Homemade Pet Bed

How to Make a Cat Bed from an Old Sweater

In 30 minutes and for less than $5, an old wool sweater from the thrift store or the back of your closet can become a cozy cat bed (or dog bed, if the dog is small enough or the sweater's especially big). Click here for instructions.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

BuckleUp

For decades, seat belts have been protecting families throughout the world from a baby in a car seat, a trucker on the road or a passenger in a car.

BUT what about our pets.

Bark Buckle UP campaign educates pet parents on how to put on and take off safety pet belts and the importance of securing their pet safely for travel.

Bark Buckle UP will educate nationally, USE a pet safety belt every time, day & night, 24/7, coast to coast, long or short trips because Safety Belts Do Save Lives.

Buckling up is an important safety precaution for pets. Many states and provinces now require that pets be restrained while in a moving vehicle and restraints have several advantages. They help protect pets in case of a collision and they keep pets from running loose and distracting the driver. They also keep pets from escaping the car through an open window or door.

Cats and smaller dogs are often most comfortable in pet carriers. Carriers give many animals a sense of security and familiar surroundings and can be secured to the car seat with a seat belt or a specially designed carrier restraint (like a child's seat).

There are also pet restraints available that can be used without carriers, including harnesses, seat belt attachments, specially designed pet car seats, as well as vehicle barriers, and truck/pickup restraint systems.


Read the entire article.
Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Ear Cleaning

"Otitis Externa" is the scientific word for smelly, itchy or dirty ears. It is one of the most common reasons our dogs go to see the veterinarian. Many do not include ear cleaning as part of the grooming routine, but many are finding that general cleaning can help eliminate the problem of otisis externa.

It's summertime and that means that some pets are going to have ear troubles. Swimming and increased outdoor activities expose dogs and puppies to pollutants and irritants. The ear will naturally produces more wax for protection, giving more surface for the dirt to accumulate. Cats and kittens can also suffer from dirty ear problems.

As the ears become dirtier, wax and dirt can get lodged and accumulate in the ear canal. Dogs will commonly shake their heads or paw and scratch at their ears. The pawing may lead to scratches and infections. This can be especially true for cats and kittens.

Healthy Pet Net offers a great ear cleaning solution called "Ear Care Formula".

Ear Care Formula cleans ears and eliminates odor. Dissolves ear wax. Removes dirt and debris. Soothes like only aloe vera can. Contains no alcohol and will not sting. Leaves ears dry, which keeps nasty ear debris at bay. Safe and gentle enough for puppies and kittens.

Cleaning helps remove the dirt and wax preventing the discomforting build-up. Gently release enough drops to partially fill the ear canal. Gently massage the base of the ear canal to help loosen wax. Remove liquid, dissoved wax and dirt with cotton or facial tissue. Clean the applicator tip thoroughly after each use. Do not use cotton swabs or insert pointed objects into the ear. For routine cleaning and maintenance, use 1-2 times weekly or as needed.

If you think your pet has any type of infection, consult your veterinarian.


Read more about Ear Care Formula.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Dog Toy Recall

From: www.fourpaws.com

Four Paws® Rough & Rugged® Pimple Ball with Bell

Four Paws is deeply concerned about reports of injuries suffered by some dogs as a result of a manufacturing defect in some of its Pimple Ball with Bell toys. We have stopped shipping the toys to our distributors and asked them to have retailers remove the toys from their shelves immediately and return them at Four Paws expense.

In addition, we have halted shipments of the toys from the manufacturer and we are sending Executive Vice President Barry Askin to personally inspect the manufacturer's facility in order to make sure that the defect has been corrected.

Four Paws is also changing the packaging of its Pimple Balls with Bells to make it easier to inspect them for potential defects and we are individually inspecting every one of the toys in inventory in order to identify any that may be defective.

Consumers who have purchased one of the toys identified by the UPC listed below, should immediately take the toy away from their pet. You may return the Pimple Ball with Bell for replacement to the address listed below. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 1-800-835-0909.

Item Number Item Description UPC
20220 Four Paws® Rough n Rugged® Pimple Ball with Bell -- Small 045663 20220 0
20225 Four Paws® Rough n Rugged® Pimple Ball with Bell -- Medium 045663 20225 5
20227 Four Paws® Rough n Rugged® Pimple Ball with Bell -- Large 045663 20227 9

Consumer Returns:
Four Paws Products
Pimple Ball with Bell Return
50 Wireless Blvd.
Hauppauge, NY 11788

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Dog Rental Company Shutting Down

I read this today and it just made me glad that they decided to go out of business...it was a horrible idea!

A Dog for a Day?
Lawmakers take action against "pet rental" companies
Caitlin McDevitt
Newsweek Web Exclusive

Wouldn't it be great to have all the fun and companionship of a pet, without the longterm responsibility? In early 2007, Marlena Cervantes founded FlexPetz, a pet-sharing service that allows members to rent out dogs for a few hours or days at a time. Since then the small business—the first of its kind in the U.S.—has expanded rapidly from San Diego and opened branches in Los Angeles, Manhattan, and, most recently, in London. The company's website lists plans to open soon in San Francisco, Boston, Washington DC, and Paris, France.

But in recent weeks, lawmakers have begun taking steps to ban a practice critics call emotionally harmful to the animals.

Since its founding FlexPetz has focused on cities, targeting urban professionals who would like to spend time with a dog but can't commit to full-time ownership. "My lifestyle is not really conducive to taking care of a dog," says FlexPetz member Dr. Farng-Yang Foo, a Manhattan neurologist who works 12-hour days and lives in a pet-free building. Since last October, Foo has been paying to spend time with Sandman, a Pomeranian-American Eskimo mix that he rents from FlexPetz about once a month. The membership costs him $99.95 a month plus $45 per day for "doggy time."

Under the FlexPetz membership system, members could select the dog of their choice and spend the time with the dog as they wish. Chris Haddix, Manhattan FlexPetz facilitator, says that all potential customers must go through screening and orientation—a process that can take up to a month—to ensure the dogs' safety. He says that all FlexPetz dogs live in cage-free facilities with a primary caregiver, and that the company rescues dogs that would have otherwise been worse off—in shelters or euthanized. His branch operates out of the Wet Nose Doggy Gym on East 13th St. and has had about six dogs available since it opened in October. FlexPetz likes to maintain a ratio of one dog to every five members. Haddix says that the model has worked out well for the clientele and the dogs, and that it provides an alternative for people who are aware that they're just not ready to care for an animal 24/7. "Our members take the ownership responsibility seriously," he said.

When FlexPetz launched last year, fans heralded the company as the ZipCar for animal lovers. But nearly 18 months after its launch, it's unclear how successful the company has been. In an email exchange, FlexPetz founder Cervantes did not specifically respond to NEWSWEEK's questions about how many customers have signed up or how many dogs the company owns.

But whatever growth the company may have had appears to be imperiled by a recent backlash. In April the British Parliament put forth a motion to prohibit pet rentals. Labor MP Drew David, who proposed the measure, said that the pet-rental business "encourages irresponsible attitudes to dog ownership." In June, after hearing that FlexPetz planned to open a location in Boston, the Boston City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting dog rentals in the city. And on July 29, the Massachusetts Senate passed a bill that would prevent companies like FlexPetz from setting up shop anywhere in the state. According to legislative aide Matthew Carleo, the bill "will be placed on Governor Deval Patrick's desk this afternoon." Representative Paul Frost, a dog-owner who filed the bill, says the business model promotes the idea of "disposable pets." As a Republican in a blue state, Frost rarely seeks such measures restricting commercial expansion, but said this case was exceptional. "I am not against business growth or the entrepreneurial spirit," he says. "But there is an ethical line you have to keep in mind."

Daphna Nachminovitch, of PETA's Cruelty Investigations Department, agrees. "This business exists to make money at the psychological expense of the animal," she says. Besides the possibility of emotional scarring from being bounced from owner to owner, there are concerns about the rental dogs as they age. "Where do they go when their shelf life expires?" Nachminovitch asks. While the website states that all FlexPetz dogs have been "rescued or rehomed," its 2008 Securities and Exchange Commission filing lists $6,532 in dog purchases, and financial statements indicate that the company depreciates each dog with an estimated seven-year "useful" life.

In response to inquiries from NEWSWEEK about the effect the legislation will have on FlexPetz growth, CEO and founder Cervantes said that as a result of the recent legislation, she has decided to "shelve" operations in the US and London, and that each pet in all FlexPetz locations will be offered to a renter for adoption. Haddix said that the two remaining dogs at his NY location are slated for adoption in the coming weeks.

Nachminovitch says this dogfight is not over until the practice of pet rentals is retired forever. "We realize that this is a lucrative business," she says. "But animals are not DVDs."


Full Newsweek Article.
Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose Oil--For the Active Lifestyle
by Marian Brown
Reprinted from Holistic Health News - www.hhnews.com

Fatty acids, essential fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, Linoleic acid (LA), Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) and prostaglandins. If these “buzz” words leave your head swimming you’re not alone. After the Food & Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization released a joint report addressing the role of dietary fats and oils in nutrition, much attention has been given the role these play in our health. The study recommended that at least 3% of our daily calorie intake should be in the form of these “essential fatty acids” (EFA), 5% for children and pregnant/lactating mothers.

What are essential fatty acids and what makes them so essential? EFA’s play important roles in our body‘s overall health. They are part of every cell and establish and control the cellular metabolism. EFA’s are essential in four primary body functions: 1) provide energy, 2) maintain body temperature, 3) insulate our nerves, 4) cushion and protect body tissues. Two key polyunsaturated fatty acids (EFA’s) are Linoleic acid and Gamma-Linolenic acid. LA is not produced by the body but must be obtained through the dietary intake. LA acts as an energy source and is what the body converts to GLA which in turn forms other substances such as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that are found in every body cell. They are critical to the body’s overall health maintenance, but need to be replenished constantly as once they serve their purpose, they are destroyed.

The purposes of Prostaglandins include lowering blood pressure, reducing risks of blood clotting, stimulating the immune system, and regulating brain function. Animal studies at the University of Pennsylvania have also shown them to prevent arthritis. This is also being studied in humans trials in Europe with similar results. The source of EFA’s in these studies has been Evening Primrose Oil

It was once believed that our diet would provide enough EFA’s but due to processing methods, the LA’s structure is changed ( then called trans fatty acids). These fatty acids actually block the normal conversion process. Our western lifestyle--too much saturated fat and cholesterol, processed vegetable oils, and alcohol--also inhibits the normal conversion processes. These blockages become even more dramatic with age, low thyroid function, slower metabolism, infections, disease, and dietary considerations such as zinc deficiency.

Evening Primrose Oil is a natural, and the richest, source of Gamma-Linolenic acid. It contains about 72% Linoleic acid and 9 percent GLA. Since it contains the essential GLA, evening primrose oil is highly valuable to those who cannot otherwise form enough GLA. This would include those who do not get enough essential fatty acids in their diet, drink or have drunk excessive amounts of alcohol, have low thyroid function, or have received radiation treatment. The direct source of GLA takes the pressure off the body to produce the necessary amount of GLA for optimum health.

Preliminary studies in Sweden are relating Evening Primrose Oil to an anti-oxidant in that it also counter acts the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are most often associated with the aging process. Maintaining health is just one of the benefits of Evening Primrose Oil. It is also being studied extensively in England and Europe for its pain reduction in association with arthritis, controlling complications of diabetes, controlling liver and kidney damage due to alcohol, depression, Multiple sclerosis, skin/hair/nail repair, and most impressively, controlling sever symptoms of PMS.

A study at St. Thomas Hospital in London found that when PMS suffers were given evening primrose oil three times daily, 67% of the participants were symptom-free and 22% achieved partial relief. (In all total, 89% had positive results with the evening primrose oil.) Although not as popular in the United States, Evening Primrose Oil is available at most health food stores and nutrition centers. And, as more studies become available, we will find why Evening Primrose Oil was commonly called the “King’s Cure All” in 17th Century England.

Read more about Evening Primrose Oil.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Fizz Active-Immune

Fizz Active technology makes for instant availability of Fizz Active-Immune ingredients. Fizz Active-Immune contains beta-glucans and arabinogalactan.

Studies have shown that these ingredients boost the immune system and increase total immunoglobulins by stimulating macrophage functions, activating T-cells and natural killer cells, and modulating the induction of cytokines. These activated cells and proteins work together to stimulate and support the immune system.

Fizz Active-Immune complements these ingredients with vitamin C and zinc, key nutrients for health and immune function. Add to this the benefits of potassium, Echinacea purpurea, elderberries and Korean ginseng for immune and energy support.

NSP Fizz Active-Immune offers a unique formula designed to activate the body’s natural defense mechanisms, leading to a chain reaction of immune activity. This great formula offers immediate absorption through Fizz Active technology.

Add two tablets to ½ cup of pure water (4–6 fluid ounces). Let dissolve for 2–4 minutes, and drink. Repeat every 4 hours as needed.

Click here to order.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Photographing Your Dog

How to take pictures of your dog


If you're the average dog lover, you think your pooch could out-pose even those silky Weimaraners in the picture books. But if you're the average amateur dog photographer, your photos never match the athleticism, humor, or outrageous cuteness of the real thing.

We asked pet photographer Mark Rogers, who immortalized our office dogs here, for his best tricks for taking high-quality dog pictures--without getting into stuff like f-stops and shutter speed. Here are our favorites:

Time it well. If you're looking for action shots, have your photo shoot before the daily three-mile run. If you want a serene portrait, make it after.

Let your dog get used to the camera. The click and flash of a camera can rattle dogs at first, says Rogers. Let your dog give the camera a good sniff, then start casually shooting the surroundings (if you've got a film camera, you can do this before you load the film). Once your dog's gotten used to the camera and starts doing his own thing, begin taking pictures.

The idea is to keep things natural and relaxed. What not to do: Grab a ton of treats, abruptly shove the camera in your dog's face, and repeat, "Mommy's gonna take your picture!" at high pitch.

Take lots of pictures. This is the first rule of photography, no matter what the subject. The more you take, the better your chances of getting a few amazing shots. "Always bring an extra battery," warns Rogers.

Turn off the flash. Most amateur photographers do best with warm, natural sunlight. To avoid washed-out pictures, shoot in the mornings or evenings, on slightly overcast days, or in the shade on a bright day.

For indoor shots, you'll probably need a flash. You'll get a more natural-looking shot if you use an off-camera flash and swivel it upward so the light's bouncing off the ceiling.

Get down on your dog's level. "If you stand over your dog and look down, every shot you take is going to look like everyone else's," says Rogers.

Pay attention to background. Simple backgrounds, like a white sandy beach or green trees, make your dog stand out. If you've got a point-and-shoot camera, have your dog at least a dozen feet in front of the background so he'll be more in focus than whatever's behind him, and of course, watch for the tree branches growing out of his head. Pay attention to color, too: No black backgrounds for black dogs, brown backgrounds for brown dogs, and so on.

Enlist help. A friend with a squeaky toy will come in handy if you want a head-on shot or a regal profile. However, keep your dog's personality in mind with this tip. "Some dogs get amped up really fast when their toys are around, so it can have the opposite effect of what you intended," says Rogers.

Get creative and playful. Lots of full-body shots taken from ten feet away can get mighty dull. Get up close so your dog fills the entire frame. Get even closer so you get the full effect of that long, wet nose. Photograph your dog head on, in profile, at 45-degree angles. And don't get hung up on perfection; sometimes that shot with your dog's tail out of the frame is the one you'll have hanging on your wall for years. "With pet photography, serendipity is the name of the game," says Rogers. "The best shots are often the spontaneous ones." Read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Animal Witness-Michael Vick Case

From: www.aspca.org

Last year’s federal case against Vick dominated the media for months, generating public concern for the dogs seized from Bad Newz Kennels—and for animal victims across the country still involved in this brutal “sport.” The sentence may have been handed down, but the concern and questions still remain. What happened to the dogs seized in the case? How did Vick get involved in this underworld?

Many of these questions will be answered this Sunday night during “Animal Witness: The Michael Vick Case," the premiere episode of Animal Planet’s new series on animal forensics. The one-hour show offers an in-depth look at Vick and exposes the hidden world of dog fighting—and for the first time on national television, lead investigator Bill Brinkman talks about the inner workings of the case.

The episode will also feature interviews with Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA Forensic Veterinarian, and Officer Annemarie Lucas, Supervisory Special Investigator, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement. As reported in ASPCA News Alert, the ASPCA worked closely with federal authorities at every step of the case, first assisting in forensic examinations and later leading behavior evaluations of the seized dogs.

“The involvement of an extremely high-profile celebrity in the horrific sport of dog fighting prompted universal public outrage and condemnation,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “This case will forever remain a pivotal point in the history of animal welfare in this country and the world.”

The episode is scheduled to air at 10:00 P.M. EST this Sunday evening, August 24. Please visit Animal Planet online to learn more. Please note, the episode does feature footage from underground dog fighting videos—viewer discretion is advised.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Car Sickness

Car sickness and riding behavior

When first introduced to car riding, some dogs get sick. Luckily, most get over it and love to go for car rides.

The first signs of car sickness are yawning, then excessive drooling, sometimes followed by vomiting. For a dog that is exhibiting these symptoms, open a window a crack to get some fresh air in the car. Along with getting fresh air, it is important that the dog be able to see out of the window. Arrange a spot in the car, perhaps the rear window ledge or a box, that the dog can get up onto and see the road ahead. For severe cases and for long trips you may want to try motion sickness medication.

Conditioning is the best method to prepare your dog for riding in the car. This is done over several weeks and it involves you, your dog, your car, and the use of lavish praise. For a few minutes several times a day for three days in a row set up the following schedule. First, just sit in the car with your dog and give him lots of praise for not showing any symptoms of sickness. Then, start and run the engine for the next three days and continue with the praise. Next, start the engine and back the car out of the driveway and drive back in. Never mind what the neighbors will be thinking! Continue praise for showing no symptoms. Finally, drive around the block, then go half a mile, then two miles. Keep this up until your dog is able to ride several miles without getting sick!

Teach your dog a verbal signal such as "OKAY" for getting in the car. Use the same signal for getting out. In other words, do not let your dog get into or out of the car without your okay. This will teach him not to get into strangers' cars, and it will keep him from jumping out of your car into traffic.

If your dog is jumping around inside your car, try putting him in a crate (a small cage). After he appears to have settled down, you can open the door of the crate and offer him some freedom so long as he behaves.

Whining and running around can often be a symptom of impending sickness, excitement, or anxiety. If you determine car-sickness, follow the procedure above. If the whining is simply a bad habit, work on training him to stop. When he whines, say, "NO Whine!" When he stops follow this with "Good Dog!" For some dogs, you may have to try some aversion therapy by squirting lime juice from a plastic squeeze lime into his mouth immediately during the whine. Follow this with "NO Whine!" and praise when he stops. The best way to accomplish this training is do it in small steps following the routine outlined above for conditioning. Read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Pimple Ball Dog Toy

Does your dog have this toy? If so, please Read Chai's story and the horrible experience of his tongue getting stuck in the ball.

Read Chai's story.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Overvaccinating?

Are our pets being over-vaccinated?
By Melissa Burden
Special to the Press

When you get a new puppy or kitten, veterinarians give them standard vaccinations to guard against infectious diseases. But scientists for years have been questioning the need for annual “boosters” for adult dogs and cats. Some studies have shown routine vaccinations can even cause cancer and other serious diseases in pets.

Though many veterinary colleges support newer vaccination guidelines, which reduce the need for some shots, the debate over whether we may be over-vaccinating our pets continues.

Jean Dodds, DVM, a world renowned vaccine research scientist, in Santa Monica, CA, told The Press many boosters are unnecessary.

“Why should we be giving pets foreign substances when they do not need them,” said Dodds, who has researched vaccination guidelines for over 30 years. Veterinarians, she said, have been giving annual vaccinations simply because it’s assumed they are needed and were recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture.

“There never was any data that suggested vaccines must be given yearly,” Dodds said. “Veterinarians assumed there was data but there wasn’t.”

Vaccines like parvovirus and canine distemper are responsible for many diseases of the immune system in dogs, she contends. Anemia, arthritis, epilepsy, thyroid disease, liver failure, diabetes, allergies and other conditions, she believes, are linked to vaccines.

“Approximately five to 10 percent will develop problems,” Dodds said. “That increases to 20 percent in pure breeds.”

Irish Setters, Great Danes, German Shepherds, weimaraners and akitas are at higher risk of developing Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy, a bone disease that causes107 degree fever, pain, and the inability to walk as a result of vaccinations, she said.

“But there is really no breed that is not at risk,” she said.

The only vaccination needed, she asserts, is for rabies because it is legally required.

Dogs’ and cats’ immune systems mature fully at 6 months old, she explained. If canine distemper, feline distemper and parvovirus vaccines are given after 6 months, a pet has immunity for the rest of its life. Read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Pet Safety Days

Bark Buckle UP is hosting Pet Safety Days starting July 19th Glen Cove, NY at Hassel Volvo then continuing across the United States. Open to the general public and their dogs. Each event will have all of the top pet safety products on hand to tryout and learn about how to keep your pets safe during travels (check calendar for a pet safety day near you).

Click here to view dates and locations.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Vaccination Decisions

Vaccination Decisions
By: Susan Wynn, DVM

Veterinarians claim that annual vaccinations have decimated the incidence of formerly common viral diseases such as feline panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, feline leukemia, canine distemper, hepatitis, and canine parvovirus. While this is undoubtedly true, many pet owners and some veterinarians have begun to question both the need for annual, life-long re vaccination, as well as the long term consequences of vaccination in general. Read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

New and Improved Cat Treats

Our new Life’s Abundance Gourmet Cat Treats For Healthy Skin & Coat helps to address skin and coat health in different and important ways. Because healthy skin is much more likely to produce strong, luxurious hair, it is vital to nourish the skin. We’ve included omega-3 fatty acids in this premium formula to help keep the skin moist and discourage it from drying out. The vitamin E in this formula helps to maintain skin elasticity. The vitamin C in this formula helps the body to produce collagen, which is the major component of skin. The chicken, herring and chicken liver meals in this formula supply your feline with the high-quality proteins vital for a healthy coat. Protein is necessary for the growth and maintenance of a strong, resilient coat. Dr. Jane believes that a stronger coat will result in less hair being swallowed during normal grooming. The feline-friendly nuggets and savory flavor are appealing to even the most finicky of cats, so order your Life’s Abundance Gourmet Cat Treats today!

Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (min) ............................30.0%
Crude Fat (min) ...................15.0%
Crude Fiber (max) ..................9.0%
Moisture (max) .....................10.0%
Vitamin E (min).....................550 IU/kg
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)* (min)....725 mg/kg
Omega-3 Fatty Acids* (min)................0.48%
*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the
AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles.


Recommended Daily Feeding for Your Cat:
Less than 5 pounds..................3 nuggets
5-10 pounds.......................4 to 6 nuggets
11-15+ pounds...................7 to 8 nuggets


Click here for more details.
Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Getting a 2nd Chance

A 2nd Chance?
(Author Unknown)

My family brought me home
Cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me
And said I was full of charm.

They played with me and laughed with me
And showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family,
Especially the girls and boys.

The children loved to feed me,
They gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them
All snuggled in the sheets

I used to go for walks,
Often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash,
I’m very proud to say.

These are the things I’ll not forget
My cherished memory,
Because I now live in the shelter
Without my family

They used to laugh and praise me
When I played with that old shoe.
But I didn’t know the difference
Between the old ones and the new.

The kids and I would grab a rag,
For hours we would tug
So I thought I did the right thing
When I chewed the bedroom rug.

They said I was out of control,
And would have to live outside.
This I did not understand,
Although I tried and tried.

The walks stopped, one by one;
They said they hadn’t time.
I wish that I could change things,
I wish I knew my crime.

My life became so lonely,
In the backyard, on a chain.
I barked and barked, all day long,
Just to keep from going insane.

So they brought me to the shelter,
But were embarrassed to say why.
They said I caused an allergy,
Then they each kissed me goodbye.

If I’d only had some classes,
When I was just a little pup,
Then I would have been
A better dog when I was all grown up.

“You only have one day left.”
I heard the worker say.

Does that mean I have a second chance?


Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Pedigree Recall

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
Today Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of 100 of the 20-pound bags of PEDIGREE(R) Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites sold in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada to a limited number of Albertsons locations due to potential
Salmonella contamination.

PEDIGREE(R) Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites is a multi-component dry pet food. Last week, a component that should have been on hold due to positive testing results was inadvertently shipped to our Tracy, California facility and used in the production of 100 bags of PEDIGREE(R) Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites with best buy dates of 07/2009.

We have already notified Albertsons and are working with them to retrieve any bags still in their stores or distribution centers. If any bags have been sold to consumers, we are asking them to return the product to Albertsons for a full refund. Mars Petcare US is cooperating fully with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on this matter.


Click here for more details.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Yawning

Pet dogs can 'catch' human yawns
By Jennifer Carpenter
Science reporter, BBC News

Dogs 'catch' human yawns

Yawning is known to be contagious in humans but now scientists have shown that pet dogs can catch a yawn, too.

The copying activity suggests that canines are capable of empathising with people, say the researchers who recorded dogs' behaviour in lab tests.

Until now, only humans and their close primate relatives were thought to find yawning contagious.

The team - from Birkbeck College, University of London - reports its findings in Biology Letters.

Yawning, although sometimes a response to extreme stress, is more often a sign of tiredness; but the reason for why yawning is catching is not fully understood.

Human cues

There is evidence that autistic individuals are less inclined to yawn into response to another human yawning, suggesting that contagious yawning betrays an ability to empathise, explained Birbeck's Dr Atsushi Senju.

Dr Senju and his team wondered whether dogs - that are very skilled at reading human social cues - could read the human yawn signal, and set out to test the yawning capabilities of 29 canines.

The team created two conditions, each five minutes long, in which a person - who was a stranger to the dog - was sat in front of the animal and asked to call its name. Under the first condition, the stranger yawned once the dogs had made eye contact with them.

"We gave dogs everything: visual and auditory stimulus to induce them to yawn," Dr Senju, told BBC News.

Under the second condition, the same procedure was followed, but this time the stranger opened and closed their mouth but did not yawn.

This was a precaution to ensure that dogs were not responding to an open mouth, explained Dr Senju.

Yawning yet?

The team found that 21 out of 29 dogs yawned when the stranger in front of them yawned - on average, dogs yawned 1.9 times. By contrast, no dogs yawned during the non-yawning condition.

The researchers believe that these results are the first evidence that dogs have the capacity to empathise with humans; although the team could not rule out stress-induced yawning - they hope to in future studies.

"Dogs have a very special capacity to read human communication. They respond when we point and when we signal," Dr Senju told BBC News.

The researchers explained that along with floppy ears and big soppy-eyes, humans have selected dogs to be obedient and docile. The results from this study suggest the capacity for empathy towards humans is another trait selected in dogs during domestication.

Dr Senju thinks that these traits would have been useful to humans when they began to live side-by-side with canines approximately 15,000 years ago.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/7541633.stm

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Astragulus

Chinese Herb Supports Immunity
Horizons Magazine

Herbalists frequently discuss the role of oxidative damage and its relationship to overall health. Aging, with its accompanying changes, further reduces the body’s ability to effectively fight foreign invaders. Allopathic approaches combat some of the effects of oxidation but mainly with a broad-range approach.

Modern herbalists know the power of prevention, and that’s why so many value the remarkable health benefits of the Chinese herb astragalus. Scientific studies have identified the immune-building components of this powerful herb, including saponins (like astragalosides), sterols, isoflavones and polysaccharides.

Astragalus.root exerts immunostimulatory activity in the body. The astragalosides and polysaccharides support immune response by enhancing the production of immunoglobulin and stimulating macrophages. All of this adds up to an optimal ability to stay healthy!


Click here to order Astragulus.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Dr. Jane's Foundation

Helping companion animals to lead healthier, longer and happier lives is not just our company commitment … it’s our personal mission. That’s why we have worked very hard to not only provide the best, health-promoting products, we have also established a foundation to help improve the lives of abandoned companion animals all across the U.S. The Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation is a non-profit organization absolutely committed to supporting a variety of animal rescue groups, all of which are dedicated to helping to rescue neglected and unwanted animals.

Every time you purchase a Trilogy (or HealthyPetNet) product, a portion of the profits are contributed to a fund that supports the operations of this organization. Thank you so much for your continued business! Together, we’re making a positive difference in the world, one animal at a time

Click here to read more.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Pets for the Elderly

The Pets For the Elderly Foundation (PFE) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation, so your donation is tax deductible.

Our mission is to give both a lonely, elderly person and an innocent, unwanted animal the gift of life, health and happiness.

We donate money to animal shelters across the country, saving the lives of pets that need homes. Our program enables elderly people who cannot pay the adoption cost to acquire a pet.

Since 1996 we have been responsible for the adoption of nearly 29,000 pets.

Last year alone we made donations to 59 shelters and were responsible for over 5,500 adoptions.

Currently, we have 80 shelters on our waiting list. We simply don’t have the funds available to make additional donations.

Conservatively 6-8 million Shelter Animals are euthanized annually by Shelters simply for lack of funds or space.

The most serious disease for older persons is not cancer or heart disease – it’s loneliness. Pets offer affection, unconditional love, fight loneliness, and can help ease the loss of a loved one. Read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Cleansing Inside and Out

Cleansing Inside and Out with NSP Mega-Chel® and Nature’s Fresh

Cleansing is an all-too-often neglected part of a person’s health. Not only do we need to cleanse the outside of our bodies to remain healthy, but learning to cleanse internally can make a huge impact in your energy, and in the quality and length of your life. Learn how to use Mega-Chel and Nature’s Fresh to cleanse both internally and externally.

Your Presenter:

This NSP Webinar is presented by Steven Horne, a past president of the American Herbalists Guild (AHG) and an herbalist, natural health teacher, author and consultant. Two different Webinar dates are available for your convenience. Click on one of the following links to register and to learn more about this exciting educational opportunity.

Cost: $10.00, charged to your credit card after the meeting

What Do You Get for Attending?

• A FREE bottle of NSP Food Enzymes (shipped out after the meeting, retail value $23.50)

• A FREE PDF Outline of the Presentation with which to make notes (emailed to you prior to the meeting)

• A FREE Educational Kit from Sound Concepts and Steven Horne (shipped out after the meeting, retail value $18.50)


Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 at 4:30 pm PDT
Click here to Register.

Thursday, August 14th, 2008 at 7:30 pm PDT
Click here to Register.

Note: If you are not already a member of Nature's Sunshine, you can still attend by using my sponsor ID 911148-0.


Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Petlutted

Will man’s best friend pay the price for our toxic ways?
By Katherine Pryor
http://consciouschoice.com

Toxic toys. Food contamination. Lawn pesticides. We know we’re supposed to be worried about all this for our two-legged kids, but what about our four-legged family members?

A recent study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) shows that cats and dogs carry a much higher “body burden” — the amount of persistent toxic chemicals in the body — than their human caregivers. The study measured mercury levels five times higher in cats than in humans, and levels of PBDEs — a flame retardant used in manufacturing everything from mattresses to TVs — 23.4 percent higher than in humans. Dogs are carrying levels of PFCs — the perfluorocarbons found in Teflon — at levels over twice as high as humans. read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Pets for the Environment

ABOUT EDDIE -- I'm a dog on a mission.

When nonstick chemicals from a frying pan killed my buddy Feathers, and my feline friend Cleo and I found out that we're full of chemicals too, I was barking mad. Did you know that the humans' government doesn't make companies test chemicals for safety before they start using them in our toys, furniture, or even our food? And where do you think all those flame retardants, mercury, and perfluorochemicals end up? In us! And I know because I was tested. The chemicals in me are the same kinds of chemicals in people, and scientists think that other cats and dogs—and horses and birds and bunnies and snakes—around the country are full of them, too.

That's why I started Pets for the Environment. The humans have made a mess, and they aren't doing anything about it. I need your help educating our humans and getting their government to pass toxic chemical reform legislation. They'll never listen to just one pet, but all of us barking and meowing and cawing and squeaking together can make a lot of noise. Join Pets for the Environment and help me make a difference!

ABOUT PETS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Pets for the Environment was formed in early 2008 when Eddie joined forces with the scientists at Environmental Working Group. Our mission: To create a healthy environment for pets and people by demanding toxic chemical reform legislation in the U.S.

Whether you want safer cat food or a bed that isn't doused in flame-retardants, toxic chemicals reform is the way to make it happen. The industries that create those dangerous chemicals are running the show in this country, and it's time we took a stand. We pets may look cute, but we can be awfully loud when we want to be, and just think of the changes we could make if each of us pets got the humans in our lives involved, too.

Using scientific research and political advocacy, Pets empowers us all to tell the government that we deserve toxic chemical reform legislation. In the meanwhile, Pets provides members with solid advice on reducing exposure that pets and people can use now. Read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Housetraining Adult Dogs

THE CANINE BEHAVIOR SERIES
By Kathy Diamond Davis
Author and Trainer

Housetraining an Adult Dog or Rescue

With adult dogs, just like with a puppy, you need to supervise 100 percent of the time when they are indoors, until the habit of waiting to relieve themselves until they get outside is firmly established. If you are working with an adult dog who is not used to holding their bladder or bowels, they will need time to develop bladder and bowel control.

Supervising 100 percent of the time means that they are either in a "safe" area where they can't make a mistake, such as a crate or very small room with a baby-gate, or they are in the room with you and you are WATCHING them at all times. When a dog has a housetraining accident, it's not the dog's fault, it means the person failed in the supervision.

Confinement of some sort is necessary to keep the dog from making mistakes which will form the wrong habits on housebreaking. A crate is the size of a dog's bed, and dogs have a natural instinct to keep the bed clean. The crate is only to be used when no one can watch the dog.

Since dogs sleep 14 hours a day, a crate is a humane and reasonable way for many people to housebreak a dog, with the dog merely sleeping most of the time he is in the crate. Baby gates can be effective, but are not as secure as crates.

It's really a great service to a dog to teach him to rest calmly in a crate, even if you only use it for training and then put it away in the closet to save for emergencies. Dogs have to rest in crates when they are in for veterinary care, and other situations. If at some future time in his life the dog develops separation anxiety (where dogs may tear up the house due to feeling stressed), the ability to rest in a crate could save him in his home. And in case of travel and disasters, sometimes the only dogs who are able to stay with their owners are the dogs who can handle being in a crate. For an older dog, it's generally best to teach the crate a little at a time.

So, housetraining any dog of any age requires diligence, commitment, patience and good-nature from the owner. No punishment - punishment can cause huge problems. If you catch a dog in the act, you just rush the dog outside, with the goal of getting it to finish there so you can praise it for doing right. No time to be mad.

When the dog goes outside during housetraining, you need to go with the dog, every time, so you can praise at the right moment. This is a lot of work, too. But in the process, you get the dogs understanding what you want, and you figure out their schedule. Because you were there, you know whether they have relieved their bowels or bladder or both, and when.

Soon, you know how many times a day they need to do each of those functions. Dogs are not all the same about these needs, and the frequency also changes with age, illness, changes in diet, and changes in schedule - your schedule as well as the dogs' schedule.

Make sure all spots in the house where the dog might have relieved himself have been cleaned in the right manner to tell his keen sense of smell and doggy instincts that the house is not a bathroom. If you don't do this, the scent he can smell - even though you can't smell it - will draw him back to use the spot again. White vinegar will work only on a fresh spot that is still wet, and then the vinegar must be really saturated down through carpet and pad - it will smell strongly of vinegar for a day or so. Bacterial enzyme odor eliminator products (such as Nature's Miracle or Outright Pet Odor Eliminator) will work either on a fresh spot or on a spot that was not treated promptly. Deodorants and disinfectants normally used for cleaning don't remove this special scent that lures dogs to use the spot again. And perhaps the worst thing to use is ammonia, which actually signals the dog's nose that this is the spot!

Never punish your dog for a housebreaking mistake. He won't understand, and the punishment can create new problems. Instead, keep him in the room with you at all times when he is not in his special confinement area. If you see him start to have an accident, just say "No, Outside" as you rush out the door with him. Your goal is to get him to finish outside so you can praise him. Teach him the word "Outside" for going out there, and "Better Go Now" or some other phrase for actually relieving himself--these words are taught just by saying them at the right times, until he catches on to what they mean. This helps communication, and thus of course also helps training.

If the dog makes a mistake when you weren't watching him, oops, that was your mistake, not his. He is just a dog, and has no idea why we are upset when he relieves himself in the house. But most dogs can learn, if you are consistent, and help him avoid mistakes by being there for him. Read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.

Cranberry Juice

ScienceDaily (July 25, 2008) — For generations, people have consumed cranberry juice, convinced of its power to ward off urinary tract infections, though the exact mechanism of its action has not been well understood. A new study by researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) reveals that the juice changes the thermodynamic properties of bacteria in the urinary tract, creating an energy barrier that prevents the microorganisms from getting close enough to latch onto cells and initiate an infection.

The study, published in the journal Colloids and Surfaces: B, was conducted by Terri Camesano, associate professor of chemical engineering at WPI, and a team of graduate students, including PhD candidate Yatao Liu. They exposed two varieties of E. coli bacteria, one with hair-like projections known as fimbriae and one without, to different concentrations of cranberry juice. Fimbriae are present on a number of virulent bacteria, including those that cause urinary tract infections, and are believed to be used by bacteria to form strong bonds with cells.

For the fimbriaed bacteria, they found that even at low concentrations, cranberry juice altered two properties that serve as indicators of the ability of bacteria to attach to cells. The first factor is called Gibbs free energy of attachment, which is a measure of the amount of energy that must be expended before a bacterium can attach to a cell. Without cranberry juice, this value was a negative number, indicating that energy would be released and attachment was highly likely. With cranberry juice the number was positive and it grew steadily as the concentration of juice increased, making attachment to urinary tract cells increasingly unlikely. Raad the entire article.

Read the Scientific Study.

Robin's Notes:

Cranberries are one of the ingredient's in Nature's Sunshine's Berry Healthy Drink.

NSP's Cranberry and Buchu Concentrate combines cranberry juice concentrate with buchu herb concentrate. Buchu helps nourish the urinary tract. Its powerful, penetrating aroma is akin to peppermint. Careful processing reduces the liquid to a concentrated powder before encapsulation.


Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.