Eleven years ago, I decided to have another dog live in my home...the predecessor having died. So, after deciding upon the breed, Parsons Terrier, kept my eyes open for a supplier. I spotted an ad in the back of a magazine placed by a breeder who lived in SE Ohio, on the river, and placed a call.
After receiving photos of the pup, and the subsequent agreement on price for pup and shipment, our conversation came around to diet where I espoused the benefits of a natural diet. The breeder said she, too, gave her terriers a natural diet. I asked what she fed them, and after a pause, she said,
"Pedigree."
I said, "I'm not talking about manufactured food."
"I know," she said, "I give them natural food, too."
"Well, what do you give ,em?"
She paused for some time with audible sighs of stress emanating through the phone.
"I really don't want to say, as some people are squeamish and don't like hearing about the 'natural food' I give them."
I reassured her that I wasn't squeamish, in the least, and probably wouldn't be bothered by what she had to say.
"Well, you're not an animal rights activist or anything are you?"
"No."
"Well, ok. I give some of my neighbors, down here on the river, live traps and we all catch big river rats. I have a big fenced-in yard. I let the rats loose in my yard and the dogs get their 'natural diet'."
My laughter on the phone set her at ease as she went on to describe the high-intensity spectacle that ensued in this "natural diet" rodeo.
My dog, understandably, is an awesome rodent/varmint eliminator.