Days when I worried about her picky eating have turned into cries of "More, please!" A change at our family dinner table that Hime-chan and I discovered.

Honestly, mealtime with Hime was a struggle, always wondering, "Will she eat properly today?" She didn't have any major illnesses, but she'd often skip breakfast and eat dinner instead, and I was constantly worried. I always thought, "How can I get her interested in her food?" and was always looking for solutions. Then, I stumbled upon a "Wanko Dashi" (dog broth) booth at a market I happened to visit. They offered a sample, but Hime turned her face away right there and then. I hesitated a bit. But deep down, I had always wanted to incorporate broth into her diet. Even if she didn't drink it then, I thought I might be able to find a way to use it at home. So, I trusted my gut and bought it. I believe that small decision back then was the turning point that changed Hime's mealtime.

Hime is a true meat lover—she’s even clever enough to neatly pick out and avoid the vegetables on her plate.

So instead of giving her the dashi as is, I came up with a recipe tailored to her preferences.

Since plain, unseasoned meat wasn’t satisfying enough for her, I decided to marinate her favorite ingredients—chicken tenderloin, gizzard, and cartilage—in "Wanko Dashi" overnight.

The marinated cartilage is then baked in the oven at 170°C for about an hour.
To make it easy for little Hime to eat, I avoid making it too crispy, leaving just the right amount of tenderness.
I also mix the leftover dashi ingredients into her meals, making full use of both their flavor and nutritional value without any waste.

There was a defining moment that made this recipe a staple in our home.
One time, I served chicken tenderloin without seasoning it with the dashi, and Hime actually took it out of her bowl.
She knew—it wasn’t the usual flavor.

In that moment, I was certain that this dashi had become a familiar, comforting taste for Hime—something she could truly rely on.

I believe that daily meals are not just about what tastes good in the moment—they also play a role in supporting long-term health.

Since incorporating "Wanko Dashi" into our routine, we’ve noticed not only visible changes, but have also received encouraging feedback from professionals.

• Changes in appetite
  More than anything, what I’ve noticed most is the change in her appetite.
  Hime, who used to be such a picky eater, now eagerly looks forward to mealtime.
  Seeing her expression when I bring out her bowl has become one of my greatest joys.
• Positive physical changes
  We’ve also received encouraging feedback from professionals, including a pet massage therapist and our veterinarian, who told us, “Her hind leg muscles and skeletal structure are well-developed,” and “At this condition, she should be able to stay healthy even as she gets older.”
  It makes me feel that the effort we’ve put into improving her daily diet is gradually contributing to building a stronger, healthier body.
  I also gifted it to a friend’s 16-year-old Toy Poodle, whose kidney levels had been a concern. Later, I received a message saying, “She’s running around energetically,” and seeing these positive changes extend to those around me has been a great joy.