Jain Spirit 2005 09 No23

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 68

ENVIRONMENT
ONE VEGGIE DOG... COMIN' RIGHT UP!
SHAYNA PAREKH ENCOURAGES US TO EXPLORE THE RANGE OF DIETS FOR MAN'S BEST FRIEND
have always wanted a dog. Mostly, the
reasons are selfish: I feel a certain sense of serenity around dogs: I enjoy running and playing with them; I admire their sense of loyalty, and I am humbled by their ability to forgive and find happiness in simple things.
Amanda Ronde
by member: hidesy
Stockphoto.com/uploaded by memberi
AS A JAIN, I FELT THAT I WAS PREVENTED FROM ADOPTING SPOT FROM THE ANIMAL SHELTER FOR PRIMARILY ONE REASON: 1 WAS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE THOUGHT OF PURCHASING AND FEEDING MEAT-BASED FOODS TO A DOG. THIS FEELING STEMMED FROM MY BELIEF IN AHIMSA TOWARD ALL LIVING CREATURES. I SIMPLY COULD NOT, IN GOOD CONSCIOUSNESS, PICTURE FEEDING BESSIE, THE COW, TO SPOT, MY DOG.
This winter, while working for a dog spa in New York, I was sent on an errand: I had to purchase vegetarian dog food! That simple task inspired this article.
The issue of providing vegetarian diets for dogs can be viewed from at least two angles. First, is it possible for a dog to live a healthy life on a purely vegetarian diet? And second, is such a practice recommended? That is, should a dog be fed a strictly vegetarian diet? The answers may surprise you.
WWW.IAINSPIRIT.COM
My (unscientific) research indicates that it may indeed be possible for a dog to live a healthy life on a purely vegetarian diet. Optimal levels of nutrients required by dogs (proteins, fats, fibres, vitamins and minerals) can be successfully isolated from plant materials, with the rest (taurine, carnitine, Vitamin D and B12 and so on) provided
in supplements. For Personal & Private Use Only