Your Beloved Pet Could Be Eating FeFe, Mr. Ed or Felix the Cat!
by Paula Sylvester

Several weeks ago I found myself doing a research/experiment. During my research I crossed paths with this cool web site that revolves around our pets (dogs and cats) health and wellness. Now, to make things clear you need to know that I truly love my pets. Let me give you a little history …

Dinky has been with me since he was a puppy. He literally never leaves my side. Wait a second … hold the phone, he does leave my side when I venture out into the world to socialize. However, back in my trainer days he would accompany me on most of my Florida road-trips and his job was ”class mascot”.

When I do venture out without him he definitely lets me know he’s “displeased” and I’ll leave it at that! When we’re out driving around he refuses to sit up front but, enjoys sitting in the back seat directly behind me like ”Ms. Daisy”. Dinky is 18 and in excellent health.

Dinky has a new brother named Skippy. Skippy is a 3 year old - 3-legged - Shih Tzu who came from a troubled family and, long story short … had a rough start to his new little life. He – just like Dinky – shows his “displeasement” (if there’s even such a word) just like Dinky with the only exception he does it on a pad. Now, since his third rear leg underwent some heavy duty surgery, it will be for Skippy’s best health interest that I put him on glucosamine.

Prior to Dinky there was Mugsy. I found Mugsy while living in Los Angeles sleeping under a car one very cold November morning trying to keep warm. Mugsy came fully trained but, didn’t have a collar on so - as a good citizen – I ran an ad in the lost and found section of the Los Angeles times and to my amazement no one responded. On the 4th day I took him to the vet and was told Mugsy “could be” anywhere from 3 – 5 years old. That was back in 1984. Ever since day one Mugsy never left my side. One of his many accomplishments was teaching Tunces the Cat how to drive in addition to keeping all of his vet check-up appointments. Mugsy died peacefully April 2005 and now resides in my parents back yard.

Now, when Mugsy and Dinky would visit the vet for their annual check-up and, if their regular vet was out of town, the vet substitute would be amazed at their age and ask: ”What are you feeding them?” Sheepishly (thinking I’ll get yelled at) I would say: “Well, they like roasted chicken, broccoli, carrots and potatoes mixed with rice. They also like apples.” The substitute vet would say while walking out the door: “Keep it up! You’re doing something right.”

About two years ago I put Dink on a dry dog food program for reasons unknown. I was about two months into the program when I realized that Dink should get his teeth cleaned. Since Dink is up-there in age they did a blood test (to see if he could under go anesthesia) and unfortunately we received a bad test result which meant – no teeth cleaning. However, his particular vet said that where he was “elevated” (I think it was kidneys) ”is normal” for dogs his age and not to be alarmed.

Well, hearing that did get me alarmed and as soon as I walked through the door of my humble abode I began doing some research. Long story short - people in the same situation as myself with their beloved pet – fed them the program I originally had him on in the first place (the chicken, brocolli, carrots, rice and apples).

It was about 2 months later when Dink and I returned for another blood test. Low and behold it came back normal and they were ready to schedule his teeth cleaning while (at the same time) providing me with a formal quote as to what the procedure will cost. I almost fell over reading it and decided to put it on “hold” only for a short time. However, prior to walking out the door they did get me to purchase some ”special food” which my beloved Dink didn’t even give a snif at.

Thinking I was being a “good pet parent” he remained on the special food but, my concern was his teeth cleaning and I was a little besides myself until my cousin suggested that I contact Dr. Cords.

It’s understandable and good practice for a vet to do a blood test prior to cleaning. But, this time when his results came back we (especially me) were surprised and, long story short … no teeth cleaning for Dinky that day.

Perplexed and worried about Dinky's health I took him off of his “special diet” (actually threw it in the trash) and made up a fresh batch of his food. Several weeks passed, Dink was retested and low and behold he had a “normal” – all systems go – blood test result and got his teeth cleaned shortly there after for a much MUCH more reasonable fee.

In the beginning of this article I mentioned that I crossed paths with this cool web site that focuses in on pets (dogs and cats) health and wellness. At this web site I was educated about dog food. And, if I didn’t hear it with my own ears and see it with my own eyes I wouldn’t believe it to be true, which brings us to my most recent discovery: Your beloved pet could be eating FeFE, Mr Ed or Felix the Cat! Furthermore, what Dinky’s blood test revealed (when eating regular dog food) is what happens to ”older dogs” on commercial dog food. Yikes! THAT’s when I got my “Ah HA!” moment and all of his blood tests results now makes perfect sense. i.e., Chicken, vegies, rice and apples = longer doggie life!

Making Dinky’s and Mugsy food (when he was alive) was time consuming but, at least I didn’t have to worry about dog food contamination and a recall! But, on the other side of the coin I was unsure if they were getting the “proper” balance of nutritiants. Heck – what do I know … I’m not a vet.

Here’s something else that surprised me: You need to be vigilant because dog food recalls are still happening to this day. As a matter of fact there was a dog food recall on October 10th, 2010 from this company called “blue” something or something “blue”. Sorry about not knowing the name (because it doesn’t pertain to me) and all I recall is that the word “blue” being a part of the product name. What I do know is: that dog food brand is NOT cheap.

I was also very surprised to see my favorite grocery store in Florida recalling their “private label” dog food recently too! Geeze, did I hear anything about both of those dog food recalls from the newspapers? Was it mentioned at the store? Was it mentioned on the evening news? Heck no! But, one thing is certain and fact, they are listed at the FDA site.

Here’s my point: Our pets (dogs and cats) are supposed to live as long (if not longer) than my little Mugsy did! Mugsy was definitely 21 years old because that’s how long I had him and it’s documented and there’s witnesses! But, based on what the vet said (with him being anywhere from 3-5 years old when I found him) then I suppose I could tack on those extra years and say he was really 24 or 26 years old when he went to doggie heaven!

I can happily say since Skippy joining the family we’ve switched our food. Now my ”dog food making” days are over and I don’t have to worry about recalls or if Dinky and Skippy are getting the proper nutrition balance they need. Furthermore, they’re not “throwing up” like they used to do but, most importantly … they like it and they’re not eating FeFe, Felix the Cat or Mr. Ed!

If you’re a concerned pet parent – such as myself – click the link below and see for yourself. Your 4 legged buddy will thank you! By the way, if you or someone you know is a pet lover of cats or dogs and interested in making either full-time or part-time income this could be what you’re looking for.

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