"Betsie our Toy Poodle had a lack of D3 in her diet causing multiple bone fractures when she was 4 years old. We had consults with Arielle and she has been on Greta and Green Crunch with Omega 3 Daily ever since (she is now 9!). She is now amazing.
Running, playing and back to her favourite game of fetch. I am so grateful for everything Arielle has done for Betsie.
She was a very poorly dog and we nearly lost her." - Dot and Betsie
Here is Betsie’s story and one of the many reasons why it is SO important to supplement a homemade wholefood plant-based dog food diet:
Betsie is a darling little Toy Poodle who was fed unsupplemented homemade food by her devoted Mum thinking she was doing everything right by Betsie. She used organic, wholefood ingredients. I received a very distressed e-mail from Betsie’s Mum back in 2021 -
“I would like to book a telephone consultation as soon as possible. Betsie our vegan toy poodle lacks Calcium and it has affected her bones.
We have had a CT scan and the neurologist is concerned about her diet as she already has fractured ribs. She is very poorly and her veterinary team advise that she needs a balanced diet and extra supplements to aid her recovery.
The neurologist has advised us not to walk her or let her use the stairs until her bones are stronger. She is in great pain and we are really worried about her.”
By not adding a supplement to Betsie’s homemade food, she did not get the required amount of Calcium for her bones. She also did not get the required amount of Vit D3 to aid its absorption in the body (Vit D3 added to our Omega 3 Daily).
Betsie's Mum kindly shared in the recipe that she was feeding to Betsie and had been feeding for the last 4 years -
INSTANT POT RECIPE —organic when available – twice a day
· 30% whole barley and brown rice
· 20% veggies—courgettes, green beans, peas, small amount of broccoli or cauli, seasonal veg.
· 50% peeled sweet potato, carrots, potato,
· Red lentils—cupful in 3 weeks worth
· Peeled and cored apples x 3, sometimes blackcurrants,
Small amount of frozen spinach or kale
Add ins after cooked—
· spirulina.
· yeast flakes with b12 - not measured just poured in.
· whole ground organic flax seeds.
· 2 tbsp peanut butter.
The recipe appears healthy and complete but due to a lack of adding in any supplement to provide the extra Calcium, Vit D3 and minerals that Betsie needed, this deficiency caused all her symptoms of crumbling bones and fractures and severe pain.
Her Mum was so concerned about the deficiencies and instead of continuing with home cooking, she preferred feeding Betsie complete dry food to ensure that Betsie received all of the nutrients she needed.
"Betsie is doing amazingly well since we have switched her over to the complete vegan food. Her bones are strong and she is enjoying a normal life. It has taken over 12 months to get her to this stage. We have been feeding her Greta and green crunch which she loves"
This is a follow up about Betsie sent in by her Mum Dot in September 2026 with the best news ever!
Betsie turns 10 and is healthy and happy!!
💚 Her Mum shared a photos and a video about her sweet little Betsie which is just so heartwarming -
"Betsie has just turned 10 !! People stop us to say Hello and think she is still a puppy!
Betsie has amazing summers with us; long walks on the beach and lots of playing with her numerous toys. She is funny, loving and makes us smile every day.
She’s thriving, happy and living her absolute best life. We spent the summer on the beach, and she loved strolling along and paddling in the sea.
She’s still as keen as ever on her daily walks and never gets tired of playing fetch—she lights up the second the ball appears! She’s always got one of her soft toys right by her side, though unfortunately she’s rather partial to our socks as well, so we have to keep those well out of reach!
We've always had to be mindful of how she lands onto hard floors, so we've lots of soft dog beds exactly where she lands, but apart from that she is 100% well. Every milestone and happy moment we enjoy with her is a reminder of the extraordinary care you gave her.
We will always be so grateful to you for giving us these wonderful extra years together. I’ve attached a couple of photos and video of her so you can see how great she’s doing! Thanks for looking after us and for looking after so many others, too.
With warm wishes and once again, heartfelt thanks, Dot Bajic and Betsie xx"
- Dot and Betsie
Just look at 10 year old Betsie run in this video and to think that in 2022, she was in such pain with such painful bones that she had to be carried everywhere - what a success with feeding her these complete and delicious food for the last 4 years (!) - Greta Mini , Green Crunch and our wonderful Omega 3 Algae oil rich in natural Vit D and healthy Omegas! 💚
