When she was about 2 years old, my healthy, beautiful German Shepherd, Crow, started to lose weight. Her stool took on a characteristic, greasy, grey appearance and an unmistakable odor. I couldn't believe it! Another GSD I had owned had suffered from EPI (Exocrinological Pancreatic Insufficiency,) and I knew immediately what we were facing. A simple blood test diagnosed the problem and we began the treatment of supplementing each meal with digestive enzymes. Almost immediately, Crow's stool improved, but for some reason, she was not putting weight back on. Crow's ideal weight is 57 pounds. She had dropped to 43!

We were going on vacation for 10 days, and leaving the dogs with a friend who ran a home boarding business. She begged me to let her feed Crow Oma's Pride lamb blend, swearing it would put weight back on her. I was reluctant but I agreed she could try it if she promised to put Crow back on her regular kibble if her stool got loose again. I checked in by e-mail a couple of times while we were away, thinking I'd hear that Crow couldn't tolerate the raw diet, but reports were she was doing fine. We were stunned when we came back 10 days later to find Crow glowing and plump. When we weighed her after getting home, she weighed 60 lbs. Unbelievably, she had gained 17 pounds in 10 days' time!

The diet contradicted all of the conventional wisdom on what to feed to a dog with EPI. She should have been on a low fat diet, and Oma's lamb mix is not exactly low fat. I am convinced that the difference was the digestibility of a good quality raw diet. Crow remains in excellent condition after being on both Oma's Pride and Bravo meat/veggie mixes for 5 years. My vet was not in favor of the switch, but he was impressed by the results. I don't know that he actually recommends a raw diet to anyone yet, but he no longer scolds me for feeding raw, and openly acknowledges the fact that Crow is in beautiful condition and doing very well.
G.P.

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I arrived at my Mom’s house when I was only (8) weeks old and although I was missing my canine brothers and sisters I quickly felt loved and at home. My Mom really took care of me, purchased the best food and treats (at least she thought so) and always came home with 25 pound bags of what they call All Natural Kibble – a million different varieties. Mom spent a fortune and wound up donating most all of the processed foods because it did not agree with me. The “Bag Food” was just okay but to tell you the truth I was never interested in it - and all I did was poop and poop and poop. Mom used to sit on the floor and try to hand feed me because I was so thin and she was worried that I was not getting enough sustenance.

It also seemed like we were always going to the vet and they were always trying to make me take antibiotics which upset my Mom very much - and it made me feel really yucky. Then one day we went to another vet and this nice lady suggested a “RAW FOOD” diet. Mom was a little hesitant but figured anything had to be better than taking medicine all the time – and pooping all the time.

Well, we went cold turkey – off all the processed food and on to the Raw with no looking back. I was (6) months old, cute as a button and always eager to be fed now that I enjoyed the taste. The food is simply scrumptious and I gobble every last bite. The best part of being on a Raw Diet is that we never go to the vet anymore because my entire system is now normal. I feel better, I look better and my energy level is way up there. I have a soft, shiny coat and great breadth even for a dog.

I am now 2 years old and have grown up to be big, strong and extremely healthy. I owe it all to my Mom for making me switch to eating a Raw Food Diet and listening to the nice lady vet.
Duncan and his mom, J.B.

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