The Story of the Logo

After what seems like eternity, the long time awaited logo is finally born!

It´s been truly a long process and less long efforts that went into this project, and it´s been a real labor of love, to say the least.

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Summer Solstice

Happy Summer Solstice!

In celebration of the Solstice and Strawberry Moon, we are offering 20% on everything in our shop. 

Grab your  code SOLSTICE20 and forget to check out Katerina's newest herbal creations.

Balto´s Natural Way Story

Balto joined our pack as a six year old experienced sled dog and racing veteran, retired from another kennel´s team. Since then, he ran and pulled many miles in our teams, in training and also on races, teaching the younger dogs a lot of skills, as he was an excellent lead dog with a fabulous work ethic.

While Balto was at the bloom of his sled dog athlete career and full of energy, he was not, however, at full health. He´s been suffering from eczema on his paws, mostly between his toes, whenever the weather changed, when exposed to too much water or mud and during damp conditions. His previous owners spent a lot of time searching for the right type of food for him, and as it is in the typical allopathic medicine scenarios – Balto was way too often on antibiotics, eventually developing resistance. The vets believed he needed to be on hypoallergenic and grain free commercial dog food, and so did we at the beginning.

But because feeding him the “special” food did not make any difference, I have soon realized the problem has to be approached holistically.

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All What´s Good And New

Howdy all!
It has been a long time since I last updated the blog.

So much has happened since then, so much I was going to share and also a lot I did not know how to process, never mind sharing. 

Those of you who know me some time, know, that I am not a fan of sharing negative thoughts and news and that complaining will never be a part of my blogging, so let me just say that health and family are of the highest priority to me and at times of need, focusing on these two aspects of my life are the single most important things on my agenda. 

And that is in a nut-shell exactly what I have been doing pretty big part of the winter. 

But it isn´t all, so let´s dive into all the what´s good and new!

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Treating Gusty´s Infected Mouth Wound Naturally

One of our young dogs Gusty punched a hole inside his mouth while enthusiastically chewing on a meaty bone. Typically, the hole inside his mouth closed almost completely and a huge swelling occurred on the outside, on the side of his muzzle.

In the past, I would have put him on antibiotics, but not today, having learned a different approach the natural way.

Knowing my dogs more than well and knowing how nourished they are and that their immune systems are strong, I decided for reaching out to a holistic approach.

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Vejce ve Výživě Psů a Koček - Bílek, Skořápky a Blány

Dnešní článek je inspirován dotazy a zájmem majitelů psů a koček, kteří reagovali na můj příspěvek o vhodnosti přidávání syrových vajec do jídelníčku zvířat, který jsem zveřejnila ve své přírodní poradně pro zvířata.

Není to článek, pojednávající celkově o vejcích a jejich složení a přínosu ve výživě psů a koček, ale je zaměřen především na bílek a skořápky, ke kterým se vážou mnohé diskuze, dohady, skutečnosti, ale i mýty.

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Kennel Crew Members Wanted For Fall And Winter

We are looking for kennel help for various time periods:

- Mid August - November 1-2 persons
- October - March/April 2 persons

We are also beginning to accept applications for Spring and Summer 2016.

Preferably long term, but short term (at least 4 weeks) would work too. Couples welcome!

Here is more information. Please share with your dog loving friends!

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Dill: A Nutritive And Healing Herb For Your Dog

I have been so focused lately on weeds and their medicinal and nutritive properties, that I have totally forgotten about garden or kitchen herbs.

A trip to my mini herbal garden in order to pick fresh oregano and basil for a sauce to go with Jachym´s home made pasta (which was fantastic, by the way and I might actually share the recipe some day) reminded me of the many amazing health benefits of these classic kitchen herbs.

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Healthy Soup For Dogs And Cats

I originally formulated this recipe as an additional light meal to add to any pet´s feeding program, especially to aid in taste and for those who feed their animals with commercial pet food, to add essential micro nutrients, missing in the processed foods. 
I recommend it for dogs, cats and even ferrets, with skin issues, allergies, eczema and sensitive stomachs. It is also an ideal light and healthy meal for overweight pets or those on a weight loss program, as it is still rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, yet is is light in calories.

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Supplementing Your Pet´s Diet The Natural Way LIVE WEBINAR

Do you ever wonder if your pet´s diet is really providing all the nutrition to keep him or her healthy, happy and vital throughout their entire life?

Or do you get confused if it is possible to add something extra, if your pet is kibble fed and the manufacturer or the pet shop states it to be complete and balanced without a need for supplementing?

Perhaps you wonder what more can you, as the loving, dedicated pet parent you are, do on your side to help your dog or cat while they are undergoing veterinary treatment for an illness or injury.

Then my upcoming webinar might be what you are looking for! You can still register.

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The Natural Way Webinars For All Animal Lovers

Ok folks,
it´s been what feels like a century since I last properly blogged. Time is of essence and my lack of it is to be blamed :)

Loads of things are and have been happening around the Kipp d´Amundsen kennels and our home in the woods, and I will make an effort to keep you up-to-date, as I have luckily documented a bunch of the goings and doings around here :)
For that matter, I actually highly recommend you to visit my FB page Katerina´s Journal as it is far more frequently updated with loads of pictures of the dogs, herbs, food, health tips, musings from the wilderness, and you know, the usual stuff :)

BUT....! For now, I have an exciting announcement to make, one big enough to make me finally break the no-time loop loop of doom and get back to the blog.

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Devastating Fire in Alaska - What Can We Do?

My heart is heavy while I am watching the news from Alaska the past three days.

Dozens of homes have been swept by the devastating forest fire, that was most likely started by fireworks (the cause is still under investigation at the time of writing).

The town of Willow, where the fire, as of yesterday claimed as national disaster by the officials, is very well known to me. I love Alaska. My heart has always belonged to Alaska. I not only have many friends there and visited a number of sled dog kennels in the area, and have so much memories from numerous stays and visits.

It breaks my heart even more to see these kennels wiped out of the surface, as so many mushers have managed to evacuate their dogs and other animals, losing practically all of their material possessions.

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Jarní Workshopy BYLINKY PRO PSY v České Republice

Ahoj všem!

Toto je jeden z mých mimořádných příspěvků v češtině, protože zde pro vás všechny mám pozvánku a to na hned tři akce, které pořádám v květnu v České Republice.

Pro velký zájem o (nejen) bylinkové workshopy pro psy (a nejen je), který mne moc těší, jsem po loňské vydařené podzimní premiéře na šumavské Veselce u Vimperka workshop rozšířila i o jarní verzi, kde se zaměříme zase pro změnu trochu víc na bylinky jarní, detoxikaci organismu psa, atd. 

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Two of My Most Favorite Smoothies

Howdy all!

I am soooo behind with my blogging - or I should say with my real blog blogging, because I am actually not totally idle and mute and I did not cut off the sharing of our daily life in the woods with our huskies and pursuing of our wilderness homesteading dream!

As a matter of fact, I´ve been (what I call) "mini" blogging a lot on my Facebook page and sharing tons of pictures on Instagram. You should really check both of these hubs out, because I have some real nice pictures there and also some info on Herbs for Dogs and some natural nutrition and health care advice, etc. 

Anyhow, today I´ve decided to share something healthy, holistic and totally delicious for the humans  - two of my most favorite smoothies :)

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Warming And Immunity Boosting Herbal Blend For Dogs

I love making my own herbal blends for my dogs, cats, and for us as well.

I totally love the fact that I am able to pick or grow many of the plants myself, on the meadows and in the woods right here, around our homestead, and know they are truly "organic", growing in unpolluted nature in the best imaginable conditions.

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Opportunity To Work And Live At Our Kennel

We are looking for kennel help starting beginning or latest mid February! 

Preferably long term, but short term (at least 4 weeks) would work too. Couples welcome!

Here is more information. Please share with your dog loving friends!

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Top10 Most Read 2014 Blog Posts

Howdy all!

In my neck of the woods, we have 1 hour and 3 minutes till the end of the year and I decided to share the TOP 10 MOST POPULAR POSTS from Katerina´s Journal Blog - that means the ten most read by You and those You found most interesting this year.

I have to say that I got totally inspired by friend Lisa at Fresh Eggs Daily, who posted top ten blog posts from her blog about natural raising of chickens and ducks. If you own a flock yourself, or have a little (or big farm) with all kinds of animals, you should head over there, it´s a great information source!

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Healthy, Delish, Homemade Pet Treats And E-Book Giveaway

I am excited to announce that I have some great FREE stuff in the spirit of The Natural Way coming up for you! Why? To celebrate the year past and the one coming!

There are some pretty neat things coming and I can´t wait to share them all with you. But first thing´s first. 

Let me start off with this fun GIVEAWAY.

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Beautiful DIY Decorations That Won't Cost You A Dime

I love Christmas, decorating, natural materials and rustic look of my decor creations, as it perfectly fits the wilderness set up of our homestead.

Being able to be creative with the use of mostly natural materials, without spending too much money and yet create something beautiful gives me a big satisfaction.

These cardboard stars I came up with just before Christmas this year can be used for your planned New Year´s party, but also any other occasion in or outdoors.

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Home Made Eggnog, Anyone?

I´ve shared this step by step, easy recipe for a superb eggnog last year.

It is my family´s traditional recipe and I am glad to continue in those traditions of making this eggnog every year for Christmas.

It is SO much BETTER than the store bought one, with all the egg yolks and heavy whipping cream and raw sugar whisked to a creamy consistence, flavored with fresh ground vanilla.

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