Bone Bratz Blog

Breeding Dog Permit Approved for 500 dogs

The Star Tribune announced last week that Morrison County Minnesota commissioners approved a permit allowing 500 dogs to be bred in one facility.  And we know where these puppies will wind up - surely at a puppy mill.  It seems amazing that such a large dog breeding operation was approved.  Overbreeding and inbreeding will be inevitable.  Although restrictions include no debarking or use of shock collars we can only imagine the fate of these dogs.  What are the officials of Morrison County thinking?? For full article visit Star Tribune.

Major Update on Pet Food Recall

Major Update on Pet Food Recall

Delmonte Foods has voluntarily added new code numbers to their recalled list of pet products.  For all code numbers visit Delmonte.

Frightening statistics were recently published in Florida Today.   They have reported as many as 39,000 cats and dogs nationwide have either been sickened or killed due to an industrial chemical.  This data was released by one of the nation’s largest chains of veterinary hospitals (Banfield Veterinary Hospital).  The hospital chain noted a 30% increase of kidney failure during the same time frame of the contaminated food recall.  To read the full article visit

Florida Today

This recent information certainly begs the question “Is the government aware of the guidelines and restrictions imposed by other countries on their exported products.” How has this happened?  Why hasn’t the FDA kept a closer tab on what’s been imported into our food chain.  How long before we find out what contaminants were put into processed food for human consumption.  This is truly a wake up call unfortunately at the expense or our beloved pets.  I think any food being imported into this country should have to meet the FDA standards that are required in this country.  At the very least all processed food should post a warning on their label advising importation notification. Maybe an agency similar to the CDC for people could be initiated on behalf of pets to help prevent the time delay to prevent future problems.   It is unconscionable that it took so long for the recall.  Many of the recalled products were sold from August through December, 2006. 

Nationwide Pet Food Recall including Dog & Cat Treats

In the lastest of pet product recalls, Del Monte has issued a press release as of March 31st regarding the recall of the following products:

• Jerky Treats Beef Flavor Snacks
• Gravy Train Beef Sticks Snacks
• Ol' Roy Beef Flavor Jerky Strips Dog Treats
• Ol' Roy Beef Flavor Snack Sticks Dog Treats'
• Ol' Roy Bark'n Bac'n Beef & Bacon Flavor Dog Treats
• Ol' Roy with Beef Hearty Cuts in Gravy Dog Food
• Ol' roy with Beef Hearty Strips in Gravy Dog Food
• Dollar General Beef Flavored Jerky Strips Dog Treats
• Dollar General Beef Flavored Beef Sticks Dog Treats
• Happy Tails Beef Flavor Jerky Strips
• Happy Tails Meaty Cuts with Beef in Gravy Dog Food

For a list of specific products and code numbers visit www.delmonte.com.

Also a North Jersey based company who manufacturers pig ears treats has also announced a recall because of possible salmonella contamination.  The dog treats were apparently imported from a Chilean company from August through December, 2006.  Samples recently taken in March, 2007 revealed salmonella contamination and the company voluntarily recalled the treats.  These treats were sold in BJ's Wholesale Club in packages of 25 under BJ's name of Berkley & Jensen Full Cut Pig Ears dog treats with no lot numbers just an expiration advisory "BEST IF USED BY SEPTEMBER, 2009, BEST IF USED BY OCTOBER, 2009, BEST IF USED BY NOVEMBER 2009, and BEST IF USED BY DECEMBER, 2009.

Do you Dream of Dogs?

We will never know what our precious doggies dream about - although I imagine my Charlie dreaming of a land full of chicken strip treats and deer poop galore!  But what does it mean if we humans dream of dogs? I was curious to find out what my dream dictionary had to say on this matter. And as I expected - dreaming of dogs is a good thing!

"A dream of dogs is usually a fairly good omen. A dog barking happily shows that you will have a pleasing social life. A friendly, happy dog shows that you have lots of good friends. A dog barking and snarling fiercely at you shows you have some unfriendly friends, and also, if the dream dog is big and powerful, as well as friendly, shows that you have a very powerful protector."

Sweet doggie dreams!

Menu Foods a Place of Dog Misery!

Be sure to continually check the Menu Foods Recall list, since their has been additional pet foods that have been added (even though Menu Foods has not updated the date on their recall page): MENU FOODS RECALL LIST

Their has been reports leaking out that Menu Foods knew about the potential problem since December 2006:

Starting in December, concerns began filtering back to the company through toll-free customer lines about the "cuts and gravy" style pet food. (Chronicle Herald)

Menu Foods performed their first test on a lab animal on Feb. 27th. That animal died on March 2nd from these tests.

Menu Foods told the FDA it received the first complaints of kidney failure and deaths among cats and dogs from pet owners on Feb. 20. It began new tests on Feb. 27. (AP)

Why did they wait a month before they recalled the pet food? If they knew about their poison since December 2006, why did they wait 3 months before they did their first test? Why did they not report it to the FDA in December and save hundreds of animals lives!  It is being reported on petconnection.com that they have received 600 reports of food-related poisoning, 241 deaths to date.

The Westminister Dog Show

Don't forget to watch the 131st Westminister Dog Show on the USA network:

Monday Feb. 12 8 p.m. ET
Tuesday Feb. 13 8 p.m ET

Click here to find out more about the show:  http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/
I'll post the latest results tomorrow!

Molly the mommy Rotty and her 2 baby lambs!

Molly, the 11 month old Rottweiler, has taken over as 'mum' for two baby lambs (Lucky and Charm) that were recently born in the UK. Lucky and Charm were born with 'bad' circulation. Directly after their birth the two lambs were placed in an Aga oven for warmth. After being removed from the oven Molly the Rotty started licking them, just like the lambs mommy would have done. The owner of the lambs was quoted saying that she would have had to stay up all night rubbing Lucky and Charm to continue their blood circulation. However, Molly relieved her owner of her duties with her continuous licking of the baby lambs!

Molly is now become very protective of their their two new baby lambs, and won't let any of the other house hold pets near them. Just another heart warming story proving that no breed should ever be categorized as 'aggressive.'

You can read more about this story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/mid_/6321827.stm

Paper Shredder Safety

Caution Very Graphic

ABC News Video

Everyone seems to have one, while parents of small human children are safety conscience, pet owners without small children often don't give this a second thought.

Keep you paper shredder switch in "OFF" position. Switches 3 position: OFF, ON, AUTO.

When buying a paper shredder get one with a safety bar over the paper slot.

Do not use AUTO mode, period or just unplug it.

Click on Link above and read the story picture is graphic but impact full.