A Lesson From Ruby, The Dog --Part I - NUTRITION

Diet is important for all of us...

When I remarried at 60 my sweet Yellow Lab, Ruby, had been with me for eight years so she was part of the package deal. My children were both adults, making their life outside my home. But wherever I was, whatever my living situation, Ruby would be with me. So when I made the move to my new husband's home, so did Ruby. Jim had always had dogs. It was true love---I have been known to tease that he married me for my dog. I could not have married someone who wasn't a dog lover anyway.

Ruby was a typical Labrador Retriever in many ways. She was loyal as can be and loved to eat, play, run, and nap. Although I didn't realize it at the time, she was also slightly pleasantly plump. Another way she was not uncommon was she was plagued with ear infections.

After recurring visits to the veterinarian, bills for medicine, and watching her scratch her head in discomfort, Jim thought there must be a solution. As he does with most things, he began researching the internet. What he found made a tremendous difference for Ruby in a very short time.

A CHANGE IN DIET!!! ...(TA-DAA!)

In his research he came across a site describing how to feed your dog to eliminate allergies and other reactions that can be caused by food sensitivities. He began making Ruby's food (I know, he's very special, I'm a very lucky girl and so is Ruby). We introduced the new diet gradually, mixing with her dry food at first. Eventually she was exclusively eating the crock-pot prepared meals.

Not only did her ear infections clear up, not a visit for treatment or medicine since, but she sheds less, her energy level has increased, and she has dropped many unwanted pounds. She went from 76 pounds to 54 pounds, close to 30% of her body weight! We actually adjusted her portion sizes as she was getting too lean at first, down to 52 pounds. Now she will be 10 years old next month and we are constantly asked if she is a puppy.

Ruby after a bath at 76 pounds

I realized that although I was spending good money for "premium" dog food it still contains preservatives. Anything

processed and made to last on the shelves for months has to have unnatural preservatives.

A lean, very attentive Ruby

The lesson is clear here. Many of us are carrying excess weight, lacking energy, or having health issues; not just the obvious issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome, but also stiff joints, headaches, chronic inflammation and more. Many times problems may be simply traced back to food allergies or unknown sensitivities so easily resolved by changing what we are eating. That really comes as no surprise.
If we, like dogs, were not able to go through the drive-thru for fast food or shop at the store and buy processed food with preservatives, additives, artificial this and that, we would surely find ourselves much healthier.

Ruby basically eats chicken and vegetables, oatmeal, some fruit--apples, and eggs. Everything in her diet was once alive. Aside from the oatmeal nothing is processed, just slow-cooked (overnight, about 14 hours). We make a batch (in two crockpots) every 12 days and freeze individual portions.

Ingredients are in...

The batch is cooling...

Individual portions ready to freeze

I probably don't need to tell you Ruby's favorite day is the dog food cooking day. The only problem is any time the crockpot comes out she thinks its all for her. She loves to supervise the whole process and follows Jim around in the kitchen and drools as he chops and preps. There may be a few pieces of carrot or beans that drop on the floor.  After everything is cooked she makes sure she is available to clean the masher. After the batch is cooled we transfer it from the crockpot into a large pyrex baking dish so it is easy to divide into portions. That's when she very carefully makes sure the crockpot is clean. (message me or comment here if you want more details). Oh yeah, of course she gets to clean the baking dish too. 

Lucky Dog!

Ruby loves yoga too--Here is her
 "Downward Dog"

By the way, did you know that obesity in dogs is on the rise just as obesity in humans? Of course with their diet and lack of exercise they can suffer the same as their human buddies. Have you ever heard that "If your dog is fat you're not getting enough exercise"?


If you are really interested in nutrition for your dog there is a complete ebook in the link below from Dr. Greg Martinez, D.V.M., author of The Dog Dish Diet and Feed Your Pet to Avoid The Vet.

landofpuregold.com/CanineCrockPotCuisine

See Dr. Greg Martinez making a crockpot meal for his dogs in a quick video below.

And while you're at it, follow Ruby's example. What's good for the goose is good for the gander...or...what's good for the canine can be good for the companion (or master). Decide to make some healthy choices for yourself. 

Wouldn't it be nice to see how YOUR health, your body, and your energy can improve too?

Choose to be Healthy and Happy!