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Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Let’s Talk: Are You Vaccinating Your Dog Against Dog Flu?
Last year at this time, I had my first-ever real-deal flu, and wow, was it the pits. I was down for a long time, but kept blogging through the fever and malaise. What a fun holiday that was! I vowed to get my first flu shot the following year. That would be this year. And no, I haven’t done it. (Do many of you?)
One major source of comfort during that flu was Jake. I could snuggle with him without fear of getting him sick, which wasn’t the case with the rest of the family. After all, dogs don’t get the flu. Do they?
Well as many of you probably know, dogs can get the flu — just not the flu viruses we suffer from, fortunately. The canine influenza virus (CIV) is a relatively new problem, with the first reported case in 2003, and is reported to be extremely contagious. The CDC website says scientists think the virus jumped species, from horses to dogs, and has adapted well. Yikes! Fortunately it is not contagious from dogs to people.
Here’s what doginfluenza.com (an info website created by the makers of a dog flu vaccine, but with much the same info as everyone else) has to say about the contagion factor:
“CIV can pass from dog to dog through virus particles in the air (eg, through coughing or sneezing) or by coming into physical contact with other dogs (touching noses). It can also be picked up if a dog touches or plays with objects that were touched by infected dogs (for example, food bowls, toys). Humans can even transfer the virus between dogs. For example, they may spread the virus if they touch an infected dog, or even touch a toy or doorknob that the dog has contacted, and then touch another dog before washing their hands.”
I don’t know many dogs who contact doorknobs (do some dogs have opposable thumbs?), but the other stuff is pretty commonplace. Canine flu is usually pretty mild, but some dogs can become very ill. About 20 percent of dogs with CIV get pneumonia and a high fever. Eight percent go on to further complications.
How do you know if your dog has the flu? He can’t exactly reach for the Kleenex and tell you he doesn’t feel like going for a run. Sometimes the signs are subtle, so here are some things to look out for:
• Mild, low-grade fever (103°F)
• Lethargy (tiredness)
• Loss of appetite
• Cough, which may be dry or may bring up sputum
• Runny nose with clear secretions at first, but may later change to a thick and yellow and/or pink-tinged color
The symptoms are similar to ours. If you think your dog has the flu, call your vet. And don’t take your dog to places where other dogs could be exposed to it.
But this brings us to the question: Does your dog need to be vaccinated against dog flu? It’s something to discuss with your veterinarian, of course. I know a lot of you feel we already overvaccinate our dogs, and some of you will want to go out and protect your dog immediately. Here’s what I’m generally finding about vaccine recommendations. This version comes from VetDepot.com:
“Not every dog needs to be protected against the flu. Dogs that are housed in close contact with one another are at the highest risk. So if your dog is boarded, goes to a professional groomer, or attends doggy day care or dog shows, vaccination might be in his best interest. Infections are also frequently diagnosed in dogs that have spent time in shelters or pet stores. Interestingly, going to dog parks does not seem to increase the risk of canine flu infection.”
(The last line is hopeful for those of us who take our dogs to parks other dogs frequent, but it doesn’t jibe with the extreme contagion reported in most CIV literature I’ve read. I’m not in a position to interpret the conflicting information, so your trusted vet is probably the place to go for answers.)
Have any of you vaccinated your dogs yet? Do you plan to? Why or why not? Since Jake doesn’t frequent doggy daycare or any other places packed with pooches, I think we’ll forgo it. But since I have to take him to the vet for his quarterly (free) 
The Best Fresh Dog Food
December 13, 2011 at 5:52 pm 
Freshpet has ingredients you recognize. And it smells good, too.
Ingredients: Sweet potatoes. Period.
Freshpet has ingredients you recognize. And it smells good, too.Would you feed your dog food that has road kill in it? We do. We all do. Most commercial dog foods have stuff in them that isn’t fit for a … well, a dog. If we had the time, we’d all get the freshest human-grade ingredients, like high-protein meats and eggs, vitamin-rich vegetables, and whole grains. We’d cook delicious meals, then chill them right away to lock in freshness. Freshpet did just that.
The only preservative they use is your refrigerator. I tested a sample of their Freshpet Select soft cooked meals. The meals come packaged like sausage, ready to slice and serve. I gave it to my geriatric Labrador, whose sensitive stomach can sometimes produce gas that would peel paint. But she never got gas or soft stools with this food. I mixed it in with her regular food (Diamond Lamb & Rice) for a few meals, then gave her the Freshpet alone. She loved the taste and the smell. And with a little hot water, it becomes a warm, comforting meal that puts a spring in an old dog’s step. But it’s not just for older canines. Freshpet is for ANY dog who loves fresh food (and who doesn’t?). They even have puppy formulas. The company says their foods have “simple foods you’ll recognize,” and it’s true. It even smelled good. I’ve never been able to say that about a commercial canned dog food. I didn’t have the quantity of product to keep her on it for long enough to say whether the food had any impact on her energy, health or coat, but she sure did like it.
Ingredients: Sweet potatoes. Period.I also tried their Dog Joy sweet potato treats. The package said, “Ingredients: Sweet potatoes.” Don’tcha just love that? My dogs sure did. Both of them snapped up the dried sweet potatoes like they were covered in gravy. There are about eight treats in the bag. Suitable for medium and large-size dogs (break into pieces for small dogs).
I wish I could carry this food in our store, but we’re not set up to ship refrigerated goods. However, I was so impressed with the food and treats that I’m going to keep my dog on Freshpet Select. Run – do not walk – to their site and take a look at their other food and treats (for cats, too) and find a store near you.
NOTE: This is not a paid endorsement for this product. The reviewer was supplied with test product but was not compensated in any other way for reviewing the product. The review represents the true and actual experience the reviewer had using the product.
Be the first to like this post.Entry filed under: Dog Product Reviews. Tags: best raw fresh dog food feed soft canned kibble old dog puppy.Pork Chomps
December 20, 2011 at 11:35 pm
For those who don’t know, rawhide chews are usually made from beef hide. Hides are split into two layers; a sturdier outer layer that is made into shoes, furniture, etc. and a thinner inner layer that is often used for dog chews. Most U.S.-based rawhide manufacturers oven-dry their hides to get the tough, dry consistency that dogs can work on for a long time (this also helps extend perishability). As the dog chews the dried hide, saliva and the warmth of the dog’s mouth act to soften the hide.
Why would I look for a safer rawhide? My dogs love working on a rawhide bone, but rawhide may cause blockages in dogs who ingest large pieces. You know, like that big, pasty, gooey piece that’s left when your dog is almost done? That’s the nasty piece you should take away from your dog, because it can take two weeks to break down completely in the dog’s gut. Because it can leech moisture from the intestines and swell up to five times its original size during that time, it can cause all kinds of mayhem before it’s finally broken down. The pork hide used in Pork Chomps is thinner than beef hide. It breaks down faster, presenting less chance for creating a blockage as it moves through the dog’s digestive system. Independent studies show that dogs prefer the taste of baked pork skin to beef hide 9 to 1. Dried chicken also factors highly in the Pork Chomps product line, often combined with pork for texture and flavor variety.
The other item we tested was the Chicken Dipz, a small knotted bone made of pork skin wrapped in chicken. Again, a bit taste hit with the pups. They consumed them faster than rawhide, but at $8.69 for four, I think the health and safety advantages are worth it. You can find a retailer at www.porkchomps.com. Pork Chomps are made in China. They do not stain carpet or furniture (or dog’s fur) … yay!
Be the first to like this post.Entry filed under: Dog Product Reviews. Tags: .The 12 Dog Days of Christmas
Now here’s a version of the song I could get used to! Enjoy!
(Graphic courtesy of Pets 365)
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Town Forces Retired Cop to Give Up His Pit Bull Mix Service Dog
Jim Sak and his dog, Snickers, who now has to live in a kennel outside town (Photo via Chicago Sun-Times)A small Iowa town has forced a retired Chicago cop and Vietnam veteran to part with the service dog who was helping him cope with a profound stroke that left him with no feeling on the right half of his body.
If he hadn’t sent 5-year-old Snickers to a kennel just outside town, the leaders of Aurelia, Iowa could have taken the dog away and destroyed him. The town fathers had reportedly threatened this, and Jim Sak could not take the chance with this dog who is everything to him.
The dog’s crime? He is a pit-bull mix. It seems Aurelia – a town whose motto is “savor the sweet life” – banned the breed in 2008 after a pit bull bit a meter reader.
Sak wasn’t here then. He and his wife recently moved to her home town of 1,100 people so they could be closer to his ailing mother-in-law. But Sak learned that there are no exceptions. Sak even brought his plea to keep his dog before the Aurelia town council, but they turned him down.
“I was a policeman for 32 years. I understand there’s black and white, but there’s also a grey area where you have to use your head. They’re not using their heads…I can’t believe they didn’t even try to talk to us. They just said, ‘No. You’re not having him. He’s outlawed in this town,’ ” Sak said in an article in the Chicago Sun-Times.
Without the dog, Sak’s mother-in-law – the very person Sak moved here to help – has to help him out. Snickers has been of invaluable help to Sak since his stroke. “I have spasms on my right side where the leg gives out whenever I get upset or try to do too much,” he said. “When Snickers sees that my hand is moving, he sits down by me right away and waits for me to tell him what to do. Usually, he goes to get my wife so she can help me get back in the chair. Without him, I feel lost.”
Peggy Sak, Jim Sak’s wife, said the demand to get rid of the dog was sudden, and that it has left them worried sick about the dog. “They called us to a city council meeting Dec. 14 and voted 3 to 2 to make no exceptions. I had to get him out of the house by the next day. That dog has never been away from us a night in his life. He’s the sweetest, most good-natured dog you’d ever want to meet,” Peggy Sak said.
“I left the meeting and threw up on the street outside the place. I can’t stop crying. Jim, being the Chicago cop, is stoic, but very depressed. It’s terrible. I’m afraid to leave him. My mother is now helping take care of Jim because the dog isn’t here to help him.”
She said she is “appalled and embarrassed by the town I grew up in…They have made our lives a living hell since we got here.”
Wow. Is it just me, or if Snickers is a bonafide service dog, doesn’t this fly in the face of the Americans with Disabilities Act bigtime? The ADA says service dogs can be of any breed, from what I know.
The Animal Farm Foundation, whose goal is to secure equal treatment for bully breeds, has hired a lawyer to represent the Saks. The group is also paying for Snickers’ board at the kennel.
“It’s about the injustice of this man having his service dog taken away — this man who is a Vietnam War veteran and a retired Chicago Police officer who has always given back to the community,” said executive director Stacy Coleman.
“This town has taken away this man’s independence, his peace of mind, and his freedom to move about his house, go out in public and keep from having to go to a nursing home with 24-hour care. He’s physically in danger without his dog.”
Dogsters, what do you think? Do you have to investigate a town’s rules these days before moving in with a bully breed or bully mix? What would you do if this happened to you? If anyone knows about the ADA in relation to service dog breeds, please give us the facts.
(Sources: Chicago Sun-Times, Animal Farm Foundation, town of Aurelia website)
The 12 Dogs of Christmas
Hope your holiday season is looking bright!
This is absolutely hilarious! Brought to you by (and reproduced with permission) Pets365.co.uk. Check out their shop for some amazing deals on pet products in the UK.
12 dogs of Christmas graphic produced by Pet365 – a UK stockist of brands like Waifs and Strays & Hamish McBeth.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Hero Puppy Nudges Family Away From Potential Gas Explosion
Ollie, the hero It was supposed to be a cozy evening at the Hyde family’s home earlier this month. Jason Hyde had turned on the gas in the gas-log fireplace in their Georgia home and the family started putting up Christmas decorations. Unbenowst to them, as they were decking the halls, the home was filling with highly flammable gas from the open gas line into the logs. No one had lit the fire.
With the gas pouring into the house, any spark could cause a tremendous explosion. And there was also a real risk of asphyxiation. No one realized what was going on. No one but a 6-month-old boxer named Ollie.
“He knew something we didn’t know,” Hyde said to an Atlanta TV station. “He sensed something wasn’t right.”
Hyde said Ollie arched his back and started nudging family members until they figured something was wrong and followed him outside. Only then did Hyde realize he’d left the gas on without lighting the fire.
How this puppy figured out something was amiss and that the family had to get away from the danger is anyone’s guess. And how a 6-month-old dog knew how to direct the family away from the potentially deadly area is even more unfathomable.
“He cared about us enough to get us out,” said Sheree Hyde. “He was not giving up until we all came outside. We loved him before and obviously we still do, but we thank God for such a smart dog.”
Jason Hyde agrees: “I just think it’s cool that God has made a creature, made a dog, as smart as this dog and I am glad to have him.”
What a great dog! How can any untrained dog – especially such a young dog – sense danger, and then do something about it? What do you think happened here, Dogsters?
(Source: PRWeb.com)
Dog Shoes?
December 13, 2011 at 6:27 pm 
Dog shoes, right?
Now THOSE are dog shoes!
Dog shoes, right?The first time I saw dog shoes, I thought they were cute and a little bit off the wall.
Now THOSE are dog shoes!But now there’s dog shoes. For people to wear. Check out the canine-inspired kicks at designer Kobi-Levi. Brown leather with a little nose bump at the toe. Peep-toe design has a little pink tongue on the sole. Just for fun. Take a look, at http://kobilevidesign.blogspot.com/
Be the first to like this post.Entry filed under: In the News. Tags: .A War Dog Named Buck Is Putting a Face on Canine PTSD
Buck, who is healing in a loving home after developing PTSD in Afghanistan (Photo: Estella Diaz)When I met Buck, the kennel he was in at Lackland Air Force Base was so loud that I thought his name was Puck. The other dogs — all part of the Department of Defense’s Military Working Dog program — were going nuts because they had visitors and it was hard to hear anything other than loud barks.
Several dogs were spinning in crazy, fast circles while others ran back and forth in their concrete kennels. Some just stood there, barking at my escort and me like they wanted us for lunch.
And then there we came to Puck, er, Buck. Buck is a chocolate Lab. Because Labs are normally rambunctious and happy, I expected him to be woofing with the rest. But he was curled up in a tight ball toward the back of his kennel. He appeared to be the only normal, calm one among these super energetic dogs. But there was something about his eyes, his demeanor, that seemed almost sad. He didn’t lift his head; he just looked at me unblinkingly and then stared out again, eyes not seeming to focus on anything much.
Buck, it turns out, had been in Afghanistan as a Marine IED detector dog. The man taking me through the kennels told me, “He heard one too many explosions.”
Check him out in this CNN video about some Marines of the Alpha Company in Afghanistan in 2010. You can see him starting around 54 seconds into the video. The reporter said that the poor guy would jump not only every time he heard a “bang or a boom,” but also at far-less threatening sounds, like someone walking by and kicking a rock.
Buck was diagnosed with the canine version of post-traumatic stress disorder. He did not respond well enough to treatment, and it was determined that he needed to retire from being a war dog. He was going to be adopted the day after my visit by a couple “who loves him a lot,” my escort told me.
Lynette and Larry Sargent, and Buck, whom they love like a child (Photo: Estella Diaz)That was back in July, when I was on the road doing research for my upcoming book, Soldier Dogs: The Untold Story of America’s Canine Heroes (Dutton, March 2012). I address canine PTSD in the book, and I was heartened when a couple of weeks ago the New York Times ran an article about it and dozens of media outlets picked up the story or ran their own versions. It’s good to see this disorder getting some attention. The dogs who have it suffer greatly, as do their human counterparts.
Signs of canine PTSD include hypervigilance, increased startle response, attempts to run away or escape, withdrawal, changes in rapport with a handler, and problems performing trained tasks — like a bomb dog who just can’t focus on sniffing out bombs anymore. These are variations of PTSD’s symptoms in humans.
Sporting breeds, like Labs, appear to be more prone to canine PTSD than war dogs like German shepherds and Belgian Malinoises. Walter Burghardt, chief of behavioral medicine at the Daniel E. Holland Military Working Dog Hospital at Lackland Air Force Base, is not sure of the reasons for this. But he and a small team at Lackland are starting to investigate this and dozens of other questions about the disorder, including how to prevent it, and how to best treat it. Right now, affected dogs are given time off, and get a combination of drugs and different therapies. A dog who is shaking and hiding may be given anti-anxiety medication; one who is withdrawn could get antidepressants. There are also counterconditioning therapies, in which a dog is slowly desensitized to loud noises.
About 25 percent will not be able to work again, and end up being retired from service. Depending on their condition, they could go to a police force, or be adopted by a family or individual, as Buck has been.
About three weeks ago I got in touch with Buck’s new owners, Larry and Lynette Sargent. We played phone tag for a while, and when Larry left a message on my voice mail saying, “I’m calling you back about my dog Buck,” I have to admit that I misted up a little. It probably sounds strange, but it was the “my dog Buck” part that got me. After the rigors and terrors of war, Buck was someone’s dog, at last.
Buck, now 4, is living a happily-ever-after story. Or he would be if he didn’t have PTSD. The Sargents have no human children, and think of him as their child. They dote on him, spending a great deal of time working and playing with him and trying to help him. They live in a large San Antonio home with a big yard they fenced just for Buck. But Buck isn’t a typical Lab.
“We’ve had other Labs before, and thought Buck would be similar, but we’re still trying to figure him out,” says Larry.
Larry is a pastor, so the Sargents frequently have people over for prayer groups, or just to lend them a hand. Buck quickly attached to Larry, and if the pastor is not holding him by a leash or right next to him when other people come by, Buck barks in fear, cowers, or both. He is not friendly with strangers, as most Labs are. As expected, he is scared of loud noises, too. Fortunately there haven’t been too many thunderstorms since they adopted him.
Buck has done a couple of PTSD-related things that are pretty heartbreaking. I describe them in my book, and my publisher doesn’t want me to give too much away in this blog post. But the good news is that with a lot of love and attention, Buck is coming around.
Buck in his big yard, playing with a faux skunk-skin dog toy. He loves stuffed animals. (Photo: Estella Diaz)“We are seeing more and more of his inner puppy,” says Lynette. “He loves to catch a ball and throw it in the air for himself and catch it over and over. He can be really silly.”
And Buck loves stuffed animals. Like any self-respecting Lab, he seeks them out no matter where they’re hiding and joyously rips their stuffing out.
The Sargents wish they had a little more background on Buck. Or some instructions from the Department of Defense about how to best help a dog with PTSD. But it’s such a relatively new disorder — Burghardt called a blue-ribbon panel in January and it was only officially decided then that canine PTSD is, indeed, real — that there aren’t yet many answers.
So the Sargents take it one day at a time, and that pace seems to be a good one for Buck, who appears to be starting to heal with the Sargents’ self-written prescription of big doses of love and happiness around the clock.
***
Dogsters, the New York Times article says civilian dogs can get PTSD from car accidents or less traumatic incidents. I wonder how prevalent PTSD is in puppy-mill breeder dogs or bait dogs? Have you ever seen a dog who might have PTSD? Maybe some of you even have a dog with it. Have you been able to help affected dogs? Any advice for the Sargents?
Larry Sargent gives Buck his "prescription": Huge doses of love around the clock. (Photo: Estella Diaz)(All photos in this post are by the Sargents’ friend, Estella Diaz, who is passionate about photography and donated her time to take these photos for me because the Sargents are like her “parents away from home.” She wrote me that she met them in 1997 when she started going to their church. “I had been to other churches before, but he was the first pastor that remembered my name only after meeting me just once. I felt so welcomed there that I never left. The Sargents were never able to have kids but they have so many children through their congregation. I’m just one of those kids. As far as dog parents, they are the best. Their pets are like their kids … very much loved, cared for and spoiled. Which is how it should be. 
Treatment and Control of Fleas
Well, I have finally found the culprit to Brutus and Rufus’s itching and Rufus’s nasty under tail hotspot… Flea Dermatitis (aka flea bite hypersensitivity. It is the most common dermatologic disease of domestic dogs in the US) OMG they have fleas! I have never had fleas, ever, in the 10+ years of owning dogs and I saw one on Rufus’s rump!!! Like many Americans this year I have fallen victim to the evolution of the super flea. I normally don’t put the monthly Frontline Plus treatments on in the winter moths because its cold here in Ohio. But we have had a very wet and warmer than usual fall which is perfect for breeding the little buggers and the poor boys managed to pick up fleas somewhere, Im pretty sure I know from where too grrrrrr! I guess I will be treating monthly year round from here on out!
Fleas are the most common ectoparasite (An organism that lives on the outer surface of another organism, its host, and which does not contribute to the survival of the host) in dogs and cats. They spread intestinal parasites, as well as causing painful dermatitis, skin infections and “hot spots”. The fleas that you see on your dog represent less than 1% of the flea population in your home – the rest are growing and breeding in the environment (that means your carpets, furniture, bedding – GROSS). Fleas spend the majority of their life cycle in the enviornment, only jumping on your dog or for that matter you, to take in a meal. By the time you dog shows symptoms of fleas, the problem isnt the fleas you can see… its the vast numbers you cant!
Preventing flea infestation is much easier than treating one. It is recommended that flea preventions such as Frontline Plus, K-9 Advantix II, Interceptor, Program, Advantage, Revolution, Sentinel or Comfortis (FYI flea collars DONT WORK) be used monthly from April to November. Dogs with flea allergies (like Rufus) or households that have experienced a flea infestation over the winter months should treat all year round. Waiting til you see fleas to begin using a preventative risks an infestation on your pet and in your home. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure!
So… now you are coming to grips that there is a bigger problem than you had realized, what next? How do you get rid of them?
How to Treat Your Dog
I used Frontline Plus, it is a topical flea and tick treatment as well as preventative for both cats and dogs over 8 weeks.
Frontline Plus kills 100% of fleas on the dog within 12 hours of application.Long lasting: continues to kill fleas and ticks all month long.Approved for use on puppies and kittens 8 weeks of age and older and on breeding, pregnant or lactating cats and dogs.Waterproof: effective even after swimming, bathing and grooming.It comes in multiple sizes for dosing. Make sure you choose the one closest to your dogs weight for proper coverage. The largest size covers up to 132 pounds and since my dogs are much larger than that, I combine two vials – 1 of the 89-132 vials AND 1 of the 23-44 vials for my saints to make sure they have enough of the active ingredient to be effective. Apply directly to dry skin on the back between the shoulder blades. It is important to apply to dry skin and allow the product to completely dry for 24 hours before allowing them access to swimming or bathing.
Fleas and ticks do not have to bite your pet for Frontline to work. Frontline kill fleas and ticks if they simply come into contact with your pet’s coat. The fleas will die within 12 hours of contact with your treated pet, and ticks will die within 48 hours.
Capstar is an orally administered tablet that provides fast flea relief and starts working within 30 minutes. A single dose of should kill the adult fleas on your pet. If your pet get reinfested, it is safe to give another dose as often as once per day. They claim “you will literally see fleas falling off your pet”. I’m not so sure about that… but hey, sounds good.
Make sure you treat all infested pets in the household. Fleas can reproduce on untreated pets and allow infestations to persist. I used both Frontline Plus AND Capstar to try to nip any issue in the bud. Their itching went into overdrive for a few hours. Frontline will make fleas hyper-excited, causing them to become more frenzied and head to the “surface of the coat” before dying, making them more visible to you and can causing significant itching in dogs that are sensitive to fleas.
How to Treat Your Home
Treating the environment is one of the most effective ways to reduce the number of fleas you see on your dog. House treatment sprays that contain ingredients to kill adult fleas and insect growth regulators are the most effective. They break the flea life cycle by preventing flea eggs from hatching. My vet recommended Siphotrol Plus II Area Treatment.
Siphotorl Plus II:
First, vacuum thoroughly, including rugs and under furniture. The vibrations from the vacuum cleaner encourages the flea eggs to hatch, (adults = easier to kill you my dearies). Remove the contents of your canister or you bag outside in to an outside dumpster or trash can. Spray the new bag or your canister lightly with your treatment spray (this will stun/kill the live fleas you vacuum up – a cheap flea collar in the bag or canister will also work). Launder all bedding, yours too if you dog gets on the bed, to remove any fleas or juvenile life stages. Make sure you cover or preferably move any aquariums, birds or reptiles from the area while spraying.
Spray all the areas of your house with a light mist, soaking. If you miss an area, the fleas will move to the unsprayed area and set up shop there. Even hardwoods and linoleum floors should be treated. It is safe to spray furniture and pet bedding as long as the spray is dry before humans or pets use them. Always check for color fastness before spraying. Most fabrics are safe from coloring/decoloring but its always better to be safe than sorry.
Wait 24 hours before vacuuming then vacuum daily for at least 14 days. Make sure you dispose of the bag OUTDOORS and treat the replacement bag with your Siphotrol Plus II spray. If you are treating a flea infestation, repeat treatments in the house every 14 days until you see no fleas on your dog for 2-3 weeks. Retreating your house is very important in preventing re-infestation of the house from the pupal stage fleas that sprays can not kill. The little blood suckers can lie dormant in the environment for as long as s-i-x months!!!
Sprays are more effective than bombs or foggers. You will need at least one fogger per room The mist from the bomb will go straight up, mushroom out a bit then fall straight down. The chemicals wont travel through the walls, around corners nor will it make it up under furniture.
I’ve seen advertisements for ultrasonic pest repellers but haven’t gotten any feedback whether they actually work.
One final, yet disgusting, note… Fleas can carry Dipylidium caninum, a particular species of tapeworm must use the flea as an intermediate host in its own life cycle. Egg packets deposited by the adult tapeworm are shed into the environment where they are consumed by the flea larvae. If a pet ingests an adult flea that consumed the tapeworm egg pack as a larvae, the tapeworm parasite is passed on. Although tapeworm in pets usually doesn’t cause serious disease, it is particularly annoying to pet owners. Tapeworms are easily detected by the pet owner. Small rice-like objects are seen clinging to the hind end of the animal near the base of the tail. In addition, people can become infested if they inadvertently ingest infected fleas.
Best Way to Clean a Dog Pee Stain
December 18, 2011 at 8:29 am 
Soaking up the liquid is at least as important as what you treat it with.
Sooner or later, every dog owner has to deal with urine accidents in the house. Whether housetraining a puppy, caring for an older/incontinent dog, or dealing with male dogs who mark, it’s going to happen. I’ve experimented with many methods and products over the years, and have come up with a system for cleaning dog pee off the carpet that really works.
The most important thing when cleaning up a dog pee stain is to get as much of the urine out of the carpet as possible. Odor-fighting treatments and cleaning chemicals will not work if there’s urine in your carpet, padding and flooring.
Soaking up the liquid is at least as important as what you treat it with.When a dog has an accident in the house, the liquid enters the carpet, than soaks down and spreads. The size of the spot you can see is smaller than the size of the spot under the carpet, on the floor and padding. The best way to get it up is to use towels and pressure. Place a folded towel over the spot (I use bath size to get as much of the urine as possible out). Then step on the towel right over the center of the spot. Put your full weight on that foot and stand there for several minutes. I have read home cleaning advice that says to put a heavy book over the towel and leave it there overnight. I find that unless you have a 60-pound book, that’s not enough pressure. I stand on tip-toe on the towel to concentrate as much pressure as possible.
The towel wicks up the moisture, pulling it from below. It’s like dipping a towel into a glass of water. The water immediately begins to soak upward into the towel. Flip your towel over and see the big wet area that has been created by what you’ve pulled out of the carpet. Use a second (dry) towel and do it again. Repeat until the towel is dry or nearly dry when you flip it over. Take as long as you can for this step, because nothing else will really be effective if there’s still pee under the carpet. For a stain from my 70-pound dog, I usually see a fairly dry result on the third bath towel.
Leave your last towel over the stain because by now, it may be difficult for you to see where it was, and you’ll need to know exactly where it was when you treat it. There are all kinds of enzyme-based treatments, high-tech cleaners and nifty machines that will do the job, but I usually use an old-fashioned formula and I’ve never found anything that works better.
In a measuring cup, combine water and white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. If you have big dogs like I do, you might want to use half a cup of vinegar and half a cup of water. For smaller dogs, reduce to a quarter cup of each. Pour the water/vinegar mixture over the pet stain. As you pour, the mixture will soak right in to dark areas where the urine was, and sit on top of the carpet initially where the carpet was not previously wet. Using this visual guide, make sure you pour the vinegar/water over the entire spot where the dog urinated. It will seem like a lot to pour over your carpet, but remember how big that stain is under the carpet.
Let it soak in for several minutes, then use the towel method to soak it back up. Yes, your carpet – and your room – will smell like vinegar. But only until it dries. Vinegar is very good at eliminating odors, and once it’s dry, the room will smell like neither urine nor vinegar IF you soak up the vinegar with towels until the towel comes away dry. If you leave some in the carpet and padding, your room will smell like vinegar a bit longer.
For older stains, use the same method, although you may not be able to get as much out of the carpet as when it’s fresh. However, the stain under the carpet will be larger, since it’s had more time to soak into the padding. Take up as much as you can with towels. If it’s dry, just add the vinegar and start there, then agitate the carpet surface with a towel to loosen the stain a little. Let the vinegar penetrate the carpet for 10 minutes, then wick it up with towels. Ever notice how urine smells different when it’s fresh vs. when it’s a day or two old? That’s because bacteria in the environment breed in wet spots, causing the “pee smell” we all know so well. So with an old stain, you may need to repeat this process with an enzymatic cleaner, which attacks the bacteria that breed in urine. These are widely available and can help eliminate the smell on an older stain.
A ceiling fan will help to finish drying the carpet and get the vinegar smell reduced.
So, to recap, here are the steps:
Wick with as many towels as it takes by standing on a towel over the spotSoak with 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water and let sit for 5-10 minutesWick with as many towels as it takes to get the spot damp-dryI’ve trained two puppies, had two male dogs in the same house (marking) and have cared for two elderly/incontinent dogs, so I’ve cleaned up hundreds of pet stains using this method. When my husband and I were considering selling out house, we had some real estate agents over to evaluate the house. They all said the house smelled good, which was important for first impressions. I was not using a candle, had not baked anything or used any air fresheners. That’s just how the house smelled. You’d never know how many messes I’ve cleaned up over the years.
Be the first to like this post.Entry filed under: Free Tips & Ideas from Dog Owners. Tags: best way to clean, carpet, dog pee, dog urine, get rid of smell, house, odor, pee stain, pet stain, pet urine.Paw it forward this holiday season, today and everyday!
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Thursday, December 22, 2011
Know Your State’s Dog Laws, Lest They Bark and Bite
A few months back we had “recovering lawyer” Robyn Hagan Cain do a guest post about the tensions that exist between dog people and non-dog people in state parks, and she put together such a lovely post that we’ve invited her to come back and do another. This time she tackles state dog laws and encourages you to know yours. –Janine Kahn, Dogster Managing Editor
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By Robyn Hagan Cain
I grew up in South Louisiana, a land that lacked leash and scoop laws. It was a surprisingly civilized place, despite the canine chaos that resulted from a void of dog laws.
In 2006, Braxlee, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and I moved to Alexandria, Virginia, a place ruled by dog laws. There were mandatory dog licenses, dog park ordinances, leash laws, and scoop laws — all the regulations I knew existed somewhere, but had never experienced firsthand.
Over the years, Braxlee and I made our way from Virginia to New York, and from New York to California. In each new city, we had to brush up on local dog laws and secure new dog licenses.
I would like to say that each license was procured with the utmost haste within the mandated time period, but that simply was not the case.
My husband and I procrastinated in getting a new dog license in each new city because we falsely believed that animal control officers only seized dogs in cases of abuse or neglect, not for a lack of licenses. I recently learned that was not the case, thanks to this recent lawsuit I read about at my day job:
A Louisville couple advertised a litter of American Bulldog puppies for sale. Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) took note of the ad because it didn’t include a breeder license number, as required under local laws, and sent two undercover officers to pose as prospective puppy buyers and investigate.
That visit led to a second group of uniformed LMAS officers entering the couple’s home without a warrant and seizing all nine dogs. The couple had to pay LMAS more than $1,000 to get their dogs back after LMAS spayed and neutered the adults, and microchipped the entire bunch. The couple later claimed that the dogs contracted infections at LMAS that required veterinary attention.
In most cases, the law bars people from suing law enforcement officers for wrongdoing under a doctrine called qualified immunity. In extreme cases, however, a court can deny officers qualified immunity if the court decides that they reasonably should have known that their conduct violated a person’s civil rights. And that’s what happened here.
A federal appeals court — one step below the U.S. Supreme Court — said that LMAS officers were not protected by qualified immunity in this case because the officers should have known that the second, uniformed group of officers needed a warrant to enter the home and seize the dogs. (If you’re interested, details complete with legal jargon are available here.)
From an anti-dog-confiscation legal perspective, this seems like a decent ending to a really unfortunate tale, but the frightening fact remains that animal control offices are seizing healthy animals based on their owners’ ignorance of the law, instead of just issuing citations.
What does that mean for dog owners?
Brush up on your local dog laws. Most cities and animal control offices will include pet ordinances on their websites. If you want to check out your local laws, try running a search for your city and “dog laws.”
If you want to ensure that your best friend stays out of the pound, keep him on a leash, and make sure that all necessary vaccination medallions or licenses are on his collar and up-to-date. (It’s important that you keep the tags on your dog’s collar. In New York City, for example, you could get hit with a $200 fine if your dog’s license isn’t displayed on its collar.)
Losing your dog — even temporarily — to animal control is a traumatic experience for both the pet parent and the dog. Spare yourself the drama, fines, and lawyer’s fees by taking the time to comply with the law before you get cited for breaking it.
Dogster readers: Have dog laws in your home state ever bitten you?
About the Author: Robyn Hagan Cain normally blogs about the law for legal professionals. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and Braxlee, their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Editors’ Note: Can we just add that a breeder without a license likely has no business breeding to begin with? But that doesn’t mean that animal control should be able to enter their home without a warrant. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Dogster’s Picks of the Week: Holiday Party Edition
Who’s ready for Christmas?! I’m … not. But I’m working my butt off this week to get there. With nearly all of my shopping done, I finally have some time to figure out what my dog and I will be wearing for Christmas dinner.
This year, we’ve been feeling inspired by all of the great vintage fashion floating around, so we’re going a little retro/classic. Have no idea what you’ll be wearing to dinner? This week’s Dogster Picks ought to help you figure that out!
1. Kettle Corn Dress in Sunset — I’m a big fan of Mad Men‘s incredible vintage style — who isn’t? I plan on looking Betty Draper fabulous in this lovely dress.
2. Super Smoky Strand — Super smoky and super sexy. This necklace will look just as amazing on Christmas evening as it will on New Year’s Eve.
3. Dalmatian Oversized Faux Fur Coat — It’s a little Cruella De Vil, but puppy slaying aside, am I the only one who thought she had a great sense of fashion?
4. Frenchy Platform Pump — I love the bow-like detail on these hot pumps. It’s like a present on your feet!
5. Santa Baby Dog Duvet — My dog likes to get comfy while we open presents. This year, he’ll be getting comfy on this Molly Mutt dog duvet (but he doesn’t know it yet. shhh .. )
6. Orbee-Tuff Holiday Bulb Dog Toys — Keep your pooch entertained while you’re off celebrating with these chewy and adorable light bulb toys.
7. Urban Stripe Scarf — What’s more classic than a candy cane scarf? Your dog is going to get plenty “How cute!” comments when he arrives in this.
8. Buffalo Check Collar — Looking for super stylish holiday wear? Look no further than this buffalo check poinsettia flower collar.
9. Bocce’s Bakery Treats — Just like everyone else, your dog will want some holiday treats. Keep them healthy with Bocce’s Bakery treats in gift-worthy packaging.
10. Martha Stewart Snowflake Sweater — There’s something very retro about holiday sweaters. Stay with the vintage theme by dressing your dog in this snowflake sweater.
Follow Dogster’s Picks of the Week on Pinterest!Photos We Love: Free Kibble for the West Coast
Ellen DeGeneres and the folks at freekibble.com pledged to donate 400,000 meals to shelter pets across the country. Our friend Caroline Golon, who is helping get this food into the hands of shelters and rescues, alerted us that two of the Holiday Kibble Drop’s stops would be on Dogster’s home coast.
Just last Friday, a truck full of Halo pet food arrived at the Orange County Humane Society for distribution among area shelters, and on Monday, the truck pulled into San Francisco’s Pet Food Express with a similar goal. Some of our favorite local rescues (Muttville, Rocket Dog Rescue, and PAWS to name a few) are on the receiving list, and we couldn’t be happier for all the pups.
Here are some photos from the Orange County drop, courtesy of photographer J. Nichole Smith:
And here are photos from the San Francisco drop, via friend of Dogster, photographer Mark Rogers:
Holiday Gifts from the Dogosphere
Because virtually everyone I communicate with electronically is, in one way or another, connected with dogs (most of them are confirmed, card-carrying dog people), my Facebook page, Twitter feed, and inbox have been filling up with great dog blogs, videos, and articles, all celebrating the season.
Here are a few of my favorites, one for each day between now and Christmas.
Intellidogs Advent Calendar
Karen Wild is a fantastic trainer and behavior consultant from the U.K. Her website ranks high on my list of favorites, and each year, I look forward to the publishing of the Intellidogs Advent Calendar. Okay, so I admit I’m a bit late in posting it, but fear not! You can always look back at the previous entries.
Each of the 25 days of Christmas is packed with great training tips, articles, videos, prizes, contests, and gift ideas. Check out today’s entry.
Forty Ways to Help
I’ve learned so much from so many of my colleagues, but few have taught me more than Nicole Wilde has. Besides being a great trainer, she’s a great human with a big heart. She compiled a wonderful list of 40 ways you can help dogs in need this holiday season, some of which are really creative! If you can’t donate cash but you want to get involved, you can always donate your time, talent, and commitment.
Let Me Entertain You!
I submitted a few of my favorite holiday entertaining tips to Karen Pryor Clicker Training this month. These are basic management and training practices that I use with my own dogs and client dogs when I am hired to attend as a “puppy party nanny.”
Safety First!
While this is certainly a time of year for celebration, the holidays bring with them unique safety risks. Partnership for Animal Welfare, a Maryland-based rescue organization, has assembled a great list of holiday safety precautions to help ensure your favorite pets can ring in the New Year in the best possible health.
Bakin’ Bacon?
I will be making some holiday cookies this week, and will be making some for my dogs as well. I figure if I’ll be making a mess of the kitchen anyway, why not?
Because I know that bacon tops the list of nearly every dog’s wish list, I use a modified version of this recipe. I never stick to a recipe exactly — I use less flour when I make these, potato flour vs. wheat, and I don’t cook them as long as the instructions call for so they’re softer and easier to break into training treats. Consider any of the following modifications:
• Including very finely chopped bits of apple
• Adding real bacon. Mmmmm … bacon. Use it as a coating or add coarsely chopped bits of bacon to the dough
• My dogs think the only thing that makes bacon better is cheddar. I put a very small (1/4-inch cube) of cheddar in the center of these.
WARNING! You may have to hide and/or guard these from your human guests and/or husband.
My Favorite Dog Christmas Video
The only thing I like better than Christmas is dogs. The only thing I like better than dogs and Christmas individually is when they are together. And the best of all is when dogs, Christmas, and positive training all combine in a magical blend of fun for dogs and their people. Here is my favorite Christmas video, an online classic. I hope you enjoy it.
I wish you a wonderful, safe, and happy holiday season and wish you and your favorite Dogsters nothing but the best for a wonderful New Year!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
This Year, Let’s Get More Pets Home for the Holidays
There’s no place like home for the holidays. But for 8 million dogs and cats in North America, home is an overcrowded shelter, or the street; not a place to spend the holidays, or any time of year.
IAMS Home 4 the Holidays, one of the world’s largest pet adoption programs, is making a significant dent in the homeless population. Iams, in partnership with Helen Woodward Animal Center, has helped 5.8 million pets find loving homes since 1999. This year, their goal is to find homes for 1.5 million orphaned pets around the globe. They’re working with more than 3,500 animal organizations in 21 countries to make this happen.
Wait. One dog or cat euthanized every eight seconds? That’s not acceptable. Would you like to help reduce that number? And how about helping feed shelter pets? (Food isn’t cheap, as we all know!) Iams’s Bags 4 Bowls program hopes to donate 5 million meals to animals housed in participating organizations.
Here are some ways you can help:
• Visit the Iams list of participating animal organizations to find your forever friend.
• Go to the Iams Facebook page and “Like” the page or various messages, photos, videos, etc. For each “Like,” comment, photo posted, etc., Iams will donate meals. It’s pretty cool to know that each click you make will help feed a shelter pet. “Click.” “Food.” “Click.” “Food.”
• Create a custom adoption announcement or holiday card to share the news of your new four-legged family member, or just send a seasonal greeting to family and friends. For each card created and shared, Iams will donate meals.
• Purchase specially marked packages of Iams dog or cat food during the campaign, which ends January 3. For every package sold, Iams will donate one bowl of food to a participating Iams Home 4 the Holidays animal organization.
It’s not that hard to be a hero this holiday. And speaking of heroes, I caught up via e-mail with Mike Arms while he was on a very busy two-week business trip in Canada and got to ask him a few questions.
Mike Arms and a friendMG: How did you come by your love of animals? Were there any incidents that cemented that animal welfare was something you’d want to be involved in one day?
MA: I never knew, growing up, [about] my devotion to animals, until that day in the Bronx when a dog gave me the last of his life to save my own. I haven’t looked back since.
Note: I asked Mike what happened, and because his time was tight, he pointed me to the Helen Woodward Animal Center website and asked if I could include the story in the interview. And what a story it is. In the 1960s he’d taken a job as finance manager at the ASPCA in New York because he was told it would look good on his resume. Here’s his amazing story:
“The stress of seeing the horrors that mankind perpetrated against the animals of New York quickly became too much for Mike, as the ASPCA was killing over 140,000 innocent animals a year at that time. He gave his resignation and was running away from animal welfare.
“With just six days to go until his last day, Mike got a call that there was a dog hit by a car on Davidson Avenue in the Bronx. There were no ambulance drivers available, so he took off his suit jacket and put on an ambulance driver jacket and drove out to the accident scene. Upon his arrival he saw a black and tan German Shepherd/terrier mix lying in the street. The dog had been hit with such force that his back was broken — he was literally bent in half.
“As Mike approached the injured dog, two men came out of a nearby doorway and asked him what he was doing. Arms calmly explained that the little dog was dying and he was taking him to the hospital. The men told him that he wasn’t taking the dog anywhere. Mike inquired as to if it was their dog and they said, ‘No, but we are taking bets on how long it is going to live.’
“Arms told them they were sick and turned to lift the dog into the ambulance. As he bent to lift the injured puppy, the men attacked him with a bottle to the head followed by the smack of a baseball bat and the sharp pain of a knife thrust into his hip and shoulder.
Mike was knocked unconscious, and as he lay in the street bleeding, the little dog, who should not have been able to move, crawled to Mike’s side to lick him awake.
“It was a true epiphany for Arms as he spoke to God and said, ‘Let me live, and I promise you, I will do everything in my lifetime to protect them.’ Mike has remained true to his word as the man who has saved more animals than any other person, living or dead, in animal welfare history.”
(Yes, Dogsters, you may reach for the Kleenex now! Is that one of the most powerful, touching, heartbreaking stories you’ve ever heard?)
I came up with the concept because I knew that most families, during the holiday season, bring a new pet into their homes, and I preferred it to be an orphaned pet, rather than a puppy mill pet. In 1999 we started with just 14 pet facilities in San Diego and collectively we did 1,563 adoptions.
MG: Iams Home for the Holidays helped 5.8 million families adopt a pet since then. The program had an incredibly successful year last year, with nearly 1.1 million pet adoptions. How does that feel, stemming from that one idea in 1999?
MA: I don’t think words can express the internal warm feeling, knowing how many lives have been saved because of this idea. We have recently passed our 6 million mark, and counting!
MG: How does the program work, as far as being able to assist in so many adoptions?
MA: The program is driven by the media and social media to encourage people looking to bring a pet into their home this holiday season to visit their local animal facility, and give an orphan pet a chance.
MG: How many pets do you have at home, and who are they?
MA: I have four pets: three dogs and one cat. The cat’s name is Baby. I have a Lab named Wilson, who was rejected from the Guide Dog foundation because of a bad heart. I have Princess, a Shepherd blend, who was adopted from an animal shelter on Long Island. And Preem, a Boxer blend, also adopted at the same time and same place as Princess.
MG: Do you have a story you’d like to share about the benefits of adopting a homeless animal through your program?
MA: Adopting a pet is a great idea no matter what time of year it is. However, one benefit of adopting during the Iams Home 4 the Holidays program is that so many people feel depressed during the holiday season. These magnificent animals somehow know just what to do to take you out of that state of depression, and make you feel wanted, important, and happy.
MG: What’s your message this season to anyone thinking of getting a pet or helping homeless pets?
MA: What better reason than this season to bring a new life into your home? The true message would be to save a life and adopt a pet, rather than promote the cruelties of puppy mills.
If you can’t bring a pet into your home this holiday season, you might have time to volunteer at your local animal facility and bring some love and compassion to the orphans that are there. If you can’t do that, maybe you can give a donation to your local animal facility to help them continue their work in helping pets.
***
According to the Iams Home 4 the Holiday website, many shelters have ended euthanasia during the program. Be part of the success this year. Even if you can’t adopt, “Like” your way around the Facebook page and make a difference.
(Dogs on chair photo from the Flickr photostream of EllenJo)
Funny Dog Toys
December 1, 2011 at 7:57 am
Tired of the same old toys and treats? Check out the funny dog toys at www.DogToysAndTreats.com, like the “Dog Savers” toy shown here. Big tough toy can be filled with kibble or treats for a great interactive toy to keep your dog busy for hours. Other funny toys include the squeaky bra, the floppy referee chew toy, and the fake moustache fetch toy.
Be the first to like this post.Entry filed under: Cool New Products. Tags: funny dog toys, funny pet products, unique dog toys.Real-Life Aesop Fable: Dog and Rooster Team Up to Save Family
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A sleepy Buddy, half of the heroic team that saved its family from flames
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Dogster for the Love of Dog Blog for December 9th, 2011 3 people have already commented. Add yours.
There are 3 CommentsAshley posted a comment on December 9th, 2011 at 5:34 am
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Community Homepage »Groups »Forums »Answers »Local Listings »Game Center »Diaries »See the Dogs » More:Dog Walks with Alcott |Dog Pictures |Dog News Follow @dogster « back to the newest dog articles Amazing DogsReal-Life Aesop Fable: Dog and Rooster Team Up to Save Family »Amazing DogsHoliday Miracles: Dog Survives Blast, and Other Happy Tales »Dog News2 Dog Food Companies Recall Some Dry Food on Aflatoxin Concerns » Real-Life Aesop Fable: Dog and Rooster Team Up to Save Family Reader Contributions (3) A sleepy Buddy, half of the heroic team that saved its family from flamesRemember the Aesop fable about the dog and rooster who stuck together and ended up outwitting the wily fox, who wanted to have the rooster for dinner?
The fable played out in real life in Dover, Florida this week — only the fox’s role was played by a fire. Here’s the tale.
Once upon a time, not long ago, there was a rooster who slept by the freezer on his people’s porch. He liked the warmth from its motor. It felt like the early days in the nest with his brothers and sisters.
One night, something went terribly wrong in his cozy hideaway. Flames started shooting out of a corner where a broken fan stood. As the fire grew, the rooster began to crow, even though it was nowhere near dawn. Whether he crowed because he was scared or because he wanted to alert the family that had let him have a nice place to sleep no one will ever know, because he’s not talking.
But his crowing got the family dog, Buddy, interested in the goings-on, and Buddy took to barking. He barked louder than he ever had in his life. Whether it was because the rooster was crowing at such an odd hour or because he wanted to alert the family no one will ever know, because like the rooster, he’s also silent on the issue.
Their cacophony woke up various family members, who helped each other escape. There was a bed-ridden grandfather in a queen-sized hospital bed, and the fire was getting out of control. The apple of his eye, grandson Parker McIntosh, raced to the bed and pulled it out the back door with his grandfather still in it.
All six people escaped as the fire tore through the roof right above them, thanks to the unlikely team of a rooster and a dog (who are also safe). “I’m not sad about it at all because we’re all living,” said Brian McIntosh, who was smiling even though the family had no homeowners’ insurance.
The moral of this story is that by sticking together, great things can happen.
And as a postscript, that’s just what the community is doing for the McIntoshes, who have to start over because their home is lost. Friends, family, and church members are pitching in to lend a hand, and the Red Cross is helping them get emergency housing (by the looks of things, they’ll definitely be with Buddy, although their roosters may have to stay with neighbors).
We at Dogster wish them a happy ending.
Dog, rooster alert family to fire: MyFoxTAMPABAY.com
Source: My Fox Tampa Bay
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Dream of a Green Christmas with Fun Eco-Friendly Giveaway
Dogster for the Love of Dog Blog for December 9th, 2011 3 people have already commented. Add yours.
There are 3 CommentsAshley posted a comment on December 9th, 2011 at 5:34 am
What a wonderful outcome from a sad story. I am sorry that they lost their house at this time of the year, but I am glad to hear everyone involved is safe. It sounds like their community will take care of them.
Pepper's person posted a comment on December 9th, 2011 at 6:53 pmGood job Rooster and Buddy! Way to go!
long beach clubbing posted a comment on December 9th, 2011 at 9:13 pmOMG….the wreckage says it all. They really did a heroic job. Thank god they are unharmed.
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Two Dog Food Companies Recall Some Dry Food on Aflatoxin Concerns
The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is voluntarily recalling a single production lot of its Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food.
The FDA press release states that the recalled dog food was distributed to specific (unnamed) retailers in the following states: AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, SC, and VA. The FDA reports that retailers have removed the affected dog food from store shelves, and that no health effects related to this recall have been reported.
The recalled dog food has a use by or expiration date of February 5 or February 6, 2013, and includes the following specific products:
In addition, Cargill Animal Nutrition today announced a voluntary recall of two regional brands of its dry dog food — River Run and Marksman — because of aflatoxin levels that were detected above the acceptable limit. The affected products were manufactured at Cargill’s facility in Lecompte, Louisiana, between Dec. 1, 2010, and Dec. 1, 2011. No illnesses have been reported in association with these products, and no other Cargill Animal Nutrition pet food products are involved in this recall.
Affected products are:
• PROFESSIONAL FORMULA RIVER RUN HI-NRG 24-20 Dog Food, 50-pound bags
• RIVER RUN PROFESSIONAL FORMULA 27-18 Dog Food, 50-pound bags
• RIVER RUN 21% Protein Dog Food, 40- and 50-pound bags
• RIVER RUN Hi-Pro No-Soy Dog Food, 40- and 50-pound bags
• MARKSMAN DOG FOOD 24% Protein 20% Fat, 40-pound bags
• MARKSMAN DOG FOOD 20% Protein 10% Fat, 40- and 50-pound bags
• MARKSMAN DOG FOOD 28% Protein 18% Fat, 40-pound bags
The recall applies only to the above products with Packaging Date Codes (lot numbers) 4K0335 through 4K0365, LL0335 through LL0365, 4K1001 through 4K1335, and LL1001 through LL1335.
The affected dry dog food products were distributed in theKansas, Missouri, Northeast Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Western Kentucky, Southeast Indiana, Southern Illinois, Hawaii, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and limited areas of Florida and California. Retailers have already been instructed to remove the affected brands and products from store shelves.
If you have these foods, throw them away and click on the links above to find out how to get a voucher for a replacement.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Dog Poisonings in My San Francisco Hood and in Denver
Dakota, on what appears to be a little family road trip. (Photo courtesy of Debi Cournale, via San Francisco Chronicle)Just a few blocks from where I live in San Francisco, a dog and a cat from the same house have died from possible poisoning with methadone. The pets’ family has absolutely no methadone in the house. They suspect their pets were poisoned in their backyard just before they started showing signs of severe distress.
When the cat, Cowboy, started “moaning,” vomiting, and having a hard time walking Sunday afternoon, Debi Cournale and her 14-year-old daughter rushed him to an emergency veterinarian. When they got back to the house, their 11-month-old mixed-breed puppy, Dakota, showed similar signs and was running around frantically.
They rushed the pup to the vet. He was convulsing. Both Dakota and Cowboy died that night.
“It was insane, absolutely insane,” Cournale told the San Francisco Chronicle. “Here’s your little puppy, lying on a bed, dead, and on the other side is your cat, lying in an incubator, fighting for his life. It was like a horror movie.”
Police are investigating. If this was, indeed, poisoning (necropsies are taking place, but the vet is sure poison is the culprit) how did someone get the poison into the backyard? You have to be a major-league pitcher to throw something over some of the houses around here so that they’d land in the yard. Houses usually completely block backyards in San Francisco. The only easy access is from the neighbors, whose backyards are separated only by fences.
So tragic, more so around the holidays. And a bit close for comfort …
In a too-related development, KUSA-TV reports that meatballs injected with poison have been thrown into random yards in Denver. Dogs have become sick, but there are no reported deaths.
I know many of you would never let your dog into your yards without full supervision, but that’s not realistic for many families. And even if you’re watching, it takes only a split second for a dog who is snortling around a yard to come upon a poisoned treat and snarf it up.
Horrible. I don’t know how you can be vigilant about this, except maybe to thoroughly inspect your yard before letting your dog out. But even that doesn’t cover all bases. Anyone have suggestions?
Facebook Contest Time: Win a Toy Basket from JW Pet
All your pups need to do is pose for an incredibly cute photo with a holiday toy (or other holiday item around the house), post said cuteness on our Facebook contest page, and have all their friends vote them to the top.
The top dog will get a gift basket with $75 in toys in it — just in time for Christmas!
Click here to get started.
We can’t wait to see your photos!
Big Woofs,
Your Pals at Dogster HQ
Four Awesome Dogs “Sing” Jingle Bells
I’m not a big fan of the ever-popular barked rendition of “Jingle Bells”s. I mean, it was a cute idea at the time (1990s? ’80s? The Dawn of Man?), but there are only so many times you can listen to it and not go, “Enough!”
I know, bah humbug, right?
Well, I’m not as Scroogy or Grinchy as I may appear, because there’s a new barked version that features some super-well-trained dogs who really bark at just the right times, and I think it’s great. Check it out at the bottom of this post. I love the dog on the right. You may think he’s a Fail Dog, but don’t judge him until after you’ve had a chance to consider that his “note” was needed only once.
If you like the video, the folks at Pedigree have made it possible to send your Facebook pals personalized e-cards featuring the video. Go to the Pedigree Adoption Drive Facebook page, fill out the greeting, and send away! You can even put your dog’s name on the greeting. Everyone will think your dog is very savvy.
Want to help a dog find a loving home this holiday season? Send a Pedigree Foundation honorary donation e-card. For each one sent, Pedigree will match the contribution up to $20,000.
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