Conversations with Critters
Walk with the animals. Talk with the animals. And an update on healthy aging from a Critter who knows how to walk the walk and talk the talk…
Today, Critters, we have a life changing announcement to make. It is that big. It is that huge. Because. Panda is on a Special Diet effective immediately! Naturally, all food is special to her, but this is something new, different and medically revelatory.
How did it go on her daily walkabout after breakie? We ask and ponder this existential question because a requirement of Panda walking the walk is to receive-on-demand the offering of a snack, also known in the vernacular as a bribe in the form of a morsel of kibble. Once this demand has been met by her discriminating palette and to her satisfaction, we go on. Did she readily accept the new kibble? Panda answers in the affirmative! In a word. Yes. And with that said! We welcome you in excellent critter conversation.
Heidi: Hello and welcome welcome, Friends! We are rapidly making canine dietary adjustments here at the Condo and on our Walkabouts! We have returned home just moments ago from our Springtime morning nature walk, the light full of contrast, filtered through leaden clouds and breaks of blue, the trail wide and inviting and damp from an overnight rain. For we have travailed the path unwinding, this neighborhood former golf course now ripe for green forest bathing in the rewilding of the land.
Panda: Yes, Critters, I also want to bring you up to date on my trip to the vet for my Annual Wellness Exam. All systems are go dog go!
Chris: What.
Jasper: Ditto, Chris. This update might affect our lifestyle in terms of dropping our food on the floor, however surreptitiously and erroneously, for Panda to grab some extra tasty morsels.
Panda: Morsels can never be erroneous in my humble opinion, Jasper. But! Furthermore! This dietary decision was not made lightly!
Chris: We’re all ears.
Jasper: Yes, absolutely. We’d like to be informed as to the medical basis in reality for this change to our daily lives and caloric intake. Please, proceed, Panda. Tell us everything.
Panda: Critters, full disclosure. Over the past few years, I have had intermittent head tremors. They are quick. They are transient. They come in a flash. They look like a flinch. And they were thought to be related to my neurological spinal issues, my Intravertable Degenerative Disc Disease, IVDD, which is pretty much a non-issue for me except for flare ups on rare occasions that make me say, ouch. The end.
Jasper: Oh no oh no, Panda! I want you to feel good furever!
Panda: Thank you, Jasper. Thank you very much. Your compassion means every thing to me. However, I am not in any pain.
Jasper: Thank goodness. I feel calm in my innermost Orange Self now. Thank you, Panda. Thank you very much.
Panda: Based on new studies of dogs with head tremors, veterinary neurology has made a new discovery which is proving to alleviate these symptoms and it is based on diet, my friends.
Chris: I’m finding it quite challenging to concentrate, Critters. All of this counting of calories and dietary needs has me asking, where is my next nap? I know it’s around here somewhere.
Jasper: Chris, you simply must stay awake a little longer. We are about to find out something of major importance!
Panda: Thank you for bearing with me on this, Chris.
Chris: Of course of course, Panda, I luvluvluv you. Change is hard when it comes to food, even when it’s for a good reason. I understand. That’s why I’m walking slowly slowly toward the Couch as we speak. I am, in fact, all ears.
Panda: Excellent. So! I am now on a Gluten Free Diet! We are trying it out for a month to see if my symptoms go away. I’m very excited. Full stop.
Jasper: Gosh, Panda. I feel good about Chris taking his next nap now.
Chris: Yes, all of this comes as a great relief.
Panda: Most of all, the New Special Diet Food is delicious. Furthermore, upon hearing of my need to go gluten free, our Hooman asked my Primary Care Physician if I can still eat my peeled organic baby carrots.
Chris: What was the medical response? Because. From where I am sitting on the Couch as a Cat, it seems pretty obvious.
Jasper: I agree with you, Chris. It is self-evident about the peeled organic baby carrots in Panda’s diet.
Panda: The answer is yes. Carrots don’t have gluten.
Chris: Exactly.
Jasper: Well, for Hoomans, it’s good to get the confirmation.
Panda: Yes. It is. And so, Critters, we can go about enjoying the Springtime here on the 45th Parallel North.
Chris: Let’s share a photo of Spring in our neighborhood for the edification and enjoyment of our readers before we move on to our next meal and our next nap.
Chris: Critters, thank you for tuning in for this important update on Panda’s health and wellness. I will see you in my dreams.
Jasper: Thank you, Critters. Thank you very much. We wish the very best of health for our luvluvluved Panda and for all Critters here, there, and everywhere.
Panda: I am deeply humbled and will continue to provide updates on my health status. Yeah. I feel good about it. The. End.
🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
Poetry with Pets
Gluten free diet
The new food is delicious
A one month trial
By Jasper Kitten, Chris & Panda
Is that a haiku at the end? It goes well with the cherry blossoms. This “rewinding” walk looks quite a beautiful place! Our dog Freddie would be interested in learning more about the gluten free diet. In fact, he would be interested in anything involving food.
Well, on to new adventures, Panda. You are 16 and looking young. Gluten-free is not so bad. I am a cockatiel and I can't eat things that look yummy: avacado , chocolate and onions. Ok; I don't care about the onions.
Love
Arya the Cockatiel
ps: My hooman helped me with the typing.
Me: Only a little. Good luck with your diet. We are rooting for you.