The Last Meow

Meowy Chrismouse from Whiskers & Charybdis

2011-12-25T01:00:00.000-08:00

Police Officer shoots chained dog while 3 year old pleads for the dogs life

2011-12-16T19:00:00.000-08:00

In Gulfport, Mississippi the same city where Melmo was viciously killed by a cop in March, another chained dog has been shot.

Monday, December 12th police offers were serving a search warrant. Spook was chained in the adjacent yard when he was brutally shot by a police offer who ignored the pleas of a three year old little girl to spare her dogs life. The family was not allowed to seek immediate medical attention for Spook. Two hours later the Police took Spook to a veterinarian of their choice where they had Spook put down without consulting the owner.

Comment by Spook's owner

kimberlaya5400

1.            This sweet pooch was loved by the neighbors.
2.            The end of the leash is about three car lengths from the front door.
3.            Technically, the leash was tied to a tree in my mother’s yard, next door, and it is more in the side of the yard rather than the front. (refutes sudden lunging)
4.            When the officer pulled out the gun, my children, who were right there, begged him not to shoot. (refutes unexpected or surprise attack)
5.            They had a search warrant for “cocaine and drug legers” and after searching for hours, found no such thing. Also, because they had a search warrant, they watched my house for a long time, knowing full well he was no threat.
6.            When shot, Spook was bleeding, and they refused to let us help him or take him to a vet.
7.            two hours after shooting, they took him to a vet in Long Beach. The vet said that he did not have the skill or equipment to try to save him.
8.            without consulting with me, GPPD authorized putting to sleep.
9.            GPPD took Spook from the vet, and did not return him to me.
10.            I feel lost without my baby boy. I feel violated and unprotected

How can we get justice for Spook and how can we insure that our pets are safe from the police who are suppose to protect and serve us?

Lady Bea

2011-12-12T04:58:00.000-08:00

Lady Bea (1986)

Petfood Recall

2011-12-10T10:05:00.001-08:00

It was dismaying to read that both Iams and Cargill have recalled petfood, but at least the petfood companies seem to be taking the health of our pets seriously and issued the recall before pets died.

Alternatives to Breed Specific Bans

2011-12-05T18:22:00.001-08:00

(Response to Does anyone need to have a pit bull? by Liz Perkinson)

Manyof the shelter dogs Perkinson advocates adopting would be considered pitbullsor pitbull mixes “Pitbull” is a generic term and does not refer to anyrecognized breed. Purebred American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire BullTerriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, and Bull Terriers all fall into thecategory of pit bull dogs. Well-behaved show dogs, pets, therapy dogs, servicedogs, and working dogs of these breeds would be punished by a ban.

Banning particular breeds rips well behaved dogs out of their loving family’sarms to be murdered just because they are a certain breed, not because theyhave done anything wrong. Do you really want to take someone’s (especially a child’s)dog away just because it is a certain breed?

Because breeds and mixes are hard to identify many dogs are mislabeled anddestroyed based on paranoia and prejudice. The American Veterinary MedicalAssociation opposes breed-specific legislation for just this reason

Alternativesto Breed Specific Bans:

Developanimal control programs that encourage dog owners to properly socialize, train,and care for their dogs so that they can become good canine citizens.
Enforcement of leash laws -- fine owners wholet their dogs run loose or fail to keep them in secure enclosures. Use themoney collected from these fines to fund community dog safety and responsibleownership programs.
Significantpenalties for those involved in any inhumane or irresponsible activity withanimals.
Teachthe children of the community about responsible dog ownership and care.The American Kennel Club has a free education program on dog care forelementary schools. Children need to be taught to respect animals, no childshould attempt to chase or corner a dog of any breed as the dog perceives it asa threat and will attempt to either flee or defend itself.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

Dona Nobis Pacem 2011

2011-11-04T01:27:00.000-07:00

Livestrong

2011-10-01T17:23:00.000-07:00

I am doing my Livestrong post in memory of Mommy's Uncle Leland Jackson. He had prostate cancer and fought it bravely. He went into remission but then one day the cancer came back and it was in his bones. He was battling his cancer when Katrina came, so not only did he have to deal with being really sick from the cancer he had to deal with not having any air condition and other stuffs we take for granted due to the conditions after Katrina. Mommy loved her Uncle Leland and misses him very much.

Pit Bull Saves Woman Who Fell Down Hill - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

2011-09-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

Pit Bull Saves Woman Who Fell Down Hill - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

Remembering 9/11 ~ Words of Wisdome from Whiskers

2011-09-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

I was still on planet Earth on 9/11/01, the day the Twin Towers fell. Mommy was homeschooling both the boys and she was giving them a test when EBB's friend called. Mommy didn't believe him at first but she did eventually turn on the TV, we were all horrified by the images we saw. The loss of life made us all very sad.

But I am thinking that some of the stuff I am seeing today is more about stirring things up and making people angry then about honoring those who died. I am seeing a lot about how you how you are resolved to fight "The War on Terror", what does that mean exactly? Does that mean you are going to run over to a foreign country and bomb them? How is that solving anything? The master mind behind the 9/11 attacks has been killed and I applaud you for hunting him down., but now it is time to start healing the wounds. Yes, I know he had followers, but exactly why were they following him? Hmmmmmmmmm

Look your humans need to start getting along with each other better. They need to stop looking at all the ways they are different and see more of the things they have in common. They need to learn to be more tolerant of people who believe different things then they do and they need to be more respectful of each others beliefs. They really don't want me to have to come give them the smacky paw cause they can't get along.

~Whiskers, The Supreme Ruler of the Universe (September 11, 2011)

Mo Cats Day

2011-09-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

Well I certainly think that more cats should have forever homes and that more cats should be famous and be on the Internets and stuff. According to EBB (Eldest Boy Bean) I am the Supreme Ruler of the Universe and come from a Planet called Whiskeria, were cats rule, humans are slaves and everyone speaks Whiskerian. Just let me know if the humans aren't treating you right on Planet Earth, I am prepared to send my fleet to invade and take over the governorship of your planet, the humans seem to be making a mess of things. Oh and that religion thing they keep fighting about, not a problem on Whiskeria everyone worships ME! Once I invade freedom of religion will be a thing of the past (the humans just seem to use it as an excuse to fight anyway) worshiping me is mandatory.

~Whiskers, The Supreme Ruler of the Universe (September 9, 2011)

Getting ready for Livestrong Day 2011

2011-09-07T04:19:00.000-07:00

Livestrong Day is October 2nd. You can find out about Livestrong Day and how to participate by visiting Zoolatry or The Cat's Meow.

RIP Laney

2011-08-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Another pet is dead after eating tainted food, this time human food. Laney died after eating tainted ground turkey. Apparently we can not trust the government to keep us or our pets safe from contaminated food, read Government knew about tainted turkey for months for more info.

Pet food company Merrick recalls Doggie Wishbone dog treats with an 'abundance of caution'

2011-08-10T04:07:00.001-07:00

More information is available here.

Another Pet Food Recall

2011-07-30T16:14:00.000-07:00

Not only is anther cat food being recalled it is one of the so called PREMIUM brands, that people are paying extra for. Read Purina ONE Cat Food Recall.

And yet again the word was gotten out by vigilant pet owners not the FDA or the company producing the contaminated product.

Another recall - what's most shocking is that I did hear about this not through the FDA (not listed there) or even the Purina ONE website (not listed there either)...but emails via several colleagues, and a Facebook friend. This is form the PR Newswire, and confirmed

Don't pay a premium for 'premium' pet food

2011-07-14T04:30:00.000-07:00

Consumer Reports 2011 Don't pay a premium for 'premium' pet food

A significant part of the national pet-food bill these days goes for so-called premium and super-premium varieties. But "premium" has no legal definition in terms of nutritional quality, notes Sarah Abood, D.V.M., a small-animal clinical nutritionist and assistant dean at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

I think the important thing to take from this article is that Premium and Super Premium have no legal definition. Therefore you may be paying more for something that isn't worth it. Reading the ingredients listed and educating yourself is still the best protection your pet can have.

Nestlé Purina Recalls Dry Cat Food in Three States

2011-06-28T03:31:00.000-07:00

The recall involves:

-- Cat Chow Naturals Dry Cat Food: 6.3 lb. bag; best by August 2012; production code 10331083 13; bag UPC code 17800 11320

-- Friskies Grillers Blend Dry Cat Food: 3.15 lb. bag; best by August 2012; production code 10381083 06; bag UPC code 50000 08450

-- Friskies Grilllers Blend Dry Cat Food: 16 lb. bag, best by August 2012; production code 10381083 06; bag UPC code 50000 57578

No other Purina cat or dog products are involved in the recall.

Consumers who have purchased any of these dry cat food products with these "best by" dates and production codes should discard them.

For further information or to obtain a product refund, call NPPC toll-free at 1-800-982-6559 weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time, or visit www.purina.com.

Memories of Whiskers

2011-06-01T04:14:00.000-07:00

Whiskers loved hanging out with his brother Socks.

He patiently waited for me to come read, this was one of our favorite spots to relax.

Whiskers was a big help with yard work. He was always in the middle of things.

We miss you Whiskers

2011-04-29T04:14:00.001-07:00

There is no reason why the police should be using deadly force against our pets.

2011-03-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

I was saddened to read March 22^nd on WLOX’s website that Melmo had been murdered in Gulfport, MS, and likely her killer will not be held accountable for Melmo’s death. Why? Because Melmo, an eleven-year-old dog that was properly chained in her own yard, was shot by a police officer six times. According to WLOX the police officer is still on active duty. Melmo joins a long line of pet victims of police shootings. Perhaps the most well-known shooting of a family’s pets was when Berwyn Heights, Maryland, Mayor Cheye Calvo’s two dogs were shot and killed by police officers inside Mayor Calvo’s home.

Most of us probably think it can’t happen to our pets, but sadly the evidence shows that it can happen to anyone. Journalist Radley Balko, who covers police misconduct, has noticed an increase of reports of police shooting the family pet with a notable lack of reasonable cause, remorse or subsequent disciplinary consequences. Pets have been killed by police who were merely questioning neighbors about a crime in the area, cutting across private property while in pursuit of a suspect, or after responding to a false burglar alarm. It doesn’t matter if the dog is in your house, in your fenced- in yard, leashed or loose. It doesn’t matter what size or breed your dog is.

For example in Oklahoma, security camera footage captured police shooting Tammy Christopher’s wheaten terrier to death in its own yard after they stopped to ask for directions. In another chilling case, video footage taken from a police cruiser shows (Des Moines) police officers talking about how to entice Rosie, a Newfoundland, to come out of her yard so they could kill her because they didn’t want to shoot Rosie in her own yard. They even discuss tasering a second dog that was inside the fenced-in backyard because it “might” come over the fence. You can watch the YouTube video here

All of this begs the question: Why are the very people who are supposed to protect and serve us killing our pets? What can we do? A start would be to send a strong message to the Gulfport Police Department that the killing of Melmo was uncalled for and that we demand the officer be held accountable for taking Melmo’s life. You can sign a petition demanding that here

You can also call you elected representatives and demand that laws be enacted that prevent police from arbitrarily using deadly force against our pets. Demand that when anyone in law enforcement uses deadly force against a pet they be held accountable. Insist that all members of law enforcement be trained on how to deal with pets, especially dogs. A U.S. Postal Service spokesman told Radley Balko that all of their employees get annual training on interaction with dogs, unlike most police departments. Price isn’t even an issue as a spokesman for the Humane Society stated that his organization offers free training to any police department that requests it but could only think of a few that had taken advantage of the offer. There is no reason why the police should be using deadly force against our pets.

Why Police Don't Need Guns

2011-03-27T08:12:00.000-07:00

Keep in mind the video was made by the police. They knew Rosie was in her own yard, talked about how to get her out of her yard because "they hated to shoot her in her own yard" and even discussed tsaring her St Bernard brother who was in the fenced in back yard.

How can we get Justice for Melmo?

2011-03-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

I was saddened to read that Melmo had been murdered in Gulfport, MS and likely her killer will not be held accountable for Melmo’s death. Why? Because Melmo was a dog, an eleven year old dog who was properly chained in her own yard when a police officer shot her six times. Melmo joins a long line of victims of police shootings of pets.

Perhaps the most well-known shooting of a family’s pets was when Mayor Cheye Calvo’s dogs were shot and killed by police officers in Maryland.

Radley Balko a journalist whose beat includes police misconduct has noticed

” an increase in media accounts of police officers shooting the family pet—with a notable lack of remorse or disciplinary consequences. This sad trend appears to be a side effect of the new SWAT, paramilitary focus in many police departments, which has supplanted the idea of being an “officer of the peace.””

Think it can’t happen to your pet Mr. Balko states

“Last year, for example, a local news station in Oklahoma aired security-camera footage of a police officer pulling into driveway of dog owner Tammy Christopher—just to ask for directions. In the video, Christopher's wheaten terrier runs out from the house, and it's difficult to tell whether the dog is charging the officer or bounding out to greet him. But the officer was on the dog's property. And instead of merely getting back into his car, he pulled out his gun and shot the dog dead. The officer was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Police have recently killed pets while merely questioning neighbors about a crime in the area, cutting across private property while in pursuit of a suspect, and after responding to a false burglar alarm. It doesn't matter if your dog is loose or leashed, or if you've posted "Beware of Dog Warnings." Last August in Colorado Springs, police entered a woman's house after her children let them in to look for a fugitive. The children locked the family dog in the bathroom with their mother, who was showering, and warned the police that the dog was defensive. The police opened the bathroom door anyway, the dog bit one of them, and they shot and killed it, inches from where the woman was showering. The fugitive wasn't in the home, and the owner said she's never heard of him.”

Dogs in Deadly Crossfire

What can we do to protect our pets from trigger happy police officers? How do we get laws enacted to protect our pets from deadly force? How can we get Justice for Melmo.

Another pet died needlessly

2011-03-24T15:56:00.000-07:00

Melmo's owner left Melmo chained up in his back yard while he took a shower after cutting grass. A female police office responding to a call next door placed SIX rounds in Melmo. The officer is still on active duty after KILLING Melmo.

I am incredible sad that there are people that think it is perfectly OK to MURDER someones dog.

Read more @ The Sun Herald and WLOX.

Reflecting

2011-03-17T04:46:00.000-07:00

I guess one of the hardest things about Whiskers' death is the guilt I feel over it. I choose the petfood that caused his kidney failure.

I still have a hard time buying cat food. I research to make sure I am picking a "safe" food and use a variety of brands so if one is recalled I still have something my cats will eat available. But..........................................the lingering fear remains, is the pet food supply safe? for that matter is the human food supply safe? How can we as consumers make smarter choices for ourselves and our families.

Whiskers is Wonderful

2011-03-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

The Mom had a hard time choosing just one word for me. When she thinks of me she thinks of LOVE and so that was the word she started to choose. But one of my nicknames when I was alive was Whiskers the Wonder cat, so I told her in a dream I would like the word WONDERFUL.

The flowers in the background of my picture are special. They grow on my grave and Mommy has never seen them growing any where else on the property, and she hasn't been able to find them in a book. Since she doesn't know their name she calls them Whiskers' Flowers and knows I sent them to cheer her up. You can't tell well from the pictures, but they are a pale blue and very small. Mommy says blue flowers are very rare.

We didn't know about cat and dog blogging when I was alive. I would have loved it, I loved making new friends and having my pictures taken. I hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about me ~Love, Whiskers (The Supreme Ruler of the Universe)

4 Years Ago

2011-03-09T15:26:00.000-08:00

Four years ago tainted petfood claimed the life of Whiskers and many other pets. Sadly the people responsible were never really punished for killing our pets, Menu Foods, the company responsible for producing and selling the tainted petfood is still in business, there have been no systemic changes that would prevent contaminated food ingredients from entering this country undetected once again and the dead pets have been mostly forgotten by the mainstream media and those who were fortunate enough not to loose a pet to the melamine laced petfood.

Whiskers I will never forget you! and I will never forgive the people responsible for killing you and all the other pets who died in 2007 due to the melamine laced petfood.

The Wellness Recall

2011-03-08T15:18:00.000-08:00

Petfood recalls always upset me as they remind me of Whiskers death from tainted petfood in 2007. But I had thought the folks at Wellness were doing it right. They issued a voluntary recall before any pets died, things seemed to be on the right track. Then I read this today.

This is Sickening

2011-03-05T18:35:00.000-08:00

Whitney Knowlton, founder of Last Chance Animal Rescue Fund, said the two dogs were found Friday at a landfill. She said she believes that the dogs were from the county-run shelter and that they were killed by animal control officers.

I hope these animal control officers are punished.

Bear-Bear's Bill

2011-03-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

Maryland has two bills in the legislature that should protect pets.

H.B. 294 (pdf), known as "Bear-Bear's Bill," would create a new offense of shooting an animal (legal hunting is excluded) or otherwise injuring an animal with a weapon. It would also increase the penalty for "inflicting unnecessary suffering or pain on an animal" (as in the case of Phoenix, the dog who was set on fire). Sen. John Astle (D-Anne Arundel) has introduced a companion bill, S.B. 425 (pdf), in the state senate.

Now if only other states would get serious about protecting our pets.

Stop Police From Killing Our Pets

2010-11-17T13:36:00.000-08:00

Today I read the tragic story of Rosie a New Newfoundland who was brutally shot down by police officers even though she was safely confined inside a fenced yard.

Last week, a family dog escaped from her owner's yard. The dog, a Newfoundland named Rosie, was frightened and running through the streets. Residents in the area phoned the police - concerned that the lost dog would be hit and killed as she ran through busy roadways. Unfortunately, the dog wasn't helped by the responding police. Instead, Rosie was shot 4 times - killed.

Lora Perry (the owner of the home where Rosie sought refuge) states

As the witness to this event I will also say that Rosie never moved from her original position, they shot her exactly where she stood peering at me through the bushes. The officers were shooting at a still target in a fully fenced off yard. If I would have known that they were going to gun her down I would have stopped them. They should have told me.I would have let her stay in the yard for as long as needed. I also forgot to mention the officer chuckling as he explained to me that "they had never had one this big before". Not ever considering the danger and sadness they put upon my family. It makes me sick to my stomach to think this happened in our community.

I just pray these IDIOTS lose their jobs and face some sort of disciplinary action.

After months wondering if Bear-Bear and his family would ever receive justice I read where the trial is set for Friday in Annapolis.

The trial of Keith Shepherd, facing animal cruelty and weapons charges for shooting Bear-Bear last summer at the Quail Run dog park, is expected to take place as scheduled Friday in Annapolis, more than three months after Bear-Bear was shot and euthanized.

It is a pity Shepherd couldn't be charged with MURDER. Since this was the best they could do let's just pray he is found guilty on all counts and gets the MAXIMUM sentence.

Try CSN Stores

2010-11-17T08:47:00.000-08:00

I was looking for some extra tall bar stools and a friend recommended I look at CSN Stores. With over 200 online stores they have a wide variety of merchandise. I am off to CSN Stores to check out their extra tall bar stools now.

China promises tougher action on toxic dairy

2010-07-13T03:45:00.000-07:00

In 2007 they killed our pets with melamine laced pet food.

At least six children died and 300,000 were sickened in the 2008 scandal. Investigators found that milk suppliers were watering down milk and then adding melamine to make the protein content seem higher.

China promises tougher action on toxic dairy - World Wire - SunHerald.com

It is 2010, Whiskers has been dead 3 years because of their poisoned pet food and they are STILL adding melamine to food to make the protein content seem higher. Our CHILDREN and our pets deserve SAFE FOOD to eat.

EPA: More pets injured by flea and tick products

2010-03-18T03:53:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON -- Products intended to treat cats and dogs for fleas and ticks kill hundreds of pets each year and injure tens of thousands, the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday as it outlined plans to make the products safer.

EPA: More pets injured by flea and tick products - Business Wire - SunHerald.com

3 years

2010-03-17T02:37:00.000-07:00

It has been three years since my beautiful sweet Whiskers left for the Rainbow Bridge. Kristie Keith at Pet Connection Blog ask Pet food recall: Three years out and where are we now?

Sadly we still have to fear for our pets safety.

There have been no systemic changes that would prevent contaminated food ingredients from entering this country undetected once again.

2007 Pet food recall victims remembered

2010-03-16T03:06:00.000-07:00

One family hasn't forgotten the pets like Whiskers who died due to the 2007 Pet food recall read more @ Petsit USA..

Vindication is a lovely tribute to all the pets who were taken from their families far too soon.

Pet Food Politics by Marion Nestle

2010-02-24T06:27:00.000-08:00

Even if you don't have pets you should read this book, after all we all eat.

Some notes I made:
Clark Sheep Studies in 1945 showed melamine was toxic. Melamine ranged from .2% to 20% during the 2007 petfood recall and was combined with cyanuric acid making it lethal.

2004 - Pets died in Asia.

ChemNutra bought wheat gluten from Xuzhou Anying which advertised using melamine to add protein.

February 20th/22nd cats with kidney failure brought to Menu Foods attention. March 6th Menu foods admits problem with wheat gluten.

Chilling "If there's no accident, there won't be any regulation. If you add melamine in small quantities, it won't hurt the animals..............................pets are not like pigs or chickens .......................they don't need to grow as fast." ~ Chinese Informant.

Xuzhou Anying hid the shipping of tainted wheat gluten from Chinese inspectors by using Suzhous Textiles to export it.

Did American Nutrition deviate from the formula provided by Diamond and Sierra Pet Foods?

Melamine tainted pet food feed to pigs and chickens consumed by humans. Ditto fish.

FDA's response seemed to protect the petfood companies not the pets. The number of pet deaths under reported. The FDA really doesn't seem to care how many of our pets were MURDERED!!!!

Movement in America for people to start eating locally produced foods. Avoid all products from China.

The American Public wants COOL the food industry doesn't. Many Americans say they would pay more for food produced in America and would avoid food from China.

USDA has more power and money the the FDA but is responsible for less of the food supply. Due to staff shortages the FDA does NOT have the capacity to ensure the safety of food for the nation.

CVM only has TWO people working on petfood issues.

The mad cow crisis in Europe: 5 million cows destroyed, 150 people dead and 89 cats dead but government officials seemed more concerned with the health of the meat processing industry than the health of the British public.

FDA didn't have the funds to ensure that the disease didn't spread to the USA.

Americans no longer trust the government to keep food safe.

Canadian courts recognized the emotional damage to pet owners who lost pets due to the petfood recall.

Bloggers fueling the Good Petfood Movement
Petconnection
Itchmo

The depressingly long recall list.

I no longer trust the government to keep the food I or my pets eat safe. I will try to grow more of my own food, eat more food that is produced locally and try to buy products that are products of the USA. I will also continue to research what foods are safe, as this can change from hour to hour.

Recall of anesthetic drug used on pets

2010-02-11T15:57:00.000-08:00

This is outrageous Vets, pet owners out of the loop on recall of anesthetic drug.

Nevada couple gets probation and $25,000 fine

2010-02-06T05:19:00.000-08:00

So you can murder thousands of pets and basically just pay a fine, Nevada couple gets probation and $25,000 fine. Apparently there will be NO JUSTICE for Whiskers and the thousands of other pets who were POISONED.

ChemNutra owners to be sentenced today

2010-02-05T12:59:00.000-08:00

Read Pet food recall: ChemNutra owners to be sentenced today By Christie Keith to see how the people responsible for the death of Whiskers and many other cats & dogs are basically getting a slap on the wrist.

4 arrested in China's melamine scandal

2010-02-03T03:19:00.000-08:00

This time they are poisoning powdered MILK. 4 arrested in China's melamine scandal - World Wire - SunHerald.com

Pet Owners Not Thrilled

2008-06-30T03:31:00.000-07:00

A monetary settlement, Carol said, can never erase the pain and suffering her cats -- and her family -- experienced because of the tainted food.

No amount of money can make up for the loss of Whiskers, I still miss him so much. I also worry that the pet food I currently feed Socks, Scylla & Charybdis may not be safe, apparently I am not the only one.

Martin and others said pet food makers and the government must now -- in the wake of the massive recall and settlement -- ensure the food that consumers feed their pets is safe. But they are not convinced that's happened.

"I really don't think the food on the shelves now is any safer than what we saw prior to the massive recall," Martin said. "How many of these pet food companies are testing for contamination in the raw materials they are purchasing? It is my understanding that some are now testing for melamine in the grains, but this is just one toxin that might be in the raw material. Are they testing the vitamin/mineral premixes, many which are coming from China or other countries with questionable practices?"

Pet Food Catastrophe

2008-05-21T03:37:00.000-07:00

Read Anatomy Of A Pet Food Catastrophe at Chemical & Engineering News, to better understand what went wrong with our pet food supply.

Work continues to make the pet food and livestock feed supply safer in the U.S. On May 13, FDA will host a meeting to discuss the development of ingredient, processing, and labeling standards for pet food. And the agency will hold a meeting on May 14 to present changes made to its Animal Feed Safety System project since last year. Changes include efforts to rank feed hazards according to the risks they pose to animal and public health and a risk-based method for prioritizing inspections of feed-production venues.

As a step toward preventing replays of this pet food adulteration saga, the U.S. State Department has approved an FDA plan to place staff in China (C&EN, March 24, page 28). The Chinese government must also approve the plan, which is designed to improve the safety of products shipped to the U.S. FDA also hopes to establish a collaborative relationship with authorities in India.

I pray that when all is said and done the food I feed my pets will be safe for them to eat. HT: Pet Food CSI: Deconstructing the recall by Christie Keith at Pet Connection Blog

Help Stop Puppy Mills

2008-04-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

HSUS MySpace Page Stop Puppy Mills Website

One day when we get around to fencing in our property I hope to have a dog. We will adopt from a shelter, there are so many cats and dogs who need a loving family. Please help end puppy mills.

Here are some things you can do right now:

If you are thinking of bringing a new dog into the family, or know someone who is, request a free copy of the Humane Societies' puppy buyer's guide for information on how to find reputable breeders, shelters, and rescue groups.
Ask your federal legislators to crack down on puppy mills.
Get the word out about puppy mills: write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
Visit StopPuppyMills.org to educate yourself.
Download one of the Humane Societies' Stop Puppy Mills campaign badges or banners to your own MySpace or Facebook page, blog, or website.
Did you adopt your canine companion from a rescue group or shelter? Then order the Humane Societies' Proud to Adopt care package.
Download Puppy Mill Cruelty flyer's and post them or give them out at your neighborhood dog park, to engage fellow dog owners and help spread the word.
Help place advertisements and billboards to spread the word about puppy mill cruelty.

Pet Insurance

2008-04-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

We looked into getting pet insurance when Charybdis was diagnosed with a heart mummer. It didn't take me long to discover there were no plans that would fit our needs. Most did not cover pre-existing conditions, congenital conditions (birth defects) or health issues the breed was known for. So while they would be terrific if your pet was in a serious accident (barring any exclusions in the fine print) they didn't do much for those of us with pets that had congenital conditions. Give Savings account versus pet insurance
By Kim Campbell Thornton a read. And if possible start a savings account for your pet now.

China still untrustworthy

2008-03-20T03:38:00.000-07:00

A compound related to a common nutritional supplement has been identified as the contaminant in a blood-thinning drug imported from China that sickened hundreds of frail patients in the U.S. and is suspected in a number of deaths, federal officials said Wednesday.

Last time it was our pets they sickened and killed.

The substance mimics the real drug -- heparin -- in standard safety tests and may have been deliberately substituted for the genuine compound somewhere along the line to boost middlemen's profits. It could also have been added through a mishap or some kind of misguided experiment. Because of difficulties in back-checking, it's unclear whether Food and Drug Administration officials will ever know for sure.

Greed lead to the deaths of thousands of cats and dogs (including our beloved Whiskers) now it's leading to the deaths of humans.

The FDA's announcement came days after the anniversary of last year's massive recall of contaminated pet food. In that case, the agency found that a chemical added to pet food ingredients from China had sickened thousands of dogs and cats, many of which died.

We should refuse to BUY ANYTHING FROM CHINA. First they killed our pets now they are killing frail patients in the U.S.

Pet Food Still At Risk

2008-03-18T03:26:00.000-07:00

Check out Pet Food Recall: Buyer, beware By Christie Keith. It's very disheartening to know the pet food industry is still unregulated.

The federal legislation, for instance, relies on manufacturers to voluntarily recall contaminated pet food. “As long as it’s voluntary, there will always be breaches,” says Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University and author of the forthcoming book “Pet Food Politics: The Chihuahua in the Coal Mine,” due out in September. “There will be breaches anyway, but voluntary doesn’t work as well as regulated.”

It was because Menu Foods dragged their feet about voluntarily recalling their poisoned product that Whiskers died. Voluntary doesn't work!!!!!

The Pet Food Recall ~ 1 Year

2008-03-16T11:50:00.000-07:00

Pet-food recall: Where were you a year ago? By Gina Spadafori

I was at the oral surgeons with my eldest son. Our beloved cat Whiskers had died March 9th, 2007 from 75% kidney failure. I was horrified to realize that I had feed him one of the recalled pet foods (Special Kitty).

A year after the pet food recall

It was just a year ago when pet lovers found themselves in the middle of the nightmare of a massive pet food recall. Sadly many of the pets involved never woke up from that nightmare, and their owners are still trying to deal with it. Christie Keith, of Pet Connection answers the question, “has anything changed?”

I am outraged the answer is NO. Our pets are still in danger of being poisoned by their pet food.

Tiny Iowa town rescinds $5 cat bounty

2008-03-15T07:09:00.000-07:00

I was happy to read that................
The tiny town of Randolph has rescinded a $5 bounty on feral feline.
Instead, the southwest Iowa town of 200 people has agreed to work with animal rescue groups on a catch, neuter and release program.

Bad News For Cats in Iowa

2008-03-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

Iowa town offers bounty on stray cats. I wish there was something I could do for these poor strays.

Boycott the Olympics

2008-03-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

After reading this China’s pre-Olympic cat killing in full swing, I will boycott any company that supports the Olympics. I do hope in light of the fact that China is responsible for the deaths of many of our pets due to poisoning the ingredients they sold to petfood companies (March 2007) and now the inhumane killing of cats the U.S. will refuse to attend.

Pet food scare in USA had a precursor

2008-03-11T05:14:00.000-07:00

From USA Today

The Asian outbreak was little-known in the USA until it was reported last week by the blog Pet Connection. In the American public's view, the U.S. outbreak several years later appeared to be the first of its kind.

It was a comment by a Korean graduate student amid the 2007 outbreak that led Cathy Brown, a specialist in renal pathology at Georgia's Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, to suspect this had happened before. Brown eventually tracked down tissue samples from the pets that died in 2004 at the Kyungpook National University in Korea.

The sample contained the same type of insoluble crystals found in U.S. pets in the 2007 outbreak, which killed at least 347 cats and dogs, according to preliminary data gathered by Wilson Rumbeiha at Michigan State University-Lansing. The exact number is believed to be much higher but in the absence of a structured reporting system has not been determined.

The Georgia paper was published last fall in the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation but largely went unnoticed until it was picked up by the blog.

Cat Vitamins Recalled

2008-03-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

The following recall has been announced:

-The Hartz Mountain Corp. is recalling 739 bottles of Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats because the product might be contaminated with salmonella, which could infect pets and people who come into contact with the cat vitamins. No reports of illnesses have been reported, according to the Secaucus, N.J., company.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain in both people and cats.

The recalled cat vitamins, with the lot code No. SZ 22771, were distributed nationwide. The company recalled 3,600 bottles in November, also due to possible salmonella contamination.

For more information, consumers can call Hartz at 800-275-1414.

STOP Military Animal Abuse

2008-03-09T07:27:00.000-07:00

Stop military personnel for abusing ALL ANIMALS see JAN'S FUNNY FARM: Military Animal Abuse to find out what you can do.

Why did Whiskers have to die?

2008-03-05T03:46:00.001-08:00

It's hard to believe my furry friend has been gone almost a year. I still miss him so much. I miss hearing him say Mout when he wanted to go outside. I miss him sitting on my feet or in my lap. I miss him following me around outside.

It was bad enough when I read that cats in the Menu Foods labs had died as early as February 2007 and that Menu Food neglected to recall their poisonous food until it was too late for Whiskers. (Other post I have done on the pet food recall)

But now a Study says killer combination turned up in pet food before 2007 recall.

It seems that last year’s massive pet food recall wasn’t the first time thousands of pets suffered renal failure due to melamine and cyanuric acid contamination of pet food.

A recent article in the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation says that a similar outbreak in 2004 was caused by the contaminants, and that “Findings in tissues from animals affected in the United States in 2007 were identical to those observed in the dogs from Asia that died in 2004.”

Why wasn't American pet owners aware of this before 2007? Why didn't we know the pet food we innocently gave out pets could potentially KILL THEM???

Christie Keith raises this troubling possibility.

Third is the question as to whether this has happened not only twice, but many times over the years. Certainly once the extent of melamine and cyanuric acid adulteration or protein concentrates in China was discovered it seemed fairly obvious the 2007 outbreak wasn’t the first one; it was just the first one we noticed. This study confirms that suspicion.

How many beloved pets over the years have died before their time due to kidney failure because of the food they were feed? How many furry friends have I lost because they were poisoned by their pet food?

You can read Christie's entire article at Pet Connection.

Bad Law

2008-02-28T10:27:00.000-08:00

From the PetsitUSA.com Blog

Most cat and dog owners in Los Angeles will now be required to have their cats and dogs spayed or neutered.

I certainly believe in spaying and neutering pets, but I think it should be voluntary. I’m not sure laws like this are the solution. It seems to me this could have some very undesirable results. If people aren’t responsible pet owners to begin with, I doubt seriously they are going to rush in to have their pets sterilized. Instead, many are more likely to skip going to the vet for fear of being “turned in.”

Dumb Owner = Dead Dog

2008-02-28T05:01:00.000-08:00

I don't know what it's like in other parts of the United States but in South Mississippi if you are STUPID enough to turn your pet over to the Humane Society they will kill it immediately or after a very short time and they WILL NOT notify you first. Please if you have a pet you can no longer keep, find a loving home for it yourself.

Why did Marley have to die?

In August, I went to the Humane Society and found a beautiful black lab puppy. I immediately fell in love with her and brought her home. She was soon housebroken and growing up quickly. She was lively, but completely lovable and she loved everyone. I had her trained by a local trainer, and she was a joy to have around.

In February I suffered a stroke and had no one to take care of her. My son drove from Tampa to help me since I would be in the hospital for a long time recovering. We knew I couldn't leave her alone. After a very tough decision, we agreed we had to take her back to the Humane Society so she could find a loving home. I was sure that because she was trained and had had all of her shots and was so beautiful she would soon be chosen by a good family.

My son took her back to the Humane Society and told the person there about the situation and that we had no other choice. He gave them his name, address, and telephone number and asked that they contact him if she did not find a home within a short period of time. He told them that if necessary, he would drive back from Tampa and pick her up.

Two days later, I called and was completely stunned to be told that they had immediately put her to sleep. I could do nothing but cry. I was heartbroken. Marley was ready and trained to be a loyal household pet. Instead, she was killed. If my son had known they would kill Marley, he never would have left her there.

They told me that she was aggressive toward people. However, when under my care she had never shown any aggression toward me or any of my neighbors. I could even put my hand in her food bowl and she would never do so much as growl.

I am sure that our neighbor who gave money to build the beautiful Humane Society facility would turn over in his grave if he knew this had taken place. Please tell me why.

MRS. DENNIS HOLSTON Gulfport

The answer of course is most people want kittens and puppies. Since there is an over abundance of kittens and puppies older dogs and cats do not stand a chance, and The Gulfport Humane Society is notorious for putting pets to sleep with no effort to contact the owners.

A lady I know was on vacation when her dog escaped from her home due to the negligence of the pet sitter she had hired to take care of the dog while she was away. The dog catcher who picked him up knew who he belonged to, as he often saw her walking him, and slid a note under her door when no one came to the door. Since she was away she didn't get the note until she returned. The dog had been put down the first day it was brought in even though the dog catcher told them that the owner would pick it up, even though it had been spayed and even though it had the name of the owner on it's collar and was micro-chipped. The ONLY person who apologized to the lady was the dog catcher who said that IF he had know they were going to put the dog down he would have just put the dog back in the lady's fenced in yard (even though he isn't suppose to do that).

Animal Cruelty

2008-02-23T05:40:00.000-08:00

A man from Louisiana has been charged with violating a new federal animal cruelty law by smuggling cockfighting weapons into the United States.

Joseph Marty Toralba was arrested at the Honolulu airport on Feb. 2 as he was returning from an international cockfighting derby in the Philippines. Authorities said customs officers found 263 gaffs - sharp knives that are tied to the birds' legs - hidden with portable gas stoves in cardboard boxes Toralba had checked in on the plane.

Toralba, a 39-year-old landscaper who has a 150-bird farm in Colfax, La., was indicted Thursday. His public defender, Shanlyn Park, didn't return a phone call seeking comment.

Read more here.

JAN'S FUNNY FARM: Dogs Deserve Better

2008-02-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

JAN'S FUNNY FARM: Dogs Deserve Better

Please help if you can.

Another Victim of Menu Foods

2008-02-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

Holbrook, NY: Theresa blames finance-driven veterinary hospitals for letting her dog die without treatment because she was short on funds. But she carries heavy guilt over unwittingly feeding her pet the now-recalled Menu pet food that caused his illness.

"About six weeks before he died," Theresa says, "ChaChee was just a little bit sick-throwing up, lethargic, nothing major so I just took him for a check-up. I got his iron up, like the doctor prescribed, then he was eating again. He was up to two six-ounce IAMS beef with gravy pouches and Eukenuba pink bags for small dogs.

"Then all of a sudden, at the beginning of March, he stopped eating. He started throwing up again, he was always sleeping and he was drinking so much water. My dog is a Shiatsu and normally weighed about 12 1bs and at the groomers they pointed out that he was losing weight.

"On March 11th, it was getting so bad he was just bones and couldn't hold his own body up. I flew right up to Holbrook Hospital. They hooked him up to intravenous then turned and asked me for the $500 payment. Even though I only had $200 in my pocket and I swore I'd pay them off, they blatantly told me it was $500 or nothing. So they sent me to West Islip Animal Hospital, since they did credit plans there.

Read the rest here.

This is such a sad tale. I know how she feels I still feel guilty about feeding Whiskers the tainted pet food and I still miss him every day. At least we were able to afford the medical care he needed, unfortunately there was nothing the vet could do for him.

Justice for Pet Owners at Last

2008-02-07T03:23:00.000-08:00

A Las Vegas importer and two Chinese companies are indicted after thousands of dogs and cats died or became sick last year.

By Abigail Goldman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer February 7, 2008
A Las Vegas food import company, two Chinese businesses and the companies' top executives were indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in connection with their parts in a tainted-pet food scandal last year that sickened or killed thousands of dogs and cats, the Justice Department said.

Read the rest here.

News for cats and dogs

2007-10-12T04:47:00.000-07:00

News for cats and dogs - Lab Reports Acetaminophen, Melamine In Special Kitty Cat Food

A Weekend in Silence & Remembrance

2007-08-31T06:30:00.001-07:00

Kashim & Othello are hosting A Weekend in Silence & Remembrance for those of us who have lost pets. I lit a candle at Alasandra for Whiskers, I am lighting this candle for all the dogs & cats who died before their time due to the pet food recall.

The Last Meow

2007-07-31T18:52:00.000-07:00

The Last Meow is dedicated to the memory of those pets who died due to the Menu Foods Pet Food Recall.

Our prayers are with those pets who are suffering due to the Menu Foods Pet Food Recall and we hope you will share your stories.

It is my hope that this website will help people understand the scope of the tragedy, and that by sharing the memories of our deceased pets or the suffering of those pets who survived, we as pet lovers will be able to find some measure of peace.

If you want to post your pet's story please leave a Tip for Whiskers (include a way to contact you) and I will send you an invitation to join this blog.

Whiskers' ~The Wonder Cat

2007-06-28T05:04:00.000-07:00

Whiskers

These are a few pictures I had of Whiskers on this computer. The pictures I have of him as a kitten were taken before I had a digital camera, and many of the other pictures I have of him have been saved to a CD, but due to a big foot (I won't say whose) this computer no longer has a CD drive that works.

Both my Hubby and I created post about Whiskers before I created this blog. You can read his post at Daily Kos; Requiem for Whiskers & Whisker's Wants You!

My post complete with pictures of the Whiskers Memorial Butterfly Garden we created in his memory can be read here.

One of the things that touched my heart and helped me cope with the loss was The Rainbow Bridge poem, you can read it here.

Pandora's Story

2007-06-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

In October 2005, My cat, Pandora and I moved to Kentucky where my dad was getting a job. My parents recently had gotten a divorce. I was living with my dad, while my brother who is two years younger than me, stayed with my mom in Tn. Shortly after moving there, I would go to the store and get Special Kitty moist cat food, it was cheaper, and Kroger was the closest. We had always gotten our cats moist cat food, although I go the more cheaper route than my mom. The cats would usually get a forkful at night as their "dinner".

Being as I didnt live with my mom anymore, I opted for the smaller cans. They would last Pan a good 3-4 days. All was going well. In June 2006, I went with my mother, brother and his girlfriend to see family who lived in IL. We were there for a week. This was at the end of June, and by the time I got back, it was the begining of July. All was fine, until I returned from this trip. Pandora was meowing...ALOT. I thought nothing of it. For the first two days. I thought she was acting out, wanting attention, because I was just gone on a trip. Well this meowing lasted a week. Solid week. She literally would meow the whole day and I only ever heard her stop, maybe twice. I thought, ok fine, vet visit.

Since we just moved there, I didnt know which vets were good, and if anything located. I was still getting used to the area. So my dad helped me pick a vet down the street from where we lived. I went there the next day. Granted, Pandora had always had good health, after awhile, we stopped going to the vet, we never needed to, until now. When I went there, they checked her out, said everything looked fine, except that she was probably dehydrated. They thought a blood test was in order. Sure enough, her numbers were high. They let her stay the weekend with an IV tube.

After the weekend was over, I went back to the vet. They said that she had Kidney Failure and she would need to be given injections every other day to keep her from being dehydrated. After I bought a bag of IV fluids and needles, etc. it turned out to be an almost $500 vet bill, but she was worth it. On the way home, I called my mom telling her the news, bursting into tears. Eventually I was told with regular injections and a keen eye, some cats could live out their remaining lives. Shortly after this my dad and stepmom were married and we moved two duplexes into a single house.

Over the course of the next several months were filled with usual trips to the vet, which I later changed to a local one that my stepmom went too, of buying IV bags and needles. We would usually pick up baby food, pedialyte, and anything else we could think of that would be easier for her to ear. Eventually it was October 2006, and I remember that mid-October I decided to visit my mom in TN, where my grandparents were also coming for a visit. I remember thinking that Pan seemed alright, but with my bad luck, she probably wouldn't last the weekend. (That is usually how my luck runs...seriously). So I went to visit, and the first day was great, got to see my grandparents, etc. Then the next morning my dad called. He said that he didn't think she "had any fight left in her". I said ok, then she needs to go in. I wasn't going to put her under any more pain. He said ok, that he would take her. After I got off the phone, my grandmother and I had a really LONG cry session on the couch. She was also crying because she had just lost her King Charles Spaniel Puppy. He fell off the deck and broke his leg, later dying in surgery.

After the session, I was sad, but knew that it was for the best. Pan had a great 7 yrs and I was going to accept that she was going under the best possible circumstances, and I wanted her pain to be over. Shortly after this, my dad called back, saying she had fight left in her, and he could take her. Apparently she kept trying to get out of his arms. All I could reply was a meager..ok.

So I finished out my weekend and returned home on a sunday evening. I took one look at Pand and burst into tears. Knowing that she would probably not last the night. I forget how late I made it back, but it must of been between 7-8 when I had returned. Shortly after, I went to bed. Throughtout the night I woke up to Pand makeing noises, not quite throwing up, but I guess it could be described as gagging. Then at 4 in the morning, she was making even worse noises. I looked under my bed where she was hiding and she was having a seizure, stroke, or something. As I dragged her out she stopped, and I held her in my arms. She took her last breaths. I was bawling. I got my stepmom and was holding her. Sitting on my bed, I heard a last minute squeek or breath..not sure. For a glimpse I had some hope...but knew that it was probably remaining air leaving her....

Pandora past away October 30, 2006. We buried her behind the house, wear I made a sort of rock garden on top of where she was buried. Covering the rocks grows ivy.
As I think back to it, I will always be sad that she past...but I am also angry at my dad. He could have taken her to the vet to be put down, but he didn't. Didn't have it in him. Eventually I had family problems a year later and had to move back with my mom in TN in 2008. Looking back I will always hold a grudge for this...I know its wrong....but the "family problems" didn't help either. This is Pandora's Story.

Whiskers' Last Days

2007-06-18T05:07:00.000-07:00

It's really hard for me to write about our last week with Whiskers. Some things just stick in your head though. Like how the veterinarian and her staff commented on how sweet Whiskers was. They said most of the sick pets they saw were grouchy because they felt bad, but Whiskers was his same sweet loving self. How every time we dropped by the veterinarian's to visit he acted happy to see us and made the effort to get up and greet us, even though he felt miserable.

Monday, March 5, 2007 we took Whiskers to the veterinarian for his annual shots and check up. Other then a seasonal allergy he was fine. The veterinarian prescribed an antihistamine for him (that he had taken before). Monday night after eating Special Kitty Pouch Cat Food he seemed to feel bad, but I put it down to his getting his shots. By Wednesday his runny nose was worse and he wasn't eating so we took him back to the veterinarian. The veterinarian diagnosed an upper respiratory infection and kept him overnight since I was concerned with his not eating. At the time the veterinarian put the lack of appetite down to his runny nose, and gave him fluids intravenously. I was asked to bring his favourite food up there and of course I brought the Special Kitty Pouch Cat Food. We were able to bring him home Thursday afternoon. Thursday afternoon was the last time he drank any water. Thursday night he was miserable couldn't get comfortable. Hubby slept on the floor with him part of the night. Friday morning he went to his water bowl and slapped at the water splashing it all over the place but not drinking. As soon as the veterinarian was in we took him back. She did a kidney function test and kept him there on fluids and a heating pad. She called before lunch to tell us that he had lost 75% of his kidney function and recommended putting him to sleep. We held a family conference where we decided that was the best thing to do as he couldn't get better and we would only be prolonging his suffering, if we didn't. That afternoon we all went up there and petted him and told him how much he was loved. He died in our arms, March 9th, 2007.

We buried him down by the pond and created the Whiskers Butterfly Garden around his grave. I miss my Whiskers and I want him back.

Simba

2007-05-05T19:18:00.000-07:00

Read about Simba here.

Bro

2007-04-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

Read Bro's Story here.

Abby's Tale

2007-04-23T05:16:00.000-07:00

Read Abby's tale here.

3 Sad Tales

2007-04-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

Gable

Max's Story

Gable's Story

Wilbur's Story

Abby Gayle's Tale

2007-04-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

Read Abby Gayle's tale here.

Lily

2007-04-08T14:05:00.000-07:00

As it's Easter, this post seems appropriate. Click here to read Lily's story.

Bye-Bye Baby

2007-04-07T14:14:00.000-07:00

Click here to read Baby's story.

How to participate in a class action lawsuit

2007-04-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

If you or someone you know has a pet that became ill or died as a result of eating contaminated pet food, we are here to help. Please contact Stuart Talley by emailing him at stalley@kcrlegal.com.

Stuart C. TalleyKERSHAW, CUTTER, & RATINOFF, LLP980 9th Street, Suite 1900Sacramento, CA 95814916-448-9800www.kcrlegal.com

Benjie's Sad Tale

2007-04-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

Benjie's Story can be read here.

Another Victim of Menu Foods

2007-04-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

Click here to read Alex's Story

Killed or Injured by Menu Foods

2007-03-31T17:33:00.000-07:00

Silver

Otis & Otto's Story

Angel's Story

Kittyboy's Story

Silver's Story

Tommy's Story