Sophie's new food

Hello Everyone,

Sophie was recently staying with Arthur and I for a few days, so I thought I would post this email I originally sent out on November 27, 2015. Since then, Soph started to actually lose weight on her fancy new food and, rather than try some other exotic brand as recommended by the vet, we went back to her tried and true, grain-free formula. Her weight's been more or less stable after that.

-------------------------

Somewhere in the wilds of Australia there is a hunter patiently waiting for his prey to innocently wander into his sights. Or perhaps he is methodically stalking that prey through thick underbrush, using his keen senses and intimate knowledge of the wilderness to stay on the right track.

This rugged outdoor survivalist, potentially of aboriginal heritage and using the ancient wisdom of his people, is hunting that most famous of Australian animals, the kangaroo. The punishing heat and blinding sun won't stop him, nor will the many dangerous animals, from poisonous snakes to deadly crocodiles, that he comes across. He is determined and relentless and won't be denied. And what will happen with the animals he has painstakingly brought to market? Will they be used to feed his family? No. Will they be processed and stored to ensure sustenance over lean periods? No. Will they be consumed by his village as they have for generations beyond count? No. Those kangaroos are going to be turned into food for the world's pickiest eater, one that prances about in a poofy haircut and expensive leather collar. That's right, Sophie has recently switched from a fancy schmancy grain-free diet, to a super fancy schmancy diet that largely consists of kangaroo meat. And why would Sophie now be eating a diet of meat from an animal that is exclusively found on the exact other side of the planet? Because of her picky digestion, of course. Part of the recent medical odyssey she is on, one that found that she only has one kidney and was likely not properly spayed, is that her intestines are a mess. Even more so than usual, because honestly, intestines are a mess at the best of times. The vet suspects that part of the reason she is so skinny is that her messed up intestines don't properly absorb nutrients. She's always had a lot of energy, so we figured it was just her body type. That does not appear to be the case. Apparently kangaroo meat breaks down into the smallest pieces of protein and is thus easiest to absorb, so that's what we are trying. She's only been on it a couple of weeks, but she likes it and has been edging the needle up on her weight, so it's a good sign. If we could bulk her up to an imposing 45 pounds or so (she's currently at 42.5) it would probably help her not be so cold in the winter. The craziest thing is that it costs less than what we were paying for her food before. Ha ha, just kidding. It's twice as expensive. wes