Tracie and Ann Marie,

Thank you for taking my call tonight - I was lucky enough to have a few moments to talk to both of you.  I want to let you both know that I will be listening every Wednesday and now have your web site marked as a favorite.

As a reminder, I called about my best friend named Shadow who turned 18 in June.  Shadow has been with me since he was 6 weeks old.  When I say he is my best friend I truly mean it as he has given me the unconditional love that you hear about.  We have shared good times and bad times and he always loves me no matter what.

As I explained during my call about 6 months ago during a normal visit to our Vet when a complete blood work was done his kidney and liver values were not normal (they were elevated).  Long story short we now make a trip to the Vet once a month for blood work to see how the kidneys and liver are doing.  The numbers have slowly been going higher and he is slowly losing weight.  While this is happening he is remaining active, eating good, being very vocal and continuing to be the boss in our home.

One thing I didn't tell you is that Shadow shares his home with me and my husband, our two greyhounds, two leopard geckos and 3 pond fish.  Over his 18 years he has lived with a total of 7 greyhounds, 2 foster greyhounds and 1 foster yellow lab and has remained the boss over everyone!

What both of you told me hit me very hard.  When Ann Marie told me that Shadow's heart and will are very strong and that I may have to make the decision some day to help Shadow pass I took broke into tears.  I can't imagine my life without my best friend.  He has been my one constant for the past 18 years.  I do have comfort in knowing that one day Shadow will go to the Rainbow Bridge and wait with my other pets until I join them and we move on together.  But I would rather wait another 18 years for this to happen!

Tracie, when you told me about the dried food I became sick to my stomach.  I thought that for 18 years the dry food I was feeding Shadow, which I buy from my Vet, was the best thing for him.  I have checked out the web site, printed some information and am going to begin making some changes.  I only hope it isn't too late.

Unfortunately, when I arrived home tonight I found several messes from Shadow (diarrhea) and one seemed to include blood.  In addition I discovered he had not eaten any of his dry food and treats or moist food.  Yes we do feed Shadow some moist food daily.  We actually go through about 2 cans of either tuna or chicken a week.  We have been feeding this to Shadow over the past 6 months because the Vet said it was good and it would provide him with extra hydration (at each Vet appointment his hydration is good).

Short story long, I will be calling our Vet first thing in the morning and try to get Shadow in for a visit ASAP.  I want to have them check for diabetes as you suggested, I want to discuss his diet and I want to find out what happened today.

If you have read my email this far I greatly appreciate this more than you know.  I hope my finding your radio program was good timing for Shadow and I hope I can provide you with some positive news in a few weeks.

Attached are two pictures of Shadow.  We would be very honored if these were posted on your web site.

Thank you so much for talking with me today.  I will be listening weekly and checking the web site.

Tammi and Shadow
Wichita, Kansas

Dear Tammi -

First I'd like to commend you for doing greyhound rescue - these noble dogs are so in need of the protection of kind people after being discarded from the racing industry so my hat is off to you.

Secondly, I fully understand your shock and dismay at learning that what you've ben feeding - sold by your own vet - is not a good food for your cat or any cat. Don't feel bad - it is new information that we have to avoid those foods and "think outside the bag." But please don't expect your vet to understand or help your Shadow get over the habit of "kitty crack:" vets sell this food because they ahve not yet learned how harmful it is. If they knew, I believe that the profit motive would mean nothing and they would stop pushing this stuff. Instead, follow the tips and steps on www.CatChatRadio.com about which foods to feed in a can (NOT tuna please), when to feed (two meals a day, morning and evening and then pick up the dish after 15 minutes). And yes, his health and overall atttiude will show improvements fairly quickly. As they say, better late than never. For more infromation about proper feeding of cats, you can go to www.FelineOutreach.com.

I look forward to posting the photo of that handsome fellow!

Sincerely,

Tracie Hotchner