About - History

Jennifer

Jennifer is this web site's logo dog. She was a private adoption from someone I knew in Phoenix. She is the first raw fed Golden Girl and the reason for Golden Girls Canine Health. Here is why...
In 1999, at age 10, she had an emergency splenectomy to remove a huge mass of hemangiosarcoma. The prognosis was that, if she was lucky, she might live three months.
After extensive research (not much available back then) I realized that I might be able to extend her life by feeding her food that her body could use to strengthen her immune system. I switched her to a raw food high protein, extremely low carbohydrate diet. She lived a year and three months longer before developing an inoperable tumor on a heart valve. Died Feb 2001.

• NOTE: Jennifer's story is just that - her story. I have no scientific proof that switching to a real food diet actually prolonged Jennifer's life. It could have just as easily been the outstanding skill of her veterinary surgeon, Kathleen, or a combination of the two.

Daisy Mae, Tacoma, and Brycee Bea

These Golden Girls were all adopted from Rescue a Golden of Arizona in the 1990s. Daisy Mae was adopted outright while Tacoma and Brycee Bee were foster dogs that stayed (foster failures, if you will). Daisy Mae lived to 15 1/2, Tacoma was 11 at her death, and Brycee Bea's age was unknown - found as a stray and already a senior.

Raven

Raven was a Flat-Coated Retriever. Found as a stray at about eight years old. I fostered and then adopted Raven from Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue. She died in Dec 2017 at 17 years old.

Shasta

Shasta was a Great Pyrenees/Australian Shepherd mix. Found as a three month old stray. She ended up in my foster home at about one year old as a favor to the original family (friends) that found her. Shasta had surgery for left hip dysplasia and lateral patella luxation on both knees. She also damaged her right cranial cruciate ligament at about 13. Shasta exhibited both Pyr and Aussie behaviors - guarding and herding - that was quite a change for me - accustomed to retrievers.
Shasta had thunder and fireworks anxiety that was moderated somewhat by wearing a Thundershirt and listening to the Rolling Stones. Shasta's noise anxiety was quite severe and when Sileo became available, it greatly improved her life. I highly recommend Sileo for dogs with noise anxiety (requires prescription but available online).
She was also afraid of most things that held or dispense water - yes, even water bowls. I had a 2.5 gallon water dispenser but the "glug, glug" sound it made frightened her. I tried a stainless steel bowl but she still would not approach it. Finally found large ceramic bowl that she would drink from. Weird. Shasta died in Jan 2020 at 15 years old.

Lucy Lu

Lucy is likely a Golden Retriever/Beagle mix. Found as a stray at about one year old, Lucy Lu was heartworm positive. After she underwent treatment in my foster home, 'Luc' turned out to be a very unique dog and I designated her the foster home Social Director. At the time, Daisy Mae, Tacoma, and Bryce Bea were still alive and whenever I got a new foster dog, Luc would ensure the new dog was integrated into the mix. She encouraged the new dog to chase her around the yard, to play with most - but not all - toys, and gently pointed out boundaries - both behavioral and physical.
As of 1 Jan 20, Lucy Lu is 15 years old.

About me: Jack Sivak

My B.S. (SUNY Plattsburgh) and M.S. (University of Southern California) in systems engineering management; training fellow Airmen on airborne radar system maintenance and later flight simulator operation and maintenance, and years of coaching project teams in project planning; a somewhat skeptical mindset, and a passion to make a difference with Golden Retriever rescue dogs, gradually all came together.
I realized that no one in the rescues I volunteered with in Arizona and Northern California, was educating people about the importance of healthy food. Nothing about what and how to feed the dogs we were adopting out. Really? No one was conveying the big picture to adopters? I'll do that!

• While dog rescue people are some of the kindest people I've known, for some reason they shy away from the topic of dog food as though it was too complicated to discuss or even contemplate. Big mistake!

So, I checked web sites of many local and national rescues--same problem (check for yourself). Rarely will you find a rescue or shelter providing credible food and feeding educational information.

Forget asking most veterinarians.

Since I had done considerable research I decided to share what I learned. I created handout brochures about raw feeding, choosing healthier kibble, and how to identify and slim-down a fat dog. Guess what? Most rescues and all-breed shelters are still not interested. I began independently participating in local dog events and discovered two things: 1) dog people were interested and wanted to learn, and 2) there were more raw feeders out there than I expected.
Now retired and living in Citrus Heights, California, I continue to participate in local dog events and coach people about feeding their dogs healthier food.