Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. We spend the morning walking the dogs and the afternoon with family. Every year, we go around the table, and each person shares something they're grateful for – for me, it's my dogs. And I know I'm not alone. Here are...
So, this isn't really DIY, but it's as close to DIY as I can get outside of making dog food and treats. I made flat dog dishes for my dogs. In 2022, I saw many people using the MINE Pet Platters. I purchased four platters for my dogs and was inspired to introduce them...
In 2022, Rodrigo turned 12 years old, and his tastes changed along with his diet. Suddenly, my dog went from being food motivated to being a picky eater. Because I believe being “picky” is my dog's way of trying to tell me something, I began paying...
Years ago, one of our dogs was fat, and I took some flack on social media. It was brutal. But, to be honest, they weren't wrong. My dog needed to lose weight, but she was my couch potato, she was living with a partial cruciate tear and arthritis, and no matter how...
This blog post was originally published in January 2017, it has been updated with new information and republished after my dog was diagnosed with EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) in December 2019. Please keep in mind that I'm not a veterinarian. If you...
“Research proves that the best way to feed our animals is from a flat surface. The patented MINE Pet Platter design encourages dogs and cats to unleash instinctive, healthier eating behaviors and engages their minds in a way that is both entertaining and...
In recent years, at-home tests for pets have improved dramatically, giving dog owners powerful tools to monitor their dogs' health, uncover hidden issues, and guide personalized care—all without the stress of a vet visit. From gut health to genetic screening to cancer...
I recently started adding trace mineral drops (and boron) to my dogs' water dishes (and my water bottle). The concept of trace minerals was first brought to my attention by Rodney Habib. And the discussion came back during a recent episode of The...
I transitioned my dogs to a raw food diet in 2013 and began DIY raw feeding the following year. To some pet parents, raw feeding seems complicated; for me, it became easier to formulate a diet that meets my dogs' nutritional needs without supplementation as I learned...
I’ve been using Life Line products for years, starting with their pollock oil, salmon oil, and kelp. Life Line’s fish oil products have expanded to six oils, and while it’s tempting to alternate between them, I decided to dive a little deeper to learn the benefits of...
Broccoli and broccoli sprouts are more than just crunchy greens; they’re potent nutritional powerhouses for both humans and dogs. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, these cruciferous vegetables can support detoxification, immune function, and even help...
When I was new to raising dogs, a veterinarian told me that dogs always get diarrhea, and it's no big deal. He's also the vet who told me that it's normal for a cat to vomit once a day and that Rodrigo would die shortly after his third birthday. Well, he was wrong....
When we switch our dogs to raw, we expect a lot of changes beyond an improvement in our dogs' health. I expected shiny coats, less doggy smell, no issues with fleas, and no grass burning when they go potty. Raw feeding held up to the hype. But urine grass burns are a...
In 2021, the FDA gave conditional approval to a new drug for dogs diagnosed with canine lymphoma, Laverdia. That same year, my dog was diagnosed with lymphoma (but prior to the FDA approval). Scout went through the CHOP protocol, which is a chemotherapy protocol that...
I used to post raw food recipes every Friday and then I stopped. I'm not very adventurous when it comes to making dog food, so I eventually ran out of recipes. LOL But I'm back now because I've been playing around with the Animal Diet Formulator. I'm unable to check...
I'm a passionate writer in the Pacific Northwest who loves all things dogs. I share what I'm learning as I attempt to crack the code to longevity. Keep the Tail Wagging is a blog dedicated to the dog who inspired this journey: Rodrigo Gauthier - March 2010 - September 2023.
