Celebrating Tink and Having Hope When It Matters Most
I’ve been carrying a lot on my heart and mind lately—especially about my girl Tink.
A few weeks ago, she began showing some neurological symptoms and significant cognitive changes, and after consulting with our veterinarian, we’re now waiting on a neurology consult.
In the meantime, I’ve been learning everything I can about what this could be so I can support her in every way possible. Just in the last week—since focusing more intentionally on neuro-supportive medicinal mushrooms, herbs, and supplements—I’ve already seen real improvement. I’m so grateful to have these tools on hand, and to know how to use them to support her brain and body while we wait for more answers.
Quality of life is everything, and right now, she’s doing really well.
The Power of a Proactive Approach
Just like us, our dogs become more vulnerable to illness and decline as they age—and while I try not to live in fear of that, I do stay mindful. I know anything can happen, and I try to stay prepared so I can support each of my dogs in whatever way they need.
Taking a holistic and proactive approach means I usually have the right tools on board before something becomes a crisis.
I believe in taking a very proactive approach to my dogs’ healthcare as well as my own.
Doing Everything Right—And Still Facing Challenges
The truth is, we can do all the things—we can feed the best food, limit toxins, use amazing natural remedies & therapies—and your dog can still face health challenges.
But that doesn’t mean what you’ve done doesn’t matter. In fact, I believe it matters more than ever in those moments. Holistic care may not prevent every illness, but it can offer a stronger foundation, a softer landing, and more tools to lean on when there’s a health challenge.
How My Journey with Tink Evolved
Tink wasn’t always raised naturally, but about eight years ago I began changing everything. Since then, she’s been on a complete and balanced raw diet, rotating in herbs, probiotics, mushrooms and supplements tailored to her individual needs.
I also started making changes to our environment—both inside and outside the home. We replaced plastic with glass. I became more mindful of the many ways our environment can affect health—everyday exposures like synthetic chemicals, environmental toxins, and invisible stressors that add up over time and quietly chip away at health.
I couldn’t change everything overnight, and I’m still learning and making adjustments. I’m doing the best I can with the knowledge I have and the resources within my reach.
I believe that’s the best we can do.
The Layered Reality of Chronic Disease
With so much cancer and chronic disease, it’s not usually one event that is a trigger—it’s layers that build up over time. The drops in the bucket.
The chemicals, the over-vaccination, the kibble, the antibiotics and medications. It all adds up. And because dogs don’t live as long as we do, that buildup happens faster.
So for many of us who start our holistic journey partway through our dog’s life, we’re not just supporting them—we’re also trying to undo the damage from everything we didn’t know before.
And that’s a lot! And it matters so much.
I truly believe the changes I made have given Tink a stronger foundation for whatever lies ahead.
What Holistic Care Really Means
To me, holistic care isn’t about control or chasing perfection—it’s about being more prepared.
It’s about understanding that the body is magnificent—designed to heal, repair, and regulate when it’s supported properly. When we stop causing constant insult or injury and instead give the body the tools it needs, it can sometimes do truly miraculous things.
Holistic care is about having real tools that let you take action when your dog needs your help.
It’s about building a foundation that creates more ease in hard moments, and more peace in your heart when the future feels uncertain.
Raising my dogs naturally has given me something I didn’t always have: hope.
Even when there’s a scary diagnosis. Even when the future feels uncertain.
This path has helped me trust myself more, make better decisions, and feel less fear—because now I have options. I have knowledge. I have an arsenal of natural tools within reach.
We Don’t Get Forever—But We Get to Choose How We Show Up
A holistic approach to healthcare may not always promise guarantees, but it empowers you to care with intention—and to move forward with a little more confidence, even in the hardest moments.
At the end of the day, none of us get forever with these animals—but knowing we did everything we could, that we made informed choices, that we loved them with intention and presence… that brings peace.
And that peace, I believe, is one of the greatest gifts we can offer them—and ourselves.
What Tink Is Teaching Me Now
Tink is teaching me a lot right now—about presence, about resilience, and about rising to the challenge.
And maybe that’s why this landed in my hands. Sometimes the dogs who need a little extra care find the ones who are always up for it. I know this experience will help me care for her even better… and help more dogs in the future, too.
One little girl. So much heart. So much hope.