Our last dog, Joe, was a food addict.
He loved food so much, his tastes made no distinction between his food and human food.
When Joe came to us at six weeks old, attempting to keep our new puppy healthy and happy, I bought a bag from each of the many varieties of dog food.
When the veterinarian asked me what I was feeding Joe, I told the veterinarian I was waiting to let Joe make that choice; although, Joe did not care, since he did like all food.
The veterinarian said I had done just the right thing, because one food had one kind of nutrition, while another one had another kind and it was a smart idea to let the dog feed on several varieties.
This was in 1979, and given the circumstances, probably it was the best that could be done.
Our dog, however, took to begging for whatever the kids were eating, and since both boys were in love with him, they fed him anything he asked for.
In those days, Joe's kind was predicted to live eleven years at the most, but our dog lived to be more than eighteen years of age.
So I thought we did something right.
Well, maybe.
Maybe, because during the late nineties, I read that euthanized pets and road kill meat were being added to pet food.
That made my hair stand at end.
I don't know if this is still true, but I read that this was legal.
What if this gruesome mix they put into the pets' food contained cancer or other communicable pet diseases? It is said that during the processing of the dry pet food, very high heat is used, therefore eliminating that possibility.
Anyhow, this practice has horrified me.
If I get another pet, I am sure I will cook for him.
Disregarding the horrid practices of the pet food industry, what a pet owner can do, in the least, is to inspect the food packaging before he buys it, especially where moist or semi-moist foods are concerned.
If the cellophane is ripped, the can is warped and has lost its shape, it may mean that the food inside may be contaminated.
In addition, the dog owner should always keep in mind that if the dog food label says chicken flavored, the food may not contain chicken at all, but other things and flavoring.
Dry food, because it is made by exposing whatever is inside it to the highest heat, is safer than canned or semi-moist food, but it usually lacks the fats the dog needs for good health and disease prevention.
The deficiency of fats can be remedied by feeding the dog some meat, fish (after all the fishbone is eliminated), eggs and milk products.
The harder working and the more energetic dogs need more protein and fat in their diet.
If you feed your dog from the food you eat, in moderation of course, most anything should be okay, except for grapes and raisins that can make him sick.
Some dog owners, nowadays, opt for natural foods for their pets.
Others choose the raw food diet products that have recently surfaced in the market.
Although expensive, the raw food diet is closer to the food nature intended for the canines; however, this is a new approach and its negatives are not fully determined yet.
Should you decide on a raw food diet, be sure to get your veterinarian's opinion first.
Feeding smaller meals throughout the day than feeding the dog only once is better for his digestion.
Also, cleanliness of his bowl, adequate fresh water, and the frequent emptying of the stale food are very important.
Giving the animal good, clean food, fortifying it with supplements like doggie vitamins, and keeping him under a constant veterinarian care is the best a dog owner can do for his dog.
That way, dogs will thrive on the variety in their food and a lot of love from their family of humans.