Coal’s Wagon Rides, Second Chances, and the Power of Novel Proteins
Written by Kristin Matthews, CoFounder & Kelly Gredner, RVT, VTS (Nutrition Tech)
Some dogs change your life the moment they arrive.
Others change it by fighting their way back.
Coal did the latter.
During the height of the pandemic, Coal became critically ill. He stopped eating entirely and was placed on a feeding tube. Strong medications, multiple complications, and months of uncertainty followed. For a long time, survival, not thriving, was the goal.
Coal couldn’t walk, couldn’t eat, and couldn’t be a dog in the ways he once knew. His daily “walks” became wagon rides and carefully wheeling him around outside, wrapped in blankets, hoping for progress.
“Coal got really sick during the pandemic and he just stopped eating. He was on a feeding tube and on death’s door with multiple complications from some very strong drugs he was put on. We almost lost him a few times.” — Rose A., Coal’s pet parent
One of those wagon rides changed everything.
A passerby stopped Rose and asked about Coal. They shared a simple recommendation: Tom&Sawyer—and how it had helped their own dog when nothing else seemed to work.
Months later—after four full months on a feeding tube—Coal finally began eating again. The search was on for a novel protein that could support recovery without triggering further inflammation or setbacks.
That’s when Rose remembered the conversation.
“When Coal began to eat again, we were trying to find a novel protein and as luck would have it, I had learned about you guys.”
Why Novel Proteins Matter—Especially for Dogs in Recovery
When a dog has been through illness, long term medication, or chronic inflammation, their body is already working overtime. The immune system is reactive, the gut may be compromised, and common proteins can suddenly become problematic.
Novel proteins (these are defined proteins a dog hasn’t eaten before) can help by:
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Reducing immune system overreaction
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Supporting dogs with food sensitivities or allergies
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Giving the digestive system a “reset”
- Lowering the inflammatory load on the body
For dogs recovering from illness, managing IBD, allergies, pancreatitis, or other complex conditions, what they eat can make the difference between barely coping and genuinely healing.
Why Gently-Cooked Food Changes the Game: calories matter!
Even the most “vet-backed” kibble can’t replicate the bioavailability of whole food or how the body recognizes the nutrients that come from high quality, human grade whole food ingredients compared to highly processed, feed-grade ingredients. Conventional pet food relies on the Modified Atwater system to calculate metabolizable energy specifically because processed feed grade foods are less digestible and less efficiently utilized by the body.
For dogs with health conditions or those recovering from illness, this difference matters. Gently-cooked, human grade whole foods deliver more biologically available nutrients per bite, placing less strain on compromised digestive systems while supporting healing, inflammation management, and overall vitality.
Highly processed diets are designed for shelf stability—not recovery.
Our gently-cooked approach means:
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Nutrients remain bioavailable
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Proteins are easier to digest
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Meals are softer on compromised GI systems
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Palatability improves (critical for dogs relearning how to eat)
For dogs like Coal, gentle matters.
For fur babies with health conditions, survival isn’t good enough—we want them to thrive.
That’s why our pet nutritionists formulate fresh, gently-cooked recipes to support dogs managing:
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Allergies
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Weight challenges
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IBD
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Renal support needs
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Pancreatitis and other inflammatory conditions
Because wagging tails are the goal—not just “good enough” lab values.
Our Novel Protein Lineup
A highly digestible, nutrient-dense protein that works beautifully for dogs needing an alternative to chicken or beef. Our lean ground pork provides essential amino acids and supports muscle maintenance without being overly inflammatory when gently cooked.
🐟 Fisherman’s Best Friend Supper
Made with sustainable fat whitefish proteins rich in omega-3s, this recipe supports joint health, skin, coat, and inflammatory balance—especially helpful for dogs recovering from illness or long-term medication use.
Exceptionally lean and truly novel, kangaroo is ideal for dogs with severe sensitivities or complex dietary histories. It’s gentle, and effective when other proteins have failed.
*Currently available in Canada only.
“Unorthodox”—and Proud of It
Coal didn’t need trendy ingredients or empty promises.
He needed food that worked.
“I know our approach is a little unorthodox but we found a combo that works and we have stuck with it.” — Rose, Coal’s pet parent
At Tom&Sawyer, we’re okay with unorthodox because when we started our fresh cooked pet food company over 10 years ago, in 2015, we were the very definition of unorthodox in the pet food industry. Now look at all the options for fresh cooked food today! ! We know exactly where Rose and Coal are coming from—because dogs aren’t one-size-fits-all.
From wagon rides to wagging tails
Coal’s story is a reminder that healing isn’t linear—and that the right food, at the right moment, can change everything.
For dogs who’ve been through it, the power of whole food isn’t a luxury. It’s part of recovery.
And we’re honoured to be part of that journey. 🐾💚
“Thanks again—Tom&Sawyer has always been there for us. The food is helping my dog live his best life and you have to know that your customer service is a dream.” — Rose A.
References:
Erratum in: PLoS One. 2025 Mar 19;20(3):e0319808. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319808. PMID: 31560713; PMCID: PMC6764676.
5 Star Google Review about Coal from Rose A*
*reproduced for this blog article with permission.
