Dogs have always been a part of our families, so much so that many dog owners even save a seat on their dining tables for their furry friends. While this is all good and well that we shower the canine members of our family with as much love and affection as we do the other members of our family, it’s important for us to remember that their digestive systems and dietary requirements differ from ours.
However, for us humans with our distinctly human dietary requirements, meat is far, far from being an essential food ingredient!
When I met Jeannie back in 2007 it quickly became clear that she was, and had been since the age of 14, a vegetarian. As soon as were living together I joined ‘the club’!
Then a few days ago we both watched a documentary that we saw on Netflix. The film was called What The Health! and, boy oh boy, did it open our eyes. Not just to the very real dangers of eating meat but also fish and chicken. We resolved to become vegans immediately.
There is a website for the film, as in What The Health Film. While the film is only available for Netflix subscribers or may be purchased in other forms, as that website explains, there is a trailer available on YouTube. (The text that follows that trailer is from the Vimeo website.)
What the Health is the groundbreaking follow-up film from the creators of the award winning documentary Cowspiracy. The film follows intrepid filmmaker Kip Andersen as he uncovers the secret to preventing and even reversing chronic diseases – and investigates why the nation’s leading health organizations don’t want us to know about it. With heart disease and cancer the leading causes of death in America, and diabetes at an all-time high, the film reveals possibly the largest health cover-up of our time.
With the help of medical doctors, researchers, and consumer advocates, What the Health exposes the collusion and corruption in government and big business that is costing us trillions of healthcare dollars, and keeping us sick.
Join Kip as he tracks down the leading and most trusted American health nonprofits to find out why these groups are staying silent, despite a growing body of evidence. Audiences will be shocked to learn the insidious roles played by pharmaceutical companies, agribusiness, and processed animal food companies in the nation’s health, especially in the most vulnerable communities, and will cheer at the transformation and recovery of those who took their lives into their own hands.
What The Health is a surprising, and at times hilarious, investigative documentary that will be an eye-opener for everyone concerned about our nation’s health and how big business influences it.
However, in fairness a quick web search comes up with other perspectives. Try this 27-minute interview with Dr. Neal Barnard.
You really should watch it even before you decide to watch What The Health. Please!
The recent pro-vegan Netflix documentary, What the Health, is under fire from nutrition experts. The film, which is co-directed by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn—the creators of another Netflix documentary, Cowspiracy—and co-produced by actor Joaquin Phoenix, is being criticized by somehealth professionals for exaggerating weak data and misrepresenting science to promote a diet that avoids all animal foods.
TIME fact-checked the film. Here are four things that What the Health got wrong—and what it got right.
Ultimately, it all comes down to personal choices.
Plus, on Monday I shall be republishing a recent article from George Monbiot that addresses the issue.
But I started with a reference to dogs and I shall close by doing the same thing. How many saw the item on the BBC News website about how “A dog that transformed a 104-year-old’s life“?
Image copyright Dona Tracy
Milt Lessner has “always had dogs” throughout his life – and he’s 104 years old, he tells writer Jen Reeder. So are dogs the secret to longevity?
“I’d like to think so,” he says.
“I enjoy the familiarity with them, and the pleasantness, and the bonding – especially the bonding.”
Please share the news of this alert with other pet owners.
Mike Sagman, Editor
The Dog Food Advisor
As usual, I include what you will see when you go to that link.
ooOOoo
Dave’s Dog Food Recall of June 2018
June 12, 2018 — Dave’s Pet Food of Agawam, MA, is voluntarily recalling a single lot of Dave’s Dog Food 95% Premium Beef cans because the products potentially contain elevated levels of beef thyroid hormone.
What’s Recalled?
The recalled product consists of a single batch (548 cases) of 13 oz., 95% premium beef dog food with a UPC # of 85038-11167 and a date code of 08/2020.
Dave’s Dog Food 95% Premium Beef
Size: 13-ounce cans
UPC Code: 85038-11167
Date Code: 08/2020
Where Was It Sold?
The affected product was distributed all along the east coast of the US, sold in pet stores and e-commerce sites.
About Beef Thyroid Hormone
Dogs consuming high levels of beef thyroid hormone may exhibit symptoms such as increased thirst and urination, weight loss, increased heart rate and restlessness.
These symptoms may resolve when the consumption of these levels is discontinued.
However, with prolonged consumption these symptoms may increase in severity and may include vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid or labored breathing.
Should these symptoms occur, we recommend pet owners contact their veterinarian immediately.
What Caused the Recall?
The recall was initiated after FDA informed Dave’s that one lot of product was analyzed and found to have elevated levels of thyroid hormone.
FDA analyzed the product after receiving a complaint that four dogs consuming it were found to have low Free T4 (fT4) and Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
No other Dave’s products, or any other product manufactured by Dave’s Pet Food, are impacted.
The voluntary recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
What to Do?
Consumers who have purchased the specific product listed above should stop feeding it to their dogs.
If consumers have questions or would like to receive a refund or coupon for replacement product, they should call the company at 888-763-2738 Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM ET.
U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.
It had an incredible number of viewings and many, many lovely comments. All of which I fed back to Zara.
So what a thrill to have another article from Zara. Trust me, you will love it!
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Nine Things to Bring on a Day Trip with Your Puppy
by Zara Lewis, June 1st, 2018
Taking a day trip is an adventure for both you and your pet. So while you are planning where to go and what to bring on the trip, you have to think about your dog’s needs as well. You can’t just grab your car keys and leash if you want to stay for a whole day. In order for your dog to be happy, safe and healthy, you need a special dog-day trip-bag where you can put everything your pet needs. Take a look at these essentials for a day trip with your dog.
1. Toys
Your dog will love to run in nature, but it can be more entertaining for them if you bring their toys on the trip. When dogs get nervous, familiar smells and chew toys can calm them down. This will help you keep your puppy busy while you’re on the go, so bring your dog’s favourite toy and let it enjoy the day.
2. Water bowl
Whether you’re going to the beach, a restaurant or on an afternoon hike, you should always have a water bowl in your bag. Maybe your dog is used to drinking water from your hometown so you will need a bottle of cold water and the bowl that the dog uses. You should consider putting the bottle in a lunch cooler if it’s too hot outside.
3. Food
Make sure that you bring food that doesn’t upset your dog’s stomach. Thus, give your pet high-quality food that is easy to prepare. With this in mind, you should bring dry puppy food on the trip because it’s easy to store, and a large plastic bin will keep the food fresh and safe from insects and rodents. Moreover, some dry foods are specially formulated and shaped to clean the teeth as the dog chews them. It’s definitely more practical than canned dog food.
4. Collar and leash
A foreign territory brings unique smells that are so hard to resist, so you should definitely bring a comfortable harness for your puppy. It’s easier to grab the dog if it tries to run far away from you and you will be sure that the dog is safe if leashed. Also, don’t forget the poop bags, as you will definitely need them!
5. Safety equipment
Yes, seat belts for pets exist! And they are very useful for two reasons – your dog won’t be running around the car, and you won’t be distracted while driving. Whether your dog rides in a crate, canine booster seat or in its harness, you will know that both you and your dog are safe and secured.
6. Seat Covers and Towels
Don’t let the dirt ruin your trip. You never know if it’s going to rain, or if your dog will jump into the river, so you will need an old towel for cleaning up. Next, you have to think about your car. Protect your seats with covers and blankets so that you can wash them if your dog brings the dirt into the car. The pup will be running all day so you can expect that to happen.
7. Your puppy’s blanket or pillow
To make sure your dog is more comfortable while at unfamiliar locations, you should consider bringing something that belongs to them. This is a way of making them feel at home but it will also protect the furniture. Your aim is to make sure that your dog stays calm and relaxed in new situations.
8. Current identification tags
In case your dog gets lost, you should always have up-to-date information on their ID tag. That way the person who finds them has all the necessary information such as your phone number, address, or information about the hotel where you’re staying.
9. Camera
Imagine how much fun your dog will have in nature! Make sure that you have these memories captured and bring a camera with you so you can share these precious moments with your friends and family.
Now you are prepared for an adventure with your dog. You can relax because you have thought of everything. Your dog will love these trips, so you can take a look at this list every time you travel with them and make sure that you’re prepared for every situation. Even the shortest day trip or weekend getaway can be memorable, so let the adventure begin.
ooOOoo
Perhaps I might add this to Zara’s most informative post. Namely that when you are safely back from your successful dog adventure you might consider writing it up as a guest post for this place.
Last one from me but indebted nonetheless to Wibble
My second reflection was Never underestimate the power of unintended consequences!
Here’s my third. But first a story!!
Before I met my darling Jean I was living in the small South Devon village of Harberton. In an old converted stone barn known as Upper Barn.
Upper Barn, Harberton.
Harberton was located just three miles South-West of Totnes.
Despite the population of Harberton being just 300 persons the village had its own pub The Church House Inn located appropriately alongside the church!
Church House Inn, Harberton
I didn’t stroll the 200 yards from Upper Barn to the pub on a daily basis but certainly went there once or twice a week.
One Winter’s evening I went in to the pub for a quick pre-dinner pint. David, the landlord was behind the long bar counter, again shown to you below courtesy of the internet.
Beside me there was a single, elderly man sitting on one of the bar stools supping his pint.
I was standing next to him waiting for David to serve me and must have muttered something about the weather or about the latest local news or something inane; too long ago for me to remember.
However, I do remember so clearly what this delightful man said in response to whatever it was that I muttered.
All the world’s a little queer, save you and me, and I ha’ me doubts about thee!
I roared with laughter immediately upon hearing that wonderful reflection about the world. Added, I should say, spoken by him with a rich Devon dialect. At which point this wonderful gent spoke again and it is those next words that are my final reflection.
Now’t so queer as folk!
I never met that delightful old Devonian man again so, therefore, he will have had no idea at all at how his quotation has become part of me!
Learning from Dogs 