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Do Dogs (and other pets) Go to Heaven? I had written a blog some time ago, 9/18/11 (http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6018430237930848742#editor/target=post;postID=7795776760108965644), where I posted an article I had written about the question whether animals have souls. Father Murphy and I held a conversation about it and although we “disagreed” he gave me a very thoughtful and respectful answer. The blog/story had generated interest, being picked up by the Chicago Catholic News and other sites. It is a very interesting question and through the years I have heard a multitude of opinions and explanations. I now have an “update of sorts” and it addresses…

Nature’s Variety, Kasel recall pet treats and food By Lynne Terry, The Oregonian on February 20, 2013 at 12:20 PM, updated February 20, 2013 at 3:52 PM Two companies announced separate recalls on Wednesday of pet food and dog treats. Kasel Associated Industries is pulling a wide variety of dog treats over salmonella contamination. The recall covers a wide variety of treats, from chicken jerky to pig ears to hearts of lamb, produced in its plant in Denver between April and October last year. The items were sold in Target, Costco, Sam’s Club and through its website. A Kasel official…

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 February 19, 2013 05:30 PM Eastern Time  Kaytee Recalls Bird Treats and Greens Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination from Parsley Flakes CHILTON, Wis.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kaytee Products is recalling several bird treats and greens items due to possible contamination of Salmonella from parsley flake ingredients supplied to Kaytee by Specialty Commodities, Inc., an outside supplier to Kaytee. Product Code/SKU/ Material # UPC Code Size Product Name/Description Best Before Code (month/day/yr) 100032244 07185940410 2 lb Kaytee Fiesta Max Canary/Finch 9/28/2013 through 5/7/2014 100032881 07185900431 3.5 oz Kaytee Honey Treat – Parakeet 12/6/2013 through 5/29/2014 100032922 07185955027 7 oz Kaytee Honey…

Nature’s Variety Recalls Instinct Cat and Dog Food For Plastic Pieces February 17, 2013 by Linda Larsen Nature’s Variety is recalling one batch of Instinct® Raw Organic Chicken Formula for dogs and cats because clear plastic was found in some of the bags which may pose a choking risk to pets. The source of the plastic has been identified and the issue has been resolved. There have been no reports of harm to pets, but a consumer complaint alerted the company to the problem. The products are Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula Medallions in 3 pound bags with UPC number 7…

Caffrey the Amazing Two-Legged Cat! A heartwarming and amazing story I found on the AVMA Pet Health SmartBrief: Caffrey, the amazing moggie who survives on two legs… and they’re both on the same side! Black Persian lost his left hind leg some ten years ago after being run over by a car aged three After £3,500 worth of operations, he battled on with his life The tragedy struck four months ago when he was forced to have his front left leg amputated Another £4,000 operation and the fearless feline is still bounding about despite having no left-side legs By Paul…

Original article posted by Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato in Weird & Wild on February 6, 2013 In an Exorcist-style display of flexibility, owls can rotate their necks a maximum of 270 degrees without breaking blood vessels or tearing tendons. To the untrained eye, it looks like a case of movie magic, but scientists at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine now have data to explain the eerie skill that has baffled birders for years. (Check out National Geographic’s backyard bird identifier.) Whereas people and other animals can simply move their eyes to follow an object or use peripheral vision to scan a room,…

Bats Host More Than 60 Human-Infecting Viruses Joseph Castro, LiveScience Contributor Date: 06 February 2013 Time: 09:25 AM ET inShare4 CREDIT: javarman | shutterstock View full size image Many animals harbor viruses that can jump to other species, but bats may be in a class of their own when it comes to carrying zoonotic (human-infecting) viruses. Bats are reservoirs for more than 60 viruses that can infect humans, and host more viruses per species than even rodents do, new research shows. “There seems to be something different about bats in terms of being able to host zoonotic infections,” study researcher…

ALERT: Chicken Jerky Production to Continue in China Chinese to Continue Producing Jerky Products There was a news item in the February 2013 issue of the Veterinary Practice News, discussing how the Chinese have turned a deaf ear to the United States pleas to cease production of chicken jerky treats.The Chinese government also rebuked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for issuing warnings to pet owners about feeding the treats to pets. In a letter, U.S. Representative Jerry McNerney (California) urged the Chinese government to “consider halting production of these jerky treats until the FDA can determine whether or not…

Chinese Poultry Products Investigated by FDA for Pet Illnesses There has been a problem with Chinese poultry products and they are prohibited from exporting them to the US for human consumption, although there was no ban on pet foods. Numerous dogs were sickened by the chicken jerky treats from China. I am all for free trade, but with the tainted food from China, I am none to eager to have the US import their poultry for human (and pet!) consumption until it can be deemed safe. Dr. Sakas From DVM Magazine Inspection of Chinese poultry-processing plants may signal opening for…

Bully sticks may lead to weight gain and infections in your pets. Many people do not know that bully or fizzle sticks are uncooked, dried penises from bulls or steers. Is that what you want to feed your pet? I am not a big fan because of the risk of  bacterial contamination, which can also be a threat to people. Always deal with quality products to provide treats for your pets. Do not get rawhides from foreign countries due to the risk of contaminating chemicals used in the curing process. Dr. Sakas From the AVMA SmartHealth Brief Dog Treats Can…