Yeah! The rain finally stopped!

Now I just need some warm & fuzzy pictures to brighten up the day. 

 

 

 

 

My BFF :)

Another rainy day in San Francisco... so over it!

Rainy day = catching up on paperwork day.

Mickey is working on donating a portion of our sales this month to support some of these Japan Earthquake Relief efforts & National Disaster Search Dog Foundation.  It makes us sad knowing so many people & animals are left helpless from the disasters...

Here are more organizations that are helping animals in need in Japan:

• Animal Refuge Kansai
• World Vets
• World Society for the Protection of Animals
• American Humane Association  
• Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support Group

Looking for an adorable puppy?

4/15/11 update - Peaches went to a good home. Yeah!

Name:Peaches
Breed:Terrier Mix
Color:Fawn
Gender:Female
Age:~7 months

About Peaches:  She currently lives in a foster home here in San Francisco.  Peaches weights about 2 lbs now, probably won't get bigger than 10 lbs.  I just met her this morning, she has a sweet face + great temperament.

If you’re interested in adopting Peaches, please email Julie.

World's Most Expensive Dog - A Tibetan Mastiff

Let me just empty my pockets and see if I can find $1.5M for a red Tibetan Mastiff!! Do they even offer life insurance for dogs?  Does this dog need to travel with bodyguards?  Does he poop gold?

"Big Splash," or "Hong Dong" in Chinese

Tibetan Mastiffs are huge and fierce guard dogs that have stood watch over nomad camps and monasteries on the Tibetan plateau for centuries.

They are thought to be one of the world's oldest breeds, and legend has it that both Genghis Khan and Lord Buddha kept them.

More recently, however, they have become highly-prized status symbols for China's new rich. The dogs are thought to be a pure "Chinese" breed and they are rarely found outside Tibet, giving them an exclusivity that other breeds cannot match.

Accordingly, prices have risen from around 5,000 yuan a puppy five years ago to the hundreds of thousands and even millions.

Big Splash, or "Hong Dong" in Chinese, is 11-months-old but already stands nearly three-feet-high at the shoulder and weighs more than 180lbs, according to his breeder, Lu Liang.

via telegraph.co.uk & huffingtonpost.com

Dog Stands By Injured Friend...

Would you do the same for your friend?

3/16/11 UPDATE: CNN and the UK Telegraph have both reported that the dogs have been rescued since the footage aired, and are both receiving veterinary care; the more seriously wounded dog is at a clinic in the city of Mito, while the protective spaniel-type dog is receiving care at a shelter in the same town.

Cat trying to survive... waiting to be rescued on a wall :(

It's heartbreaking watching all the sad news about Japan's multiple disasters :( :( :(

Hang in there Japan!!

via dheenaaoi.tumblr.com

Dog Reunited With His Owner In Japan

Tears...  going to hug my dog now...

via buzzfeed.com

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

It is just devastating watching all the news about Japan! One disaster after another...  For those who can help - here are some of the organizations that are working on relief and recovery in the region.

Also, some wonderful canine heroes are also out there helping with the search and rescue efforts.  The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation is a non-profit organization, partnering rescued dogs with firefighters and other first responders to find people buried alive in the wreckage of disasters. To help turn a rescued dog into a rescuer and bring this crucial resource to the nation - see SDF site for more info.

FYI - Jones Natural Chews Co Recalls Pig Ear Dog Chews Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 8, 2011 - Jones Natural Chews Co of Rockford, IL is recalling 2705 boxes of Pig Ears because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling dry pet food and/or treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, 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. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Jones Natural Chews Pig Ears were distributed in CT, IA, IL, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NJ, NM, NY, PA,VA, WA, and WI. They were shipped to distributors and retailers between September 15, 2010 and November 2, 2010 where they were available for purchase.
Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears 2pk bag with header card–item upc 741956001047 lot 2420
Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears bulk 100ct box-box upc 741956001139 lot 2490, 2560, 2630, 2700, 2840, 2910, 2980
Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears bulk 50 ct box-box upc 741956001504 lot 2490, 2840
Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears bulk 25ct box-box upc 741956001467 lot 2700
Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears 1pk shrinkwrapped-item upc 741956001146 lot 2700, 2840, 2420
Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears 10pk printed bag-item upc 741956001405 lot 2420, 2560, 2630, 2840
Blain’s Farm & Fleet Pig Ears 10 pieces bag-item upc 741956001405 lot 2560
Country Butcher Dog Chews Pig Ears 1pk shrinkwrapped-item upc 741956001511 lot 2630
Country Butcher Dog Chews Pig Ears 1pk shrinkwrapped-item upc 741956001146 lot 2420
Country Butcher Dog Chews Pig Ears 12pk bag-item upc 741956001245 lot 2910
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by Washington State Department of Agriculture which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has no product left in inventory from this batch of pig ears.
Consumers who have purchased any of these pig ears are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-877-481-2663.


Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts Jones Natural Chews Co Recalls Pig Ear Dog Chews Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk via FDA.gov

Dog heists highlight need to keep a short leash on your pets to prevent thefts

via sfexaminer.com

Salley Chan left her beloved dog Lola in her car last Tuesday while she grabbed a quick bite to eat in the South of Market neighborhood, when Salley and her boyfriend returned to their car (parked near Bryant and Eighth streets), they found the rear window smashed and the 9-pound animal missing.  Read full story...

I can't even imagine how devastated Salley is!  Have you seen Lola?  Please help them reunite!

Here are some helpful tips from Petplaces.com on how you can guard your pet from abduction:

• Don’t leave your dog outside when you’re not around.
• Never leave your dog unattended. It takes only a moment for someone to untie him and lead him off.
• Be aware, and make sure your neighbors are aware, of the problem of pet theft.
• Never allow your dog to roam free in the neighborhood, for everyone’s sake.
• Never leave your dog unattended in a car.
• Always make sure he wears a collar with ID tags. You might want to consider implanting a microchip under his skin.
• Keep recent photos of your dog, taken from different angles that clearly show coat type and coloring, close-ups of the face and any exceptional physical characteristics.
• Keep all your proof-of-ownership papers (adoption, breeding contract, bill of sale) in one place to prove ownership.

FYI - Wellpet LLC Voluntarily Recalls Certain Lots Of Canned Cat Food

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 28, 2011 - WellPet LLC announced today it has voluntarily recalled certain lots of Wellness® canned cat food.

While recent laboratory testing found that most lots of Wellness canned cat food that were tested contain sufficient amounts of thiamine (also known as Vitamin B1), some of the lots listed below might contain less than adequate levels of thiamine. However, out of an abundance of caution, WellPet has decided to recall all of the lots listed below.
Cats fed only the affected lots for several weeks may be at risk for developing a thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is essential for cats. Symptoms of deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting, and weight loss. In advanced cases, neurologic signs can develop, which may include ventriflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, wobbly walking, circling, falling, and seizures. If your cat has consumed the recalled lots and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is typically reversible.
The lots involved in this voluntary recall are:
Wellness Canned Cat Food (all flavors and sizes) with best by dates from 14APR 13 through 30SEP13;
Wellness Canned Cat Food Chicken & Herring (all sizes) with 10NOV13 or 17NOV13 best buy dates.

See complete info from the FDA here.