Bandit

This is Bandit, a 2 year old shih-tzu from Burgundy. He was on holiday in Menton with his owners and I snapped him just outside the market area. I think he's used to being photographed as he happily posed without moving - look at those gorgeous eyes.

'Sometimes you don't want to talk about problems. You just need your dog's sympathetic brown eyes and silent companionship.' Jo Winter

Here's my toes...
They are everywhere...

Oh, I was having some fun!!!!!

Street puppy

This lovely puppy lives with some of the Menton street guys. SDF as they are called - sans domicile fixe - without a fixed address. She's 10 months and they told me, in Italian, she is an Irish sheepdog, which I've never heard of - so we'll call her a mix. She was well-fed, happy and the three guys with her obviously adored her. Let's hope she has a good life.

'He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.' Author Unknown

What happened in my garage???

I have finally come out from under the bed.
The noisy parts of holidays are very difficult for me.
Since I was being all brave and venturing out
I noticed that the door to the garage was open.
I had to investigate.
That door is never left open.
I just need to go see why I cannot ever go out there. Oooooh, what is that out there?????
What in the world happened to my Food Lady's car.........
It looks like it became a 'vishus deer'
and it's in my very own garage!!!!!!! Help!!!!!!

Izzy

This is Izzy, the Yorkshire terrier and his very proud owner. I took it in Menton, today - first day of sunshine for well over a week and everyone and his mother was out walking. I forgot to ask Izzy's age but he looks quite an old dog, wouldn't you think? The land you see in the background is Italy.

Diamond Pet Food Settles for $3.1 Million

Today, January 4, 2008, Diamond Pet Foods settled with pet owners for $3.1 million.

After approximately 12 shipments of corn tainted with Aflatoxin slipped into the Diamond Pet Food Plant in Gaston, South Carolina in 2005, dozens of dogs died. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring chemical which comes from a fungus found on corn and can cause liver failure. The FDA found Diamond did not have records of test results from that corn but it went into food sold in 23 states as the Diamond Brand or Country Value brand.

About 350,000 bags of pet food were recalled aftera New York veterinarian linked the death of a dog to Diamond pet Food. No one knows just how many dogs died or were injured nationwide.

The company has already settled with about 1,200 customers but many more have yet to file claims under the class action which started with a suit filed by plaintiff, Nicole Bass of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Pet owners have until April 15, 2008 to join the class action but they must be able to prove that they purchased the recalled pet food, did not return it to the store, and that their pet was injured as a result.

Pet owners of animals who died can be compensated for testing and treatment of aflatoxin poisoning, compensation for their pet's death and pet food up to $2,000. Owners will not be compensated for loss of affection, mental anguish, emotional suffering or the cost of burial.

Plaintiffs who want to opt-out of the settlement and file their own individual lawsuit have until March 16, 2008 to do so.

According to the settlement, the company contends that it did nothing illegal but says that it will cooperate with those injured to avoid costly time-consuming litigation.

The Diamond pet food recall preceded the 2006 pet food recall where hundreds of dogs and cats died from toxic melamine found in brands made by Menu Foods.

Click Here To Read The Diamond Pet Food Settlement

Click Here To Download A Claim Form

Click Here For The Diamond Pet Food Settlement Website

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT DATES:


February 26, 2008

Objection Deadline, postmarked or received


March 16, 2008

Exclusion Deadline, postmarked or received


March 26, 2008
at 1:30 p.m.

Settlement Fairness Hearing


April 15, 2008

Claim Form Deadline, postmarked or received

I spent New Year's under my Food Lady's bed...