Texas Hold'Ems For Dogs Recall

Merrick Pet Care Recalls Texas Hold'ems 10 oz Bag (Item # 60016 Lot 10127 Best by May 6 2012) because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is extending its July 2,2010 recall of 10 oz "Beef Filet Squares for Dogs (Texas Hold'Ems)" pet treat (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10084TL7 BEST BY MARCH 24, 2012) to also include 83 cases of "Texas Hold'ems" (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10127 BEST BY MAY 6, 2012) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling the treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

The Beef Filet Squares (Texas Hold 'Ems) were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the US. These individuals have been notified and have activated their recall procedures.

The treats are sold in 1Ooz plastic bags marked with "Lot # 10127 Best By May 6, 2012" on the top of the bag and on a sticker applied to the bottom.

No illnesses have been reported to date for either lot of product. A sample tested positive for Salmonella.

Consumers who have purchased 10 ounce packages of"Texas Hold'ems" are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00 - 5:00 CDT.

The Final Voting Is On For The Top 4 DogTime Blog Awards

Voting Now Open for DogTime's Pet Blog Awards

'The Petties' will crown the best of the best in the pet blogger community

Winners to be announced at BlogPaws 2010 West in Denver September 9-11, 2010

DogTime Media, the largest vertical media community focused exclusively on pet owners, today announced that voting is open for DogTime's Pet Blog Awards, also known as "the Petties."

The DogTime Media community has more than 460 pet bloggers and over 500 publishers, allowing it to reach 29.5 million pet enthusiasts a month(1), making it number one in pets.

DogTime's Pet Blog Awards opened for nominations on July 13th and received over 900 submissions. The top four nominees have been selected in four categories:

Best Dog Blog
BOULDERDOG.NET
BLOG.FIDOFRIENDLY.COM
CHAMPIONOFMYHEART.COM
FURBYJMIKEL.BLOGSPOT.COM

Best Pet Blog
PAWCURIOUS.COM
THOUGHTSFURPAWS.COM
PETIQUETTEDOG.COM
LIFEWITHDOGS.TV

Best Cat Blog

CONSCIOUSCAT.NET
ECLECTICCATLADYLAND.BLOGSPOT.COM
MYCATGOMA.COM
SPARKLECAT.COM

Best Cause Blog
SERVICEPUPPYRUBY.BLOGSPOT.COM
CONSERVATIONCLUB.COM
COVEREDINCATHAIR.COM
ILOVERESCUEANIMALS.ORG


Final nominees were selected based on the number of times they were nominated by their fellow bloggers and followers. Winners will be chosen from these nominees by the number of votes they receive from pet enthusiasts by August 20th. To vote, go to http://dogtime.com/petties.

"The Petties it truly an awards program for bloggers, by bloggers," said DogTime Media CEO, Trevor Wright. "The pet community has some very passionate, entertaining, and influential personalities, and this is the opportunity for the best of the best to be recognized by their followers."

Winners will be announced at the BlogPaws 2010 West Conference, to be held in Denver September 9th to 11th. Winners will receive a $500 donation to the shelter or rescue organization of their choosing, a custom engraved "Petties" award, a "Petties Winner" badge for their blog site, a valuable package of editorial coverage across the DogTime Media Network, VIP access to the BlogPaws 2010 West Conference and a host of social media traffic driving opportunities.

"Pet bloggers put their heart and soul into their work," said Caroline Golon, co-founder of BlogPaws. "We're so happy to participate in recognizing and celebrating these bloggers by hosting the Pettie Awards at BlogPaws."

Event Details

What: BlogPaws 2010 West, the only conference for pet bloggers and the online pet community
When: September 9-11, 2010
Where: The Grand Hyatt, Denver, CO
For More Information: http://www.blogpaws.com/



BlogPaws 2010 West will feature dynamic keynotes and interactive education sessions covering topics pet bloggers rely on for their craft: social media strategies, search engine optimization, content development, blog monetization, product reviews, pet photography techniques, tips and tricks for using popular blogging platforms and more. The event will also feature a specific track for veterinarians interested in social media and blogging as well as special sessions for animal rescue and shelter administrators and volunteers.

(1) SOURCE: comScore MediaMetrics, 3/10

About DogTime Media:

DogTime Media is the largest vertical media community focused exclusively on pet owners and the 47.7 billion dollar annual pet market. DogTime Media reaches 29.5 million monthly users via its community of 500 leading pet-focused websites, 460 pet bloggers and more than 3,000 rescue groups, anchored by its own DogTime.com, the premier destination for pet owners.

DogTime Media actively supports the efforts of rescue groups and shelters nationwide to significantly reduce the number of homeless and neglected pets in the country by providing authoritative advice to both novice and experienced pet guardians. Founded in 2007, DogTime Media is a privately held company based in San Francisco, CA.

About BlogPaws:

BlogPaws is an online resource to help pet bloggers and enthusiasts connect digitally, build their online presence, enhance their social networks and be the change for pets in need. The first-ever pet bloggers and social media conference, BlogPaws 2010, was held on April 9 & 10, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. A second event, BlogPaws 2010 West, will take place on September 9-11, 2010 in Denver, Co. To learn more, please visit: http://www.blogpaws.com/

P&G Expands Voluntary Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods

P&G Expands Voluntary Limited Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk

The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) (NYSE:PG) is voluntarily expanding its recall to include veterinary and some specialized dry pet food as a precautionary measure because it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. No salmonella-related illnesses have been reported.

The following dry pet food products are included:


Product Name Version -- "Best-By" Dates -- UPC Codes

Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas All dry sizes and varieties -01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes

Eukanuba Naturally Wild All dry sizes and varieties - 01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes

Eukanuba Pure All dry sizes and varieties -01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes

Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin All dry sizes -01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes


The affected products are sold in veterinary clinics and specialty pet retailers throughout the United States and Canada. No canned food, biscuits/treats or supplements are affected by this announcement. A full listing of UPC codes can be found at http://www.iams.com/.

These products are made in a single, specialized facility. In cooperation with FDA, P&G determined that some products made at this facility have the potential for salmonella contamination. As a precautionary measure, P&G is recalling all products made at this facility.

Consumers who have purchased the specific dry pet foods listed should discard them. People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

For further information or a product replacement or refund call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8823 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST).

Was She A Dog Breeder Or A Dog Punisher

A dog breeder named Patricia Gail Cathers from Georgetown County was charged with seven counts of animal cruelty after the local deputies had seized forty six dogs from her house.

The conditions were pretty bad for the dogs who had to live in what you would call hell. The report that said the dogs were drinking dirty green looking water and moldy dog food while living in their own mess. And to think that Cathers was supposedly a dog breeder, who in the right mind would have brought a dog from her.

Read the article here.

Find Out If Your Dog Is Over Weight

How Fat Is That Doggie in Your Window? Vets Release Pet Weight Translator
Pet Weight Translator Compares Weights of Portly Pets to Pudgy People

Vets concerned about the growing pet obesity epidemic want people to know that a 12 pound Yorkie is the same as an average female weighing 218 pounds and a 14 pound cat is equivalent to a 237 pound man. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) has created an online pet weight translator and tables of the most common breeds that compare those extra pounds on our pets in terms of love handles we can all relate to.

APOP Founder and President Dr. Ernie Ward remarks on why the group created these tools. “As a veterinarian I’m always looking for ways to demonstrate how serious even a few extra pounds on a pet can be. These tables and calculations put pet weights in human terms, making it easier to understand. For example, if I tell a client their female Lab is 20 pounds overweight, that doesn’t sound too bad. Owners think ‘It’s a big dog.’ If I tell them it’s the same as them weighing almost 190 pounds, suddenly the light bulb goes on. ‘My dog is fat.’”

More important than light bulbs flashing, Ward hopes to educate pet lovers about the dangers of pet obesity and poor nutrition.

“Over half the nation’s dogs and cats are now overweight making obesity the leading health threat of our pets. Largely preventable diseases such as arthritis and diabetes are being seen in record numbers costing pets their life and owners millions in medical bills. The reality most of these cases could be avoided simply by preventing weight gain and shedding excess pounds.”
So what can pet owners do to fight excess weight in their pets?

“The single most valuable tool a pet owner has in the fight against obesity is a measuring cup. Most pet owners don’t measure how much they’re feeding and even fewer know how much they should be feeding.” responds Ward.

To determine how many pounds on a pet equal those on a person, the group used average heights for men and women, 5 foot 9 inches and 5 feet 4 inches, respectively. They then used the normal range of the Body Mass Index (BMI), 18.5 to 24.9. These weights were then compared to a breed’s normal weight range.

Ward explains, “Our calculations were performed in the most conservative fashion. We used the upper range of ‘normal’ weights for women (145 pounds) and men (169 pounds) as well as the upper weight range for breeds as a starting point for our pet equivalents. When our charts state a 23 pound Shih tzu is equal to a 208 pound female, you can count on it.”

One of the key barriers to pet weight loss is owner’s denial of the problem which Ward calls the ‘fat gap.’

“Many owners incorrectly believe their pet is big. The reality is very few of us are the size of an NBA or NFL professional athlete. Those guys are large. By putting their pet’s weight in terms normal people can relate to, I can more easily explain why their pet is ‘fat,’ not ‘big.’”

Visit www.PetObesityPrevention.com for details.

Other highlights of the data include:

* 90 pound female Labrador retriever is equal to a 186 pound 5’ 4” female or 217 pound 5’ 9” male
* Every excess pound on a female Lab is equal to 4 to 5 pounds on a 5’ 4” female or 5’ 9” male
* 15 pound average DSH/DMH/DLH cat is equal to a 218 pound 5’ 4” female or 254 pound 5’ 9” male
* Every excess pound on an average DSH/DMH/DLH cat is equal to 14 to 15 pounds on a 5’ 4” female or 17 pounds on a 5’ 9” male
* 15 pound average DSH/DMH/DLH cat is equal to a 218 pound 5’ 4” female or 254 pound 5’ 9” male
* 105 pound male Golden retriever is equal to a 203 pound 5’ 4” female or 237 pound 5’ 9” male
* Every excess pound on a female Golden is equal to 4 to 5 pounds on a 5’ 4” female or 5’ 9” male
* 12 pound Pomeranian is equal to a 249 pound 5’ 4” female or 290 pound 5’ 9” male
* Every excess pound on a Pomeranian is equal to 21 to 21 pounds on a 5’ 4” female or 24 to 25 pounds on a 5’ 9” male

Elena Adams Designs Donates To Best Friends Animal Society with Necklace Proceeds

Jewelry Designer to Benefit Best Friends Animal Society with Necklace Proceeds
Elena Adams Designs offers a sterling silver necklace with all proceeds benefiting the Best Friends Animal Society.

Elena Adams Designs has created a sterling silver, smokey quartz and iolite necklace to be sold throughout August with all proceeds going to benefit the Best Friends Animal Society.

Owner, Elena Adams has always been committed to using her business resources to aid charities, and has previously worked to raise money for The National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, Wild Care and Child's Play. She also regularly donates her jewelry for charity auctions throughout the US.

Adams grew up around animals, and they have always played an important role in her life. With so many unwanted and sick animals being abandoned to high-kill shelters, Best Friends Animal Society is dedicated to saving lives and finding homes for pets that would otherwise be euthanized.

“It makes me so sad to think that every day, people abandon their pets because they either don't want them or can’t afford their medical needs," said Adams. "Pets are not designer products, and to think that so many perfect creatures are needlessly put down breaks my heart. I want to give people an opportunity to contribute in a way that still feels like they are getting value for their money.”

Elena Adams Designs specializes in one-of-a-kind, artistic wear, and has in the past focused on raising awareness through single, high-end pieces. With the economy in early recovery stages, most shoppers are not able to commit to large donations, and so, for the first time, Adams has created a necklace to help her customers contribute in smaller, yet still significant ways.

Smokey quartz and iolite on a sterling silver chain create a necklace that is perfect as a fine, single chain, or beautifully layers with other chain and beaded necklaces. Adams loves to pair delicate, sterling silver chain maille with semi-precious gemstones and designed this piece to reflect her signature style.

Retailing at $35, $20 of each sale will go to benefit Best Friends.

These necklaces will be available until August 31st or while supplies last. They can be found exclusively at http://www.elena-adams.com/bestfriends

About Elena Adams Designs
Elena Adams believes that timeless jewelry should be a part of every woman’s collection, and has been creating jewelry for nearly ten years. Specializing in chain maille, she strives to maintain the classic appeal of this ancient technique, while updating it for the modern woman, using gemstones and sterling silver to create richly feminine treasures that will last a lifetime. Her work is available at www.elena-adams.com

About Best Friends Animal Society (from their website)
Best Friends Animal Society is guided by a simple philosophy: kindness to animals builds a better world for all of us. Best Friends' No More Homeless Pets campaign created a new vision: A grassroots effort to place dogs and cats who were considered "unadoptable" into good homes, and to reduce the number of unwanted pets through effective spay and neuter programs.

Don't Miss The Third Annual Fido’s Festival USA

OctoberFETCH Marks Third Annual Fido’s Festival USA(R) One Of Country’s Largest Dog-Centered Celebrations
Fall, Halloween-Themed Activities Include Costume Contests, Entertainment, Performance Lure and Agility Courses, Training Demos, Dog Rescues/Shelters, Educational Seminars and More

The Third Annual Fido’s Festival USA®, the first ever all-inclusive dog festival, takes place October 9-10, 2010 at the Salem County Fairgrounds in Woodstown, New Jersey. This year’s theme, “OctoberFETCH,” brings many opportunities for families and their dogs to celebrate autumn with friendly fall-themed canine contests, health and training seminars, demonstrations on 64 acres of indoor/outdoor pavilions that can accommodate up to 30,000 attendees. The Festival also features a variety of dog products and services, seminars by veterinarians, and appearances by local celebrities and lots of fun for dog owners, too, including food, beverages, Oktoberfest dancers, and more.

Some of the Festival’s many exciting, fun-filled activities for dogs and their owners include:


Fall-Themed Contests
TV/Film Auditions
Dock Diving
Costume Parade, Contest
High Performance Lure, Agility Courses
Products, Services
Rescues, Shelters
Play Area
Vet Seminars

ABOUT FIDO’S FESTIVAL USA
Fido’s Festival USA® was founded to celebrate the joy and privilege of being a lovable dog, any dog, family, stray, or orphaned, and to acknowledge their unique gifts and talents, not just full breeds. It is the first dog-centered event to be all-inclusive to canines.