Please note that Four Paws Acupuncture is not affiliated with Four Paws Inc.

Here is the website with the information on this harmful toy.
thechaistory.blogspot.com

I will try to research more about this toy later.. as I am in between patients right now!

From Wikepedia

The Bernese Mountain Dog (also called Berner Sennenhund or Bouvier Bernois) is a versatile breed of farm dog originating in the canton of Berne in Switzerland.

A tri-colored dog of large size, the “Berner” (as they are often called) stands 23 to 27.5 inches (58-70 cm) at the withers. Breed standards for this breed normally specify no weight, but the usual range is 65 to 120 pounds. The breed is instantly recognized by its distinctive tri-color pattern: body, neck, legs, head and ears are solid black; the cheeks, stockings and thumbprints (or ghost eyes) are tan; the toes, chest, muzzle, tail tip and blaze between the eyes white. The pattern is rigid and varies only slightly in the amount of white. A perfectly-marked individual gives the impression of a white “Swiss cross” on the chest, when viewed from the front in sitting position. The eyes are an expressive dark brown and are almond shaped. Male Bernese mountain dogs are normally larger in size than females but both genders are extremely strong.

Bernese are outdoor dogs at heart, though well-behaved in the house; they need activity and exercise, but do not have a great deal of endurance. They can move with amazing bursts of speed for their size when motivated. If they are sound (no problems with their hips, elbows, or other joints) they enjoy hiking and generally stick close to their people.

The Bernese temperament is a strong point of the breed. They are affectionate, loyal, faithful, stable and intelligent. The majority of Bernese are very friendly to people, and other dogs. They often get along well with other pets such as cats, horses, etc. They are very trainable provided the owner is patient and consistent in training; Bernese need time to think things through. They do not respond well to harsh treatment, however Berners are very willing and eager to please their master. Bernese love to be encouraged with praise and treats. The breed is very sweet and good with children, despite their great size. Overall, they are very stable in temperament, patient, and loving.

Bernese Mountain Dogs are quirky, loving dogs, craving love and affection. They love to lean against people, sit on their feet, or lie down under their legs while people sit.

The Bernese calm temperament makes them a natural for pulling small carts or wagons, a task they originally performed in Switzerland. With proper training they enjoy giving children rides in a cart or participating in a parade. The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America offers drafting trials open to all breeds; dogs can earn an NDD (Novice Draft Dog) or a DD (Draft Dog) title. Regional Bernese clubs often offer carting workshop.

Read more about this amazing dog at Wikepedia

From our friends at Grey2KUSA

Friends:

With forty days left until Election Day, Massachusetts greyhounds are in the fight of their lives.

Across the state, thousands of volunteers are hard at work asking their neighbors to vote Yes on Question 3, a ballot question to close two cruel dog tracks. And if the election were held today, the greyhounds would win.

Unfortunately, wealthy racetrack owners also know their inhumane businesses are in jeopardy. That is why they recently launched a campaign based on misinformation and confusion. First, they named themselves the “Committee to Protect Dogs and Jobs,” in an obvious attempt to mimic the Yes on 3 campaign. When we alerted authorities to this subterfuge, they renamed themselves the “Massachusetts Animal Coalition.” However, a non-profit animal protection organization by that name already exists—and has always supported our work.

This is not the only recent example of dog track deception. Even though their campaign is only hours old, they have already made multiple false statements. For example, in a newspaper ad yesterday the tracks claimed to have a 100% greyhound adoption rate. But state records prove that the actual adoption rate is only 14%.

Please don’t let wealthy dog track owners get away with this. We have the truth, but the greyhounds will not win without the financial resources to bring our message of compassion to all voters.

If you haven’t already done so, watch our Yes on 3 video and then forward it to all your friends! Then make an immediate contribution right away, and send a message to these dog tracks that we will no longer tolerate their denial and deception.”

BARK THE VOTE! Vote YES on 3! Spread the word.

We reserve the right not to publish nasty comments by trolls! Feel free to get your own blog and post your views. Thank you

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you .

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.

Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God’s critters

I thought it would be a good idea to post information once a week on different breeds. This week Belgian Shepherd Dogs will be featured.

From Wikipedia

Belgian Shepherd Dog (also know as the Belgian Sheepdog or Chien de Berger Belge) can refer to any of four varieties of dog: the Groenendael, the Laekenois, the Tervuren, or the Malinois. In some regions, these are considered four different varieties of a single breed; in other regions, they are considered separate breeds.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes only the Groenendael under the name “Belgian Sheepdog”, but also recognizes the Tervuren (with the alternative spelling “Tervueren”) and the Malinois as individual breeds. The Laekenois can be registered as part of the AKC foundation stock service and should eventually be recognised fully by the AKC.

The Australian National Kennel Council and the New Zealand Kennel Club recognize all four as separate breeds. The Canadian Kennel Club, Kennel Union of South Africa and the Kennel Club (UK) follow the FCI classification scheme and recognises all four as varieties of the same breed.

All are hard-working, intelligent dogs of the same general size and temperament. They differ in their coats and superficially in appearance.

They are so closely related that, when breeding any two dogs of the same coat colour and length (eg Groenendael), it is possible for puppies of different “breeds” to be in the same litter. For example, a Groenendael litter could contain a brown-coated long-haired puppy; in countries that consider them the same breed with 4 coat varieties, this is fine and the puppy would be a valid Tervuren, but the AKC considers it to be an aberration of the all-black Belgian Shepherd and disqualifies it in the conformation ring. This dog can be bred with other Groenendaels (indeed the AKC allows this because the dog is after all registered as a Groenendael!) and worked in obedience, agility and other sports venues. Likewise, a Malinois could have a long-coated puppy; in some countries, this is merely the Tervueren coat variation but the AKC again considers it to be a disqualifiable fault in the conformation ring.

In years gone past, the Groenendael and Tervuren were one breed with coat variations until the Club decided to petition the AKC to make the separation into two separate breeds.

Temperament

Belgian Shepherds are bred to be highly intelligent, alert and sensitive to everything going on around them, and to develop extremely strong relationship bonds. This means that they need significant socializing as puppies, lifelong activity outlets, and will seek to be with “their human” all the time, preferably doing something rather than waiting around. They can find it very difficult to be left alone. During their juvenile years, they can go through irrational fears (similar to the child who believes there is a monster in the closet), and can suddenly develop anxiety over some object or place which has never been a problem before, although these fade over time with a good positive lead. They tend strongly to be a “one person dog.”

All the Belgian Shepherd breeds need a lot of activity and close interaction with people. Like most herding breeds, they need a job to do (be it herding, learning tricks, dog agility). Throwing a toy endlessly for the dog to fetch works for some breeds, but the Belgian breeds are intelligent and sociable dogs who can easily become bored with such simple and undemanding repetition. Many Belgians make superb assistance dogs who thrive on knowing that their jobs are indeed necessary for their chosen person.

They are widely considered to be a good looking dog, loyal, intelligent, fun, and well suited to family life. However because of their high sensitivity to criticism or to being ignored, their careful handling and socializing needs, their need for ongoing stimulation and purposeful activity, and their potential, they require a lot of exercise and interaction. ”

To read more about Belgian Shepherds visit wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_Shepherd_Dog

Puppy Mill Awareness Day in Salem, MA

Help Stop Puppy Mills

Join us, Saturday, September 20th
Salem Common, 12 - 4 PM, Salem, MA
Come and learn what you can do to save the lives of puppies

Food, Music, Raffle (good stuff for you and your pet), local rescue groups with animals to adopt, and more! Animals and Humans welcome!

In conjunction with www.AwarenessDay.org, part of a NATIONWIDE effort to put an end to puppy mills Contact info: NoMorePuppyMills88@gmail.com, 978-745-5288

www.Awarenessday.org

Watch how a dog really drinks water on this footage from the Discovery Channel. You will never think the same way about your dog again!

Click on www.youtube.com to watch!

PHOENIX - “Man’s best friend” doesn’t go far enough for Buddy — a German shepherd who remembered his training and saved his owner’s life by calling 911 when the man had a seizure.

“Hello, this is 911. Hello … Can you hear me? Is there somebody there you can give the phone to,” says the dispatcher, Chris Scott.

Police were sent to Stalnaker’s home, and after about three minutes Buddy is heard barking loudly when the officers arrived.

Scottsdale police Sgt. Mark Clark said Stalnaker spent two days in a hospital and recovered from the seizure.

“It’s pretty incredible,” Clark said. “Even the veteran dispatchers — they haven’t heard of anything like this.”

Clark said police are dispatched whenever 911 is called, but that Stalnaker’s address was flagged in Scottsdale’s system with a notification that a trained assistance dog could call 911 when the owner was incapacitated.

Clark said Stalnaker adopted Buddy at the age of 8 weeks from Michigan-based Paws with a Cause, which trains assistance dogs, and trained him to get the phone if he began to have seizure symptoms. Buddy, now 18 months old, is able press programmed buttons until a 911 operator is on the line, Clark said.

Clark said Buddy has made two other 911 calls when Stalnaker was having seizures.

Read more of this story at www.msnbc.com

Love those German Shepherds! Good Boy Buddy!

Mars Petcare, with brand names that include Pedigree, issued a voluntary recall for pet food produced at its plant in Everson, PA due to the potential for salmonella poisoning. Some of the food may be a retail store brand.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Fanklin, 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 serotypeSchwarzengrund. 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.

The Best Friends Animal Shelter is determined to get Barack Obama to adopt a rescue dog after the election. He has promised his daughters a dog after the election, no matter the outcome.

Visit www.OBamaFamilyDog.com to sign the petition!