Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Two Magnificent Barbaro Wristbands - Keeping His Memory Alive

Sharon Clark, the designer of the beautiful original wristband, has created a truly spectacular band in memory of Barbaro. Both wristbands are available. The new one is a loving tribute to help keep Barbaro's memory alive. Engraved, on this special band is "In Loving Memory Of Barbaro," along with the dates that will forever be emblazoned in our memories.

These wristbands are of the highest quality. I have been wearing the original one since its release, and it still looks like it is brand new.


The Memorial wristbands are $5.00 each; with all proceeds going to the Barbaro Fund at New Bolton.  

Barbaro lovers may send personal checks, money orders, or cash to:
Sharon Clark
P.O. Box 78
Silver Spring, PA  17575


Please designate "Memorial" or "Live the Moment", since there are two bracelets available. Sharon wants to make sure that you will receive the bracelet that is ordered.

For those of you who have not seen these bracelets, they are pictured here. Why not order both, one for each wrist. They make fabulous gifts as well, for your Barbaro loving friends, and the donation to New Bolton Fund will continue to grow. Let's find a cure for Laminitis and help Equine medical science to be able to help all of our horses.


You may copy and paste this order blank, print it and use it to order your bands.
Thank you from the bottom of MY heart for your support for Sharon's devoted work to help raise funds in this amazingly beautiful way.  


The wristbands are to be worn as a reminder of all that Barbaro has represented -- his courage, his triumph, his charm, and most of all his heart. When the person wearing the wristband happens to catch a glimpse of it -- it will be a reminder of Barbaro's courage and the need for further research to find a cure for Laminitis and to aid in the ability to heal Equine injuries

CHILDREN'S WRISTBAND (5 7/8")
QUANTITY _______($5.00 EACH)

MEDIUM WRISTBAND (7 3/8")
QUANTITY _____ ($5.00 EACH)

LARGE WRISTBAND (8 3/8")
QUANTITY _____ ($5.00 EACH)

TOTAL $ _______  (CASH OR CHECKS PAYABLE SHARON CLARK)

To order wristbands; please print this page and send $5.00 for each wristband to:

Sharon Clark
P.O. Box 78
Silver Spring, PA 17575

You may e-mail Sharon at barbarowristbands@dejazzd.com

Monday, March 26, 2007

Please Send Glow and Prayers For Grayling- An Adorable Cat

Grayling is a ten year old, beautiful kitty who has been struggling with some serious health issues during the past few weeks. 

Grayling is now out of the  hospital and is responding to some intensely loving  home care given by her adoring fur Mom. Grayling  is even being entertained by some light reading. How considerate of her cat servant to provide these little extras.

We ask that you send some glow and prayers to surround this sweetie pie with love and white light.

Grayling, her FurMom, and I will be most grateful for your support.

You can read all about Grayling here: It is a wonderful article.
Sick Cat, Nice Haircut - Animal Hubbub

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Additional Resources About Pet Food and Purina Information

Click here: Purina to Voluntarily Withdraw Mighty Dog® 5.3 Ounce Pouch Products in Response to Menu Foods Recall

For those of us who feed Fancy Feast cat food, I am relieved to read that Purina announced that this product has not been affected. This link above also talks about their dog food Mighty Dog, with more information about that product, which they are voluntarily withdrawing from the shelves.

For more information about the recalls, and some possible home cooking for your cats,  The Monday and Friday Mews Catzette  has that information along with more general information.

You can read more about it also at the keyword PETS, animalhubbub.com Pet Food Recall: Links & Video - Animal Hubbub . This site has extensive information about product recalls with product manufacturers listed.

Rat Poison Found In Pet Food Found To Be The Culprit


AP Photo: Dr. Pedro Cisneros examines Pebbles, a 7-year-old Yorkshire terrier who is battling kidney failure after...


Slideshow: Pet Food Recall
By MARK JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer Fri Mar 23, 7:05 PM ET



ALBANY, N.Y. - Rat poison was found in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs, but scientists said Friday they still don't know how it got there and predicted more animal deaths would be linked to it. After the announcement, the company that produced the food expanded its recall to include all 95 brands of the "cuts and gravy" style food, regardless of when they were produced. The company also said it would take responsibility for pet medical expenses incurred as a result of the food.

The substance in the food was identified as aminopterin, a cancer drug that once was used to induce abortions in the United States and is still used to kill rats in some other countries, state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said.
The federal government prohibits using aminopterin for killing rodents in the U.S. State officials would not speculate on how the poison got into the pet food, but said no criminal investigations had been launched.

The pet deaths led to a recall of 60 million cans and pouches of dog and cat food produced by Menu Foods and sold throughout North America under 95 brand names. Some pets that ate the recalled brands suffered kidney failure, and the company has confirmed the deaths of 15 cats and two dogs.

The latest death, a Yorkshire terrier named Pebbles, occurred Thursday. The dog died of kidney failure after eating some of the food. Her owner, Jeff Kerner, said he was contacting an attorney because he wanted to prevent another pet tragedy.

"Before they put this stuff in the bags, there should be some kind of test," said Kerner, of Sherman Oaks, Calif. "I can't justlet it go. Even if they just change the law."

The company expanded the recall — which initially covered only cans and pouches of food packaged from Dec. 3 through March 6 — after the FDA alerted it that some products remained on store shelves.

There is no risk to pet owners from handling the food, officials said.

The Food and Drug Administration has said the investigation into the pet deaths was focused on wheat gluten in the food. The gluten itself would not cause kidney failure, but it could have been contaminated, the FDA said.

Bob Rosenberg, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Pest Management Association, said it would be unusual for the wheat to be tainted.

"It would make no sense to spray a crop itself with rodenticide," Rosenberg said, adding that grain shippers typically put bait stations around the perimeter of their storage facilities.

Scientists at the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University and at the New York State Food Laboratory tested three cat food samples provided by the manufacturer and found aminopterin in two of them. The two labs are part of a network created after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to keep the nation's animals and food supply safe.

"Any amount of this product is too much in food," Hooker said.

Aminopterin is highly toxic in high doses. It inhibits the growth of malignant cells and suppresses the immune system. In dogs and cats, the amount of aminopterin found — 40 parts per million — can cause kidney failure, according to Bruce Akey, director of Cornell's diagnostic center.

"It's there in substantial amounts," Akey said.

Donald Smith, dean of Cornell's veterinary school, said he expected the number of pet deaths to increase. "Based on what we've heard the last couple days, 16 is a low number," Smith said.

Aminopterin is no longer marketed as a cancer drug, but is still used in research, said Andre Rosowsky, a chemist with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

Rosowsky speculated that the substance would not show up in pet food "unless somebody put it there."

Paul Henderson, chief executive of Ontario, Canada-based Menu Foods, said the company does not believe the food was tampered with because the recalled food came from two different plants, one in Kansas, one in New Jersey. Menu continues to produce food at the two plants.

The company, already facing lawsuits, said Friday it is testing all the ingredients that go into the food.

"We have a lot of work to do, and we are eager to get back to it," Henderson said. "This is a highly unusual substance."

When asked whether there would compensation for medical bills for sick pets, Henderson said "to the extent that we identify that the cause of any expenses incurred are related to the food, Menu will take responsibility for that."

A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates was posted online by Menu Foods and is available at menufoods.com The company also designated two phone numbers that pet owners could call for information: (866) 463-6738 and (866) 895-2708.

___

Associated Press writers Andrew Bridges in Washington and Michael Virtanen in Albany contributed to this report.

My friend, Steve, an AOL member sent an email to friends who own both cats and dogs. I wanted to share what he had to say.

"Rat poison was found in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs, but scientists said Friday they still don't know how it got there and predicted more animal deaths would be linked to it. After the announcement, the company that produced the food expanded its recall to include all 95 brands of the "cuts and gravy" style food, regardless of when they were produced. The company also said it would take responsibility for pet medical expenses incurred as a result of the food.
...
 
The company expanded the recall — which initially covered only cans and pouches of food packaged from Dec. 3 through March 6 — after the FDA alerted it that some products remained on store shelves.

It appears as though the list of recalled cat brands hasn't changed, and dog brands may have grown by 1. If you have a pet, you should check the list yourself justto be sure. And I would suggest checking back frequently until they can state definitively that they know what caused the poisoning, how it got there, where it got into the food, and what food it got into. Thus far, it appears that they have pretty well nailed down the cause, but have yet to state any of the rest with any certainty."

Thank you Steve, for your great summation of the issue, and the resource links that you have provided.

Menu Foods recall information:


FDA pet food recall information:

Independent Recall Information, Links and Resources:

Rat Poison Found in Tainted Pet Food - New York Times

When the Time Comes

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this--the last battle--can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close--we two--these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Friday, March 23, 2007

In Memory Of Monty - For Cheryl and Her Sister

Monty, a beloved, beautiful orange tabby cat, was lovingly sent to the rainbow bridge, last night. Cheryl' s words, "she was eighteen years old so she lived a great life, but it is really hard to let go of pets who have been with us so long. Monty used to eat Shredded Wheat with me for breakfast, when I would visit my sister. She was, indeed, a cutie.," really speaks so sweetly to the love that Cheryl holds in her heart for her "fur niece."

Please take a moment to light a candle for Monty here: Light A Candle For Monty

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Prayers For Emma's Safe Return! Please Read and Forward

Emma is an epileptic female Dalmation, lives in the Los Alamos, New Mexico, vacinity. This beautiful dog is in need of her prescribed anti- seizure medication.

Please pass this request along. We are all praying for this beautiful dog to be returned safe and sound.

Her owner, Marion Mitchell is heartbroken and has requested that this information be shared. You may read more about her on her website.

Spotted in New Mexico


Marion writes,"Emma has been missing from a totally enclosed front yard with a 6 foot high wall and fence around it since about 8 PM yesterday, March 20. All gates were closed there was no way she could have gotten out and she is no way spry enough to jump that far. She is 14 years old. We have had many people in our house in the past month since we are remodeling my fear is that someone has a taken her.

I am devastated my heart is breaking I don't know what to do, as you all know she is my life please hold her in your thoughts that she comes back to me"

Much glow and prayers coming to you, Marion and Emma.
Update About Emma From Marion: Still Missing!

Thanks everyone for all the ideas  love and wishes but I have no news. I  know you are all trying to help but we were inside the house we let her out to go potty I was out with her brought her back in and then one of us must have let her out again. No one would come calling or open the gate There is a sign on the gate  in the 6'high wall DOGS BEWARE. It was dark Emma cannot jump in a car it's impossible her rear is too weak

So that you can understand a little bit more about where I live if you  are familiar  with GoogleEarth.com fly to 185 Rim Rd Los Alamos NM 87544 zoom in on Rim Rd We are the house next to the end with the blue roof. You can see we have canyons all around us some so steep we can't get down Our town is quite small everyone knows us because of our 3 dals. It is now almost 48 hours now.When she was about 2 she got lost for 10 hours  we got her back but she barely made it then. She will be 14 next month.

Marion

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

In Beloved Memory of Socrates For Barbara

"May all your obstacles be chewable"

Barbara described her sweet  angel, Socrates, as the "best dog in the universe"

He went on to the Rainbow Bridge on  March 3rd, after a protracted illness. He is once again, happy and free and playing happily and healthily while he waits for his devoted human companion.

So we ask you to send your blessings to Barbara and  her beloved dog

1997-2007


Thursday, March 1, 2007

Kirin and her Barbaro Beanie- Carried In Love For Barbaro's One Month Anniversary/ Rainbow Bridge


Today has been a difficult day for me, as I am sure it has been for so many FOB's. Today marks the one month anniversary that Barbaro resides at the Rainbow Bridge. There is something about these periods of time that mark events in our lives that for me need to be honored.

It has been very hard for me to write about Barbaro over these past few weeks. My feelings about his loss are difficult for me to articulate.  It is comforting to know that I am not alone with these feelings.

We prayed that that day would never come to pass, yet in spite of our prayers and our deep love, that sorrowful day did arrive. We knew somewhere deep inside ourselves that the possibility still loomed over us like an ominous cloud building to become a huge storm of grief.

Today I struggled for the words to share my feelings on my journal and as I read through many posts on Tim Woolley's forum written with such deep emotion and  love, I came across a picture that soothed my heart.

My love for cats is hardly a secret to my readers. The  picture above touched me and lifted my spirits as I saw  this beautiful cat  who, in her own way was demonstrating  her love for this great horse, carrying the Beanie Baby so carefully and protectively.

So Lady Kirin, and Beachducklady, I thank you both for your gift and for your permission to post this heartwarming photo. Bless you for your post.