Wednesday, March 28, 2012

White HATS meet again!

The Fetching Auntie Janet
The Beguiling Auntie Darlene
Deep in thought, Auntie Robin, what are you thinking?
Uncle Bob, does Kip know where you are?
  
Sushi, hibachi... these people really parteee.... two tables, interesting...
Penny, Preston, did you know where your momma was?


Yes,  momma wants me to believe that food is what put her in a good mood. AHA. Like I am stoooooopid.Let's get real. I saw my my own two eyes. A box "followed" momma home. A shoe box. Yes, a SHOE box. Nothing puts a smile on momma's face like shoeeees. That is her addiction. So pray tell, which restaurant serves up shoes? She went out of here with auntie Darlene. I suspect the two of them took a "detour"... One one of those detours that takes you into a store. And. And. I sniffed out momma. She had sushi. And. I sniffed out some sort of pineapple juice and al-kehole. I am not buying this "innocent" White Hat lunch bit. And daddy, you better hurry home, the woman is spiraling out of control. And momma's hat... full of feathers. She looked like a chickadee. That's all I am going to say.

White Hat indeed.
'vie

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Can you safely go for a WALK?


Going for a walk with your two legged? Mhhh Better pay attention where you are walking. What is safe for your two legged may not be safe for you. Your two legged wears shoes and his/her body is high off the ground. [This of course does not apply to you momma, My momma is so short she can't ride most rides... she is so short Frodo would be a tall date for her...OK, I will knock it off...]  Us four leggeds low to the ground, use our noses to poke around and explore, to sniff out and to identify things. Because of that, we  are more vulnerable to pesticides and the opportunity for contamination is greater... through our mouth, nose, and eyes, paws...and skin which absorbs any substance that sticks to coat.  Remember that that the nose is a mucous membrane and stuff sticks inside it and you can't really wipe it out. Sometimes the most "innocent " act has terrible consequences. The trophy stick your four legged picked up and chewed on is the ideal the delivery method for a lot of chemicals that you would never allow near your four legged.  Follow that with a paw chewing [I chew my paws... makes momma nuts, she says so... I think I am being scapegoated... know what I mean?]  further complicates the first exposure because now there is re-contamination.
Think primary dangers and secondary dangers. The rat poison ingested by the the intended victim, ie the rat, may claim a second life, if your kitty cat then eats the rat. Easy concept, but not always that easy to trace.

Remember when JD ate part of a dead bird and momma went bezerk? Well, an article she had read about birds and pesticides and tolerances. Birds travel great distances and eat grains etc. that have been sprayed. Stuff like Malathion which is a nerve poison...used as a pesticide. And Captan which is a carcinogen...[also a pesticide] and Lindane and a whole lot more nasty stuff I can't even spell. It is no wonder the old girl went into panic mode. Thankfully in her 3 am fog, she was smart enough to use peroxide and help JD "rid" himself of the bird before the chemicals could be absorbed.


It is kind of crazy and it does not make a lick of sense to me.  We know for sure what the consequences of exposure to this stuff are.  There have been lots of studies that have established direct links between pesticide exposure and disease in dogs.  And we are not talking itchies here ! We are talking about some serious deadly  stuff  like cancer, reproductive problems, birth defects, central nervous system disturbances, liver and kidney damage, and yes the itchies too. So... why do they still make it, sell it and expose us to them? Ahhh the almighty PROFIT... Well look at this :

From the Alabama, A&M, Auburn University Cooperative - ACES Publication:



  • "2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). This pesticide is a chlorophenoxy compound that functions as a systemic herbicide and is used to control many types of broadleaf weeds.


  • Classified as a General Use Pesticide (GUP), 2,4-D's diethylamine salt is a slightly toxic category III chemical when ingested orally. However, this product is classified as a highly


  • toxic category I chemical when exposed to the eyes. Pesticides containing 2,4-D bear the signal words "danger – poison". Used in many commercial products, 2,4-D may be found in emulsion form, in aqueous solutions (salts), and as a dry compound. Although its carcinogenic status is not clear, canine malignant lymphoma has been associated with exposure to 2,4-D (Hayes et al., 1991).


  • NOTE: If pesticide chemicals fall into the least toxic category, manufacturers no longer have to print signal words on the labels as of February 12, 2002.
  • Avermectin B1 (Abamectin). This compound functions as an insecticide/miticide and is used by homeowners for the control of fire ants. Abamectin is classified as a GUP, practically nontoxic category IV chemical, which has no precautionary statement on its label. Abamectin contains about 80% avermectin B1a and 20% avermectin B1b compounds derived from the soil bacterium Streptomyces avermitilis. Research indicates that chronic abamectin toxicity can affect the nervous system of dogs and cause symptoms such as pupil dilation, lethargy, and tremors (Lankas and Gordon, 1989).
  • Allethrin. This pesticide was the first of the pyrethroids widely produced as an insecticide (Vijverberg et al., 1990). This synthetic compound is used almost exclusively in homes and gardens for control of flies and mosquitoes. Pesticides containing allethrin are slightly toxic category III chemicals and bear the signal word "caution" on the product label. However, containers of technical grade D-trans-allethrin bear the signal word "warning". Allethrin is used in many commercial products and is available as mosquito coils, mats, oil formulations, and as an aerosol spray. Research has indicated that dogs exposed continuously to D-allethrin were diagnosed with liver problems (World Health Organization, 1989).
  • Bendiocarb. This compound is an insecticidal carbamate that is used to control mosquitoes, flies, wasps, ants, cockroaches, fleas, ticks, and other pests in homes. Most formulations of bendiocarb are classified as GUP, but a few formulations are classified as Restricted Use Pesticides (RUP), which may be purchased and used only by certified applicators. Bendiocarb is a moderately toxic category II chemical and carries the signal word "warning". Commercial pesticides containing bendiocarb are formulated as dusts, granules, ultra-low volume sprays, and as wettable powders. Bendiocarb is absorbed through all the normal routes of exposure, but it is generally excreted rapidly and does not accumulate in mammalian tissue. Signs associated with acute toxicity of carbamates in mammals are excessive salivation, chest discomfort, muscle tremors, and rarely death. Like other carbamate insecticides, bendiocarb is a reversible inhibitor of cholinesterase, an enzyme found in the liver, pancreas, heart, serum, and the white matter of brain. True cholinesterase catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) to choline (an amino alcohol) and acetate.
  • DCPA. This phthalate compound, also called chlorthal or chlorthal-dimethyl, is a pre-emergent herbicide used on annual grasses and annual broad-leaf weeds in vegetable crops. About 20% of the use of this compound in the United States is for homes and gardens. DCPA is classified as a GUP and is practically a nontoxic category IV chemical that bears the signal word "caution". Commercial products containing DCPA may be formulated as wettable powders, granules, or as suspension concentrates. Although the compound has a very low toxicity to mammals, research has indicated that dogs exposed continuously to DCPA experienced adverse effects in the liver (United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1988).
  • Diazinon. This product is a nonsystemic organophosphate insecticide used to control fleas, ants, and cockroaches in residential buildings, and sucking and leaf-eating insects on home gardens. Diazinon is classified as a RUP, which may be purchased and used only by a professional pest control operator. Depending on the formulation, it is a moderately toxic category II or slightly toxic category III chemical. Pesticides containing diazinon bear the signal word "warning" or "caution". This insecticidal organophosphate compound is used in many commercial products and is available in dust, granules, seed dressings, wettable powder, and emulsifiable solution formulations. In mammals, diazinon is metabolized and excreted through the urine and feces very rapidly. The toxic effects of the compound are due to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, an essential nervous system enzyme.
  • Malathion. This compound is a nonsystemic, wide-spectrum organophosphate insecticide suited for the control of sucking and chewing insects on fruits and vegetables. Malathion is also used to control mosquitoes, flies, household insects, and animal ectoparasites. Malathion is classified as a GUP and is a slightly toxic category III chemical. Pesticides that contain this chemical bear the signal word "caution". This insecticidal organophosphate compound is used in many commercial products and is available in an emulsifiable concentrate, wettable powder, dustable powder, and ultra-low volume liquid formulations. Malathion has been shown to depress cholinesterase activity in animals, and can affect the central nervous and immune systems, adrenal glands, liver, and blood. Available evidence suggests that this chemical product is not carcinogenic, yet current data is inconclusive.
  • Rotenone. This pesticide is a selective, non-specific botanical compound used in home gardens for insect control and on pets for lice and tick control. Rotenone is classified as a GUP, and, depending on the formulation, is classified as a highly toxic category I or a slightly toxic category III compound. Rotenone formulations that are highly toxic bear the signal word "danger," but "caution" in slightly toxic forms. This rotenoid plant extract is used in many commercial products, and it is available in crystalline preparations, emulsified solutions, and dusts. Research revealed that dogs exposed continuously to rotenone experienced vomiting, had reduced food consumption, and hence reduced weight gain (National Research Council, 1983).
  • Warfarin. This compound is an anticoagulant rodenticide used for controlling mice and rats in and around homes and animal premises. This odorless and tasteless pesticide is only slightly dangerous to domestic animals when used as directed. Warfarin, classified as a GUP, bears the signal word "danger" for technical and high concentrations or the signal word "caution" for low concentrations and ready-to-use baits. Warfarin is found in a variety of commercial rodenticides and comes in water soluble, ready-to-use bait, concentrate, powder, liquid concentrate, nylon pouch, coated talc, and dust formulations. Signs and symptoms of animal exposure such as rapid breathing, weakness, pale mucous membranes, and hemorrhage are caused by the rodenticide's anti-clotting properties. The prothrombin content of the blood is reduced, and internal bleeding is induced. Prothrombin or factor II is a vitamin K-dependent single-polypeptide-chain glycoprotein involved in blood clotting--a mechanism that prevents blood loss at the site of an injury. Animals killed by warfarin exhibit extreme pallor of the skin, muscle, and viscera."
Now you have to ask. How do we still get our walkies and minimize exposure? Can we "safely" go for a walk?  The answer is yes. You need to educate your neighbors and friends and gardeners and lawn services and anyone with ears. SAFETY should be first and foremost. Remember that if it is not safe for us, it is not safe for small two leggeds. So why risk exposure at all?  When walking, avoid lawns, specially lawns with those proud symbols of pollution... lawn service badges. Walk on sidewalks or pavement. Avoid where water runoffs occur as chemical concentration is generally highest there.  Each and every walk should end with a good paw washing and a very thorough wipe down from face to tail . Think de-contamination. Do not use the same towel for all your pets. Use paper towels so that you are not cross contaminating.  Do not allow your dog to pick up or chew on anything you are not 100% sure it is safe. And if you are as nutty as momma, wash the harness and leash each time. She calls it a safety routine and by now it is just that a "routine" and speaking of routine... can we go for our walk ? 


'vie

Monday, March 26, 2012

MARCH 28 To breathe or not to breathe?

Save the Date: March 28 is Healthy Air Call-In Day! 

On Wednesday, March 28, volunteers from across the country will be in Washington to fight for air on The American Lung Association 2012 Capitol Hill National Advocacy Day. 

Please add your voice to this chorus on this one advocacy day by calling your U.S. Senators and asking them to stand up for the Clean Air Act and for public health.

To breathe or not to breathe.  That is the question. Uhm... that can't be right. If you don't breathe... you are dead, so I guess you will be participating on March 28!

Good for you. Breathing is good.

http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/


'vie

Just keep cooking momma!

Ick, it's enough to make you sick. Thank you for keeping it real Susan Thixton. 'vie

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Happy birthday daddy

Daddy Pohh, we love you. We are postponing your birthday officially until you get home. Then we are going to raise the roof, kick up some dust, we are going to hallaaa...we are going to pig out (mhhh bacon sounds yummy to me), go into food coma and pass out. And I am going to let you rub my belly, 'cause that's how I roll. Now, the momma says two more weekends, then you are home for the Bash! Gonna be fun! And then you have to back to Ack run one more time. I hate Ack run. Want I should send them a note excusing you? Hm. The Dowi has a birthday coming too. Think you can bring her home with you? Double parteeeeeeee. I want you to bring my buggy to the Bash and I want momma to cheesecake and liver brownies for my buds. It's going to be so cool. Daddy, did you know that Chica Chica's momma has the same birthday as you? Happy b'day auntie Karen. Daddy, ask momma for beignets, and... Ask her for cream puffs and ask her for lamb pie and steak and pupparoni bread. She will not say no to you, not on your designated birthday! And ask her for Ruben egg rolls. Don't tell her I said to. Xoxoxo xoxoxo££££££££££[that's tail wag daddy] 'vie who is daddy's favorite little girl

Saturday, March 24, 2012

And that's how to take care of our own!

http://bcove.me/ahzmmwgd

Go Mabeline!  Nobody messes with rescue volunteers, nobody!!!! And on National Puppy Day to boot!!!

Proud to be on four legs!

'vie

Thursday, March 22, 2012

daddy got transferred? Is he coming home? ARE YOU SURE?????


 


You crazy girls, answer me!!!! What do you know??? Stop blitzing!!!!
JD... crazy females are acting crazier than usual....
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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

weelll then



 
I need to understand something. Spring has sprung. I know this because it is a mess out there.It is raining petals, blowing pollen and pouring rain.  I am itchy, I am sneezy, momma is wheezy, Wendy is coughy and JD is dizzy. My nose is so itchy momma says I look like Bewitched. [Who is Bewitched anyway?  Momma and her obscure references].  An innocent walk turns into calico paws. Purple, pink and white petals stick to you like you are some sort of bad art project.  For realsies. What is up with that?  And why do people like spring so much when it is such a hassle?  And did I mention the rain? It rains in spring.  It rains a lot. So, in between the rain you can add mud to the stuff I don't need, want or like.

I am not a curmudgeon. I am just trying to understand why two leggeds like spring.   I sat on the deck sniffing the air this morning.  The rain is coming. The air is thick and heavy with moisture. It was not even eight am and it was muggy already!  The loud mouth birds are in a tizzy of activities. You can hardly hear yourself think out there. And every tree is in bloom so every breeze showers petals and pollen. You know, my nostrils were yellow! I suppose if allergies did not exist, the whole thing would be pretty. But... allergies are part of our lives. So momma is dusting off our allergy play book.  And along with that, she is going to be revisiting the hazard pages for fertilizers, weed killers and such.  Basically we are off of grass, unless it is our own. Too many weird products out there, from chocolate mulch which is deadly, to long acting weed killers. It's a bad chemical soup!.

I did have a solution, but momma turned her nose at it.  I would not mind being carried on our walks.  I like being carried. It would keep me clean and happy and I could still sniff and enjoy the outdoors. I loved my baby carrier, but the momma whines that I am too big for it. I am not!  I am perfect.

Do you have allergies?  How do you cope? I am curious.

For now I am content to be indoors watching the rain start to come down.

'vie

Monday, March 19, 2012

The unboring weekend LEPRECHAUN SAFARI 2012



So, that last post had momma red in the face, OK, truth is the woman never gets red in the face. She gets a little pinker, but that's it, but she was embarrassed.Boredom is awful. Even bacteria dies of boredom. [Momma says that all the time. She says she is quoting one of her surgeons. I always envision tiny bacteria with little suction cups on their faces and kind of ugly looking at each other saying "Angie, I am dying of boredom here same -o- same -o- "and then I envision Angie dropping dead as she falls backwards."Back to the momma.  I guess she realized that this packing thing has been using up all her time. After she calmed down a bit she looked at the calendar and decided to re do the weekend schedule. Yes, the woman is all about schedules. She is most comfortable when her time is plotted. Spontaneity is a concept that is completely foreign to momma. She defines spontaneity as a failure to plan. And obviously when you fail to plan... you are planning to fail. So grizzly with me. Fine, don't grizzly, plain bear with me.  [Try thinking out of the box, ok?  It makes life more interesting, trust me on this.] Back to the point of this story. 

Sooooo, momma stared at her Gurgle calendar and suddenly she came up with a "concept". She had us line up, told us to sit in attention and she did a mini presentation of her newly hatched weekend. She called it "leprechaun safari weekend". Why are your eyebrows doing that? You look like Burt from Ernie and Burt. Momma is very much a child of the world so you should always expect a convergence of cultures and divergence of expectations. Let's just say she has a bigger crayon box. She rarely zigs, she zags.  Leprechaun safari is like a treasure hunt. The treasure is the leprechaun. And unlike that Trump Junior soulless animal killer, momma's idea of a safari involves cameras not guns.

Noooo we don't want to capture , kill, cook or eat the leprechaun. EWW! What would it taste like? Like green lamb? Or like rainbow meat? I am not down with that. Besides, momma had a fab dinner idea for her leprechaun safari weekend. Corned beef. Mhhh I love the stuff. Even though our Irish friends in Ireland do pork and cabbage, here in the States, tradition dictates corned beef. Did I mention I love corned beef? I like pork, but I LOVE corned beef. Once corned beef came into play, I was down with the whole leprechaun safari. 

Like all good safaris start, we had to define our "environ". That means our geographical area. The choice is a complicated one which involves multiple criteria. Size of area, ease of access, likelihood that a leprechaun would be there, distance from home,etc. Our primary object is obtaining a picture of the little creature. There are a bizzilion drawings of leprechauns, but no real pictures.  So in effect we are on a "puparazzi" mission, and, if by chance that supposed pot of gold the leprechaun has  falls out of the little guy we are to take it and run as fast as we can to White Dog Cottage so we can spend all that gold on a new bigger facility for Tidewater Bichon Frise Rescue. Really, we need it, because there are so many Bichons on the waiting list to get into rescue. But momma told us that it would be a super long shot. Apparently the little dude has some sort of serious attachment to it. Personally I called dibs on the rainbow. How cool would it be to pull that sucker out at parties and disco under it?  I know, way cool!


Anywho. Our environ was defined as the mall. Obviously.  Everybody shops, even leprechauns! And our target areas specifically included a number of stops that held some interest for us.  Ie. The pet toy store, Uncle Phil's store, the craft store, the shoe store, the place with the live sushi,  that place with the smoked tea duck [I did not know momma even knew that place...that's where daddy secretly buys us tea duck... we all acted like it was all new. We almost pulled it off until the guy behind the counter came up to us and called us by name and asked us if we wanted a nosh of duck... ] What can I say, she has eyes in the back of her head and antennas, even though I have tried many times to find them and I have never seen them.  They must be built ins, momma just knows things.


The camera was always with us. We looked for the leprechaun.  We looked high and we looked low. The closest we got turned out to be some little carrot top two legged whose cruel momma dressed him in green. Both the Wendy and I  were horrified and we both said "abuse". Do they have a rescue for two leggeds? 


We located multiple displays with drawings of leprechauns. We located all sorts of green and orange stuff pertaining to leprechauns. An over abundance of cheap green hats and weird t shirts with saying like "Kiss me I am Irish". ???? ehhh NOOOO. I don't kiss strangers. I have no idea where your face has been. Ew.   


At the end of day one, Saturday, we were wiped out and happily headed home where the oven had quietly cooked the corned beef to perfection.  A  most welcoming smell ... mhhh corned beef.


After a delish din din, we turned in early because, we knew that Sunday would be a very busy leprechaun safari day.


Sunday we took our search oceanside. Obviously outdoors. We had heard about a parade or something and figured the dude would put in an appearance. I am sad to say, that while we saw plenty of weird two leggeds with various body parts painted green and orange, there was not one sighting of the leprechaun.


All and all we had a great time oceanside. On the way home, tired, and sunburned [momma got a tinge of pink on her face] we debriefed. Gross. I don't even wear underwear. Why would you snicker at debriefing? You really need to clean up that mind of yours. 
A couple of conclusions were reached.  Our mission was not a failure. Given the fact that it was conceived and planned so quickly, it was a relative success. Yes, we failed to snap the picture that was our goal.  BUT, now we know that this is a bigger task than we anticipated. This dude is more elusive than Howard Hughes post desert years.


We need to take this search nationally.  We need to enlist dogs like Kol and Tank and Lily and Foley and Tucker and Rocky and Kip and Benny and Chloe and LadyBug  and all of our buds out there. We need to go BIG. Enlarge our "environ". Leave no rock unturned, no stick unsticked... We need to get serious. So, we have a year to plan  LEPRECHAUN SAFARI 2013!  Are you on board? Obviously we will have to set up committees and do this right.


'vie sitting at headquarters cogitating strategy. Ok really I am wondering if there is any corned beef left over....

Friday, March 16, 2012

tell me a STORY

 
It's raining. I hate the rain. I am bored and I want to do something fun. Can we go to the pet toy store?  Can we go look at fancy chickens and squealy mice?  Can we go see live sushi?
Momma, seriously, you know I hate being bored. If you won't do anything fun, can you at least tell me a story?  A good story. Not one of your weird stories that makes no sense because it was before computers or before cell phones. I can't relate to ancient history.  Not unless you wear period costumes and get a good ensemble of supporting actors.  I don't want to hear about cars with no GPS.  No, I don't want to watch you bake unless you are going to involve me in the process.  If you are going to have a tasting table, then I am in. But just to watch you... nahhh, I have seen it before. It is boring and painful.

So, tell me a story!!!! And nooooo I don't want to hear a dirty story. I don't care about pigs falling in the mud! I miss daddy. He would never allow us to be bored. You are allowing my mind to go to atrophy.

Come on, woman try, let's do something!!!! Can we go visit Uncle Phil? How about the mall? Can we go there?  How do you know the buggy won't fit in your car?  Why would you buy a stupid car?  I am bored!!!

I am going to get you started.... Once upon a time.... come on, chime in.... you went to college, and that other thing, law school, you can come up with a good story.... tryyyyyy...

Remember... a mind is a terrible thing to waste... Puzzles???? NO!!!!!! they are boring too!
And so is packing,  and cleaning. BOOOOOOOORRRIIINNNGGGG...

I could do a walk,  ok.... we can go for a walk. Yea right, like we know when it will stop raining....

pouting
'vie

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Theater at home.

This play is called The Morph.
It is my first play and this is my first draft, see what you think.

Scene one, Act one.

Momma at the bottom of the steps has our harnesses in hand. She shakes that hand a couple of times. The jingle jangle of the harnesses is enough to convey the message.
Momma stands aside  She knows what is about to happen, and she does not not want to be in the way.

The Wendy flies out of the bed, down the stairs and starts emoting. She howls, she yelps, talks and barks  because she is so excited that we are going for a walk that she can't contain herself. She wags her booty, not just her tail.

JD simply sits and wait. His delusion of being the King of all Puppies, Everywhere....[a delusion momma has cultivated and is now shared by the other two leggeds in this family] does not permit him to move. Things and people come to him, not the other way around. So he takes his position on the one of the beds. yes, the pink bed. He is either extremely secure in his masculinity or... we love him no matter.

And moi. Where am I?  I am no fool, I am by the door to the garage. Nobody is leaving without me.

We watch momma do the rounds. Each one of us gets the harness on, JD of course is last as he is not about to move.

Momma is in control. She is systematic. She is goal oriented.

Scene one, Act Two.

Momma has to outfit herself for the walk.

We watch as she talks herself through it. Tissues, poop bags [I know, right? she is very proud of the fact that she brings our poop home.  Two leggeds are obsessed with our poopies.] Cell phone. Garage door opener,  more tissues and wipes, whistle. [I have no idea why, but once she did use it to scare away this mean vicious goose] and then of course, momma has to check herself in the mirror. Please note that whatever look she is going for- and we are assuming there is some kind of style idea here- will promptly be destroyed by the wind as soon as she steps foot outside. But she follows her ritual anyway because she is control!

Scene two, Act one.

We are finally outside. and this is a silent scene. You see momma.  A small two legged who appears to be holding three leashes.

Wait.

Is she holding the leashes or is she more like a human marionette and the leashes are strings controlling her movements? The latter appears to be true. It looks like a clumsy  ballet.   Arabesques , allonges followed by balancoire... Cabriole devant, derrière and à la seconde  croisé, effacé, écarté... you get the idea. The movements are not graceful or fluid. The movements are spastic, choppy.  But ultimately,  some sort of rhythm develops and and off we go on our walk.

Momma is now the marionette and we are pulling all the strings.


Scene Two, Act two.

We, four leggeds have two goals in this walk. Sniffing everything and marking everything. That is why we go for walks. The conquest of the new territory and staking our claim.

Momma the marionette seems to have one goal. Survival.  To each its own.

This scene is about the struggle between competing interests. A metaphor for life.

The scene should be viewed in silhouette. The audience just needs to watch the totality of the movement and not be distracted by the minutia.  Keep in mind the spastic ballet - that is the visual.

Scene three, Act one.

This scene takes place in the garage. By the garage sink. Fully lit, details are important here.

We are done with our walk and we are all out of breath and tired. But the human marionette is not content to just be.

Momma the marionette is not eager to free herself from her "strings" ie our leashes. Her delusion of control is fully realized in this scene, She once again appears to be systematic, deliberate. There appears to be a method to her madness. Cleanest dog gets freed first. I am usually the first one to get freed. Let's face it.  I am smart.  I never allow my paws to touch toilets [grass=toilet to me] I go for sniffs and marks not to get dirty or anything like that!  I get my paws wiped and I get a general wipe down so that pollen etc is off of me. I then sit myself down and watch...

Momma repeats the wipe down ritual with The Wendy.  And soon The Wendy is freed and I go to her and lick her face.

Now, momma focuses on JD. Words. Many many words come out of momma's mouth.
JD, The "king of of all puppies everywhere" is filthy. He gets lifted and placed inside the sink  where his muddy paws, belly and muzzle with be sprayed and washed as momma  performs her soliloquy. No, it's not a monologue. It is definitely a soliloquy. And it generally goes something like this:

"Is this the price I pay for my sanity?
A white dog who lacks any respect for me?
How is it that he manages to get this dirty while I am controlling his leash and controlling where he goes? [hahahahaha, right, that's a nice delusion right there]
Why does he do this each and every time? [uhhh, because he can!]
Why do you feel the need to do this to me? [to her! talk about delusional egocentric!]
Is this how you repay me for my generosity of spirit? I take you for a walk and you get all filthy? And then more words...
More words... I stopped listening, it started to become a diatribe... the audience should now just hear rumblings and mumblings which really don't make sense, but the words should be loud enough to demand their attention.

Then silence should start as  JD is toweled off and now the audience should focus on the 3 of us, looking pristine and ready to go inside the house, and on momma.

Our marionette... momma. A small disheveled woman, soaking wet from the neck to the knees, her hair and makeup now looking like a Tim Burton ensemble, [a metaphor for her complete loss of control] exhausted, and now barefoot carrying her shoes and wet, dirty towels  inside the house as she follows us in.

As the light fades we see JD standing by the patio door wanting to go outside and we hear momma's voice " Not a snowball's chance in hell, no way.  You are on empty and you are NOT going outside now.  I need to go take a shower and clean myself up... NO WAY JD!"

And it is then that the audience realizes that the marionette now thinks she is free.

End Scene.

Now I need to step away from this draft and take my morning nap.
'vie


Wednesday, March 14, 2012

FDA Updated Cumulative Veterinary ADE Reports Issued Chicken Treats from China

 

Animal & Veterinary

 FDA link

Questions and Answers Regarding Chicken Jerky Treats from China

Why did FDA issue a cautionary update in November 2011?
In 2011, FDA saw an increase in the number of complaints it received of dog illnesses associated with consumption of chicken jerky products imported from China.
FDA previously issued a cautionary warning regarding chicken jerky products to consumers in September 2007 and a Preliminary Animal Health Notification in December of 2008. The number of complaints being received dropped off during the latter part of 2009 and most of 2010. However in 2011, FDA once again started seeing the number of complaints rise to the levels of concern that prompted release of our earlier warnings.
Since the issuance of the CVM Update on November 18, 2011, the agency has received numerous additional complaints regarding chicken jerky products.
What are the products involved?
The cautionary update specifically refers to chicken jerky products that are imported from China. These dried chicken jerky products, intended for dogs, may also be sold as tenders, strips or treats.
What are the signs of illness that are being reported?
The signs that may be associated with chicken jerky products include decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; increased water consumption and/or increased urination. These signs may occur within hours to days of feeding the products.
Laboratory tests may indicate kidney problems, including Fanconi-like syndrome. Although many dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.
FDA continues to investigate the problem and its origin. Some of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky.
What is FDA testing for?
Since 2007, FDA has been actively investigating the cause of illness in pets reported in association with the consumption of chicken jerky products. Samples have been tested by FDA laboratories, by the Veterinary Laboratory Response Network (Vet-LRN), and by other animal health diagnostic laboratories in the U.S for multiple chemical and microbiological contaminants.
Product samples were tested for Salmonella, metals, furans, pesticides, antibiotics, mycotoxins, rodenticides, nephrotoxins (such as aristolochic acid, maleic acid, paraquat, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, toxic hydrocarbons, melamine and related triazines) and were screened for other chemicals and poisonous compounds. DNA verification was conducted on these samples to confirm the presence of poultry in the treats. Samples have also been submitted for nutritional composition (which includes glycerol concentrations), vitamin D excess and enterotoxin analysis. Some samples from recent cases (2011-2012) have been submitted for multiple tests and we are awaiting results. More samples are in the process of being collected for testing.
What are the results of testing?
Samples collected from all over the United States have been tested for a wide variety of substances and to date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses.
Has there been any indication that metal contamination in chicken jerky products may be the cause of illness in dogs?
FDA’s previous testing of chicken jerky product samples did not show toxic levels of metals. In addition, results from March 2012 toxic metal analyses, which included tests for heavy metals, have again shown samples of chicken jerky products to be negative for toxic metals.
Are there specific brands we should be concerned about?
No specific products have been recalled because a definitive cause has not been determined. The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem and its origin. If the FDA identifies the cause, the agency will take appropriate action and notify the public.
Why aren’t these products being taken off the market?
There is nothing preventing a company from conducting a voluntary recall. It is important to understand that unless a contaminant is detected and we have evidence that a product is adulterated, we are limited in what regulatory actions we can take. The regulations don't allow for products to be removed based on complaints alone. This is an ongoing investigation and FDA will notify the public if a recall is initiated. Currently, FDA continues to urge pet owners to use caution with regard to chicken jerky products.
Should I stop feeding chicken jerky treats to my dog?
Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be fed occasionally in small quantities.
FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products:
  • decreased appetite;
  • decreased activity;
  • vomiting;
  • diarrhea, sometimes with blood;
  • increased water consumption; and/or
  • increased urination.
If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi-like syndrome (increased glucose).
What should I do if my dog shows signs of illness after eating chicken jerky products?
If your dog shows any of the signs listed above, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours.
Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their state, or electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal.
More information regarding How to Report a Pet Food Complaint can be found at http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.
What should I do with the remainder of the chicken jerky product that may have made my dog sick?
If your pet has experienced signs of illness, please retain the opened package and remaining pieces of the chicken jerky product that are in the original packaging. It is possible that your samples will be collected for testing. If your product samples are collected, please be sure to provide the FDA official with all of the sample that you have. The extensive testing that is being conducted may require multiple pieces from the package. It is also possible that a toxicant may be present in some of the samples in the package, but not all. We may be able to get better or more accurate testing results with a larger sample size.
After you have reported the problem to FDA, we will determine what type of follow-up is necessary and whether your particular sample will be collected for analysis.
I’ve already submitted a complaint to FDA, when will I get a response?
Every report is important to FDA. In each case, the information the consumer furnishes is evaluated to determine how serious the problem is and what follow-up is needed.
Once a consumer has filed a report with their local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator, or electronically through our safety reporting portal, FDA will determine whether there is a need to conduct a follow-up phone call, or obtain a sample of the chicken jerky product in question. While FDA does not necessarily respond to every individual complaint submitted, each report becomes part of the body of knowledge that helps to inform FDA on the situation or incident.
Additional information on what happens when a problem is reported can be found at the following link: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/QuestionsandAnswersProblemReporting/ucm056069.htm
I reported a complaint to the FDA, but my sample of chicken jerky was never tested, could I get my sample tested by a private lab?
Even though your particular sample may not be tested, your report to FDA is important. While in some cases, a sample of the product may be collected directly from the consumer, in many cases, product samples from the same lot and code will be collected from retailers, wholesalers or the manufacturer for laboratory analysis.
FDA is working with various animal health diagnostic laboratories across the U.S. to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. You may have your treat tested by a private laboratory if you wish; however, it may be costly to have numerous tests conducted on your sample. Please be assured that FDA and the laboratories involved in this investigation are working diligently to determine what may be causing these illnesses associated with chicken jerky products.
Have there been reports similar to this in other countries?
We have reached out to relevant competent authorities in other countries to request intelligence on increased reports of illness in dogs associated with consumption of chicken jerky treats, any investigations conducted, analyses conducted on suspect products, etc. We have received some feedback regarding our questions and some suggested collaboration and sharing of information.

Where can I go to get more information?
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Page Last Updated: 03/09/2012

Wordless Wednesday: can you tell what we are thinking?

The Wendy coming back from a walk and a chewie burial... [we are not supposed to bury things in the dirt, in the back yard...]
Silvieon4 dogged by a puparazzi...
JD listening to momma talk diet with auntie Robin



words are superfluous sometimes...
'vie 

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

WARNING CHICKEN TREATS MADE IN CHINA

Read this : Three major brands identified in Chicken Jerky Poisoning


The following three brands of chicken jerky may be tied to Fanconi syndrome:

Of 22 “Priority 1” cases listed by the FDA late last year, 13 cited Waggin’ Train



or Canyon Creek Ranch jerky treats or tenders, both produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co., the records show.

Another three listed Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats, produced by the Del Monte Corp. The rest listed single brands or no brand.

RETURN THESE TO THE STORE WHERE YOU BOUGHT THEM. DO NOT FEED TO YOUR DOG.


'vie.... Jeezzzz do you get the message?

flummoxed about FLAX-- Tastee Tuesday

Flax crackers

  • 1 cup flax seed meal
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt [if you are using regular chicken stock, omit this salt]
  • 1/2 cup water or fat low sodium free chicken stock or regular chicken stock

Preparation:

Heat oven to 400 F.

1) Mix all ingredients together.

2) Spoon onto 9x13 sheet pan lined with greased parchment paper.

3) Cover the mixture with a piece of parchment or waxed paper. Even out the mixture to about 1/8 inch. I find a straight edge, like a ruler, works well, though you can use a rolling pin. The important thing is to keep the dough evenly distributed so that everything bakes equally. 
 
4) Bake until the center is no longer soft, about 15-18 minutes. If it starts to get more than a little brown around the edges, remove from oven. Let cool completely - it will continue to crisp up.

5) Break into pieces.

The whole recipe is 6 grams of effective carbohydrate plus 35 grams of fiber.

 Why flax?  Well because:
http://www.ehow.com/about_5143014_flax-seed-benefits-dogs.html

No momma, I hate these. I really hate them. I would rather have that yummy yogurt .

Ohhhhh THAT yogurt! {momma's note... it has 1 tsp of toasted flax seeds added to it}


'vie

relentless

When "herself" wants to play... she is relentless.
She starts off easy, and almost sweet, BUT
Don't let that fool you, she quickly becomes crazy, play crazy!
There is positively no calming her down! All she wants to do is PLAY PLAY PLAY...
And you can't politely beg off. Oh no, she does not listen. She can't even hear you because she is squealing with delight.
Even my best stern face does NOT work. Nothing stops her. She wants what she wants! She wants to play and she gets in your face.
Finally! I sought asylum. I am not ashamed to admit it. I jumped on daddy's lap and found refuge from the play machine. Us guys have to stick together, daddy.
                   Because you know what? Like I said...
                 that girl is  RELENTLESS

JD




Monday, March 12, 2012

Why not?

 
Can we? Pleeeeeeease can we do this at home?  I want clouds!  Then I can lay in bed belly up and look at the pretty cloud shapes.

And then we can play what's that cloud while laying on soft pillows that feel like clouds.

And then we can touch them.

And then, when someone makes you mad you can make it thunder or something. You could throw ice cubes at it or turn on the air conditioning really high and make it cold and make it snow!

Oh that would be awesome!

What do you mean no?  What is it with you, it's always no. You are supposed to outgrow that word by the age of three, I think you are even older than 7 so why are you stuck on no?

YOU have NO imagination. Just look:

Artist suspends real clouds in the middle of the room
http://io9.com/5892356/artist-suspends-real-clouds-in-the-middle-of-the-room

You have NO COURAGE!  Yes, you heard me. Anais Nin said that Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. You are shrinking my life because you have no courage.

No guts no glory, no clouds.

FRUMPT

'vie
forced to live in momma's very cramped life.
or
Clueless Cloudless in  Seattle VA

Saturday, March 10, 2012

What is that smell?



I have no idea what it is, but it woke me up! It smells kind of very very yummy.

OK it does smell good. Not kind of yummy, downright yummy!  So, how do you think we should go about lobbying for some of whatever it is?
 
I am going for the cute princess factor,  If I just strike the pose long enough, I will get offered a piece of whatever it is.  Let me just do the pose...



Huh.  Dori just asked the momma if the "Pup-aroni bread is done" ... Whaaaaaatttt?
What does she mean Pup-aroni? Does she mean it is for pups or does she mean it contains a Pup? OMD ... You know how they always say we are yummy?  Do you think they finally jumped the shark and .... gross Nahhhh, my peeps are normal people.  It must mean bread for PUPS and I am PUP!  Nop?  What do you mean  "nop"? Pepperoni not pupparoni.
Oh. the pizza stuff inside bread, with cheese? Ohhh that could be good.  That could be very good... sooooooo when do we get some??




Back to posing , it always works...later
'vie

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION



Join Animal Parents Against Pet Treats Made in China



ENOUGH IS ENOUGH BANISH THESE TREATS

IMPOSE A MORATORIUM ON THE IMPORTATION OF THESE TREATS


NO DOG NEEDS TO DIE

'VIE 

REPOSTING:

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Does your dog have FANCONI SYNDROME?

What is Fanconi Syndrome?

This rare condition effects the kidneys and causes them to leak glucose (sugar) and other electrolytes into the urine. A Dogs suffering from Fanconi Syndrome will usually be very thirsty and will urinate excessive amounts.  The most common finding in laboratory tests is that the dog has glucose in the urine, but has a normal blood glucose level.
While some dogs can be born with Fanconi syndrome, lately dogs are developing this syndrome AFTER EATING CHICKEN TREATS MANUFACTURED IN CHINA.
Some dogs have gotten very sick and have gone into renal failure and died.  Other dogs have been luckier. they have an increase in thirst and urination and possibly have accidents in the house and then they may go on to have a full recovery within a few weeks of stopping the chicken jerky treats.

In 2007 there were many cases of Fanconi syndrome in the USA.  These cases were linked to melamine contamination in treats made in China.
In 2009 there was a rash of cases of dogs with Fanconi syndrome in Australia.  These were connected to either chicken treats or dental chews that were made with corn, soy and rice.

 FDA cautions dog owners about chicken jerky snacks

 Chicken Jerky Treats Linked to Illnesses in Dogs: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about chicken jerky for dogs, saying some products imported from China may be associated with 70 reports of dogs who became ill or died.  That number is up from 54 reports last year, the agency indicated....

 Chicken jerky treats sicken 353 dogs, owners report

Please we beg you throw away that garbage, or return it to the store NOW. 

You can easily make safe chicken treats like this:  http://www.silvieon4.com/2008/06/byte-this.html

PLEASE, pay attention.
'vie

Monday, March 5, 2012

No, I don't agree with you.



How can you call me the cutest rag-a muffin in the world ... a scoop of delicious... a fuzzy cutie pie... a heart melting fluffie... your favorite baby... in one breath... and then declare that I need to be groomed in the next? 

Why would you even think of messing with perfection?

You are going to destroy my fluffitude? I am clean, I am sweet, I am fluffy, I am MOI.

Why do you think you could ever improve on that?

I think you are displacing some deep rooted jealousy. What, did daddy pay a little too much attention to me?  Hey I am just trying to understand why you would want to tear me away from daddy for something as stupid as grooming..

Yes, I am mad. No, I am not going to "cope" with it. I think you need to cope.  [What exactly does that mean anyway?] 

Don't even try to play the Dori card with me. Dori will love me no matter what. She said that. And don't try to project your own issues on my sister.

Yup.  I am pouting. Deal with it momma. Cope with it.  Thanks Rush. I blame you.  She is raging at your stupid mouth and I am paying the price...

SHUT UP RUSH!  Just shut up.

'vie
who is pouting.

Friday, March 2, 2012

JD and his "Idiosyncrasies"



Chloe and Lady Bug wanted to know more about JD and his "Idiosyncrasies"... I am choosing to call them THAT. He is not weird. He is not strange, nooo. [He reads this blog, you know, he is a faithful reader...even]

Well, in the before time, that is before The Wendy and I came to be part of the family, JD was an only four legged.  He was all by his lonesome surrounded by two leggeds.  He really did not know how to behave like a four legged. After all, he came here as a puppy with puppy teeth and all. So, when the two leggeds all sat around the dinner table JD felt utterly alone and left out. He started trying to steal their seats. But that did not work out for very long. Apparently each seat was already claimed.  Momma saw his sad puppy dog eyes and knew immediately that something had to be done to include her  little boy in the family rituals. [She does not have a soft spot... she is all goo and quick sand, that one] So, she started looking for chairs that were tall enough so that JD could feel part of the family at the dinner table. High chairs were OK but JD is a serious aficionado of upholstery and tufting. Plastic seating is not of his liking.

One day, as momma was leaving a store,  her eye caught  a glimpse of a bar stool.  Large seat, deep tufting and high enough. Momma measured it against herself. It had to be at her waist... and it was perfect for JD! So, she whined until daddy went to the store and picked it up. Momma's car is to small to carry stuff like that. Once at home, she showed JD how to get on the seat. Momma calls it the "throne" because she refers to JD as "King of all puppies". Yes, that boy is not delusional, momma is.  Anyway, JD goes to his "throne" when he needs quiet, when he wants to observe and supervise what goes on in the kitchen, when he wants to get away from me... and of course when two leggeds sit at the table or at meal time. Momma says he has impeccable table manners. No grabbing, no reaching, no nasty habits. Of course not. "He is perfect." [Rolling my eyes... what? I had a wandering eyelash, yes, that's it make a wish and all that rot]  JD drinks water from a glass. He has his own glass. He waits for his face to wiped with a napkin, [his own]... and has developed the "thank you my good human" dismissive lick when he is done and wants to leave the table. Like I said... impeccable table manners. He even tips his wait staff with licks and nose pats. 

Momma went out and bought a second bar stool. Very occasionally I will use it. But frankly, The Wendy and I like the freedom to work the floor under the kitchen table. And... just for giggles we have been known to sound the CAT alarm, just so JD demands off the throne and at least one two legged has to get up. You have to be there to appreciate how funny it is.

And now, Chloe and Lady Bug you know what's up with JD's "high- chair" no, no we don't mean high chair  like that.. we mean a chair that's high... aha.


'vie

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Snuggling and waiting



Snuggling with sock monkey while I wait and wait for most honorable daddy to get home.

And it is 81 degrees out there and THAT woman made us walk for miles!

Was Spring busy so she sent Summer?

'vie

Safety is found under the kitchen table


Finally. She stopped. I found the safest place to be today was under the kitchen table.
I do believe that daddy is coming home. The itty bitty pies, the huge cake, the cookies, biscotti, brownies... All that was like a whirl of activity. Momma, is it a Holiday? Did I miss something? I checked the calendar on Gurgle...nothing. It is daddy, yes? Is he coming home? He must really be starving from the amount of food you made. They don't feed him in Ack run?

All I know is the three four leggeds are "zausted" from watching the momma go go go.

JD took refuge on his high chair (yes he has one those and that's a whole different post), the Wendy hid in her usual spot, under a chair, moi, I like under the kitchen table. Close to the action, available for taste tasting, but safely tucked away from all kitchen perils. Anyway, momma is actually going to sleep now, yeeeeee, so I am heading to bed too. Daddy, if you are reading this, we are waiting for you. I love you.


'vie