I’m a wife, a mom, and a dog mom. I’m sharing this story with you because you’ll be able to relate if you have a pet. They are family — four-legged babies.
We got Bella from a breeder in south Georgia 12 years ago. The breeder raised German Shepherds, and many were sold to be used as military, police, or service dogs. Our son, Robert, saved his money to get her. Of course, he had his heart set on a white shepherd. And that she was. At eight weeks old, she looked like a big fluff of cotton.
I will never forget driving to a parking lot to meet this guy hauling eight white shepherd puppies in the back of his truck. The one Robert picked out cowered in a corner amidst the others who were frisky little tail-waggers. He had already named her Bella before she was chosen to join our family.
I was a tad concerned as Robert is a double amputee since the age of five. I thought a shepherd might be a little much for him to handle. Boy, was I wrong! My husband didn’t buy into our excitement for getting a puppy, much less raising one. He grew up with cats in his home. His apprehension and distance from this sweet girl lasted about a minute.
Cooking for one
I am not a vet, nor do I play one on TV, but I wanted to get Bella off to a good, healthy start, especially considering that shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia and skin allergies. I started researching what might work best for her diet. Some of the research I conducted encouraged a raw diet.
- Some people want their dog’s food to more closely resemble what their wild ancestors would have eaten (the idea of biologically appropriate raw food).
- Some believe their dog’s overall health, especially their haircoat, would benefit from a raw food diet.
- Some pet parents feel that raw is better because the nutrients are less available in commercial dry kibble or canned dog foods after going through the cooking process.
Advocates of raw food diets cite these benefits: shinier coats, healthier skin, improved dental health, increased energy, and smaller stools. Some veterinarians warn that raw diets are inappropriate for dogs who share their homes with young children or people with compromised immune systems.
The following is American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA’s) position statement on raw diets: “AVMA discourages the feeding to cats and dogs of any animal-source protein that has not first been subjected to a process to eliminate pathogens because of the risk of illness to cats and dogs, as well as humans.”
As far as the skin allergies, it’s very similar to the research you’ll find for us two-legged creature allergies, local honey. When I say local, I mean within a few blocks of where you live. Fortunately, my husband worked with a guy who was a beekeeper and lives within a few blocks of us. I started giving Bella about a teaspoon of the local honey twice a day. It was very effective for her. Unfortunately, in the past year, his bee crop has not yielded nearly the amount of honey, and she hasn’t had it in more than a year.
I also was cooking for Bella every day, twice a day, sort of a hybrid raw diet. I was feeding her lean ground beef, canned salmon, chicken thighs that I boiled and tore from the bone because you can’t feed a dog cooked bones. I rotated the protein each day with sweet potatoes, boiled and mashed, and rice.
Each time we took her to the vet for an annual checkup, they were amazed at her coat, weight which never fluctuated, and her energy level, which was like that of a puppy even up until a year or so ago.
12 going on 77
We call her the “Baby,” but the fact is at 12 in dog years, she is probably more like 77 years old. I can’t think about it. All I focus on is keeping her as healthy as possible and treating her like the Queen she is, at least in our home.
Yes, I have white dog hair on my black clothing, but that is ok. Bella is loyal, sweet (cause ya know, German Shepherds are labeled as ferocious), and better than a home security system.
I love my husband and son to the moon and back but never once have they been waiting at the door for me wagging their tails when I get home.
We’ve noticed in the past year, Bella sleeps a little more, and she has a little more trouble jumping up on the bed (yes, she sleeps in our bed), but I guarantee you if she sees a squirrel, a cat, a stray dog in our yard, or the postman, we will know it because she will bark and jump around like a puppy. And I’m good with that. I’ve seen a doormat available that says, “You don’t have to knock or ring the doorbell and get the dog involved.” We need that!
The best-laid plans…
Last week my son, Robert, moved back to Chicago, his “happy place.” I sort of “get it” because, for about five or six months out of the year, it’s pretty chilly there. Ok, I’m gonna throw out a weather expression from my former profession, “It can be colder than a well digger’s kneecap.” But I don’t have prosthetics, which is basically like wearing two sets of legs, so I can understand why the colder weather appeals to him.
Once we found a good sitter for Bella, I was really looking forward to the trip…and Chicago deep-dish pizza and Garrett’s popcorn. But it wasn’t to be. The day before we left, Robert happened to notice a hotspot under Bella’s tail. It looked infected. As it turned out, I couldn’t get her into the vet until the next afternoon.
So after we got Robert packed up and ready to head to Sweet Home Chicago, I was left at home with the baby.
A gut-punch
I got Bella to the vet that afternoon. She loves to ride in the car with the window rolled down just enough that she can hang her head out.
Our vet, whom I greatly admire, looked at the hotspot and did a blood workup before recommending a steroid shot and antibiotics, standard operating procedure. When she came back to discuss the results, it took my breath away.
“Bella’s liver enzyme count is extremely high, 700. The normal range is around 120.”
Of course, big tears welled in my eyes. I asked her how this happened based on how I’ve fed her since she was a pup. The vet said most likely age and/or genetics that it was nothing I did wrong. I asked what they could do to help her.
Bella was in their vet hospital for the next two days with an IV for antibiotics to get the liver count under control. When I picked her up Friday, her liver enzyme count had dropped to 350. Almost $500 later, which I didn’t have in my budget, she is now home and seems to be doing well.
The vet suggested putting her on a special formula of canned food for dogs with liver problems. Their recommendation was four cans a day, at a cost of $50 for a case of 12.
In the meantime, I did two days of research for the kind of low fat, low in copper, vegetable protein foods that I could prepare to help and keep her healthy. I have no idea if her liver has been damaged, but we are praying for a good outcome. The recipes I found from online reputable resources include oatmeal, pumpkin, blueberries, yogurt, cottage cheese, lean beef, chicken breast with no skin, white fish, vitamins K, C, and D, zinc, tofu, papaya, coconut oil, blueberries, and seedless watermelon.
Bella is eating three smaller meals a day in a rotation of all of the above foods. She seems to love it so far, and in 30 days, between this special diet and the medication she is on for the liver problem, I will know if this is working.
She goes back to the vet then. On Friday, her doc said she might be able to come off the liver meds if her next blood test shows positive results.
Our fur babies are like family. Yes, they are.
NOTE: To reiterate, I am not advocating this diet for your fur baby with similar health issues. I believe in doing what you think is best for your baby. Pet your “kids” for me.
