Our Precious and Perfect Peanut, Luna, has 3 lumps that need to be surgically removed. Before surgery and forever after, we need to reduce the inflammation in her body. I thought Luna had allergies, which she probably does, but did you know that fat is an inflammatory organ? I know that being overweight - whether you are a human or a canine - can cause all kinds of health issues, but I did not know of the new research showing fat as being a major player in the inflammatory processes of the body. Inflammation can feed some types of tumors and for Luna's general comfort and overall health, we need to reduce the inflammation within her. Even though we measure out every calorie for her, we need to be even more aware of what we give her and reduce her body fat. We can do that.
An oncologist suggested we change Luna's diet to home cooked. We could try to assess what food allergens may be inflaming her by providing her with one novel protein source and a variety of vegetables except for corn. No grains, nothing else. Since she's had chicken and beef and lamb and fish, we decided on venison. And since several of her supplements contain either corn or fish, no supplements. What dog wouldn't LOVE a diet of venison and carrots? Well, one named Luna.
First, it was quite challenging finding a resource for over 100 pounds of venison. We needed a three month supply of just over one pound of meat per day. I panicked about how much this home cooked diet would cost, but I knew I had to figure out a way to take care of my Luna. I found ground venison for $4.75/pound and ordered 20 pounds of it. Second, Luna wasn't able to tolerate the quick change. When Satchel was going through cancer treatment, he easily transitioned to ground beef, rice and kidney beans. Luna puked everything up for 2 days. Oh, the stress.
So we have some ground venison for the future of Miss Luna's tummy...or lots of venison chili.
She's worth it.
After some consultation, and some thinking about how well we know our Luna, we've changed our plans. I will be feeding Luna good old-fashioned Newman's Own Organics Chicken Dog Food for Active and Senior Dogs in addition to a few of her supplements. She will lose a few pounds, have those 3 lumps removed, recover, and then we will reassess her inflammatory issues. So far, Luna is feeling so much better. Therefore, WE are feeling so much better! Surgery will be scheduled once her thyroid panel analysis results are in.
Paul Newman has never done me wrong...
And there are the needs of our Foster The Dog. I was worried that Foster's digestive system had been compromised by his stress at the shelter. We were told that he was losing weight and that they couldn't get him to eat. In 3 days, Foster appeared to be increasing in his confidence and comfort because he was happily eating! But he wasn't pooping... When he'd gone 48 hours without an inkling to poop, I got really worried. Well, Jason discovered that Foster The Dog just wasn't pooping outside...he was running upstairs, as far away from his living spaces as possible, and pooping in the bonus room. We gave him too much responsibility too soon. Dang it! We have to tether him to us every second at home, and confine him to a crate when we have to leave. We've never done this in our doggy life! We happen to have a crate, but we've never used it in this traditional sense.
Ye Olde Crate for Le Chien Gentil
I wouldn't consider letting Foster off leash in the yard; it was a huge mistake to let him off leash in the house without complete supervision. Just because he was stressed being confined in the basement, doesn't mean I should have let him be off leash and unconfined in the house - especially while I was gone! I hate having to leave him, but it's even worse to make the bonus room his Poopy Field.
But then there's something even worse to do. I should have never left the house with a dog I don't know, unconfined, and approximately 4 pounds of chicken defrosting on the counter. Foster had the afternoon of his life annihilating the package of frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts. I was livid, but I can't even get mad at him. It's my mistake. I've been spoiled by the behavior of my dogs for the last 13 years. Foster doesn't know Our Ways yet. I need more time to teach him, and he needs more time to learn and succeed.
This is a replica of the Afternoon Annihilation victim
So Luna's eating with Paul Newman every day, Foster is living with a leash, and I am back on my A Game. My dogs need me on my A Game. That's their Number One Daily Need actually. I'd better get to the stadium. More commentary later!
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