Happy New Year!

 

Oregon House Cat Died After Eating Pet Food That Tested Positive For Bird Flu

 From the AP:

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon house cat died after eating pet food that tested positive for bird flu, Oregon authorities said, prompting a recall of raw frozen pet food that was sold nationwide.

Northwest Naturals, a pet food company based in Portland, Oregon, said Tuesday it had voluntarily recalled one batch of its two-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after it tested positive for the virus. The product was sold through distributors in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, as well as Canada’s British Columbia.

“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” Oregon Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz said in a Tuesday news release. “This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other.”

Continue reading here

Season's Greetings From the Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers!

 

New Zealand to Ban Greyhound Racing

 

From The Independent:

New Zealand is proposing to ban greyhound racing by 2026 amid persistent concerns over high injury rates among the dogs.

Racing minister Winston Peters announced on Tuesday that his government intends to phase out the sport over the next 20 months. The move comes after a series of reviews spanning a decade, all highlighting insufficient measures to safeguard the welfare of greyhounds.

Although fatalities during dog races have decreased over the years, injury rates remain high.

“While fewer dogs are dying, injury rates, while down slightly, have plateaued and remain unacceptably high,” the minister said, emphasising the government’s stance on prioritising animal welfare.

While the Greyhound industry called the decision a “devastating blow” with “far reaching implications” on those working in the sector, Mr Peters defended the government’s stance saying the decision was not “taken lightly”.

It was driven by a desire to protect “the welfare of racing dogs”, Mr Peters was quoted as saying by a local media outlet, 1News.

An advisory committee will help the government in rehoming the 2,900 greyhounds currently involved in racing, Mr Peters said.

“Further legislation to enable the end to greyhound racing is required. A bill to make the necessary changes to the Racing Industry Act 2020 will be introduced to the parliament in 2025. There will be a full select committee process so everyone will have a chance to have their say,” he said.

The government has already introduced a bill, supported by the opposition Labour party, to curb the unnecessary euthanasia of racing dogs.

The latest move has sparked backlash from Greyhound Racing New Zealand, whose chairman, Sean Hannan, condemned it as a “devastating blow” to the industry.

Mr Hannan argued that the industry has made significant strides in animal welfare.

“We are extremely disappointed that the government has not recognised the work the industry has done to address areas of concern – to the extent that it now leads the wider racing industry with its commitment to animal welfare,” Mr Hannan said.

He expressed concern for the future of greyhounds in New Zealand, suggesting that the breed might disappear entirely from the country.

“This decision is not just about the sport; it affects families, businesses, and communities who have dedicated their lives to caring for and racing greyhounds,” he said.

New Zealand is one of the few countries where commercial greyhound racing is still permitted, alongside the US, Ireland, Australia, and Britain.

The sport constitutes 8.5 per cent of New Zealand’s NZ$1.3bn racing industry and employs over 1,000 people full time, according to industry data.

“Over recent years, the industry has made significant strides in improving animal welfare standards, introducing robust regulations, and fostering greater transparency,” Mr Hannan said as he urged the government to reconsider its decision.

He also asked the government to engage in a “meaningful discussion” with the stakeholders.

The Green Party welcomed the decision, calling it a “great day” for the welfare of greyhounds.

“Successive reports highlighting the cruelty, mistreatment, and neglect in the industry were left to gather dust as successive governments kicked the can down the road,” a party spokesperson, Steve Abel, said.

“We acknowledge the decisive decision by Minister Winston Peters to do what should have been done years ago.”

The Labour party has also voiced “full support” for the decision. “We are supporting today’s Bill making its way through the house in all stages to ensure the safety and wellbeing of dogs,” the party’s animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said.

Visitors!

 

Bo's friends Aoife & Logan are in the house!  Aoife is here until January 6 and Logan stopped in for doggy day care!

From left:  Bo, Aoife & Logan!

Dogs & Pumpkin

 

From Dog Food Advisor:

Can dogs eat pumpkin? The answer is yes, with a couple of cautionary notes.

Pumpkin is a staple food in people’s homes towards the end of the year, particularly at Thanksgiving and Christmas — but it also makes a tasty and healthy snack and ingredient for your dog?

This seasonal gourd is considered a superfood, packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as iron, potassium, and more. Pumpkin is also rich in fiber and prebiotics to support healthy digestion, and — added bonus — most dogs love the flavor and creamy texture.

Continue reading here.

Rainbow Bridge: Lexi

 

Lexi (JSK Peaches)

May 5, 2013 - November 22, 2024

Lexi was euthanized 11/22 due to severe pain from bone cancer in her hip. She was 11½, 5-2-2013 BD. First symptoms started September 8 and diagnosis at OSU October 2. The bone had been slowly deteriorating. Her pain was controlled and quality of life okay until Wednesday night 11/20. So I took her back to OSU & she came home with a fentanyl patch (hip had probably fractured). I called the Mobile Vet and 2 of her closest friends to come the next day.

She was the best companion ever, enjoyed many activities and befriended many people. I’m missing her terribly.

-Ann Devine

RIP Lexi

December Birthdays

                                                                          

Leela

December 18th

6 Years Old

Bo

December 23rd

6 Years Old

 

From the Whole Dog Journal

Grateful for Dogs on This and Every Thanksgiving

By

 Nancy Kerns

 -

Published:November 28, 2024

1

It goes without saying that on a holiday devoted to gratitude, that I am grateful for my dogs. While they are occasionally a source of concern (both of them being prone to minor but mysterious and undiagnoseable maladies), they are daily a source of amusement and affection, companionship and comfort. They help me professionally, as models for WDJ, test subjects for product reviews and training techniques, and as helper dogs in training classes. And perhaps most importantly, they make me get outdoors to walk—a cure for most bad moods, depression, lethargy, or headaches, and a huge component of my mental health maintenance program.

While my own dogs have been a lifelong source of love and learning, so has all of dogdom. The free-roaming dogs of the rural area where I spent my childhood were as friendly and familiar to me as the kids I rode the bus with—that is to say, some nice and some who were best avoided! From those rural roots I learned about the respect that a well-trained dog can inspire from watching our rancher friend’s Kelpies work cattle, and how dogs who are unguided and unsupervised usually come to tragic ends. Later, force-free dog training and behavior modification deeply informed how I parented my son—“catch them in the act of doing something right and reinforce!”—and I am immeasurably proud to see him carry on that sort of parenting.

I’m also grateful for the humans who have come into my life through dogs. Some of the most generous, compassionate, and selfless people I know, love, and admire are those who work to help dogs. This includes people who work with dogs professionally, such as shelter workers, trainers, veterinarians, and vet techs, but also people who volunteer as foster providers, transporters, trappers, fundraisers, and artists. And my best friends are all “dog people.” We may not know the names of each other’s partners, but we know everything about each other’s dogs, including their food allergies and titles obtained! And when our beloved dogs pass away, we share each other’s deep grief.

If you’re like me, you will take the opportunity on this Thanksgiving Day to show your gratitude to your dogs. Most of us will provide our dogs with a special meal on Thanksgiving—but it will be even more significant to them if you take them for a special walk to their favorite place, and let them sniff and explore at their pace (and you will feel better for having taken a walk, too!). But consider extending your gratitude for dogs in general by sending a donation to or volunteering to help needy dogs at your local shelter. The staff and dogs will be even more grateful.

Dog Food Recall Alert: Gaines Family Chicken Chips

 

On November 22, Gaines Pet Treats LLC voluntarily recalled 204, five-ounce bags of Gaines Family Farmstead Chicken Chips treats for dogs due to the possibility of Salmonella contamination.

 

 

 

The product affected comes in a five-ounce bag marked on the back side with lot number 20061124 and an expiration date of 12/11/25.  

 

For more details of the recall and what to do if you think you're affected, please visit: 

Gaines Pet Treats Voluntarily Recalls Gaines Family Farmstead Chicken Chips for Dogs

If This Comes To Your Door On Halloween....

 ...don't worry, he's harmless. It's just Bo in his werewolf costume.  Just give him a cookie and he'll move on to the next house.

October Greyhound Walk - Eugene

 

October Greyhound Walk When: Sunday, October 27th @ 12:00 PM Where:  South Amazon Running Trail Meet at: Frank Kinney Park 875 Martin St. Eugene 97405 Let's walk the South Amazon Running Trail, nicely mulched with bark and free of cars. Meet on Martin St., which can be accessed from West Amazon.

Dog Paw Cuts and Scrapes: How to Treat a Paw Injury

 From the Whole Dog Journal:

Your dog's paw pads act much like the soles of sneakers, protecting your dog's foot and cushioning each step. Paw pads are tough, but they can still be cut by sharp objects or worn off if your dog runs hard on rough terrain. What should you do when your dog cuts or tears a paw pad?

Continue reading here

October!

 

Bo Meets Caesar!

 

Bo the Greyhound meets Caesar, the "No Drama Llama" at the Corvallis Greyhound adoption event which was held in conjunction with Animal Crackers Pet Supply's 30th Birthday Party!

TIME CHANGE!! - Corvallis Great Global Greyhound Walk - September 29th - Walk Now Begins At 1:30 PM!!

 

                  The Great Global Greyhound Walk!

Join us here in beautiful Corvallis, Oregon as we stroll the beautiful campus of Oregon State University for the Great Global Greyhound Walk on Sunday, September 29th at 1:30 PM!

All Greyhounds, Sighthounds and Sighthound mixes are welcome to participate in this annual global event.

We'll stroll along the tree-lined walkways of the campus and enjoy a fall afternoon.  This will be a flat, non-strenuous walk with an opportunity to pause for coffee at the campus Dutch Bros. if so desired.  Total time of the walk will be no more than 1-hour.

Click on photo to enlarge

....and we'll likely see a few food-delivery robots rolling around the campus, delivering food to the unambitious Sunday college students 😉

We'll meet at 1:30 PM at the campus parking lot, one half-block north of 14th & Monroe.  We don't need a permit to park on campus on Sundays.

Follow this link for detailed information, as well as a map showing location.  Simply zoom in on the map to give you a precise location of the parking lot.

See you there!!

Great Global Greyhound Walks: Covallis & Eugene - Sunday, September 29th + TIME CHANGE FOR THE CORVALLIS WALK!

 

*** Please note: Time change for the Corvallis walk! ***

Eugene Walk When: Sunday, September 29th @ 12:00 PM Where: 5th Street Market in Eugene              295 E. 5th Ave. in Eugene

Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers will be hosting a GGG Walk in Eugene. Let’s meet on the lower level of the 5th Street Market, close to Marche restaurant, by the south parking lot.   From there, we will walk a circle through downtown Eugene and back to the Market. Please feel free to bring your own festive bling for your greyhound—bandanas, leis, etc. See you at noon! Kym Fleming

Corvallis Walk When: Sunday, September 29th @1:30 PM Where: OSU Campus (parking lot just south of 14th & Monroe)

Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers will be hosting a GGG Walk in Corvallis.   We will take our walk on the shady OSU campus. Sunday is permit-free parking. There is a Dutch Bros on campus for the group to make a coffee stop, if desired. Plan to walk about 45 minutes (not including coffee stop). Barry Bottger

(See separate blog entry for more information on Corvallis Great Global Greyhound Walk)

TIME CHANGE! Great Global Greyhound Walk! Sunday, September 29th, Corvallis, Oregon! -

 

The Great Global Greyhound Walk!

Join us here in beautiful Corvallis, Oregon as we stroll the beautiful campus of Oregon State University for the Great Global Greyhound Walk on Sunday, September 29th at 1:30 PM!

All Greyhounds, Sighthounds and Sighthound mixes are welcome to participate in this annual global event.

We'll stroll along the tree-lined walkways of the campus and enjoy a fall afternoon.  This will be a flat, non-strenuous walk with an opportunity to pause for coffee at the campus Dutch Bros. if so desired.  Total time of the walk will be no more than 1-hour.

Click on photo to enlarge

....and we'll likely see a few food-delivery robots rolling around the campus, delivering food to the unambitious Sunday college students 😉

We'll meet at 1:30 PM at the campus parking lot, one half-block north of 14th & Monroe.  We don't need a permit to park on campus on Sundays.

Follow this link for detailed information, as well as a map showing location.  Simply zoom in on the map to give you a precise location of the parking lot.

See you there!!

September Birthdays!

 

Logan

September 20th

7 Years Old

Toffee

September 26th

11 Years Old

National Dog Day - Monday, August 26th

 

It's National Dog Day!  Celebrate with your pooch.  Or find someone else's pooch who will share part of the day with you!

For more info info on National Dog Day, click here

GPA-NW - Meet & Greet/Adoption Event - Saturday, September 28th - Animal Crackers Pet Supply - Corvallis, Oregon

Local representatives from Greyhound Pet Adoption - Northwest will be on hand to help Animal Crackers Pet Supply celebrate their 30th anniversary on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm.  Come and meet some wonderful local Greyhound "display models!"  Heck, we may even have some adoptable Greyhounds in attendance, as well.  We'll answer any and all questions you have about Greyhound adoption. 

Come and say hi!  See you there.

Animal Crackers Pet Supply is located at 949 NW Kings Blvd in Corvallis, OR.

August Birthday - Halo!

 Halo

August 25th

Eight Years Old

Willamette Living Magazine Pet Photo Issue is Coming!!

 

The Sept/Oct issue of Willamette Living Magazine will feature photos of Valley pets.  Let's load it up with Greyhound pics!  Deadline for photo submissions is August 10th.  Don't delay!  Send your photos today!

Upload your photo using the link below.  Include the name of your pooch and where you are located.

https://www.willametteliving.com/send-us-your-materials/

Purina Dog Food Reports — Updates

 

Update July 31 2024 — FDA releases summary of Purina Pet Food Adverse Event Reports (AERs)

The FDA contacted Dog Food Advisor today to tell us it had just released a summary of the Purina Pet Food Adverse Event Reports, including details of its investigations and findings.

You can read the full summary here.