As you may remember in a previous post I discussed the largest pet food recall in America’s history.

You can also find on the “Feeding” page of this site more information on that recall and how you can avoid allowing the commercial pet food companies to poison your pets again.

Healthy Pet Net’s creator, Dr. Jane Bicks DVM released this information today in her newsletter. If you don’t receive her newsletters and would like to, please go to the Healthy Pet Net site and sign up. While you’re there take a look at the all natural, holistic pet food developed by Dr. Jane Bicks.

I personally can remember the recall as if it were yesterday because I lost two pets due to the contaminated food. I watched them suffer for one and a half years before I had to put them both down.

The good news is two of the individuals central to the contamination that afflicted thousands of dogs and cats submitted guilty pleas to numerous misdemeanor charges and a single felony charge. The married co-owners, Stephen and Sally Miller of ChemNutra, were originally scheduled for sentencing on June 16th, but that was postponed and, as of the date of this newsletter’s submission for publication, has yet to be rescheduled.

The Miller’s were indicted for their actions of knowingly distributing more than 800 tons of melamine-laced wheat gluten imported from China in more than a dozen shipments. The couple passed off these tainted goods as high-grade protein ingredients, selling it to several of the largest producers of canned pet food and ultimately resulting in the recall of over 150 different brands of pet food.

While the maximum sentence would be two years in prison without parole and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, those who have wished for a punishment equal to the crime may be disappointed by the upcoming decision.  Prosecutors handling the case have signaled their openness to leniency, recommending that the court impose a $25,000 fine against ChemNutra, $5,000 each against the Millers, and sentence the Miller’s to three years of probation each.

It is worth noting that ChemNutra is just one of the 20-plus companies required to contribute to a $24 million compensation fund, the outcome of a class-action lawsuit brought by families affected by the recall.  How much ChemNutra paid into this fund is not a matter of public record, and may never be made known.

No, I don’t agree that this punishment is equal to the crime, I believe the punishment should be that equal to the punishment one would receive if they would have knowingly contaminated human food the way they contaminated our pets food!

When will we receive equal rights for our pets? We already know they can communicate with us. We also know most are as intelligent than most humans! (some more! :-P) The hurt and grief I experienced losing my pets over the past year is at times still overwhelming. I’ve lost three loved ones, two to the contaminated food, and my third to some injury…we still don’t know what happened.

I guess we can say this is a notch in the armor, a crack in the glass, one step closer to having the courts consider tougher punishments to animal abusers.

Have you ever been told that if you bathe your pet too often you’ll dry out their skin and they will become flaky?

I’ve always been told that! Even by a few veterinarians and dog groomers! Alas, this is another one of those “myths” that we so willingly believe. Don’t worry, you’re not alone, there are a lot of us out there. I’m going to share some NEW information I’ve learned that turned my thinking around! This information has come from the veterinarian behind the Life’s Abundance Pet Food which I promote as the best in the business. You will be able to read more info about it’s creator, Dr. Jane Bicks, DVM further down on this post.

You know how nice your dog looks after a bath? Their coat is shiner and better looking, they even sometimes get a burst of energy and feel lively again! That should tell us something. They feel GOOD after their bath. Not only is their hair cleaner, but bathing removes loose, drying skin cells in the first layer of their skin, allowing healthy, new layers to grow. If you notice any excessive flaking, that’s an indication that skin cells are drying prematurely and are in need of additional nourishment and support.

Dr. Jane also recommends that cats be bathed in an effort to prevent hairballs. The life cycle of your cats hair ends with shedding, and as the amount of hair shed increases the more hairballs are likely to develop. When a lot of hair is shed in a short period of time, it can become trapped in the healthy hair. This is exactly why a proactive hair and skin care routine can help to diminish the likelihood of hairballs.

There is evidence to suggest that bathing cats can actually reduce the severity of allergies in your family. Research by the Cornell Feline Health Center showed that many people who suffer from cat allergies report fewer problems after their cats have been bathed.

So, how often should we bathe our pets?

Unless your dogs have problem skin, they should be bathed only about every two weeks. Even though  we all think of our little dogs like our babies, they definitely don’t need daily baths. If they are experiencing mild problems (dry skin, an excessively oily coat, noticeable odor, etc.) Dr. Jane suggests they receive an effective combination of the Revitalizing Shampoo and Bath Fresh Mist, which you can find here on the HealthyPetNet website. The Bath Fresh Mist can be used in between baths if needed. My Leo…well, lets just say that he needs the in between Bath Fresh Mist because for some unknown reason he likes to roll in dead earth worms! UCK! Did you know they smell so bad that I can’t even hold Leo after he’s rolled in one! It’s the most horrible smell there is!

All of these products mentioned above are safe to use in combination with topical flea products, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying these treatments.

Now, down to the science!

A good shampoo includes conditioners, which moisturize as the shampoo cleans. Inexpensive shampoos often have harsh chemicals which, while providing a rich lather, frequently do not contain conditioners that contribute to a healthy coat and better skin.

Dr. Jane formulated our Revitalizing Shampoo specifically to help your pet’s coat be lustrous and healthy all year long. She added friot extracts, due to their antioxidant properties. The base itself is very mild, with a built in conditioner. It includes organic herbs, to provide your pet with the very finest in care products. As soon as you apply the Revitalizing Shampoo the rosemary and sage begin to penetrate the hair shaft and rejuvenate the hair at the roogt. Some over-the-counter shampoos indicate that you use a large amount of the product. As a result, rinsing can take a very long time. Sometimes, even after several minutes of rinsing, may still leave residual soapiness in the coat and on the skin.

With Revitalizing Shampoo, it lathers quickly, generates loads of foamy bubbles, and then takes only moments to rinse clean. No overpowering perfumes like those used in some shampoos, the fragrance is vibrantly fresh, with a pleasingly tropical mango scent.

Does your dog have the same dirty smell the very next day after you’ve shampooed them?

Our Revitalizing Shampoo has a special odor-control ingredient called Ordenone (TM). This ingredient effectively eliminates foul odors for four-to-five days after the shampoo. With a proven safety recordin many personal care products, Ordenone(TM) is a unique compound that traps 0dor-causing molecules/odors and permanently encapsulates them. When you rinse your pet, you are rinsing those odors away. This product has NO effect on the normal microbial processes of the skin, helping to ensure the health of your pet’s skin.

What about matting fur?

Both cats and dogs can have problems with matting fur. Sometimes washing them will make them even worse. Using scissors to cut the mat can be very dangerous and therefore not a good way to get rid of the mats.This is why Dr. Jane created Bath Fresh Mist. All you need to do is spray this coat conditioner onto the mat and carefully comb it out. It may take a little bit of patience, but it’s better for your lovable pet!

About Bath Fresh Mist

Bath Fresh Mist is made from the same fruit extracts and has the same odor-fighting molecule as the Revitalizing Shampoo. It is an excellent in-between bath solution, keeping your dog or cat smelling fresh. It is also effective in removing kinks, which helps to prevent mats.

Remember, both of these products are safe to use in combination to with topical flea products, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying those treatments.

Dr. Jane Bicks, DVM is one of the nation’s premier holistic veterinarians and HealthyPetNet formulator.

Dr. Jane Bicks is the inspiration and guiding force behind our products. She is one of the poineers of alternative veterinary medicine and has authored three pet care and anurition books. Dr. Jane has served on numerous professional boards, including the Cornell Feline Health Center. She was appointed by former Mayor Rudolph Giuloiani to help start one of the largest animal shelters in the United States.

Just when we thought this was all over we find out that our pets health are at risk again!

Dog Biscuits (Cookies) now being recalled. First on the list of what should be many is the, PetSmart “Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits”

Try to avoid feeding your dog ANY brand biscuits that contain peanut butter in it. Carefully read the ingredients in everything you purchase for your pets making sure there is NO peanut butter or by products in the product. Now, do you know what all the names for these ingredients are?? I don’t!

Below Link Is Good, you may have too click it a couple of times.

PetSmart Voluntarily Recalls Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits (January 20)
Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:39:00 -0600

PetSmart is voluntarily recalling seven of its Grreat Choice Dog Biscuit products that contain peanut paste made by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is the focus of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation into potential salmonella contamination of peanut butter and paste made at its Blakely, Georgia facility.

Here’s a link which will take you to a Federal Recall Information page. Most of these recalls are for human foods, not pets, but you can do a search for pet foods.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm

This has been easy for the dog food industry as there is virtually no regulation in this area. The FDA is under financed and has insufficient manpower to monitor plant production. Animal food does not have to meet the same standards as human grade food. As a result, inclusions labeled as protein sources are frequently far more sinister on its face than labels suggest.

Here’s the solution

The dog food industry was founded in America has an answer to business demands for a viable and profitable outlet for industrial waste which includes diseased animal parts, buy-products, fillers and slaughterhouse refuse.

That the current dog food recall continues to dominate worldwide attention is evidence of a widespread disregard by the dog food industry for the well being of dogs and pets worldwide.
In a laughable response to a recent U.S. Senate hearing the pet food industry proclaimed their products “safe” while dogs and cats lay dead and dying in veterinary hospitals from the United States to South Africa.
Dog owners should not be shocked at news of the unhealthy nature of dog food products, when even regulated human food supplies are at risk.
Caroline Smith DeWaal of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Stated recently that, “We see the pet food recall as a warning sign for the government that they need to do more to protect the food supply,” “It could easily happen to an ingredient used in human food as well.”

Find out the solution now, or continue reading.

So what should a PET owner do?

Make sure the pet food you are using is of the highest quality and does NOT contain any of the unhealthy poisons in it that pet food you buy off the shelves has.

If you have been feeding your pet the foods that were recalled, please take them to your vet and have them check out. My pets KIDNEYS were destroyed, which is what caused their death’s. I would hate to see this same thing happen to you and your pet.

You can visit the Healthy Pet Net site and KNOW you ARE GETTING THE ABSOLUTE BEST PET FOOD ON THE MARKET!

It’s healthy for your pets and it’s not going to hurt your wallet either. I actually spend two cents a day less to feed my dog using Life’s Abundance Food than I did when I used Iams! No kidding here, this is all true. I don’t kid about the  health of our pets!

Make sure you check out everything on this site, you can even compare retail pet foods with Life’s Abundance Pet Food. It’s an eye opener! If you think this food will be too expensive for you, check out the link where you can compare the prices you are paying now to Life’s Abundance Food.

Isn’t your pet worth it?

I lost our two year old cat this morning at 6:38 AM. Bailey was our baby, as are all of our pets both past and present. This is a terrible unexpected loss being he was only two years old and extremely healthy and happy. It was untimely and unfair.

Bailey was always so special to us because he was so much fun. He amused my husband and I so much at times we would laugh at him so hard we’d have tears in our eyes. He was a born entertainer. Watching TV was a thing of the past, we watched Bailey! No kidding! We would play with him like he was our own little baby ever since we brought him home as tiny little kitten.

He loved to get into trouble. My grown children always told us that Bailey was “bad” because he would get into so much trouble. Trouble that my husband and I would only laugh at! Things like knocking things off of the kitchen counters, batting his toys around and throwing them in the air then jumping up knocking lamps off of the end tables. These small things weren’t trouble, they were hilarious. I guess because my husband and I were over 50 we were more tolerant than the kids. Yes, he would do some things that were mildly considered a nuisance, but we just couldn’t get mad at him, he was too cute.

When we brought our new puppy, Leo home we were unsure how Bailey would handle it. Well, they became instant friends and spent their time wrestling and running around the house sometimes into the wee hours of the morning. They loved each other. After some rough housing they would both curl up on a blanket and fall asleep together.

Bailey became very tormented this spring and wanted to be outside. I didn’t want an outside cat, but we just couldn’t keep him in. He’d trip us while we were walking in or out of the house just because he wanted to roll on the cement porch or sidewalk. We don’t live in the city, so there are some nice places for him to roam which are very close to our home and I guess they were calling to him to explore. He was a very curious cat. Finally, we let him out. He stayed in the fenced in yard for a couple of days but learned he could jump the fence where the grass appeared “greener” than his own yard. The two neighbors loved Bailey because he kept the rabbits and chipmunks out of their gardens so I didn’t see any harm to him bring outside.

Over time he stayed out for longer periods of time and we wouldn’t see him for a entire day! I didn’t like this at all so I tried to keep him in again. That wasn’t going to work because he was just unhappy inside. We let him out again.

Bailey made friends with the cat who lived across the street from us, Miley. Miley and Bailey were best friends. Bailey even brought Miley in our house through the dog door and showed her where the cat food was. Yes, they both were “fixed” so we weren’t contributing to the number of stray cats in this country! Miley’s mom and I had several laughs over the two of them together playing in the woods behind their house. They had a better view than I did because it was at the end of their backyard. That is where Bailey had been spending all of his time, which was okay with me.

I did have my fears of him crossing the road though. We don’t have a lot of traffic, since we live in a suburb, but we do live on one of the few roads that feeds out to bigger roads on both ends, so more folks use it than some of the other crazy roads in our neighborhood. I watched Bailey a few times while crossing the street and he seemed to know what he was doing. I did notice a car slowing down for him one time however.

This AM my husband let Leo out in the backyard and he saw Bailey heading towards the front of the house via the side yard. He jumped the fence and went to the front. About a half hour later I was awakened by Bailey howling outside my bedroom window facing the front garden where he was laying on his side. I ran outside and noticed he was panting and didn’t get up or move. All he did was hold the upper part of his body upright. I picked him up and he howled again. I carried him in the house and layed him on the chair to inspect him. Everything looked good except for two of his back claws on one foot. They were bleeding and almost pulled out but everything was fine. I picked him up again and put him on the floor. He tried to get up but flopped over, unable to move his backend. He continued to do this until he got over to the dog door where he layed on his side and slowly stopped breathing.

I have no idea what happened in the half hour after my hubby saw him and I found him laying in the garden. the vet suspects he was hit by a car, but there were no obvious marks on him and he felt no broken bones. He said he could have had a blood clot let loose and run down his body affecting the back end of his body. He wasn’t sure. He didn’t think Bailey was poisoned because it happened so quickly. I’m not so sure.

I have neighbors who have lived next to me for the past three years who think the entire neighborhood should do what they want us to do. I have been in court with them over our dog Duke who passed away last year from eating the tainted dog food which was being sold in stores. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did something to Bailey, but that is something I will never know.

I guess the reason for this post is to express my sadness today, but also to share news that might help someone else. Try to keep your pets in sight at all times if you can. I know cats are a different breed and they just like to roam, but try, like I did to do your best. Also, if you were ever to hit a pet with your vehicle or bicycle, please stop and knock on doors, try to find out who the pet belongs to. It’s not just an animal, it’s someone’s beloved pet. It’s part of someone’s family, part of their heart. At least show your remorse, offer to help with the cremation, or whatever the desires of the owner’s are. Have enough respect for the animal and the owners and most of all yourself! I myself couldn’t live with myself if I did this to someone.

Well, thanks for reading. I don’t think it helped writing it, but it was worth the try.

Here’s to responsible animal ownership!

Most people don’t even think about their dog’s teeth until they notice they are discolored…or worse. Sure, your dog may have bad breath, but he/she is a dog, they are supposed to have bad breath, aren’t they? Actually, no, they aren’t. Brushing your dogs teeth regularly is just as important as nutrition, grooming, and health care. In some cases even more important.

One good way to stay on top of potential dental problems is to check those pearly whites regularly. Carefully lift up your dogs lips and check both the front and the back of the teeth. Use caution so that you don’t get nipped in the process. The more you do this, the faster you dog will get used to it and eventually won’t even be bothered by the whole process. Your vet will also check your dogs teeth at each visit, which should be every six to twelve months. Please, keep these appointments as they are so very important for the overall health and happiness of your pet.

Here are some things to look for when you are checking your pets teeth:

• Inflamed gums, red or puffy
• Missing or Loose Teeth
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Excessive salivation (slobbering)
• Tartar / Calculus (hard coating on teeth that is usually brown or yellow; results from plaque build-up)
• Reluctance to chew on toys, or treats that once they enjoyed

Dangers of Dental Disease

The buildup of Plaque causes Tarter to grow pets teeth which allows bacteria to grow, eating away at their teeth and gums Gum disease, periodontal, oral pain and tooth loss can also occur. Bacteria isn’t the only possibly causing all of this havoc in your pets mouth, it can also affect other parts of their bodies, like their heart and kidneys. Prevention is the only way to make sure your pet doesn’t ever have to suffer any of these health issues.

Preventing Dental Disease In Your Pet

There are a lot of things that you can to to keep your pets teeth and mouth healthy. First, if you don’t have a dental routine set up yet, start as soon as possible so he or she can get used to the feeling of having their teeth brushed. Puppies have 28 teeth that typically fall out by about six months of age. You should be brushing your pets teeth regularly by that time. Here are some important tips on brushing your pets teeth:

• NEVER USE HUMAN TOOTHPASTE - it can make your pet very sick! Use special enzymatic toothpaste made especially for your pet. The same goes for oral rinses.
• Daily brushing is recommended, however, I have heard from another pet specialist that every other day is acceptable. Brushing your pets teeth around the same time you do yours is probably a good idea.
• Use a “finger brush” or special long toothbrush that is made for pets. Starting out with finger brush can make it easier for you and your pet because it won’t feel so awkward and it won’t be as hard as a brush.
• If you find this difficult and frustrating, don’t fret, I did too. Ask your vet for some help. They can show you some techniques to make tooth brushing easier on you and your pet.

Find more photos like this on iPuppyCam

Hello, I finally got my pictures uploaded onto my new computer so I could get these posted. As you can see, our pets are such a part of our lives it’s almost weird. My husband says that it’s a sign we are getting old when our pets are the center of our lives. Instead of going out to the movies, we’d rather stay at home and watch the animals! Honestly, we’re not THAT bad….yet!

As you read Leo’s Story you will understand why Leo holds such a special place in our hearts. He’s had such a rough life for such a young puppy! We celebrate everyday we have him. So, just for fun, I thought I’d add some pictures of Leo, my husband and I along with one of our silly cats, Bailey. Bailey is only one year old and full of the curiosity typical of most cats. He also has this urge for “extreme” activity throughout the house. Bailey and Leo are a great pair and work very hard to find things to get them in trouble!

I hope you enjoy these pictures and return often to stay up to date on their lives.

Thanks for stopping by!

Welcome to PET TALK

I have designed this website so that anyone who visits can use this as a resource for advice or just to share some stories about your pets. If you are here, you are probably as much of a pet lover as I am, so keep reading and please, let me know what you think of this site and if there are any questions you might have that maybe I could answer. Rest assured, if I don’t know the answers, I will get it for you.

You will find several pages containing information as well as offers for you to purchase if you feel it would add value to your life, or your pets life. For example, the BEST pet training program in the world is offered to you on the Training page. An ebook about saving money by grooming your pet at home, and information on how you can purchase the BEST PET FOOD available which can add QUALITY years onto your pets life for the same price your paying for your pets food now, or less!

Best of all, I am going to donate a percentage of ALL my sales to PAWS and the HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES in an effort to help STOP the abuse of animals, feed animals living in shelters now, find forever homes for sheltered animals, as well as assist with all of the other efforts these organizations stand for.

You may be wondering who I am and how can I give any advice.

I am NOT a veterinarian, so I will not recommend medication for your pets, or diagnose any illness you may have questions about. I can relay your questions to a Licensed Veterinarian whom I know, but if the problem is a serious, life threatening one, please go to your own Vet immediately. DO NOT WAIT FOR MY ANSWERS! Your pet’s health and happiness are the most important factors of this website.

My experience with animals extends way back to my early childhood years.

Yes, that was a very long time ago! I have always had household pets, probably like most of you; cats and dogs. My family has bred and raised horses ever since I was a small child. They have also raised cattle, chickens and dogs. So, you can see that I’ve been around animals of  just about every kind for a very long time!  (Some of which weren’t very friendly!)I will never forget one night after dark I had to go out to the barn for some reason, I can’t remember, probably to play with the newest litter of kittens we had out there. I opened the barn door and directed the flashlight beam inside the barn. Staring up at me were these two eyes, glaring at me through the beam of the flashlight. I froze! I had NO idea what it was, but it didn’t look friendly as it curled it’s lips up and made a growling noise. I slammed the door shut and RAN back to the house. I guess I was white as a sheet because my parents, aunt and uncle wanted to know what happened. They all laughed, I was shaking I later found out it was a weasel. It’s funny now, but it sure wasn’t back then!

I moved away from the family homestead when I was 19 and never returned but for visits on a regular basis.

I did have some kind of pet ever since though. I’ve always had a cat or two or three. I’ve owned a Dachshund, several Golden Retrievers, An English Shepherd, and finally a Papillon. I mentioned I owned “several” Goldens? I went through a very weak period in my life and would wander into the local pet store once in a while. When I would find a Golden in one of the cages I would walk out with it. Yep, I’d buy it, take it home and put it in the newspaper. I never made any profit from selling these puppies, in fact, I never asked more than $50 for them! I just couldn’t stand to see them in a cage. I know…therapy would have been cheaper, but not as fun! I think I went through four of these before I decided to stay away from the pet store!

Okay, I’m done now. You can read more about who I am in my complete profile. There you will find more updated information about who I am NOW. It’s a really boring story, so you can skip it and more on through the rest of my website!

Now you know something about me, why don’t you share something about you and your pets. I’d love to hear from you.

Go ahead, post your comments in the section designated for comments. I will be checking every day or so.

Thanks for sharing….

Sulli