Nemo’s Happy Ending: Curing a rescue dog’s food allergies with natural dog food
Nemo had a tough beginning – he was born with a deformed leg and neglected by his owners. When he was found on the streets of Aruba by a rescue organization, he was covered in ticks, and had cuts and scars all over his body, especially on his ears, where ticks had concentrated. He was extremely itchy, constantly stopping in the middle of playing or eating in order to scratch and chew on his sides.
Nemo’s adoption: A rescue dog adapting to his new home
His forever home would be in New Hampshire, with a loving dog-mom named Sarah. Nemo was sweet but very nervous at first, too scared to venture beyond the safety of the yard at his new home. Sarah named him Nemo after the little fish with a “lucky fin” and was hopeful that the deformed leg could be improved. Under the guidance of vets, she tried physical therapy and an orthopedic boot in an attempt to strengthen Nemo’s leg. At the same time, she worked on his confidence, gradually introducing him to new people and new places.
Nemo’s transformation from rescue dog to happy pup
Nemo’s personality has blossomed in his new home - he has grown enthusiastic, energetic, and affectionate. He now loves going on adventures and has become a bit of a celebrity at the local pet store. When he’s not out and about making new friends he loves snuggles, often climbing up onto Sarah’s lap while she works or tapping her with his paw to ask for scratches
Nemo’s medical needs & help from Locks4Paws
Sadly his leg does not have the same improvement. Nemo’s hock bends the wrong way when he walks, and the foot drags on the ground, creating sores on his toes and getting his leg caught on clumps of grass. He has hurt himself just running around in the yard and has become restricted to on-leash walking only. He is no longer able to play with his doggy friends because the risk of injury is too high, and he is starting to walk on just three legs more and more. The most recent vet visit revealed that his hock joint is collapsing, a sign that the leg is failing rapidly.
Amputation is now the best option for Nemo’s leg. This is when Locks4Paws got involved, to help raise money for his surgery. Once the leg is gone he will be able to run and play freely and live a much fuller pain-free life than he can right now. He brings so much love and joy to each day and Sarah wants to give Nemo the best life possible.
Curing allergies with natural dog food
One of the challenges Nemo faced was finding a food that worked best for him, being a dog with food allergies. Sarah was concerned about his itchy skin, and wanted to give him the best food available to help support his health through the amputation. She tried several dog food brands, from kibble to fresh foods. Through this exploration, she realized that he is highly allergic to chicken, and experienced an upset stomach with every other protein that he was given. Locks4Paws sent him a bag of Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Lamb freeze-dried dog food to try. Sarah found that lamb was the only protein that didn’t cause him to be nauseous, and his skin allergies disappeared. Curing food allergies with high-quality, whole food ingredients is one of the benefits of Grandma Lucy’s, and we are thrilled to be a part of Nemo’s rescue dog success story.
Nemo’s Success Story: A rescue dog with a bright future
Nemo’s journey is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the right care. From a neglected stray to a beloved companion, he has overcome immense challenges with Sarah’s unwavering support. With his amputation on the horizon, he’ll soon be free to run and play without pain, living the happy life he deserves. Thanks to Locks4Paws and Grandma Lucy’s, Nemo has found the perfect food to keep him healthy and thriving. His story is a beautiful reminder that every rescue dog deserves a second chance—and with the right nutrition and care, they can truly flourish.
People frequently ask what breed this cutie pie is and the DNA results are in: 64% chihuahua with a bit of shepherd, a bit of yorkie, and then about a dozen other breeds at 2% each! He’s the perfect combination of all of the above.