One plant in South Carolina that produces  several brands of dog food like Diamond, Candidae, Taste of the Wild, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul, etc,  may have a salmonella contamination in the products.  For more information  visit

http://truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/distributor-states-canidae-natural-balance-and-one-wellness-product-recalled.html

I stayed in touch with other people who saw the bears during the summer and into the fall hunting season. All six bears continued to thrive. As time for hibernation approached, I found still more folks who had seen them, and everything remained OK.

And so it is with humility and great pleasure that I share these photos with you.

Sincerely,
Tom Sears

P.S. August 22, 2008, the cubs are doing well but have gone their separate ways and there will not be another ‘family portrait’.”

There are more photos of the Mama bear and of her cubs on Tom Sears’ website under Portfolios. To find out more about Tom and his work go to:
http://www.digitalphotographics.us/index.html

Here is a press release about the book
Bridget, The Adventures of an English Shepherd Puppy
Written by Lisa Hasler

This 260-page book is the story of the busy first year that Bridget, an English Shepherd puppy from Arkansas, spends with her new human on a little farm in New Hampshire. The book is chocked full of traveling, hiking, backcountry skiing, training, and socializing adventures. Some are suspenseful and some comical. Some are joyful and some frustrating. All serve to forge a solid bond and common language between Bridget and her human, Lisa. Bridget attends contra dances and business meetings, takes an agility class, earns a therapy dog certification, swims a channel in Lake Winnipesaukee, and enjoys a wonderful road trip to the Rockies. The book includes lots of photos.

Anyone who knows working farm dog breeds will relate to the challenges that Lisa and Bridget face on their little farm where chasing livestock is not allowed. The book offers insights into the question of how a high drive dog with an instinctive passion for herding can settle happily into a life of guarding chickens, hiking, watching vegetables grow, and hanging out in the office. Lisa must dig deeply into the genetic makeup of her pup. Rather than asking Bridget to deny her natural instincts, Lisa learns, from Bridget, how to capitalize on them.

Bridget comes into Lisa’s life to be a traveling and hiking companion. Those who take pleasure in long road trips and treks into the mountains will be reminded of their own adventures when they read descriptions of rest stops off of I80 and scenic trails in several mountain ranges. Those who’d rather read about backcountry travel from the comfort of their armchairs can journey vicariously down the road and up the trail.

The book offers seasonal snapshots of homesteading in a close-knit, rural community in central New Hampshire. Bridget offers her own version of condolences to the little dog next door whose human passes away. She learns not to chase chickens and helps find lost cattle as well as hidden eggs. Together, Bridget and Lisa deal with snowstorms, power outages and an endless list of farm chores, as well as lovely morning walks in the woods. Country and city dwellers alike can spend a few chapters imaging life on Bridget’s farm.

Bridget follows in the paw prints of Cora, Lisa’s previous dog, who summited all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4000-foot mountain peaks. Honoring the dogs of our past is always part of bonding with a new pup. With Bridget’s help, Lisa finally finds a suitable tribute to Cora’s memory in a mystical scene on a windy mountaintop.

The book can be purchased directly from the author for $14.00 plus postage. ($2.41 book rate, $4.05 priority mail.) Local readers can arrange for delivery to Concord or Laconia, NH in order to save on postage.

Lisa Hasler, 19 Buzzell Rd, Gilmanton, NH 03237, (603) 267-7227 lisahasler@prodigy.net

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/11/17/dog-defense-against-new-flu-virus.aspx

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/11/15/declawing-torture-cats.aspx

Please share this information. These were all roping horses.
News Release from Southern Arkansas University
Between the hours of 10:30 p.m. on November 2, 2011, and 6:30 a.m. on November 3, 2011, 5 horses, a horse trailer and riding equipment were stolen from the Mulerider Stables on the campus of Southern Arkansas University located in Magnolia, Arkansas.
The suspect vehicle is reported to be a dark colored Ford truck. The horses stolen were described as follows:
1) American Quarter Horse, 16 years of age, gelding, black in color, bearing a rocking “M” brand on its left hind quarter.
2) American Quarter Horse, 7 years of age, female, gray in color.
3) Quarter Horse, 14 years of age, female, buckskin in color.
4) Quarter Horse, 15 years of age, gelding, Sorrell in color, bearing a rocking “V” brand on its left front quarter, as well as a “K” brand on its right hind quarter.
5) Quarter Horse, 12 years of age, female, black in color, bearing a circle “M” brand on its left hind quarter.
The horse trailer stolen is a 2003 Featherlite, silver in color, bearing Georgia License Plate TL7W102 and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 4FGL020223C058456.
Various riding equipment was also stolen.
If anyone has any information regarding the theft please contact the Southern Arkansas University Police Department at 870-235-4100.

http://www.ygrr.org/doginfo/behavior-phobia.html

http://www.thundershirt.com/

Corn contaminated with aflatoxin is lethal to horses and will kill them. Aflatoxins are also toxic to dogs. Symptoms of the toxicity in dogs may include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite and jaundice which indicated compromise of the liver. High levels of the toxin in dog food can kill dogs. In 2006 over 100 dogs died when several brands of dog food were tainted with this toxin.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CINCINNATI, Ohio, – December 18, 2010 – The Kroger Co. said today it is recalling select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, which poses a health risk to pets.

Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The recall also includes Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana.

Kroger is recalling the following items:

* Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088128
* Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071357
* Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088152
* Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074580
* Pet Pride Kitten Formula Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071903
* Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 22 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074566

PLEASE DO NOT FEED JUST ONE FOOD OR PRODUCT LINE THAT IS PRODUCED BY THE SAME COMPANY. Personally I try to feed 3 different product, mixing them together and watching for any product that the dogs refuse to eat.  If dogs refuse to eat dog food, do not force them to eat it.  They are telling you something.  It is not fit to eat.

Bane, Missing Police Dog

Bane, a 4 year old sable-colored German Shepherd working with the Michigan State Police, is missing. Bane disappeared on Nov 13 while searching for a dementia patient near Onaway in northeast lower Michigan. If you have seen this dog or have any information about him, please contact the Michigan State Police at 989-734-2204 or 989-354-4101.
The dog is a docile and will come if you call him. Hunters in the area have been asked to help located the dog. Word needs to be spread out from Michigan in case the dog was picked up as a stray and is now in another part of the country.
A facebook page has been created to help Find Bane

Update:  The area being searched is being enlarged.  Please help  find Bane.  There are flyers available on the facebook page.   Thousands are searching for Bane. Please help get the word out and Find Bane.

Dogs are hard on dog beds.  One way to get create a cheap new dog bed for your pet is to purchase a $3-$4 pillow from a discount store .  Be sure to put it in the dryer for about 20 minutes to kill any bed bugs that might be hitching a ride into your house.   For about a $1 at a local GoodWill store you can have your choice from lots of pillow shams.  Find one that matches your personality or that of your dog and “Presto” – new dog bed!

Susan Wagner is  veterinary neurologist and a pioneer in the area of human-animal bond. Through a Dog’s Ear is an  extremely interesting book explaining how dogs related to music.  In addition , the team has produced several CD designed to calm and relax dogs.

I have several of these CDs.  I play them for the pregnant moms  during delivery.  I play them for my pups in their crates.  I play them during road trips.  Bottom Line: my dogs love them.

Also, I usually have a CD playing in my lab where the dogs can come and go at will through a doggie dooor.  It is very common to walk in there and find several dogs sprawled out or rolled upside down chilling out to the music.

Perhaps the best time about all the interesting information available on the website is the section where you can download samples of the tracks from the CD.  I highly recommend that you take time to explore Music for your dog and download some sample tracks from:uhttp://throughadogsear.com/samples.htm

The Animal Rescue Site

The CEO of of Blue Buffalo promises to reimburse consumers for any veterinary or testing expenses related to illness caused by company products.

If you have purchased any of these products that are being recalled, return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.  You may call Blue Buffalo at 877-523-9114 between 8 am and 8 pm EST or visit their website at www.bluebuffalo.com

On the other hand, the Southern Walking Stick  is  gray to black with a distinctive pattern on its back.  If the venom  sprayed from this critter enters the eye, it is very capable of burning the eye.  Treatment is necessary to prevent permanent damage or blindness.

Cases have been reported in both dogs and humans especially children.

• Wash your hands after handling pet food or treats
• Don’t allow young children, the elderly or those who are immunocompromised to handle pet food or treats
• Keep all pet foods and treats away from family food
• Don’t prepare dog food in the same area or with same equipment that you use to prepare human food
• Try and feed your pet in another area other than the kitchen

OMG!   Commercial dog food gotten so bad that we have to be warned about it!  There is no one watching out for your dog but YOU.  Take the time to learn about dog foods.  Your dog’s health and life depends on it.

According to The Dog Food Project, it is

a lipophilic non-ionic surfactant with HLB of 3.6 – 4.2. It has effects of emulsification, dispersion, foaming, defoaming, starch anti-aging and fat agglomeration control, and is widely used in foodstuffs, cosmetic, medicine and plastic processing industries. It is an emulsifier used the most widely and in the largest quantities in the foodstuff industry.

A thickening, emulsifying, antisticking and antistalant agent. Can contain up to 200 ppm butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as a preservative (see also BHT). Depending on method of manufacture, it can also contain glyceryl distearate (42-44%), glyceryl tristearate (20-23%), free glycerol (3-5%). Other impurities include mono-, di-, and triesters of related fatty acids as well as unreacted fatty acids. Due to the uncertainty of chemical additives, this ingredient should be avoided.

Amen!

According to the press release by Blue Buffalo Company

These are the ONLY code dates being recalled:

Product	Bag Size	Best Used By Dates
BLUE Wilderness Chicken (Dog)	4.5 lb., 11 lb., 24lb.	JUL1211B, JUL1311B, JUL2611Z, JUL2711Z, JUL2811Z
BLUE Basics Salmon (Dog)	11 lb., 24 lb.	AUG2111B, AUG2211B
BLUE Large Breed Adult Chicken	30 lb.	SEP 22 11 P, SEP 23 11 P, OCT 26 11 P

If you feed this product, please check to be sure  your bag.      If your dog is exhibiting any unusual symptoms, please notify your vet of this recall and the information available at the Michigan State University on Hypervitaminoisis D.

Over the years, I have had dogs that itch.  You deworm them, deflea them, bathe them.  Nothing seems to work for long.    I keep a mental list of things to try for the next itchy dog.  Dr. Weil has some ideas new to me .  You can search for them at his website at  drweil.com.  Here is a direct link to the use of fish oil to help reduce itch in our canine friends. www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400120/fish-oil-for-dogs.html

Without sounding like a broken record,  don’t forget  food allergies can cause itch in dogs. Be careful what you feed your dog.

And deodectic mange can also be a culprit especially when the paws are involved.    This was a new one for me.  Deodectric mange occurs for a lot of reasons , but it is basically related to supression of the immune system.  It occurs mainly in puppies  along their chests, behind their knees, on their foreheads, etc. Most of the time disappears on its own as the immune system develops or gets stronger.

But this mite in some instances has the ability to localize in the feet.  And the itching seems to drive dogs crazy.  Have you seen dogs madly chewing on their toes and paws?  This condition is referred to as DEMODECTIC PODODERMATITIS.    It is difficult to treat but the one thing that should NOT be done is to treat the dog with a cortisone type medication such as prednisone.  The reason this is important to know is because cortisones are often the first choice of vets to stop severe itching in dogs.  In this instance, cortisones which suppress the immune system give the mite an upper hand.

With permission to quote:

“Most  autoimmune disorders can be traced back to vaccines. Add the junk food to that mix and all the other toxins we put on the animals like flea & tick control, the medications, and fluoridated/chlorinated water, etc, etc., and there is your so-called “endemic” illnesses. And remember all these are just symptoms NOT disease since each animal has its own dis-ease or body out of balance. While some of these symptoms are similar and manifest as diabetes or epilepsy or liver disease, etc, they are all symptoms of a body out of balance causing that particular body to have its own disease.

Western medicine treats symptoms as disease but holistic health pays attention to the whole animal – mind, body and spirit and that is what is treated, each individual animal NOT the symptoms and certainly not suppressing the symptoms as Western medicine is want to do. – Dr. Kim Bloomer, VND- Aspen Bloom pet Care.com “

Dogs should be fed healthy diets free of toxins and foods that are dangerous to their health.  If you eat healthy, there are many foods in your diet that work for dogs.  However, you should be aware of the foods that are NOT good for your dog.  Here is a link to an excellent  list of Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog.  What we now need is a list of toxins and products that can be found in commercial dog foods that dogs should never eat.   Do you want to know  What’s Really in Pet Food ?  Once you have digested the reality of the situation, here is an article on Selecting a Commerical Pet Food.  When all is said and done, perhaps it is time to explore a RAW Diet for your beloved dog.

http://www.akcchf.org/pdfs/poisonous_plant_guide.pdf