Cory’s Story

I’m thrilled to announce that CorysStory.com has won four awards!

• Best Dog Blog
• Best Informational Web Site
• Best Dog Product
• Best Dog Web Site

We now get to proudly display our badges. Thanks to everyone for your awesome support!

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post is a continuation of our guest author series. Mika’s Story follows Mika and her health as she switches to a raw food diet.

So you have a dog and now you’ve heard about raw feeding, you’re curious, but no one you know feeds RAW, how can you trust these people that are saying RAW is best for your dog?

So many questions and those are just a few of the questions jumbling around in my mind when I first heard about feeding raw.
The answer to why RAW is a simple one, all you have to do is look over at your dog. When I look at Mika I see a dog who likes to chew, bite (objects and occasionaly will mouth my hand or arm), she is an animal yearning for stimulation and even a challenge, she has lovely strong teeth, shoulders and a neck made for tearing and pulling and paws to hold objects into place that she is trying catch, grip to bite or pull and dig.

Now look at that bowl of Kibble many of us are still feeding our dogs, the benefits to us are: the kibble fits in a bag and you can store it in a cupboard and you get a cute little cup to measure it and you basically throw it in a bowl and give it to your dog twice a day and plus the bag says everything your dog needs is in there, all the nutrients and lovely chicken/lamb/veggie stew and pasta flavour mmmmm just like human food, what more could your dog possibly need?

Once again I say look at your dog, they walk to their bowls smell it and in about 2 minutes all that kibble has been eaten. Looking at Mika before RAW she would need to be enticed into eating her Kibble. Which body parts did she actually use while eating kibble, uhm well she would lower her head to the bowl and eat it, she moved very little and then afterwards would need to drink about a litre of water because of the food being so dry.

Now look at her, her chicken carcasses first get sniffed, then licked, then picked up and taken to the spot she would like to eat them on (always a grassy patch) and then the fun begins, crunching the chicken carcass between those back molars, her neck moving from side to side, with larger pieces of meat often a paw gets placed on it to hold it steady as she tears pieces off. I can actually see the look of satisfaction, stimulation and concentration on her face as she feeds on food that she was designed to eat. The entire process of eating is now no longer just to fill her tummy, give her adequate nutrition (which is very questionable as we don’t really know what goes into the kibble) and to give her food so she can have energy… now eating is actually stimulating her, its actually helping her to focus and use her energy in a way that is both very beneficial to her and positive to me (she’s now biting her food and not the bumpers off our cars). Her teeth are being cleaned as she eats, because the eating process takes longer her mouth and teeth are being washed in a bath of rich anti bacterial saliva, her food is fresh, it leaves no bad smell, the high acidity level in her stomach is just dealing with flesh and bone so its easier to digest and out comes a lovely neat(and much smaller) amount of doggy doo- so much easier for me to clean and no need for her anal glands to be excreted by the groomer anymore.

With raw feeding a basic, mundane task you perform twice a day for your dog becomes an exciting and challenging experience for them, now which dog or cat for that matter owner wouldn’t love for their animals to feel that way.

As you can see Mika and I are passionate about this way of life and we welcome and urge all other humans who are owned by dogs or cats to find out more, there is a wealth of information out there.

Peace and love and bones raining from the heavens are our wishes for all of you.

Love,

Madi and Mika

Hi everyone!

I wanted to give you a heads-up that we are taking a family vacation to Mexico, starting today, and we’ll be returning on January 22nd in the evening. So, all orders of the hardcopy of Cory’s Story won’t be shipped out until Monday, January 24th.

In the meantime, the next post in continuation of Mika’s Story is scheduled to publish on January 16th at 11:53 a.m., PST. Be sure to check back often for more updates to Mika’s Story, Kaydee’s Story and even more stories that are in the works as we speak…

If you need to get in touch with us for any reason, please use the Contact Us page and we’ll do our best to respond as soon as possible.

Thanks everyone, enjoy your week!

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post is a continuation of our guest author series. Kaydee’s story follows Kaydee and her health as she switches to a raw food diet.

Before

I was going through all of Kaydee’s pictures one night and ran across this video of her eating behaviors. She had been placed on Science Diet k/d after being diagnosed with a high elevation in her Creatinine and Bun levels. At the beginning of the video she abruptly sits down looking around — like a fly or something was after her but there wasn‘t any. In order for her to feel safe she would lay down.….continually she looks away from her food like there was something after her. At other times (not shown in this video) she would stop eating, stand and then really swallow as if it was bothering her throat — that would always alarm me. Once she even actually gagged when I gave her the canned variety.

Every morning and evening it was a major chore to get her to eat. I tried warming it up, mixing it with water, I threw the kibble up in the air to play catch, I would toss it far away for her to run and “get it” (one kibble at a time). I did whatever I could to get her to eat this food. Cheating at times by adding a tiny bit of chicken on top. She never cleaned her plate, always leaving some food. Sometimes she would look at the plate then back away while staring at the food. Wanting to eat but something was holding her back. She did not want this food! I do not know if her behavior while she ate was an allergic reaction to the food or what.

I voiced these concerns repeatedly to my primary vet. She at first didn’t believe me until I showed her the video. I asked about other brands on the market – they only carried Science Diet. I called other local vets to see if they carried any other brands — No luck. I was told to let things go and see if in time if she would get better. I didn’t like the fact this was the ONLY choice Kaydee had and that she was stuck with this food for the REST OF HER LIFE. It was this or take the chance of further ruining her kidneys!

At times I wanted to just sit and cry! My heart was breaking each time I watched her eat this food that in one way was helping her but in another hurting her. I had no choice, Kaydee had no choice until…again God answered my prayers.

It was approximately 5 weeks ago I was at my holistic vets to pick up some meds for Kaydee. While waiting my turn I was looking at all the different foods they carried in their pharmacy area when I found one I had never heard of before, “Nature’s Variety.” I read the label looking at the ingredients and I liked what I read. When I got back home I got on my computer and went to their website. I got REALLY excited when I saw under “Who we are” was the heading “Our Experts” where I found the names of two women that were nutritionists! As I read the first bio; Susan Blake Davis — she had a link to her website.

I clicked on her link and Oh my stars… on her home page she went into detail about holistic remedies and a better way to treat kidney failure… this was what we had been praying for. I immediately decided to email her telling her about all of Kaydee’s health issues and if she thought she could help us.

The next day I called my holistic vet asking her about Nature’s Variety, The RAW diet and if she had ever spoken with any of the two “experts.“ We also discussed my concern about Kaydee’s Creatinine and Bun levels and if it was really necessary to stay on Science Diet k/d. So we had my primary vet’s office fax over the last 3 blood test results. After reviewing them the dr. felt that Kaydee was NOT in renal failure or the beginnings of renal failure! She felt that her kidneys were temporarily stressed only. She graciously emailed Susan Blake Davis with this and other vital information.

So I was given the OK to start the RAW diet for Kaydee!!! I was doing the happy dance!!

Well it’s been 5 weeks and I have a happier, healthier, more energetic & no longer obese little girl. She has lost approximately 5 lbs. and needs to lose 2 more for her goal weight of 70 lbs. Her coat is so soft, and her bald spots ( lower chest) are growing back in

What I noticed right off with the RAW diet and supplements was her nose quit dripping (allergies). It has almost been 7 weeks since Kaydee had an allergy shot!!! I am hopeful that when the seasons change her immunities will be built up enough to only need her supplements and not have to be re-tested (inhalant allergies) and go back on her shots. .

But best of all Kaydee LOVES her food — click on the video to see my HAPPY BABY GIRL!

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post is a continuation of our guest author series. Mika’s Story follows Mika and her health as she switches to a raw food diet.

Mika at the annual SPCA wiggle waggle walk

Our journey to Raw has been and still is an interesting one. Firstly when my husband first told me he was going to get me a puppy I started vigorously reading up on the special care she would need etc and looked at food especially as one of the most important needs. Each manufacturers site was different but all had one definate similarity: they all said never feed your dogs bones. So off I went and bought her what my vet and her parents owners had recommended, Hills Science Diet for large breed puppies. Mika ate that for a year (it cost me an absolute fortune) and I was having to mix cooked chicken breast with it as she got bored of the plain pellets.

While chatting on a topic in one of my facebook group a bunch of spirited Americans got very upset with me for feeding kibble, I got scared almost by their passion and was quite taken aback, I mean they were talking about feeding bones. My head was realing and I felt I didn’t know who to believe anymore. This was after all South Africa and I had never heard about feeding Raw before.

Mika in the water at Park Island

The subject was swept under a mat unti Mika reached 15 months and developed a rash (hot spot) on her hind leg, it took a while to heal and still looked inflammed. At this point I started reading up about the natural way of feeding Raw and looking for a supplier here in Cape town. Well we found one and started her off on their minced up free range chicken meals, they also told me I could give her whole chicken pieces. I can remember that first time, I offered Mika a chicken leg and she accepted it. I don’t know why but I expected her to daintily bite the meat off the bone, instead she crunched that whole leg between her molars, 3 chomped later and a gulp and there wasn’t a trace of that chicken bone to be seen. Believe me I checked, the shock made me actually open her mouth and check.

That was it, we were both hooked after that, the amazement and respect I had to see what her natural capabilities were still to this day baffles me. She is a carnivore and there’s no two ways about that.

That Hot spot healed right up on about a week after switching to a Raw organic diet. Her breath smelt great, her poop was firm and much less in volume, it didn’t stink anymore and turned into white little droppings and my Mika love love loved it!!

And that was the start for us.

I’m thrilled to introduce another guest author who will be sharing her story of switching her dog to raw food: Madenia and her dog Mika!

Madenia and Mika are from Cape Town, South Africa. Mika, a female malamute, made the switch to raw food 10  months ago. Look for Mika’s Story, starting tomorrow, right here!

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post is a continuation of our guest author series. Kaydee’s story follows Kaydee and her health as she switches to a raw food diet.

Kaydee waking up

Well I couldn’t wait any longer I called Purdue Small Animal Clinic today especially after Brent this morning bombarded me with ALL his questions ((LOL)). He also called up our holistic vet asked her if there was a closer place to have the MRI done, he wanted to know why a hospital would not perform the MRI (after all this is his daughter — not a dog). He was at the point of cancelling the MRI if we could not keep her with us overnight. Which as you all know was really BIG on my list too.

After the 4th time of calling the clinic – each time for a question Brent had, I fortunately got to speak with someone that had more knowledge. The initial visit (on Jan. 12th) the student technicians will gather pertinent information about Kaydee, draw blood AND then we can take her with us back to a hotel and keep her overnight then return her at 7:30 a.m. for the MRI. (mommy doing happy dance here).

The receptionist was very kind and directed me to their website which gave information regarding local hotels that accepted dogs or might accept dogs. I called the first two the receptionist stated were the closest to the clinic – NO DOGS allowed! Then I called my favorite hotel chain and voila! Comfort Inn & Suites not only do they accept dogs but gave us a big discount for going to the clinic!!!

What a relief! I thank you God. Now I just need to wait for the right moment to inform Brent that Kaydee has to be sedated for the 90 minute long MRI and that it will take approximately a total of 4-5 hours from admission to discharge.

My next concern will they give her something to alleviate nausea, hunger and the LONG car ride home (2 ½ hrs)! AND please pray for NO SNOW and clear roads. Thanks!

Lynn/Kaydee/Brent

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post is a continuation of our guest author series. Kaydee’s story follows Kaydee and her health as she switches to a raw food diet.

I have to apologize to all of our friends for taking a break from telling Kaydee’s journey. With the holidays things got a little busy. On New Year’s day, late in the afternoon around 5:00 p.m. Kaydee had a grand mal seizure (47 days ). No, I’m pretty sure it was not due to the fireworks. She has never been afraid of them except for the BIG Booms which even scare me. Her trigger is/has been; sound asleep while laying on one of our two beds, being abruptly awakened, and then jumping off the bed. I have actually witnessed her do this and go into a seizure two different occasions.

I have often wondered if she doesn’t have a pinched nerve or if it has something to do with her right rear leg having a weakness. Unfortunately her other immediate health issues interfered with us getting an MRI done and a lack of funds. Since I last wrote about Kaydee she ended up having round worms – was treated, had her spayed where the vet found a herniated umbilical. To finish out the year Kaydee ended up with kennel cough even though she had been inoculated and boosters (had gone to a big chain pet store). April 4, 2009 she suffered her first petite mal seizure. June of 2009 her allergies really took off and so did her seizures as they kept coming more frequently until they were spaced 30+ days apart.

Which brings us up to date. Kaydee on January 12, 11:30 a.m. EST will be admitted to Purdue University’s Small Animal Clinic to have an MRI. I am very nervous as I may have to leave Kaydee there for 2-3 days.

My logical mind is telling me this HAS TO BE DONE. But the emotional me says I’m not leaving my baby overnight with strangers to run tests and do things I will not be there to observe.… why can’t they just let me sleep on the floor next to her? That way I’m the one still caring for her as I have cared for her day and night since we brought her home. Now I have to relinquish her care into a strangers hands.

Numerous things are running though my mind… Her food (RAW frozen medallions) 3 times a day, bottled water, her supplements twice a day, her veggie snack during the day and at 9:00 p.m. sharp her final dose of meds with a RAW medallion as her treat. Kaydee’s inner clock never lets me forget her 9 p.m. treat. She’ll need her blankie, pad pillow (she always rests her head on a pillow), plate, water bowl….

Will the students be able to give Kaydee the care and attention she is accustomed to or will they be too busy with other animals and classes? Gosh do they have a fenced in area for play time/potty time, What other dogs will be there – will she catch something from them? Do they let the other dogs play together? What will be running through her mind as we say good-bye, will she feel abandoned, will she be depressed… my heart is already breaking. I know I’m going to be a basket case!! I have decide to take the time off of work. If I stay in a hotel will they let me observe her/be with her during the day? Would they let me take her to the hotel at night and keep her with me?

I am hoping the student technician calls me soon to give me more information. I feel for this student because I will be bombarding him/her with A LOT of questions!

Have any of you taken your beloved pet in for an MRI? If so, please share your experience with me. I know this has to be done but I really could use all the moral support I can get. Your story, advice will be greatly appreciated and/or please keep Kaydee, her daddy and I in your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks! Lynn/Kaydee/Brent