more on the pet food recall

"I think it is very disturbing when people think that animals should be tested on for any medical advancement or any reason at all.


I think any creature that is forced to suffer cruelty for the so called advancement of another species is truly unspeakable.

There is never a need to be cruel.
Just my opinion."

I respect your opinion, Becki. However, I disagree.

I don't think lipstick or shampoo needs testing on animals, but...

This cancer survivor is very mindful of and thankful for the rats and mice that died so that I could live a better (and longer and healthier) life.

I am also thankful for the thousands of women who underwent (and are undergoing) dozens of clinical trials to find out what the most effective treatments are.

Susan L.G.
 
Quite frankly, the issue of PETA really has nothing to do with the really serious issue of the Pet Food Recall. So let's be civilized. If you like PETA, good for you. If you don't, good for you. I'm not going to voice my opinion (and yes I have a very strong one) because I'd rather get us back on topic.

There are several products that are not on the list, are totally made in the US, and are made by companies who consider pet food as important as people food. I suggest going to a high quality pet store (not your local grocery store) and asking them what they suggest. They will know, especially now, and your buddy - the furry guy or gal who greets you at the door, loves you whole heartedly no matter what mood you're in, and simply wants to bask in your presence - is so totally worth it.

The Raw Food Diet is fine and very healthy for pets, but I'm sorry, I simply do not have time to make raw food for my dog. It's a lot of work and not for everyone. For those of you who do - wonderful! Do it, because it is the best. But for those who cannot, don't dispare - there are good pet foods out there.
 
Christine -

The beauty of feeding your pet raw food is that you don't have to make anything!

I buy a few two pound "chubs" for my dog each month, cut it into 8oz portions, freeze the portions in baggies and take them out to thaw as I need them. After thawing, all it takes is a minute in the microwave on low power and they're good to go!

The chubs I buy are made by a company called Bravo and come in typical flavors - chicken, beef, and lamb, and venison. You can also purchase exotic meats like quail and ostrich (for quite bit more $$) as well as buffalo.

Susan L.G.
 
Susan -

Funny- I live in the Bay Area where our pets are typically treated better than most animals, and I never knew you could find raw food for pets. I guess my search and rescue buddies prided themselves on being ultra tough and making it themselves... That is a pain. Thanks for the info. The puppy we are considering has been raised on a raw food diet, so I may just keep that up in light of all the recalls.
 
andtckrtoo/Christine

Christine,

I completely know where you are coming from. A few years ago, I used to cook for my dogs and it was soooooo time consuming that I fell of track and went back to kibble/canned food (not the supermarket brands or Petsmart brands though) for a year or so.

However, when I got my mini aussie, Scooter, last year, I started looking into the whole raw food/home made diet for dogs again. I found that things had improved dramatically and you could get frozen meat, etc. for the dogs and it usually takes me a few minutes to get their food ready.

So now I get Bravo (like Susan), Nature's Logic and Primal. Primal sells frozen turkey necks, chicken necks, chicken backs, raw buffalo and beef bones. Aside from the Primal stuff, I mostly feed them ground chicken, beef, lamb, sardines, buffalo, salmon, green tripe and cottage cheese, mixed with Dr. Harvey's Canine Health, Dr. Harvey's Veg-to-Bowl, Honest Kitchen grain and veggie mix. I will add either salmon oil or Dream Coat (Halo), vitamin C, probiotics and either Wysong Call of the Wild or Missing Link.

All of the above companies have pre-mixed formulas (veggies and meat only), but I prefer to buy the meat-only and mix it with my veggies,grain and supplements. It is easier for me than to thaw and bring the pre-mixed formulas to room temperature, because the veggie/grain mix is already hot and brings the cold meat to room temperature.

I have a great company here in AZ who does free home delivery of my dog food if I order over $ 50 and they have awesome prices, I am sure there is something like that in the Bay Area.

I think you are in the San Jose area, I know there is a company in the Sacramento area who does delivery of Oma's Pride (good company - just too expensive to ship to AZ), they have a huge variety at reasonable prices. Check it out at www.thek9schoice.com. Other than that you can just find out who distributes Primal, Bravo, Country Pet and Nature's Logic in your area.

I hope I am not sounding like I am showing off, but all three of my mini aussies went to a dog show this past weekend and they did exceptionally well, all of them won or placed in their classes, and we did get written critiques, ALL of the 4 judges said, "phenomenal coat", exceptional shape and coat", and "pigmentation and coat is extraordinary". I do think it has something to do with their diet!!!

On a different note, I have followed your posts about Tucker and his story really made me tear up (and flat out bawl) on many occassions. Tucker sounded like such a terrific dog, looking at his pictures, he reminds me of my little boy, Tuxedo, he looks like the spitting image of Tucker (just smaller), Tuxedo does the wiggle butt and grin thing as well. I can't tell you how sorry I am, this happened to Tucker and your family. What a tremendous loss!!!!!
I don't know what I would do if I lost my little buddy and confident!!!!! It just makes me hug him a little closer and tell him a little more, how much I love him!

Take care, Christine!!!

Carola
 
RE: andtckrtoo/Christine

Thanks Carola - it is tough. Aussies are like no other dog out there, I swear. They are not for everyone - they can and do out-think us on a regular basis and they need exercise - LOTS of exercise, but they are such incredible dogs. I often say they have the intelligence of a border collie and the temperment of a golden if raised well. I'm glad the spirit of Tuck lives on in Tuxedo. And you are getting the grins and wiggles. So special - and hug him for me will ya? I miss my buddy more than I can ever say. Every morning I cry of his ashes and talk to him as if he were there.
 
RE: andtckrtoo/Christine

>Thanks Carola - it is tough. Aussies are like no other dog
>out there, I swear. They are not for everyone - they can and
>do out-think us on a regular basis and they need exercise -
>LOTS of exercise, but they are such incredible dogs. I often
>say they have the intelligence of a border collie and the
>temperment of a golden if raised well. I'm glad the spirit of
>Tuck lives on in Tuxedo. And you are getting the grins and
>wiggles. So special - and hug him for me will ya? I miss my
>buddy more than I can ever say. Every morning I cry of his
>ashes and talk to him as if he were there.

Christine,

I totally agree with you, Aussies are like no other dogs! I got my first mini aussie (he is on the tall side though, he is 17.5 inches, so almost a small standard aussie) last year in April, because I wanted to have a work-out buddy and someone to keep me accountable and he sure has done his job! From there I got two more of them and they are TERRIFIC. I am out with them a LOT more than I anticipated, 45 to 90 min at the dog park every morning plus 60 to 90 min. walk in the evening, plus agility and herding classes a couple of times every week

I saw from a different thread that you are looking at another puppy. If that one doesn't work out, I just wanted to let you know that one of my minis, Pepper, will be having puppies by the end of the year and I have the first choice of one puppy (I co-own Pepper with the breeder).
If you haven't found the right dog for your family by then, I'd be happy to give one of her puppies to you (no charge), I am not looking to make any money, I just want the puppy to have a great home. You can go to http://www.boldheartminiaussies.com/puppies3.html to see her last litter on the "puppies " page (very bottome), it's the last 9 puppies they are showing. They look soooo much like her and they have her personality, she is such a hoot.

I don't think any puppy would ever be able to replace Tucker but you may be able to give another wonderful dog a great home, in Tucker's honor!!!! Let me know!

Carola
 
RE: andtckrtoo/Christine

What adorable puppies! Oh my - I think I want them all! I really do appreciate the offer. It's very sweet - I know how expensive it is to raise a litter of puppies.

If this pup is everything his breeder says he is, we'll go with him - we're going to meet him next Saturday - scroll down to "Bobby"

http://www.blackvelvetaussies.com/html/puppies.html

It's so funny because I've been talking to the breeder and we'll probably change his name to Black Velvet Blackout Blues and have his call name "Pepper" after Pepper Adams, the incredible jazz saxophonist. So between Pepper and Tuxedo we're pretty close in the "Name that Aussie" game. The litter is all named after musicians. I like the breeder's philosophy and I like her ideas on raising puppies and dogs.

I know I will never replace my buddy. He was a once in a life time dog, but a think another Aussie will go a long way towards filling in some of the void Tucker left behind.

Okay, so now I'm hijacking the thread. Sorry everyone!
 
RE: andtckrtoo/Christine

>If this pup is everything his breeder says he is, we'll go
>with him - we're going to meet him next Saturday - scroll down
>to "Bobby"
>
>http://www.blackvelvetaussies.com/html/puppies.html
>
>It's so funny because I've been talking to the breeder and
>we'll probably change his name to Black Velvet Blackout Blues
>and have his call name "Pepper" after Pepper Adams, the
>incredible jazz saxophonist. So between Pepper and Tuxedo
>we're pretty close in the "Name that Aussie" game.

Awwwwwwwwwhhhhhh, he is soooooooo adorable, Christine!!!! I hope it works out. I LOVE the name Pepper.

Oh my gosh, Christine, the breeder is from Germany, no wonder they are so admante about the dog's diet :). Oh boy, I am ready to get some of their dogs, my DH will throw me out though, if I come home with another dog :)

Keep us posted. When do you think you can get him?


I am with you on Pepper's pups being adorable, don't know how I ever will be able to give any of them up, once she has them. It'll be tough, I need to buy a farm, so I can keep all of them :)

Good luck!

Carola
 
RE: andtckrtoo/Christine

Sent you a PM Carola.

So which dry food is anyone trusting nowadays? I'm switching my dry food and I'll mix in raw food. It should be interesting.
 
RE: andtckrtoo/Christine

Christine -

In light of full disclosure, I stole all my best pet food ideas from Carola - LOL!

Our Lab rescue hasn't lost all her weight yet, but her coat is more beautiful and she's just as energetic as always - even more so, truth be told. Noy bad for a seven year old dog, I guess. :)

Susan L.G.
 
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