Avenue K9

Folks, Spring is here. I know we love taking our dogs with us when we’re out and about in the car running errands. But, if you’re unable to bring your pooch with you when you have to pick up a few things at the store or head to a “quick” appointment, you should really leave the furry one at home. Here’s a handy little chart that shows just how hot it can get in the car. It only takes a few minutes for the temp to escalate inside of a car, so, like, don’t do it.

Last week we posted about a dog who was found stray in Eugene, Oregon who had a Japanese microchip. Here’s some great news: Dog and owner have been reunited! The owner had left his pooch with some family while he was overseas. Apparently the dog, named Dax, went missing shortly thereafter. Here’s the news clip of the complete story–definitely worth a watch:

Not much is known about this world-traveler; he was turned in to 1st Avenue Shelter in Eugene, Oregon after being found as a stray. He has a Japanese microchip, but there’s no way to trace where he came from in Japan, or how in the heck he ended up in the Pacific Northwest!

CLICK HERE for more info on this pooch, named “Toyko” by the shelter staff.

March 19, 2013:

Natura Pet Products has announced a voluntary recall for certain dog and cat foods under their EVO, Innova, California Natural and Healthwise brands for possible salmonella contamination. There are both dog and cat foods on their recall list. Please CLICK HERE to see more information on the recall, as we as a complete list of products being recalled, or visit naturapet.com/recall.

Buy cool shirts, help rescue groups get pets get out of abusive and neglectful conditions.

Sevenly.org is a website that features a new charity campaign each week. This week, they are raising money for animal rescue missions across the country.

They have a slew of great-looking t’shirts and hoodies you can purchase that’ll help you show off the love and support you have for animal welfare. Seven dollars from every purchase goes toward the cause.

From Sevenly.org:
Problem

There is a reason people say “dog is man’s best friend.” Pets influence our lives for the better. Yet, countless pets are being treated with life-threatening cruelty and abuse, every day. Examples of animal abuse include puppy mills and dogfighting operations. A study by the Chicago Police Department found that 70% of animal offenders had also been arrested for felonies against another person, including domestic and aggravated battery, illegal drug trafficking and sex crimes.

Solution

Your support helps fund animal rescue missions to physically remove dogs from life-threatening acts of cruelty and abuse. With your help, we will put a stop to the careless acts of cruelty against these defenseless animals and expose the individuals who are responsible.

Head over to sevenly.org,  check out the shirts, and support their efforts!

My sister sent this info to me, and I thought I’d pass to along to all of you. Recalls are so ho-hum these days, that it’s less of a surprise every time we see a new one, but I think it’s still important to be aware of them (especially if particular companies are constantly showing up on the recall lists).

From dogfoodadvisor.com:

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company of St. Louis, MO has today announced it is voluntarily withdrawing its Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch dog treats sold in the U.S. until further notice.

The company is taking this action after learning this week that the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) found trace amounts of antibiotic residue in samples of Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch chicken jerky products.
These antibiotics are approved for use in poultry in China and other major countries, but are not among those approved in the U.S.
Antibiotics are commonly used globally – including in the United States – when raising animals fit for human consumption.
According to the company, Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch products are safe to feed as directed.
However, due to regulatory inconsistencies among countries, the presence of antibiotic residue is technically considered an adulteration in the United States.
The company claims this finding does not pose a safety risk to pets.

The complete article can be found HERE.

For many of us, the holiday season–especially Thanksgiving–is a time to let (the belt) loose and dive in for seconds and thirds of all kinds of rich, scrumptious foods.

However, it’s important to remember that our dogs, as human-like as we like to think they are, can’t and shouldn’t indulge on all these foods the same way we do during the holiday season.

I came across some safety tips, courtesy of the ASPCA, that we should all keep in mind during “Holiday Food Binge 2012.”

Talkin’ Turkey
If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don’t offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.

Sage Advice
Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.

No Bread Dough
Don’t spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal’s body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.

Don’t Let Them Eat Cake
If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs, they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.

Too Much of a Good Thing
A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don’t allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse, an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.

A Feast Fit for a Kong
While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer them rawhide strips, Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner, perhaps with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy.