~ Or How Lisa added years to Azura’s Life

Breeder Note: When we met Lisa, she didn’t know how much longer her Service Dog (Azura) would be with her. So, she was seeking a Weimaraner to train to fill the very large Azura Paw Prints.

You all know that I don’t write about anything except the OwyheeStar Weimaraner. I ask you not to post other dog information, etc., but this seems like the exception. Someone might be able to use this information to prolong or save their Weimaraner’s life. So read on–as Lisa tells you her story.

A few years ago I met someone by chance, she was admiring Azura, my Blue Doberman, we got to talking and she shared stories about how a Dog Crockpot Stew had helped her rescue dogs with their their various coat, allergy and general health issues.  I asked her for the recipe, and she emailed it to me. I liked the idea and was going to try it when I had some free time.

Fast forward to the end of July 2019 when Azura, then 7 1/2 years old, was diagnosed with serious heart issues.  I asked the vet cardiologist how long he thought we had and he said, “Maybe a year.”  To say the news was devastating would be a huge understatement.  What I also learned from the vet is that the FDA had been doing studies on grain-free diets and heart disease and had found that the combination of grain-free and sweet potatoes and peas in the first 10 ingredients seemed to be the connection to heart disease. 

My regular vet recommended that we start Azura on some heart supplements in addition to the supplements and meds that the cardiologist had prescribed, and also suggested that I start feeding Azura beef heart.

Years before, my vet had recommended staying away from chicken and lamb, so I’ve been feeding Azura beef, fish or fowl kibble.  Now I was looking for non-grain-free beef, fish or fowl kibble and was finding almost nothing.  That’s when I remembered the Canine Crockpot Stew.  I bought all the ingredients and made my first crockpot stew.  I also managed to find a suitable kibble in the Wildology brand of kibble.

We returned to the cardiologist in November for Azura’s 3-month checkup.  They ran all the tests and the results were that she had improved around 80-85%.  He said the meds usually produced a 5% improvement.  I knew she had improved because her energy level and stamina had greatly improved, and I was so grateful that the tests proved it.  When I reminded the vet what he had said in July about “maybe a year” and asked how long he thought we had, he said, “Oh, years!  She’s doing great!”  I told him I had made a deposit for a puppy and he said, “Oh, puppies are great!  It will be great for Azura and great for the puppy!”  When I read his report later, his words were “Azura looks phenomenal today.”

We went back for Azura’s checkup in February and her test results showed mild improvement and the best news was that we could now go six months until the next follow-up.  If her results at that time are static or improved, the vet will likely start weaning her off her meds and we’ll continue with the supplements.

On February 18, Sophia, 2-month old Blue Weimaraner, was delivered by Shela and Cliff.  It’s been a little over a month, and I can safely tell the vet that he was right, this puppy is great for Azura and Azura is great for the puppy!  Azura is now getting the exercise that only a puppy can give her, which is so much more than chasing, fetching and retrieving a ball!  They’re both thriving.

Sophia had been here for three days when she realized that what she was eating was different than what Azura was eating.  When Azura finished her stew, Sophia was right there ready to lick the bowl.  I started adding a little water to the left-over stew at the bottom of the jar and I poured it on top of Sophia’s kibble.  She now licks her own bowl clean.  I’ve slowly been adding a bit more stew and a bit more water to Sophia’s meals and she now sits by her kibble until I add the good stuff.  Smart girl!

I feed Azura the stew morning and night.  She has free-fed all of her life, always had a full bowl of kibble available, and since she’s not used to eating only a mealtime, I open her kibble container early afternoon and let her snack.  Now, with Sophia having three meals a day, I put a half a scoop of kibble in Azura’s dish when I give Sophia her afternoon kibble, and that seems to be working well.