Life with dogs – 2.0

Dogs come in so many shapes and forms. And we all have different reasons to even have a pet.

I can’t imagine what my days would be like without dogs. My very first memories, and favorite memories, usually include one of my dogs.

We have a great connection and dogs make me feel at peace when they are around. My husband has jokingly said before that I like dogs more than people. My response was that they never let you down.

Dr. Andrew Weil published a blog post in the past how owning dogs was life changing for him. Dogs are what made him stop and appreciate life more. He admitted having dealt with depression for most of his younger adult life. A good friend gave him a puppy for his 40th birthday and the depression subsided. Dr. Weil has been hooked ever since.

My husband, Carl, gained a pet when we married. It wasn’t just me that moved in; it was me and Gina, the Black Labrador. He eventually became a dog fan too and dogs are ingrained into our family lifestyle. Our children have always interacted with dogs since they were born. Daily walks, boat rides, swimming, chasing each other, big hikes, and big hugs. Unconditional love.

Pets are often among the most beloved members in families – why not feed them the same way that you would feed yourself?

I have written about what dogs can eat to be healthier in For the Love of Dog.

Another healthy food item to consider adding is yogurt; specifically because of the probiotic benefits and is high in calcium. Did you know that probiotics are commonly prescribed by veterinarians when dogs have stomach issues?  This improves their gut health, strengthens the immune system, and promotes better bone health.

Adding a small spoonful of yogurt to your dog’s regular food at mealtime can provide digestive benefits and even help your dog stay full longer. If you decide to feed yogurt to your dog, make sure to read ingredient labels carefully.

  • Avoid flavored yogurts that are packed with sugar (for yourself or your dog).
  • and never feed yogurt that contains the ingredient xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic for dogs.
  • It’s also important to avoid yogurt that is chocolate flavored, since chocolate is also poisonous to dogs.

I recently discovered Yogi-Dog which is human-grade yogurt but made specifically for dogs. This brand doesn’t include sugar because it’s not a healthy ingredient anyway. It’s also lactose free just in case your dog is lactose intolerant.  Yes, dogs can have that issue too.

“Our dogs share the same living environment and are just like humans…dogs don’t always want to eat what’s good for them…they want to eat what tastes good!”

We want our dogs to be healthy and tried Yogi-dog out this summer; just one teaspoon on top of their food once a day. The dogs love it because they think it’s a treat, and keeps their poo solid and regular. These adopted dogs don’t know how good they have it, right?

By the way, my husband and I have adopted eight dogs over the past 32 years. We recommend supporting your local shelter or Humane Society. The little guys need it.

 

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