A recent lab report reveals that high amounts of lead have been found in some brands of the pet Chondroitin/Glucosamine supplement used to lessen osteoarthritic pain.* And to add to this insult the Chondroitin found in many brands has seen reductions to levels that will provide no relief for Max or Mimi. The product-based subterfuge appears to be never-ending.

Pet supplements are not subject to the same ingredients or quality standards that ostensibly cover, however loosely, human supplements. That said, human supplements are not really under anyones watchful eye, either. That does not excuse consumer fraud when the listing on the label is not evidenced by the contents in the bottle. According to Consumer Lab, “Four of the six joint supplements for animals tested by ConsumerLab.com lacked the amounts of glucosamine or chondroitin promised on their labels or had other flaws, such as lead. Wider testing by a trade group of 87 brands found that one-quarter fell short.”

“There is and there always has been” a quality problem[with supplements], although many companies do a good job, said Mark Blumenthal of the American Botanical Council, which tracks research on herbal products.

According to government estimates, up to one-third of house pets in the U.S. are given supplements. Nearly $1 billion a year is spent on supplements in the United States, nearly doubling since 2003 according to the Nutrition Business.  For more, see AP’s Marilyn Marchione thorough report.

You should not be forced to pay for this information (a subscription is needed to get brand name results), so call your Vet to see if she can provide you with the list, or perhaps a vet nutritionist colleague.

*[For decades it has been argued that osteoarthritis, the most common type of its kind, can benefit from these two building blocks of cartilage, although there is no proof of this in test results. Even so, studies do show a reduction in pain, which makes Glucosamine Chondroitin and MSM supplements better than alternatives that carry high-risk side effects.]

Tio Hardiman, Shawn Moore, and brothers Anthony and Antonio Pickett walk the streets of Chicago three nights a week looking for trouble, trouble many of us only read about in headlines or hear about on the news. They look for people with skinny, scarred Pit Bulls, some with chains or electrical cords around their necks, substituting for leashes and collars.  They look for those who seem to be on a mission to get somewhere fast-down an alley, in a gangway-to see whose dog will win the fight that night.  Tio, Shawn, Anthony, and Antonio are the “boots on the ground” stepping in and stepping up to help, offering fighters a different way to relate to their dogs. The End Dog Fighting in Chicago program offers a way out of street fighting, showcasing dogs as champions in the agility ring, not the fighting ring.

Tio Hardiman, leader of the pilot program in Chicago, presented his street intervention idea to The Humane Society of the United States. Hardiman earned his stripes through years of work with gangs and violence prevention through the Ceasefire program, the program model used for End Dog Fighting. Since 2006, HSUS has been the only major funding source, providing use of space at a community center, the expertise of dog trainers, and for the intervention work that can only be done by people from the neighborhood, people who have the respect of their community for the work they do in it. The program is operating on the west side of Chicago in Austin and on the south side in Englewood.

Laurie Maxwell, HSUS Deputy Campaign Manager for End Dog Fighting, said that the first two years of the program have come through the stages of scant attendance and community skepticism-underscoring that programs come and go so often many have little faith in their promises-to acceptance and enthusiasm. In fact, Tio says there is often standing room only, around 70 people and their dogs for the basic and agility training by Jeff Jenkins provided at no cost every Saturday.  Training makes all the difference in the lives of the dogs and the relationship between the dog and his or her owner. Maxwell says HSUS is committed to this program. They are helping communities cut the chain of cruelty from one generation to the next, and they are in it for the long run. It’s what works.

The program is at a point where expansion space is needed.  Funding is tight everywhere. The Chicago team has met and shared the End Dog Fighting program model and their expertise with communities in Atlanta and Charlotte.  They are doing the same groundwork in LA, beginning with a fundraiser that took place May 9.  If you have real estate or donor dollars you would like to contribute to this program, please contact Laurie Maxwell, HSUS Deputy Campaign Manager at 301 258 3066.

Today’s Part I of a three part series ends with Tio Hardiman, talking about the genesis of the End Dog Fighting program idea, the highlights of the program for participants, where it stands today and where, with continued funding, it’s going tomorrow.  Part II, coming tomorrow meet a 13-year veteran dog fighter.

I spotted an event mentioned in the Seattle Times I thought would be interesting for anyone in the area on April 9th, Meet animal rescue groups with cats and dogs for adoption, vendors with information on pet nutrition and samples of their products, dog walkers, dog trainers, pet sitters, pet groomers, animal artists, raffle, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Read More about this Seattle Animal Groups meet-up.

Down in Portland Oregon I spotted a printable PDF guide for what to do with your pet in a disaster, download it here

In the L.A. Times I came across a story about how hard it is to know what dog food tastes like, “Researchers gave 18 volunteers five food samples to try in a blind taste test — and only three were able to identify the canine fodder, according to a paper by the American Assn. of Wine Economists.” it’s a funny story and worth the quick read. Dog Food Taste Test

Lastly, in the NYT I came across a very informative article that asks the question, does your dog weigh too much to stay at a hotel? “Bo would be barking up the wrong tree if he tried to check in at many hotels. In New York, for example, Bo will be too big for the Crowne Plaza Hotel Times Square, where there’s a 25-pound maximum, the Four Seasons (15 pounds), or Trump International Hotel and Tower (25 pounds).” Read More Room At The Inn?

“Marley and Me” is to some a happy little dog movie you can take the family to, a nice bit of holiday fluff.  Puppies are always cute and these movies incite a riot of requests for the starring breed at shelters everywhere.  The other perspective is that movies like these often leave people with the impression that unruly, untrained, dogs are acceptable in the family home, or that somehow the new furry friend should just “fit in” with no help from the family. 

Training takes time, effort, money, and guidance from an expert with a resume and references.  It’s not something that should be ignored for the well being of the dog, the bonding that comes from understanding, and your own sanity.  For these reasons, the based-on-real-life Marley movie is the nightmare that runs through adoption counselor’s heads.  When people come to the shelter to adopt a dog that is completely opposite their lifestyle needs, and shelter personnel comply, a return is assured.  People want a Springer Spaniel because they have cute freckles and look pretty, or request another high-energy dog like a Retriever or Labrador, when the family works all day, the kids have gone away to college, and the parents are couch potatoes.  It’s a recipe for disaster.                                                   

Some city facilities put “returns” probability as high as 70%  within the first two years after adoption where no formal training has occurred, and adopters did not research breed characteristics first.  Puppies are cute for 6 months, and then, without training, getting bigger every day, dogs can become quite wild and destructive with no outlet for their natural genetic urge to hunt, retrieve, herd, guard, or whatever their breed’s purpose demands. 

The best answer is to do your homework before adopting any animal into your family.  Find out which breed you think fits your family schedule and determine who is in charge of training and what will happen if that person does not fulfill his or her job.  Choosing a furry family member is important as it will last for the life of that four-legged sweetie.   The ASPCA  has great information on behavior issues.  You can also check out Petfinder for shelters in your area, as well as information on adopting and preparing your house, your schedule, and your family members for the adjustment, and a dog and cat breed directory.  You will want to discuss your conclusions with the shelter of your choice and gather other information they have to offer.  Ask about area trainers.  If you are working with a well-run shelter, they will have a couple of suggestions with a short comment about training methods used.  HSUS has some basic positive reinforcement training information here.

Hope this helps the next time you adopt, or pass it along to someone who may need it.

Since the FDA refuses to test imported foods for melamine, the root cause of the thousands of  dog and cat deaths in 2007, and lab tests start at $200 each, an enterprising entrepreneur and owner of Gainesville’s Earth Pets Natural Pet Market decided she would design an in-home kit.  

At the Pet Connection site you’ll find that this test has been patented, and should be available late Spring 2009.  Joy Drawdy, the creator,  is credited with being among the first to alert the general public about the importation of  contaminated Chinese wheat gluten, knowing it to be a common ingredient in pet food.  Good for an IOU gift!

Another gift idea for those who are interested in the politics of food, how the melamine disaster occurred, and what impacts it has on the US food chain, you might want to read an interview with author and nutritionist Marion Nestle conducted by Michelle Nijhuis at Grist, Environmental News and Commentary and decide if the book is something for you or a friend.  Many thought after the 2007 debacle with pet food that perhaps it was time to purchase books on cooking for your pets…then we would know what we are actually feeding our furry family members.  Oh, but wait…maybe not.  Nestle reveals a little known fact in her well-researched book: surplus pet food is fed to chickens and pigs.  What do you think about that?

And the last gift suggestion can be found at Petco.  The Canine Heritage Breed Test for mixed breed pedigree is a no muss no fuss simple swab across the inside of  Max’s mouth and it’s done.  You may want to call your local stores–it is too late to order online for Christmas or Hanukkah delivery.

Happy gift hunting!

Related articles by Zemanta

• FDA Changes Stance on Melamine
• Why A Little Melamine-Tainted Food Is Good For Us

Scientists have confirmed what all dog people already understand: unequal distribution of rewards will create jealousy, defiance, and something thought not to be in the range of dog emotions–envy. 

Previously attributed only to primates as part of a more developed and complex model of self-awareness, this subset of emotional life made scientists sit up and rethink their assumptions.  The study released December 10 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” journal is the first of its kind to dispell the idea that in all the animal kingdom, the only candidates exhibiting human emotions and self-awareness are primates.  There is an interesting recap by Liz Hogan at www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1865847,00.html  hmmmm–I thought I heard my dog muttering something about “stupid humans…”

And in this same vein, here are a couple of  videos that seems to punctuate in a heartfelt way the above findings and makes room for more possibilities.  Take a look at the Chilean dog trying to save another, injured, dog who had been hit by a car.  The other is a report on a White Rhino who went on a jealous rampage because his mate was taken from him.    www.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081209/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_chile_hero_dog

What’s been your experience? 

It seems that good news is lacking these days, given the 24/7 coverage of the global economic downturn, housing values continued decline, foreclosures, and jobs insecurity, but then I remembered some things in dogdom that have taken a turn for the better and thought I’d put together a list.  When I was finished, I smiled. That’s worth passing along.

1. Military hospital opens for dogs wounded in war zones.

2. Dog fighting laws are being enforced in more places.

3. Puppy Mills have been given much more concentrated attention by authorities since Oprah broadcast Lisa Ling’s report on her show–twice–and this helped HSUS gain the support needed to shut downs mills where documentable evidence was available.  Broad public protest to representatives has pushed authorities to enforce animal welfare laws.

4. Dog (and cock) fighting bans have been enacted in many cities.

5. Auto insurance policies start covering pets injured in accidents. (Check you policy and the fine print for limits.)

6. Many doctors have realized the healing influence dogs have on patient’s recovery in cancer and other serious diseases and have stopped recommending relinquishment of pets to shelters during treatment and recovery.  Some hospitals even have “visiting rights” for their long term patients arranged in dedicated rooms.

7. Tethering practices are being outlawed in many states.

8.  More people are traveling with their pets and it’s no longer just the Ritz, Four Seasons, Biltmore, Wyndham, Loews, and Hyatt type hotels that cater to people with pets.  AAA has 13,000 hotels listings that accept pets.

9. A medical teaching hosptial decided to stop using dogs for heart experiments declaring new technology provides better information.  It’s a start down a very long road.  But it is a start.

If you have something to add to the list, I’d like to keep this going to the end of the year.