The following came into my email today. I did pop over to snopes to check it out. Decided it was well worth posting.
Be aware of what you are using in your yards and gardens. From mulches, to fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides.
For the health of your pets...
Mary E. Robbins
Robbins Run Ranch
307.788.0202
****
Please tell every dog or cat owner you know. Even if you don't have a pet, please pass this to those who do.
Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Target, Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other garden supply stores contains a lethal ingredient called 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks.
Over the weekend, the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. The dogs loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog (Calypso) decided the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk . Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.
Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's web site,
this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.
Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that "It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it."
*Snopes site gives the following information: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp *
Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine
***
Be aware of what you are using in your yards and gardens.
I had to post this article when I read it... some positive news about pit bulls...
November 5, 2008 | Pet Pulse Staff Reports
A dog came out of nowhere and stopped a knife-wielding robber from accosting a mother and her young son on Monday afternoon. (Pet Pulse Illustration by Tim Mattson)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The wandering 65-pound Pit Bull mix might have seemed menacing to some passerby, but one woman will always remember him as her "guardian angel."
The dog, which authorities think is lost and not a stray, successfully thwarted a robbery attack on a mother and her 2-year-old son, who were held at knifepoint Monday afternoon.
The Florida woman, who has been identified by authorities simply as "Angela," was leaving a playground with her toddler son in Port Charlotte when a man approached her in the parking lot with a knife and told her not to make any noise or sudden movements.
Angela didn't have to do either to protect herself and her child -- a dog mysteriously ran to the scene and charged the man, who quickly fled.
"I don't think the dog physically attacked the man, but he went at him and was showing signs of aggression, just baring his teeth and growling and barking. It was clear he was trying to defend this woman," Animal Control Lt. Brian Jones told Pet Pulse.
"I don't know what this man's intentions were, but it is very possible this dog saved her life."
The exceptional part of the story, Jones said, is that the dog had never met or even seen the people it quickly jumped to defend.
"You hear about family dogs protecting their owners, but this dog had nothing to do with this woman or her kid," Jones said. "He was like her guardian angel."
After the alleged thief ran away, Angela quickly placed her son, Jordan, in the car and tried to drive off. Before she could, though, the dog jumped into her backseat, waiting with her for the police and animal control officers to arrive at the scene.
The dog was transported to a local shelter and if his owners don't step forward within five days, Jones said, Angela and her family plan to adopt the savior she named "Angel."
Animal control officers and shelter workers believe Angel is lost, and not a stray, because of his good health, sturdy weight and mild temperament.
"It's funny, that someone's irresponsibility could have saved someone's life," Jones said of Angel's possible owners.
For Angela, it doesn't matter where the dog came from, just that he was there when she needed him most.
"I don't know what his [the thief's] intentions were -- I don't know why he did it, but I'm glad that -- we call him Angel -- I'm glad that Angel showed up because I don't know what would have happened," Angela told NBC2 News.
For a small town with a population of 46,452, animal control officers were kept busy Monday afternoon. Jones says they department also responded to a report about a boa constrictor in a church parking lot.
The snake found its way into a car engine and was able to be removed without being harmed. It took three people to move the massive, seemingly random placed snake.
"It's funny, because we aren't a big place," he said of the Gulf Coast town. "And we can go for four or five months without the media contacting us about a story. It's been a busy week."
Officers from the responding county sheriff's office canvased the area and were unable to locate the suspect described as being in his 20s, tall and dark haired.
Tell us what you think about "Stray Dog Saves Woman, Child Held at Knifepoint" below. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204.
Pet Pulse reporter Amy Lieberman and NBC-2.com contributed to this article.
Heads up folks... be careful of what you use. These products can be dangerous for your pets! For that matter they can be dangerous for you and your children as well.
The following article is from the EPA's website.
Remember your furry friends depend on you being well informed, and using good judgement.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is intensifying its evaluation of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control due to recent increases in the number of reported adverse reactions in pets treated with these products. Adverse reactions reported range from mild effects such as skin irritation to more serious effects such as seizures and, in some cases, death of the pet.
Flea and tick products can be appropriate treatments for protecting your pets and your family’s health because fleas and ticks can transmit disease. While many people use the products with no harm to their pets, EPA recommends that pet owners take precautions when using these products. People should carefully follow label directions and monitor their pets for any signs of an adverse reaction after application, particularly when using these products for the first time. Also, before use of these products on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide products, EPA recommends that a veterinarian be consulted. Additional safety tips are available for taking care of fleas and ticks on your pet.
Pets may experience adverse reactions from flea and tick control products, including spot-on treatments, sprays, collars and shampoos. However, the majority of reports to EPA are related to flea and tick treatments with EPA-registered spot-on products. Spot-on products are generally sold in tubes or vials and are applied to one or more localized areas on the body of the pet, such as in between the shoulders or in a stripe along the back.
EPA has provided a listing of EPA-registered spot-on flea and tick products (10 pp, 63k, About PDF). Since the chart previously located on this page reflected only a portion of the numerous pet spot-on products available, EPA felt that pet owners and consumers might be led to believe that only those products listed were the focus of concern. In fact, EPA is intensifying its evaluation of all spot-on products and is providing a more comprehensive list of these products.
EPA is not initiating a product recall of these products nor is the Agency suggesting that the products not be used. EPA recognizes the importance of the products in effective flea and tick control. EPA’s objective at this stage is simply to advise consumers and pet owners to exercise caution when using the products and to monitor pet behavior following their use, as some animals have experienced adverse reactions following treatment.
EPA is evaluating all available data and information, including:
This assessment may result in EPA action to require changes in the registration status of certain spot-on products. EPA will be working collaboratively with Health Canada to address this issue, as Canadian regulatory officials have identified similar concerns about the use of spot-on flea and tick products. EPA will be updating this page periodically to provide the public with the most current information on this issue.
Health Canada has identified similar concerns about the use of spot-on flea and tick products. EPA and Health Canada met with product manufacturers to begin discussions about this issue. Read about the May 5, 2009 EPA spot-on meeting with registrants (20 pp, 2.9 MB, About PDF).
For more information, please visit EPA's Pesticides Q&A database.
I was visiting with a friend of mine yesterday and she told me that one of her furry friends had died. This particular dog was her friend, companion, and protector. They were very close and she will miss him for a very long time.
For many of us our pets are family members. It is difficult when they die and leave us behind. Since our life spans are usually much longer than theirs (longer than most pets-there are birds in the various parrot families that live longer than we do, turtles as well) they usually pass on before we do. As difficult as it is for us as adults it can be even more so for children.
As often happens when something is on my mind, an email with related info popped into view. The following article Children and Pet Loss by Allen and Linda Anderson came zipping into my email inbox in my Beliefnet Daily Inspiration email.
Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals: Finding Comfort after Losing Your Pet
Children and Pet Loss
By Allen and Linda Anderson
Pets are family members. Children relate to animals as their friends, protectors, and playmates. When the family pet dies, it is often the child’s first exposure to death and can cause him or her to feel confused and upset.
From our research on children and pet loss, as well as our experiences with our own children, we have compiled a list of the major considerations for helping youngsters deal with their grief.
Avoid Euphemisms
When telling children what happened, avoid euphemisms such as, “We had to put Buffy to sleep,” “Buffy got sick and died,” “God took Buffy to heaven,” or “Buffy has gone away.” All of these ways of describing death can be confusing to children and can cause them to fear going to sleep or getting sick, to fear or feel angry toward God, or to believe the pet will come back someday.
Linda M. Peterson writes in Surviving the Heartbreak of Choosing Death for Your Pet
Involve your children in the animal’s memorial service and rituals or in creating mementos to commemorate your pet’s life. Tell your child what has been done with the animal’s body.
Explain Death Age-Appropriately
Remember that children grieve differently from adults. Their sadness will come and go and may recur over longer periods of time. Children also deal with grief according to their level of maturation. They will be able to understand death only in ways that are appropriate for their age. Explaining death has similarities to teaching children about sex: it’s best to let the children ask questions and to answer them with only as much information as they require at the time.
Use Art and Storytelling
Often children cannot express or articulate what they are feeling with regard to grief, loss, and death. Sit with them while they draw pictures of their animal friend and tell their own stories of what it was like to live with the pet and how they feel now that the pet is gone. Discern if your child feels responsible for the animal’s death.
Children may believe that somehow they caused the death, perhaps by not taking care of or feeding the animal properly. You can gently correct these assumptions. Encourage children to play and act out what they think has happened to the animal and what they believe is going on with the animal physically and spiritually.
Don't Make Death Sound Too Happy
Explain what happens after death according to your own philosophical, cultural, religious, or spiritual beliefs without making the child think that death is such a “happy” event that it is preferable to living.
Grieve with Your Children
Don’t be afraid to grieve in front of your child. When you mourn openly, you let your child know that it’s okay to be sad, to cry, and to miss the family pet.
Get Professional Help, If Necessary
If your child is grieving excessively, withdrawing, or acting out, don’t hesitate to get professional help. A counselor who specializes in children’s grieving can do wonders to help a child sort through his or her thoughts and emotions about a pet’s death. A child therapist can also help the entire family deal with other issues that may be complicating their grief over the loss of a pet.
Don't Rush Into Adoption
Allow the grief process to take its natural course by not rushing into a new adoption. Wait a while before adopting another pet. Let your child have all the time he or she needs for mourning. If or when your child wants a new pet, explain the ways in which this new one may be different from your previous pet.
Perhaps Wallace Sife author of: The Loss of a Pet
More Help for Your Child
Need more information? For children, you can hardly do better than Fred Rogers’s book “When a Pet Dies
The Authors: Allen and Linda Anderson, started Angel Animals a network that shares the blessings pets bring us. Dedicated to promoting human-animal companionship, Allen and Linda donate a portion of proceeds from their work to animal rescue organizations and do fundraising activities. They have written a number of books as well.
Allen and Linda Anderson’s Books and Links:
God's Messengers: What Animals Teach Us About the Divine
Angel Cats: Divine Messengers of Comfort
Angel Dogs: Divine Messengers of Love
Rainbows and Bridges: An Animal Companion Memorial Kit
Angel Horses: Divine Messengers of Hope
Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster
Angel Animals: Divine Messengers of Miracles
Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals: Finding Comfort after Losing Your Pet
Angel Dogs with a Mission: Divine Messengers in Service to All Life
As a Pomeranian Breeder I often receive calls from grieving people immediately after their beloved pet has died; or at times just before one is coming to death. While I certainly understand the urge to immediately gather another pet to your heart, I strongly encourage people to give themselves time to mourn the loss of their loved pet.
Understand that no two pets will ever be the same. Just as each and every human is an individual; each and every dog is an individual. Each and every horse, cat, bird, snake, critter in any form, is an individual. As painful as the loss is, give yourself time to mourn.
Please understand that death is a natural part of life. The difficult part of it is being left behind as those we love forage on ahead; as our time to pass from this life is not yet upon us.
Life is a journey, enjoy the trip.
Live life now: appreciate each moment as it occurs.
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
Robbins Run Ranch: Living the Dream With Our Pomeranians
Independent Beach Body Coach
307.788.0202
Decide. Commit. Succeed.
Change your body, Change your health, and Change your Life!
One Orange Chocolate girl and 2 Orange Chocolate boy's at play. Orange/Chocolate means that they have an orange under coat(base coat) with Chocolate shading. Like an orange sable. except chocolate. These three wonderful pups have chocolate masks at this age and dilute points. In other words their noses, lip liner, and eyeliner is a beautiful chocolate. Their eyes are a light brown or hazel, sometimes shading into amber. Absolutely beautiful.
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There are 2 black parti boys playing too. The black and white ones are the black parti boys. Such Characters. 
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Also a cream sable boy, one orange sable boy and an orange sable girl with white mittens.
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Tuffy (light cream male), Molly (cream female) and Bitsy (black female) are playing together as well. These three are tiny ones. Tiny with huge attitudes. They think they own the world. Truthfully I think they do. Lol. 
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Orange Chocolate Brother and Sister. Brother to the left/sister to the right.
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Too see additional photos, and or articles, on this blog... simply go to the Blog Archive (You will find it below the photo of Mini and Tillie. You can expand and contract it by using the arrows. For additional Pomeranian Information please enjoy exploring to my Main site.
Of course you are always welcome to call.
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill, is a lush, green meadow where time stands still. Where the friends of man and woman do run, when their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next, is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play, till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness, for here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness. Their limbs are restored, their health renewed, their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care, until one day they start, and sniff at the air. All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back, then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met; together again, both person and pet. So they run to each other, these friends from long past, the time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart, has turned into joy once more in each heart. They embrace with a love that will last forever, and then side-by-side, they cross over... together.
~Author Unknown~
One of my clients gave me this story after I had lost one of my furry friends to old age. Tillie has since passed on over to the other side.
