It is not everyday your very own CIO turns 6 years old, so to celebrate we thought it would be fun to share some photos, videos and insights into what has kept Frankie young and energetic all these years. After all, we are big believers that everything you feed your pup has a massive impact on their health, longevity and temperament.
Story Time
Frankie came into our lives 6 years ago when we purchased her from PuppySpot while still living in the San Francisco bay area. We found a reputable breeder out of Indiana and with a few clicks of the mouse, Frankie ended up at our front door. My wife had always had fond memories of hanging around Bernese Mountain dogs when she was volunteering at Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. The docile gentle giants were a treat to have around the kids and proved to be great therapy dogs. Although they are considered working dogs, they are comfortable being lazy and act as lapdogs. Needless to say, we were excited to welcome Frankie into the family and could not wait to discover her quirky mannerisms. What we were not expecting was to be greeted with royalty….yes, royalty! Her parents and grandparents were all show dogs and we were shocked to learn her mom and dad were named “Dutch Maid Best Change” and “Milestone Haven Cookie.”
Growing Up
Over the last 6 years, Frankie has been filling our lives of joy and happiness but it has not always been a smooth ride. As energetic as she is, and as much as she loves to run; she quickly went from a cute innocent puppy to a 100 pound beast in less then 12 months. We did not think much about her weight being a concern at the time as Berners are usually bigger dogs in general. It was not until one day we noticed her limping that we realized something was wrong. We immediately brought her to the vet only to be educated on her diet needs and other foods to consider that will help reduce stress on her joints and hips. Berners in general are often times victims of Hip Dysplasia , so weight reduction and maintenance is key to making sure they stay lean and fit.
Food and Supplements
Over the years we have tried multiple foods including, raw, freeze dried, homemade, dry and wet. You name it , we have tried it. It was only after trial and error that we finally found a food that Frankie not only loves, but our veterinarian is happy to prescribe (yes, it requires a prescription). It is called Hill Science Diet – Metabolic and Mobility and she has been eating this food for about 4 years.
When Frankie first started on the Metabolic and Mobility food, she was around 98 pounds. After 1 year of eating this food consistently (we still give her treats) she dropped down to 75 pounds, stopped limping and can now complete a 2-3 mile walk without issue.
A Frankie fan favorite, this delicious treat is wild caught salmon. The brand is called Momentum and we consider these high reward treats for when she is on her best behavior.
This 100% meat treat is grain free and an a go to for Frankie (she cannot get enough). Dr. Beckers Beef Bites also easy to find in most stores.
This treat might be Frankies top choice as of recent. Although it sounds a bit gross to give anyone a beef lung, she starts spinning around in circles as soon as the bag is opened. PCI is the brand we prefer.
Glucosamine is a natural compound found in dogs cartilage. Many vets encourage owners to feed it to large breed dogs prone to join issues. We give Frankie Dasuquin everyday and have not looked back. One dose a day, keeps the vet away.
Final Thoughts
We are fortunate, thankful and humbled to have such a great dog with a wonderful temperament. She is extremely tame around small children and has welcomed our daughter Maddy into the world with lots of slobbery kisses. Although she is a perfect dog in our book, her quirkiness is what makes her special. Whether it is her hiding under the bed if a fly buzzes around her ear or bolting out of the room at the sound of running water, its those hilarious traits that make us fall in love with her more each day. Follow her adventures on Instagram @Frankie_j_the_berner today!
Happy Birthday, Frankie!
