Should Dogs Eat Vegetarian Dog Food?

Should dogs eat vegetarian dog food? Umm, I don't know. My mommy is a vegetarian, and does not like the thought of any animal suffering, then she got me. I love to eat meat, especially chicken. As a test, she placed a piece of chicken and a bowl of rice in front of me. 99% of the time, I will take the chicken. Wild dogs, my ancestors lived mainly on small animals. The vegetables they did eat were in the stomachs and intestines of the animals we eat. It seems like it would be healthiest to eat our natural diet instead of vegetarian dog food. My mommy doesn't want animals to suffer, she loves me more than chickens, so I get to eat meat. However, I still enjoy chewing on a brocolli stalk here and there. I'm curious about what the top selling vegetarian dog food companies are putting in their food. I researched this, so I thought I would make a list.

Evolution vegetarian dinner canned dog food:
Water Sufficient for processing, Potatoes, Carrots, Oat Groats, Sun Flower Oil, Peas, Brown Rice, Tomatoes, Avocadoes, Blueberries, Cranberries, Brewers Dried Yeast, Taurine, Vitamin a Acetate, Vitamin D2 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamin Mononitrate, Pyriodoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12, Supplement Biotin, Folic Acid, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodated and Sodium Selenite.

Natural Life vegetarian dog food:
Ground Brown Rice, Ground Yellow Corn, Full-Fat Soybeans, Oatmeal, Ground Whole Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Linseed Meal, Vegetable Oil (preserved with natural mixed tocopherols, citric acid, and ascorbyl palmitate - a Vitamin C ester), Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Brewer’s Dried Yeast, Garlic, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Dried Kelp, Choline Chloride, Natural Antioxidants, Yucca Schidigera Extract,Vitamin Supplements (E,A, B2, B12, D2), Niacin, Calcium Ascorbate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Inositol, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin K activity), Folic Acid, Biotin, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Cobalt Proteinate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenite, Rosemary Extract.

Pet Guard organic vegetarian dog food:
Sufficient Water For Processing, Organic Rice Protein Concentrate, Organic Barley, Organic Oats, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Brown Rice, Organic Quinoa, Guar Gum, Tricalcium Phosphate, Organic Carrots, Organic Peas, Organic Potatoes, Organic Spinach, Potassium Chloride, Organic Flaxseed, Organic Apples, Organic Amaranth, Organic Tomato Powder, Organic Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Salt, Calcium Ascorbate, Vitamin A Acetate, Alpha Tocopherols (Source of Vitamin E), Calciferol (Source of Vitamin D2), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Choline Chloride, Inositol, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Calcium Animo Acid Chelate, Folic Acid, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite.

V-Dog vegetarian dog food:
Wheat, Whole Corn, Soybean Meal, Quinoa and Oats Wheat Middlings, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Oil, Beet Pulp, Pasta, Rice, Peas, Dicalcium Phosphate, Brewers Yeast, Whole Linseed, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Fructooligosaccharides, Rosemary, Parsley, Mineral Supplement (Iron sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite), Choline Chloride, Vitamin Supplement (Vitamin E supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, Niacin, Vitamin B12 supplement, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Vitamin D2 supplement, Folic Acid), Mixed Tocopherols

Loyalty Day ~ Not just for dogs

President Bush has just announced a new national holiday, which will be called Loyalty Day. Most dogs are already celebrating this day, every day of the year. Strange to say, but I wonder if he remembered his late dog "Spot" as he wrote this new proclamation. When I think of loyalty, the first thing I think of is a dog. Some will celebrate their day of loyalty on may 1st of every year, dogs will continue to celebrate every day. Here is a copy of the proclamation:

Loyalty Day, 2008

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Americans believe that every man, woman, and child has unalienable rights, dignity, and matchless value. Advancing these ideals was the honorable vision of our Founders and the mission that helped shape this great country. On Loyalty Day, we celebrate the legacy of freedom and the shared ideals that bind us together.

Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen demonstrate their love of country by stepping forward when America needs them most. By putting our country's security before their own, the men and women of the Armed Forces have strengthened our Nation and brought hope to millions around the world. All Americans are grateful to the members of the military and their families for their service, sacrifice, and dedication, and we are proud of their accomplishments.

Through their good works, our Nation's volunteers bear witness to their steadfast love for America, as exemplified in their commitment to service and good citizenship. Loyalty to this country brings with it a commitment to aid our family, friends, and fellow citizens all across this broad and welcoming land. These volunteers demonstrate their gratitude for the blessings of freedom by helping build a more hopeful future for our children and grandchildren. All Americans can put their loyalty into practice by learning more about the history of our country, flying the American flag, and contributing to our communities.

Two hundred and thirty-two years after the founding of our country, we remain committed to advancing freedom and renewing the values that sustain our liberty. Through the spirit and determination of our people, our Nation will prosper and our liberty will be secure.

The Congress, by Public Law 85-529, as amended, has designated May 1 of each year as "Loyalty Day." This Loyalty Day, and throughout the year, I ask all Americans to join me in reaffirming our allegiance to our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2008, as Loyalty Day. I call upon all people of the United States to join in support of this national observance and to display the flag of the United States on Loyalty Day as a symbol of pride in our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH
Whitehouse.gov

Really Big Dogs

Really BIG Dogs - Click here for the funniest movie of the week

World's Smartest Dog

World's Smartest Dog - Watch the best video clips here

Stolen Dog Ball

One of the biggest treasures I own, is a felt cat ball with a bell inside. I acquired this cat ball in the most unscrupulous manner, it was stolen from a cat. Now it is a dog ball. Certainly, I do feel a slight twinge of guilt, but I simply had to have it. It is yellow and purple felt with red stitching holding it together. It is not really a dog ball shape anymore, sort of like a smashed circle. As you may be aware, I have the largest dog ball collection in the world, this one is still my favorite. It is soft, comforting, and the perfect size for carrying around everywhere I go. Sometimes I place it down right in front of my pet cat. As she tries to take it, Whamo! Bamo!! I got it and am running for the hills. You would think she would learn, but she falls for it everytime, sheesh crazy cat.

Dog Bath

I love to run and jump in puddles when it rains. When the lawn is being watered I dig holes in the mud and bite at the hose. Water is great, except when it is coming from the bathtub faucet. At this point, water becomes a mysterious and dangerous substance. The two ugliest words in the English language, must be dog bath. You guessed it, I was a dog bath victim today. Last night I felt so itchy, I should have known not to itch, it makes them worry I have fleas. It makes them want to give me a dog bath. Shudder. I have been afraid of bath faucet water since I was a puppy. They thought I would grow out of it. They were wrong. When I hear the bathtub faucet turning on, combined with the call "CoCo, CoCo", I go ballistic. No dog bath! No dog bath, I cry. They try to tell me, "It's O.K. CoCo!" No, it isn't, the bathtub water is going to get me! Suddenly, I am lifted up and placed in the bathtub for my dog bath. I do not give up, I fight tooth and nail for the entire bath. My mommy is so afraid I will hurt myself, she has to sit in the tub with me fully clothed while I take my bath. I sit on her lap as she pours container after container of warm water over me, and lathers me up with oatmeal shampoo. I continue to fight until the end when I am wrapped in a terry cloth towel. Until the moment finally comes when I am released from my dog bath bondage, and I know I have survived the dog bath ordeal. I shake water off me with each step, and run with the joy you can only feel when you are finally free!

A Talking Dog

There was a guy who took his dog into a bar. Upon seeing the dog, the bartender tells the owner that dogs were not allowed into the bar. "Oh, this dog is special. This dog can talk," the owner said. "Really," the bartender replied, "Sure it can 'speak,' like almost any dog." "No," the owner said, "This dog can actually talk like a normal human." The bartender couldn't believe this for one second. He then decided to make a bet with the owner. "I tell you what, I'll give you free drinks for the evening if that dog can do what you're saying." The owner turns to the dog and asks, "Who was the greatest baseball player of all time?" The dog answers, "Roof!" Upon hearing this, the bartender picks up the owner and the dog and throws them out the door. While sitting on the sidewalk, the dog turns to the owner quite confused, "What? Ty Cobb?!?"

Dog Obedience DVD Reviews

I decided to review three different dog obedience dvd's. Out of the three, I would say that "ABC's of Behavior Shaping" is probably the best one. Here are the results:


Dog & Puppy Training DVD ~ Correcting Naughty Behaviors! Stop the Biting, Digging & Barking! Claims to solve behavioral problems like mouthing, biting, barking, jumping, and digging.



Interactive Puppy Training DVD ~ Start your dog off on the right paw!
This dog obedience DVD is intended for puppies. It will teach you how to puppy proof your home and make it safe. It also offers information on crate training, housetraining and introducing toys to your puppy.



ABC's of Behavior Shaping; Proactive Behavior Management Seminar DVD Set ~ This dog obedience DVD set will help with training agility, obedience competition, freestyle, pet dog manners, behavior modification, tracking, field work & more. Another great thing about this dog obedience DVD set is it also helps to solve problems with dog aggression and other problem behavior.

First Annual Live Like a Dog Day!

As CoCo, from CoCo the Blogging Dog, I hereby grant September 14th of every year to be Live Like a Dog Day. This will endow every non-dog with the power to celebrate a 24 hr. period of living as a dog!

There are a few suggestions on how to enjoy Live Like a Dog Day to it's fullest. As the most anticipated day approaches, I will post more.

How to Celebrate the first annual Live Like a Dog Day:
1. Do not go to work! If you have to, call in sick. Tell them you think your coming down with the parvo virus or something.

2. Eat whatever you want as much as you want. Don't bother cooking, dogs don't like to cook. Make sure you have plenty of readily available snacks, and don't use any silverware either!

3. Sit on the couch. Chew on the couch. Take a nap on the couch.

White Angel Dogs

I awoke to the clock radio playing louder than usual. I asked my husband Bill, to turn the music down, for I did not want to wake our six year old daughter sleeping in the next room. I turned to my left turning the radio down, to find my husband fast asleep on his side with his back to me. I rolled over on my back, letting my right hand dangle loosely at the right side of the bed. I remember looking at the night light glowing in the mirror in the master bathroom, and the hanging chain light centered above our bed, starting to swing back and forth so very slightly, when suddenly, I felt warm moist breath and something licking my right hand. I turned to face a very large white Mastiff type dog with piercing blue eyes. Where did it come from, raced through my mind?

I can still visualize in my mind the bright pink loose skin around it's eyes and the foaming smelly spit dripping from it's tongue dangling from it's huge sagging pink mouth. The dog seemed only a foot away from my face! It was huge, I would guess 100 pounds. I watched it swallow, and I can remember the muscles in it's neck bulged. My hand felt hot and sticky. I think I screamed and somehow leaped over my sleeping husband to the other side of the king sized bed, dragging all the blankets with me to the floor. Bill grabbed me and seconds later, we experienced a very strong earthquake. I can remember screaming about the white dog, our daughter running to our room jumping on our bed, frightened of the earthquake, and me searching the room with my eyes, trying to find the white dog that vanished.

During the earthquake, a tall heavy walnut and brass lamp on my night stand had crashed and fallen over on my pillow. The light bulb had shattered on the headboard right above my pillow, spraying grass on my pillow, and the shade bounced across the bed. It is obvious, if I had remained with my head on the pillow, I would have been severely injured or dead. I love and respect animals, and I do consider dogs, man's best friend. I do not scare easily, so if the white dog was my guardian angel, it had to go to extremes to get me out of harm's way. That was thirty years ago, but I can still see, feel and smell that white dog that saved my life, as if it were only yesterday.

Last summer, I was reading and relaxing at our public library, when my eyes focused on a magazine on a rack. There on the front cover of the magazine was a huge white Mastiff type dog staring from the cover. Sitting to my right was was an elderly lady sitting and also staring at the white dog on the cover of the magazine. Our eyes met, and we starting talking about the dog. I told her my story, and to my amazement, she answered by wanting to tell me about a strange white dog she felt saved her life. She said she had tried to tell the story in the past, but most response was that she was not playing with a full deck, so to speak.

Her name was Edna. She was 20 years old living in Dearborn Michigan in 1942. It was middle December, and she was involved volunteering her time at a U S O Canteen for the servicemen. It was about midnight, the canteen was filled with cigarette smoke, loud talk and music. She had been there for six hours and was developing a bad headache. She knew she had to go to business college the next morning. She asked her girlfriend to walk out front with her to get some fresh air. The canteen would be closing in a half hour. She was responsible to stay for cleanup after closing, for everyone volunteered their time. After awhile, her girlfriend, turned and walked through the door into the canteen, and Edna started to follow. Suddenly, a huge white dog came out of the mist and darkness.

She described it's face looking like a bull dog with eyes that were so evil. Immediately, it blocked her from entering the door of the canteen. She looked around, but there was no one there, just the dog and her, standing in the darkness surrounded with mist and snow turning to slush around her feet. The dog started forcing her down the street. She could feel it's rib cage rubbing against her legs. During the War, she could not get nylon stockings, so she had to wear bobby sox's with her shoes. She could feel the warm spit from the dog's mouth, running down her right leg, dripping on her sox and shoe. If she slowed down, the dog growled louder and snarled it's mouth, constantly growling as it forced her to walk faster. She suddenly realized the dog was taking her home, knowing where to turn to go directly to her front door. She climbed the wooden steps, to her front door, knowing her parents were in bed. As she reached under the mat to get the key, the dog pushed against her and growled wanting her to go into the house.

When she got into the house, she looked out the door window unto the porch, and there was the dog sitting and facing her, staring at her as if it knew her every move. She found some steak bones on the kitchen counter, opened the door slightly and threw them out on the porch near the dog. The dog only sat and stared at her with an extremely evil look out of it's eyes. Before she could close the door completely, the telephone in the hall rang. The message was from a friend at the canteen. Her girlfriend had been accidentally shot and killed at the front door of the canteen. It seems when her girlfriend went ahead of her into the canteen, minutes later a fight broke out between two servicemen over a woman, and shots were fired. Her girlfriend ran to the front door, and was shot in the back and died instantly.

Her girlfriend was doing the cleanup, Edna was supposed to do. In shock, she hung up the phone, noticing the front door was not closed. Slowly, she went to the door, looking for the dog that had disappeared, just the steak bones lying there. She carefully looked through the house, but the dog had vanished. Needless, to say at the funeral, Edna was in deep depression and feelings of guilt for not staying and somehow doing her work. Several days later, she decided to go to the cemetery by herself. It was late afternoon, and darkness was setting in. Her friend was in the mausoleum, and Edna was wanting to pray and beg for forgiveness. The snow was becoming heavy on the ground.

As she was leaving, she looked across the cemetery at a private crypt that someone had draped with Christmas lights. She remembered, wondering how someone got electricity out there? There on the steps of the crypt, was the white dog, and as she watched it with fear in her heart, it disappeared into the steps, only the snow remaining. She got enough courage to walk to the steps in front of the crypt, hoping to find the dog's foot prints. There were none. The dog disappeared before her eyes, never to return. That happened 58 years ago when she told me the story sitting across from me in the library. Occasionally, when I am at the library, I have looked for her, but never see her when I am there. She was raised Catholic and always believed guardian angels were beautiful with feathered white wings. To be honest, I believed the same story. Now, I think we were both wrong. If a life must be saved, our angels have to go to desperate extremes.

(Originally appeared in the Intl. Ghost Hunters Society newsletter, Jan 28, 2001. Posted to this site on Feb. 11 2001 By Rita Swift)

Saved by a white cat ghost

In 1970, I was living in New York City. I had gone to the grocery store after getting off the subway about 5 pm. I was walking home and started to step off the curb, when a White Cat with bright pink eyes came out of mid-air and knocked me backwards on my butt on the sidewalk. My groceries were everywhere. A man behind me saw the Cat and jumped to the side of me. I felt a burning sensation of claws on my left shoulder. Just then a taxi came at a high rate of speed, and hit the curb with it's right front tire and lost control in the street. Some of my can goods were run over in the street by the taxi. The man helped me up, and he helped me bag the remaining groceries. The White Cat had vanished. I checked my left shoulder, and there were no claw marks, and the pain was gone. I feel the Cat from nowhere saved my life from being killed by the taxi. I talked to my Rabbi. He said it was a message from G-d. That weekend, I went to the pet shop and bought a white kitten with green eyes. She was my good friend for 17 years.
~Anonymous

White Dog Ghost

Here is a true story about a white dog that saved a woman's life. Strange thing about this story is that the dog is actually a ghost. There have been similar reports of white dog's saving human life...

I was dating a man that had come back from the Korean War, and he had serious controlling problems. I worked for an attorney. I was 19 years old at the time. I decided to breakup with this man because he would not let me out of his sight. My father was a fireman, so after talking to this man, and telling him he had friends on the police force, he would be arrested if he continued to stalk me. One Sunday afternoon, I went out front to pick some flowers, when I saw the man drive up several houses from my home. I dropped the flowers, and started to run to the front door, when out from behind the hedges, this White Dog chased me around the side of the house, causing me to loose my balance and fall down the cellar steps into the cellar. My father and brother were down there working on the furnace. They turned to see me fall and see the huge White Dog coming down the steps. The cellar door slammed closed by itself. Then we heard shots. The stalker had shot out the front window and turned the gun on himself and died on our front lawn. My father kept looking for the White Dog in the cellar but it had vanished.

Dog Letters To G-d

Dear G-d, How come people love to smell flowers, but seldom smell one another? Where are their priorities?

Dear G-d, When we get to Heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it the same old story?

Dear G-d, Excuse me, but why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not one named for a dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We dogs love a nice ride! I know every breed cannot have its own model, but it would be easy to rename the Chrysler Eagle the Chrysler Beagle!

Dear G-d, If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?

Dear G-d, Is it true that in Heaven, dining room tables have on- ramps?

Dear G-d, If we come back as humans, is that good or bad?

Dear G-d, More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.

Dear G-d, When we get to the Pearly Gates, do we have to shake hands to get in?

Dear G-d, We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent IDs, electromagnetic energy fields and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?

Dear G-d, Are there dogs on other planets or are we alone? I have been howling at the moon and stars for a long time, but all I ever hear back is the beagle across the street!

Dear G-d, Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?

Dear G-d, Is it true that dogs are not allowed in restaurants because we can't make up our minds what NOT to order? Or is it the carpets thing, again?

Dear G-d, Can you undo what that doctor did ... ?

Usama Bin Laden Captured by BoBo the Dog

Usama Bin Laden has been captured, mainly due to the efforts of a Belgian Shepherd dog named BoBo. On the morning of April 15, 2008 U.S. troops were maneuvering across the Afghanistan desert when BoBo the dog alerted troops. The dog began to pace back and forth, howling at some unknown in the distance. BoBo's handler said, "Go get 'em boy". BoBo ran nearly one kilometer while troops followed within close range. As they ran, the troops could see a darkly robed figure jump into the Helmand River. Bo Bo the dog was not deterred by this minor inconvenience, as he plunged in the water after him. The dog latched onto his turban with his teeth and pulled him out to dry land. To the U.S. troops amazement, it was none other than Usama Bin Laden! Reportedly, Bin Laden was crying like a little girl for the entire trip back to an undisclosed location in the United States. As for Bo Bo the dog, the American government has decided to give him $25 million dollars for Usama Bin Laden's capture. Way to go Bo Bo! When asked what he will do with all the money, Bo Bo replied, "Ruff Ruff Bow Wow". In other words, he plans on helping homeless dogs and investing the rest in high yielding dog friendly companies.

I'm kidding. This didn't really happen, but wouldn't it be nice if it did?

Dog Coloring Book Page

Dog Coloring Book Page
Print this dog and cat out for coloring!

Inhumane Dog Auctions

This is a video of a regular dog auction, that will show what goes on. You cannot really find any dog lovers here. These are people that look at dogs as objects and a way to turn a profit. You will find large amounts of puppy mill owners and unsavory dog breeders here. Warning: This video may be disturbing to sensitive human beings that actually have a heart.

5 Pet Food Secrets

Author's Note: First, the obligatory disclaimer. These are my opinions formed over a period of 15 years inside the pet food industry. If there are any errors in the above article, they are mine. Nobody paid me a penny to express any of this. It was written because it needed to be said to enlighten and alert the pet loving Public and to act as a minute counterbalance to the daily barrage of pet food hype foisted on us. Your pets depend on you to make the right choice when it comes to feeding them a nutritious diet. Their quality of life is at stake. Become a label reader! Take the time to bone up on nutrition. Call the Company if you have questions. Most have a toll free number on their bag. Ask to speak to a Nutritionist or the person who formulated the food you are using. Dig until you are satisfied or until you know it's time to switch to another food (or manner of feeding).

You might look into the B.A.R.F. movement that is growing rapidly. That's a rather graphic acronym for "Bones And Raw Food". The next step in pet food (beyond "kibble") is already in the works. For your pet's sake, don't be content with the miserable status quo. Not all currently available pet foods are totally rotten and not all companies engage in the above practices. Some are much better and more ethical than others. It is far beyond the scope of this ditty to list them or to make specific recommendations. You are the boss. Now, you're the boss with the inside track on what to watch out for. Please take your pet's diet seriously. It's the right thing to do. Feel free to pass this article along to interested parties. An informed public will generate changes.

1. Life Stage Concept - Bogus ----------------------------------- There is only one justification for making pet foods for young, middle aged and older dogs and that is SHELF SPACE. The company that introduced golf ball sized dog food kibble way back when also dreamt up this notion. Ask yourself, "In the wild, do wolves or bobcats seek out different prey according to how old they are?" The whole notion is absurd. Call the maker of your pet food brand and ask them to support the assertion that puppies need a different food than adults. True, a puppy needs to eat more and active dogs need to eat more than inactive dogs. But does the bag have to be another color and cost more? Hmmmm.... Pet foods routinely display a notice declaring, "Complete and Balanced for all life stages". Oh, if this is true, why do we need the other 5 types you offer then? Even some dog biscuits have this lunacy printed on the package. The facts are these: Find the best pet food you can and use it from youth to old age. If it is a commercial brand, understand it has strengths and gaps. Fill in the gaps yourself. The "best" pet food would be a brand that is naturally preserved, highly digestible (whole ingredients) and that doesn't contain stool hardeners or dyes. The biggest gap is the lack of enzymes which are cooked to death.

2. What "Complete and Balanced" Really Means -------------------- This sweet sounding but vacuous tag really means that whatever is in the package will keep the animal alive sufficiently long to reproduce itself if fed as a sole ration. That's ALL it means. Most pet owners would prefer to have their dog or cat live beyond 10 months however. The responsibility for finding and feeding a good diet is on the owner. Don't be satisfied with empty slogans.

3. What's "Fresh" about a food that's 13 months old? ------------- When buying pet food, look for a fresh bag. What's that? You can't read some production code that substitutes letters for numbers and dates. Maybe you're not supposed to understand that that bag is 13 months (or 17 months) old. Nutrients degrade over time if exposed to air. Unless you are buying frozen, freeze- dried or vacuum-sealed, its best to get the most recently made. Pet food manufacturers like to have a shelf life of 18 months. To get it, they use preservatives to keep oxygen from interacting with the oils (fats) in the food and turning them rancid. Fine, but this isn't an all or none process. It happens over time. Additionally, the vitamins and minerals also degrade over time. While you're talking to your pet food maker, ask how to read the date code on their bags if it isn't reasonably clear. Then, buy the freshest bag you can find. Best bet, feed frozen or freeze- dried food with some good real ingredients mixed in.

4. The Joke about "Lite" Diets ----------------------------------- So, your pet is overweight. How did that happen anyway? There is really no mystery here. Too many calories, too little activity. Wait! The fix is right here in the bag marked, "Lite and Fit". Right? Doubtful at best. Since the advent of these "Lite" diets, has there been a decrease in the number of overweight pets? Hmmmm... These are major profit centers for the makers. They contain less meat and fat (the costlier) ingredients and more (much) of the grains and fillers to reduce the number of calories. Then, guess what? You get to pay more! Guess what again? Your pet won't lose weight! Fact is, your pet will feel even less like moving around with a belly full of chaff than formerly with another diet. Don't buy into this ruse. It is much better to feed a good food in the amount sufficient to provide the calories for the desired body weight and to INCREASE the activity level by 300%. You've heard it said, "Diet without exercise doesn't work". That's true for pets as well.

5. Those Oh-So-Expensive Rx Diets---------------------------------- This will undoubtedly rankle some folks. Oh well... A company in Kansas makes a line (a BIG line) of prescription only foods that get dispensed through vets. First, they diagnose then they prescribe and sell you the "medicine". Hmmmm, this isn't allowed on the people side is it? Have you ever read the label on this bag of stuff that cost you dearly? See any "medicine" in there? See anything that could possibly justify the price? Not to pick on one company alone, many want in on this cash cow and are beating each other up to get the vet's push. Shine the light over here! This practice is suspicious at best and deplorable at worst. You have an ailing pet and now we'll saddle you with expensive pet food forever. Ask your vet instead what to control in the animal's diet. Hopefully, he or she knows. Some of these "foods" are so low in one aspect or high in another that they actually should be medically managed while fed. Problem is, they aren't. Another problem is that they don't usually solve anything unless other methods are undertaken and get owner compliance. There is no magic in that overpriced bag. Don't rely on it to fix problems. Best bet... find out what caused the malady and if your pet's diet can be modified to prevent recurrence, modify it.

~Anonymous Author

This Old Dog

I'm getting on in years,
My coat is turning gray.
My eyes have lost their luster,
My hearing's just okay.

I spend my days dreaming
Of earlier times with you
When I could run and jump and play
And fetch the ball you threw.

I remember our first visit,
I was coming to you free
Hoping you would take me in
And keep me company.

I wasn't young or handsome,
Two years I'd roamed the street.
There were scars upon my face,
I hobbled on my feet.

I could sense your disappointment
As I left my prison cage.
Oh, I hoped you would accept me
And look beyond my age.

You took me out of pity,
I accepted without shame.
Then you grew to love me,
And I admit the same.

I have shared with you your laughter,
You have wet my fur with tears.
We've come to know each other
Throughout these many years.

Just one more hug this morning
And as you drive away
Know I will think about you
Throughout your busy day.

I'll faithfully wait here for you
And though my head's a fog
My heart is yours forever.
I promise-
This old dog.

There's Always Room for One More

I see by his coat he must be a stray,
The untidy look gives him away.
He's lost his will and is so thin,
Hasn't eaten since God knows when.
I know as I coax him through the door,
There's always room for one more.

The other night in the freezing rain,
That little female came again.
Matted and soaked, crying in need,
Lost and alone with babies to feed.
Her pleading eyes I couldn't ignore,
There's always room for one more.

There's a new face on the docks today,
Hungry but clean, to our dismay,
I stroked her head, her body rippled,
When she got up I saw she was crippled.
She started to go, but fell on the floor.
There's always room for one more.

There's the poor doggy standing in the rain,
I've tried to entice him time and again.
One ear is lopsided, the other's been torn,
Blind in one eye, lost and forlorn.
He's coming now, so I'll open the door.
There's always room for one more.

These stories are true,
As I've said before,
There's always room for one more.

Top Ten Reasons To Be A Dog

1. If it itches, you can reach it. And no matter where it itches, no one will be offended if you scratch it in public.

2. No one notices if you have hair growing in weird places as you get older.

3. Personal hygiene is a blast: No one expects you to take a bath every day, and you don't even have to comb your own hair.

4. Having a wet nose is considered a sign of good health.

5. No one thinks less of you for passing gas. Some people might actually think you're cute.

6. Who needs a big home entertainment system? A bone or an old shoe can entertain you for hours.

7. You can spend hours just smelling stuff.

8. No one ever expects you to pay for lunch or dinner. You never have to worry about table manners, and if you gain weight, it's someone else's fault.

9. It doesn't take much to make you happy. You're always excited to see the same old people. All they have to do is leave the room for five minutes and come back.

10. Every garbage can looks like a cold buffet to you.

A man and his dog

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that the dog had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother of pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold.

He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.

"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked. "Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open. Gesturing toward his dog the traveler inquired "Can my friend come in, too?"

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going. After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed.

There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book. "Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?" "Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there" The man pointed to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.>

"There should be a bowl by the pump."

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them.

"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.

"This is Heaven," was the answer.

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too." "Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's Hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No. I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy that they screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind."

"SNAP, BE GOOD!"

"Dear lit-tle Snap, you fun-ny pup,
I love to see you beg,
So cle-ver-ly do you sit up
And bend each slen-der leg,
Drop-ping the paw;
And raise your ears a-bove your head,
Look-ing so very wise;
You seem to know I have some bread;
And then, such bright green eyes
I never saw.

"Your shag-gy coat is long and rough,
Your tail is rough-er still;
Now, Snap, I think you've had e-nough,
And more would make you ill--
In-deed it would.
But sis-ter Lot-ty has some cake,
And so if you will sit
Quite still and good, till I say 'Take!'
Then you shall have a bit;
So, Snap, be good!"

Dog license or mark of the devil? You decide.

Recently, I was at the veterinarian to get my shots, including the rabies vaccine. Before we left my doc pulled out a form to fill out, and told me to send it in to get licensed. Dog license? Pfft. It is just another way for the man to keep you down. Once you sign on, they can start extorting money out of you every year. If you do not cooperate they may come and kidnap you. I explained that I refuse to buy or wear a dog license issued by the Nazi county dog snatchers. It violates the constitution's 10th Amendment on state powers. He explained that the money would go to fund my local pound. Yeah, I heard about them. They were in the paper for beating a dog to death, and I'm not even in Los Angeles County! But yeah, the pound is evil here too.

The dog license thing is a way to raise money for incompetent government to track you down if they are so inclined. Sort of reminds me of something. Oh yeah, the humans national ID card, where you will need a number to work, drive a car, enter a federal building, drive a car, and travel. Why do I need a number assigned to me by the government? Is this license to allow me to breathe, eat, bark, run, play and exist? This reminds me of something else. Oh yeah, it's the mark of the devil!!!!

Revelations 13:15-17
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

The bible says that in the end of times you will have a mark or number, and this is about the most endest of times we have ever been in! G-d help us all!

Los Angeles County Cruel to Animals

The No Kill Advocacy Center, Cathy Nguyen, a volunteer animal rescuer, and Rebecca Arvizu, a Los Angeles County taxpayer and animal rescuer, have jointly filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County, its Department of Animal Care and Control, and the Department’s Director, Marcia Mayeda.

The lawsuit alleges unlawful and abusive treatment of animals at all six Los Angeles County animal shelters. Complaints filed in Superior court regarding the six animal shelters, include:

*Kills healthy and treatable animals before their state mandated holding period expires;

*Misclassifies animals as “ill” or “injured” in order to kill them before their holding period expires even though the animals are not irremediably suffering as required by state law;

*Kills lost animals without making reasonable attempts to find the animals’ owners;
Fails to provide adequate veterinary care to impounded animals, resulting in animal deaths;

*Fails to provide adequate nutrition, water, shelter and exercise to impounded animals and to treat the animals humanely and kindly;

*Refuses to release animals to rescue groups that are willing to care for the animals until adoptive homes can be found and, instead, kills the animals.

“The Los Angeles County animal shelter system is supposed to provide a reasonable safety net of care for lost and abandoned animals,” said Nathan J. Winograd, Director of the No Kill Advocacy Center. “Instead, the system betrays the trust of the citizens of Los Angeles County by failing to treat the animals humanely and kindly.”

“Los Angeles County and its Department of Animal Control fought the existing animal protection laws that safeguard shelter animals when those laws were pending in the legislature. They fought the laws after they became effective through a regulatory challenge. Now, it appears they have decided they are just going to ignore those laws,” stated Winograd.

“But Los Angeles County shelters are supposed to enforce laws related to animal welfare, not violate the laws themselves and then retaliate against rescue groups who want to save these animals and make their demands public.

This is the worst form of hypocrisy and cannot be tolerated—especially since animals are not only suffering, they are needlessly being killed because of it.”

“I have tried to work with the Department and Director Mayeda regarding the conditions at Los Angeles County shelters for many months to no avail,” said plaintiff Cathy Nguyen, who works with rescue groups trying to save animals that Los Angeles County shelters are putting to death."

“I cannot sit quietly and do nothing about this and have no choice at this point but to demand that they follow the law.”

“As a taxpayer, I don’t want my taxes to pay for the killing of animals when there are rescue groups willing to save them at their own expense,” said Los Angeles county taxpayer and plaintiff Rebecca Arvizu."

“These shelters also do not reflect my values and those of my fellow citizens who love animals. Since they are supposed to be working for us, I want them caring for animals humanely. That’s the law and those are the values a majority of us hold dear.”

The No Kill Advocacy Center is a national non-profit organization trying to end the systematic killing of animals in U.S. shelters. It has drafted model legislation, works with municipal and private shelters nationwide, and helps animal lovers throughout the United States reform their local shelters.

The lawsuit is based on violations of California laws, especially the 1998 Animal Shelter Law. The law sought to reform California shelters which were unnecessarily killing in the face of cost-effective lifesaving alternatives.

It follows a successful lawsuit in Kern County where a Superior Court judge held the Kern County animal control shelter in violation of law and ordered that shelter to cease its legal violations.

For a full media kit, which includes a copy of the 4-page Demand Letter the plaintiffs sent to Ms. Mayeda before filing their lawsuit, the 3-page letter protesting the Department’s retaliation, the 29-page Complaint, video footage, and high resolution images of animal suffering in Los Angeles County’s shelter system, go here:
http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/whatsnew.html
Please note: Images are disturbing.

Fighting the war on terrorism: Dogs vs. Cats

Dogs are much better at fighting the war on terrorism than cats are. One of the main reasons for this, is that cats just don't care. Cats are lazy apathetic little fur balls that like to just find a warm place and sleep. They would migrate to Canada by droves if the cat draft ever came to pass. As soldiers in the war on terror, they are extremely difficult to keep motivated. They are also much harder to train. Dogs can learn in five minutes, what it will take a cat to learn in five weeks. Standard boot camp for a dog might be five weeks, but do we really have five years to get the cats up to speed? Cats just don't have the physical stamina to keep up. Sure they might be able to hold a grenade or two in their backpack, but are they able to carry a M-16? No. Cats do not follow orders well, they are not team players, and they never come when they are called! Cats fighting the war on terrorism will never work. They are easily distracted by catnip, balls with bells, string and shiny objects. Unfortunately, cats just don't have the loyalty that dogs do. According to undisclosed sources, the US soldiers have refused to work with military cats. It is feared that cats may give out sensitive information in exchange for a warm spot to sleep or a saucer of milk. It's OK cats, we understand. Not everyone can be like a dog.

National Dog Day 2008

National dog day will be celebrated August 23, 2008. It is a day where we can celebrate the dog we share our life with. It is a day to give time or money to animal rescues and shelters across the United States. It is a time to reflect on what we can do to improve the heart breaking plight of homeless dogs everywhere. I challenge every reader to plan something, no matter how small, for National Dog Day. If you have a dog, make plans to spend time with him that day. Make your dog his favorite treat, take your dog out to play ball, and tell him what a good dog he is. If your dog is not spayed or neutered, consider if this might be the right time to do it. Donate to local dog shelters and dog rescues. They are always happy to get donations of dog food, cat food, towels, blankets and store bought dog treats. Look online for animal welfare petitions, and sign them. Do what you can, no matter how big or small, it matters. Happy National Dog Day 2008!!

Dog Loyalty and Comfort

The world had all gone wrong that day
And tired and in despair,
Discouraged with the ways of life,
I sank into my chair.

A soft caress fell on my cheek,
My hands were thrust apart.
And two big sympathizing eyes
Gazed down into my heart.

I had a friend; what cared I now
For fifty worlds? I knew
One heart was anxious when I grieved—
My dog's heart, loyal, true.

"G-d bless him," breathed I soft and low,
And hugged him close and tight.
One lingering lick upon my ear
And we were happy—quite.

American Dog

Aaah America! Home of the free, land of the brave and beggin strips for all! I love you America. I read this article suggesting that bloggers could offer PR services to the United States Government. Lt. Commander Marc Boyd, a U.S. Special Operations Command spokesman, says the report was merely an academic exercise. "The comments are not 'actionable', merely thought provoking," Sure thing, Wink~Wink.

This 2006 report for the Joint Special Operations University, "Blogs and Military Information Strategy," offers a third approach -- co-opting bloggers, or even putting them on the payroll. "Hiring a block of bloggers to verbally attack a specific person or promote a specific message may be worth considering," write the report's co-authors, James Kinniburgh and Dororthy Denning.
source

I am very hurt, as they have yet to contact CoCo the Blogging Dog. I would do it in a New York second, and would like to be the first to offer my paid per post services to the US government. Thus far, they have been unwilling to provide CoCo the Blogging Dog with any type of compensation or return my emails. I do not give up that easy! OK GI Joe, you are probably just wanting a sample to guage my Americanism. I understand. I am a spoiled American dog. I don't care where you are, America is better! Life is good. I have the largest collection of balls in the world! For lunch, I eat my patriotic stew of chicken and rice. At naptime, I am bundled in the American flag and rest easy. G-d bless America!

I am your dog

I am your dog, and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear. I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life. Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle. You smile at me; I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing for just a simple moment of your time? That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes to be with me.

So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of other of my kind, passing. Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat. Sometimes, we age so slowly before your eyes that you may not even seem to know until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes. Still the love is always there, even when we must take that long sleep, to run free in a distant land.

I may not be here tomorrow; I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed the water from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry at yourself that you did not have just "One more day" with me. Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me We have NOW, together. So come, sit down here next to me on the floor, and look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I, heart to heart. Come to me not as "alpha" or as "trainer" or even "Mom or Dad," come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes, and talk.

I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general. You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with. Someone very different from you, and here I am. I am a dog, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls. I do not think of you as a "Dog on two feet" -- I know what you are. You are human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still.

Now, come sit with me, on the floor. Enter my world, and let time slow down if only for 15 minutes. Look deep into my eyes, and whisper to my ears Speak with your heart, with your joy and I will know your true self. We may not have tomorrow, and life is oh so very short. --Love, (on behalf of canines everywhere)

Dog's Best Friend

Photographer: Stonee
Morguefile.com

Once upon a time, there was a dog. He had no friends. While all the animals in the forest had their own friendly groups and herds, the dog had none. He lived all alone in the forest.

Everybody needs company of family and friends the dog also began to feel the same. So, one day he set out in search of a friend. While roaming around, his eye fell on a rabbit. He decided do friendship with the rabbit. The dog went up to the rabbit and asked, "Would you like to be my friend? I am fed up with my lonely life. I feel bored. I can't live alone now."

Hearing this, the rabbit became thoughtful. "There is no harm in being a friend to a dog. I think I would like his company," rabbit thought.

He decided to accept dog's friendship. Both the dog and the rabbit spent the day together. At night, they went off to sleep under a tree.

The rabbit was dead asleep after a while but how could the dog do so? It was just not in his nature to sleep soundly at night. He would wake up and bark on hearing the slightest noise.

Whenever the dog barked, the rabbit would get startled out of his sleep soundly at night. He would wake up and bark on hearing the slightest noise.

Whenever the dog barked, the rabbit would get startled out of sleep. When this happened several times at night, the rabbit was irritated.

"Why don't you sleep? What if a wolf comes on hearing your barks? He will finish both of us."

Hearing this, the dog fell silent. But he became thoughtful. "This rabbit seems to be a cowardly animal. I can't be a friend with a coward. Why shouldn't I be friendly with a wolf? He is, perhaps, a very brave animal."

Having decided this, the dog left the rabbit who was still sleeping and set out in search of a wolf.

He happened to come across a wolf in the early hours of morning. He said to the wolf in an affectionate tone," Wolf Brother, I am looking for a friend. Will you be my friend?"

"A dog can bring me no harm. I won't mind having him as a friend."

Thus, both the dog and the wolf became great chums.

At night both of them slept under a tree. The wolf fell asleep as soon as lay down. But how could the dog sleep? As per his nature, he would wake up every now and then and bark.

The wolf felt disturbed. Scolding the dog, he howled, "Why are you making so much noise? Don't you feel sleepy? What if a bear comes here on hearing your noise? He will gladly eat both us."

The dog kept quiet on hearing this. "This wolf is also not very brave. He is scared of a bear. The bear, I suppose, is braver and more intelligent than the wolf. Then, I think, It is better to make the bear my friend," decided the dog.

Leaving the sleeping wolf, the dog began to began to search for a bear. The next day, the dog met a bear. The dog talked to him politely and affectionately.

"Bear brother, I have been roaming in the forest all alone for many years now. I need a friend. I can't live alone. Would you like to be my friend?"

The bear thought, "A dog is weak animal. I should not have any problems in accepting him as my friend."

he thus agreed to be the dog's friend. Both he and the dog ate together and roamed throughout the whole day. At night, they went off to sleep whole day. At night, they went off to sleep while but the dog was not.

He would begin to bark time and again. The bear could not sleep properly. In his irritation, he scolded the dog, "Be quiet. If a man hears your barks, he will come and kill both of us."

The dog, then, left the sleeping bear and began to search for a man. He set out towards a village. On the way, he saw a wood-cutter. The dog went and stood in front of him. He began to wag his tail in a friendly manner.

The man looked at the dog for a while and then he moved forward. The dog began to follow him, soon, the woodcutter reached his home. The dog remained standing out in the courtyard. The woodcutter then gave the dog a chapatti.

The dog began to eat the chapatti with relish. At night the woodcutter slept on a cot in the verandah while the dog lay down nearby on the floor.

During the night, the dog woke up several times. He barked also. At one time, woodcutter woke up. "It seems the dog is still hungry", thought he. "That is why he is not able to sleep. Anyway, it is good also. The thieves and dacoits will keep away from my house on hearing his barks".

Then, the woodcutter lay down on his bed and fell into deep slumber. The dog kept barking. But neither the woodcutter nor any other member of his family woke up.

The dog thought, "This man is good. He is very kind and loving. I'm proud to have him as my friend. He is not frightened of a lion also".

It is said that since that time, the dog is man's friend and man is dog's best friend.