Watching this video shows the dedication, kindness and determination of people determined to help animals. Get out your hankie. In the end, you’ll cry for happy.

Investigators searching for the cause of hundreds of cases of illness and death in dogs that ate chicken jerky made in China have extended their scrutiny to duck and sweet potato jerkies, VIN News Service reported today. The FDA website confirms that report.

According to the FDA site and Time Magazine, the three top brands of chicken jerky treats among those most recently cited in complaints included Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brands, produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co., and Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats, produced by the Del Monte Corp.

msnbc.com reports that Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch are both produced and supplied by JOC Great Wall Corp. Ltd. of Nanjing, China.

Signs of illness
Signs to watch for include decreased appetite; decreased activity (lethargy); vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination.

The type of kidney failure associated with chicken jerky strips is called acquired Fanconi syndrome. Urine test results consistently show glucose and granular casts. Blood tests may show hypokalemia (low potassium), mildly increased liver enzymes, and acidosis, along with increased creatinine and BUN (signs of kidney disease).

Make your own dog jerky treats
You can buy a dehydrator for as little as $35 and make your own safe treats with this recipe from Pawcurious.

From Petco’s statement – found with a Google search because you cannot find it by searching their website:

“We don’t know for certain how it got into our product, but we believe it came from scrap metal that had some Cobalt-60 accidentally mixed in. The affected products were found to emit low levels of radiation.”

From Petco’s recall notice:
“Petco has notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and a number of state governments, and is in the process of notifying other appropriate states as we continue to collect and verify information.”

“Petco tested other stainless steel pet products it carries from other suppliers and found no similar issues. The supplier that produced the affected products has told us that it has already instituted special screening procedures. We are in the process of reviewing those procedures ourselves, and we have put a hold on future shipments until this issue is resolved.

Customers who purchased these products between the dates of May 31 and June 20, 2012, should bring it to their local Petco store for a full refund. If you have any questions, please call Petco Customer Service at 877-738-6742.

SKU numbers can be found on labels inside and on the bottom of the bowls.”

According to Chicago Now, several stores in Chicago received shipments of the bowls. The site doesn’t list the country of origin, which is certainly important. Why not?

Rawhide could not only be dangerous, it could actually be lethal according to many blogs, organizations, and veterinarians.

Here’s what you need to know before you give your dog rawhide.

What is rawhide? According to Pet Planet, a franchise that prides itself on being well-versed in canine health, rawhide is the tough inner layer of bull, cow, water buffalo and horse hides. It is essentially a byproduct of the meat industry.

What are the dangers of rawhide? First of all, rawhide is not considered a food item. Thus, it is not covered by any labeling, processing, or content laws, and it may contain chemical preservatives. According to Associated Content, imported rawhide chews often contain toxins including arsenic, lead, titanium oxide, formaldehyde, chromium salts, mercury, cadmium and bromine. Even with the use of these highly questionable preservatives, the FDA reports that Salmonella has been detected in some of the imported chews. In the US and Canada, refrigerated trucks provide safer transport and the hides are generally only treated with hydrogen peroxide and a water rinse.

In addition to the chemical risk, rawhide can swell up to four times its original size in your dog’s stomach and cause life-threatening blockages. And dogs can chew off and swallow large pieces of rawhide which can get stuck in their esophagus, stomach, or intestines. This almost always requires surgical removal. In the terrible light of realizing too late, many dog lovers have posted warnings and alternatives on their websites, like The Northeastern Boxer Rescue who lost a gorgeous dog named Maxwell because of a blockage caused by a rawhide chew.

The worst tragedies are the ones that can be prevented. If you must give your dog rawhide, make sure it was made in America. Choose one of the higher end brands and make sure it compliments your dog’s proportions and habits. For safety, monitor the chewing. Throw away the small, chewed down pieces.

Alternatives to rawhide: Or better yet, consider alternatives to rawhide like beef chews or rubber toys like the Kong (a delicacy when stuffed with peanut butter) or even the ingenious Antlerz, a chew made of deer antlers. They are long lasting, rich in minerals, and will not splinter during digestion.

Chewing is a very natural behavior for dogs. It helps keep the tartar from collecting on their teeth (preventing periodontal disease and dragon breath) and gives them immense satisfaction. There’s no need to take that away.

Do, however, chewse (you must have seen that coming!) wisely.

Brought to you by Pawfun Blog.

Causing increasing concern among pet owners is the fact that Diamond Pet Foods is slow to update its recall information page, despite widespread reports that more brands are involved.

The Christian Science Monitor reports that Diamond has not been transparent in their handling of the recall. “Pet food recall from Diamond Pet Foods has been expanded eight times, triggered an FDA investigation and critique, and now includes cat food. The company’s handling of the salmonella crisis may be even worse,” the paper states.

Diamond is handling the recall wrong
Despite FDA reports that “All reasonable precautions are not taken to ensure that production procedures to not contribute contamination from any source,” Diamond did not immediately announce the recall or the brands involved. The FDA report also pointed out that the factory’s screening process for possible contaminants wasn’t thorough enough.

Diamond handled it the wrong way,” Mike Sagman, creator and editor of dogfoodadviser.com, a consumer site that rates dog food products and follows pet-food industry news, including recalls, told the Monitor. “The company knew more than they were letting out, and they let it dribble out over the month instead of releasing it all in one document. The damage is greater when you aren’t transparent.”

Two more dogs can be added to the list of clinically confirmed infections in the Diamond Pet Foods Salmonella Infantis outbreak, according to FDA’s Laura Alvey, Deputy Director, Communications Staff at the agency’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Safety Guidelines
According to Food Safety News there are 15 outbreak-related confirmed human cases of Salmonella infections in the USA and one Canadian case. Five people have been hospitalized.

• Follow the tips listed on the FDA’s “Salmonella from Dry Pet Food and Treats”to help prevent an infection with Salmonella from handling dry pet food and treats.

• Washing hands is the most important step to prevent illness. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with water and soap right after handling pet food and treats, and especially before preparing, serving or eating food, drinks or preparing baby bottles. Also, always wash hands right after handling or cleaning up after your pets.

Be sure to keep up to date on the recall information because it is changing and expanding daily and your pets’ health – and your own – are at stake.

A lively conversation continues in the comments on the post, so please go to the original post to follow the comments and add your own. Thank You!

With freezing temperatures and wild animals on the island, Willie didn’t stand much of a chance. Fortunately for Willie, his owners were members of the new social networking site for neighborhoods, Nextdoor.com.

Willie’s owners sprung to action and posted an alert to the Nextdoor.com online neighborhood for Lummi Island and WIllie was soon sighted and back home.

In 1,800 cities and towns across the U.S., the free online platform enables neighbors to create private social networks for their neighborhood.

Launched nationwide in October, 2011, venture-funded Nextdoor claims to already have reunited hundreds of lost pets with their owners. To join, people have to share is real names (no jomamma 29) and the street they live on. “This helps foster and strengthen communities,” says Nextdoor representative Jennifer Jacobson, “which is the purpose of Nextdoor.”

While over 65% of adults are on social networking sites, one in three Americans don’t know any of their neighbors by name, according to Pew Research. Nextdoor hopes to change that, city by city.

Lost Puppy by Lady PawPaw at Deviant Art

It’s definitely going to be an extra ruff campaign.

As anyone who reads the wonderful Gail Collins in The New York Times can tell you, she’s mentioned – 19 times so far – that Mitt Romney once strapped the family Irish Setter, Seamus, to the roof of the car and drove to Canada.

And now, Seamus is having his revenge with a Twitter and a Facebook page, both of which are rapidly gaining fans. Poor Seamus was so scared, he pooped all over the car, but Romney, on a strict schedule, never stopped. (Benny was horrified when I told him this story.)

As NPR reports, “The story of Seamus the Irish setter is not an Internet rumor. It first appeared in the august pages of the Boston Globe in 2007, when the paper published a seven-part profile of Romney, a former Massachusetts governor who had just launched a presidential run.”

Not to be outdone, the only thing grosser than that is Newt Gingrich’s Pets for Newt website. Blecch. Benny barfed when I showed it to him.

Hat tip to Jeri Dansky

Here’s what you need to know before you take your dog to a park or dog run again.

Very early the other morning, one of Benny’s Central Park buds keeled over while running after a ball. He needed a vet, quickly.

We didn’t know where the nearest vet would be who would be open that early in the morning.

None of us were carrying money.

Our friend couldn’t get a cab to stop and wound up carrying his 70 pound dog a mile to his vet’s office through Manhattan streets. So incredibly sadly, his dog didn’t make it.

We city folk don’t drive to the dog run like our country cousins. Benny and I walk a mile and a half in each direction to get to Central Park. Everyone I know walks to the park or dog run from their home.

Add this information to your phone now, TODAY
This heartbreakingly sad morning made me realize what you need to know any time you take your dog to a park or a dog run:

1- The location of the nearest vet, their phone number and office hours

2- The name of a car service that will take you and your dog to an emergency veterinary facility if your own vet’s office isn’t open. We tried two pet car services, but it was too early in the morning and they couldn’t come for an hour. They were totally useless.

3- If you have a smart phone, learn how to use Yelp to find the nearest emergency vet, and call before you bring your dog there to be sure they are open.

Please find this information today, add it to your phone, and then be sure to carry your phone, and money for a cab or car service any time you take your dog out.

In Manhattan, 24-hour veterinary facilities include:
- Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists
1 West 15th Street (Fifth Avenue) (212) 924-3311
- NYC Veterinary Specialists, 410 West 55th Street,(212) 767-0099
- Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd Street, (212) 838-8100
- Westside Veterinary Center, 220 West 83rd Street, (212) 580-1800

If you know another 24-hour vet facility in Manhattan, please add it on the comments.

RIP beautiful, sweet Champ
Please consider giving a donation to Stray from the Heart in Champ’s memory and honor.

Would you know what to do if you were alone and your dog’s leg was being ripped apart by another dog? After a friend’s dog was attacked in Central Park, we decided to find out and share what we learned with Pawfun Blog readers, hoping you never need to test the advice. This post is long, but it’s important reading that could save your dog’s life and keep you from being seriously hurt.

Pit Bull attack in Central Park

Texas has two drains in his leg, which is healing.

Although dogs are allowed off-leash in the park from 9 pm to 9 am, Texas was leashed.

Suddenly, an off-leash white and tan Pit Bull came “from out of nowhere” and attacked Texas. It locked its massive jaws on Texas’ leg and wouldn’t let go. The result is pictured.

Trying to save her dog, Elizabeth kicked and screamed at the Pit Bull, but it wouldn’t let go. She knew not to put her hands in the middle of the attack, but didn’t know what else to do besides scream and kick the Pit Bull – neither of which had any effect, and which only intensified the Pit’s frenzy. The owner of the Pit, a man we’re told is in his 80s, and a friend who was with him pulled the dog’s hind legs up, trying to get him off Texas, and that had no effect.

(Please note that we are not categorically anti-Pit Bull. But the attack that is the subject of this story was by a Pit.)

Thankfully, two park workers (“I wish I had gotten their names!” she says) pried the Pit’s mouth open with a steel rod from their truck and it let go of Texas.

Elizabeth managed to get her badly hurt dog to the vet, where he underwent immediate and extensive surgery on his mangled leg. That has so far cost $1500, and she has no pet health insurance. Texas has drains in the wounds; the dressing has to be changed daily, but he’s recovering.

She and Texas usually run a couple of miles every day, and up to five miles a day on weekends, so Texas is in great shape, which the vets says is helping him rebound.

Update: Nov. 28 – The owner and the Pit Bull were encountered in the Park this morning, on the path around the Great Lawn, near the East Side basketball courts – the scene of the attack on the 19th – and the dog still is not muzzled. This clearly is a dangerous situation, with another attack a very real possibility.

The massive white and tan Pit’s owner, who told Elizabeth he is 84 years old, is approximately 5’7″ tall, sandy hair, slight build, looks rather frail, with “sort of rheumy eyes” according to one person who met him. He had on a bright blue rain/wind jacket today with a hood.

Update Nov. 26: Elizabeth commented on this post:
“…Texas, … did not ask for the hell he’s gone through. Ultimately dog owners must assume responsibility for their dogs…and until the law changes where dog on dog attacks are a crime, we’ll all suffer from the few irresponsible dog owners with dogs who prey on the innocent.” Her comment continues here.

What to do if your dog is attacked or in a fight when you’re alone:
I always carry bottled water when I’m out with Benny. Sometimes he and his buds play in an overly rambunctious way, and it escalates to a fight. A quick squirt will startle them enough to break it up. It has also worked when a strange dog has come into Benny’s friends’ pack and they’ve chased the outsider. But Texas was not in a fight: he was attacked. Stronger measures were needed!

Water would likely be no match for a Pit Bull attack such as the one last week. So we asked Pawfun’s Holistic Dog Trainer, Anna Bettina Johnson, of Calling All Dogs what to do.

Anna says: Dog fights and even attacks happen. Whether we feel prepared to handle them or not, any time you take your dog somewhere other dogs are present you risk the chance that a dog fight or attack can occur. One important thing to keep in mind – dogs who are fighting and are interrupted will often re-direct. This is when people get hurt. That being said, these are the things that have worked for me in the past:

I understand that many people recommend carrying mace or pepper spray. I usually recommend a small squirt gun or spray bottle filled with straight white vinegar. Vinegar will sting when it hits the mucus membranes (eyes & nose), but will not cause any permanent or long-term damage to the animals. Usually it is enough of a distraction that you can separate the animals. [Pls note: If you elect to carry pepper spray, make sure you try it out in a safe location so you know how it works in the event of an emergency!]

If you are by yourself, I do not generally recommend trying to break up a dog fight. It is simply too easy to get seriously hurt. Scream for help or pull out your cell phone & dial 911. But don’t try to get in between two dogs that are intent on doing damage.

Elizabeth had no choice. She was in the middle of Central Park and her dog would have been killed by time police could have found her location. She was lucky park workers reacted quickly and knew what to do.

Other things you can try without getting yourself in the middle of the fight: If there’s a hose available, spray the attacking dog in the nose and eyes and hope it’ll let go long enough for you to get your dog away.

If there’s a fire extinguisher nearby, aim it at the nostrils and eyes and get your dog out of there while it’s startled..

How two people can break up a dog attack or fight:
Anna says “If there are two of you present (preferably the owners of both dogs), you can grab the back legs of the fighting dogs and pull them apart. (Like I mentioned before, be careful, the dog could easily turn around & come after you).

Ed Frawley of Leerburg Kennel (which is certainly NOT a holistic training facility) has a free ebook about dog fights on his site. Frawley advises:
• Never put your hands in the middle of a dog fight by trying to pull the dogs apart by the collar. You WILL get bitten, quite possibly by your own dog.
• Don’t scream. It just adds to the frenzy, as does kicking and hitting them.
• Each person grabs the back feet of one of the dogs and lifts it like a wheelbarrow. With the legs up, both dogs are pulled apart.
• It is then critical for the two people to keep holding the dog’s legs up, and turn slowly in a circle or even swing each dog slowly to prevent the dogs from curling back and biting them.
• To insure that the fight won’t start over, or the dogs come after you, one dog needs to be dragged to an enclosed place like a kennel or garage, or tied to a fence or tree.

Addendum: Incredibly, when Elizabeth reported the attack – by a dog who is still free to attack again – to the Police Precinct, she was told that dog on dog aggression is not a crime and they refused to write a report of the incident. This brings up the issue of how to change the law. We’re going to get involved in that battle, and we will keep you posted on progress in that area.