1. Why Orijen or Acana is sometimes not in stock:
2. Did you know Sirius Cooks always highlights a local business on Harrison Street? Look at your receipts and see if some business is offering a special for our customers. This month, it’s Briejo Restaurant offering a free desert!
Thanks for keeping the support local!
Search dogs sent to Haiti: read more and donate at: http://www.searchdogfoundation.org/98/html/1-2_haiti.html or you can follow them on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/searchrescuedog
“What are you feeding Fido? Find out as CUC prof, student analyze dog food fillers
Concordia University Chicago junior and biology/pre-veterinary major Virginia Dunlap along with Rebecca Trueman, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at the River Forest university, want to help you answer that question—through a study analyzing the sources of ingredients in dog food.
Inviting dog-owners to submit two pieces of dog food for analysis by Jan. 31, Dunlap and Trueman will analyze the samples and provide a report back to each owner on exactly what his or her dog is eating.
High-priced dog food does not necessarily mean high quality, Trueman says. As price varies widely, she explains, so do ingredients—such as inexpensive fillers or low-grade fiber content with little or no nutritional value added simply to increase food volume.
That filler can include corn and corncobs, feathers, soy, cottonseed hulls, peanut hulls, citrus pulp, weeds and straw. And for Fido, they can result in allergic reactions, skin irritation or gastrointestinal symptom upset.
“I want people to be aware of what they are feeding their dogs and that that can impact their pet’s health. There’s nothing worse than a sick dog.”
If you would like to submit dog food for analysis through Trueman and Dunlap’s study, submit two pieces of dog food with your name, the name brand and variety of dog food to Rebecca Trueman, Department of Natural Science, Concordia University Chicago, 7400 Augusta St., River Forest, IL 60305.”
A happy ending and beginning … Rosey, our rescued Rottie came for a visit. Her eyes bright, coat shining, and a family behind filled with love for her.
She was abandoned to starve. In fact, her sister never made it … but Rosey’s gained +40lbs, her liver is great and she loves the world. Thanks everyone who helped her along the way. You all helped with donations, time and … caring.
Special shout-outs to Dr. Michelle Sherman, Dr. Barb Royal and shared-foster-mother Kat Caldwell. 
We love you for your kindness, intelligence and putting up the great (beyond good!) fight. Love really does win out in the end!
You saved another life.
Let us leave 2009 behind and here’s a big hooray to 2010!
We’ll keep saving, thanks to all of you!
One day a cat dies of natural causes and goes to heaven. There he meets the Lord Himself. The Lord says to the cat, “You lived a good life and if there is any way I can make your stay in Heaven more comfortable, please let Me know.” The cat thinks for a moment and says, “Lord, all my life I have lived with a poor family and had to sleep on a hard wooden floor.” The Lord stops the cat and says, “Say no more,” and a wonderful fluffy pillow appears.
A few days later, six mice are killed in a tragic farming accident and go to heaven. Again, there is the Lord there to greet them with the same offer. The mice answer, “All of our lives we have been chased. We have had to run from cats, dogs and even women with brooms. Running, running, running; we’re tired of running. Do you think we could have roller skates so we don’t have to run anymore?” The Lord says, “Say no more,” and fits each mouse with beautiful new roller skates.
About a week later the Lord stops by to see the cat and finds him snoozing on the pillow. The Lord gently wakes the cat and asks him, “How are things since you got here?”
The cat stretches and yawns and replies, “It is wonderful here. Better than I could have ever expected. And those ‘Meals On Wheels’ you’ve been sending by are the best!”
Friends at Mulligan Stew couldn’t put it better:
” . . . so when making a change to start the new year off right — why not make the same commitment to proper pet nutrition for your best furry friend too!”
Wise words from a shelter in Colorado: http://www.ddfl.org
Keeping Your Pet Safe From Holiday Hazards
Be sure to make this holiday season safe and enjoyable for everyone in your
family by observing the following pet safety tips:
• If you have a live Christmas tree, keep the water stand covered. Pine sap mixed with
water makes a poisonous drink for your pet. The smell of a live or artificial tree may
cause your pet to urine-mark it. It may help to bring the tree into an isolated indoor
room for a day or so, so that it smells more like “home.”
• Pick up any ornament hooks, tinsel or ribbon that fall on the floor. Your pet could
experience serious internal injuries if he ingests any of these items.
• If you have a cat that is tempted to play with the ornaments on your tree, decorate
the bottom third of the tree with non-breakable, plastic or wooden ornaments, or
decorate only the top two-thirds of your tree.
• Don’t feed your pet rich, fatty or spicy people food. Instead, add a teaspoon of
white meat or broth from holiday dinner to your pet’s food. Keep holiday treats and
candies out of your pet’s reach. Additionally, remember wrapped gifts under your
tree that may be food items. People food, especially in excess, can make your pet
sick. Chocolate, onions, raisins and alcohol can be fatal to dogs!
• Secure Christmas trees to a wall or ceiling hook with sturdy fishing line. This will help
prevent the tree from toppling over should your pet jump on it or accidentally knock
it over.
• If you have indoor holiday lights, be sure they don’t hang so low that your pet could
become entangled in them. Remember to unplug the lights when you’re not home
to supervise your pet.
• If you have a bird, make sure she is safely in her cage if you’re lighting any candles.
Additionally, lit candles should be kept out of any pet’s reach, perhaps high on a
counter or table.
• Poinsettias, mistletoe berries and some other popular holiday plants, if ingested, can
cause serious stomach upset for pets. Check with your veterinarian or local poison
control center to find out what holiday plants and flowers you need to keep out of
your pet’s reach.
******* This explains a bit more on the best “non”-salt for your pets and gardens AND children; and why Sirius Cooks carries this product. **********
“Concerned Pet Owners & Pet Industry Professionals: Looking for a brand of ice melter you can trust?
Yes, there are many ice melters on the market. They all melt ice and snow; however . . .
Some melt fast, some melt slowly. Some melt below 0 degrees fahrenheit, some don’t melt below 20 degrees. Some damage concrete and wooden decks, some kill plants. Some corrode vacuum cleaner motors and some are harmful to pets.
Certainly, you want the best…. a non-corrosive ice melter that melts down to -2 degrees that won’t harm pets, people, plants or premises. What brand can you trust?
You can use whatever you want, but you’d be remiss in not trying patented SAFE PAW PET-SAFE ICE MELTER first.
SAFE PAW ICE MELTER – Manufactured by Gaia, Inc., and packaged by adults with developmental disabilities in York, Pennsylvania.”
More on Pet Carousel products…..
JAVMA News
Pet treats recalled December 15, 2009 [ issue ]
Pet treats may be contaminated with Salmonella
The Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert warning consumers to dispose of pig ears and beef hooves from Pet Carousel because of potential Salmonella contamination. PetSmart recalled two Pet Carousel products in response to the situation.
Pet Carousel distributed the potentially contaminated pig ears and beef hooves nationwide for sale in pet food and retail chain stores. The company sells pig ears under the brand names of Doggie Delight and Pet Carousel. The company sells beef hooves under the brand names of Choo Hooves, Dentley’s, Doggie Delight, and Pet Carousel.
In September, the FDA detected Salmonella organisms during routine testing of pig ears from Pet Carousel. The finding prompted an FDA inspection of the company’s manufacturing facilities. Further testing detected Salmonella organisms in beef hooves, pig ears, and the manufacturing environment. According to the FDA, Pet Carousel manufactured the pig ears and beef hooves under conditions that facilitate cross-contamination within batches or lots.
The FDA has not received any reports of illness in association with these products.
PetSmart’s recall of Pet Carousel products applies only to Dentley’s Bulk Cattle Hoof, bar code 73725703323, and Dentley’s 10 Pack Beef Hooves, bar code 73725736055, that customers purchased between Oct. 2 and Nov. 3. Customers can return the products to any PetSmart store for a complete refund or exchange.
********* NOT sold in Sirius Cooks ********
Recall — Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Pet Carousel Conducts Nationwide Recall of Beef Hoof Products and Pig Ears Because of Salmonella Risk
Company Contact:
Pet Carousel, Inc
800-231-3572
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 9, 2009 – Sanger, CA– Pet Carousel has initiated a recall of all Pig Ears and all varieties of Beef Hoof pet treats because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The problem was discovered after FDA testing found positive results for Salmonella in pig ears and beef hoof products.
For more info: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm193736.htm
Please pass this info on to people who may be getting Pig Ears and Beef Hooves from other places.