Can The B.a.r.f. Diet Help Your Dog Live And Be Healthy 30 Years?
Rick London
I was not planning to buy or adopt a dog on a stormy day in 1996 in rural Mississippi. I was volunteering at an equestrian center when a pack of three strays appeared. One looked quite a bit like Benji, but had a great fear of people (and thunder of which he barked madly at). I quickly named him "Thor".
The b.a.r.f diet is one of those cases of "I wish I knew then what I know now". After a near-death experience for my dog "Thor", it did not take long to realize that the dog food was the culprit. Even the "highest quality most expensive". For the first month on the b.a.r.f. diet (totally raw foods), he was eliminating toxins in his stool and urine that made it unbearable to even stand nearby. I know that sounds gross but must be told so as to knwo what to expect. After a month, there was no smell to either. His condition, his fur, his character, had all so improved, it was like something out of a movie. It was totally dramatic.
Before starting the b.a.r.f diet, it is a good idea to google it and learn all you can and what to expect. The pet is most likely loaded with toxins from his/her regular dog food and needs to be weaned off of it. So best not to start it all at once. I found a great way to help flush the toxins out was with herbal tinctures. Please do not use capsules or tablets. They move right through the dog or cat's system and have very little medicinal value. Also, stop the tap water immediately and move to spring water. You will see a big difference.
Medical treatment and medication is the main focus of study in veterinarian schools, not nutrition. Yes they get a few semesters of it, but it is often sponsored and even speakers are invited from the powerful pet food lobby. I do not mean to sound like a "conspiracy theorist, but what other choice do I have? If I want to get the world out, my pen is my instrument. And not to use it means more dying dogs and cats, new diseases that never existed before the evolution of "pet foods" and vets trying to heal something of which they haven't a clue.
One vet told me, "But dogs will choke on the bones...some dogs have died." That is true. But percentage-wise many more have choked on kibble. Have you ever heard of a wolf choking on a raw chicken bone? Well Thor ate raw chicken (and bones) for twelve years without one problem.
People ask me, "But isn't all this expensive. Grinding up raw fruits, meats and veggies daily for just an animal? First, I resent the "just an animals". Second, the money I have saved in vet bills far outweighs what I would save buying dog foods, and most importantly Thor's major personality changes made it all worthwhile.
Let's face it. Seventy years ago, there was no such thing as "dog food". People fed their pets what was left from the table, raw foods from the gardens, etc. The catastrophic diseases we see today, began at the same time processed dog food was introduced to the market.
While on a business trip a few months ago, I was talking to a young woman next to me. She was sad of her two chronically sick labs I explained the b.a.r.f. diet and she was excited. I told her vets did not know too much about it.
A friendly woman in front of us revealed to us that she has been a vet for many years and has been suggesting the raw foods diet to all her clients. She said she has seen amazing results.
I was in shock. I asked, "How do you make a living, then with so few sick animals?" She said she works on word of mouth, volume patients. They usually only come in every few years and that is mainly for accidents. I smiled and was instantly educated. There are some very good honest vets out there who really do care about their patients, I thought to myself.
Thor was a survivor. He came back three times from the gates of death. This past week, his body gave out at age twenty one. I have shed many tears but am happy I had the chance to own this amazing creature, and, learn of this incredible diet. I hope and pray others will learn about it and have a similar experience that I had with my loving dog Thor.
Rick London is an offbeat cartoonist and animal-lover and founder of RickLondonWear, the only offbeat cartoon casual wear and shopping available on the market. A percentage of all sales benefit aspca.
|
