For the Love of Lexie - A Story of Trust, Food & Transformation

It started with a message from a close friend — someone from a vegetarian household, struggling to provide the right nutrition for his dog. He had already gone the extra mile, working with a canine nutritionist to craft a diet plan. But when it came to actually implementing it, the task felt overwhelming.

Over a year ago, when I told him about my pivot into prepping custom meals for dogs at Skylish, he was relieved to finally pass the baton — this big, mentally exhausting responsibility — onto our shoulders.

And just like that, Lexie’s diet journey started with us.

At first, it was simple. We followed the diet chart exactly as it was — no questions, no judgment. Just fresh, species-appropriate meals, lovingly prepared and delivered.

But something wasn’t right.

Despite eating clean, Lexie was falling sick frequently. Each new update from her dad brought a little ache to my heart: vet visits, worrying symptoms, emotional and physical exhaustion. You could hear the helplessness in his voice. And I felt it too.

That’s when I knew I had to dig deeper. I pulled out her diet plan, sat down with all the data, and looked at it not just as a meal provider, but as someone who had spent years learning and unlearning the science behind canine nutrition.

I spotted a few areas where subtle shifts could make a big difference, especially considering her age and chronic issues. I hesitated.

Because honestly? Diet formulation for dogs with medical concerns was always my “orange zone” — the area I treaded with caution. But something in me — maybe intuition or experience — told me to trust the journey so far. So, I shared my thoughts with Lexie’s dad.

To my relief, he was open and trusting, willing to make the changes.

We adjusted her meals gently. Tracked everything. Watched her closely.
Weeks went by, and slowly, Lexie began to change.

Her energy was returning. Her eyes were brighter. Her dad’s messages began to carry more hope than worry. And then came the vet visit.

“All her vitals are back to normal,” he said.

It felt like a breath of fresh air.

But the journey wasn’t over. The weight was still a concern — it was putting pressure on her joints and worsening her arthritis. She needed to lose 5–6 kilos, but safely. Carefully.

This time, I wasn’t nervous. I was ready.

I calculated Lexie’s Resting Energy Requirements (RER), reassessed the portion sizes, and built a meal plan around our in-house formulated fresh meal recipes with a focus to reduce calories without compromising nutritional value. We added targeted supplements to support her joints and vital functions.

And so began phase two: her weight loss journey.

Three months later, her dad messaged me again — this time with all the excitement in the world:

“She’s lost 3 kgs.”
“Arthritis has reduced a lot.”
“She said it’s because of her diet.”
“All results normal. Will share the reports shortly.”

I sat there, holding my phone, smiling and emotional all at once.

I looked up and whispered a quiet thank you to the journey, to the learnings, and to the universe that continues to guide me from above.

Lexie’s story isn’t just about transformation. It’s about trust. About listening deeply — to science, to the body, to our instincts. 

It’s a reminder that when we approach nutrition with care, curiosity, and compassion, healing doesn’t just happen. It blossoms.

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Rachna, founder of Skylish, is a canine wellness guide grounded in science-based nutrition and fear-free dog care. She champions fresh feeding while supporting parents who choose commercial diets—always with the dog’s well-being at the core. Rachna also offers pro bono consultations, creating a safe, judgment-free space for pet parents to seek guidance and voice concerns.

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