Do you have a toy breed? A Chihuahua, a miniature poodle, a Yorkie, a miniature Doxie, or any of the combo-breeds that cross poodles with almost any other small breed? Do you have any dry dog food in the cupboard? Until recently, I would have told you to donate the kibble to your local rescue or shelter because for a really small dog there are too many carbohydrates in even good dry food. Until now: Halo’s Small Breed dry food is here!

I am still going to tell you to donate that old bag of dry food because it was made with large dogs in mind. Until now, the only special thing about food for small breeds was the small size of the kibble. But I just learned about Halo’s new food for small breed dogs and it has changed my whole way of thinking!

When Halo introduced a dry food just for the wee dogs they did not simply make kibble that is smaller for a little mouth, they came up with a recipe that is right for the little body, too. The food is entirely based on high quality chicken and protein-rich peas, along with some oats, barley, chicken liver, salmon and a whole lot of fine vegetables and fruits. It’s a beautiful thing, and a very happy day for small dogs who can now enjoy the tasty crunch and you can enjoy the convenience of a truly ultra premium kibble for the Littlest Canines.

Dry dog food is a really important part of the meal for a large breed dog or a member of a sporting breed, and especially a very active dog who gets a lot of exercise. This is true of my three large outdoor romping pooches. In my case they eat only Halo as their dry food. I rotate bags of the salmon, chicken and lamb. I’ve chosen Halo because frankly with all that I hear about problems with dry dog food I have many doubts about the ingredients that go into other dry foods. I know that Halo takes pride in using really clean and nutritious ingredients for their Spot’s Stew dry food, so they get my vote of confidence. My dogs also get real meat and vegetables at every meal, however being big guys, they really need the feeling of fullness and the extra energy that the carbs in the dry food provide.

I never thought there would be a kibble that was really the right choice for a little pooch, who does not need a large amount of carbohydrates although he can often be very active. What Halo did with their new smaller sized kibble was to change the formula to reflect the small dog’s true nutritional needs. His small body and stomach and digestive system does best if he gets primarily quality meats along with the nutrients and natural starch that vegetables and fruits provide. I still think you cannot beat Spot’s Stew in a can if you’re going to feed your dog.

As for that bag of dry dog food that was not formulated with your little pooch in mind? Give it your local rescue or shelter where they can put it to very good use (they may even be one of the lucky shelters getting Halo’s dry food as donated by Freekibble.com!).

–Tracie Hotchner

I got this sad and touching note from Kathy, a dedicated CAT CHAT® listener.

I listen to your show faithfully.  Thank you so much for all you do for pet lovers.

I spoke with you on Mario’s show on the 15th of October and you asked me to write to you with the details of my Yorkie Pocahontas who suffered from a brain tumor and didn’t want to eat.  Thank you for offering to help.  It is too late now.  She died Friday.

Kathy S.

So I wrote her back as follows:

Dearest Kathy,

I am devastated for your loss — what a terrible tragedy. You did everything you could for her — and at least she didn’t suffer. I was thinking about her so I really appreciate that you took the time to let me know this very sad news.

When you are ready, would you want to send me a photo of your little girl so i can post it on my website in a DOG TALK® memorial page?

My thoughts are with you.
Tracie

P.S. I am going to sign you up for the podcast of my other radio show DOG TALK®. It will come into your computer and you can listen by clicking right on the announcement. I hope it may give you some comfort and pleasure.

UPDATE:

It was sad but sweet to get this follow-up from Pokie’s Mom Kathy:

Tracie,

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you and what you do for pet lovers. My little girl was absolutely the best is is sorely missed. The day she died we spent all day with doctors. First her alternative care physician Dr. Faris — who is wonderful.  Dr. Faris sent me to an ophthalmologist as apparently the tumor was pressing on her eye. He gave me the choices of getting an ultrasound or CT scan (me without Pets Best [Insurance]), but felt we should make her comfortable for the rest of her days. Then back to Dr. Faris who recommended removing her eye with the though that if it was too much, to not let her wake up — but to consider that we may have to put her down at some point soon anyway. Then back to my conventional doctor to discuss the eye removal. Conventional doctor said let’s do some of Dr Shawn Messonier’s suggestions and try the Pepcid AC you suggested. This was a 9:00 am. to 4:30 pm day.

One hour after arriving home she was dead. Although I did not want her to be gone, I was grateful to God that he did not make me make the decision to put my beautiful little girl to sleep.

Pokie was diagnosed with the brain tumor April 13, 2007 and a conventional veterinarian said she should be put to sleep in July 2007. She lived for 18 months after her diagnosis. This was because of the wonderful care and advise and working with Dr. Faris and my conventional veterinarian and I believe because Pokie was a real fighter. I talked earlier this year about acupuncture. Pokie received it once a month as one of her treatments in her overall health care.  I believe it was one of the things that kept her going — she loved it. She really had a good quality of life for these 18 months.

Please tell your listeners that there is more out there for our beloved four-legged family members. That working with an alternative veterinarian along with your conventional veterinarian can give you and your pet hope for health and healing. (If at all possible, they should start while they are still healthy and maybe avoid some of the things our pets go through.)

Once again, thank your for all you do. Thank you for your sympathy and thank you for the DOG TALK® podcast you have signed me up for.

I will continue to listen every week to CAT CHAT®.

Pokie’s Mom,
Kathy

UPDATE:

POKIE’S MOM REMINDS YOU TO GET PET INSURANCE

I got this lovely note from Pokie’s Mom Kathy – the little Yorkie who passed away.  She took the time to remind everybody of the value of pet insurance – please get some!

I really want the people out there to know that there is hope for there beloved pets. Also please keep preaching pet insurance. I didn’t have it for Pokie. Fortunately I didn’t have to deny her treatment for anything and was able to pay my way, but insurance would have been much easier.

By the way, I don’t know if I told you how Pokie got her name. We got her right after the Disney movie Pocahontas was out from a Native American Indian lady that my husband did business with. (I didn’t want to go out to see her because I knew I probably would want a puppy and didn’t think we needed another dog at the time — of course she won my heart — for always.) Anyway, my granddaughter and husband thought that Pocahontas was a good name for her — I didn’t think so, but loved the book Pokey Little Puppy when I was small. So for me Pokie was it most of the time. She was loved by most everyone that came in contact with her — she had such a mellow loving personality.

Thanks again. As always, I’ll be listening tonight.
Kathy