Kathleen Christian (Portland, Oregon) on 07/03/2019

about six years ago I adooted my Dad's four year old golden retriever, Belle. Dad had cancer and about the last six months of his life began doing things that didnt really make sense. Belle was the light of his life! But in his illness what he thought was spoiling her and giving her the best was resulting in horrible conditions. Her right ear was constantly swollen and inflamed with yeast infections. Her eyes had yellow and green discharge, she was very overweight and her coat was patched from her biting, chewing and licking her skin. He kept taking her to his vet who kept prescribing antibiotics and steroids, but as soon as the round was finished would go back to back with prescriptions. None of it was helping her. After Dad passed I took Belle home with me. I had a 13-year (but looked and acted like a puppy) old mini schnauzer, Samson, who I adored. Within a month of bringing home Bella, Samson quit eating and was getting so thin. Took them both to my vet who informed me that Samson had a large tumor in his front chest that was suffocating him. He also had a pkethora of medicine for Belle and wanted to give her steroids. I was feeding them both Nutro dry kibble and he shamed me and insisted I buy the Vetrinarian Science Diet he sold. ( after that I studied up on how bad that formula is and that the vets get kickbacks for each sale) so, I eventually was able to get him to release both dogs records, went home and started my journey in the internet. My little buddy Samson had to be put to sleep which to this day was the hardest thing ever. I had someone come to my home to do it and the minute shec came through the door and sat on the carpet with us, he sat up in her lap and new. He had the look of relief. I miss him still and that was six years ago. So, Bella. What to do about my poor 'Princepessa'. Ted saved her (and me) First, I put her in a limited ingredient diet, Acana lamb and rice. Dad was deeding her 2 juice injected chicken breasts a say along with whatever else he thought she woukd like....tuna cat food, potatoes, milk bones...etc.

So I cut out all chicken and to minimize sugar (due to her constant yeast infections) no potatoes, limited grain. Treats were and still are either Wet Noses berry buscuits or Mud bay no grain no chicken treats, Trader Joes Salmon jerkey. I would put ACV in ger water, food and use it as a rinse in her bath. I gave her Organic whole milk bulgarian yogurt in the morning. She lost about 25 lbs which was a great start. Was happy as can be but her ears and skin were terrible mess and stinky. I tried topicals, oil of oregano ( that didnt go over well!) Coconut oil, she would hust lick it off and the scratch and chew herself raw. The cone of shame..no go.... Dr. Ted's mange recipe was our saving grace. after work every other evening I began the routine faithfully. Unfortunately it was winter so it was hard for me to let her drip dry for 30 minutes before trying to do a little warm blow dry, but she was so sweet about it. We bonded. I think anxiety from the loss of my Dad, moving to a new home where I was gone all day and loosing her buddy Samson definitely exasperated her nerves and immunities, but I was on a mission! This was a long process, so please be dedicated and patient. Something else I did to help with the chewing whenever I not home...I took an old t-shirt of mine that I wore to sleep one night, put her front legs thru the arms, her head thru the neck, pulled it ove her back and yummy and cut holes for her back legs! This held the shirt over the area she would lick and chew at. After I would fet dressed each morning I would say, 'now let's get Bella's 'pretty dres's on'. She would get so excited. Once in a while I would take a pair if old drawstring sweat pants, cut them into shorts and put those on tucking in the shirt. Slowly but surely she began healing. As her wounds became smaller from the borax baths I would rub some coconut oil into them for anti-bacterial protection and to encourage the healing process. Her smell began to go away. Her right ear was still a BIG challenge. Betadine solution in a cotton pad, then I would spray colloidal silver.

At night I would rub with coconut oil. She new the routine and would lay in her left side as soon as she saw the cotton and coconut oil. All she knew is I was was trying to help her and she was thankful. And I was and am sooo thankful that she trusts me so much! One other thing, you know the all to familiar 'frito feet' smell? Try this, I take a cotton pad, dip it in brown Listerine and rub it in her paws. After a couple times if that...no more frito feet! Repeat as necessary which shouldnt need to be often if your buddy isnt suffering from an underlying larger yeast issue! Cheap and very effective! Belle is a beautiful happy, healthy 10 year old who looks and acts (physically) much younger than that! Everybody in the neighborhood loves her and counts in her smile as they go to work or come home. When they no we're iutsise, they come out to let her....I feel like the Pied Piper! And now...her diet: AM:-1 cup dry kibble (Acana singles, lamb and rice) with three pumps Grizzly Pollock Oil brand Omega 3 Fatty Acids and about a quarter cup water. Swish it around in the bowl and she loves it! PM: 1 cup same dry kibble and one heaping tablespoon of canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filler!) Treats remain the same as above with occasional fresh apple or banana and pnut butter. Her coat is like silk! Ted's remedy worked like a miracle after trying so many other things that didnt work.

I highly encourage and endorse using this method for your pet...and remember, patience and commitment! This brought us both so close to one another after our losses. Belle (a.k.a. Princepessa) is my best friend and faithful companion!