"Science"

Kitten needs a home!

Forwarding this message from Terry - this kitten needs a home...

My friend and I found this kitten,  or rather she found us last weekend.  My friend has been fostering her in her garage.  I thought I had a home for her but it fell through.  Will you please send this out to all PET PAL members and ask if anyone knows of a home for her?

I would guess she is 2-3 months old.  She is very affectionate.  She is much cuter than she looks in the picture.  She is golden and black, her eyes are the same golden as her fur.  She will have her first visit to the vet in the morning.

Please email me at beno08.com or call me at 319-239-6865 if you have a home for this girl.

Thanks.

Terry Hertges

Happy Friday!

Ten tips to keep your pet safe this Summer!

Summer officially kicked off Wednesday with the summer solstice, and if you're experiencing anything like the weather in the East Coast - you're already feeling the heat.

With summer in full swing, dog owners are anxious to get their pets - and themselves - off the couch and out in the sunshine. But as tempting as it may be to  take Fido with you during your summer jaunts, remember that the sweltering heat can take its toll on your dog. From WebVet, here are 10 important things to remember as you and your dog prepare for the summer heat:

Dogs Suffer from Heat Stroke
Like humans, dogs can quickly come down with a bad case of heat stroke. However, unlike people, our canine counterparts have very limited ability to cool off by sweating. Dogs have sweat glands on their foot pads only. Their main mechanism for cooling down is panting and it can be insufficient to lower body temperature on a very hot day.
More from WebVet: 11 Ways To Protect Your Pet From Heat Stroke

Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Whether your dog is playing in the back yard or you're exercising with your dog in the park, make sure you always have an ample supply of water on hand. At home, make sure his or her water bowl is in the shade so the water stays as cool as possible and so your pet doesn't run the risk of burning its tongue on an over-heated bowl. An easy way to do this is to use half ice and half cold water. If you're out and about with your pet carry an extra bottle of water with you and bring along a small container from which they can drink.

Walk in the Cooler Hours
In the hot summer months, consider walking your dog either in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is least harsh. Additionally, be sure to walk your dog on grass or dirt to avoid burning their paws on the hot pavement and provide access to shade at all times.

Protect your Dog from fleas, ticks and other Pests
As summer nears, it's important to provide your pet with proper treatment for the prevention of heartworms, ticks and fleas. Depending upon the climate in which you live there are varying guidelines, check with your pet's vet to ensure you're doing everything possible to protect your pet. Make sure your vet knows all of the products you are using as well as all the medication your pet is on to prevent any drug interactions. If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, also look into purchasing a pet-safe bug repellent to prevent annoying insect bites.

Avoid Crowded Summer Events
While it might seem like a good idea to bring your pooch along to the local festival or parade, your dog is almost always better off at home. The heat, noise, crowds and general excitement can be physically and emotionally taxing for your pet causing a great deal of anxiety and stress.

Do your Homework before Shaving your Dog
In the heat of the summer, many pet owners believe it's best to shave their dogs - and in some cases it is. In others, it's not such a good idea. If your dog is a swimmer, gets easily matted, tends to shed a lot or spends a lot of time outdoors, you might want to consider a summer shave. Reasons not to shave your dog include that their fur provides protection from the sun, biting flies, and mosquitoes. Believe it or not, many dogs feel "naked" and vulnerable without their coats. Always check with your vet before shaving your dog in the summer.

Dogs Need Protection from the Sun
As in people, overexposure to UV rays can give your dog a nasty case of sunburn, peeling skin, painful inflammation and also increase the risk of skin cancer. Because dogs have fur, people often assume they are not in danger of getting sunburned. This isn't true. While fur does provide some level of sun protection, the bridge of the nose, ear tips, skins around the lips and other areas lacking pigmentation are highly susceptible to sun damage. There are specially formulated sunscreens available for dogs but check with your vet to find the best solution for your pet.

Not all Dogs are born Swimmers
Swimming with your dog is great exercise and can also provide relief from summer heat. Despite popular belief, not all dogs were born to swim. Theoretically all dogs can swim, however, some breeds such as Bulldogs, Basset hounds and Pugs have more difficulty than others. When encouraging your dog to swim it's important to know its physical ability, stamina, body shape, condition and breathing ability. Fit your dog with a PFD (personal flotation device) if you are not sure about his swimming ability or if you plan on taking him boating. Life jackets made for dogs keep their head above water and have a handle on the back to make it easier to grab them out of the water. The most important thing is to remember to never force the dog, take is slow, have reasonable expectations and have fun.
More from WebVet: Teaching your pooch to paddle

Exercise Good Water Safety for your Dog
There are many safety precautions you should take when your dog is around water. First and foremost, make sure your dog can swim. Other dangers are less about the dog and more about the place they are swimming. The key to water safety is to be aware of your surroundings, make sure your pet is wearing a floatation device, never let your pet drink the water in which it is swimming, and always hose off your pet after swimming. If boating with your pet remember the following: dogs get seasick too so be prepared, make sure your pet has proper identification or is micro chipped in case it falls overboard and is picked up by another boater or swims to land, and remember, dogs don't know how to use the head so have a potty plan in mind.

Never Leave your Dog in the Car
You should NEVER leave your dog in the car no matter how brief a time. A car can heat up quickly even when it's relatively mild outside, even with the windows cracked. On a summer day temperatures inside a vehicle can climb in minutes and can spike more than 40 degrees in just an hour. While you think you're making your dog happy by bringing it along for the ride, you could very well be jeopardizing its safety. And you know the old adage: Better safe than sorry.

Cedar Falls Pizza Ranch: Come Eat With Us!

Please print out copies to hand out to family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, vets, etc.  We get 7% of the sales that day, so let's encourage people to "eat with us" that night. 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20th!

Corrina Coverdale is in charge of this event. If you have any questions, please contact her at corrinac@mchsi.com or at 233-6743.

Camels are coming!

The Camels are coming to spend the night on Sunday, May 13. These camels will be hosted at the home of Dennis and Linda Nebbe by the Nebbe’s and P.E.T. P.A.L.S. and the Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project. The Camels, Sage and Phoenix and their Camel Steward, Stuart, will be traveling from Sacred Camel Gardens (http://sacredcamelgardens.com/) in California to their new home at Green Chimneys Farm (http://www.greenchimneys.org/) in upper New York State.

Visiting with Stuart, the Camel Steward, and with Green Chimneys I know they are planning PR around this event. Stuart welcomes visitors and photographers to see the camels and I will be informing and inviting students, people associated with P.E.T. P.A.L.S. and Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project, and others who are interested as well to meet the camels. (My grandchildren are coming too!  :  ))

Green Chimneys Farm is a residential treatment program for children with special needs. These camels will be Animal-Assisted Therapy Camels and join many other animals that are part of the Green chimneys program. To learn more about this program please go to their web site and to learn more about the camels please go to their web site!  (http://www.greenchimneys.org/)  (http://sacredcamelgardens.com/)

The camels are slated to arrive between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. If you wish to meet the camels, please come between 6:00 and 7:30. You will need to park on the road in from of our home. Also please approach calmly and respectfully! I live at

2027 S. Union Road.

Travel west of UNI on University to the corner of Union Road. Turn south (left) and go .8 of a mile, just past the next intersection.

Some background:

Throughout my professional career, much which has focused on Animal-Assisted Therapy, I have traveled around the country/world and made many friends in the field. I was asked by one of these, Michael Kaufmann now Farm and Wildlife Director at Green Chimneys Farm in New York State, to help them out by offering a place for the camels to spend the night on their trip from California to New York.

In our counseling program here at UNI I teach a class in Animal/Nature Assisted Therapy. The students from that class (in collaboration with community organizations PET PALS and Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project) offer an "Animal Camp" for "children who would benefit" from the experience. The camel visitors are exciting because the camels offer a unique (and I have to say unusual and fun) connection to the larger profession of AAT.

Pet Food Recall

Distributor States Canidae, Natural Balance, and one Wellness Product Recalled

• Written By: Susan Thixton  5-4-2012

he following information was just forwarded to me from an Independent Pet Store - from their Distributor, Phillips Feed and Pet Supply.  As of this posting, this information has not been confirmed on the respective pet food company's websites.  This was from a major pet food distributor, forwarded to me by a caring Independent Pet Food Retailer.  I assume this information will become public soon, and will be posted as soon as I have it.

May 4, 2012

Dear Valued Retailer,
A few brands announced a recall late Friday, May 4th 2012.  We are starting
to get information in and will pass along updates and information as it
becomes available.  The information below is preliminary and each one of the brands below is preparing factual statements and processes and will be loading them on their individual web sites.  Once they have finalized this information, we will also be loading it onto our web site under the forms button for your reference.   

The following brands have issued a voluntary recall.  More information will be following as it is released.

The below Diamond Pet Dry Dog Food Brands - To determine if what you have is
affected, you should check the production codes on the back of bags that
have a number "2" or a "3" in the 9th or 10th digit and an "X" in the 11th digit.
The best-before dates for the recalled brands are December 9, 2012 through
April 7, 2013.  Please note- not all Diamond brands were produced on the affected plant manufacturing lines. Phillips receives products from numerous Diamond plants.  Also, no cat or can skus are affected.

    * Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul - All skus
    * Country Value - All Skus
    * Diamond - All Skus
    * Diamond Naturals - All Skus
    * Premium Edge - All Skus
    * Professional - All Skus
    * Taste of the Wild - All Skus

The below Wellness sku with a Best by Date of January 9, 10, & 11th  2013:

Wellness Large Breed Puppy in 15 pound and 30 pound

May 4th, 2012- No other Wellness skus were affected.

Please note that no salmonella cases have been reported on Wellpet. They are recalling for the safety of the pet and the pet parent.

The below Natural Balance Skus:

5 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog; Best By Date: December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; March 12, 2013

15 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog; Best By Date: December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; December 14, 2012; March 5, 2013; March 6, 2013

28 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog; Best By Date: December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; December 14, 2012; March 5, 2013; March 6, 2013; March 7, 2013; March 8, 2013; March 12, 2013

5 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog; Best By Date: December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012

15 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog; Best By Date: December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012

28 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog; Best By Date: December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012

5 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog; Best By Date: December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012

15 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog; Best By Date: December 9, 2012; December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012

28 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog; Best By Date: December 9, 2012; December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012

5 LB Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog; Best By Date: December 9, 2012

28 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Large Breed Bites; Best By Date: December 12, 2012; December 20, 2012; December 21, 2012

5 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites; Best By Date: December 21, 2012

12.5 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites; Best By Date: December 21, 2012


May 4, 2012- Please note that only these 5 flavors of Natural Balance were affected. The other flavors are produced on other lines and plants.

Please note that no salmonella cases have been reported on Natural Balance. They are recalling for the safety of the pet and the pet parent.

The below Canidae skus with production codes that have both a number "3" in the 9th or 10th digit and an "X" in the 11th digit with a best before dates of December 9, 2012, through January 31, 2013 which are being recalled.

Canidae Dog, All Life Stages
Canidae Dog, Chicken Meal & Rice
Canidae Dog, Lamb Meal & Rice
Canidae Dog, Platinum


A message from Canidae:

It is with regret that we are reporting a voluntary recall on a limited production run of CANIDAE dry dog food produced out of the Diamond Pet Foods South Carolina plant. Even though not one of our products have been tested positive for Salmonella, it is out of pure precaution that this product is being removed from the market place. We are working diligently to make this process as seamless as possible for you, our retailers and consumers.

Although there have been no animal or human illnesses related to Canidae Pet Food, and the product has not tested positive for Salmonella, the company has voluntarily initiated this recall out of caution to ensure the health and safety of consumers and their pets.

Following is an example of how to read the production code and best before date:

Production Code                              Best Before Date
FDE0104R5 3X TS                              10 - January - 2013      

The recall affects only products distributed in the following Eastern U.S. states which were manufactured at the Diamond Pet Food Gaston, South Carolina plant. Further distribution to other pet food channels may occur:

Florida, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee

Canidae Pet Foods apologizes for any potential issues this may have caused pet owners and their pets.

To ease this process, a returns/credit form will be posted on our web site soon. The form will request the following information:

Customer Name
Phillips Account Number
UPC
Lot Code
Best by Use Date
Quantity
Phillips Delivery Day
Product Description
Product Size


As of this posting, this information has not been confirmed on the respective pet food company's websites.  This was from a major pet food distributor, forwarded to me by a caring Independent Pet Food Retailer.  I assume this information will become public soon, and will be posted as soon as I have it.

Community Day Booklets: Info

P.E.T. P.A.L.S. will be selling coupon books in Younkers at one of the entrances at the College Square store on Friday, April 27 between 11-1pm and 1-3pm and on Saturday, April 28, between Noon and 2pm and 2-4pm. We haven't been assigned to an entrance yet, but you can say to look for us at a table at one of the doors into the store. There will be other groups selling coupon books, too, so  look for us with our official P.E.T. P.A.L.S. T-shirts on!

Community Day Booklets 2012

Once again, P.E.T. P.A.L.S. will be selling Younkers Community Day coupon books to raise money for our organization.  Since this is one of our main sources of income for the year, we depend on these funds to cover much of our operating expenses.

     This year, Younkers Community Day will be held on Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 – adding an extra day to take advantage of their sales and discount coupons.  Each coupon book costs only $5.00 and includes a $10 off coupon and many additional discount coupons.

The best part is that P.E.T. P.A.L.S. gets to keep all of the money from the sale of the booklets!!

     Coupon books will be available for purchase at the Volunteer Appreciation dinner.  Please help us by buying a coupon book.  If you can’t use it, buy it for someone else or buy one or more as a donation to P.E.T. P.A.L.S.!  Those needing coupon books, but are unable to attend the dinner, may contact someone on the advisory board.

Younker's!

Pet Pals volunteer Diane Hensley was at Younker's last Saturday working an entrance selling Community Day coupon books!

RECALL: Diamond's lamb & rice formula

Consumer Contact: 800-442-0402
Media Contact: 816-255-1974

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 06, 2012

Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice. This is being done as a precautionary measure, as the product has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. No illnesses have been reported and no other Diamond manufactured products are affected.

Individuals handling dry pet food can become infected with salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The product, Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice, was distributed to customers located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia, who may have further distributed the product to other states, through pet food channels.

Product Name                                    Production Code & “Best Before” Code
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice   6lb      DLR0101D3XALW Best Before 04 Jan 2013
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice  20lb     DLR0101C31XAG Best Before 03 Jan 2013
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice  40lb     DLR0101C31XMF Best Before 03 Jan 2013
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice  40lb     DLR0101C31XAG Best Before 03 Jan 2013
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice  40lb     DLR0101D32XMS Best Before 04 Jan 2013

Consumers who have purchased the Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice with the specific production and “Best Before” codes should discontinue feeding the product and discard it.

At Diamond Pet Foods, the safety of our products is our top priority. We apologize for any inconvenience this recall may have caused. For further information or to obtain a product refund please call us at 800-442-0402 or visit www.diamondpet.com.

Kitty Up 2012

Volunteer Appreciation Banquet 2012

Warning: 3 Major brands of dog treat causing illness

There’s a lot of advertising alongside the central story in this link, but the message is important.  I think it’s wise to check labels and avoid any dog food/treat products that use ingredients from China!

3 major brands may be tied to chicken jerky illness in dogs, FDA records show
http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/13/10657635-3-big-brands-may-be-tied-to-chicken-jerky-illness-in-dogs-fda-records-show

KITTY UP! 2012

 

Mark your calendar for KittyUp 2012, an event especially for cat lovers -- and it's free!  It sounds like a great event with many cat items for sale - plus a silent auction and door prizes. I believe there will even be cats up for adoption.  Please forward this to anyone who may be interested in attending.

Colby and Duke for Adoption!

Two more dogs looking for a home.  Please forward to family and friends.

The following 2 dogs are from different homes:

 

Colby (above):  Cocker Spaniel/Poodle mix.  2 years   Potty trained and basic obed. trained.  Not up to date on shots. He is neutered and very sweet; good with other dogs.

 

 

Duke (above):  he is 8 months old, not fixed, has had first set of shots, is good with kids and other dogs, not sure about cats. He has been to 2 homes and really needs a forever home. He is a sweet dog.

Both dogs come with a free "in home training" from me, Karen Anderson.

 Call: 319-215-3336

 

both dog's are free.....   a vet. reference check will be needed and possibly a home study to make sure they are good homes.

 

 

2012 Volunteer Appreciation Potluck

Pawsing to Care and Share

Volunteer Appreciation Potluck

            It will soon be time to share with our fellow volunteers and show how much we appreciate all of you at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.  We hope all of you will be able to paws from your busy schedules and share with us on March 26 at Faith Lutheran Church on the corner of West Fourth Street and Ridgeway Avenue in Waterloo.  This year our theme will be Pawsing to Care and Share, and P.E.T. P.A.L.S. will be serving a spaghetti dinner with breadsticks and iced tea and lemonade. Those attending should bring a salad or dessert.

            Some of our special guests and Activity Directors will share their P.E.T.  P.A.L.S. experiences with us. As always, there will also be door prizes as our thanks for pawsing to share your wonderful pets with so many people in the various facilities you visit. If you are associated with a business that would be willing to donate door prizes, please contact one of our Board Members.

            Because our dinner is in March this year, we hope that our winter weather is behind us. However, if we experience bad weather, check your email or the KWWL web site for cancellation information.

            Please RSVP by March 22 so we know how many will be in attendance. We look forward to sharing with our friends and fellow volunteers. It will be a wonderful evening!

            Last year, we really appreciated the help of so many of you as we were cleaning up and putting away tables and chairs. We hope we can count on you again this year at the conclusion of the evening.
 

When:             March 26 at 6:00 p.m.

Where:           Faith Lutheran Church, West 4^th Street and Ridgeway, Waterloo

RSVP by March 22 (We greatly appreciate those who respond!)

Name __________________________          Phone ____________________________

Number attending ________________          Email ____________________________

_______ Yes, I am willing to help with clean up.

 Send to:           Jan Thompsen

                        1320 Baltimore Street
                        Waterloo, IA 50702
Telephone:       234-8396

Some Days....you just need a hug

It's Simple.

Lucas and Juno

Rescued Belgian Malinois has special bond with ill boy

Lucas Hembree is a four-year old boy who suffers from Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare genetic disease, that causes an important enzyme to malfunction and not break down long sugar molecules in the body. As consequence, children with the disease suffer seizures and severe neurological damage and eventually loose the ability to speak, walk and eat. "The most catastrophic thing parents hear when they learn their child has this disease is that there's no cure or treatment available," says Lucas' father, Chester Hembree.

Lucas may not have many years remaining, but Chester and his wife Jennifer, want their son to experience the best quality of life while he can. So when Lucas began to have difficultly walking, Chester investigated getting a service dog to help Lucas. "I was told that a service dog would cost at least $15,000, and that Lucas wasn’t a good candidate because of his deteriorating abilities and his behavior," Chester says. "I refused to accept this answer."

Chester began searching online, and found Juno, a Belgian Malinois, who was scheduled to be put down. "I came across a posting about her on a rescue group’s website," he says. "I had the feeling in my gut that I had to go see this dog." So the whole family drove two hours to meet Juno, who was being held at an east Tennessee shelter. "She was emaciated and was just days away from being euthanized," Chester says. "She had been surrendered to the shelter because her previous owners didn't understand the Belgian Malinois."

But Chester had experience with the breed and gotten to love them from his work as a law enforcement officer years earlier. He used to help with the training of police K-9s, many of which were Belgian Malinoises. Says Chester: "I loved their desire to work and their 'never quit' attitude." But Chester first needed to be sure Juno would be a suitable service dog for Lucas. "I put her on on loose leash and she walked with me and never pulled," Chester says. "Next came the Lucas test. They took to each other immediately, like kindred spirits."

Since coming home with the Hembree family, Juno has taken on the role of protector to Lucas. Right away Juno seemed to have an instinct about Lucas and can sense when he is in trouble. Like on one occassion when Chester noticed Juno circling Lucas. "She was whining and nudging him with her nose,” Chester says. “I checked his oxygen levels and they were very low." After Lucas returned to normal, Juno greeted him with licks and affection. "That’s when I knew she had the ability to pick up on his neurological changes," Chester says. "Now she alerts us when Lucas is about to have a seizure or if his oxygen levels drop really low. She has saved him several times."

Juno has become an integral member of the family. She calms Lucas when he's agitated and is always next to him. And although she gets "down time", Chester admits it’s hard to get Juno to leave Lucas' side. "You don’t see one without the other close by," he says. "It really feels like it was meant to be."

Source: Dog Heirs

Dog's Eye View

Happy Friday!