Chapter 1: February 13, 2018
- Elissa
- Feb 13
- 5 min read
Dear Reader,
I want to share my journey with you, the story behind the creation of this company. But as I sit here, reflecting on it all, I realize that it’s not just one moment that brought me here—it’s the collection of moments, the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and the triumphs along the way. So, I’m going to share it with you in what I’ll call "chapters," because each chapter holds its own lesson, its own turning point. To combine them all into one would risk losing the depth of each story, the richness of each lesson. So, please, bear with me as I walk you through the moments that led me to where I am today. Thank you for being here, and I hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as I’ve enjoyed living them.
Chapter 1: February 13, 2018
7 Years ago today, it was just another drive home. At least, that’s what I thought as I left my then-boyfriend’s place. I was driving down the familiar roads, heading toward Wilson Heights, and everything felt normal. Until it didn’t.
As I was exiting the Allen, the car in front of me suddenly stopped—no warning, just a sudden halt. I slammed on the brakes, but it was clear: I wasn’t going to stop in time. Panic set in, and in that split second, I swerved left to avoid a crash. Too late. I felt the impact.
I closed my eyes. I could feel the hit, that thud on my head. It didn’t feel like an accident, more like a fall on the slopes when snowboarding—nothing new, nothing out of the ordinary. But when I opened my eyes, that’s when it hit me: I had cracked the windshield. My heart sank as I realized the other drivers had already checked their cars and were walking away, leaving me to face the reality of what had just happened. My knee was lodged in the plastic of the dashboard, and I couldn’t move.
It was more than just an accident. It was the turning point. My life, my world—everything changed right there.
I became hypersensitive. Every light felt blinding, every sound deafening. Fatigue hit me like a wave, and constant, unbearable migraines followed me like a shadow. The extrovert in me felt suffocated, trapped in a world where socializing, connecting, and even working became impossible. It was like living in a world of COVID restrictions—except without the reprieve of screens, books, or the chance to escape into my work. It was a life in stillness, but not the peaceful kind.
I’ve always prided myself on being independent, not relying on anything or anyone for my happiness. So, when the sleep clinic diagnosed me with narcolepsy, it wasn’t just the news—it was the weight of what that meant. They told me it was permanent. The diagnosis? Unchangeable. The treatment? A cocktail of drugs—one to help me sleep and one to keep me awake. No thanks.
For those who aren’t familiar, narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that messes with your sleep-wake cycles. You may feel rested after waking up, but your body keeps craving sleep throughout the day. It’s unpredictable, dangerous, and downright exhausting. People with narcolepsy often lose their driving privileges because of uncontrollable sleep episodes. And that’s just one part of the battle.
But I wasn’t ready to accept that path. Instead, I turned to a naturopath and chose a different route. I worked out of my own pocket, determined to heal myself from within. We dove into two starch-free diets, loaded up on supplements, and focused on reducing inflammation. Slowly but surely, the fog began to lift. My body started responding—lowering cortisol levels, calming the fight-or-flight reactions that had taken over. Once the cleanses were done, we shifted to eating clean—grass-fed, pasture-raised, organic as much as possible. Gluten and dairy? Gone. And let me tell you—what a game-changer.
I woke up. Literally. The brain fog that had clouded everything lifted, and for the first time in months, I felt like me again. My energy was back. My reaction times were quicker. I was no longer just surviving; I was thriving. And if this worked for me, why wouldn’t I want the same for Odyssey, the one soul that had been with me through it all? At that point, she was my everything.
Odyssey didn’t have any health concerns, but I wanted to give her the best chance at life. She was healthy, full of energy, and had been my constant companion through thick and thin. But I knew I could do better for her. I wanted to give her the best quality of life possible, just like I had worked to improve my own. So, I decided to change her diet, knowing that the right food could do wonders for her long-term health, energy, and happiness.
I started by switching her to a higher-quality raw food. First, I tried Congo Raw, then switched to Carnivora Raw. But as I dug deeper, I realized their products didn’t meet my exact standards. The meat came from Alberta, was seasonally grass-fed, and sometimes even grain-finished. That wasn’t enough. There was nothing on the market that aligned with the vision I had for Odyssey’s health. So, I did what any passionate dog parent would do—I started making her food from scratch.
Odyssey had always been on raw food, Big Country Raw to be exact. But she never really enjoyed it. After diving into The Forever Dog by Dr. Rodney Habib and Dr. Karen Becker, I decided to take control. I started preparing her meals myself. And oh boy, did she love it. The meals were colorful, vibrant, and full of life. We knew exactly where the proteins came from, how the animals were raised. No need for extra supplements—except for cod oil since she wasn’t a fan of raw seafood.
And that’s when it clicked. That’s when our line of customized dog food was born.
We wanted to offer dog parents the chance to provide their dogs with the same kind of nourishment that had changed my life. We knew dogs have so much joy to give, and giving them the best nutrition means giving them the chance to live longer, healthier lives. Early cancer prevention is tough—but feeding your pet premium raw food isn’t just about preventing disease; it’s about giving them more energy, reducing anxiety, and improving their overall quality of life.
When you invest in your pet’s health, you’re not just feeding them. You’re investing in their happiness, in their well-being, and in their peace of mind. You're giving them the best shot at a long, fulfilling life—just like I gave Odyssey the chance to live her best life.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I hope it resonates with you and that it encourages you to take the best possible care of your furry family members.
Love,
A Dog's Odyssey
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