Cat Dads

A friend and fellow cat-lover sent this to me. I like the added information, but I don't know that it is correct. I do know that I love the photos!

Sometimes the internet has to be your world

My friend and high school classmate, Jeri Jo Redman, suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and is confined to a motorized wheelchair. She greatly enjoys keeping in touch with friends and playing games on Facebook, but following a recent hospitalization and surgery, she has been unable to afford internet service in her apartment.

I thought it would be great if her Facebook friends could all contribute a few dollars to help get Jeri Jo back online by Christmas, so I created this ChipIn to make it easy. I know I am not the only one missing my renewed contact with Jeri Jo and I know it will mean so much to her.

By the way, I didn't tell her I was going to do this. The "Thank You" on the quilt was for something else, but I liked the photo and stole it from her Facebook page :-)

If you prefer, you can send a check made out to Jeri Jo Redman to me at my address below.

Thanks everyone,

Denise Luke
6621 Knox Ave. S.
Richfield, MN  55423

Dog food sold in MN recalled

11:57 AM, May 19, 2012
Written by
The Associated Press

META, Mo. - Missouri-based Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling another type of dog food because of potential exposure to salmonella.

The recall announced Friday applies to samples, 6-pound bags and 18-pound bags of Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula dry dog food manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011.

The company says it has received no reports of illnesses among dogs who consumed the food or people who handled it.

The product was distributed in Minnesota, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

Diamond Pet Foods' voluntary recalls earlier this spring included batches of Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Adult Light Formula and Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice.

The latest recall covers the following production codes and best-before dates:

•DSL0801, 26-Aug-2012
•DSL0801, 27-Sept-2012
•DSL0801, 18-Oct-2012
•DSL0801 (samples)

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.)

No more death camp for dolphins at MN Zoo :-)

Minnesota Zoo will end its dolphin exhibit
Article by: PAUL WALSH
Star Tribune
May 14, 2012 - 12:16 PM
One of the Minnesota Zoo's most popular species will no longer be on exhibit.

The two remaining dolphins are moving within a few months and will not be replaced, the zoo in Apple Valley announced Monday.

Zoo Director Lee Ehmke said Semo and Allie must be relocated because extensive repairs are needed to the 15-year-old Discovery Bay building and the dolphin tank, where the two are housed.

The refurbishment, combined with the species' low availability, means there will be no dolphins at the Minnesota Zoo "in the foreseeable future," Ehmke said.

Ehmke acknowledges that losing dolphins as an attraction will be disappointing to visitors. Except for a few brief interruptions, dolphins have been exhibited at the zoo since it opened in 1978.

"People love dolphins," he said. "It has consistently been one of the favorite animals. They have a lot of charisma, and people find them fascinating and love them, as do we."

Ehmke said that removing 24-year-old Allie and 46-year-old Semo from the zoo is "a done deal" that is not connected to a series of recent deaths among the species at the zoo nor influenced by the debate over whether the marine mammal should even be held in captivity.

The zoo, in a statement Monday, emphasized that it will "continue to support ... the public display of dolphins, marine mammal care programs, and the science and research that is such a critical part of the mission of accredited zoos and aquariums across North America."

Taijah, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin born at the zoo in 2010 to Allie and Semo, died in February of complications from a stomach ulcer. It was the sixth dolphin to have died at the zoo since 2006.

Allie and Semo's departure will occur "sometime in the fall," Ehmke said, noting that there is a lot of planning to do.

"We will certainly let people know," he said, "and give people the chance to see them before they leave."

Discovery Bay's makeover is being financed through $4 million appropriated by the state through the bonding bill passed last week. The building has been significantly damaged by salt water in the pools and atmosphere. The work will include resealing the pools and reinforcing the building where there is salt water damage.

Ehmke characterized Semo's relocation as a "retirement move." He is currently the oldest male dolphin living in human care, a testament to the quality husbandry he's received for over 40 years.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

Another happy update on Dutch in his new home

Hi you guys---Just thought I'd let you know a month in that our regal old man is rapidly becoming one of the favorites at work.

He knows the routine, greets everyone, guards his food and bones from younger, rapscallion dogs, and is all around just terrific! He is so confident, it blows the mind.

I know there isn't much to report, but sometimes its nice to hear. Hope everyone is well, thanks for giving this fab old guy a new start.

Everyone who meets him cannot believe there wasn't a list of people clambering to adopt him! I won...:)

-Peggy

Orphaned Doxie & Poodle pals need home

A Vietnam vet who lived alone with his two small dogs died. No one even noticed he had died for at least a week when the mail started accumulating. Animal Control was called to pick up the dogs. With no family and no where else for the dogs to go, they were taken to the local shelter that is trying to rehome them together. The dogs were microchipped so we got some information from that.

BEARThe gray poodle's name is Bear and he is estimated to be 10-12 years old. He was matted and smelly, so the shelter took him to a groomer where he was shaved and bathed. Bear is outgoing and likes to explore the fenced back yard. His back legs are stiff which could be from the matting or his age, but he gets around just fine.

PEANUTThe red dachshund is a purebred female, tattoo in ear. She has a very long registered name, but the owner called her Peanut. She will turn 10 in June. She is very active and a little busybody, can't stay in one place for too long, unless of course it's for a back scratching.

The shelter has vaccinated them with DA2PPV, nasal bordetella and Strongit dewormer

Do you know of anyone that could give these two seniors a home? Please contact Carla at carla.heim@mchsi.com.

Dutch arrives in his retirement home!

Just a note to say how well our old man Dutch has adjusted to his new home!

He strolls--that is the word--around the property, pees on scent posts, says hello to dogs, and then seeks out the human component.

DUTCH & NEW FRIENDWhen he wants inside he is clear--he huffs and clicks at the window until he is noticed. He found several comforters that he has claimed, knows where the waterers are, and acts like he has been there forever.

He is at work with me today, same deal..Just strolled around the compound, didn't care about the wolves or cougars, and is now in my office shoving his nose under my arm while I type this so that I pet him.

He is one of those "teflon" dogs, the type that other dogs simply do not get upset about---it makes life easier on all of us! He rides like a champ in the car on the way to work--we love him!!

Thanks again for sending this little light into our lives!

-Peggy

I am so happy to share this update on Dutch. He was transported from Davenport, Iowa, to Hinckley, Minnesota, on Saturday, March 31. Thanks to everyone who contributed in any way toward making this happen!

Dutch now lives with a family at a small home-based sanctuary called Home at Last -- "A forever-home for abused, abandoned and neglected animals" (www.home-at-last-mn.org). His new mom, Peggy, works at the Wildlife Science Center -- "Inspiring Relationships with the Wild" (www.wildlifesciencecenter.org).

I got a positive referral on Peggy from someone in animal rescue that I trust and requested more information from Peggy before deciding this was a good placement for Dutch. Carla in Iowa took care of vet visits for Dutch before transport so he was updated on his shots and started a new medication for a stubborn ear infection.

Peggy sent this response to my questions: "Dutch will indeed be indoors as much as he chooses, and at my home where the dogs live with me we also have a building that is heated and cooled so if we leave him for a short while he will never have to be out longer than he wants. All of our dogs live with us in a family setting, and we have other old dogs, lots of comforters and mattresses for old bones, and some of them come to work with me, if they are up for it."

I'm so happy for Dutch!

Please remember the adult and senior animals when you are looking to adopt!! It sickens me how many healthy socialized pets are euthanized simply because they are not as desirable as the young.

And, spay/neuter your pets to avoid overpopulation, in the first place. We can only hope to make a difference in the problem if we get ahead of it.

Denise