My Dogs Look and Act Younger on a Raw Food Diet
Ojai local Cristina Lucas is a landscape designer, Humane Society volunteer, former professional runner, and Dog Parent. She loves being outside, working with her hands, and taking her dogs along for the adventure.
Cristina, her partner Dahn, and their two dogs, Jazz and Teddy, live a highly active lifestyle. For them, a backpacking trip where they’re logging 12+ miles per day is the norm. That’s why, when it comes to feeding her dogs, Cristina sticks to a raw food diet.
Why? The benefits she’s observed are undeniable.
How has feeding your dog Raw impacted their well-being and overall health? Tell us about your journey to DIY feeding. On average, how many hours a week do you spend food prepping?
I learned about the raw food diet in 2019 through a dear friend and trainer in Germany, where raw food seems perhaps more popular. I never looked back after it helped both our dogs, including my parents’ dog, drop unnecessary weight and live a much more energized life, especially in their older age.
Our older dog Teddy (now 12), who has been on a raw diet since 2019, is a changed dog. We joke he is Benjamin Button—the longer he has been on raw, the younger he seems and looks. Teddy’s coat is shinier and healthier looking; his body is leaner and more trim; and in general his energy is more similar to his dog friends that are five years old than other dogs his age.
While it’s tough to say how much time I spend per week prepping their meals, it’s more important to share that it is some of my most well spent time. From loading up pounds (and pounds and pounds) of meat and animal organs at the butcher to chopping up and sorting the meat at home, I feel so fulfilled knowing I am feeding my dogs incredibly nourishing food. As a fair weather vegetarian myself (I don’t cook meat at home), most people think it’s strange the amount of meat I have on hand and handle on a daily basis … but taking care of my dogs is my happy place and a huge part of that is feeding them what feels most connected to the earth. A big part of my ritual while prepping the food is also thanking the animals that have given their life to make this kind of diet possible for the health of my animals. I actually find my most intentional moments of gratitude around food are when I’m feeding my dogs.
What changes have you observed in your dog since making the switch to Raw? Tell us about transitioning to Maev. What do you think about the product? How has it impacted your life?
Based on my extremely positive experience on raw food with our older dog Teddy, Jazz has been on the raw diet from the beginning. It helps keep her extra lean and trim, which is critical to keeping her rear leg healthy and strong. Jazz is a tripod so she needs to keep really lean for mobility. Her agility and energy is insane.
Even my vet sees the difference in Teddy and now Jazz with the switch. They say keep doing what you’re doing because your dogs are some of the healthiest dogs we’ve seen.
I was THRILLED to discover Maev. I never knew a company existed that catered to fully raw and most people’s hesitation with raw is the prep, so I feel more excited now to promote the raw diet and have a company to point to. I personally don’t mind the prep and consider it a special way to bond with my dog and learn more about the animals that are nourishing us, but I understand it’s not for everyone and the “prep” element has been a big barrier for the people I talk to about making the transition.
For example, I turned my Dad onto Maev and it made the difference in feeding his dog raw and not. More to share here… he just received his first delivery TODAY!
Teddy, pictured above.
Tell us Jazz’s origin story. How did she come into your life?
I adopted Jazz from a team of badass volunteers (all women!) on the Wind River Reservation who dedicate all their free time to helping rehome dogs in dire situations. Jazz was discovered lying in a half-frozen puddle of water in an abandoned motor home with her litter of puppies, half of whom had died. She was nursing a badly injured leg (we think bear trap) and was grossly malnourished. Shortly after her rescue, it was determined that Jazz’s leg would never function again and she needed it amputated.
My partner and I had been sharing my parents’ dog (Mr. B) story—a tripod who was capable of multi-day hikes, often up to 12 miles per day. When the team reached out asking if we’d be able to help spread Jazz’s story and find her a home, I was immediately moved to make her part of our pack.
Jazz, pictured above.
Why is having a dog important to you? (Tell us more about your relationship with dog rescue.)
I have felt a soul connection to dogs from the time I was a baby. My whole growing up, I was surrounded by rescue dogs. Dogs absolutely give me more meaning and purpose in my day to day life, from feeding and soaking up nature with them to giving them attention and love.
In 2013, I adopted my first rescue that was my own (not a family dog) after volunteering for several months at Austin Pets Alive in Austin, TX. Navigating early adulthood with a dog at my side changed the way I perceived and experienced my good moments and my really tough ones. Amidst lots of early adulthood angst and aimlessness, my dog always, always gave me purpose.
This past year, after adopting Jazz from an amazing group of women on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, I re-engaged with dog rescue work and have since started working with the Native America Humane Society. In just a few short months, I’ve come to realize that whether it’s the dogs I get to support or the bonds I share with the women I volunteer with, I am a much happier, inspired person committing myself to anything that involves dogs.
What role(s) does Jazz play in your life?
Jazz is absolutely my favorite adventure partner; exercise buddy; and just lounge around the house companion. She filled a huge hole in my life that I did not know existed.
How has having a dog enriched your life?
Jazz has absolutely solidified the deep connection I feel with animals and my desire to invest a good chunk of my life to their well-being.
How did you decide on the name, Jazz? For fun, list all of your nicknames for Jazz...
Jazz was her name when she came into our lives (short for Jasmine, we later discovered looking at old vet records). It was important to us that she keep the name she was known as to so many people that played a critical role in her care, including other volunteers and the vet that amputated her leg and cared for her while she rehabbed.
Jazz-GIRL!
Jazz-a-bill
Jazzercise
Ange Grange
Angel (this nickname drives my partner and friends insane!)
Angie
