Pet Monologues

Off topic: I am killing time, waiting for a client to give me the go-ahead. Idle mind, idle fingers. This is what it gets you…

via speedcat hollydale four-legged chickens and a starwars-like attack of the clones group photograph.

note: PM did demonstrate one-upsmanship via bigger is better And, if you do indeed fetish chickens you might check these links…
are you calling me chicken?
chicken bones are evil
artist draws baby chickens progress daily
you don’t deserve chicken

Pet Monologues launched just as the pet-food recalls were front-page headlines one year ago. The events propelled us into the blogosphere to be sure. A year later it seems fitting to revisit pet-food and diet.

We (PM household) have not yet gone organic but feel fortunate living in a large metro area where there are many choices. However we also find ourselves having to decide daily whether to pay the premium for eating organic. You can find a more in-depth viewpoint on pet diet in our pet-food recipe section.

Let’s think about diet, fitness, and spirit. We are the messenger at this point in time.

The top five benefits of natural organic pet food for your dog:

Whether or not you’ve “gone organic,” you probably know how crucial a role diet plays in your overall health. People who switch to organic foods report a boost in their energy levels. Their complexions improve and rashes clear up. They catch fewer colds, suffer fewer allergies, and recover quicker from illnesses. The health benefits of eating organic seem to last long-term. Read the rest of this entry »

Famous bun maker cleans up “doggy” name.

BEIJING (Reuters)—A Chinese maker of famed stuffed buns whose Chinese name means “A dog would ignore it” has cleaned up its English-language to avoid confusion, but may be risking more puzzled looks. Read the rest of this entry »

If you think the Pug can clean your monitor, wait until you see the cat clean your monitor.

The cat’s tongue…

When our cat scarfs his moist food placed on his chrome Wetnoz serving-plate, the surface looks like a mirror. There is nothing left, just a haze-free shine. You could not get the same results with sandpaper, yet that is what his tongue can feel like on your face in the middle of the night.

A Grooming Tool and More
A cat’s ability to groom itself is the result of numerous knobs called papillae on the surface of a cat’s tongue. Located at the tongue’s center, the papillae form backward-facing hooks containing large amounts of keratin, the same material found in human fingernails. These hooks provide the abrasiveness a cat needs for self-grooming. Read the rest of this entry »

USDA recalls 143,000 pounds of meat.

CALIFORNIA—The U.S. Department of Agriculture initiated the largest meat recall in U.S. history today, recalling 143 million pounds of beef from a macabre California slaughterhouse that chopped up downer cows—a rich source of mad cow disease—and sold them to school districts across the nation. Read the rest of this entry »

A turkey is either one of two species of large birds in the genus Meleagris native to North America. Turkeys are classed in the order Galliformes. Formerly they were considered a distinct family, Meleagrididae, but more recently were reclassified as a subfamily (Meleagridinae) of the pheasants and their allies. The two species are the North American Wild Turkey (M. gallopavo) and the Central American Ocellated Turkey (M. ocellata).

Meleagridinae, species not sure, anyone know?

Turkeys have a distinctive fleshy carbuncle that hangs from the beak, called a snood. As with many galliform species, the female is smaller than the male, and much less colorful. With wingspans of 1.5–1.8 meters (almost 6 feet), the turkeys are by far the largest birds in the open forests in which they live, and are rarely mistaken for any other species. The usual lifespan for a turkey is 10 years.

When Europeans first encountered turkeys in the Americas, they incorrectly identified the birds as a type of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), also known as a turkey-cock from its importation to Central Europe through Turkey, and the name of that country stuck as the name of the bird. The confusion is also reflected in the scientific name: meleagris is Greek for guinea-fowl. Read the rest of this entry »

I am not in today so I can’t read emails or do much on PM. Caw to art! #1 still a work-in-progress. BH is going to pick me up about 8pm so we can eat dinner. She has two bottles of wine in the trunk of her car. I hope we only drink one as it is late and a school night = weekday.

We bought a new book titled—BYOB—and she is relieved we have many places to choose from. You see, I like to go to the same proven places and not even order, the food is just served up. We are sort of on a roll to look for fine eateries that do not charge a corkage fee and we wind up throwing the savings in the tip. We are highly principled diners…

This blog has tainted by thinking. I am thinking about writing up something about BYOP = restaurants that are pet-friendly and getting feedback on what folks think of oysters, wine, and toy poodles, all in the same place.

Just a little research points to a very controversial topic. I’ll close with a surprising tidbit, to me, Chicago ranks #1 in dog-friendly cities. to be continued…

Hartz Vitamin Care recall.
Hartz announced a recall on November 2 for Hartz Vitamin Care for cats. Read the rest of this entry »

Your dog is your very best friend. Every single time you walk through the door your dog is so happy to see you that he wags his tail and practically smiles at you. How can you show your pet how much they mean to you? Well, one way is to take care of that smile for your pet. Did you know that your dog’s diet can influence their oral health?

Humans need to brush and floss their teeth regularly to keep their teeth, tongue, and gums in good condition. Research has recently shown a link between good oral health in humans and a lower risk of heart disease. If good oral health can have such a profound affect on people, then it only makes sense to consider the impact it can have on man’s best friend.

It is important to brush your dog’s teeth frequently to keep plaque and tartar from becoming an issue. Even wiping his gums with a clean, damp cloth can be beneficial.

Your dog’s diet also plays a role in your pet’s oral health. Do you typically feed your dog canned or dry dog food? What kind of treats and toys do you provide for your pet? All of these things can affect the likelihood of trouble with your pet’s teeth. Read the rest of this entry »

Recall dates spike pet insurance claims.

While non-pet food recalls continue to be in the headlines, the pet-food recalls have diminished. Read the rest of this entry »