. Tools to Ensure Success: Professional E-Commerce Website, Business Center / Back Office, Automated Newsletter System, Catalog Quality Brochures, Product Samples, DVDs, Weekly Training Calls, Personal Websites allowed, etc. 

8. Excellent Ongoing Support: You will ALWAYS have an upline of reps who will support you in your business. Plus, you have access to our founders, Dennis and Carol Berardi, as well as Dr. Jane Bicks, our holistic veterinarian and product formulator. 

9. Huge Market of Pet Parents and Pet Professionals: Getting customers for our products is never a problem. Many companies rely on their distributors as the source of their sales, but not Life's Abundance. People actually want what we have to offer. In fact, it doesn’t matter if you’re not a good sales person, our products actually sell themselves. But our business also allows you to leverage your efforts by building a sales force. As I’ve already stated, people love their pets and would do anything to have the chance to work with them if they could. But, what’s more, there are thousands of pet professionals out there who need this program. This includes everyone from veterinarians to trainers, groomers to pet sitters, rescues, shelters, day care, pet photographers, and more. When presented with our business, they quickly realize that it makes no sense to sell any other brand. This is a network marketing business that actually works. 

10. You Need a Residual Income: Not only will you want residual income at retirement (and before), but you’ll want it to be consistent. Nothing beats the consistent residual income stream that our products can provide. People stick with pet products that work! Plus our fresh, home delivered products are very habit forming and convenient for your clients. Also, building a solid team of representatives who will continue to make you money is easy to do because people have a built-in passion for pets. No recruiting treadmill as in other opportunities. 

Learn More & Join Our Team Today @ www.PremiumPetFoodBiz.com 

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet 
boutique ~  www.TheGiftedPet.com,  premium pet food business ~ http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com, and holistic healing therapies for animals ~ www.HealingOilsForAnimals.com

For questions and more information, please use the "Contact Us!" form.  Or, visit our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/TheGiftedPet, or email us at Raven@TheGiftedPet.com

Coins for the Canines via Senior Pet Project!

Reportedly, there are over $10 billion U.S. coins currently gathering dust as spare change in piggy banks and old cookie tins in homes all across America. If you’re like us, they clutter our cars, lie around on our counters, weigh down our purses, and hide in our sofas.

Senior Pet Project is hoping to help make a difference for puppy mill dogs by participating in National Mill Dog Rescue's ongoing campaign, “Coins for the Canines”. Pennies add up and there’s power in numbers! Their ability to rescue more dogs is always limited by finances, so please help if you can. 

Send your spare change to: 

Senior Pet Project ♥
c/o Raven Hannah
501 Northshore Drive
Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080

Or, you can skip the post office altogether and donate directly to Senior Pet Project on this page: 

www.SeniorPetProject.org

Please reference: National Mill Dog Rescue

Thank you for caring! 

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutique, premium pet food business, and holistic healing therapies. She is also a professional intuitive, spiritual coach, and holistic healer who works with the Angels, Ascended Masters, Spirit Guides, and Animal Spirit realms when counseling clients, which includes animals and people.

Dog Weight Issues

Have you noticed that your dog is looking . . . well . . . a little rotund lately? A bit more curvaceous than usual? You’re not alone! Approximately 17 million dogs in the United States are classified as overweight. But just because Fido has lots of company doesn’t mean that he’s in the clear. Extra weight is linked to a variety of health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

How to Tell if Your Dog is Overweight ~ You know your dog better than anyone ~ so you’ve likely already noticed if he has gained weight over a relatively short period. But extra bulk is a bit more difficult to recognize if he’s been slowly packing on the pounds over the years. Here are two fail-safe ways to determine if Fido is at the correct weight:

Feel his ribs: Run your hands along his sides toward the tail, feeling for his ribs. If you can find them beneath a thin layer of flesh, he is probably at the correct weight. If you can barely feel them under a layer of fat, he is likely overweight.

View him from the top and side: A visual inspection of your dog’s body is also important. Look at his body from above. Does he have an hourglass shape, with a slight narrowing behind the rib cage? Also view the lines of his body from the side. Does his stomach tuck up behind the rib cage? If the answer to both questions is yes, he’s likely at the correct weight. If his body has no definition from above or from the side, he is probably overweight.

What to do if Your Dog is Overweight:

Take him to the vet: Have a vet examine your dog just to make sure that he isn’t experiencing a health problem. Some conditions, such as thyroid disease and Cushing’s disease, can cause rapid weight gain.

Cut back on meals: It’s quite possible that you’re feeding Fido too much at mealtimes. Often the serving size on commercial dog food labels advises a larger portion than is necessary for an individual dog. Every dog is different, and every dog also metabolizes food differently. With this in mind, start out with the recommended serving size but observe your dog carefully. If he looks like he’s gaining weight, slowly cut back on how much you’re feeding; if he appears to be losing weight, feed slightly more until he’s at the recommended weight for his breed. Then simply maintain the portion size that works for your dog.  You may also want to try feeding a quality, premium Weight Loss Formula for Adult Dogs!

Feed him on a schedule: Dogs who are “free-fed” ~ given access to their food bowls all day ~ are more likely to be overweight than those who eat on a regular schedule. To help keep Fido healthy, schedule his meals at consistent times and take his food bowl away after 10 to 15 minutes.

Provide healthy treats: Supplement correctly portioned meals with healthy, low-calorie treats, such as cut-up veggies, plain popcorn, or other healthy treats. Make sure that you account for the calories in treats when feeding your dog his meals ~ these should be subtracted from his total caloric allowance for the day.  For healthy, natural, never recalled wholesome treats, try Wholesome Hearts Baked Low-Fat Treats for Dogs.

Exercise him: Of course, any diet plan should be accompanied by the proper amount of exercise. Keep your dog active by making sure that he gets a few daily walks and multiple lively play periods ~ but work up to this gradually. An overweight dog won’t be able to sustain this kind of energy level overnight.

Continue to assess your dog’s progress on a monthly basis to be sure that he’s at a healthy weight, and maintain, maintain, maintain when he has reached his goal! A nutritious diet, meals fed on a regular schedule, and exercise will add years to his life. ♥

TIRED OF PET FOOD RECALLS?

Choose Life's Abundance Dog and Cat Food! They have NEVER been recalled and the food is shipped fresh to your door within 4-6 weeks of being made. They have been in business since 1999! Choose a pet food you can trust! This food is only sold online to ensure you receive the freshest food possible. Click Here to order.

www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutique, premium pet food business, and holistic healing therapies. She is also a professional intuitive, spiritual coach, and holistic healer who works with the Angels, Ascended Masters, Spirit Guides, and Animal Spirit realms when counseling clients, which includes animals and people.

Your Cat May Be Smarter Than You Think

As long as people have shared their homes with pets, dog and cat lovers have debated which animal is more intelligent. Canine enthusiasts tout that dogs have been trained and bred for thousands of years to herd, hunt, assist, protect, perform tricks and obey verbal commands. Cat aficionados, on the other hand, say that cats are simply too smart to do the sort of tricks that dogs eagerly perform. Whereas dogs have been bred for utility, cats have been bred mostly for appearance, leading many to believe that dogs have superior intellectual capabilities. But, really, is it feasible to accurately compare the intelligence of these two species?

Despite their similarities, cats and dogs are very different animals. Dogs are social animals, are motivated by a hierarchical, pack-oriented instinct. They will perform purely for praise, especially from whomever they consider their pack leader. Conversely, cats are highly specialized carnivores who generally lead solitary lives in the wild. In domestic settings, they are not motivated by social status. Most are not even motivated by food. But, why is that?

In the wild, if obtaining a particular source of food is too much work, cats will generally cut their losses and go in search of easier prey. Whereas wild dog packs will cooperatively pursue prey for miles, a wild cat tends to conserve energy, lying in wait to ambush prey. The untrained observer may interpret this as laziness or a lack of motivation, however animal behaviorists know that this represents a brilliant evolutionary adaptation … one that increases a cat’s chances of survival in the wild.

How intelligence is expressed is also largely determined by an animal’s sensory organs and motor abilities. Cats perceive the world quite differently than humans. For instance, they are unable to distinguish between red, orange, yellow and green. They have 20/80 vision, which means they only have good visual acuity at distances of less than 20 feet, and they see best in low light conditions ideal for hunting and stalking prey at dusk. Their sense of smell is far better than a human but much less sensitive than a dog’s. Cats have incredible hearing and can hear ultrasonic noises made by rats and mice. You may also be surprised to know that cats are quite dexterous compared to dogs, able to seize and manipulate objects surprisingly well with their paws.

If you’re interested in trying to gauge your kitty’s IQ, hide a bit of food under a towel and see how quickly the cat finds its prey. However, don’t be surprised if your cat would rather play with the towel then find the food!

When trying to assess feline intelligence, we humans would benefit from a paradigm shift. Since we tend to judge intelligence by comparing cats to ourselves, or how easily cats understand and obey human cues, we are missing out on the brilliant diversity, amazing adaptability and creative capabilities of the most popular pet in America.

I encourage you to celebrate how cats are unique, and do your best to see the world through your cat’s eyes.

References:

Perfiliev, S, L G Pettersson and A Lundberg. "Control of Claw Movements in Cats." Neuroscience Research 31 (1998): 337- 342.

Martin, Paul, and Patrick Bateson. "Behavioural Development in the Cat" In The Domestic Cat: The Biology of Its Behaviour, edited by Dennis C Turner and Patrick Bateson. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (1988).

Doré, François Y. "Search Behaviour of Cats (Felis catus) in an Invisible Displacement Test: Cognition and Experience" Canadian Journal of Psychology 44 (1990): 359 - 370.

Collier, George, Deanne F Johnson, and Cynthia Morgan. "Meal Patterns of Cats Encountering Variable Food Procurement Costs" Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behaviour 67 (1997): 303 - 310.

Blake, Randolph, and William Martens. "Critical Bands in Cat Spatial Vision." Journal of Physiology 314 (1981): 175 - 87.

Bravo, M, R Blake and S Morrison "Cats See Subjective Contours" Vision Research 28 (1988): 861-865

Top 10 Reasons Why Your Pets Should Take Fish Oil

Fish oil supplements are an ideal complement to your pet’s diet because they supply omega-3 fatty acids, which your dog or cat’s body cannot sufficiently produce on its own. Still in doubt? Here are the top 10 reasons why it’s important to supplement your dog or cat’s daily intake with a quality fish oil supplement.

1. Your Pet Will Burn Fat More Efficiently

The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements help improve the metabolism of a dog and cat’s body in a natural way and cause body fat to burn more quickly. (2,10)

2. Improved Development of Puppies & Kittens During Pregnancy

During a pregnancy, supply your canine or feline mama omega-3 needs with a pure, safe fish oil supplement. The reason is because the omega-3 fatty acid DHA helps improve brain development, concentration, immunity and eyesight, among other things. (1,5)

3. Slow Down Your Pet’s Aging Process

We all want to age more slowly, right? EPA and DHA found in fish oil help slow down the aging process by reducing inflammation and extending the longevity of cells. In this way, omega-3s help keep your pet kids feeling younger for longer. (3)

4. Improved Flexibility

Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of EPA from fish oil supplements, the discomfort in your pet’s joints and muscles may actually decrease. What you will notice is that over time, fish oil supplements can help with stiffness to rise and help your pet be more active and enjoy walks and games with you. (4)

5. Improved Performance in Canine Athletes

Omega-3s in fish oil supplements improve the functioning of the lungs. For our active agility dogs, runners, Frisbee dogs, swimmers and mountain hiker companions, fish oil will help your dog keep up with you. (14)

6. Better Concentration & Limiting Brain Cell Deterioration

Thanks to EPA and DHA from fish oil, your pet’s brain may age more slowly and perform optimally. The essential fatty acids in the omega-3s contribute to sounder sleep, an essential element in keeping concentration sharp. (6)

7. Optimized Immune System Functioning

A daily supplement of omega-3s from fish oil supplements help the white blood cells perform their anti-inflammatory function optimally. This helps your pet’s defense against diseases and other ailments by strengthening the immune system. (15)

8. Better Heart Health

The omega-3s in fish oil supplements help keep cholesterol levels at a healthy level and help keep this vital muscle healthy. (8,9)

9. No More Grumpy Cat

Fish oil supplements are proven to improve mood in humans, and studies are forthcoming about their benefits in pets! (12, 13)

10. Healthy Skin & Shiny Coat

The benefits of omega-3s in fish oil supplements for skin health are well documented, but did you know that omega-3s also help protect against sunburn? (6,7)

Adding health-promoting fish oil to your pet’s diet can be one of the best decisions you make for your companion animal. If you want to learn more, visit our website!



References:

1. Zicker SC1, Jewell DE, Yamka RM, Milgram NW. Evaluation of cognitive learning, memory, psychomotor, immunologic, and retinal functions in healthy puppies fed foods fortified with docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil from 8 to 52 weeks of age. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2012 Sep 1;241(5):583-94. doi: 10.2460/javma.241.5.583.

2. Xenoulis PG1, Steiner JM. Lipid metabolism and hyperlipidemia in dogs.Vet J. 2010 Jan;183(1):12-21. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.10.011. Epub 2009 Jan 23.

3. Figueras M, Olivan M, Busquets S, López-Soriano FJ, Argilés JM. Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) treatment on insulin sensitivity in an animal model of diabetes: improvement of the inflammatory status. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2011 Feb;19(2):362-9. doi: 10.1038/oby.2010.194. Epub 2010 Sep 30.

4. Moreau M, Troncy E, Del Castillo JR, Bédard C, Gauvin D, Lussier B. Effects of feeding a high omega-3 fatty acids diet in dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2012 Jul 14. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2012.01325.x

5. Bauer JE, Heinemann KM, Lees GE, Waldron MK. Retinal functions of young dogs are improved and maternal plasma phospholipids are altered with diets containing long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids during gestation, lactation, and after weaning. J Nutr. 2006 Jul;136(7 Suppl):1991S-1994S.

6. Bauer JE. Therapeutic use of fish oils in companion animals. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2011 Dec 1;239(11):1441-51. doi: 10.2460/javma.239.11.1441. Review.

7. Popa I, Pin D, Remoué N, Osta B, Callejon S, Videmont E, Gatto H, Portoukalian J, Haftek M. Analysis of epidermal lipids in normal and atopic dogs, before and after administration of an oral omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid feed supplement. A pilot study. Vet Res Commun. 2011 Dec;35(8):501-9. doi: 10.1007/s11259-011-9493-7. Epub 2011 Jul 23. Erratum in: Vet Res Commun. 2012 Mar;36(1):91

8. Smith CE, Freeman LM, Rush JE, Cunningham SM, Biourge V. Omega-3 fatty acids in Boxer dogs with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. J Vet Intern Med. 2007 Mar-Apr;21(2):265-73.

9. Freeman LM, Rush JE, Markwell PJ.Effects of dietary modification in dogs with early chronic valvular disease. J Vet Intern Med. 2006 Sep-Oct;20(5):1116-26.

10. Laflamme DP. Understanding and managing obesity in dogs and cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2006 Nov;36(6):1283-95, vii. Review.

11. Brown SA, Brown CA, Crowell WA, Barsanti JA, Allen T, Cowell C, Finco DR. Beneficial effects of chronic administration of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in dogs with renal insufficiency. J Lab Clin Med. 1998 May;131(5):447-55.

12. Hegarty B, Parker G. Fish oil as a management component for mood disorders - an evolving signal. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2013 Jan;26(1):33-40. doi: 10.1097/YCO.0b013e32835ab4a7

13. Hegarty BD, Parker GB. Marine omega-3 fatty acids and mood disorders--linking the sea and the soul. 'Food for Thought' I. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2011 Jul;124(1):42-51. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2011.01703.x. Epub 2011 Apr 11. Review.

14. Wakshlag J, Shmalberg J. Nutrition for working and service dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2014 Jul;44(4):719-40, vi. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2014.03.008. Review.


15. Hall JA, Henry LR, Jha S, Skinner MM, Jewell DE, Wander RC. Dietary (n-3) fatty acids alter plasma fatty acids and leukotriene B synthesis by stimulated neutrophils from healthy geriatric Beagles. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2005 Nov;73(5):335-41.

Senior Pets Matter!

When private individuals want to relinquish a senior pet, our mission is to be able to offer advice to try to keep the senior pet in the home. For example, sometimes a house-soiling problem can be controlled by the use of a belly band, the introduction of puppy pads, or even canine or feline diapers. We also assist senior pet parents who may be having difficulty affording vet care, medication, or even just basic necessities. Our priority is to try and keep senior pets in their homes, rescue senior pets who have been relinquished to a shelter, and help senior people keep their own pets.

Too often, senior pets are outright abandoned, which is when we offer help in finding them a safe place to land. We are unable to accept owner-surrendered pets at this time, as we do not yet have a sanctuary. It is our goal to learn about any issues prior to a surrender or abandonment, however if that is not the case, we do our best to keep senior pets out of high-kill shelters and offer financial assistance until they can be placed in a foster home or a forever home.

Donations are a critical part of our mission, as we cannot help without the resources to sustain what we do. Keeping a senior pet in their home through common sense solutions, or helping a senior person afford their current pet is far less expensive than trying to re-home a senior pet. It is also far less traumatic for everyone concerned . . . . especially the senior pet. Shelters can be quite scary and confusing to a pet who has been abandoned. Even though most pets are very resilient, it is preferential to keep them out of the shelters and in happy homes. Please, won't you help us sustain our mission by making a generous donation today?! No amount is too small. Many raindrops fill an ocean.

Thank you for your support.

www.SeniorPetProject.org

Cats & Drinking Water

Many cat lovers believe that cats simply don’t like drinking water, however, some owners just never see their cat drinking.

As cats have evolved from desert dwelling animals which derived most of their water from eating their prey, it is true that they do not have a strong natural urge to drink frequently. If they are not keen on the water source available they would rather give it a miss. But this does not mean that that they don’t enjoy drinking water. And a good water intake is beneficial to help support urinary tract health.

The amount of water consumption depends on a variety of factors, including the size of your cat, the time of year and whether your cat's diet includes wet food or dry cat food only. If cats are given dry food only, they will require significantly more supplemental water to stay acceptably hydrated. Normally, a cat will require 2-4 ounces of fresh water in addition to its food. Dry food is only 10 percent water, while canned is approximately 80 percent water. So obviously your cat is going to drink a lot more water if you are providing dry food only.

Of course, you must always ensure that your cat has access to fresh, clean water, but have you ever considered how to offer that water so that your cat finds it appealing? Check out these simple tips and you may be surprised by the difference they can make to your cat’s water intake:

* Place water bowls well away from feeding areas. For cats, eating and drinking are entirely separate activities. From an evolutionary perspective, this avoids the risk of drinking water contaminated by bugs from the carcasses they are feeding on. On the same lines, don’t place water bowls close to litter trays – cats are far too sensible to want to drink near their toileting areas.

* Use china, metal or glass water bowls. Many cats dislike the taste of water in plastic bowls. A wider, shallow bowl that is full to the brim is often preferred, allowing the cat to keep one eye on its surroundings at all times while drinking.

* Place a few bowls around the house in different locations, not forgetting the upstairs if your cat spends time there. Cats are opportunistic drinkers and don’t tend to make a special trip to find their water. With a bit of experimentation, you may find that your cat has a favorite place in the house where they like to stop for a drink.

* If you have more than one cat, make sure there are enough water bowls to avoid any arguments. Cats don’t like queuing!

* Change your cat’s water frequently to keep it fresh. Many cats prefer moving water. Again, this instinct helps ensure that drinking water is clean and uncontaminated. Commercial water fountains are really beneficial for these cats.

How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Getting Enough Water?

There are a few simple signs that will give you a pretty good indication of your cat is staying hydrated:

~ Skin elasticity. Gently pull the skin at the base of your cat's neck (scruff). The skin should spring back when you release it. If it does not, your cat might not be getting enough water.

~ A shiny coat without dry flakes is a sign of hydration.

~ Your cat should exhibit normal physical activity and not be overly lethargic.

~ Is your cat urinating 2-3 times per day? You can tell if this is happening by checking your cat's litter box for medium-sized clumps.

Purchasing an automatic water fountain may be one way to get your cat to consume more water. Both Drinkwell and Petmate make drinking fountains for cats. Or, you may want to try Aspen Pet Cool Flow.  Depending on the fountain you choose, they can cost anywhere from $20 to $60.

~ Some cats don't like the taste of "hard" water which is high in concentrates of mineral salts. Try offering distilled or filtered water instead.

~ It might be necessary to rinse your cat's water bowl a couple times a day during the warmer months of the year when bacteria can form quickly.