Producers of animal feed all over China have been secretly supplementing their pig, poultry and fish feed with melamine and then selling it to unsuspecting farmers for years. It is used as a cheap filler that disguises itself as protein in tests but provides no nutritional value. Melamine is prohibited in any food in the US. The FDA has banned all shipments of wheat gluten from China after about 14,000 reports of animals sickened by the tainted product.
China's food safety regulations have come into question for years. Scandals have involved everything from fake baby milk formulas and soy sauce made from human hair to instances where cuttlefish were soaked in calligraphy ink to improve their color and eels were fed contraceptive pills to make them grow long and slim.
No one knows how the melamine got into the wheat gluten and it is not believed to be paticularly toxic, so the question is how it became so fatal in the pet food.
Dog Food Secrets
Monday, April 30, 2007
Pet food Recall - Absolute Craziness!!!!
What is going on? The latest twist is that the pet food that was recalled and removed from store shelves was marked as "salvage" and that is the food that was passed along to the hog farms and fed to the hogs that are now quarantined! The hogs will be destroyed, said the US Government, and the owners will be compensated.
Now for the really scary part...
Wilbur-Ellis began importing rice protein from China in August 2006. The company did not become aware of the contamination until April 2007. The FDA determined that the rice protein was used to produce pet food and a portion of that pet food was used to produce animal feed. At this time the FDA has said that their is no evidence of harm to humans associated with the processed pork products...but if any evidence surfaces they will take appropriate action. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Why not make your own : 245 Healthy Recipes For Homemade Dog Foods
Now for the really scary part...
Wilbur-Ellis began importing rice protein from China in August 2006. The company did not become aware of the contamination until April 2007. The FDA determined that the rice protein was used to produce pet food and a portion of that pet food was used to produce animal feed. At this time the FDA has said that their is no evidence of harm to humans associated with the processed pork products...but if any evidence surfaces they will take appropriate action. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Why not make your own : 245 Healthy Recipes For Homemade Dog Foods
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Dry cat food
Dry food is generally made by extrusion cooking under high heat and pressure. It may then be sprayed with fat to increase palatability and other ingredients to complete its composition.
Pet owners often prefer dry cat food due to the convenience and price. Besides usually being significantly cheaper, dry cat food can also be left out for the cat to eat at will over the course of several days; whereas, canned or raw cat food spoils or becomes unappetizing after several hours.
Dry food is recommended by some based on the idea that cats break apart dry foods with their teeth, which causes the food to scrape off dental calculus. The degree of benefit this provides has been disputed in recent years.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Pet Food Recall - Harmony Farms Joins Recall - Finally!
American Nutrition Inc. became the final of the five pet food companies that Wilbur-Ellis supplied with tainted rice protein to join the FDA pet food recall on friday."It appears that ANI had been adding the unauthorized rice protein concentrate to Harmony Farms products for some time and only told the company when the FDA was about to conclude that some of ANI's rice protein concentrate (supplied by Wilber-Ellis) was contaminated with melamine," said a statement on the Harmony Farms site.
Dog Food Secrets (Includes Recipes For Homemade Dog Foods)
On Cats
"Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a cat."
- Franklin P. Jones
"I got rid of my husband. The cat was allergic."
"My husband said it was him or the cat ... I miss him sometimes."
I was at a yard sale one day and saw a box marked "Electronic cat and dog caller -- guaranteed to work." I looked inside and was amused to see an electric can opener.
- Franklin P. Jones
"I got rid of my husband. The cat was allergic."
"My husband said it was him or the cat ... I miss him sometimes."
I was at a yard sale one day and saw a box marked "Electronic cat and dog caller -- guaranteed to work." I looked inside and was amused to see an electric can opener.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Get The Facts: What's Really In Pet Food
Have you seen the article at The Animal Protection Institute ? The facts are eye-opening, to say the least! The report explores the differences between what consumers think they are buying and what they are actually getting. Here are a few tidbits:
"What most consumers don't know is that the pet food industry is an extension of the human food and agriculture industries. Pet food provides a convenient way for slaughterhouse offal, grains considered 'unfit for human consumption,' and similar waste products to be turned into profit. This waste includes intestines, udders, heads, hooves, and possibly diseased and cancerous animal parts."
"Dogs and cats are carnivores, and do best on a meat-based diet."
"Most dry foods contain a large amount of cereal grain or starchy vegetables to provide texture. These high-carbohydrate plant products also provide a cheap source of 'energy' - the rest of us call it 'calories'. Gluten meals are high-protein extracts from which most of the carbohydrate has been removed. They are often used to boost protein percentages without expensive animal-source ingredients. Corn gluten meal is the most commonly used for this purpose. Wheat gluten is also used to create shapes like cuts, bites, chunks, flakes, and slices, and as a thickener for gravy. In most cases, foods containing vegetable proteins are among the poorer quality foods."
"Today, the diets of cats and dogs are a far cry from the variable meat-based diets their ancestors ate. The unpleasant results of grain-based, processed, year-in and year-out diets are common. Health problems associated with diet include: Urinary tract disease, Kidney disease, dental disease, obesity, chronic digestive problems, bloat, heart disease, and hyperthyroidism."
"Many nutritional problems appeared with the popularity of cereal based commercial pet foods. Some have occured because the diet was incomplete. Although several ingredients are now supplemented, we do not know what future researchers may discover that should have been supplemented in pet foods all along."
If you think that your pets' food is not cereal based because of the ingredients and the order in which they are listed.....think again. You NEED to read this report.
"What most consumers don't know is that the pet food industry is an extension of the human food and agriculture industries. Pet food provides a convenient way for slaughterhouse offal, grains considered 'unfit for human consumption,' and similar waste products to be turned into profit. This waste includes intestines, udders, heads, hooves, and possibly diseased and cancerous animal parts."
"Dogs and cats are carnivores, and do best on a meat-based diet."
"Most dry foods contain a large amount of cereal grain or starchy vegetables to provide texture. These high-carbohydrate plant products also provide a cheap source of 'energy' - the rest of us call it 'calories'. Gluten meals are high-protein extracts from which most of the carbohydrate has been removed. They are often used to boost protein percentages without expensive animal-source ingredients. Corn gluten meal is the most commonly used for this purpose. Wheat gluten is also used to create shapes like cuts, bites, chunks, flakes, and slices, and as a thickener for gravy. In most cases, foods containing vegetable proteins are among the poorer quality foods."
"Today, the diets of cats and dogs are a far cry from the variable meat-based diets their ancestors ate. The unpleasant results of grain-based, processed, year-in and year-out diets are common. Health problems associated with diet include: Urinary tract disease, Kidney disease, dental disease, obesity, chronic digestive problems, bloat, heart disease, and hyperthyroidism."
"Many nutritional problems appeared with the popularity of cereal based commercial pet foods. Some have occured because the diet was incomplete. Although several ingredients are now supplemented, we do not know what future researchers may discover that should have been supplemented in pet foods all along."
If you think that your pets' food is not cereal based because of the ingredients and the order in which they are listed.....think again. You NEED to read this report.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Pet Food Recall - Some Answers?
By Andrew Bridges
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON --
First, cats and dogs were sickened and died after they ate pet food contaminated with an industrial chemical. Then, it was disclosed that hogs were fed the same pet food, raising concerns that the chemical had entered the human food supply.Some questions and answers about the contamination, the massive recall that followed and the risks to people and animals:
Q: What chemical tainted the food?
A: Traces of melamine, a nitrogen-rich chemical used in a variety of industrial processes, were found in the pet food. Its most common use is to make resins, which in turn can be molded into products like counter tops and kitchen utensils, including plastic dinnerware sold as Melmac. It also is both a contaminant and byproduct of several pesticides, including cyromazine, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Q: Is melamine toxic to animals?
A: Melamine appears to have caused acute kidney failure in animals that have died or been sickened after eating foods laced with the chemical. Previously, the only known risk was to rodents. When fed to male rats in high doses, melamine indirectly caused tumors by forming stones that irritated the lining of the bladder, according to a 2002 United Nations Environmental Program report. The report concluded its toxicity to mammals is low.
Q: How many pets have died after eating contaminated food?
A: No one knows. Estimates run from a few dozen to several thousand dogs and cats. The FDA has confirmed only about 15 pet deaths.
Q: What about people?
A: The 2002 UN report concluded the potential risk posed by melamine is low. However, the UN based that conclusion on the slim chance that consumers would even come into contact with the chemical.
Q: Has melamine been found in any human foods?
A: No. However, the FDA is beginning to test wheat gluten, rice protein concentrate and at least four other vegetable proteins imported for use by firms that make human food, including pizza dough and infant formula, and those that manufacture animal feed.
Q: What's the connection to human food?
A: State and federal investigators are looking at hog farms in at least six states that were supplied with salvaged pet food distributed before it was known to be contaminated with melamine. It wasn't immediately clear which farms had hogs that actually ate the contaminated pet food, though the urine of animals has tested positive for the chemical in California, North Carolina and South Carolina. Some hog farms have been placed under quarantine. A poultry farm in Missouri also may have received some tainted food.
Q: How many brands of pet food were recalled?
A: Companies have recalled more than 5,500 varieties of pet food and treats, sold under more than 100 brands.
Q: What advice has FDA given pet owners?
A: The agency recommends checking if a pet's food has been recalled. Any recalled food should not be used. A complete, searchable list is available on the FDA's Web site . If a pet suffers a loss of appetite, lethargy or vomiting, the FDA suggests owners contact a veterinarian.
Q: How did the melamine get into the pet food in the first place?
A: Two vegetable proteins tainted with melamine were imported from China and used in pet foods sold in North America, while a third was used in southern Africa. In the United States, melamine has shown up in wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate. The protein-rich ingredients were used to produce the now-recalled brands of pet foods and treats by U.S. and Canadian companies. And in pet products sold in South Africa and Namibia, the third vegetable protein ingredient, corn gluten, also has been found to be contaminated.
Q: Why would melamine show up in those ingredients?
A: The Food and Drug Administration suspects melamine was used to spike the vegetable proteins to make them appear to have more protein than they actually did. Adding a nitrogen-rich contaminant like melamine would skew the results of tests to make an ingredient register as more protein-rich than it really is -- and allow it to sell for more money.
Q: Who imported the tainted ingredients and where did they go?
A: All three vegetable proteins tainted with melamine were imported from China. Two companies are known to have imported tainted ingredients: ChemNutra Inc. of Las Vegas bought wheat gluten, and Wilbur-Ellis Co. of San Francisco purchased the rice protein concentrate. Both companies in turn sold the wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate to pet food manufacturers or distributors that supply such companies. The FDA does not believe either ingredient went directly to any company that used them to make human food.
Q: Why weren't the ingredients tested for melamine?
A: Until the recent and ongoing recalls, regulators did not consider melamine a likely contaminant of food meant for either people or animals. Nor were the vegetable proteins considered at risk for contamination. The FDA is now testing a variety of vegetable proteins, used to make everything from infant formula to energy bars, for the chemical.
Q: What else is the government doing to ensure the safety of the food people and pets eat?
A: The FDA is inspecting factories and warehouses and analyzing both raw ingredients and finished pet foods as part of its efforts to track down all the contaminated product. Agency inspectors also plan to visit plants in China where the suspect ingredients were made. Along with the USDA and state officials, the FDA is investigating cases where contaminated pet food was fed to hogs and poultry. The FDA is also fielding consumer complaints as well as calls from veterinarians. And agency criminal investigators continue to monitor the situation.
Q: What about Congress?
A: Lawmakers have begun a series of investigations into how the FDA polices the safety of the nation's food supply. Legislative proposals include the creation of a single food agency. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, has called for an audit of the nation's food safety system. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., has said that unless the FDA improves how it handles food safety investigations she would seek to withhold the paychecks of top agency officials.
Source: Food and Drug Administration, federal and state departments of agriculture, Congress, Environmental Protection Agency, various companies.
245 Recipes for Homemade Dog Foods
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON --
First, cats and dogs were sickened and died after they ate pet food contaminated with an industrial chemical. Then, it was disclosed that hogs were fed the same pet food, raising concerns that the chemical had entered the human food supply.Some questions and answers about the contamination, the massive recall that followed and the risks to people and animals:
Q: What chemical tainted the food?
A: Traces of melamine, a nitrogen-rich chemical used in a variety of industrial processes, were found in the pet food. Its most common use is to make resins, which in turn can be molded into products like counter tops and kitchen utensils, including plastic dinnerware sold as Melmac. It also is both a contaminant and byproduct of several pesticides, including cyromazine, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Q: Is melamine toxic to animals?
A: Melamine appears to have caused acute kidney failure in animals that have died or been sickened after eating foods laced with the chemical. Previously, the only known risk was to rodents. When fed to male rats in high doses, melamine indirectly caused tumors by forming stones that irritated the lining of the bladder, according to a 2002 United Nations Environmental Program report. The report concluded its toxicity to mammals is low.
Q: How many pets have died after eating contaminated food?
A: No one knows. Estimates run from a few dozen to several thousand dogs and cats. The FDA has confirmed only about 15 pet deaths.
Q: What about people?
A: The 2002 UN report concluded the potential risk posed by melamine is low. However, the UN based that conclusion on the slim chance that consumers would even come into contact with the chemical.
Q: Has melamine been found in any human foods?
A: No. However, the FDA is beginning to test wheat gluten, rice protein concentrate and at least four other vegetable proteins imported for use by firms that make human food, including pizza dough and infant formula, and those that manufacture animal feed.
Q: What's the connection to human food?
A: State and federal investigators are looking at hog farms in at least six states that were supplied with salvaged pet food distributed before it was known to be contaminated with melamine. It wasn't immediately clear which farms had hogs that actually ate the contaminated pet food, though the urine of animals has tested positive for the chemical in California, North Carolina and South Carolina. Some hog farms have been placed under quarantine. A poultry farm in Missouri also may have received some tainted food.
Q: How many brands of pet food were recalled?
A: Companies have recalled more than 5,500 varieties of pet food and treats, sold under more than 100 brands.
Q: What advice has FDA given pet owners?
A: The agency recommends checking if a pet's food has been recalled. Any recalled food should not be used. A complete, searchable list is available on the FDA's Web site . If a pet suffers a loss of appetite, lethargy or vomiting, the FDA suggests owners contact a veterinarian.
Q: How did the melamine get into the pet food in the first place?
A: Two vegetable proteins tainted with melamine were imported from China and used in pet foods sold in North America, while a third was used in southern Africa. In the United States, melamine has shown up in wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate. The protein-rich ingredients were used to produce the now-recalled brands of pet foods and treats by U.S. and Canadian companies. And in pet products sold in South Africa and Namibia, the third vegetable protein ingredient, corn gluten, also has been found to be contaminated.
Q: Why would melamine show up in those ingredients?
A: The Food and Drug Administration suspects melamine was used to spike the vegetable proteins to make them appear to have more protein than they actually did. Adding a nitrogen-rich contaminant like melamine would skew the results of tests to make an ingredient register as more protein-rich than it really is -- and allow it to sell for more money.
Q: Who imported the tainted ingredients and where did they go?
A: All three vegetable proteins tainted with melamine were imported from China. Two companies are known to have imported tainted ingredients: ChemNutra Inc. of Las Vegas bought wheat gluten, and Wilbur-Ellis Co. of San Francisco purchased the rice protein concentrate. Both companies in turn sold the wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate to pet food manufacturers or distributors that supply such companies. The FDA does not believe either ingredient went directly to any company that used them to make human food.
Q: Why weren't the ingredients tested for melamine?
A: Until the recent and ongoing recalls, regulators did not consider melamine a likely contaminant of food meant for either people or animals. Nor were the vegetable proteins considered at risk for contamination. The FDA is now testing a variety of vegetable proteins, used to make everything from infant formula to energy bars, for the chemical.
Q: What else is the government doing to ensure the safety of the food people and pets eat?
A: The FDA is inspecting factories and warehouses and analyzing both raw ingredients and finished pet foods as part of its efforts to track down all the contaminated product. Agency inspectors also plan to visit plants in China where the suspect ingredients were made. Along with the USDA and state officials, the FDA is investigating cases where contaminated pet food was fed to hogs and poultry. The FDA is also fielding consumer complaints as well as calls from veterinarians. And agency criminal investigators continue to monitor the situation.
Q: What about Congress?
A: Lawmakers have begun a series of investigations into how the FDA polices the safety of the nation's food supply. Legislative proposals include the creation of a single food agency. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, has called for an audit of the nation's food safety system. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., has said that unless the FDA improves how it handles food safety investigations she would seek to withhold the paychecks of top agency officials.
Source: Food and Drug Administration, federal and state departments of agriculture, Congress, Environmental Protection Agency, various companies.
245 Recipes for Homemade Dog Foods
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Sign The PETition
The Proposition
“I support effective regulation of the manufacturing, testing, labeling and marketing of all pet food. I call upon all governments to act on all aspects of this issue IMMEDIATELY and to keep the public informed.”
“I support effective regulation of the manufacturing, testing, labeling and marketing of all pet food. I call upon all governments to act on all aspects of this issue IMMEDIATELY and to keep the public informed.”
Pet Food Recall; Melamine Enters Human Food Supply
Melamine may have found it's way into the human food supply through hogs that were fed melamine-contaminated pet food. Hog farms in California, North Carolina, New York and South Carolina have been identified and an additional farm in Ohio is being investigated. All of these farms received "salvaged" pet food containing melamine.
The farm in California caters to individuals buying entire hogs and all of those consumers have been alerted. According to the FDA, the farms in the other states had not yet distributed any of the tainted pork. All of the animals are being quarantined and are being tested.
The farm in California caters to individuals buying entire hogs and all of those consumers have been alerted. According to the FDA, the farms in the other states had not yet distributed any of the tainted pork. All of the animals are being quarantined and are being tested.
I'm Concerned...
I don't like this at all.
I found a big green carrier-type box upstairs today.
My Food Lady put it in the bedroom and
started putting her clothes into it.
I really don't like the looks of this.
I have seen this big green thing before
and it meant only one thing...
My Food Lady might not be here to feed me!
I am going to stay on top of the green carrier
until I find out exactly what is going on here...
I found a big green carrier-type box upstairs today.
My Food Lady put it in the bedroom and
started putting her clothes into it.
I really don't like the looks of this.
I have seen this big green thing before
and it meant only one thing...
My Food Lady might not be here to feed me!I am going to stay on top of the green carrier
until I find out exactly what is going on here...
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
PRESS RELEASE - April 24, 2007
PRESS RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tom McPheron Phone: 847-285-6781 Cell: 773-494-5419
e-mail: tmcpheron@avma.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2007
LiveSmart Weight Management Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food Recalled Due to Potential Melamine Contamination
SCHAUMBURG, Ill.
—
The other pet food manufacturers that received potentially contaminated rice protein concentrate imported from China by the Wilbur-Ellis company included: Blue Buffalo Company, Natural Balance Pet Foods, and Royal Canin. Dr. Stephen Sundlof, director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the FDA, said that FDA tests were positive for melamine in a product by a fifth pet food manufacturer, but that manufacturer has elected to conduct private tests prior to recalling its product. Results are expected to be known within a day.
Melamine-contaminated wheat gluten was the source of the initial pet food recall issued on March 16, 2007. That recall has resulted in the recall of hundreds of dog and cat foods produced by Menu Foods.
In the wake of these recalls, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reminds pet owners to continue to consult the AVMA listing of recalled pet food and discontinue feeding pets any food that has been recalled. The AVMA advices that any animal that is showing symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in urination—common symptoms after consumption of recalled pet foods—should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
A comprehensive AVMA Pet Food Recall List is available at the AVMA Pet Food Recall Website. This list contains all recall information that has come to the attention of the AVMA, but it is not guaranteed to be complete. The AVMA encourages all concerned to contact the specific manufacturer regarding the status of any particular pet food or treat.
Veterinarians should report all cases of illness and death linked to a recalled pet food by calling the FDA's State Consumer Complaint Coordinator. A list of these coordinators is available at the FDA Consumer Complaint Website. For more information, please visit the AVMA web site.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tom McPheron Phone: 847-285-6781 Cell: 773-494-5419
e-mail: tmcpheron@avma.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2007
LiveSmart Weight Management Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food Recalled Due to Potential Melamine Contamination
SCHAUMBURG, Ill.
—
LiveSmart Weight Management Chicken and Brown Rice dog food was recalled by its manufacturer SmartPak on Friday, April 20. SmartPak is the fourth of five manufacturers that received potentially contaminated rice protein concentrate supplied by distributor Wilbur-Ellis. According to the SmartPak Web site, less than 1,200 pounds of product had left the company's facility prior to the recall and SmartPark notified every affected pet owner via telephone and email (see the SmartPak Web site).
The other pet food manufacturers that received potentially contaminated rice protein concentrate imported from China by the Wilbur-Ellis company included: Blue Buffalo Company, Natural Balance Pet Foods, and Royal Canin. Dr. Stephen Sundlof, director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the FDA, said that FDA tests were positive for melamine in a product by a fifth pet food manufacturer, but that manufacturer has elected to conduct private tests prior to recalling its product. Results are expected to be known within a day.
Melamine-contaminated wheat gluten was the source of the initial pet food recall issued on March 16, 2007. That recall has resulted in the recall of hundreds of dog and cat foods produced by Menu Foods.
In the wake of these recalls, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reminds pet owners to continue to consult the AVMA listing of recalled pet food and discontinue feeding pets any food that has been recalled. The AVMA advices that any animal that is showing symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in urination—common symptoms after consumption of recalled pet foods—should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
A comprehensive AVMA Pet Food Recall List is available at the AVMA Pet Food Recall Website. This list contains all recall information that has come to the attention of the AVMA, but it is not guaranteed to be complete. The AVMA encourages all concerned to contact the specific manufacturer regarding the status of any particular pet food or treat.
Veterinarians should report all cases of illness and death linked to a recalled pet food by calling the FDA's State Consumer Complaint Coordinator. A list of these coordinators is available at the FDA Consumer Complaint Website. For more information, please visit the AVMA web site.
Pet Food Recall - It's Time We Act...
It's been more than a month since the massive pet food recall began and dog and cat owners are even more confused than ever. The FDA began recalling more than 60 million cat and dog food products on March 17th and the list seems to be growing every couple of days! Brand name and cost don't seem to factors in keeping your pet safe.
The ingredient list now includes wheat gluten, rice protein and corn gluten!
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner asking (?) him to identify the companies that recieved the tainted rice protein shipments from China. The companies have, as of yet, refused to institute a recall. They are asking (?) the FDA to require them to trace and recall any pet food that may have been contaminated with the rice protein product.
In the U.S. alone, estimates are, there are 68 Million dog owners and 73 Million cat owners. Maybe we all need to Contact our Senator and Congressional Representative and DEMAND that something be done to protect our Pets!
In the meantime, I, personally, am afraid to buy any commercial pet foods. I have included a few recipes for homemade dog foods on this site but if you would like some more, Healthy Food For Dogs - Homemade Recipes , contains 245 recipes!
The ingredient list now includes wheat gluten, rice protein and corn gluten!
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner asking (?) him to identify the companies that recieved the tainted rice protein shipments from China. The companies have, as of yet, refused to institute a recall. They are asking (?) the FDA to require them to trace and recall any pet food that may have been contaminated with the rice protein product.
In the U.S. alone, estimates are, there are 68 Million dog owners and 73 Million cat owners. Maybe we all need to Contact our Senator and Congressional Representative and DEMAND that something be done to protect our Pets!
In the meantime, I, personally, am afraid to buy any commercial pet foods. I have included a few recipes for homemade dog foods on this site but if you would like some more, Healthy Food For Dogs - Homemade Recipes , contains 245 recipes!
Monday, April 23, 2007
The Most Devastating Pet Food Recall In History!
The largest and quite possibly the most devastating pet food recall in history contains both wet and dry pet foods. Procter & Gamble, Nestle', Hill's Pet Nutrition, Del-Monte, Natural Balance, Royal Canin USA, Store Brands (including Ahold, Kroger, Safeway, Wal-Mart, PetSmart, Pet Valu, and many, many, more), are only some of the companies involved in this voluntary recall. Estimates as of April 10th, are 39,000 cats and dogs have been affected (I'm sure this is a very conservative figure!)!
The tainted wheat gluten was apparently imported between November 3, 2006 and January 23, 2007.
U.S. Health officials are warning pet owners that the contaminated pet foods are still being sold in some stores! FDA officials conducted approximately 400 checks of retail stores and discovered some companies have not removed all of the recalled products.
I have listed several recipes for homemade dog foods below. If you would like more recipes, I have found this ebooks to be very helpful : Dog Food Secrets Revealed
The tainted wheat gluten was apparently imported between November 3, 2006 and January 23, 2007.
U.S. Health officials are warning pet owners that the contaminated pet foods are still being sold in some stores! FDA officials conducted approximately 400 checks of retail stores and discovered some companies have not removed all of the recalled products.
I have listed several recipes for homemade dog foods below. If you would like more recipes, I have found this ebooks to be very helpful : Dog Food Secrets Revealed
Sunday, April 22, 2007
China Cat found a box for me...
China Cat found a big blue box in our family room.
She called for me so I could come see it.
She knows that I love boxes!
I ran into the family room and she was right!
There was a big blue box exactly where she said it would be.
I didn't even stop to sniff it - I climbed right in that box.
(That is why my picture is rather blurry -
I was in a hurry to check out the inside of the box!)
Now I could take my time sniffing the new box.
It must have been left here for me.
I looked on the outside of the box
and I can see that the word "cat" is there,
along with some other letters.
I do like sitting in this "cat" box.
~~~~~
China Cat was so happy I liked the box
she found that she came over
and patted me very nicely on my head.
I love my sister-cat China!
Oh, my Food Lady,
I love it that you left me this big blue "cat" box!
She called for me so I could come see it.
She knows that I love boxes!
I ran into the family room and she was right!There was a big blue box exactly where she said it would be.
I didn't even stop to sniff it - I climbed right in that box.
(That is why my picture is rather blurry -
I was in a hurry to check out the inside of the box!)
Now I could take my time sniffing the new box.It must have been left here for me.
I looked on the outside of the boxand I can see that the word "cat" is there,
along with some other letters.
I do like sitting in this "cat" box.
~~~~~ China Cat was so happy I liked the box
she found that she came over
and patted me very nicely on my head.
I love my sister-cat China!
Oh, my Food Lady,I love it that you left me this big blue "cat" box!
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Keeping Your Dog Safe - Free Recipes For Homemade Dog Foods
So now they are saying that it may have been INTENTIONAL! Can you believe it! Imported ingredients may have been intentionally spiked with an industrial chemical to boost their apparent protein content (what some people won't do for a buck!). The FDA is investigating this theory among others as to how melamine, contaminated in at least two ingredients used to make over 100 brands of cat and dog food, could have gotten into the foods. It has been found, so far, in wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate from China. The FDA is planning to go to China to inspect 3 plants where the melamine got into the products.
A third U.S. Company has recalled pet foods made with the tainted ingredients. Problem is this list is changing daily and they are not telling consumers until it's too late for many pet owners!
The only way to keep your dog safe with the way the pet food recall is being updated daily is to make your own dog food. I have been fortunate enough to find several ebooks containing healthy recipes for homemade dog foods. You can't just feed your baby "table scraps" because they don't necessarily contain the needed vitamins and minerals for your dog and not all dogs can eat the rich foods that many of our recipes contain.
Here are a few recipes for homemade dog food that you might find useful:
Apple Crunch Pupcakes
2 3/4 cups water
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 medium egg
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup apple, dried
1 tablespoon baking powder
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix water, applesauce, honey,egg and vanilla in a small bowl. Combine flour, dried apple and baking powder in another bowl. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until well blended. Pour into greased muffin pan. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container. Makes 12-14 pupcakes.
Basenji Stew
4 small parsnip
2 whole yellow squash—cubed
2 whole Sweet potatoes—peeled and cubed
2 whole Zucchini—cubed
5 whole tomatoes—canned
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans
1/2 cup Couscous
1/4 cup shredded Carrots
1 teaspoon Ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon Ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon Ground cumin
3 cups Water or chicken stock
2 cups cooked chicken
Combine all the ingredients (except chicken) in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Add chicken. Place over cook brown rice or barley.
Boo's Biscuits
3 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 cup Quaker oats
1 cup milk
1/2 cup hot water
2 beef or chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 cup meat drippings
Dissolve bouillon cubes in hot water. Add milk and drippings and beat. In a separate bowl, mix flour and oatmeal. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and mix well. Press onto an ungreased cookie sheet and cut into shapes desired. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour. Turn off heat and leave in the oven to harden. Refrigerate after baking.
Bulldog Banana Bites
2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup powdered non-fat milk
1 egg
1/3 cup ripe, mashed banana
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 beef bouillon cube
1/2 cup hot water
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Mix all ingredients until will blended. Knead for 2 minutes on a floured surface. Roll to 1/4 “ thickness. Use a 2 1/2” bone shaped cookie cutter (or any one you prefer). Bake for 30 minutes in a 300 degrees oven on ungreased cookie pans.
Cheesy Carrot Muffins
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup finely grated carrot
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper baking cups. Combine the flours and baking powder and mix well. Add the cheese and carrots and use your fingers to mix them into the flour until they are well-distributed. In another bowl, beat the eggs. Then whisk in the milk and vegetable oil. Pour this over the flour mixture and stir gently until just combined. Fill the muffin cups three-quarters full with the mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the muffins feel springy. Be sure to let the muffins cool before letting your dog do any taste testing! One muffin for medium to large dog, half a muffin for a toy or small dog.
Puppy Formula
4 ounces Carnation EVAPORATED milk
4 ounces FULL FAT natural, plain yogurt
1 tablespoon Mayonnaise
1 egg yolk
1 dropper full of human baby pediatric liquid vitamin, no fluoride
Blend together!
Shih Tzu Sushi
1 can salmon, canned, pink—reserve liquid
1 cup brown rice
2 cups water—plus salmon liquid
1 whole egg, hard-boiled—chopped
1/2 cup peas and carrots, frozen—or more if desired
1 tablespoon fresh parsley—chopped
2 tablespoons cod liver oil
1 package Nori Sheets -- *see Note
Drain salmon, reserve liquid for rice. do not remove bones or skin, flake with fork.Defrost peas and carrots.In a sauce pan add salmon liquid, water, brown rice, cook. let cool to touch. In a mixing bowl add salmon, brown rice, chopped egg, peas and carrots, and parsley, cod liver oil. Mix well. place one nori sheet on a flat surface and spread mixture 1/4 inch over nori, leave 1/4 inch edge of nori and dampen with water. And roll. repeat till nori sheets are used, or mixture is gone.Individually wrap in plastic wrap, refrigerate till ready to serve.Cut rolls into size for your doggie.
Note: Nori Sheets is dried seaweed found in the oriental section of your grocery store or specialty shop. This recipe freezes well also.
Hope you find these recipes for homemade dog foods useful!
More recipes like these can be found at: Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
A third U.S. Company has recalled pet foods made with the tainted ingredients. Problem is this list is changing daily and they are not telling consumers until it's too late for many pet owners!
The only way to keep your dog safe with the way the pet food recall is being updated daily is to make your own dog food. I have been fortunate enough to find several ebooks containing healthy recipes for homemade dog foods. You can't just feed your baby "table scraps" because they don't necessarily contain the needed vitamins and minerals for your dog and not all dogs can eat the rich foods that many of our recipes contain.
Here are a few recipes for homemade dog food that you might find useful:
Apple Crunch Pupcakes
2 3/4 cups water
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 medium egg
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup apple, dried
1 tablespoon baking powder
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix water, applesauce, honey,egg and vanilla in a small bowl. Combine flour, dried apple and baking powder in another bowl. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until well blended. Pour into greased muffin pan. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container. Makes 12-14 pupcakes.
Basenji Stew
4 small parsnip
2 whole yellow squash—cubed
2 whole Sweet potatoes—peeled and cubed
2 whole Zucchini—cubed
5 whole tomatoes—canned
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans
1/2 cup Couscous
1/4 cup shredded Carrots
1 teaspoon Ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon Ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon Ground cumin
3 cups Water or chicken stock
2 cups cooked chicken
Combine all the ingredients (except chicken) in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Add chicken. Place over cook brown rice or barley.
Boo's Biscuits
3 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 cup Quaker oats
1 cup milk
1/2 cup hot water
2 beef or chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 cup meat drippings
Dissolve bouillon cubes in hot water. Add milk and drippings and beat. In a separate bowl, mix flour and oatmeal. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and mix well. Press onto an ungreased cookie sheet and cut into shapes desired. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour. Turn off heat and leave in the oven to harden. Refrigerate after baking.
Bulldog Banana Bites
2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup powdered non-fat milk
1 egg
1/3 cup ripe, mashed banana
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 beef bouillon cube
1/2 cup hot water
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Mix all ingredients until will blended. Knead for 2 minutes on a floured surface. Roll to 1/4 “ thickness. Use a 2 1/2” bone shaped cookie cutter (or any one you prefer). Bake for 30 minutes in a 300 degrees oven on ungreased cookie pans.
Cheesy Carrot Muffins
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup finely grated carrot
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper baking cups. Combine the flours and baking powder and mix well. Add the cheese and carrots and use your fingers to mix them into the flour until they are well-distributed. In another bowl, beat the eggs. Then whisk in the milk and vegetable oil. Pour this over the flour mixture and stir gently until just combined. Fill the muffin cups three-quarters full with the mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the muffins feel springy. Be sure to let the muffins cool before letting your dog do any taste testing! One muffin for medium to large dog, half a muffin for a toy or small dog.
Puppy Formula
4 ounces Carnation EVAPORATED milk
4 ounces FULL FAT natural, plain yogurt
1 tablespoon Mayonnaise
1 egg yolk
1 dropper full of human baby pediatric liquid vitamin, no fluoride
Blend together!
Shih Tzu Sushi
1 can salmon, canned, pink—reserve liquid
1 cup brown rice
2 cups water—plus salmon liquid
1 whole egg, hard-boiled—chopped
1/2 cup peas and carrots, frozen—or more if desired
1 tablespoon fresh parsley—chopped
2 tablespoons cod liver oil
1 package Nori Sheets -- *see Note
Drain salmon, reserve liquid for rice. do not remove bones or skin, flake with fork.Defrost peas and carrots.In a sauce pan add salmon liquid, water, brown rice, cook. let cool to touch. In a mixing bowl add salmon, brown rice, chopped egg, peas and carrots, and parsley, cod liver oil. Mix well. place one nori sheet on a flat surface and spread mixture 1/4 inch over nori, leave 1/4 inch edge of nori and dampen with water. And roll. repeat till nori sheets are used, or mixture is gone.Individually wrap in plastic wrap, refrigerate till ready to serve.Cut rolls into size for your doggie.
Note: Nori Sheets is dried seaweed found in the oriental section of your grocery store or specialty shop. This recipe freezes well also.
Hope you find these recipes for homemade dog foods useful!
More recipes like these can be found at: Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Friday, April 20, 2007
Circles of Life - 2
Why do we choose the breed of dog we do? – part 2. You can read the first part here.
Poppy and Scruff
About a year after Poppy, the poodle, came into our lives, Peter and I stood entranced outside a pet shop in Ealing. A small white fluffy puppy was doing its best to attract our attention – and succeeding. We’d seen a Sunday Times photograph of a dog we admired in the arms of a well-known actress, an actress whose name I now forget. Was this the same breed? Those were the early days of The Drama Studio in Ealing: a life of students and teachers and the day-to-day running of the school. Naturally we lived and breathed acting and actors so it was natural we’d notice what dogs they owned. [To digress, I was chuffed to see that Forest Whitaker, who’d been a student at The Drama Studio many years after Peter and I split up, won the 2007 Oscar for his amazing portrayal of Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.] Peter and I, happily, are still great friends.
Back to the puppy in the pet shop. The owner of the shop told us it was a West Highland white terrier. He agreed to keep it whilst we went home and found the photograph in the newspaper. We always kept back copies of the Sunday papers - doesn’t everyone? Could we find it? Of course we couldn’t. Regardless, we went back, bought the puppy and named her Scruff. A week later we found the newspaper, found the photograph of the famous actress and discovered that the puppy we’d admired was a Maltese terrier. Wrong breed! Duh! No matter, Scruff was adorable and she and Poppy played together. Our doggy family was happy and so were we.
So why did we get those two breeds? Well, Poppy was bought for someone else, Scruff was bought because, I’m ashamed to say, we were influenced by the newspapers. A bit like people now buy a Chihuahua because they’ve seen Paris Hilton holding her dog, Tinkerbelle, as if it were a fashion accessory. Not necessarily a reason to choose a dog.
Time passed and by then Peter and I were, I suppose, what were called Yuppies in those days. Young, Upwardly Mobile …I forget the rest. Habitat furniture, a Volvo, the Good Food Guide and visits to trendy London restaurants. Always though, I noticed dogs. Once we saw a sports car with two people in front and then realised that the passenger wasn’t a person but a large fluffy dog. We were both captivated and recognised it as a dog we’d seen in the Dulux paint advertisement, an Old English Sheepdog. Sometimes I can’t believe that the breed that was to become the ‘breed of my life’ was chosen because of a paint advertisement. Maybe that’s not a bad thing – it certainly wasn’t in my case - but often people do buy a breed because it’s fashionable and then lose interest when they realise it’s all in the too hard basket. I was lucky - I fell in love with this breed and it’s been that way ever since.
Sloopy, the first Old English Sheepdog
The habit of looking at the pet section of the Evening Standard continued from the time we found Poppy and so, one day, what should I see but an advertisement, again way out in the East End of London, for a six month old Old English Sheepdog who’d apparently outgrown her apartment. This time, rather than taking the tube, I drove and some hours later returned with an enormous grey and white dog who’d been sick all over the back of the car. We called her Sloopy. We thought her perfect and it wasn’t until I got to know more about the breed, that I realised she was anything but – she was long in body with cow hocks, she had a narrow head and her coat was thin and tended to brown. To us though she was perfection, she was the first and she had that beautiful Old English temperament.
But it wasn’t to finish there. Suddenly three were a crowd. Two would play and one would be left out. Logical to get a fourth? Of course. But this time we decided we’d give a home to a refuge dog so long as it was female and large and fluffy. We didn’t mind what. The refuge, somewhere north of London, had dogs tied to trees, stuck in pens, not a good situation but the man who ran it wouldn’t let us have a dog. He told us that we had three young well-adjusted females and that he didn’t have another who was suitable for us. He told us they all had histories and problems and needed a one-person home, so we left somewhat dejected but looking back, he was right.
So, sometime later, again via the Evening Standard, I saw an advertisement for 10-month-old female Old English at Chalfont St. Giles, in Buckinghamshire. Off we went - I knew nothing about puppy farms in those days but that’s what it was. There were puppies of every imaginable breed. Most were in large clean dustbins – you peered down and in the gloom at the bottom would be three or four puppies looking up, crying for attention.
We were shown an enormous run containing around 15 or so adult Old English Sheepdogs. We wondered which of these was the 10-month old bitch we’d come to see. The dogs bounded back and forth, throwing themselves against the wire fence. I’d have been happy with any one of them. Then I noticed a shy little bitch in the far corner who didn’t move. Yes, you guessed it - she was the one for sale - Tara. We changed her name to Muffin. As luck would have it, Muffin had been bred by Colonel Bury Perkins, the Chairman of Bath Championship Show. She was a beautifully made bitch with an excellent pedigree who was to pass on her good qualities to her offspring.
Muffin and her daughter, Peggotty, my first showdog
So there we were with our four dogs: a crossbred poodle, a Westie, who should have been a Maltese terrier, and two Old English Sheepdogs. Twice a day, Peter and I (or just me) walked the dogs in the park alongside Ealing Studios until one day something happened that changed my life. I met Maria, who was walking her three Old English in the same park. We became friends and she taught me how to groom and care for an Old English Sheepdog and then, one day told me she was going to a dog show and asked if I’d like to go with her. I told her I thought it was cruel as ‘didn’t they walk the dogs round and round in circles?’ Well I went and the Old English Sheepdogs I saw at the show that day didn’t resemble my two scruffy bundles in the least. These dogs were immaculate, they were stars. You know how a good football match can be a theatrical experience – well so was this dog show. I was stunned by the beautiful bitch who won that day. She stood there, head in the air, saying to the judge, ‘Me, look at me, I’m the best.’ And she was. I went to two more dog shows after that, the last of which was Crufts, the biggest and most prestigious dog show in the world. At this show, that same bitch won and on that day I vowed that one day I’d breed a dog good enough to win at Crufts. And nine learning years later, I did when Champion Pelajilo Milly Mistletoe won Best Bitch at Crufts, 1981.
Champion Pelajilo Milly Mistletoe
I won’t fill this posting with stories of the Old English Sheepdog part of my life as it went on for years and it continues to this day, as I still judge the breed from time to time. Indeed last year it was my tremendous honour to stand in the middle of the ring at Crufts and judge the Old English Sheepdogs. Circles of life.
Judging Crufts 2006
When Peter and I split up, I moved to Wales, where I lived for six years. Slowly my kennel of Old English increased in numbers – and quality. More Westies got added to the mix. My wedding present to Micky (yes, another husband) was an Irish Wolfhound from the Irish Wolfhound Rescue Scheme. Zelda. What did I say in the last posting – that I knew nothing about hounds? I’d forgotten sweet Zelda, a wonderful creature, more a person than a dog.
And later, living alone in Australia, when Mistletoe, the last of my precious Old English Sheepdogs died, I went to a refuge in Cairns and came home with a mutt – probably more hound than anything else – what is it about a hound? She didn’t last long as she continually jumped the fence when I was out attempting to sell Real Estate. The police got fed up with this dog and suggested I find a more secure home for her. Luckily I did and she lived happily for years on Holloway’s Beach with an old lady and behind a higher fence than I had. At least she was out of the refuge.
UK & Australian Champion Bumblebarn Scramble of Pelajilo on Bondi Beach, Sydney, 1985
So many wonderful dogs, so many doggy love stories but the dog of my life wasn’t an Old English Sheepdog at all but an American cocker spaniel called Milou. And I didn’t choose him. The chauffeur of the lady who owned him brought him to Pension Milou (later named for Milou) when he was three years old. She was sick and eventually died and he became my dog and lived with me for 12 wonderful years. I still miss him and I always will. You can read his story here.
Milou, aged 4 when we lived in Roquebrune
Flavia, a Labrador and a retired guide dog for the blind, came to Pension Milou too and never left, but again I didn’t choose her. I’ll write her story another time. She lived with me for about 6 years and when she died, soon after Milou, I vowed no more dogs. Milou’s death in particular had knocked me for six. And then, there I was last year, driving home with a needy hound in the back of the car. So why?
The truth is I don’t know the answer. I can only think it has something to do with the soulful look in a hound’s eye that appeals to something deep within me but then, not all hounds, just particular ones – mine! You see I can’t answer the question I posed. It probably has nothing at all to do with the dog being a hound or any other breed, come to that – more a connection between an individual dog and me. His soul reaches out and I’m there. We fill a need in each other.
Beau
Isn’t that why you chose your dog – or he chose you?
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Pink Prayers for Lilly Lu
I wanted to turn my blog pink today for Lilly Lu
but I don’t know how to do that…
So, I will just write in pink today...for Lilly Lu.
I think that I'll even go look at the Red Sox site for her.
Oh, hooray for Lilly Lu -
her Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 5 to 3. That should make her feel better!
I hope so anyway.
(Thank you to Daisy for letting me use this lovely card.)
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Our Prayers are with you...
Caesar & Prinnie's college girl in Virginia made this
for remembrance
of all the students, faculty and families at Virginia Tech.
~~~~~
Our prayers are with all of you.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
I Hate Taxes...
OK, my Food Lady kept telling me
that she can't let me go to my blog
or visit any of my blogging friends
until she finishes something called taxes.
Whatever the taxes are, I am hating them.
My Food Lady won't even stop to play with me.
~~~~~
This is very bad.
~~~~~
That is why I came up with a great plan.
If I am on top of her tax papers and the blue circle thing,
then she will have to pay attention to me!
But then she insisted that there is a time limit
on when she has to finish them.
So, I guess that I will just have to
take a nap right here on her desk.
At least this way I will know when she finishes.
And maybe, just maybe,
I will get to have some fun.
Oh, Hooray!!!
My Food Lady said that she is done with the taxes!
And because I was so good and didn't bother her,
(well, except for the part where I tried to hide her tax stuff)
that I get to have treats. Temptations, in fact!
~~~~~
Today did turn out very good.
I had my treats and I get to blog and visit!!!
~~~~~
Puddy is a first time WCB Host this weekend
so be sure to go visit at A Byootaful Life!
And, of course, Carnival of Cats - Edition #160 will be held also.
It's this Sunday by Tobias at Nina's Books for Israel.
that she can't let me go to my blog
or visit any of my blogging friends
until she finishes something called taxes.
Whatever the taxes are, I am hating them.
My Food Lady won't even stop to play with me.
~~~~~
This is very bad.
~~~~~
That is why I came up with a great plan.
If I am on top of her tax papers and the blue circle thing,
then she will have to pay attention to me!
But then she insisted that there is a time limiton when she has to finish them.
So, I guess that I will just have to
take a nap right here on her desk.
At least this way I will know when she finishes.
And maybe, just maybe,
I will get to have some fun.
Oh, Hooray!!!My Food Lady said that she is done with the taxes!
And because I was so good and didn't bother her,
(well, except for the part where I tried to hide her tax stuff)
that I get to have treats. Temptations, in fact!
~~~~~
Today did turn out very good.
I had my treats and I get to blog and visit!!!
~~~~~Puddy is a first time WCB Host this weekend
so be sure to go visit at A Byootaful Life!
And, of course, Carnival of Cats - Edition #160 will be held also.
It's this Sunday by Tobias at Nina's Books for Israel.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Cats don't adopt people. They adopt refrigerators
Don't let your cat eat your mouse
You will agree with me, he messed up
Du u wana bee lik me, be gangsta then
Fly catcher... new breed of cat, flaycatchcat
Don't jump man...
You will agree with me, he messed up
Du u wana bee lik me, be gangsta then
Fly catcher... new breed of cat, flaycatchcat
Don't jump man...
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Wacky New Toy
Ha Ha Ha
My Food Lady had to wrap a birthday present for a friend.
She had brought in the wrapping paper and tape
and left them on the rug.
That was, of course, where I was just hanging around,
under the coffee table, not doing much.
~~~~~
When she came back from the kitchen,
after getting the scissors,
all she could see on the rug were
my feet sticking out from under the coffee table!
I had found the wrapping paper and tape
and pushed them under the coffee table.
The wrapping paper rolled
so it was very easy for me to do that.
I guess that I believed she put it on the floor
as a new toy for me.
Who doesn't love new toys????
I thought that maybe I would be able to keep the new toy
so I put my head on it and tried to look as cute as possible.
Cuteness goes a long way toward getting what you want.
Especially when you turn around and look upside down.
For some reason, my Food Lady finds this adorable.
My Food Lady came around to my side of the coffee table
to see what exactly that I was doing with the paper.
~~~~~
See, I wasn't hurting anything.
I was just taking care of the new toy, er...
I mean your wrapping paper and tape.
Can I help wrap presents???
Is there a present for me too???
My Food Lady had to wrap a birthday present for a friend.
She had brought in the wrapping paper and tape
and left them on the rug.
That was, of course, where I was just hanging around,
under the coffee table, not doing much.
~~~~~
When she came back from the kitchen,
after getting the scissors,
all she could see on the rug were
my feet sticking out from under the coffee table!
I had found the wrapping paper and tapeand pushed them under the coffee table.
The wrapping paper rolled
so it was very easy for me to do that.
I guess that I believed she put it on the floor
as a new toy for me.
Who doesn't love new toys????
I thought that maybe I would be able to keep the new toyso I put my head on it and tried to look as cute as possible.
Cuteness goes a long way toward getting what you want.
Especially when you turn around and look upside down.
For some reason, my Food Lady finds this adorable.
My Food Lady came around to my side of the coffee tableto see what exactly that I was doing with the paper.
~~~~~
See, I wasn't hurting anything.
I was just taking care of the new toy, er...
I mean your wrapping paper and tape.
Can I help wrap presents???
Is there a present for me too???
Monday, April 9, 2007
I will put the bitey on...
"China, What did you say?
~~~~~
No, there is no way
that they would try to put these ears ON me!
~~~~~
No, they are made of feathers
so they are just for playing with and maybe some licking.
~~~~~
Hey, come on, they are feathers!"
Well, I am just going to play with my purple feather pen...
Hey, that's my head you're putting bunny ears on...
See, this is me backing away from the bunny ears...
I would suggest you stop now...
You had so better watch out for my big bitey on you...
~~~~~
No, there is no way
that they would try to put these ears ON me!
~~~~~
No, they are made of feathers
so they are just for playing with and maybe some licking.
~~~~~
Hey, come on, they are feathers!"
Well, I am just going to play with my purple feather pen...
Hey, that's my head you're putting bunny ears on...
See, this is me backing away from the bunny ears...I would suggest you stop now...
You had so better watch out for my big bitey on you...
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Happy Easter with Feathers...
Happy Easter Everyone!
~~~~~
China Cat found our Easter basket.
It was sitting in the family room.
I heard my Food Lady talking to China Cat
and I thought it might be a good idea for me
to get in on the action.
I rushed over to see what was going on
and found China Cat sniffing some feathery bunny ears!
Wow - I love sniffing and licking feathery things!
After checking out the bunny ears, I looked into the basket.
Oh, was I surprised!!!
Right inside that basket was a new purple feather pen.
It even had a plastic bunny on top of it.
I had to get to that purple feather pen.
I was so excited
that I accidently pulled the basket over...
OK, maybe it wasn't an "accident"
but I had to get those purple feathers.
So I dumped all the plastic eggs and plastic carrots
right onto the floor.
And then I had the pen...
look at these feathers...
and look at the bunny on top... 
~~~~~
~~~~~ 
~~~~~ 
~~~~~ 
~~~~~ 
this is such fun... 
I do so love feathers... 
What a great Easter Day!
I will have to finish my Easter pictures tomorrow.
Today I have my new purple feather pen with a bunny on top!
~~~~~
China Cat found our Easter basket.
It was sitting in the family room.
I heard my Food Lady talking to China Cat
and I thought it might be a good idea for me
to get in on the action.
I rushed over to see what was going onand found China Cat sniffing some feathery bunny ears!
Wow - I love sniffing and licking feathery things!After checking out the bunny ears, I looked into the basket.
Oh, was I surprised!!!
Right inside that basket was a new purple feather pen.
It even had a plastic bunny on top of it.
I had to get to that purple feather pen.I was so excited
that I accidently pulled the basket over...
OK, maybe it wasn't an "accident"but I had to get those purple feathers.
So I dumped all the plastic eggs and plastic carrots
right onto the floor.
And then I had the pen...
look at these feathers...
and look at the bunny on top... 
~~~~~
~~~~~ 
~~~~~ 
~~~~~ 
~~~~~ 
this is such fun... 
I do so love feathers... 
What a great Easter Day!I will have to finish my Easter pictures tomorrow.
Today I have my new purple feather pen with a bunny on top!
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