RESPONSE to this blog RECEIVED FROM OWNER OF RALPHIE!!
I was sent the link to your blog, and I thought you would be interested in this… http://www.flickr.com/photos/danakay/sets/72057594054088045/
They are very happy and make every day special.
Dana
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[These pix and story are going around in emails but worth repeating... warms your heart!]
The story begins with the rescuers finding this poor little guy they named Ralphie that someone had already taken under their wing but weren’t equipped to adopt;
Ralphie, scared and starved, joined his rescuers…
I wouldn’t think anything could live thru this… but we were wrong.
This little lady survived that wreckage.
Here she is just placed in the car - scared, but safe.
and then… no longer alone!
Instant friends, they comforted each other while in the car.
Add two more beagles found after that… the more, the merrier!
Oh boy, a new traveler to add to the mix… (note: the cat coming over the seat needing shelter…) now just how is this going to work???
It’s going to work just fine, thank you very much!
Wow! The things we learn from our animal friends…
If only all of mankind could learn such valuable lessons as this. Lessons of instant friendship. Of peace and harmony by way of respect for one another — no matter one’s color or creed.
These animals tell you… “It’s just good to be alive and with others.”
“Life’s a Gift… Unwrap It!”
[THANKS to friend and contributor DD for passing this along! And ENDLESS THANKS to all the selfless, generous folks who have done what they could to help out after the disaster of Katrina.]
Rat poison found in recalled pet food
POSTED today at CNNMoney.com.
A chemical used in rat poison was found as the source of contamination in Menu Foods brands, officials say. POSTED March 23, 2007:
TORONTO (Reuters) — Menu Foods Income Fund, whose pet food has been blamed for at least 14 deaths of cats and dogs, does not know how a toxic substance got into its product, company officials said Friday.
Executives told reporters in Toronto that they will begin testing all suspect raw materials and consider the possibility of tampering to be “remote.”
[Includes Video]
Two pet owners are suing the manufacturer. CNN’s Alina Cho reports. (March 23)
Earlier in the day, New York state officials said aminopterin, an ingredient used in rat poison, was found in small samples of the Ontario company’s wet cat food. “Some raw material has entered our supply chain that did not meet the quality that had been represented,” Menu Foods President Paul Henderson said at a press conference.
The two U.S. manufacturing plants where the tainted “cuts and gravy” style food came from are still in operation, Henderson said. They are located in Emporia, Kansas, and Pennsauken, New Jersey.
Class action suit filed against Menu foods
Menu Foods recalled millions of pounds of wet pet food under various brand names a week ago. It is sticking with its initial cost estimate of the recall of $26 million to $35 million.
Asked about compensation for medical bills for sick pets, Henderson said “to the extent that we identify that the cause of any expenses incurred are related to the food, Menu will take responsibility for that.”
The Mississauga, Ontario-based company is already the target of lawsuits over the recall. To determine whether cat and dog food is subject to recall, consumers should refer to the list of brand names (”listed products”) at www.menufoods.com/recall.
Shares of Menu Foods (Charts) rebounded 30.8 percent on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Friday, after they took a heavy beating earlier this week. The pet food is sold nationwide by retailers including Kroger (down $0.04 to $28.31, Charts), Safeway (up $0.62 to $36.85, Charts), Wal-Mart (down $0.10 to $47.91, Charts), PetSmart (up $0.76 to $32.70, Charts) and Pet Valu (up $0.00 to $75.73, Charts).
Rat poison found in pet food, official says… as reported by CNN earlier today. POSTED: March 23, 2007
Story Highlights
• NEW: Rat poison identified as aminopterin found in pet food
• NEW: Substance also used to treat cancer
• Class-action lawsuit filed against manufacturer
• Recall announced March 16 after cats and dogs suffer renal failure
ALBANY, New York (AP) — Rat poison has been found in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs, a spokeswoman for the State Department of Agriculture and Markets said Friday.
The toxin was identified as aminopterin, state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said in a statement. Aminopterin is used to kill rats in some countries but is not registered for that use in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The officials did not say how they believed it got into the pet food. The substance was found at a level of at least 40 parts per million in tested cat food samples, according to Donald Smith, dean of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
Aminopterin, also used as a cancer drug, is highly toxic in high doses. It inhibits the growth of malignant cells and suppresses the immune system. The Food and Drug Administration has said the investigation was focusing on wheat gluten in the food. Wheat gluten itself would not cause kidney failure, but the common ingredient could have been contaminated by heavy metals or mold toxins, the FDA said.
State and FBI officials said they knew of no criminal investigations in the case.
The pet deaths led to a recall of 60 million cans and pouches of pet food produced by Menu Foods and sold throughout North America under 95 brand names. There have been several reports of kidney failure in pets that ate the recalled brands, and the company has confirmed the deaths of 15 cats and one dog.
Menu Foods last week recalled “cuts and gravy” style dog and cat food. The recall sparked concern among pet owners across North America. It includes food sold under store brands carried by Wal-Mart, Kroger, Safeway and other large retailers, as well as private labels such as Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba.
Menu Foods is majority owned by Menu Foods Income Fund of Streetsville. The company also makes foods for zoo cats, but those products are unaffected by the recall. The company’s chief executive and president said Menu Foods delayed announcing the recall until it could confirm that the animals had eaten its product before dying. Two earlier complaints from consumers whose cats had died involved animals that lived outside or had access to a garage, which left open the possibility they had been poisoned by something other than contaminated food, he said.
Menu Foods planned a media teleconference for later Friday, a spokesman said. A spokesman for New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said he was not aware of any criminal investigation involving the tainted food. FBI spokesman Paul Holstein in Albany said Friday he was not aware of any FBI involvement in the case. “I don’t know where we’ll go from here,” he said.
A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates was posted online by Menu Foods. www.menufoods.com/recall/.
The company also designated two phone numbers that pet owners could call for information: (866) 463-6738 and (866) 895-2708.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - UPDATE SUBMITTED BY CD; see petArtistWithPeaches original posting of March 19 here cat and dog foods recall. Looks like the wire service got hold of it, of course…
The bulldog, TILLMAN skateboarding from Venice to Ventura. His name is Tillman, he is 1.5 years old and gets better every time we skate. In memory of Stoli.
Thanks to friend and contributor CT for sharing this one!! Really amazing!
Darla was riding her skateboard and clips the wall, normally she leans away from it and keeps on cruising. She lives in SoCal and rides the local skateparks and beaches.
RECALL list for Cuts and gravy wet/canned pet foods and foil pouch pet foods under various brand names. A precautionary recall is being undertaken by Menu Foods Income Fund. Their info provided below reveals that the products MIGHT POSSIBLY be related to renal health problems; emails going around say it might be worse.
UPDATE PER NPR radio report Mar. 20, Manufacturer Recalls Dog, Cat Food… 60 million cans are recalled… 9 cats and a dog have died from kidney failure… possibly related to contaminated wheat gluten…
PRESS RELEASE (from the Menufoods website)
March 16, 2007
Menu Foods Income Fund Announces Precautionary Dog and Cat Food Recall
TORONTO, ONTARIO–(CCNMatthews - March 16, 2007) -
NOT FOR RELEASE OVER US NEWSWIRE SERVICES
Attention Business/Financial Editors
Menu Foods Income Fund (the “Fund”) (TSX:MEW.UN) today announced the precautionary recall of a portion of the dog and cat food it manufactured between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. The recall is limited to “cuts and gravy” style pet food in cans and pouches manufactured at two of the Fund’s United States facilities. These products are both manufactured and sold under private-label and are contract-manufactured for some national brands.
Over the past several days, the Fund has received feedback in the United States (none in Canada) raising concerns about pet food manufactured since early December, and its impact on the renal health of the pets consuming the products. Shortly after receipt of the first complaint, the Fund initiated a substantial battery of technical tests, conducted by both internal and external specialists, but has failed to identify any issues with the products in question. The Fund has, however, discovered that timing of the production associated with these complaints, coincides with the introduction of an ingredient from a new supplier. The Fund stopped using this ingredient shortly after this discovery and production since then has been undertaken using ingredients from another source.
At the same time, the Fund’s largest customer, for which it manufactures on a contract basis, received a small number of consumer complaints and has initiated its own recall. Furthermore, for the time being, the customer has put future orders for cuts and gravy products on hold. This customer’s cuts and gravy purchases in 2006 represented approximately 11% of the Fund’s annual revenue. “We take these complaints very seriously and, while we are still looking for a specific cause, we are acting to err on the side of caution” said Paul K. Henderson, President and CEO, Menu Foods. “We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that our products maintain the very highest quality standards.”
While the number of complaints has been relatively small, Menu is taking this proactive step out of an abundance of caution, because the health and well-being of pets is paramount to the Fund. In addition to changing suppliers, for production after March 6, the Fund has increased testing of all raw materials and finished goods. It is also working closely with regulatory authorities and its customers to learn more and will take whatever additional actions are appropriate. The Fund estimates that based on currently available information, this recall could cost between $30 million and $40 million, which will be financed from a combination of internally generated cash flow and bank credit facilities. Furthermore, the Fund is aggressively producing product, utilizing a different supplier for the ingredient in question, to replenish customers as quickly as possible.
In order to determine whether cat and dog food in their possession is subject to recall, consumers should refer to the list of brand names (”listed products”) at www.menufoods.com/recall. This will be available by 6 a.m. Saturday March 17, 2007. Products not identified on the website can continue to be used.
Menu is the leading North American private-label/contract manufacturer of wet pet food products sold by supermarket retailers, mass merchandisers, pet specialty retailers and other retail and wholesale outlets. In 2006, the Fund produced more than one billion containers.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Menu Foods Income Fund
Consumers
1-866-895-2708
Website: www.menufoods.com
[ED. NOTE: I do wonder why this is NOT for release over US NewsWire Services...]
My friend CA sends these pics of her horse Sunny, a quarterhorse (I think) gelding 3 years old. Isn’t he handsome? We had a sorrel quarterhorse mare, Odie, for a few years and she really was muscled too. Sunny is started under saddle. CA and I used to trail ride together all over the neighborhood, years ago where we used to live.
Also below are CA’s two adopted doggies!
Sunny, CA’s young quarterhorse, trotting, galloping, grazing, being a horse. He is 3 years old.
Chip, adopted by CA July 2003
Coconut, adopted October 2005 into CA’s animal-loving home!
Although son Ezra was delayed arriving in Anchorage, his friend Scott (who lives there) DID video the start of the 2007 Iditarod on Saturday–
The start of the 2007 Alaskan Iditarod in Anchorage, Alaska, taken from Cordova Street downtown. The street was plowed with snow and the teams ran down the hill and across the Chester Creek Sports park.
Reading on the Iditarod site, I was curious about their second start/restart on Sunday March 4. I discovered that Saturday might be termed a media-event start. The mushers stage an 11-mile run to the first checkpoint and many if not all of them are carrying a PASSENGER in the sled who has won the ride by being highest bidder on the musher of their choice at Auction last fall.
The RE-start on Sunday preserves the running positions and gets them all off on the REAL race. Well wouldn’t that be something!
2007– the 35th Iditarod sled dog race! 1,150 miles, Anchorage to Nome. See Iditarod Insider video Introduction to the 35th Race and more at iditarod.com. By subscribing ($19.95/yr.) you can watch live streaming video of start and finish, online video clips, updates throughout the race etc.
Prepare for the start of the 35th Iditarod sled dog race! 1,150 miles, Anchorage to Nome. See Iditarod Insider video Introduction to the 35th Race and more at iditarod.com. By subscribing ($19.95/yr.) you can watch live streaming video of start and finish, online video clips, updates throughout the race etc.
And guess what– our son Ezra will BE in Anchorage for the start, that lucky dog!! I’m hoping to get pix and some video from him! For myself, I plan to be at our local sled dog derby out of Laconia, NH, run by Lakes Region Sled Dog Club (March 2,3, & 4.)
Entrants in Laconia World Championship Sled Dog Derby (NH 2002)
ADDENDUM:
ED. NOTE: our son Ezra, student pilot, visited Alaska (Anchorage area) for the first time March 4-8. Sadly, bad weather and flight delays caused him to miss the Iditarod start… : (
FORTUNATELY THOUGH, his friend Scott DID video the start of the Iditarod which I have posted!
I’m happy to invite you to PEACHES’ PICKS, a NEW STORE for Horse and Pet Lovers! Just released are some new books about Barbaro.
At Peaches’ Picks it’s easy for you to find those special goodies and gifts for horse and pet addicts… HORSE BOOK STORE horse art and photography books, horse books for children, horse and rider health, horse calendars, hoof care books HORSE JEWELRY charms, bracelets, earrings, children’s watches… HORSE WEAR FOR PEOPLE clothing, shoes, accessories, kids and baby wear DOG BOOK STORE dog books for children, dog & puppy care, dog calendars, dog art & photography books CAT BOOK STORE cat books for children, cat & kitten care, cat calendars, cat art & photography books
Peaches’ Picks items are categorized by horses, dogs and cats, and searchable for your browsing convenience. New items are being added and updated regularly. Sponsored by Amazon.com.
Shop at PEACHES’ PICKS and help feed Connie’s horses AND PEACHES! (Really!) THANK YOU FOR LOOKING!!!
FYI- advertisements on this blog and on my website, as well as all links to other sites and blogs, are selected to be pertinent, useful and appropriate. Please report to me should you find ANY substandard content. YOUR PRIVACY WILL ALWAYS BE RESPECTED.
Email to Connie: connie@PortraitsWithHorses.com
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Connie Moses– Blog:petArtistWithPeaches website:PortraitsWithHorses.com (horse and pet portraits)
Moving, sad, amazing, watch at your own risk if you’re emotional about animals. She was born with no front legs but is able to walk like a human… you have to see it to believe it! Dog named Faith was featured on Montel Williams show.
