A few weeks ago our Weight Watchers leader announced that one of our members applied to become a leader. In most cases I would be cheering for any member because weight lose is not easy no matter how much you have to lose. It is about commitment to self and feeling good. Unfortunately I don’t feel that way about this member. She is perhaps one of the most annoyingly smug self centered condescending people I have ever observed.

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When we first got Pharaoh hubby wanted him on a high protein/ high energy food. While he did pretty well on the food (I think it was Nutro) - he always had a bit of a funky aroma in comparison to Sheba. I would give them baths at the same time and he would always get this odd smell. He also started developing little bumps all over his body - no scratching but lots of bumps.
I thought the bumps could be a contact dermatitis thing but I hadn't changed anything including their shampoo. At the time I had joined a Dobe group on one of my Blogs. I started learning about the different issues with the breed. One of which was allergies - Oh yay! The allergies are controllable by using Benadryl - go figure. I did quite a bit of research and found that one of the best foods was Innova and Innova Evo which do not contain grains. Grains (corn - wheat) can be allergens in animals just as they can be in humans. So my search was on for a local place to purchase.
I finally found a nice local shop that sold the Innova and they kept it in supply for me - they were very nice there. I weaned the 2 of them off of the old food and onto the new over a couple of weeks. They did extremely well on the new food - after a couple of months I stopped the Benadryl - no lumps and no funky aroma... The food is not cheap at $50 for a 30+lb bag, but I figured I was saving on the Benadryl. They both did very well on it for a couple of years.
Then last summer at their yearly check up the vet wanted them to go on Hills Prescription Diet (J/D - joint disease). As they are large breed dogs arthritis is a concern. In addition Pharaoh had knee surgery so he is already on Glucosamine and Chondroiton. The vet thought it would be better getting the G&C in the food. Again I weaned both dogs to the new food. It went well - no side effects until I got the 3rd bag. Recently after getting the 3rd bag I gave both of them a bath. When giving him his bath I noticed bumps (oh no not again) and within 2 weeks I noticed the funky aroma was back. Now I didn't have Benadryl on hand so I did more research and found that dogs could take Zyrtec - as I have that on hand I gave him 1/2 pill and the bumps magically went away.
So I've done more research and found that Innova has a food with Glucosamine and Chondroiton. The Innova also does not contain Corn or corn products which is the first ingredient in the Science Diet. The first 2 ingredients in the Innova are Turkey and Chicken.... So I am going to wean them yet again to the Innova Senior plus. I am choosing the senior because they are large breed dogs (Dobermans) and are considered senior at 6 years old. They are both nearing that 6 year mark and the food has all the proper nutrients. The Prescription Diet, which you can only get from the vet was costing us $78 a 30+lb bag which is crazy! I'll save money and my dogs will be healthier...
I have never gone through so much looking for the best food for my animals. What we do for those we love! Pharaoh is laying next to me now - snoring! I love my fur babies!