This Precious Life

Back when Kero the Miniature Schnauzer was still around, I used to observe her gnawing away on her cowhide bone. It’s a simple and fun activity for the dog, an indescribably fulfilling one for me. It must be the twinkle in her eyes as she preciously gnaws away that pours contentment into my soul.

But, it’s not just food that rocks our socks.

Flame the Cocker Spaniel likes to spend her free time daydreaming…

Kylie likes bathing…

Dino likes obeying…

Charise likes it when her mistress’ comes home…

And I love it when the dogs enjoy their vaporious moment on earth.

But in this house, there’s one thing that saddens every dog and their mistress and that’s Dino’s distaste for food. Dino the German Shepherd plain don’t like to eat and there was nothing anyone can do. At Food Time, he’d nudge the chicken with his nose. Rearrange the pieces in the bowl. Pick the smallest piece he could find to chew. Take three gazillion years to chew the one lonely piece as though he has ill-fitting dentures…

Meanwhile, all the other dogs would have attacked the same food with loud lipsmacking noises. Gobbled down whole pieces without any evidence of chewing. Three seconds after food has filled their bowl, they would have licked it clean and be hungrily eyeing Dino’s brimming bowl. It would frustrate them that they can smell it and see it but not eat it while Dino lets the food waste away.

What could have been a fun and enjoyable Food Time! becomes a time of stress.

UNTL, a few months ago when Eukanuba sent two large packets of Eukanuba with Prebiotics for dogs.

The food looks inviting, almost like those fish biscuits that humans enjoy.

I was cynical though. Processed dog food + Prebiotics at a premium price? I should be able to achieve the same effect by simply adding a spoonful of yogurt to the dogs’ current meal. Anyhow, we’d received the packets so we’re going to give it a go. I expect that they’ll digest better and have a more satisfying pooping experience. They did.

What no one ever expected was that Dino would flip around and suddenly decide that he likes eating after all. He could almost start a food blog.

There’s a noticeable difference in the garden too. The poops littered around are fuller, softer, and more squishy when you accidentally step into one. I asked the vet about it and hear that it’s because of red beet pulp, one of its key ingredient. Red beet pulp provides the right amount of fibre for celebratory beautiful poo.

Dino’s hair is noticeably shinier and more lustrous. He could almost star in a shampoo commercial.

Meanwhile, all dogs are (and their mistress) are happier that they don’t need to whine for mercy as they imagine lapping up Dino’s leftover food. There’s none left over these days, not a kibble.

I guess she’s happy ’bout that.