NATURAL PET EXPO: EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE

According to the latest weather forecast, Sunday's weather is supposed to be partly cloudy with sun and no rain. Please plan on attending. We'll see you there!

Bette Hanson - For the Love of Frank...

From 1988 to 2002, it was my dog Frank, who was my joyful, devoted companion and inspiration.A friendly black and white English Springer/Pointer mix, Frank came across as a wise and memorable being to everyone he met. He had so much character and was loved by one and all - even people who did not like dogs, were drawn to Frank's friendly spirit.

For 14 years, he was my devoted companion and rock while I traveled around the country in pursuit of a grinding, demanding career in network television.

Imagine my devastation, when in 2000, late in his life, he developed Degenerative Myelopathy (a condition affecting the spine and back legs) and then heart disease. Both were diagnosed as terminal, with the former presenting a quality of life issue and the latter potentially fatal symptoms. Yet like Lindsay, I was determined to give him the best care to help him live as long of a quality life as was able.

On advice from others, I took him to see Dr. Deva Khalsa at the Animal Healing Center in Yardley, PA. It was there I was introduced to the shocking truth about commercial dog food!

All his life, I had been feeding Frank what I thought was premium, nutritious and healthy food. Like many others, I was decieved by a commercial industry motivated by profits, not altruism. So I immersed myself in education: learning all I could about nutrition, and then moving into wellness and health care modalities like homeopathic and holistic methods, kinesiology, acupuncture, natural supplements etc...

Before this experience, I considered myself intelligent and an avid and dedicated pet owner, so thus I was EXTREMELY troubled at just how much I didn't know and how I had been so deceived by an industry I trusted with my pets health. While I could not pinpoint a direct correlation, I was motivated to immediately change Frank's diet. I bought human quality pet food with proven ingredients and/or home cooked his meals supplemented with vitamins and necessary additives. In addition he received treatment from Dr. Deva Khalsa and the kind, knowledgeable experts at the Animal Healing Center who provided him with homeopathic remedies, JMT, tinctures and such truly wonderful, compassionate care --- that it all added up to extend his life by years despite his initial terminal diagnosis from a traditional veterinarian.

What finally caught my attention was the IMMEDIATE results from JUST CHANGING HIS DIET and adding supplements like Optimum Choices, Bio Preparation (an all inclusive premium nutrient based on algae); his coat turned bright and shiny, his eyes became vibrant and sparkling and his spirit came back youthful and energetic. It convinced and motivated me to know more, but what ingrained this experience in my brain were the objective opinions of strangers --- In mid February, 2002, two different people approached me on two separate occasions while I was out walking my dog Frank: They stopped and asked me "how old my 'puppy' was!!" My puppy!??! At that time Frank was 14 years old, suffering from two terminal diseases and was ONE week away from dying...

Imagine my surprise and astonishment at their recognition of what had already happened before my eyes.
As a former television reporter (ie skeptic), I could not deny these objective views of the inherent changes in my dog. I was a witness and had the proof right in front of me. It moved and transformed me in a way that is hard to describe. I was dumbfounded, yet inspired. A new passion for knowledge and animal advocacy was born and I vowed to pass along what valuable insights I had gleaned, so both animals & people could benefit from my experiences.

Frank died February 21, 2002 in my arms, and it is in his honor and memory that I dedicate my efforts.

Over time, I continued to extend this knowledge when eight months later, I adopted a happy, energetic, free-spirited English Shepherd named Sascha. Well, she adopted me! As a 3 month old, she snuggled into my shoulder, gave one soft whimper and I could not help but take this fuzzy fur ball of a puppy home from the SPCA.

Over the years, my fascination turned into a burning passion. I was still shocked and appalled at an industry that had managed to pull the wool over so many people's eyes! I had always just gone along with what my vets told me and trusted in the companies, products and services that were available to pet owners. My views expanded and I reknewed my vow to expand my interests and serve to help deepen the animal human bond to create a greater understanding, respect and treatment of all living beings.

I am STILL learning today. After trying for the first 6 months of Sascha's life, she taught me that a strict raw food diet was initially not to her liking. She was one of the 2% of dogs that could not stomach a raw diet. I used the experience to explore the topic in depth --- intricately learning about digestive systems, PH levels, natural diets, herbs, vitamins, supplements, enzymes etc.

However, before turning 5, to my dismay, Sascha was diagnosed with chronic Lymes Disease and suffered from arthritic-like condition in her shoulders and hind legs.

In late November of 2006, my once vibrant, energetic, strong canine, (whom friends had nicknamed 'Cujo' for her spirited behaviors), slowly turned stiff, sore and lame. What was once this being of boundless energy -- urging me to walk ever faster on journeys to area parks, urban hiking or keeping alert for the ever leery, street-wise city squirrel --- sadly, turned into a sore, stiff canine taking agonizingly slow, daily walks, laggin behind me, gallantly trying to keep up... Yet through it all, her spirit remained strong and joyful -- weathering tests, supplements, months of antibiotics, energy treatments and massages as I tried to find a cure.

I tried everything to restore her health so she can once again enjoy the FULL & COMPLETE strength of her body ... I recognized that this illness, was giving me an opportunity to learn, explore and discover HOW I could help her overcome this impossible dilemma. Her prognosis was not good... But I NEVER gave up. FYI: Lymes is a tick borne rickettsial organism (rickettsia are a type of bacteria). One of the symptoms is damage to the joints from arthritis... which experts, statistics and references advised me was permanent.

May, 2007 UPDATE: After months of suffering, we traveled to North Caroling on the advice of a friend and she was treated using a little known process in the United States called N.I.S. (Neurological Integration System, formerly known as NeuroLink). Paul Hellings served as teh expert practitioner.

N.I.S. was started by a physician in New Zealand and represents a paradigm shift in health care for BOTH animals and people. I was surprised and amazed by this method of healing, which literally taps into the brain’s intelligence to reconnect the body with it's own original blueprint of health. READ more about the process here: www.neurolink.co.nz/ www.ahh.co.nz/neuro.html

Sascha was initially treated with several sessions of N.I.S. and it kick started her journey to recovery. Lymes is not found in New Zealand where N.I.S. was first developed and it was a challenge to treat her. It was a slow process with many experiments, trials and adjustments. I never gave up hope

However, the N.I'S. treatment IMMEDIATELY helped her internal, digestive system. She's NOW ABLE TO EAT a raw diet, which is an amazing & valuable benefit all by itself. Holistically, the better her nutrition, the easier it will be for her body to help heal itself!

2nd UPDATE: As of January, 2008, Sascha is FREE of Lymes and walking/running/excercising with full energy & zeal. I have my dog back!!!

I give thanks to N.I.S. which started her on the road to healing, supplemented by Nutramin clay to help detox and rebuild a comprimised immune system, as well as Pet Alive's Liver Immunity and finally Optimum Choices, Bio Preparation which provided her body the ultimate nutrition she needed to help her body heal itself. In addition, she had energy treatments - infinite gratitude & blessings to ALL !!!

It is in the love and memory of Frank and for the love of Sascha, that I dedicate my continuing efforts. It is clear that BOTH canines encouraged and inspired me to further educate myself in all areas of pet advocacy, nutrition and wellness --- Out of this love, the idea of the Natural Pet Expo was born and continues to grow and expand each year... with the goal to reach out, inspire, inform and educate others.

I am eternally grateful for my co-founder Lindsay Condefer, all the participants, the sponsors and the gracious help of those willing to donate time and efforts to help us in our mission --- to raise awareness and encourage holistic and natural care for our animal friends!

Namaste & Sat Nam!

Meet Lindsay Condefer, Inspired & Determined

The Chic Petique was born in October of 2001 after Lindsay Condefer's dog, Madison became severely ill due to pneumonia. The female bulldogs fight to stay alive opened up a door in Lindsay's life to natural pet care. When the dog wouldn’t respond to antibiotics, she turned to Flower Remedies as a last resort and Madison came home 5 days later! This experience drove Lindsay to research all she could on the benefits of natural pet care.

Chic Petique has expanded to two shops, 616 S 3rd St between Bainbridge & South Street on Third and 1040 N 2nd Street, in the Liberties Walk courtyard of Northern Liberties. Both stores are bright and fun, and all about “spoiling your pet from the inside out”. Lindsay elaborates "My goal is to give every pet owner the education and advice, that at the time, I wish I had. Each product we stock has been carefully chosen and is something that I feel that I can fully stand behind. I hope that your experience with the Chic Petique is one that you will be happy with, and always feel comfortable to ask us any questions you may have. All of us at the shop are here because our hearts are here."

Lindsay's compassion and passion extends to her animal rescue, Street Tails, which came about shortly after the opening of the shop. She says: "Through all of our hard work, and with the support from pet lovers like yourself, we have been able to successfully care for, rehabilitate, and adopt our rescues to permanent, loving homes. We try to take in the extreme hardship cases which require more medical care and time, but by doing this, we are truly giving them the second chance that they deserve. Although we are a small rescue, we all have huge hearts. We are aware that you can’t save the world, but we can still try, one animal at a time! We operate and exist ONLY with kind and generous donors like you."

For more information, or to make a donation please email us at streettails@gmail.com or www.streettails.petfinder.com for our available rescues. Both shops are open Tuesday thru Friday from 11am-7pm, Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 12-5.

NATURAL PET EXPO - The Beginning

2004 NATURAL PET EXPO - The Beginning
Lindsay & Bette Meet: Lindsay's love for animals prompted her to open Chic Petique, a Philadelphia pet store exclusively selling natural health food & products.

Animal advocate, writer/producer and health nut Bette Hanson, would often walk in the door to buy food at Chic and walk out with so much more... "I'd roam around, pouring over all the natural food choices, treats, leashes, shampoos, flea treatments and other products. I was in heaven. Then when I learned about her philanthropic spirit dedicated to healing, saving and adopting abandoned and medically challenging pets, I knew I had met a kindred soul."

Lindsay was always a wealth of information for everyone who entered her store. It was obvious she had passion and knowledge, derived from a personal history dealing with her own dogs health and wellness issues. Bette could relate, she had the same experience with her dog Frank.

She and Bette often discussed the repetitive questions she’d get from customers: “My pet gets anxious when I leave, can you help?” "What’s up with these hot spots and itching skin?” In response, typically Lindsay would ask what they feed their pet --- too often the answer was commercial pet food. “Isn’t that okay?” they'd ask quizzically, while Lindsay shook her head in dismay.

It's a question she heard far too many times. People were always coming into the Chic Petique with stories of problems with chronic skin/ear allergies, digestive upset, hair loss, bad breath, dandruff, paw licking, obesity, gum/ teeth problems, degenerative arthritis and or worse --- she knew that the two biggest factors in a pets' health decline has been the nutrient poor and toxin filled commercial pet foods in addition to questionable overuse of multiple vaccines. Bette agreed, through her own experience, she had learned that a growing number of veterinarians credit processed pet food like kibble and canned food, as the main cause of illness and premature death in the modern dog and cat. They were both shaken and bonded over their passion for this topic.

Lindsay’s response was to dole out holistic advice, directing them to healthier choices.

They both shook their heads over an industry that could dupe so many people into the myths surrounding the care of pets in the name of commerce. They united over the issue of the quality of food and the choices loving pet owners made in selecting commercial grade food that Condefer often described as:“Like feeding junk food to your animals everyday”.

But what could they do? They were up against a BILLION dollar industry.

Determined, they talked about how there was surely a better way. Surely if people were informed they could make make wiser decisions about the health & care of their animals. They were only two people, but perhaps two voices could make a difference.

So one summer day in 2004, the talk stopped, action took over and the planning began… They pooled their resources and the very first Natural Pet Expo took place at Gloria Dei Church (Delaware & Front Streets) on November 13, 2004.

NATURAL PET EXPO 2004 - STEVE'S STORY & TESTIMONIAL

In November of 2004, while volunteering to help at the 1st Natural Pet Expo, I met this orange striped tabby cat purring in his cage, eager to be adopted. He looked like a short-haired version of the first cat I had as a kid, but this one was more serene, and more affectionate than I'd ever seen any cat behave. I fell for him instantly and wound up taking 'Steve' home.

Shortly after, I found myself wondering, "What have I done?" I'd never had a pet of my own before. But, with Bette Hanson's help and Stevie's boundless affection, our relationship has matured into a wonderful loving bond. I can say without qualification that adopting Stevie is a dramatically high point in my life and perhaps the best decision I've ever made. -- Thomas H. Ehrhardt, Esq., Riverton, NJ

NATURAL PET EXPO

Friday, September 05, 2008

EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE

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Co-Founder Bette Hanson & Sascha

Frank

Bette Hanson - For the Love of Frank...

Bette & Sascha

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Meet Lindsay Condefer, Inspired & Determined

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2004 The Beginning

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Steve, playing @ home

NATURAL PET EXPO 2004 - STEVE'S STORY & TESTIMONIAL