I cannot remember a time when a dog wasn't in my life. They were my constant companions in childhood and as an adult, my four-legged 'children'. Each one was very special in their own way. It was in adulthood, that I began to learn more and more about the value of not only exercise and social stimulation for my dogs but also the importance of their diet and nutrition. My rescue cocker spaniel/golden retriever starting losing weight and looking awful when he was somewhere around 13 or 14 years old. The vet didn't know what was going on and I was left to figure it out on my own. This was before the internet and also when dog food companies began to make kibble with higher nutrition content. A friend suggested trying a new food and within days, Sammy returned to his normal self, eating well and his coat was thick and shiny. Sammy lived to be 16.

My next two loves were a brother and sister yellow Labrador, Abby and Zuma. They loved raw vegetables and fish when offered but had a kibble diet for most of their lives. Abby developed sarcomas on her front leg when she was 11, and at that time there was no treatment. My vet introduced my to Jiu Jia Wen, DVM who was an Eastern-based veterinarian and herbalist for dogs. He was kind enough to speak with me about her lab results and said there was no treatment however, he could make an herbal formula that would make her remaining months and days better. And it did. This was my first introduction to herbal formulas for dogs.

Following, Zuma had some form of bowel obstruction or issue that couldn't be determined. He went from 105 lbs to 85 lbs over serveral weeks. He was listless and lifeless. There was slight improvement after the second round of IV antibiotics but it was appearing he was not going to make it past Christmas. Zuma loved bluefish. I had been saying my prayers for him to heal, and Christmas eve I thought I would offer him some fresh bluefish chunks. He had refused them previously but this time he went over to his bowl and ate a few. He then came over to me and tapped me on the arm with his big nose as if to say, "Mom I am going to be alright". And, he was for another 5 years or so. From that point on, I cooked him homemade meals packed with nutrition.

Next came along my soulmate dog child. From the beginning, I made her chicken and beef bone broth, and froze it in weekly servings. Salt also enjoyed fresh fish, pasture-raised chicken from a local farm and beef from a regenerative farm. At this point, the dog food market was loaded with kibble companies that professed higher nutrition so for 8 and a half years she also ate this as part of her meals. Then I got serious and started researching companies, and decided that I needed to get her off of kibble. She's almost 10 now and everyone can't believe how youthful she looks and acts. Her fur is thick and lustrous, her teeth are mostly white and her body shape is ideal. Because of my love for her and my desire for her to live the longest, healthiest life possible I began pouring myself into learning everything I could about a wholesome nutritionally dense diet and herbal support where she needs it.