If you didn’t know any better, you’d think some velociraptors were out stalking the mist.
OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST GUS KENWORTHY HELPS #HALOFEEDITFORWARD AT #BARKWORLD
Gus Kenworthy, Freestyle Skier and Olympic Silver Medalist who arranged for the adoption of 5 Russian stray dogs to be transported back to the US during the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi Russia, attended BarkWorld Expo 2015 this past weekend and helped feed a shelter pet through #HaloFeeditForward.
In addition to donating a meal for every #Barkworld registered attendee, Halo Pets had another way for pet bloggers and influencers to donate more meals.
During the social media conference, registered attendees were able to feed a shelter pet by taking a picture with our Rescue Hero frame and posting it online.
Thank you Gus for your commitment to pets and for bringing awareness about the stray dog population in Sochi.
For more information about our campaign, visit our #HaloFeeditForward page.
Posted in Pet Health Articles
Tagged #BARKWORLD, #HALOFEEDITFORWARD, Helps, Kenworthy, Medalist, Olympic, Silver
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puppy up 2014
Indiana and I are back on the road from my brief jaunt up to the northeast to honor my yearly commitment to the folks who make Puppy Up the most successful grass roots organization evah! Madison CT won the contest last year and their 2014 walk was even bigger and badder, a trend they’ve been setting every year. From over 300 in 2012 to 600 walkers this year Valerie and her team did an incredible job and it was inspiring to be there although I like to joke that I brought the sunny 70 weather from the west coast.
Puppy Up Malvern
We also timed it so I could attend the inaugural Puppy Up walk at HOPE Veterinary Specialists in Malvern PA the week prior and damn glad we did. Despite the rainy frigid weather, droves of Phillyers? (Whats the proper demonym?) showed up for the walk and to celebrate the clinic’s 10 year anniversary. Cheers to Kate Craig and Dennis!
Powerful the day’s events but perhaps the most poignant moment for me was meeting two of the patients in a study we funded. Teddy and Bynx. They have a particularly nasty inoperable bladder tumor and both were given a prognosis of 1-2 months. The Animal Medical Center in Manhattan is working on a more effective delivery system to get chemo to the tumor site and early results are promising.
Comparative Oncology
Teddy and Bynx have passed the one year survival mark because of this study and if it continues as hoped, Sloan Kettering will start human trials. Folks this is the crux of comparative oncology. You can learn more about the types of studies The Puppy Up Foundation funds here.
Puppy Up New Jersey
After enduring hurricane Sandy, Puppy Up NJ has had to change venues more times than Gov Christie has redirected traffic off the GW. Just like the boardwalk, our dear Jude has weathered some storms but she’s still standing strong and this years event was held at Dusty’s Dog House and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to be a part of their walk this year.
FYI Jude – next time please don’t cry when introducing me cause there’s nothing worse than a dude wearing a skirt gettin all weepy.
YBD
Santa Maria CA
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PostScripts 1
It’s sometimes hard to get perspective when youre deep down in it, risking all you have for a cause. And the west coast walk has put us to the mat many many times so a Puppy Up break was sorely needed.
I recently read that last year $ 18.5 billion was doled out by the federal government for renewable energy subsidies and recently $ 6.2 billion has been earmarked for the ‘Ebola crisis’. The total budget of the National Cancer Institute in 2014 was roughly $ 5 billion, which has remained at that level for over a decade.
Last time I checked - 1/2 of all men and 1/3 of all women will develop cancer in their lifetime never mind the 2-4 million dogs each year. Talk about a government so disconnected and resolutely unconcerned with the most immediate threat facing its population.
Some mornings I just wake up shaking my head asking why? Why get out of your tent and keep going? I could tell you why I do but being a part of the Puppy Up walks says everything I need to say.
PS2
Have to give a shout out to Madison WI because Beth and Kai had the most awesome walk May this year and the perfect send off to our west coast walk. Thank you for the boots and I’ll see you next year.
The Home Stretch
Now that we’re back on the road, here’s an updated schedule:
San Luis obispo November 12
Pismo beach November 13
Santa Maria area* November 14
Santa Barbara November 22
Ventura November 25
Oxnard November 26
Malibu November 29
Santa Monica December 1
LA Area (leaving) December 8
The Final Mile December 14
Planning for the final mile is underway so we’ll post it here soon
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
PIT BOSS STAR SHORTY ROSSI HELPS #HALOFEEDITFORWARD AT #BARKWORLD
Luigi “Shorty” Rossi, star of Animal Planet’s Pit Boss and founder of Shorty’s Rescue, an organization set up for Bully Breed Awareness and Fighting BSL Laws, attended BarkWorld Expo 2015 this past weekend and helped feed a shelter pet through #HaloFeeditForward.
In addition to donating a meal for every #Barkworld registered attendee, Halo Pets had another way for pet bloggers and influencers to donate more meals.
During the social media conference, registered attendees were able to feed a shelter pet by taking a picture with our Rescue Hero frame and posting it online.
Were you at #Barkworld? Did you take a picture with our Rescue Hero frame? Make sure you tag yourself in our Facebook #Barkworld album.
For more information about our campaign, visit our #HaloFeeditForward page.
Posted in Pet Health Articles
Tagged #BARKWORLD, #HALOFEEDITFORWARD, BOSS, Helps, ROSSI, SHORTY, star
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Tracking a roe deer with a Drahthaar
The dog’s name is Tanne (German for fir tree):
This is illegal in West Virginia. Dogs cannot be used to hunt deer in any way, but the laws are not well-enforced.
The reason why it’s illegal is that deer were nearly wiped out with market hunters using hounds.
I think this something that should be revised. The dogs are not being used to hunt the deer. They are being used to recover wounded game, which is a very ethical thing to do.
We do it with game birds and migratory waterfowl. Why not with deer?
We Made It Murphy
At 11;30 PST, in the shadows of the Laguna mountains we walked the length of Coronado Island to the edge of Oneonta slough and Hudson, Indiana and I completed our border to border West Coast walk.
And like most of our Southern California days, it was sunny and 70. Indeed, it was a glorious day.
And like all great endings one not without its comedic twists, cosmic ironies, and poignant moments.
The morning began with a seven mile hike to the meeting place for our Final Mile which Ginger joined us though I’d quickly learn less for the honor and privilege of partaking in such a powerful experience but more for showing off her new kilt. Really Ginger??? There can be only One Who Rocks The Kilt…
A couple dozen friends met us to walk the final mile, some we had met along our travels, some were new. But to my utter shock and surprise, two of my oldest and dearest friends were there: Jim and Renee with Tripawds. Man was that way awesome. And it made a circle round. You see, they were in Austin to launch our first walk and now at the ending of our second. Yep I got all choked up. Thanks for the avocados guys – only noticed yesterday you put them in a poop bag. Hee hee.
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Inspired by another of our friends, John Stalls, who walked from Delaware to San Francisco, I had hoped to jump into the Pacific Ocean to punctuate our tremendous accomplishment but was greeted by this sign. Apparently Tijuana thinks the slough is a dumping ground for their sewage sludge. Precise opposite of the pristine Canadian border where began our adventure but the two constants throughout all of it were mountains to east and the ocean at our west. And my companions by my side. And that includes not only Indiana who made the entire trek but Hudson who made it to the California border and Malcolm and Murphy in spirit.
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There are so many people to extend great thanks to – the friends we made along our path, kind and courteous strangers, and even the idiot drivers who although from no lack of trying, didn’t kill us on the PCH. Walking through and across 19 states now, I know of no more treacherous stretch of road.
Thanks to my team and all of the volunteers who helped out in various capacities to ensure our safe passage and make this experience matter, to those who walked the virtual final mile with us, and to our sponsors.
I have lots of thanking and reflecting to do in the coming weeks but without a moment’s rest, I leave now for Texas to catch up on a lot of work, rest a bit, and spend a week with family….
Filled the final archery tag
I went hunting this evening. I didn’t see anything until about 4:45, when I heard the leaves been churned up to my left. I have the left window on my blind zipped up, because that window points up in the woods where the deer can see me if I move. I have the blind right on a well-used game trail, and I knew it would be just a matter of time before the deer thrashing around in the brush to my left trotted out in front of me.
A little doe soon trotted out, and she was followed by a six-point buck. He availed himself to me, and I took the shot. I aimed for the heart, but I he must have moved just as I pulled the trigger on the crossbow.But the rage broadhead still went through his heart. He ran less than a hundred feet before he dropped.
As my dad and I dragged him out of the brush, we came across a big ten-point that was tracking the doe that the six point had been tending. While dad went to get the tractor, the big buck came back and circled me. I snort-wheezed at him, and he stopped and tried to wind me for a few minutes. He then marched into the nearest thicket and began rubbing his antlers against the trees. I had taken out a little weenie that he’d have to beat up tonight.
I can’t go deer hunting again until Thanksgiving week, when the rifle season comes in.
So the big one is safe.
But this is still a nice little buck.
Pet Food Recall: The Natural Dog Company, Inc. Recalls 12″ Tremenda Sticks
The latest recall is from the FDA.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 20, 2015 – Windsor, CO – The Natural Dog Company, Inc. of Windsor, CO, is recalling its 12oz bags of 12″ Tremenda Sticks pet chews because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonellacan affect animals eating the product and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
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 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.
The recalled 12″ Tremenda Sticks were distributed to retail stores in CA, CO, FL, IL, MO MT, NC, OH UT and WA.
The recalled product comes in a 12oz bag without a lot number or expiration date with UPC number: 851265004957. Products with new packaging, which includes both a lot number and expiration date but the same UPC are not affected by this recall.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
The potential for contamination was noted after a Colorado Department of Agriculture inspection of the product revealed the presence of Salmonella in a sample taken from a 12oz package of 12″ Tremenda Sticks.
Production of the product has been suspended while FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem.
Consumers who have purchased 12oz packages of 12″ Tremenda Sticks should discontinue use of the product and may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-888-424-4602 – Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm MST.
You wouldn’t feed your dog or cat hair, would you… knowingly, that is!
Four pet foods tested… all four positive for hair!!!
Photo Credit: TruthAboutPetFood.com
Those foods were:
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Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Chicken Flavor
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9 Lives Plus Care Cat Food
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Beneful Incredibites with Real Beef Dog Food
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Friskies Indoor Delights Cat Food