I’m Leny. Kai is the boss.
I brought Kai home in the summer of 2024 — a red merle Australian Shepherd puppy with more energy than I’d planned for and opinions about everything. Like every new Aussie owner, I did the research the normal way: I read the review sites. Then I bought the wrong harness (clip cracked in six weeks), the wrong brush, and food that didn’t agree with him — because every site claimed everything was five stars.
Somewhere around the third returned product, I started keeping a log instead: what we bought, what it cost, what Kai actually did to it, and whether I’d buy it again. This site is that log, cleaned up and published.
How this site works
Every recommendation here carries one of two labels, and I never blur them:
- Kai-tested — Kai used it, daily, for weeks or months. I report what survived and what went in the trash.
- Researched — ranked from ingredient and spec analysis, vet and breeder sources, and long-term owner reports. Solid guidance, clearly labeled as not first-hand.
With one dog, I can’t personally test everything — and any site that implies it can isn’t being straight with you. What I can do is tell you exactly which kind of recommendation you’re reading.
What Kai eats
Kai eats a bowl I cook myself — lean ground beef, sweet potato, and white rice — with Orijen Six Fish mixed in daily for complete nutrition. That kibble is the only food on this site wearing the Kai-tested badge, because it’s the only one that’s earned it. The full recipe, portions, and what a vet will tell you to watch for are in the nutrition guides.
The money part, plainly
Some links here are affiliate links: if you buy through them, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That’s how the site stays independent — no brand pays for placement, no ranking is sponsored, and a bad product gets called bad regardless of commission. The full details are on the disclosure page.
Kai’s daily field testing continues on Instagram: @kaitheaussieadventurer.