Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer by day. Being a dog health advocate and dog writer is my passion and life's mission.

Jasmine, the Rottweiler of my life, was the largest female from her litter. We thought we were getting a healthy dog. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder was our first mistake.

Endless veterinary visits without a diagnosis or useful treatment later, I realized that I had to take Jasmine's health care into my own hands.

I learned the hard way that simply seeing a vet is not always enough. There is more to finding a good vet than finding the closest clinic down the street. And, sadly, there is more to advocating for your dog's health than visiting a veterinarian. It should be enough, but it often is not.

With Jasmine, it took five years to get a diagnosis for her initial issue. Unfortunately, other problems had snowballed in the meantime.

Jasmine's health challenges became a crash course in understanding dog health issues and in how to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. I had to learn, and I had to learn fast.

Helping others through my challenges and experience has become my mission and Jasmine's legacy.

I now try to help people recognize and understand signs of illness in their dogs, how to work with their veterinarian, and when to seek a second opinion.

My goal is to save others from the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way as I did.