To Foster or Not to Foster

I hooked up with another Animal Rescue. I go once a week to take care of the pups and work in their store. Cleaning, stocking, and, my favorite part, playing with the pups.

There's a little dog there named Bindi. Doxie mix, brindle like my Love Bug, and sweet and shy. Maybe a few years old, tossed in a shelter, very pregnant. She had the babies under the kind guidance and care of the wonderful people at the rescue. I soooo want to foster Bindi.

Right now I'm watching my daughter's cat while she tries to sell her house. Will the dog get along with the cat? Should I wait till after the cat goes to her new home?

Some foster dogs bring chaos. Some bring hugs. I don't think this little one would be a problem if she gets along with LoveBug.  LoveBug is pretty laid back. Eight years old, just wants to hang on the couch, maybe go for a couple of walks. Eat good food and score a couple of treats. Yep, that's LoveBug's ideal life.

Decisions, decisions.....
What do you think, LoveBug? Need a little sister?

Salmonella Dog Treat Alert!

A warning just posted on the Dog Food Advisor's Website is a recall for numerous brands of dog treats due to salmonella. Yeesh!

Kasel Industries is recalling the following brands…
Boots & Barkley
Bixbi
Nature’s Deli
Colorado Naturals
Petco
Best Bully SticksMore information with exact lot numbers is on the Dog Food Advisor's website. 

I don't buy anything from China for my dogs because of the issues with contaminated food. In some stores its hard to find any chewy thing for treat without that "Made in China" note. Now we have salmonella.

From what I've read salmonella will make your dog pretty sick with vomiting, diarrhea and a whole list of other nasty stuff. If you think your dog has eaten something off the list call your vet. Even if your dog isn't exhibiting symptoms, better safe than sorry.

I have a friend who makes her own dog treats. Although I'm really not a cook, that idea is getting more appealing.

Dog Food Reviews, Recalls, & Alerts

With all the scary recalls on dog food and dog treats hitting the news lately its best to be on high alert when purchasing anything for your dog. One of my favorite places on the web for dog food reviews is Dog Food Advisor. On this site you can check out any food for nutritional value, see best and worst rated foods and sign up for recall alerts. They rate all dog foods and give all the details of each ingredient. They explain why the ingredients in your dog's food are good or why they are bad. It helps to make an informed decision on what to feed your precious pup.

I strongly recommend everyone sign up for email recall alerts.

I never get any spam from this site and the only things they ever send are the recalls. Receiving these alerts allows me to check my own pantry and forward the email to my friends and relatives who own dogs.

 I have a Shih Tzu, Gracie, and usually a foster dog in my home and I feed Natural Choice Grain Free for small breeds. When my Gracie first came to my home she was itching all the time. No fleas, oatmeal shampoos and regular grooming but still she itched. A Shih Tzu forum suggested a grain free food so I went to Natural Choice and the itching stopped. Yay! It's only a 3 star food on Dog Food Advisor, but she's doing good on it so we're sticking with it for the time being. I also give her Fresh Pet Select for dinner. That's a five star food so hopefully these two foods will give her the balance of nutrients she needs. Gracie came from a puppy mill where she was not well cared for during the first seven years of her life so she needs all the good food she can get!
Woof!