Happy Halloween!

To celebrate the holiday, my friend, Leslie, owner of Sutter-Day Architects located in Libertyville, IL, sent me this card (click to enlarge it):


(Inside reads: They’ll have eggs plastered all over the front of them.)

OMG, this card is too funny! Can you relate to it? I can.....Each Halloween now for several years, I’ve handed out “healthful” or “non-food alternatives” such as raisins and pencils, just like the card says. (My friend knows me well.)

Yes, I’m a “health” nut or I should say “healthier” nut or let’s totally rephrase that: I’m just a “nut”. Ha! (I like to think of myself as a nut in a positive light--full of imagination and creativity. Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t. Peter Paul’s Almond Joy’s got nuts. Peter Paul’s Mounds don’t because sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t!) Ah, the power of childhood commercial jingles.....

Leslie, my dear, because of your Halloween card, this year I’m adding to the mix. I bought a huge bag of nasty, sugary candy. (more business for Dr. Dressler at Mercury Free Dental) Candy plus a funky, decorated PENCIL for everyone who comes Trick or Treating to our house. (Bet you can’t guess what I sent you in the mail for Halloween. I'm sending you the leftovers too!)

To everyone else, have a Happy Halloween. Thanks for supporting my"alternative" art endeavors and reading my "nutty" creative writings.

Event: CFA Championship & Household Pet Show

I just received notification to exhibit my art at the 70th Annual CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc.) Allbreed Cat Show & Household Pet Show. The show is hosted by Cotton States Cat Club, Inc. and will have over 400 cats competing nationwide. Meeeeeow!

The show, open to the public, is this upcoming weekend (OMG--I can hardly believe it's November already!):

Saturday, November 1, 2008, 10am to 5pm
Sunday, November 2, 2008, 9am to 4pm

located at:

Gwinnett Convention Center and Arena
6400 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, GA 30097

Admission is $5 (child) $7 (adult).

Please stop by my booth and let me know what you think of my NEW handmade Pet Charms. Place them on your kitty's collar for ID, on your child's charm bracelet or in your scrapbook. I will be taking custom orders at the show that include your kitty's name and phone number on the backside too.



So if you love cats, this is an event for you. And if you don't love cats, forward this to folks you know who do love them. (Hint: If someone has a cat, they love them, even if they think they don't. Ha!) Here kitty, kitty...

>''<

Event: Goldenrama

I met some really cool ladies, Diane and Jen, from Adopt A Golden Atlanta during my art show last weekend. They invited me to bring my art to their 5th Annual Goldenrama, this upcoming Sunday, October 26, 2008 from noon to 4pm. (Yes, I am aware this is a last minute notice, however, keep reading.)

The event is open to anyone with a Golden Retriever. Bring your Goldens along with other family members for a fun-filled afternoon of games, auctions, food and more. There's a Halloween costume contest too--wheeeee! Dress-up your pooch to compete for a prize.

This is a fundraiser! If you can afford a $10 per person or $25 per family donation at sign-in, it would be greatly appreciated by the organization. (Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.) RSVP before 8pm, Friday, October 24, to Juliann@adoptagoldenatlanta.com.

Goldenrama is being held at:

Concourse Office Park
Hammond Drive and Peachtree-Dunwoody
Sandy Springs, GA
404-DOGLESS

Click on the image below to enlarge it for additional details:


Please forward this post to others who might be interested in helping out this organization. Just click on the tiny white envelope under the post to forward it. Thanks for supporting Adopt A Golden Atlanta.

Nationwide Dog Treat Recall: Chicken Basted Rawhide Chips

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2008

NATIONWIDE CHICKEN-BASTED RAWHIDE CHIPS RECALLED

The Hartz Mountain Corporation, Secaucus, New Jersey, is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of Hartz Chicken-Basted Rawhide Chips due to concerns that one or more bags within the lot are potentially contaminated with Salmonella.


The product involved is 4,850 two-pound plastic bags of Hartz Chicken-Basted Rawhide Chips, lot code JC23282, UPC number 3270096463.

Dog owners who purchased this product should check the lot code on their bag. If it is from the recalled lot, they should immediately discontinue using it and discard it.

Consumers can contact Hartz at 1-800-275-1414 with any questions they may have and to obtain reimbursement.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs, and, if there is cross-contamination caused by handling of the rawhide chips, 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.

For information in GA, contact:
Arty Schronce, Yao Seidu or Tyler Adams 404-656-368
Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30334
http://www.agr.georgia.gov
www.agr.georgia.gov
This Press Release was sent to me by:
Humane Association of Georgia, Inc.
A statewide coalition of humane societies, animal control and rescue groups and individuals.
info@HumaneAssociationofGeorgia.org
http://www.HumaneAssociationofGeorgia.org

About the organization:
HAGA is known for the Animal Protection Act of 2000 that makes some acts of animal cruelty a felony and the Dog and Cat Sterilization License Plates and Georgia Income Tax Check Off that fund statewide spay/neuter projects. Our formation allowed Georgia to be the first state by law to allow animals in disaster shelter. We were formed to support good animal legislation, provide education about good animal stewardship and help animals in times of disaster. HAGA is a member of the Georgia Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster.

Please join the Humane Association of Georgia. Our membership fee is $25.00 per year. Donations are appreciated. Please let us know if you or anyone you know would like to be added to our email alert list about animal issues. Please make your check out to Humane Association of Georgia, Inc. and mail to the address above.

Marley & Me--(The Movie)

Yesterday, while watching the television show, Entertainment Tonight, it was announced the book, Marley & Me (video clip), the story of a crazy, beloved dog and his untrained pet guardians, is currently being turned into a motion picture. The movie stars Owen Wilson (one of my favorite actors) and Jennifer Anniston. It opens in theatres everywhere on December 25, 2008.

Just a few days ago, I saw the author of Marley & Me, John Grogan, with his wife, Jennifer, and their new Yellow Lab, Gracie, on Cesar Millan’s television show Dog Whisperer. Cesar was desensitizing Gracie from the Grogan’s pet chickens. She had eaten two of them. Whoops!

Cesar brought Gracie and family along with a chicken into the closed garage (for easier control of the situation). Cesar was holding the chicken and allowing Gracie to sniff it while correcting her. The chicken became afraid and crapped all over Cesar. During another try, the chicken dropped an egg right on the spot. The show was hilarious!!!!

My good friend, Cheryl Solomon, owner of the advertising agency, Solomon Space Sales, Inc., located in Chicago, IL, sent me the book, Marley & Me, as a gift when it first came out. She has three Golden Retrievers and like myself, can relate to the story. The book was a delightful read, one I will always treasure and encourage others to read. Thanks, again, Cheryl!

I can hardly wait to see the movie. It will definitely make my holiday season brighter. Until then, here’s "Lucy & Me" in the wee hours of the morning approximately 7 years ago when she was just a pup.

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.