“While trying out some pet care gadgets, I came to a profound realization…”

As a single mom with a super busy career and two kids, anything that saves me time when making life’s choices is a big win. From smart blinds and remote power control to cute little robots that vacuum my carpets, I love tech shortcuts. This has led to a real love (and maybe addiction) for smart technology.

To be honest, it’s not that surprising: working in tech as The Independent’s Director of Advertising Operations means I’m immersed in the world of data research and tech innovation. But this is more than a career for me; it’s a passion that permeates every aspect of my life, including looking after the welfare of my dog, Ernie.

From the moment Ernie came into our lives, I saw an opportunity to apply my technology expertise to enhance his quality of life, and thus began my journey to discover innovative technologies designed to optimize pet health.

I tried everything to give Ernie the best care possible, including a smart collar that tracked his activity levels, an automatic feeder that gave him precisely measured portions, and an automatic dog door with a lock that identifies Ernie’s microchip.

But as I experimented with these apps and gadgets, and as Ernie got a little older, I came to a deeper realization: The real key to Ernie’s happiness and health lay not in the realm of smart gadgets, but in the realm of nutrition. Despite the fact that I was closely tracking his health metrics, I realized that the foundation of his health rested on the quality of his diet.

So I turned to pet nutrition and consulted with my vet to understand the complexities of Ernie’s diet. I followed my vet’s advice to feed Ernie Pro Plan dog food and made it a priority to ensure my 2-year-old medium-sized dog was getting the essential nutrients and nutrition he needed to thrive.

The transformation in Ernie was remarkable. With his new diet, he had more energy, a healthier coat and a spring in his step. Gone were the days of relying solely on technology to monitor Ernie’s health. We now understand that true health starts from within, with healthy nutrition as the foundation.

Inspired by this discovery, I have become a passionate advocate for pet health as well as smart technology, sharing my experiences and insights with other pet owners. My journey with Ernie has been a revelation and a testament to the power of what I love in the pet care field: science, research, and data. I have realized that while smart technology undoubtedly plays a key role in monitoring and optimizing our pets’ health, the real magic lies in nourishing their bodies with quality nutrition.

As pet owners, we should prioritize our pets’ health, starting with the food we feed them – after all, it’s love, care and nutrition that really make a difference in our pets’ lives.