Tell us the story behind how you found Biscuits Jackson?

My family is a dog family. I grew up with dogs, always adored them and when I turned 36, I decided it was time for me to get my own dog. We have been on so many great adventures together! Recently we moved from Oakland to Santa Fe, New Mexico!

When I moved to South Africa in 2009, you better believe she came with me! In South Africa she was with me for dangerous road trips that I was warned against and she stayed by my side during the day. Car-jackings and home invasions common where I was living, she saved my life more than once. When I was starting a company there called “Dolce Dogs,” one that did cage free boarding and grooming, she was with me.

When I came back to US - with no money left and not sure how I was going to make it, I got hired at a tiny, unknown start up called “Airbnb,” she came with me! She was the first dog working at Airbnb :) and because of her, Airbnb remains a dog friendly company! 

What breed is your dog and how did you pick your dog's name?

She’s a German Shepherd/Labrador mix. I looked in shelters for 2 years before I found Biscuits Jackson - they called her Cyprus at the shelter but she was so full of personality and life - plus she liked her biscuits - that I changed her name immediately. I picked her because she was so focused on me at the shelter, she grabbed my feet with both of her paws thru the bars! The shelter tried to talk me out of adopting her saying I was single and couldn’t take care of her - I changed my life to make sure she had the best of everything and not stuck at home by herself all day long.

Why did you choose a Raw Diet for Biscuits Jackson and what problems did RAW WILD solve for her? 

Biscuits is 11 years old now, she is experiencing joint pain when we hike too far and sleeps more than she used to. Since I started feeding her Raw Wild, she is happy and spry, acting like a puppy again! Plus, I wanted to make sure she had the best dog food on the market and felt like the additional expense was worth it. After all of the research I did, I chose Raw Wild. I used to cook her meals myself but it was tough to get the minerals and quantities right and she got quite chubby! I bought her the best dry food but always felt like raw diets made more sense.

Tell us a funny story about your dog. Something they did, still do, or something that makes you love them so much? 

Biscuits Jackson loves her Raw Wild so much, she paws my bed to wake me up at 4 am to feed her! I’ve given up trying to sleep in and changed my schedule now so I wake up then, feed her, meditate and then we hit the hiking trail! 

What advice would you give other dog owners about switching to a Raw diet with RAW WILD?

I did the switch gradually, mixing her dried with Raw Wild and then giving her more and more until finally, she was only eating Raw Wild. I recommend doing this slowly so as not to upset their tummies.

What makes your dog a special character or what special characteristics does your dog have?

Biscuits Jackson is a loving dog who has converted many a person scared of dogs. She will paw you if you stop petting her and has people all well trained to take care of her. She is a great road trip buddy and always up for an adventure!

How has your dog changed your life or what impact has your dog made in your life or your family’s life?

My father died in an accident in 2008. The same month he died, I was fired from a job I’d had for 13 years. To say it was a difficult time for me or that I felt alone in the world would be a huge understatement. Taking care of Biscuits Jackson saved me and gave me the grace to get through it.
She and I would go for long runs in the rain, snow and heat. When I cried, she would comfort me. She demanded lots of attention and play time - she was only 3 years old at the time - and that distraction helped me get to a better time. I am forever grateful to have her in my life.

Learn more about RAW WILD's health benefits >>

1. Tell us the story behind how you found Kiri and Rana?

In 1993 I was living with my husband in Los Angeles, during a time when there was a rash of car jackings. He didn’t want me driving around in my convertible alone… he said he wanted a big, mean-looking dog to give would-be car jackers pause.  A friend introduced me to the breed and said they were being used by many police departments as drug sniffers.  My first Malinois came from a breeder in Arizona who bred dogs for conformation (show lines).  This breed is a particularly bad one to get as a “starter” pet dog.  They take a LOT of work to socialize and they need a job or they will cause trouble.

2. What breed is your dog and how did you pick your dog(s) name(s)?

Belgian Malinois – Kiri is the oldest (10.5 years) and Rana (as in “Piranha”) is 3.5 years.  Rana is the 5^th Malinois to join our family.  My prior Mals were named Tux, Jura and Nico.  All my dogs were named according to a few rules I have:

1. The ending of the name can’t match any other dog’s name in the house. (So that when I yell for them to come back after they’ve jumped the fence pursuing a fox, rabbit, dear, moose or bear, they won’t mistake whom I’m calling.)
2. The name has to be 2 syllables (see point number one – easier to scream out 2 syllables than 1 or 3)
3. The name can’t mean anything obnoxious in another language.
4. The dog has to “live” the name – i.e. the name has to fit the dog’s personality.

Kiri means “rainbow” or “skin” in Maori; “mountain” in Cambodian and “left” in Malay.

Rana means “Beautiful, eye catching” in Arabic, “Queen or royalty” in Sanskrit, and “frog” in Italian and Spanish.

3. Why did you choose a Raw Diet for your dog and what problems did RAW WILD solve for your dog(s) health?

At age 9, my first dog, Tux, developed “Wobbler disease” (instability of the cervical spine) and he started dragging his front feet. We had the 2 vertebrae in his neck fused, which arrested the progression of the disease, but he continued to have weakness in his hind end.  I started making his food at home (at first with cooked meats) since I suspected the store-bought, grain- and filler-laden food was not helping him.  I was right!  He snapped up and had a ton more energy.  As I read more about diets in dogs, I switched to preparing raw foods.  It changed Tux’s personality and he lived 3 more years post-surgery. From then on, all my dogs have eaten raw diets. 

4. Tell us a funny story about your dog. Something they did, still do, or something that makes you love them so much?

Rana likes to bite the water coming out of sprinklers (see video).  Kiri and Rana like to compete A LOT with each other.  Sometimes it gets a bit out of hand, but one will always bait the other.  One will have a ball or stick in her mouth, tease the other and then a game of chase ensues. (see the other video)

5. What advice would you give other dog owners about switching to a Raw diet with RAW WILD?

If you can afford it, do it!  Even supplementing a little raw will make them so much healthier.  My dogs’ teeth are incredibly white, and I think it’s from the raw diet. Rana, in fact, shouldn’t even be alive. In January 2016, she was diagnosed with GME (granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis), which is an inflammation of the spinal cord fluid. Dogs with that diagnosis usually only last weeks to months.  I have to believe that the raw diet has probably helped her survive. Just look at her shiny coat!

6. What makes your dog a special character or what special characteristics does your dog have?

Kiri is afraid of bugs that fly and will run into her crate at the first sign of them. Rana likes to play with a deer that comes to visit. The two of them play a game of chase along the fence line.

7. How has your dog changed your life or what impact has your dog made in your life or your family’s life?

My husband was diagnosed with lung cancer and died less than 6 months later. It was an incredibly difficult time and I could not have made it through without my dogs.  About that same time, I joined a Mondioring club in Denver and have practiced that sport with Rana, my youngest dog. I’d competed in various dog sports in the past, but the Mondioring group of people are so down to earth.  They are incredibly supportive and a genuine pleasure to be with.  Mondioring helped me and my dogs get through a really tough phase in my life.

Learn more about RAW WILD's health benefits >>

Just like us humans, our canine companions for the most part are healthy, happy and full of fun.  On the other hand, just like us humans, they can be affected by many of the same diseases and conditions as we are.  Many of these diseases and conditions are thought to be diet related.  While these diseases and conditions are mostly treatable, the costs of treatment can be prohibitive.  This article will try to examine some of the most common canine diseases and conditions that are thought to be diet related and the cost of treatment.  Obviously the costs can vary widely from location to location and from breed to breed, but hopefully this article will give you an idea of what can be hidden and very expensive costs of having a canine companion and how important it is to be cognizant of what is in your dog’s food.

1. OBESITY

This is a nationwide epidemic for our dogs, much like it is for us humans.  Some studies suggest that over 50% of American dogs suffer from this condition (and that 90% of these dog owners thought their dog was not obese!).  Dogs affected by obesity are more prone to arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer.  We will examine the costs of treatment for arthritis, diabetes and cancer below.

1. Diabetes- According to Trupanion, a pet insurance company, the actual cost of a claim for diabetes on one of their insured dogs was $10,496.00 for long-term medications and blood work.
2. Arthritis- Can be caused by poor nutrition as well as exposure to fungui in foods and diabetes.  Arthritis can cost from $200 to $2500 depending on the size and life span of a dog.
3. Cancer -  Costs can vary widely of course, depending on the type and stage of cancer, number of treatments and age of the dog.

• Initial visit = $200
• Major surgery to remove a deep tumor = $1500
• Chemotherapy depending on the size of the dog ranges from $200-$2,000 for 3-6 months of treatment.
• Radiation therapy ranges from $2000 to $6000

2. PANCREATITIS

This develops when the pancreas becomes inflamed and releases digestive enzymes into the abdominal area where those enzymes break down fat and proteins in the organs, including the pancreas.  Dietary fat is known to be associated with the development of pancreatitis. 
Costs for single treatments can vary from $200.00 to $1000.00 and range from $800.00 to $6000.00 over the course of the disease.

 3. BLADDER STONES

Most bladder stones in dogs are caused by elevated levels of either calcium or phosphorous and can cause issues such as urinary accident and discolored urine. Costs for bladder stones depends on the treatmentfrom dietary management costing  $30 to $85 to surgical removal costing up to $2200 or laser treatment costing up to $2200.

4. HEART DISEASE

Just like in humans, one key factor to heart disease in dogs is their sodium intake.  Elevated levels of sodium cause water retention in the blood vessels and elevated blood pressure. Another cause of high blood pressure is obesity.   As blood pressure increases, the diseased heart must continue to enlarge to overcome the increased pressure to pump blood.  Fortunately, heart attacks in dogs is relatively rare.

Costs for heart disease treatment for a heart attack can range up to $10,000.  Treatment for various heart conditions such as heart murmurs range in cost from $1800 to $2500.00, arrhythmia caused by toxins in some dog foods can cost up to $5000 and heart blood clot that can be caused by iron deficiency can cost between $250 and $15,000.

5. CHRONIC DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS

Chronic vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and inflammatory bowel disease are among the most frequent illnesses treated and are often the result of an allergy or intolerance to dog food ingredients.

Costs for inflammatory stomach and /or intestines which can occur at almost any point along the gastrointestinal tract and can be caused to allergens in processed dog foods can cost between  $300 and $6000 depending on the severity of the disease.

6. ATOPIC DERMATITIS

This is an inflammatory, chronic skin disease associated with allergies and is the second most common allergic skin disease in dogs.  Many dry dog foods, because of the presence of grain mites and grain mite carcasses, have been shown to cause atopic dermatitis.

Costs for atopic dermatitis, which can be caused by mites, grains and spores in some dog foods can cost between $500.00 and $2000.00 depending on the severity of the disease.

7. PERIODONTAL (GUM) DISEASE

This is the weakening and eventual loss of the supporting structures of the teeth and can lead to eroded gums, teeth and bone.  It increases the risk of heart, kidney and liver disease in dogs.

Costs for periodontal diseases treatment can range from $500 to $2500 depending on the severity of the disease.

8. LIVER INFLAMMATION (Hepatitis)

This is a chronic liver disease sometimes caused by exposure to mycotoxins from grains in some dog foods.

Costs for treatment of liver inflammation can range from $1000 to $10,000 depending on the severity of the inflammation.

Conclusion: 

As you can see, diet related canine diseases can be extremely expensive to treat.  Of course not all canine diseases are caused by diet.  However, there is a growing body of research and knowledge pointing to a direct correlation between diet and these diseases.  This article does not pretend to be more than an overview of some of these diseases and we encourage all dog owners to become more involved in and educated about the contents of whatever their choice of dog food may be. 

IF YOU WOULDN’T PUT IT IN YOUR BODY, WHY WOULD YOU FEED IT TO YOUR DOG?

If your dog is experiencing any of these diseases trying searching for:

• Vet near me
• Vet clinic near me

 

http://www.petmd.com/dog/centers/nutrition/dog-diarrhea-and-other-diseases-impacted-by-nutrition

http://trupanion.com/pet-insurance/actual-claims

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/cancer-causing-aflatoxins-found-in-dog-foods/

http://pets.costhelper.com/dog-cancer-treatment.html

http://grain-freedogfood.com/dog-food-related-diseases.html

http://truthaboutpetfood.com/AflatoxinsPets.pdf

 

7 reasons why RAW WILD is good for your dog >>