Vader GSD is about our German Shepherd Dog puppy named Vader. He is a rescue dog we picked up in the middle of January 2010 and are happy to have him in our family.

We have been asked by several people, from friends and family, to his former foster family and the organization that put him up for adoption, on how he is doing and how well he is coming along.

While this blog may only go on for a short time, it'll be a nice little resource to let everyone know how he's doing, what he is doing and show a picture or two of him and his adventures.

I hope you enjoy!

What's in your dog food? Like in humans, food can make a large impact on their health and energy. Don't believe all commercials and not all dog food is the same. What would happen to you if you if you ate fast food every meal?

While balanced home cooked meals or a raw diet is optimal, most of us don't have time to do this, and it's no where as convenient as buying your dog food. Fortunately, several companies have taken it upon themselves to create a food source for your pet that gives them the nutrition they need.

A well fed dog will have a healthier coat, fewer digestive problems, firmer and less stools as well and quite often even a better attention span and energy level.

I know money is an important issue as well. Good quality dog food is not cheap. But in the end, if you make the right choices, it not as expensive as you might think either. Better dog foods tend to have more calories and nutrients per cup, requiring you to feed them less, meaning the bag will last you longer. Thirty pounds of dog food from two different manufacturers can last vastly different amounts of time.

Here are a few places you can look into reviews for food for your pet and then make your own informed choice of what is right for them.

The Dog Food Project - No recommendations, just Data.
ConsumerSearch - Dog Food: Full Report
DogAware.com - Lots of Dog Feeding and Health info.
US FDA: Pet Food - Regulations and Recalls
ASPCA: Dog Care - Behavior, Nutrition and Health

There are also dozens of quality pet forums out there to gain information hand over fist. Plus it's just great to read about other pet families going through experiences you can identify with!

Remember, It's not about how expensive or how all the dog snoots regard the product. In the end it's about your choice and what works for you and your pet, and what makes them healthy and the both of you happy.