The US Government published a dog food recall today:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm290117.htm?source=govdelivery
Advanced Animal Nutrition Recalls Dog Power Dry Dog Food
Click on the link to get the lot numbers.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, January 09, 2012
What Does a Cat Whisperer Do?
A cat whisperer - or cat trainer - can help with a troubled cat and human relationship. We can help the cat to adjust to changes around the home.
This includes helping a cat to accept other cats or dogs, a new baby, spouse, or partner. We can help the cat to feel comfortable in a new home, including a feral or rescue cat. Not that the cat will like it, but we can help the owner (or foster home) to make the cat more comfortable by their actions.
I work with shelters, foster families, folks who want to feed the feral cats in the neighborhood, and new parents; to help their cats feel more comfortable, adjust to the vagaries of life, and be more friendly.
There are times when a cat will mark it's territory, or bite and scratch for no apparent reason. I work with the humans to identify the issues, and adjust the cat's behavior accordingly.
Some cats seem hopeless and helpless. There is no bad cat. There is no hopeless cat. All the cat wants is to feel safe and eat it's fill. It wants to sleep in the sun and chase mice or birds. We, as humans, can help cats to feel safe and secure, to chase toys instead of live animals, and we do that by our actions.
I also talk a lot about a cat's diet. A cat has to eat healthy food and since we tend to keep cats in our homes, that means we have to provide that healthy food. Not all cat food is good for cats. I test foods, read labels, and keep on top of the additives and recalls that affect our furry friends. If I find something you, the owner, needs to know about, I pass it on as fast as I can.
I hope I can build trust with you, and you will learn to rely on me a little bit.
Best purrs and scratches...
This includes helping a cat to accept other cats or dogs, a new baby, spouse, or partner. We can help the cat to feel comfortable in a new home, including a feral or rescue cat. Not that the cat will like it, but we can help the owner (or foster home) to make the cat more comfortable by their actions.
I work with shelters, foster families, folks who want to feed the feral cats in the neighborhood, and new parents; to help their cats feel more comfortable, adjust to the vagaries of life, and be more friendly.
There are times when a cat will mark it's territory, or bite and scratch for no apparent reason. I work with the humans to identify the issues, and adjust the cat's behavior accordingly.
Some cats seem hopeless and helpless. There is no bad cat. There is no hopeless cat. All the cat wants is to feel safe and eat it's fill. It wants to sleep in the sun and chase mice or birds. We, as humans, can help cats to feel safe and secure, to chase toys instead of live animals, and we do that by our actions.
I also talk a lot about a cat's diet. A cat has to eat healthy food and since we tend to keep cats in our homes, that means we have to provide that healthy food. Not all cat food is good for cats. I test foods, read labels, and keep on top of the additives and recalls that affect our furry friends. If I find something you, the owner, needs to know about, I pass it on as fast as I can.
I hope I can build trust with you, and you will learn to rely on me a little bit.
Best purrs and scratches...
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Holidays are Over!
Thank goodness the holidays are over! Still a little lingering stuff to handle, like putting the Christmas decorations away, and taking down the Christmas cards from my display. But for the most part, stuff is all done. No leftovers in the fridge, no food to tempt me.
The cats are also on a diet. I realized I was feeding them 1/2 can a day plus dry food. I had to cut them back to 1/4 can a day, and sometimes, that means 1/8 of a can in the morning, and the rest at night.
The bad part about this is that Princess doesn't need to be on a diet. I wish I could get her to eat better. She continues to lose weight, and her bones are sticking out. There is nothing to be done, but make her comfortable. She sometimes has a little pain, a creaking in her joints, and she gets irritable with the other cats. Any of the other cats. She just wants what she wants when she wants it, too. She cuddles a bit, on my lap. She can be really insistent about that...
Beasley is the greatest complainer, of course. He wants all the food in the house in his bowl. He will eat his and everyone elses' food, if I let him. At least he's stopped vomiting up his food as soon as he's eaten. He is keeping it down.
I wormed them a few weeks ago, then added some edible diatomaceous earth to their food for a week after that. Any little worms left in their guts were shredded and no longer exist.
The fleas are also much better - more due to the cold weather than any action on my part. I still comb regularly and administer the flea drops. I haven't had to spray, but come spring, if the carpet isn't all out of here, there will be another infestation.
Otherwise, Queenie is a little distant, but she checks in with me at least once a day - right in my face, getting snuggles. Bugs is cuddly and filling out her personality a little more. She was so two-dimensional for so long, it's nice to see her realize that she's more than enough cat for anyone. And Fluffy, who never liked to see a brush or comb, is now coming to me and asking for them! She loves to sit on my lap as long as she can, and get mommy-time.
Beasley has been relegated to the top of the chair, and pouts a lot. But he knows he's my boy. At bedtime, he has dibs on the "next to the pillow" spot and gets to even put his nose on the pillow if he wants to.
The birds are coming by regularly, and I changed the seed mix so we get some really nice little songbirds, now. I have to put up another suet cake today. The cats need a few perches in front of the window. There just doesn't seem to be enough seating for them all.
Well, Happy New Year, friends. I hope your holidays were good, and your cats were healthy through it all. I miss tinsel. I never liked angel hair, so I went to tinsel. But it isn't safe for them. Ah, well... One day, maybe. If I ever get down to only one cat and can keep track of him or her enough to keep it out of the tree.
The cats are also on a diet. I realized I was feeding them 1/2 can a day plus dry food. I had to cut them back to 1/4 can a day, and sometimes, that means 1/8 of a can in the morning, and the rest at night.
The bad part about this is that Princess doesn't need to be on a diet. I wish I could get her to eat better. She continues to lose weight, and her bones are sticking out. There is nothing to be done, but make her comfortable. She sometimes has a little pain, a creaking in her joints, and she gets irritable with the other cats. Any of the other cats. She just wants what she wants when she wants it, too. She cuddles a bit, on my lap. She can be really insistent about that...
Beasley is the greatest complainer, of course. He wants all the food in the house in his bowl. He will eat his and everyone elses' food, if I let him. At least he's stopped vomiting up his food as soon as he's eaten. He is keeping it down.
I wormed them a few weeks ago, then added some edible diatomaceous earth to their food for a week after that. Any little worms left in their guts were shredded and no longer exist.
The fleas are also much better - more due to the cold weather than any action on my part. I still comb regularly and administer the flea drops. I haven't had to spray, but come spring, if the carpet isn't all out of here, there will be another infestation.
Otherwise, Queenie is a little distant, but she checks in with me at least once a day - right in my face, getting snuggles. Bugs is cuddly and filling out her personality a little more. She was so two-dimensional for so long, it's nice to see her realize that she's more than enough cat for anyone. And Fluffy, who never liked to see a brush or comb, is now coming to me and asking for them! She loves to sit on my lap as long as she can, and get mommy-time.
Beasley has been relegated to the top of the chair, and pouts a lot. But he knows he's my boy. At bedtime, he has dibs on the "next to the pillow" spot and gets to even put his nose on the pillow if he wants to.
The birds are coming by regularly, and I changed the seed mix so we get some really nice little songbirds, now. I have to put up another suet cake today. The cats need a few perches in front of the window. There just doesn't seem to be enough seating for them all.
Well, Happy New Year, friends. I hope your holidays were good, and your cats were healthy through it all. I miss tinsel. I never liked angel hair, so I went to tinsel. But it isn't safe for them. Ah, well... One day, maybe. If I ever get down to only one cat and can keep track of him or her enough to keep it out of the tree.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Does Your Cat Caress You?
Does your cat caress you with his tail? That's a sign of deep affection.
I've noticed my cats will come to me and rub against me, then lean in at the tail end, with their tails toward me from the base to tip. This is the start of a caress.
Other times, I've noticed Beasley, since it's his spot in the bed, lay with his back to me, and put his tail up (if he were standing) and caress my arm. He actually wraps his tail around my arm and moves it up and down, like he's petting me.
Fluffy likes to lay on my lap, and will wrap her tail around my middle. If I move her tail to something that looks more comfortable for her, she will move it back to where she had it. She then twitches the tip of her tail to "pet" me. It's a way of saying "thank you" for the lap space.
Cats have many uses for their tails. Check your cat's tail out and let me know how s/he uses it...
I've noticed my cats will come to me and rub against me, then lean in at the tail end, with their tails toward me from the base to tip. This is the start of a caress.
Other times, I've noticed Beasley, since it's his spot in the bed, lay with his back to me, and put his tail up (if he were standing) and caress my arm. He actually wraps his tail around my arm and moves it up and down, like he's petting me.
Fluffy likes to lay on my lap, and will wrap her tail around my middle. If I move her tail to something that looks more comfortable for her, she will move it back to where she had it. She then twitches the tip of her tail to "pet" me. It's a way of saying "thank you" for the lap space.
Cats have many uses for their tails. Check your cat's tail out and let me know how s/he uses it...
Thursday, December 22, 2011
2012 Newsletters
I've selected the 12 topics for newsletters for 2012. I was able to find articles for the first 6 issues, and then stopped for a break.
I'm in the middle of a book on the Mother/Daughter relationship, so I need a little time on that, too.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, my readers. May 2012 bring answers to your prayers and gifts to your lives.
I'm in the middle of a book on the Mother/Daughter relationship, so I need a little time on that, too.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, my readers. May 2012 bring answers to your prayers and gifts to your lives.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Articles of Interest
I have some "google alerts" set up and this week these articles caught my eye. I'm sharing now, and in the e-zine.
Smile!
Article on overweight pets
A neighborhood in need of a TNR Program
Stray cats vs. birds
Anti TNR for the birds' sake
Smile!
Article on overweight pets
A neighborhood in need of a TNR Program
Stray cats vs. birds
Anti TNR for the birds' sake
Monday, November 07, 2011
Do you Tweet?
Do you Tweet? Do you follow folks on Twitter?
I set up some google alerts (about time I learned how!) and there were some disturbing results this morning. I tweeted them, which is what I do with them. If you follow my Tweets, @tnmorgen, then you saw them...
bit.ly/vdMaBf
fxn.ws/s1y7uP
bit.ly/t4dh1H
Bless all the cat lovers in the world today!
I set up some google alerts (about time I learned how!) and there were some disturbing results this morning. I tweeted them, which is what I do with them. If you follow my Tweets, @tnmorgen, then you saw them...
bit.ly/vdMaBf
fxn.ws/s1y7uP
bit.ly/t4dh1H
Bless all the cat lovers in the world today!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Advertising in Person
One of the annual events I participate in, is the WUOT, or local public radio station, fund raiser. As my regular participation has yielded friends, I've been invited to participate in other things. It's been a pleasure to do this, but my time for one of these things is at an end. My poor body is about done with standing for more than an hour, and this year's "Boo at the Zoo" showed me just how long I could stand.
t's a five-hour stint of standing, entertaining, and handing out goodies to the local kids and adults who come to see what is up at the zoo, and to support the zoo. I made it three hours, and it took 3 days to recover.
But, because I knew it was likely to be my last time out, I went all-out in the costuming department. I was the "classical cat" (for classical music, and cats) while others in our group were other characters and personalities relating to our love of the station and it's programming. We have "Carl (chained to the) Cassil," "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me! (there's a spider on my shoulder)," "Morning Edition (taking the photo, so not shown)," a "Foreign Correspondent," "Klick and Klack," a "Sports Reporter," and "Classical Cat." Here is a photo of our group...
I hope my body is better next year, and I can do it again, but if nothing else, I got to do it this year, and the memories will be there forever. We always have a good time, and handing out donuts at the end of the run is always fun!
Sticky, but fun!
t's a five-hour stint of standing, entertaining, and handing out goodies to the local kids and adults who come to see what is up at the zoo, and to support the zoo. I made it three hours, and it took 3 days to recover.
But, because I knew it was likely to be my last time out, I went all-out in the costuming department. I was the "classical cat" (for classical music, and cats) while others in our group were other characters and personalities relating to our love of the station and it's programming. We have "Carl (chained to the) Cassil," "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me! (there's a spider on my shoulder)," "Morning Edition (taking the photo, so not shown)," a "Foreign Correspondent," "Klick and Klack," a "Sports Reporter," and "Classical Cat." Here is a photo of our group...
Sticky, but fun!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Trying a New Crunchy
My pet supply store (Pet Supplies Plus) did it again - they put a fabulous product on sale, so I could afford it for a trial. They put a 2-for-1 price on Before Grain Cat Food by Merrick. I got a bag of Chicken and a bag of Salmon flavors.
http://bit.ly/t1yXeu
My cats are ignoring the wet food and going for the chicken like nobody's business! I've never seen anything like it. Beasley, of course, could care less. He only eats dry food if there is nothing else available, but he snagged a couple of nuggets to see what everybody was so excited about. I had one of the girls shoveling it into her mouth & scattering it all over the floor in the process.
So, it's a hit. Now, if it reduces Bugsy's gas, that's a good thing. The flavor is one thing, but the quality of the food over the long term is a better thing. The ingredients list is a little confusing, but that's the added vitamins and minerals. There is nothing in the food that shouldn't be there.
Since I can't get Bugsy to eat any meat at all, this may be the answer. She certainly needs better nutrition than she's been getting.
http://bit.ly/t1yXeu
My cats are ignoring the wet food and going for the chicken like nobody's business! I've never seen anything like it. Beasley, of course, could care less. He only eats dry food if there is nothing else available, but he snagged a couple of nuggets to see what everybody was so excited about. I had one of the girls shoveling it into her mouth & scattering it all over the floor in the process.
So, it's a hit. Now, if it reduces Bugsy's gas, that's a good thing. The flavor is one thing, but the quality of the food over the long term is a better thing. The ingredients list is a little confusing, but that's the added vitamins and minerals. There is nothing in the food that shouldn't be there.
Since I can't get Bugsy to eat any meat at all, this may be the answer. She certainly needs better nutrition than she's been getting.
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