A healthy dog. What’s that? I thought I was a pro at taking care of dogs. I had grown up with them since I was a small child and into my early adult years. Surely, I knew what I was doing… But then a chocolate labrador retriever named Penny came into my life. She was different. She had skin allergies. She smelled. She was scratching herself until her skin had scabs and fungus. Penny had heartworms. She was the most loving dog I had ever known. I adopted her. Luckily, as a single girl, I was able to afford to take care of her as my own daughter. She was the first dog I ever had in the house. She was the first dog I ever took to the vet. My father grew up in a different era. We didn’t take dogs to the vet. At a minimum we got rabies shots, and even that was done waiting in line in a parking lot for a free shot offered by a clinic. Penny needed medicine. Penny needed baths. Penny needed help. Today, she has the most beautiful coat. She is my little shadow. She is my sweet girl. Caring for her has taught me that I never knew how to really care for a dog. I want to share all that I have learned to help you avoid unintentionally hurting them and make informed decisions on the best foods and activities for your best furry friend.