Year: 2018

Picture Parade Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven

These are just mouth-wateringly beautiful.

Margaret K. from down in Australia sent me the link to these photographs.

I should add the words that precede the photos.

Many people think of Finland as the land of cold weather and darkness. However, Ossi Saarinen (previously here and here), a Finnish photographer, believes that the country is much more than just that, and he shows another surprisingly enchanting side of his motherland.

Ossi brings delightful feelings through his photos of spectacular Finnish nature, especially the untouched forests covering almost three-quarters of the whole country. And within these peaceful and ancient forests, wild animals roam freely and enjoy their lives at their best.

Finnish animals appear to be very mysterious, fascinating and charming just like they’ve stepped out from fairy tales. Ossi does not skip the chances to capture the beauty of Finnish wildlife either. He believes that every encounter between the animals and humans becomes an unforgettably amazing experience (Well, let’s not talk about the encounter with a bear).

Now, let’s enjoy the fairy tale’s atmosphere in his photos

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Oh my! Beautiful beyond words!

Still ongoing with that Vitamin D problem

This time with 12 dog food alerts.

When will it be over?

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Dangerous Levels of Vitamin D Discovered in Several Dog Food Brands

CAUTION — ONGOING SITUATION

Last Updated December 7, 2018
December 7, 2018 — The FDA is alerting pet owners and veterinary professionals about recalls of several dry dog foods after receiving complaints that dogs eating the food experienced vitamin D toxicity.Testing found that samples of the affected foods contained as much as 70 times the intended amount of vitamin D.

Very high levels of vitamin D can cause serious health problemsin dogs, such as kidney failure or death.

Veterinarians should be aware that vitamin D toxicity may present as hypercalcemia, similar to dogs that have consumed a rodent killer.

At this time, the only pet products that are affected by this recall are foods made for dogs.

About Vitamin D Toxicity

Excess vitamin D in the diet can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling and weight loss.

Vitamin D at toxic levels can cause kidney failure and death.

Pet owners whose dogs have been eating the recalled brands and are showing these symptoms should contact their veterinarians.

What Caused the Recalls?

The FDA has become aware of reports of vitamin D toxicity in dogs that ate dry dog food produced by the same manufacturer and marketed under several different brand names.

The FDA is working with the manufacturer to provide a comprehensive list of affected brands.

Important Warning

This is a developing situation. Additional recalls may be announced.

The Dog Food Advisor will update this page as the FDA makes further information available.

What Brands Are Recalled?

This is a developing situation and this list may not be complete.

The list of recalled dry dog food products provided to the FDA include:

Ahold Delhaize (company has not issued press release)

  • Ahold Delhaize (company has not issued recall bulletin)
    • Nature’s Promise Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food
      Size: 14-lb bag
      UPC: 068826718472
      All lot codes
    • Nature’s Promise Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food
      Size: 28-lb bag
      UPC: 068826718471 – 28 lb. bag
      All lot codes
    • Nature’s Promise Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food
      Size: 4-lb bag
      UPC: 068826718473
      All lot codes
    • Nature’s Place Real Country Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food
      Size: 5-lb bag
      UPC: 72543998959
      All lot codes
    • Nature’s Place Real Country Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food
      Size: 15-lb bag
      UPC: 72543998960
      All lot codes
  • Kroger (12/5/18)
    • Abound Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food
      Size: 4-lb bag
      UPC: 11110-83556
      All lot codes
  • King Soopers (12/5/18)
    • Abound Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food
      Size: 4-lb bag
      UPC 11110-83556
      All lot codes
    • Abound Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food
      Size: 14-lb bag
      UPC 11110-83573
      All lot codes
    • Abound Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food
      Size: 24-lb bag
      UPC 11110-89076
      All lot codes
  • ELM Pet Foods, Inc. (11/29/18)
    • ELM Chicken and Chickpea Recipe
      Size: 3-lb bag
      UPC 0-70155-22507-8
      D2 26 FEB 2019
      TE1 30 APR 2019
      TD1 5 SEP 2019
      TD2 5 SEP 2019
    • ELM Chicken and Chickpea Recipe
      Size: 28-lb bag
      UPC 0-70155-22513-9
      TB3 6 APR 2019
      TA1 2 JULY 2019
      TI1 2 JULY 2019
    • ELM K9 Naturals Chicken Recipe
      Size: 40-lb bag
      UPC 0-70155-22522-9
      TB3 14 Sep 2019
      TA2 22 Sep 2019
      TB2 11 Oct 2019
  • ANF, Inc. (11/28/18)
    • ANF Lamb and Rice Dry Dog Food
      Size: 3-kg bag
      UPC 9097231622
      Best by Nov 23 2019
    • ANF Lamb and Rice Dry Dog Food
      Size: 7.5 kg bag
      UPC 9097203300 – 7.5 kg bag
      Best by Nov 20 2019
  • Sunshine Mills, Inc. (11/27/18)
    • Evolve Chicken & Rice Puppy Dry Dog Food
      Size: 14-lb bag
      UPC 0-73657-00862-0
    • Evolve Chicken & Rice Puppy Dry Dog Food
      Size: 28-lb bag
      UPC 0-73657-00863-7
    • Sportsman’s Pride Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
      Size: 40-lb bag
      UPC 0-70155-10566-0
    • Sportsman’s Pride Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
      Size: 40-lb bag
      UPC 0-70155-10564-0
    • Triumph Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
      Size: 3.5 lb bag
      UPC 0-73657-00873-6
    • Triumph Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
      Size: 16-lb bag
      UPC 0-73657-00874-3
    • Triumph Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
      Size: 30-lb bag
      UPC 0-73657-00875-0
  • Lidl (Orlando brand) (11/6/18)
    • Orlando Grain-Free Chicken & Chickpea Superfood Recipe Dog Food
      Lidl product number 215662
      TI1 3 Mar 2019
      TB2 21 Mar 2019
      TB3 21 Mar 2019
      TA2 19 Apr 2019
      TB1 15 May 2019
      TB2 15 May 2019
  • Natural Life Pet Products (11/2/18 expanded 11/9/18)
    • Chicken & Potato Dry Dog Food
      Size: 17.5-lb bag
      UPC 0-12344-08175-1
      Best by dates: December 4, 2019 thru August 10, 2020
  • Nutrisca (11/2/18)
    • Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food
      Size: 4-lb bag
      UPC 8-84244-12495-7
      Best by dates: February 25, 2020 thru September 13, 2020
    • Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food
      Size: 15-lb bag
      UPC 8-84244-12795-8
      Best by dates: February 25, 2020 thru September 13, 2020
    • Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food
      Size:
      UPC 8-84244-12895-5 – 28 lb. bag
      Best by dates: February 25, 2020 thru September 13, 2020

What to Do?

Pet owners should stop feeding the recalled products.

The FDA is asking veterinarians who suspect vitamin D toxicity in their patients to report them through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling their local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators.

Pet owners can also report suspected cases to the FDA.

U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

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Once again, please share.

That Vitamin D issue.

A very useful article published by The Smithsonian.

SMARTNEWS published by The Smithsonian yesterday confirmed what we were starting to suspect; there was a widespread problem with excessive Vitamin D in dog food.

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Excessive Vitamin D in Pet Food May Be Making Dogs Sick

A number of brands, including Nutrisca and Natural Life, have issued recalls of certain products

(HANNAH SUMMERS / Alamy Stock Photo)

By Brigit Katz
smithsonian.com  December 5, 2018

The Food and Drug Administration is warning dog owners to keep a close watch on their furry friends, after several brands of dry dog food were found to contain potentially toxic levels of vitamin D.

According to NPR’s Amy Held, the FDA has received reports of dogs falling ill after eating certain foods, which are made by an unnamed manufacturer and sold under at least eight different brands. Nutrisca and Natural Life issued recalls in early November, reports Shelby Lin Erdman of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and several other brands have followed suit. The full list, which includes products by Sunshine Mills and ELM Pet Foods, can be seen here.

The FDA says the situation is developing, and its scientists are still working to definitively link the dogs’ illnesses to their diet. But when the agency sampled some of the questionable products, it found that the foods contained as much as 70 times the amount of intended vitamin D.

As it does in humans and other mammals, vitamin D helps dogs maintain calcium and phosphorus levels in their bodies, which is essential for bone formation, along with heart, muscle and nerve function.

But if pooches ingest excessive doses of the nutrient—which happens most often when dogs accidentally eat vitamin D-containing rodenticide —their calcium and phosphorous levels can get thrown off balance, according to the veterinary company VCA. Very high amounts of vitamin D can have a number of serious health effects on dogs, including kidney disease and even death.

Symptoms of vitamin D poisoning in dogs include vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling and weight loss. The FDA says that pet owners who notice these symptoms in dogs that have been eating the recalled brands should contact their vets right away—there are treatments that can help.

The agency also recommends disposing of recalled products in a way that makes them inaccessible to pets, wildlife and children. And owners who suspect that their dogs have fallen sick from vitamin D poisoning can report the illness to the FDA through an online portal.

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That online portal may be accessed here.

Please share this with other dog lovers.

Staying with the theme of loyal dogs

Or rather letting Deinah Storm offer a guest post.

This is a guest post. It stays with the theme of loyalty. The loyalty of dogs towards their dead masters.

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8 Dogs Who Remained Loyal to Their Now-Gone Masters

By Deinah Storm, December 5th, 2108

A dog has always been a man’s best friend. Having a pet dog is always great. You have a partner to go with anywhere you want. Also, you won’t feel alone when you have a pet dog. Dogs are creatures that are filled with joy; no wonder fur parents from around the world try to give their best to show how they care for their pooch—be it to provide them the best dog food, regularly visit the vet, or keep dog house warm.

The love and affection that dogs give their owners are comparable to a mother’s love. It is unconditional and lasts a lifetime, and even beyond. Here is a list of eight dogs who remained loyal to their now-gone masters.

Hachiko
You may have heard of this name before already. Hachiko’s story has been all over the world. They even made movies about this loyal dog. He was originally owned by a Japanese professor at Tokyo University named Eizoburo Ueno. His students were the ones who nudged him to adopt this beautiful Akita dog. Every day that the professor goes to work, he goes to the train station to take the train. Hachiko always waited for him to return so they could go home together. After having been partners for only less than a year, Eizoburo Ueno died tragically while he was at work. So that day, Hachiko was waiting in vain for his master to return. But, he never did. Still, Hachiko waited every single day of his life for his now-gone to return to the train station. People were feeding Hachiko and giving him treats until he got old and died. A lot of people mourned over his death, and a statue was built for him.

Capitan
Capitan was a dog owned by an Argentinian man named Michael Guzman. He was bought by Michael for his son Damian as a gift. They always had a special bond and loved each other. When Mr. Guzman passed away after just a year, Capitan could not be found by the Guzman family. Eventually, they were able to locate him. He was beside his master’s grave. Capitan stayed there for six long years until he passed away.

Hawkeye
Hawkeye  was a labrador who was owned by a Navy SEAL who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. A photo went viral during his funeral service. It was a picture of Hawkeye lying sadly in front of his master’s casket. He stayed there for the whole service. It is disheartening for dogs to lose their owners. Thankfully, the best friend of the deceased took Hawkeye and cared for him.

Ruswarp
Ruswarp was owned by Graham Nuttall. One day, they went on a walk along the mountains in Wales. But, they did not return. So, Graham’s friends alerted the police. A search was done. But after several weeks, they could not be found. Eventually, after eleven weeks of being missing, another person found Graham beside a stream together with Ruswarp. Ruswarp never left his master’s side even after several weeks. Ruswarp was so weak and ill when they were found. A statue of Ruswarp was unveiled at a train station which he and his owner helped save.

Fido
Fido was owned by a factory worker in Italy. His name literally translates to “faithful.” He always went with his master to the bus station and waited for him to come back every single day. One tragic day, his owner was killed in the factory due to a bombing attack. Fido waited all day for his owner to return. He eventually returned home, but every single day he waited by the train station for fourteen years until he died.

Shep
Shep was owned by a shepherd. One day, his shepherd was ill and was rushed to the hospital. Shep waited outside the hospital until his owner died. He followed his owner’s casket as it was loaded onto a train to be sent home. Shep waited by the train station for five years. Every single day, he checked each person who went off the train. He stayed there until Shep tragically died in the train station when he became deaf and went to the tracks where a train hit him.

Greyfriars Bobby
Bobby was owned by a police officer. When the officer died, Bobby never left his grave for fourteen years. When Bobby died, he was buried near his master. He had a gravestone which read “Greyfriars Bobby — died 14th January 1872 — aged 16 years — Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all.” He had a statue made for him across the place where they are buried.

Waghya
Waghya was owned by the King of the Maratha Empire. Traditionally, when a king dies, his remains are cremated. So, when the king died, Waghya never left his side until he was about to be incinerated. When the funeral pyre was lit, Waghya leaped into his death.

Dogs are forever loyal and loving

Dogs bring love and happiness to the world. They are there forever for humans. They will love you for all of eternity. So, love your dogs and care for them. They will never let you down.

(Source of Featured Image: Pexels.com)

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It would be wrong of me to close without thanking Deinah. It’s a great guest post.

Finally, Deinah’s bio:

Author’s Bio:
Deinah Storm is a pet lover from the US that’s had cats and dogs all her life. When she’s not walking the dogs with her family, she spends time writing informational and interesting blogs about pets to share with pet lover communities.

 

Only a dog.

Would lie alongside President Bush’s casket.

This story has been all over the news recently and rightly so; it’s a very touching report.

I have taken my story from the BBC News and wanted to share some of it with you.

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George HW Bush’s service dog Sully pays touching last tribute

3 December 2018
Sully the dog sleeps next to the casket of the late US President George HW Bush

The labrador who worked as a service dog for President George HW Bush has been pictured resting beside his coffin, in a moving tribute.

Mr Bush, who served as the 41st US president between 1989 and 1993, died late on Friday at the age of 94.

Sully the dog is travelling with the casket on the flight from Texas to Washington and back this week.

Mr Bush’s body is due to lie in state this week ahead of a day of national mourning.

The coffin is being flown from Texas to DC on board Air Force One – temporarily renamed Special Air Mission 41, in homage to the late president – and then back on Wednesday, with Sully accompanying the body throughout.

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Irrespective of what one accomplished in one’s life, 94 is a grand age!

 

Still more Vitamin D recalls

Still they come.

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November 28, 2018 — ANF, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of select products of ANF Pet Food due to potentially elevated levelsof vitamin D, which can cause serious health issues in dogs.

No product images were provided with this recall.

What’s Recalled?

The following products have been recalled:

    • ANF Lamb and Rice Dry Dog Food
      Size: 3 kg bag
      UPC: 9097231622
      Best by date: NOV 23 2019
  • ANF Lamb and Rice Dry Dog Food
    Size: 7.5 kg bag
    UPC: 9097203300
    Best by date: NOV 20 2019

The above products were distributed in retail stores within Puerto Rico.

No other ANF Products are affected by this recall.

This voluntary recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

About High Levels of Vitamin D

Consumers should stop feeding the products listed above.

Dogs ingesting elevated levels of Vitamin D may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling, and weight loss.

Vitamin D, when consumed at very high levels can lead to serious health issues in dogs including renal dysfunction.

Consumers with dogs who have consumed any of the products listed above and are exhibiting any of these symptoms, should contact their veterinarian.

What to Do?

Consumers who have purchased any of the products affected by this recall should dispose of it or return it to the retailer for a full refund.

Consumers may contact ANF, Inc. customer service at 936-560-5930 from 8 AM to 5 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.

Or by email at mwhite@anf.com for additional information.

U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

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Elm Dog Food Recall

November 29, 2018 — ELM Pet Foods, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of certain products of Elm Dog Food because the products could contain elevated levels of vitamin D, which can cause serious health issues.

What’s Recalled?

The recall includes products manufactured between February 25, 2018 and October 31, 2018 with the following “Best By” dates:

    • 3lb Elm Chicken and Chickpea Recipe
      Size: 3-pound pkg
      UPC Code: 0-70155-22507-8
      TD2 26 FEB 2019
      TE1 30 APR 2019
      TD1 5 SEP 2019
      TD2 5 SEP 2019
    • Elm Chicken and Chickpea Recipe
      Size: 28-pound pkg
      UPC Code: 0-70155-22513-9
      TB3 6 APR 2019
      TA1 2 JULY 2019
      TI1 2 JULY 2019
  • Elm K9 Naturals Chicken Recipe
    Size: 40-pound pkg
    UPC Code: 0-70155-22522-9
    TB3 14 Sep 2019
    TA2 22 Sep 2019
    TB2 11 Oct 2019

Consumers, who have purchased the specific product above, during these dates, should stop feeding it to their dogs.

All Bags in the recall are yellow with the Elm Pet Foods Tag on the front of the bag and have a silhouette of a chicken at the bottom of the front side of the bag.

Consumers can check the lot codes on the back of the bag at the bottom center on the 3-lb bags and in the center of the back of the bag on the 28-lb bags.

The 40-lb bag lot numbers can be found on the bottom right of the back of the bag.

No other ELM Pet Foods products are impacted.

This is a voluntary recall and is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Where Was the Product Sold?

Lot codes in this voluntary recall were distributed in the following states:

  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania

About Elevated Vitamin D

Dogs ingesting elevated levels of Vitamin D may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling and weight loss.

Vitamin D when consumed at very high levels can lead to serious health issues in dogs including renal dysfunction.

Consumers with dogs who have consumed the product listed above are exhibiting these symptoms, should contact their veterinarian.

What to Do?

If consumers have questions or would like a refund they should call ELM Pet Foods at 800-705-2111 from 8 AM to 5 PM ET Monday through Friday or by email at customerservice@elmpetfoods.com.

U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

Canadians can report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.

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One wonders about the dogs whose owners do not see these notices!