I Love My Merrells

Earlier this summer, I blogged about my foray into the barefoot shoe movement. Unfortunately for me, the toe shoes I bought were one size too small and had already removed the tags. What I didn't mention was that I also purchased barefoot casual flats. Initially, I had my heart set on the Vivobarefoot Women's Kali Shoe. Unfortunately, they weren't available in my size locally.

I lucked out with the two Merrells that I bought. They were on sale. Here's one of them:

This is the Merrell Women's Barefoot Life Zest Glove Flat (purchased at Soft Moc). I also have the Merrell Women's Barefoot Wonder Glove  (purchased at Checkmate Shoes).

Both pairs are extremely comfortable. The rubber Vibram soles provide a little bit of cushioning without compromising on flexibility.

Even after running around in them all day at the Calgary Japanese Festival, my feet were still happy at the end of the day. My legs were another story.

There's no arch support, so one unfamiliar with the barefoot movement would think that my arches would have been screaming by lunchtime. However, I think what helped is the fact that they ARE so flexible and have zero drop.

With my heightened foot to ground connection, I've changed how I walk (no heel striking). My toes wiggled freely because of the roomy toe box. The result? My entire foot adjusted easily and quickly to the uneven ground. Terra firma. In fact, I used the little bumps to massage my feet throughout the day by rolling back and forth.

The only downside? I'm short and wearing barefoot shoes really accentuates the height difference between myself and my interviewees. >_<

However, in the whole scheme of things, I think I'm healthier with barefoot shoes: no backaches, heightened nimbleness and balance and finally, improved posture. Sounds good to me.

Volunteering to Help with Animals

If you are an animal lover, perhaps you've thought about ways that you could volunteer with animals. Or perhaps you are looking for ways to volunteer with your pet.

There are many ways that you (and your pet) can help our furry, scaly and feathered friends. These are just some of the areas that you could lend a helping hand: administrative support, animal care, animal transport and special events.

Opportunities to Volunteer with Animals in Calgary

To ensure that most of donors' contributions go to caring for animals in need, animal shelters and societies rely on caring volunteers to help with office administration. For instance, the Calgary Humane Society gladly welcomes volunteers to assist with office reception. Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation and Oops-a-Dazy Rescue and Sanctuary Society have several areas to help with everything from pet insurance administration to marketing. The Animal Rescue Foundation relies on responsible volunteers to interview families for the pet adoption program.

For those who want more hands-on experience helping animals, volunteers can help with picking up animals that have been found in the wild, attending to animals' daily needs or ensuring that the needed supplies are on-hand. Dog walking, laundry and cleaning are other areas of animal care that would benefit from volunteer assistance.

Volunteers can also help by fostering animals. Foster families provide a safe environment for an animal as well as prepare them for the adoption program.

Most animal organizations run fundraising events on an annual basis. This can take the form of a casino, a fun run or an auction. People can assist as event volunteers or on the organizing committee.

Opportunities to Volunteer with Your Pet

There are numerous ways that you can volunteer with your pet. When Maestro was younger, we participated in the SPCA Dog Jog as well as the Fathers' Day Walk:

You and your pet can also foster animals. Your pet is your number one assistant in socializing a rescued animal before he or she is adopted.

Another area that you and your pet can help the community is by providing animal therapy. You would work together as a team, bringing smiles and comforting long-term care patients.

Volunteering with animals - whether it is to help animals in need or you are volunteering with your pet - can be a rewarding experience for both you and your pet. For more information, check out the books and links listed below.

Related Reading:

6 Ways to Volunteer with Your Pet by Sidney Stevens (Mother Nature Network)

A Guide to Volunteering with Your Pet (Healthy Pet)

Five Ways to Volunteer with Your Dog by Cesar Milan (Cesar's Way)

The Unusual Diary of an Animal Shelter Volunteer (book)

Volunteering to Help with Animals (book)

Wanted!: Animal Volunteers (book)

Reunions and Reflections

Last week, I met with some of my classmates from my childhood school days. Not just high school, but junior high. Not just junior high, but elementary (small towns, small classes). I hadn't seen some of them since our 20 year reunion and in some cases, since graduation.

It was a good visit. In addition spending a pleasant evening in good company, I left with three things to ponder, which I'll share:

Some Things Don't Change Over Time

A generation has passed. Many of my classmates have children who have grown up and started families of their own. Others have remarried, while others still are single.

Yet, we can sit together and chat like school was yesterday. Which is interesting in itself because those of us who gathered weren't all from the same "clique" in school. Yet, there was no awkwardness, just the joy of catching up and spending time together.

No matter how much time changes, our inner core remains essentially the same. So we could agree on who's really nice and who is still a jerk. Not only that, we could just explain things away with, "C'mon. You know my parents..."

How Well Did We Know Each Other?

That was a big theme over dinner. Some lost one or both parents at a fairly young age. There were a few teen pregnancies, resulting in those students disappearing for a while.  Others faced challenges we knew nothing about. We attended classes together and had no idea of the pain that these folks were going through. Now, as adults, we look back on what happened to some of our classmates with a deeper sensitivity and understanding.

Between reconnecting with classmates at this dinner and through Facebook, I've been surprised to see that I share many common interests with classmates I hardly spoken to when we were younger. For most of us, these are passions and hobbies we've pursued since childhood but we just didn't know since we weren't revolving around the same circles. Therefore, it's a blessing to reconnect as adults and enjoy these connections with a greater appreciation.

One Word, One Act Can Influence a Lifetime

One of my classmates said that she can look at each of us from our grad class and remember something about us. Not only that, she said that each of us has touched her life in some way and has shaped who she is now.

Whether it's a classmate or a coworker, neighbour or fellow volunteer - we each touch each other's lives - for better or for worse. It could be just for a moment or a day, or it could be over years, but the impact can result in something big.

I don't know about you, but that makes me think about how I affect those around me. Am I affecting someone for better or for worse? If it's the latter, what am I going to do about it?

Infrared Therapy for Canine Arthritis

Each of Maestro's laser therapy sessions concludes with a stint of infrared heat therapy. From the look on his face, it's a pleasant experience for him:

Maestro is going to the Canine Aquafitness Centre every second week, so I bit the bullet and bought our own Thermotex™ Platinum Infrared Therapy System during our visit two weeks ago. The bonus is that now I can use it too! Goodbye back and shoulder pain!

The other bonus - we can use it every day. Actually, we can use it up to four times a day.

Check out my official product review of the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System on my Stumbling Still blog. This portable personal pain relief device can be used by adults, children and pets.

Thermotex Personal Therapy System Product Review

My dog, Maestro, was diagnosed with Inter-vertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and osteoarthritis earlier this year. We have been going to the Canine Aquafitness Centre in Okotoks for his laser therapy treatments. Each session ends with a round on the Platinum Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System. Now that his laser therapy appointments have decreased from weekly to every other week, it was time to purchase our own Thermotex for at home pain relief from his vet; not only his muscle and joint pain, but my own!

How the Infrared Therapy Works

The Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System provides pain relief using infrared thermal energy (heat). This penetrates below the skin surface, all the way down into deep tissues and joints.

The body temperature in the injured area increases, increasing the blood flow into that area. The result is that the infrared jolts the affected area(s) into repairing the damage.

Infrared heat therapy is used on humans as well as pets for temporary relief of muscle and joint pain, sprains, strains, muscle tension, arthritis and even cancer patients. Maestro's vet assured me that it is very safe to use.

Features of the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System

The Thermotex Personal Therapy System unit is 42 cm X 35 cm (17" X 15") The infrared heating plates are inside a soft, black case.

There are three settings on this product: High, Low and Off. The power cord is a decent length.

On the backside, there are removable Velcro straps. They can be used to wrap the device around the back, arm or leg.

In addition to the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System, there are two systems specifically for animals. The equine system is designed as a coat for the horses to wear. The pet therapy system offers a line of pet beds.

Using theThermotex™ Personal Therapy System

When you first take the unit out of its packaging, check the cords inside the unit to make sure that they are securely connected. One end of the casing can be opened for this purpose.

His vet recommended that I put the pad in a pillowcase to keep the unit clean. So far, so good.

To use, place the unit on the injured area. You can use the Velcro straps to secure it in place. Put it on the high setting for the first 15 minutes and then switch to low. The instructions recommend that the device be used for at least 30 minutes.

The unit can be used up to four times a day. As with any therapy, the frequency can decrease as your condition improves.

There are several warnings that are worth noting. First, it is not recommended to use the unit while sleeping. Second, the Thermotex™ Therapy System should not be used on infants and thirdly, the product shouldn't be used in conjunction with liniments, salves or ointments. There rest are the regular warnings about using an electrical device.

There is a one year parts and labour warranty on the Thermotex™ Therapy System. There is also a 30-day satisfaction guarantee from the creator of the Thermotex™ Therapy Systems.

User Experience with the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System

I purchased the device two weeks ago. Since then, Maestro has used the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System daily. He uses it two to three times a day for approximately 30 minutes. 

Maestro gets fidgety once we near the 30 minute mark. His vet says that "He's cooked and done," when he becomes restless.

After each use, he is more mobile. Maestro attempts to jump up on the couch and to tackle the stairs ("No jumping, running or stairs" was the first thing his primary vet said to me when he was diagnosed). If I'm not fast enough or if I'm too slow to put the doggie gate up, he actually does.

As for me, I've been using it daily as well. I use it on my tense shoulders and to ease my lower back pain. I've been a bit more active lately, so I am also using it to prevent tendinitis in my arm and on an achy leg/hip.

Although I feel better immediately afterwards, its effects aren't consistent. It works extremely well on my back and shoulders. However, I've had limited success with my hip region. To be fair, I'm only using it once a day. I should actually follow the directions and increase usage to three or four times a day. As well, it is a little tricky to keep the pad in place at my hip.

When finished, I roll the unit up and wrap the power cord around it. It stores easily, although, with both of us using it daily, I don't bother putting it away.

Alternatives toThermotex™ Personal Therapy Systems

The Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System is one of the pricier pain relief personal care products on the market. I purchased it from the Canine Aquafitness Centre for $249 CAD. I imagine other local dealers will sell it at a similar price. It sells on Amazon for $289.14 CAD. The Venture Heat KB-2436 Therapy Infrared Heating Pad retails for approximately $155 CAD. The Therasage HB-1600 Far-Infrared Heat Therapy Healing Belt With Battery is more expensive at $300 CAD. If you want the benefits of infrared heat therapy at an entry-level price, you could check out the Infrared Deep Heat Wand for less than $30 CAD.

There are also infrared light therapy systems. Prior to purchasing the Thermotex™ Platinum, we were using the Light Relief Infrared Pain Relief Device ($84.99). Gaiam sells a Deep Penetrating Light Therapy device for $169 USD. There is also the Sirius SS-77 Aurora Light Therapy System for $85 USD.

Thermotex™ and the other infrared heating systems have one advantage to the infrared light therapy units on the market - durability. Once those LED lights die, that's it. Game over, simply because I haven't found any replacement lights. Our power adapter also burned out - after the warranty expired. On the flipside, the advantage to infrared light therapy products is that they are cheaper.

Infrared Pads on Amazon

Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System - The Final Verdict

Although the unit is the second most expensive that I've come across, I am satisfied with the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System. The construction is solid, from the stitching of the casing to the thick Velcro straps. The heating plates are sturdy too.

It does work, if Maestro's increased mobility after each use is any indication. I too, have noticed less tension in my shoulders and back. The Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System is effective in providing temporary relief for chronic pain. One final bonus - no skin burns, which is always a factor when using "normal" heating pads.