Achilles’ Journey: A Story of Strength and Nutrition

I have always loved dogs. I was born into a home with one and have never lived without them. Now, at sixty-five, I have gained a lifetime of experience and many stories to tell about my beloved pups. Today, I want to share the journey of two of my dogs.

Over the years, I have had dogs face severe medical challenges. My Black & Tan Coonhound, Achilles, was one of them. His health struggles started early, with a terrifying episode when his lungs collapsed. It was an issue I couldn’t have prevented. He spent a night in the ER on a ventilator before I rushed him to another emergency clinic, where they diagnosed him with spontaneous pneumothorax at just five years old. He underwent emergency surgery, where they had to crack open his sternum and found holes in the tips of both lungs. They had to cut the tips off both lungs. The recovery process was long and arduous, but during this time, I started making bone marrow broth for him. I noticed a remarkable improvement in his overall health.

Years later, when Achilles was about twelve, he developed another serious condition—his intestines became stacked, requiring emergency surgery. It was then that the veterinarians diagnosed him with severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). His diet had to be strictly controlled, and he was prescribed hydrolyzed dry kibble. After a couple of weeks on this food, I took a closer look at the ingredients and was dismayed by what I found. The food was heavily processed, chemically treated, and devoid of any real nutrients.

Hydrolyzed protein dog food is commonly prescribed by veterinarians to minimize allergic reactions and ease digestion issues. The process of hydrolysis breaks down protein molecules into tiny fragments, making them less likely to trigger an immune response. While this helps dogs with food sensitivities, I couldn’t shake the feeling that feeding Achilles such highly processed food wasn’t the best option for his long-term health.

Determined to find a better way, I started incorporating homemade mushroom broth into his diet. Mushrooms have powerful health benefits, and over time, I saw yet another improvement in Achilles' well-being. Encouraged, I began slowly introducing fresh fruits and vegetables, one at a time. I started with a small amount of apple each day—no bad reaction. A week later, I added banana—still no issues. This method continued with cucumbers, blueberries, peaches, pears, broccoli, spinach, and bell peppers. I tested each food individually for a week before mixing them together. His breakfast might consist of berries and peaches, while dinner could include bell peppers, cucumber, and kale. I used the fruits and vegetables as toppers on his hydrolyzed kibble, along with either the bone marrow or mushroom broth.

The transformation was incredible. Achilles, despite his age and medical history, acted like a teenager! His energy levels soared, and he maintained a happy, active lifestyle.

Achilles was a big boy, weighing over 85 lbs, and despite his severe medical conditions, he lived just past 15 years old. I firmly believe that bone marrow and mushroom broth and fresh organic fruits and vegetables played a crucial role in extending his life and improving his quality of life.