A Raw-Food Diet For Your Dog?
One of the funniest episodes I ever watched of the series “Sex and the City” centered on Samantha adopting a “Raw-food” diet. Of course, Samantha’s reasons for doing so arrived from a very different place than most, but even so, the idea has intrigued me ever since.
I always believed that the closer people leaned towards “eating from the earth” the better. Personally, I try to eat most of my fruits and vegetables 'raw' or slightly cooked and so do my kids. But now, I’m finding out that, just maybe, the dog should have been doing this all the time as well...or so says pet nutrition blogger Kimberly Gauthier. Heck, I could have saved a ton of money on Iams had I known. Quite possibly, I should have had my Tomcat Gary taken Ramsey out on the town for lessons on catching mice -- their very own tromp around the city (really ‘country’ but you get it).
Kimberly is convinced that feeding your dog a raw-food diet is the best diet for him and she shares those views through her blog Keep the Tail Wagging. Her thoughts are quite interesting and worth learning more about through her interview below as well as her blog.
What is your full name?
Kimberly Morris Gauthier
Briefly describe you and your life, including where you live, children (if any), and whatever else you would like to share?
I’m a dog nutrition blogger who is raising four dogs, with my boyfriend, in the Pacific Northwest. From start to finish, my day is all about the dogs and I love it. We have a blast with our pack. When I’m not being smothered by dogs, I love reading, movies, and I watch entirely too much television. I have a snarky sense of humor, zero tolerance for alcohol, and I love food and Earl Gray tea.
If you were asked to describe yourself in one word, what would that word be?
Cheerful
What is your personal mantra?
Right now, my personal mantra is “When they go low, we go high.”
Share the name of your blog as well as the date it was launched.
Keep the Tail Wagging, launched December 24, 2011.
Explain what compelled you to begin blogging.
I started Keep the Tail Wagging to have an outlet for my love of my dogs, Rodrigo and Sydney. People around me were getting tired of my daily stories of their antics.
Share with us the primary focus of your blog and what you hope to accomplish through it.
The primary focus of Keep the Tail Wagging is raw feeding for dogs. I hope to raise awareness of alternative diets for dogs that are effective in curing allergies, digestive issues, and a host of other health issues we see in our dogs.
List any awards you may have won.
One of my friends awarded me the "Kick Ass Blogger" Trophy this year. I’ve never won an award and this was her way to letting me know that I’m appreciated. It now sits in a place of honor in my office.
Are you a Brand Ambassador and if so, for which companies?
No, I’m not a Brand Ambassador. I do work with several brands, helping to raise awareness of natural products. Currently, I’m working with a brand that makes a natural supplement called Ewegurt that soothes separation anxiety and fear in dogs.
Which social media outlet works best for your public relations/marketing efforts?
What is the one piece of advice you would give to anyone interested in beginning a blog?
Don’t give up. It takes a lot of work to build and manage a blog and although it can be discouraging and frustrating, it’ll all be worth it when you begin to reach people and make positive connections.
Share some names of favorite blogs you follow.
Beyond being a blogger, are you an entrepreneur, professional or business owner? If so, please explain.
No.
Share a social cause or cause-based organization close to your heart.
Save-A-Mutt is an organization that rescues dog moms and their puppies from high kill shelters in California, brings them to Washington for medical care and fostering, and finds them good homes.
When all is said and done, how do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as someone who made people feel content.
A balanced diet is optimal whether you are human or canine. What this means in relationship to individual needs, only you and your physician (or veterinarian) can decide. Kimberly is, merely, weighing in on the matter through Keep the Tail Wagging and coaxing you to think beyond convention. To me this is always good -- whether you go ‘raw’ for your pet or not.
Needless-to-say, I know Ramsey thanks her. He quite likes the occasional raw burger he is now partaking in. Gary is thrilled as well. Chihuahuas don't make good hunting buddies, surprisingly! Who would have thought?