A super spice that’s not to be sniffed at!
WE ALL love our dogs. So it’s no surprise that people across the UK who have started taking the curry spice turmeric as part of an active lifestyle, have also begun to share it with their four-legged friends.
A scientific supplement company based in Cambridge began producing a unique, dog-friendly version of their best-selling joint supplement for humans after discovering people were giving it to their pets.
‘Customers were giving our turmeric to their dogs because they were so pleased with their own experiences,’ says CEO Adam Cleevely. ‘Their feedback was so positive that we created a special formulation.’
One of the lucky dogs is Nell, a much-loved collie cross who lives with Ann and John Shaw in Llandudno. They took on Nell from a shelter at just seven weeks old — her mother had been rescued by a walker after giving birth while caught in a rabbit trap.
The couple fell in love with Nell and have enjoyed many happy years with her. At the age of 14, however, they noticed that she was beginning to slow down.
‘She started stumbling when she was walking. I began to think that she was getting on,’ says Ann.
‘I’d been doing a lot of reading on the uses of turmeric, so when I came across an advert for the dog formulation I decided to give it a go. After a couple of months, we noticed the changes.
‘Both of us remarked that she has returned to how she used to be and is much more confident on the stairs.’
Now, at nearly 16, Nell (right) is an active, fun-loving dog. ‘She still has two walks a day and would be out more if we let her. She goes up and down the grassy bank on her walk like a mountain goat!
‘Nell is quite a celeb now as she loves people — everyone stops to talk to her, and they’re always amazed at how old she is when they find out.
‘I was a little sceptical — you know what it’s like when you read about these things — someone says it’s brilliant, and you think “is it really?”
‘But now, when I see Nell running with her ears flapping, I think “blimey!” Watching her run is a real joy.
‘We’re delighted with the results, to the point where my husband and I are seriously thinking of taking turmeric ourselves!’