Meet Sugar

If you follow us on social media, you’ve probably seen Sugar stopping by our stand on farmers market days. Sugar is a very special dog, and we consider ourselves lucky to have met her and her human, Kimberly. Despite her health issues, Sugar is the friendliest, happiest dog with all the love in the world to give. The following is her story, as written by her human.

———

My mother got Sugar from Seminole County Animal Services in 2012 after losing both of her black labs to cancer. She was told Sugar was given her name because of her sweet disposition. My mother always said Sugar seemed to have a special connection with me. After my mother passed away in 2015, Sugar became mine. She has been my emotional support through losing my mother, my job, and everyday stressors. She has been my travel companion for any mini-adventure. As of late, we have been on a tour of her last adventures because she is dying because of a myxomatous neoplasia sarcoma in her face. Last December, her face started to swell out of nowhere. I was told by one specialist it was a tooth abscess, and when my vet went to that surgery in January, they said it clearly wasn't that and took a sample for testing. After receiving the cancer diagnosis, I scrambled to get her to see a cancer specialist; meanwhile, I was in search of quality bone broth. That’s where I found Carole with Pawsitively Pure Dog Food. A friend of mine recommended her because he trusted the human-grade dog food, bone broth, and treats she made.

My first time meeting Carole was at the Maitland Farmers Market. I remember her being so kind to me as I clumsily purchased my first bag of bone broth for Sugar. She gave me her card and told me to call if I needed anything. 

Fast forward to the second weekend in February, and I did just that. I called desperately, looking to help Sugar through food as the first cancer specialist told me there was nothing they could do but offer radiation, and because of the size of the mass, it would limit her life to six months. I decided at that point I would do whatever I could to give Sugar the best quality of life I could. I figured, why not start with her food? Up to then, Sugar had always been a grazing kibble dog. She never seemed excited about food but ate it because it was there. I always thought if the stores sell that food, it should be a balanced, safe meal. I was mistaken, and Carole opened my eyes to better choices for Sugar. She seemed so excited about her new food, waiting in the kitchen as I plated it for her.

Sugar and I went to UF Small Animal Hospital on 2/16, where their oncology surgical team said they could attempt to remove the mass, but Sugar would need radiation treatments afterward. I asked if there was anything else I could do to give her the best outcome, like changing her diet. I was told no; the priority would be just to keep her eating and make sure we don't cause any GI issues. I proceeded with that plan, and while there were speedbumps, Sugar finished her last radiation treatment in May. Throughout this process, Carole and Joe were there checking in and making sure Sugar had their chicken crisp treats for all our travels.

Everything seemed to be turning around until the end of June. Sugar started sneezing, and her primary vet chalked it up to her being more sensitive to allergies after radiation. Then, in July, her mouth began to bleed from what I thought was an abscess. I went back to UF only to hear the cancer was back and growing fast. I was given a two-month life expectancy for Sugar.

At that point, I focused what money I had left on giving her the best food and the best last adventures I could. 

I genuinely believe Pawsitively Pure Dog Food has been an integral part of extending Sugar’s life. We are now in December and while Sugar looks different than what she once did, she is just as sweet and happy as she once was before. 

I'm hoping she will continue to prove everyone wrong and live a few more months as I would like to take her to see snow for the first time in January.

Jackson loves bone broth!

This senior dog is active and healthy at age 14.

January is National Soup Month! Soup is such a versatile meal, packed with nutrients and easy to create according to your favorite flavors and textures. So far this January, we’ve experienced a few chilly days (for Central Florida, anyway), which gives us the perfect opportunity to wrap up in our favorite blankets and enjoy a warm cup of soup. But did you know that a hot bowl of broth can be just as nourishing for your dogs, too? 

Bone broth has been a trending topic in the nutritional world for dogs and humans alike. Slightly different from your average soup stock, bone broth is made by simmering animal bones for a long period of time, releasing collagen and other beneficial nutrients from the bones over time. The result is a thicker, savory broth that offers a long list of nutritional benefits for humans and their canine companions. 

A quick note about choosing broth for dogs

As tempting as it may be to serve your dog the same tasty broth you enjoy, it’s important that you select a bone broth that’s been specifically formulated for your dogs. Often, bone broth for humans includes flavor-enhancing ingredients like onions, garlic, and salt that can cause stomach upset and other issues in dogs. We believe that dogs should receive wholesome nutrition with real ingredients – but not all ingredients are appropriate for dogs!

Common health issues for senior dogs

As our dogs age, we notice them slowing down. After a long, active life, your dog’s internal systems don’t perform like they did when they were puppies. Maybe they don’t play outside or get the zoomies as often, and they definitely take more naps. You may notice that they have increased occurrences of stomach issues, and sometimes they may even lose their appetites. It’s a fact of life; but aging doesn’t have to keep your dog from living out their golden years in good health and happiness. 

A huge part of your dog’s overall wellness is their diet. With natural, wholesome ingredients and minimal fillers, your dog will experience less pain and inflammation, better mental acuity, and more energy. Bone broth is a wonderful and easy-to-administer part of a healthy diet for a senior dog. Read on to learn about some of the benefits. 

Bone broth combats inflammation

Over time, all active dogs experience some cartilage loss. As the cartilage between joints and bones wears thin, the bones often start rubbing against each other, causing painful inflammation. This type of inflammation can also present itself as arthritis and is particularly prevalent in dogs who have had an injury at some point in their lives. 

Bone broth is chock full of gelatin and collagen, as we mentioned before. Regular consumption of nutritional collagen can in turn increase the amount of collagen in the body, which supports the cartilage and helps keep those joints moving smoothly and with less pain. With bone broth, your dog should be able to enjoy regular activity without increased stress from pain. 

Bone broth is good for tummies

Many people experience decreased appetite in their senior years; the same is true for dogs. Their metabolism slows down and they may be experiencing inflammation and pain that keep them from wanting to eat. If your dog is showing signs of decreased appetite, especially if it’s a drastic change, be sure to consult with your vet to take the appropriate action.

Bone broth contains glycine, an amino acid that specifically helps build new tissues in your dog’s digestive tract. In a nutshell, glycine can help repair any problem areas in your dog’s stomach and intestines to make eating enjoyable again. 

As a bonus, bone broth doesn’t require any chewing. A dog that’s not hungry may still be game to lap at a bowl of broth, keeping them hydrated and ensuring they get healthy nutrients in their systems when they don’t feel like snacking. 

Bone broth supports your dog’s immune system

Your dog isn’t producing as many antibodies in their senior years, which means that they may be more prone to infections and illness. Think about it: even older dogs spend most of their days sniffing, exploring, and maybe even mouthing new objects to learn about them. All that close contact with the outside world can leave them vulnerable to sickness. 

The many amino acids in bone broth provide support to your dog’s immune system, boosting the metabolism, liver, and more, so that they’re better able to fight off infections and pathogens they may encounter in their daily lives. 

Where to find the right bone broth for your dogs

The bone broth you choose for your dogs should have nothing but the good stuff with no fillers or additives! Pawsitively Pure bone broth is made with nothing but the ingredients that come from beef or chicken bones simmered overnight, so your dog gets lots of collagen and amino acids without any ingredients that can irritate their stomachs. Head to our online shop or find us at one of our weekend markets to take some home today!