Meet Snickers - a Brookside Barkery Bichon

Snickers is a 13 year old Bichon Frise. Up until 18 months ago, she was lively and active. But, early in 2004, she started dragging herself around. She had trouble climbing stairs and sometimes it looked like her back legs would give out from under her body. She could barely jump up onto the couch and needed help getting into the car. It was sad to see her act this way but I thought it was just part of the fact that she is 13 years old.

When Delena suggested that I put her on the raw food diet, I chuckled at first. I barely fix food for my family. I couldn't begin to imagine mixing up anything for the dog and getting to the grocery store on a regular basis to be sure I had fresh meat. However, after I tried it once, I realized that it just took a couple of minutes each week.

Even if it took longer, I would do it. The difference in Snickers has been incredible. It's like I have a new dog. A friend who took care of her while I was on vacation this summer stopped by. When he saw her, he asked what I had done. His comment was that when he cared for her he thought she wouldn't be around much longer. He couldn't believe the difference in her. She bounces around like a puppy, has no trouble with stairs and even jumped up on my bed the other day. It's a higher than average bed. She hadn't done that in well over a year. It tempts me to starting eating her food myself!!!!

As told to the Brookside Barkery & Bath by Snickers' owner Barbara Cunningham