We have recently received an e -mail message from a pet owner, subject line “We need your help.” The message that was shared was a family's grief and pain, but at the same time hopes to save other pets.
The message they shared:
My name is Frank Dittman, and in just 15 months my family endured the unthinkable – losing three of our beloved dogs to cancer. Each was just too young, each deeply loved, and every loss left us to look for answers.
Lola
Lola was our 9-year-old Rottweiler, the queen of the house and big sister to Chester and Sophie. She was strong, healthy and happy. One Sunday, after what we thought was just a long -lasting cough, we rushed her to the emergency veterinarian. She rushed into the hospital, swinging, excited from her drive – but within minutes she collapsed. The doctors found a large mild and internal bleeding. My daughters rushed to say goodbye, and in just 15 minutes our cute Lola girl was gone.
Jet
Three months later we lost Jet. He was a shepherd, Chow and Pit Mix from Tennessee, a rescue with a rough start that overcame abuse to become head of our home. At 11 years old, what looked like a simple eye infection turned out to be a tumor behind his eye. Cancer was aggressive, and we had to make the heartbreaking decision to sleep him. Losing jet so soon after Lola felt like a cruel fate.
Chester
Chester was our Dachshund – Hound – Shar Pei -Mix, our “Fiesty Nugget.” He was full of personality – sprint to greet us at the door with a toy, sleeping pressed against us at night, always the clown and always his mother's boy.
In just 7 years old, Chester was not himself one morning. Er -veterinarian found a mild mass – the same thing that took Lola. We chose surgery and hoped for the best, but the pathology confirmed cancer. His forecast was bleak. Desperately we turned to a holistic oncologist, who changed everything: Chester came from Kibble and switched to a boiled diet of grass -fed beef, vegetables and directed supplements. To everyone's surprise, his blood work came back – no signs of cancer. For a while it felt like we had beaten it.
But then on a Sunday, Chester worked again. An ultrasound revealed internal bleeding and a new mass on the liver. We couldn't put him through another major operation, just for cancer to return again. When we held him close, with his sister Sophie by his side, we said goodbye. Sophie leaned down, sniffed him and gently licked his eyebrows as she always did. It was beautiful and bowel twisting.
The larger picture
Three dogs. Three cancers. Three heart damage.
Since then I have learned that these mild and liver cancer are tragically common. And I can't ignore what I have discovered about the food we trusted to keep them healthy. For several years, such as millions of other families, we fed kibble marketed as “Complete and balanced.” Only later did I learn that many of these products contain chemical preservatives, glyphosate residues from pesticide-treated grains and molds that produce aflatoxins-which have all been linked to cancer in animals.
Chester's short remission after getting from Kibble made me realize what a difference food really makes. It is not just nutrition – it can be the boundary between health and illness.
I don't want other families to endure what we have. Our pets cannot speak for themselves. Someone has to fight for them.
– Frank Dittman
Frank's history – unfortunately – will be familiar to so many pet owners. So many of us have walked in his shoes, including myself.
The pet food they trusted … Trust betrayed in the worst way possible.
There is a reason why so many pet owners trust pet food:
FDA and state authorities allow direct manufacturers of pets to deceive consumers.
It is much easier to build consumer confidence when you are allowed to lie on your product labels and in your marketing. Knowing that no supervisory authority will stop you when using illegal ingredients is enormous motivation to continue committing the crime.
Reminder:
This is a direct quotation from the FDA CVM; “We do not believe that the use of sick animals or animals that died other than through slaughter to make animal food constitutes a safety problem and we intend to continue to exercise enforcement.”
Personal Story: Several years ago I had a conversation with the FDA. I asked the FDA to allow manufacturers of pets to deceive pet owners, allowing the use of illegal ingredients – known as “enforcement.” I shared that my perspective on this is that the FDA allows pet food to – as an example – rob the bank. I shared that it resembles some who may steal millions of dollars without the risk of punishment or punishment, while others (as in human food) are punished for robbing the bank.
The FDA representative replied: “We compare it with fast.”
My answer: Well, speed is still illegal – and quick can kill innocent victims.
Which is exactly what is happening in pet food. Repeatedly. Family after the family.
My thank you to Frank and his family for sharing their story. They hope to save other pet owners from going through the same heart they underwent. I hope so too.
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author buyers watch out, co -authors dinner pawsible
Truthabouttfood.com
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