Some stories shape us in ways we could never imagine. They stretch our hearts, challenge our beliefs, and push us into uncharted territory. For me, that story began with a tiny, fragile toy poodle named Momoci.

Her life was a series of battles, each one testing the limits of her resilience and my determination. She wasn’t just a dog. She was a fighter, a teacher, and the inspiration behind my journey into natural rearing.

This is her story—a story of struggle, triumph, and the profound lessons she left behind.

A Fragile Beginning

Momoci entered my life as a delicate toy poodle, born with severe malformations in her back legs. From the very start, it was clear that her life would be anything but ordinary. She wobbled when she walked, her steps uncertain, as though her legs were unsure of their purpose.

Her first few months were filled with surgeries. Four in total. Each one brought hope that she might walk more easily, but despite the best efforts of veterinarians, the results were always the same. Screws were placed to stabilize her fragile bones, but her mobility remained limited. She could walk, but only in her own unique way, and running was out of the question.

Her prognosis was grim. The vet told me Momoci wouldn’t live beyond six months. Her body, they said, was too fragile to endure the challenges ahead.

But as I looked into her bright, curious eyes, I refused to believe that was the end of her story. Momoci didn’t know the meaning of giving up. And neither would I.

Defying the Odds

Six months came and went, and Momoci continued to defy expectations. By the time she reached her second birthday, I had started to believe we had won. But then, without warning, life dealt another cruel blow.

The seizures began.

At first, they were sporadic, sudden tremors that left her shaken but alert. Over time, they became more frequent, robbing her of strength and leaving me terrified for her future.

She was placed on seizure medications—something I didn’t question at the time. As a veterinary technician, I trusted the treatments I had been trained to recommend. Initially, they seemed to help, reducing the frequency of her episodes.

But the relief was short-lived. The medications began to take a toll on her liver, slowly poisoning her tiny body. Her energy dwindled. Her appetite disappeared. The light in her eyes began to fade.

When Momoci turned five, the vet told me again to prepare for the worst: “She has six months left at best.”

For the second time in her life, I was told to say goodbye.

A Moment of Clarity

One night, as I sat with Momoci curled up on my lap, I felt a wave of helplessness wash over me. Her frail body trembled as she slept, and I realized I couldn’t continue down the same path.

I asked myself: Had I done everything I could for her? Had I truly given her the best chance to thrive?

The answer was painfully clear. No.

As a veterinary technician, I had followed the protocols I was taught. Monthly preventatives, annual vaccinations, prescription medications, and specialized kibble diets. These were the tools I relied on. But none of them had given Momoci what she truly needed. Instead of helping her thrive, they had contributed to her suffering.

In that moment, I made a decision that would change everything: I would try something different. If the conventional path wasn’t working, then maybe it was time to trust in nature.

The Shift to Natural Healing

I dove headfirst into research, consuming everything I could find about raw diets, detoxification, and holistic care. It felt overwhelming at first, like stepping into an entirely new world. Much of what I was learning contradicted the principles I had been taught. But Momoci’s life was worth the risk.

The first step was transitioning her to a raw, species-appropriate diet. I carefully crafted her meals to support her failing liver and provide the nutrients her body desperately needed. Every ingredient was chosen with purpose, every bite designed to heal.

I removed every toxin I could from her environment. No more chemical cleaners or artificial fragrances. I stopped using unnecessary medications and began supporting her body with natural remedies that worked with her, not against her.

The process was slow, and there were moments of doubt. But gradually, I began to see changes.

Her seizures grew less frequent and less severe. Her appetite returned, and with it, her energy. She started to move with a strength I hadn’t seen in years.

Momoci wasn’t just surviving. She was thriving.

A Decade of Joy

Momoci didn’t just defy the odds. She shattered them.

She didn’t live another six months. She lived another ten years.

In those years, she became a beacon of hope, her tiny frame radiating strength and joy. She played, she loved, and she lived every day with a zest that was contagious.

Even in her later years, she greeted me with the same wagging tail and nuzzles that had comforted me during her hardest battles. She was my constant companion, a reminder of the incredible power of love and resilience.

Her presence filled my home with light.

The Legacy of Momoci

Losing her was one of the hardest moments of my life. But even in her absence, she continues to inspire me.

Momoci’s story taught me that true health doesn’t come from suppressing symptoms. It comes from empowering the body to heal itself. It’s about creating balance, removing toxins, and giving our animals what they were meant to have.

Because of her, I dedicated my life to natural rearing. Every raw meal I prepare, every toxin-free decision I make, and every piece of advice I share is rooted in the lessons she taught me.

A Message for Every Pet Owner

Momoci’s story isn’t just hers. It’s a message for anyone who has ever felt helpless, for anyone searching for a better way.

It’s proof that health doesn’t come from a bottle or a bag. It comes from trust—trust in nature, trust in the body, and trust in ourselves to make better choices.

When we give our pets what they were designed to have—species-appropriate food, toxin-free environments, and natural care—we give them more than life. We give them the chance to thrive.

Momoci wasn’t just a dog. She was my teacher, my guide, and my proof that even in the face of overwhelming odds, love and nature can work miracles.

Her legacy lives on in everything I do. And for that, I will always be grateful.

To thriving beasts and lasting health,
Timea R. Bodi