by Sasha Riess | 22.06.26. | Wellbeing
Surviving parvovirus is a major victory, but it is only the first step. Statistics show that dogs who survive the first 48 to 72 hours have a 90% chance of recovery, but the impact the virus leaves on the body is significant. Effective post parvo care requires time, patience, and above all, a change in nutritional approach.
The greatest enemy in this phase is dehydration, which does not affect only the organs, but almost completely depletes the muscular system, since muscle cells are primarily composed of water. Proper hydration is the foundation of any successful recovery strategy.
Holistic Canine Recovery: Muscles and Immunity After Parvovirus
During recovery, the dog gradually returns to its feet, but the body remains weakened by aggressive therapies, antibiotics, and vitamin protocols. To “wake up” the organism from within, it is necessary to restore what has been lost. This is where dedicated post parvo care becomes essential.
A holistic approach focuses on rebuilding immunity and muscle mass through natural sources. The goal is to awaken the body from within and return it to a state of full vitality.
Essential Post Parvo Care: Eliminate Kibble to Prevent Further Dehydration
One of the most important messages for owners of dogs recovering from parvo is this: eliminate kibble.
Kibble is a major source of dehydration because it draws water from the body in order to be processed in the stomach. For a dog whose muscles have already been compromised by the virus, dehydrated food becomes an additional burden that slows recovery and complicates long-term post parvo care.
The body needs hydration through fresh, living food, not additional strain from processing dry, industrial products.
The goal is not only for the dog to survive, but to continue living fully. With proper restoration of the body, it is possible to return the dog to a state of vitality it had before the illness, and sometimes even beyond that.
At Sasha Riess, we understand that true healing begins from within, through uncompromised purity and dedication. Supporting your dog’s delicate system through recovery is an act of pureloveandharmony. Take complete charge of your pet’s path to true vitality: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 19.06.26. | Wellbeing
A man named Marko, who recently became the owner of a young German Shepherd, sent me a question about a health issue known as hip dysplasia, or simply HD. As he explained, he had read extensively about the breed in order to understand it better, and learned that this hip problem sometimes occurs in German Shepherds, as well as in large breeds in general. Although the issue is usually genetic, it can also be encouraged by inadequate living conditions and nutrition, so Marko wanted to know what deserves special attention.
The German Shepherd and the Dark Fate of Eugenics
When it comes to the German Shepherd, we clearly see the dark consequences of eugenics and human interference with nature. In the process of creating the “perfect breed,” humans confront natural laws so that the newly shaped body can perform a task flawlessly for human benefit, regardless of how much the dog may suffer or endure pain in the process.
Lowering the hindquarters or creating that pronounced arch in the spine increases the drive of the rear legs. This enhances the speed required of the German Shepherd as a working breed, enabling it to generate the force needed to subdue a person weighing, for example, 100 kilograms. As a result, the dog’s center of gravity shifts from the front limbs to the hind legs, placing excessive strain on the hips, which are not designed to bear such load. In this way, the process that leads to hip dysplasia begins through chronic overburdening of the hip joints. The entire biomechanical model of a dog assumes that its weight should primarily rest on the front paws, not on the pelvis.
Causes of Dysplasia and the Biomechanical Model
A disrupted center of balance can contribute to the development of what is sometimes called “functional” hip dysplasia. Another possible factor is overly long nails on the front paws, which push the paw backward. When nails grow too long, the paw rests on the rear pads, the toes lift, and the center of gravity shifts once again toward the hips. The socket and joint structures then suffer under a load they were never designed to carry.
What should be considered when purchasing a German Shepherd is choosing the most natural looking dog possible, ideally one with a straighter back, since a straight back is a reliable sign that the body’s weight is properly distributed toward the front limbs. When the fundamental biomechanical model is disrupted, contraindicated traits emerge, because nature always strives for balance. The collection of moderate features in each body part creates the conceptual beauty of the whole.
The Future of the Breed and Owner Responsibility
Anyone who chooses to own a German Shepherd today must be prepared for potential hip problems as the dog ages. The issue lies in the fact that the breed was shaped for specific performances that many dogs no longer carry out. The working value of the German Shepherd is steadily declining, yet we expect the physical form alone to remain sustainable, which is impossible.
Back to nature: A straight back and correct center of gravity are the only way to a healthy and mobile dog.
A dog’s physical structure arises from the essence of its function. We should choose dogs of balanced build with straighter backs, although such dogs are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Everything else is the result of eugenics and the elevation of breed above species, a price that must eventually be paid. It is difficult to say how humanity will repay what it has done to the German Shepherd, and to many other breeds as well.
At Sasha Riess, we look beyond artificial breed standards to protect the natural biology of your dog. True canine wellness means restoring structural balance and a proper center of gravity, allowing your German Shepherd to live in movement, comfort, and pure biological pureloveandharmony. Support your dog’s ancestral health:Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 17.06.26. | Wellbeing
Today, a dog owner wrote to me about a passive problem of uncontrolled “leakage” in dogs. Why does this happen? Is the cause the weakening of the bladder wall and glands due to a lack of estrogen? This is a serious condition in which a dog, while sleeping, is often not even aware of what is happening and urinates on itself because it cannot control it.
Hormonal Imbalance and the Bladder Wall
The problem often lies in the deficiency of vital hormones. Estrogen in dogs, just like testosterone and other related hormones, plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle tone and the strength of the bladder wall. When the levels of these hormones drop, the bladder walls weaken, which leads to passive incontinence.
Unfortunately, owners often encounter a lack of response or adequate therapy. There are also extreme approaches, such as estrogen injections, used in an attempt to compensate for what the body has lost. This is an effort to restore the vital balance that has been disrupted.
Risks and Consequences of Hormone Deficiency
Beyond incontinence itself, the lack of these important hormones can open the door to other health risks, including various cancers. Hormones such as estrogen in dogs and testosterone are not only “sex” hormones; they are vital regulators of the overall health of the body.
When these hormones are lacking, a dog becomes more vulnerable to diseases that arise from this fundamental imbalance. Understanding the connection between hormonal status and physiological functions such as bladder control is the first step in providing help to a pet suffering from this passive yet frustrating condition.
At Sasha Riess, we recognize that structural wellness and hormonal balance go hand in hand. Addressing a deficiency in estrogen in dogs requires a deep understanding of cellular health, guiding your pet back to a life of true pureloveandharmony. Restore their inner vitality: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 04.06.26. | Wellbeing
The Paradox of Veterinary Ethics: Love vs. The System
It is not always a question of who a person is. Often, it is a question of the system they are forced to function within. You can sincerely love animals and still find yourself in a role that contradicts that love. This is the fate of many who study veterinary ethics or related sciences: to receive a diploma, they must learn systems of breeding where the focus is placed exclusively on public health rather than on the emotional world of animals.
The Animal as a Production Machine
In the modern context, veterinarians are often placed in service of designing systems in which animals are treated as objects.
The goal is to prevent disease transmission for human safety, while ignoring the subtle, familial, and emotional nature of beings.
This paradox creates a profound inner conflict in anyone who entered the profession out of love, highlighting a core struggle in veterinary ethics.
How to Maintain Empathy within Veterinary Ethics
It is easy to judge from the outside, but it is important to understand how difficult it is to protect yourself from a system while living inside it. Education often places biosecurity above empathy, challenging the very foundation of veterinary ethics.
Preserving oneself lies in constant questioning of the system.
The key to preserving oneself lies in constant questioning. We must not allow the system to shape us so completely that we stop seeing the emotional world of animals behind protocols and signatures. Only through awareness can we remain a bridge toward what animals truly need: recognition of their existence beyond the function they serve.
The true measure of veterinary ethics is found in the moments when we choose to act from the heart, even when the system demands cold logic. By acknowledging that animals have a complex emotional life, we transform from mere technicians into true guardians of life. This shift is what allows us to bridge the gap between human safety and animal well-being, ensuring that empathy remains at the core of our professional path
At Sasha Riess, we believe that true veterinary ethics starts with seeing the animal behind the protocol. Our mission is to move beyond the machine and return to a state of pureloveandharmony. Stay connected to the truth: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 04.06.26. | Wellbeing
In the world of dogs, defecation is not just a physiological need; it is an act of marking territory. On the left and right sides of the anal opening are anal glands that secrete a specific fluid. When the stool has the proper firmness, it applies pressure as it passes, releasing this secretion and leaving a unique scent signature on the feces.
The problem arises when this natural mechanism fails.
How Food Solves the Problem of Blockage
The secretion inside the glands must remain fluid in order to be released easily.
However, if the dog does not have firm and compact stool, the necessary pressure on the anal glands is missing. The secretion stays inside, thickens, and leads to blockage.
The solution is not constant manual expression, but proper nutrition. One fresh, raw bone per week can be enough to improve stool firmness and allow the anal glands to empty naturally, on their own.
One raw bone per week supports the natural emptying of the glands.
Symptoms That “Shout”: The Glands Are Full
How can you recognize that your dog has a problem with its anal glands? Pay attention to these signs:
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Scooting: The dog drags its rear on the ground to relieve pressure.
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Hair loss: Intense scratching and hair loss around the base of the tail and lower back.
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Physical changes: Swelling or redness around the sides of the anal opening, often accompanied by visible discomfort or agitation.
If you notice your dog constantly scratching the rear area or losing hair in that region, do not wait. The anal glands should first be manually expressed by a veterinarian or groomer, followed by an immediate adjustment in diet. Compact stool is the only way for this system to function as nature intended.
At Sasha Riess, we believe in addressing the cause, not just the symptom. Supporting the natural function of anal glands through proper biology is essential for pureloveandharmony. Keep the system moving: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 28.05.26. | Wellbeing
A cut paw in dogs, especially on the pads, often worries owners because it may seem like the wound is not healing. Although it can appear that the skin is not regenerating, in most cases, it is a slow but natural healing process.
Why a Cut Paw in Dogs Heals Slowly
The skin on paw pads is unique. It has no fur and regenerates layer by layer from within. That is why a cut paw in dogs may look open or uneven even while regeneration is already taking place beneath the surface.
Can the Skin on the Paw Pad Grow Back?
The pad does not heal by closing from the top, but by rebuilding from the inside. During this process:
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The old layer gradually sheds.
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New layers of skin form underneath.
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The surface evens out over time.
What to Do if a Piece of Skin Is Hanging
If a piece of skin hangs or catches on surfaces, the goal is to achieve a flat and stable surface. It is vital to protect the paw from pressure and prevent additional tearing, but never cut randomly without professional advice.
The unique, layered structure of the paw pad is built for natural strength and regeneration.
Bandaging and Protection
A cut paw in dogs can be temporarily protected with a bandage to reduce mechanical strain, especially if the dog is calm or the paw constantly contacts the ground. The purpose is to allow the skin to regenerate naturally.
When to Consult a Veterinarian
Consult a professional if the wound is bleeding, if there is swelling or infection, if the dog is limping, or if there is no progress for an extended period.
Patience Is Key
A cut paw in dogs must heal at its own pace. Providing rest and protection is the most important thing you can do to support this gradual process.
At Sasha Riess, we respect the biological rhythm of healing. Supporting a cut paw in dogs with patience and protection is a path to pureloveandharmony. Trust the process:Linktree Sasha Riess
Awakening With Dogs : Exploring the Profound Connection Between Dogs and Humans: Love, Resonance, and Healing
