When the film “Marley and Me” opened on Christmas Day, 2008, its U.S. ticket sales exceeded $100,000,000 in four days. What about this film hit a nerve with American audiences? I can tell you this: at film’s end, my wife and I both cried our eyes out shamelessly. Why? Because love our dog. And judging by the tears in the packed theater, a whole bunch of people love their dogs. Now, what does this have to do with bad dog food? OK — I’m getting to that.

Open a can or tear open a 40 lb bag: That’s how most families feed their dog. After all, you can’t spend as much on dog food as you can on human food. But does that mean we should give our pets bad dog food? When you feed your animal commercial dog food, you will be shocked to learn what she’s actually eating.

After watching bologna made on the TV Show “Dirty Jobs” I pretty much decided I’m all through eating bologna. All kinds of things go into each pound of bologna that I would probably have been better off not knowing. It reminded me of that old TV ad justifying the ingredients in chicken nuggets: Parts is parts was the explanation. Excuse me, I think I’m going to be ill.

“Mystery meat” is probably the description any one of us would use to try and explain what goes into bologna. But at least it is not made up of cats and dogs that were euthanized. Or from dead animals scooped off the roadside.

What the heck am I talking about? Well consider this: Some 200 tons of euthanized cats and dogs are delivered to pet food companies each month by the City of Los Angeles. These companies also collect dead animals from zoos and highway departments.

It’s true that there are stricter rules (we hope) on foods processed for human consumption. But do our pets deserve to be fed euthanized dogs and cats? That’s what they are eating if they are being fed commercial brands. It is bad dog food.

There are safe alternative choices. You can find organic dog foods that are wholesome and healthy. But the best choice is to prepare natural homemade dog food. It is often less expensive than commercial food, can be prepared once a week and frozen, and there are simple recipes available in books and on line.

We don’t go around breaking into scientific facilities and freeing the lab rats. We are not radical animal activists. We know dogs are not humans. But we do love our dog. She is a precious part of our family. Our dog depends on us to give her a healthy diet. Certainly no one wants to cause their dog harm by feeding them bad dog food. Consider your healthy alternatives and your dog will thank you for her life!