How Old is My Old Man? (Braves vs. Mets)

We've been celebrating Steve's birthday all month. Here is his picture taken during the Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets baseball game yesterday at Turner Field. I thought it would be fun to poll my readers with this silly question:

How old is my Old Man?

Leave me your answer in the comments section at the end of this blog entry. (No cheating if you already know his age--ha!)

The baseball game on Saturday, September 20th, between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets was awesome. Braves won! Score: 4 to 2. (actual scoreboard picture below)


I secured fantastic seats, over the Braves on-deck circle, through StubHub. This was Steve's first "close up" game. (much better than those nose bleed seats in the past, aye?)


We were on our toes watching the game. The balls were speeding by so fast including several fly and foul balls. I had Steve's jacket open ready to catch one. Drats, missed it. Perhaps next time.

Our seats allowed premium restaurant service--baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and GMC (that's what we drive). There was a post-game fireworks show too--KaBoom! (Honey, I said fireworks, not farts!)


It was a picture perfect evening celebrating Steve's birthday. Happy Birthday, Mr. Calvert.

Have you guessed his age yet? Look at his picture again. (Click on it, if necessary, to enlarge it.) Remember to leave me your answer below.

Nationwide Pet Food Recall

Below is a recent press release regarding yet another pet food recall. This cements why I feed my dog a homemade human diet.

Although it is still possible Lucy can become ill eating human food, it's less apt to occur. There are higher quality controls in place for human food.

Lucy eats an unprocessed whole food organic human diet of meat, veggies and fruit. She loves it. Her fur is ever-so shiny too.

The preparation is a bit more time consuming, however, I feel better knowing I'm providing her with the best nutrition available. I'll post a week's worth of her menus along with prep notes on my blog one of these days.

If you have the opportunity, read the book entitled Food Pets Die For by Ann N. Martin. It will change the way you think about pet food. I purchased my copy at Natural Pet Market. Click on the image below to visit their on-line store.

As mentioned above, here is the press release. Please forward it to all your pet loving guardians.

Mars Petcare US Issues Voluntary Recall of Everson, PA Plant Dry Pet Food Product Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination


Contact:
Debra Fair, Public Relations Manager — Central Marketing
MARS PETCARE US
(973) 691-3536

For Immediate Release

Mars Petcare US Announces Nationwide Voluntary Recall

Franklin, Tennessee (September 12, 2008)—Today, Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of products manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella serotype Schwarzengrund. This voluntary recall only affects the United States.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems. Healthy people potentially infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. On rare occasions, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and can potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The company stopped production at the Everson facility on July 29, 2008 when it was alerted of a possible link between dry pet food produced at the plant and two isolated cases of people infected with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.

Even though no direct link between product produced at Everson and human or pet illness has been made, Mars Petcare US is taking precautionary action to protect pets and their owners by announcing a voluntary recall of all products produced at the Everson facility beginning February 18, 2008 until July 29, 2008 when we stopped production.

The company is continuing to work collaboratively with the FDA to determine the nature and source of Salmonella Schwarzengrund at the Everson facility. Since it has not yet identified the source of the Salmonella Schwarzengrund at the Everson facility, Mars Petcare US does not plan to resume production out of a commitment to the safety of our pet owners and their pets, customers, and associates.

The top priority of Mars Petcare US has always been and continues to be the health and welfare of pets and their owners. Consumers can continue to have confidence in the quality and safety of the products produced at other Mars Petcare US facilities. Only those products which were produced at the Everson facility are impacted by the voluntary recall.

Many of the brands involved in the recall are national brands produced at multiple facilities. A chart for all products is below. For example, PEDIGREE® is manufactured in numerous facilities throughout the country, and Everson represents a very small portion of the manufacturing base – 2.7 percent of total PEDIGREE® production.

Mars Petcare US will work with retail customers to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or fed to pets. In the event that consumers believe they have purchased products affected by this voluntary recall, they should return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Specific product details and other information can be found at www.petcare.mars.com

Please find recalled pet food UPC information below. The products listed below are made at our Everson facility on behalf of a variety of retailers. All code dates, with the exception of PEDIGREE®, are listed in a similar format as noted below: Consumers should look for “17” as the first two digits of the second line. Sample: Best By Feb 18 09 17 1445 1 For PEDIGREE® the Everson code date format is as follows: Consumers should look for “PAE” on the bottom line – the sixth, seventh and eighth digits. Sample: PEDIGREE ® Small Crunchy Bites Best Before 02/2009 808G1PAE01 12:00

In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. A list of safe pet food handling tips can be found at: www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/petfoodtips080307.html

Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com. Please visit the official recall web site for the exact brands affected.

Who Farted?

I painted a cat's face and butt on the front and back sides of a pocket folder to showcase a mini portfolio of my art. My art will be featured during the grand opening of the second veterinary and rehabilitation offices of Loving Touch Animal Center. The facility is opening next month at Amsterdam Walk (corner of Monroe Dr and Amsterdam Ave) in (Midtown) Atlanta.

I came up with the title "Who Farted?" (front) or (back) for these paintings. The look on the kitty's face is priceless. The swooshing painted strokes and what looks like clouds of stink around butt on the backside made it apropos.

Do cats fart? I've never had one as a pet so I don't know. I'm thinking they do like dogs and humans. Phew!!!

Blues Traveler, Live and Collective Soul Concert

Just arrived home from an evening of musical inspiration at Chastain Park. (Actually, it's the wee hours on Monday. My how time flies.)

We saw one of our favorite bands from Priceton, NJ, Blues Traveler. John Popper is still rocking out with his harmonica. The other bands, Live and Collective Soul, invited him to play during their sets too. Blues Traveler's latest release, North Hollywood Shootout, is set for release on August 26. It's on my Amazon "Wish List". Their album, Four, remains a favorite.

We had not heard of Live from York, PA. Their last song had lyrics that included the words "rolling thunder". I'll have to look it up or if anyone knows the title and album name, please send me a comment to this post. It was beautiful.

Until we purchased the tickets, I hadn't heard of Collective Soul either. (Where have I been for the past 18 years?) I was fortunate to locate their 2007 album Afterwards at Target and have been listening to it for over a week. Their concert with the lighting effects reminded me of the Goo Goo Dolls. We saw them at Chastain last summer. Yes, I am now a fan of the Georgia rock 'n roll band, Collective Soul. yee-ha!

Here are two of my favorite Collective Soul songs from YouTube:

Shine
December

The evening was a wonderfully, inspiring event during which we thought of our good friend, Ray. Happy rockin' Birthday, Raymond, with many more to come!

Pet Peeves

Today's Illustration Friday topic is entitled "Pet Peeves". I knew I had to enter something for sure since I paint pets. I've selected my painting entitled "Catch of the Day" where the kitty has a whale of a fish in his mouth and proudly wears the fish hook necklace he caught it on. I call it: Cat-titude!

I enjoy cats for their individuality and mystery they bring us. One of my "pet peeves" about some cats is constant meowing when it is meal time. However, I view this behavior as "trainable". If pet guardians give into their cats meowing session, they develop the habit and meow until they get their food. Who's training who?

I'm not a cat guardian, however, most everyone I know trains their cat with a squirt gun filled with water. It doesn't hurt them just startles them and helps change the behavior.

Let's visit my "pet peeves" about the other domesticated furry companion--dogs. Yippee, I am a dog guardian! Lucy is such a joy. I like to keep it that way by not allowing her to bark and disrupt others. Again, this behavior is "trainable". If you cannot get the job done yourself, visit Bark Busters. I've heard they have an excellent program.

When you leave your dog out to bark, besides being a nusiance, you are making a bad name for that breed! When "would be" dog guardians go to adopt a pet, they remember the breed that constantly barked and sadly for the pet, pass it up at the animal rescue or shelter.

Another dog "pet peeve" of mine: Many people allow their dogs to use the bathroom in other people's yards when walking them. Even though they may pick "it" up, it's not their property to use. This is trespassing. Do you let your children play in other peoples yards? So why would you allow your dog to do the same?

When I take my dog, Lucy, for a walk, first and foremost, I take her AFTER she goes to the bathroom in OUR yard. The walk is for exercise, not a "marking" event. I walk Lucy either on the road or on a SHORT lead on the sidewalk. As her guardian, she is not allowed to "stop and smell the roses". She has plenty of time and space to do that in her own yard.

When you allow your pooch to "pay tribute" in other's yards, you never know for sure the consistency of poop that will come from your beloved four-legged friend. One day, I walked with another dog guardian and her dog dropped a load of DIARRHEA in another person's yard. The first words out of my mouth were "Is your dog sick?". The guardian indicated the dog had a nervous stomach the last few days and because of the consistency, was NOT going to pick up that particular "gift". Do you leave dirty diapers laying around for others to take care of? Your dog, your responsibility! Same holds true for public places, folks.

I find it disrespectful when people let their dogs frolic and do their duty in other's yards. Besides that, if the other dog has worms, Giardia, etc. and your dog sniffs his poo pile or child plays in the area, guess what? Your dog and/or child may end up with the condition too.

Now I realize there might be an emergency here and there. However, this is far and few between the "daily" regulars. Always bring that baggie along and please pick up no matter the consistency should this happen.

Let's face it, we love our pets. They are wonderful companions. However, pet-lovers or not, we have to respect the rights of others.

Above image: "Catch of the Day", (c) Susan Calvert, all rights reserved

Calvert Uses Art to Show Appreciation for Animals

By Mary Prickett, Paulding Neighbor Staff Writer

Artist Susan Calvert rarely has to look very far for inspiration. It usually follows her closely, on four legs.

When Ms. Calvert was diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, she said she also found a purpose for her art.

This disease, which left her allergic to most chemicals and synthetic products, affects her neurologically. But, she said she is not allergic to dogs.

When she was diagnosed and could no longer work, Ms. Calvert said she began spending more time with her Labrador Retriever, Lucy. Ms. Calvert said she began painting Lucy and when she ran across a flier for the humane society's Doggie Dash, she felt she and her loyal companion could make a difference.

"I thought my dog has given me a life and it was time I gave something back for all animals," she said.

After speaking with the society, Ms. Calvert set up a booth and displayed her artwork. But, she said, that was just the beginning.

"I wanted to put up my own Web site and sell it on eBay," she said. "I wanted to give a percentage of what I sold to the Paulding Humane Society, because the euthanasia numbers are high here and there is so much over populating and fighting. I thought this was the way I could finally give something back."

After months of preparation, Ms. Calvert said she has finally launched the site and has posted numerous paintings online.

"I have 40 matted photo prints on sale on eBay right now and they are being sold for $24.99 through a program called Mission Fish," she said. "Whenever one is sold the donation is $5, or 20 percent, whichever is higher, and I have sold two so far, but I don't make any money on this."

The Web site, www.SusanCalvert.com, also has a store, she said.

Now that everything is up and running, Ms. Calvert said she is glad to be able to help.

"This was the right thing for me to do and it felt great to sell my first two paintings," she said. "Lucy gave me a life and I know many people who couldn't live without their pets. We need to save more animals, spay and neuter and adopt, because they are beautiful souls and they give us so much."

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone! Yes, I know. January is almost over.....


I have been very busy working on two projects this month:


1. Updating my website with help from my friend and coach, Jean, owner of Haley Corker's. Visit her website, www.winecorker.org, for some really cool bottle corks she invented. Sure to be a hit at every party!


2. Fundraising for the animals at Paulding Humane Society with my prints on eBay. Please visit www.eBay.com and search for my name, "Susan Calvert", to see my charity auctions.


Please review my website, www.SusanCalvert.com, when you have the opportunity and let me know what you think of it. Remember this: Cats and dogs are earth's angels!


Image: Togetherness, copyright Susan Calvert