Homemade Doggie Casserole.....

Doggy Casserole

1 cup boiled poultry, chopped
1/2 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 cup boiled mixed vegetables
3 to 4 Tbsp unsalted chicken broth

(Note: Salmon may occasionally be substituted for boiled poultry, with chicken broth omitted.)

Stir together and serve at room temperature. A good doggy multivitamin/mineral supplement (Missing Link) may be added for good measure. Be sure to store unused portions in a covered container in the refrigerator and discard remains after 3 days.

Tip: Make up individual portions and place in freezer bags in freezer. Take out as needed.

Missing Link is one of our favorite general vitamin/mineral supplements. Nutritional supplementation is a great thing to add to any pet food, especially for puppies and kittens, older animals, or animals with special nutritional needs. Like Sojos Pet Food Mix, Missing Link derives its nutrition from unprocessed, nutrient-rich, human-quality whole foods. The Missing Link is nitrogen flushed and vacuum-packed for freshness to protect its precious nutrients. For years, veterinarians and pet owners have used Missing Link to promote better digestion, healthy skin and coat, increased energy, quicker recovery, reduced allergies, reduced odor, less joint stiffness and overall health and well being. Available in Missing Link for Cats, Missing Link for Dogs, and now Missing Link Plus for Dogs (with Joint Support).

lil Country Paws

Hamburger Helper anyone or a Kitty Treat?

Doggy Hamburger Helper

1 cup hamburger meat, stir-fried in 1 tbsp canola oil
2 boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 cup cooked plain oatmeal
1 jar baby food green beans
1 jar baby food carrots
2 Tbsp cottage cheese

Combine all ingredients and serve at room temperature. A good doggy multivitamin/mineral supplement (Missing Link) may be added for good measure. Be sure to store unused portions in a covered container in the refrigerator and discard any remains after 3 days.

Chick N’Biscuits

1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/2-cup chicken broth
1-cup whole-wheat flour
1/3-cup cornmeal
1-tbls Catnip (Sojos organic Catnip)
1-tablespoon soft margarine

Preheat the over to 350 F. Combine chicken, broth and margarine and blend well. Add flour and cornmeal. Knead dough into a ball and roll to 1/4 inch. Cut into one-inch sized pieces and place on an cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Makes 18 cookies.

A lil Country Store

On trail of elusive strain of salmonella

On trail of elusive strain of salmonella
Wednesday, September 05, 2007


Tracking down the source of an outbreak of salmonella infection that has spanned the country is a detective story that took an interesting turn last month when a key clue was found hiding in a dog food plant in Fayette County.

As of last week there have been 66 cases across 18 states since early last year. Pennsylvania has had 25 cases including one reported last summer in Allegheny County. No deaths or cases involving pets have been reported, but the outbreak is considered to be continuing.

After the salmonella strain, Salmonella Schwarzengrund, was detected in two dogs in the homes of two of the ill persons, and in unopened bags of dog food produced by Mars Petcare in the Everson plant in Fayette County, the company voluntarily recalled two brands Aug. 21. The plant was closed last week for inspection and cleaning. Officials from the company could not be reached to update the plant's status.

Further investigation of the outbreak is a collaboration between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health officials in the affected states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The break in the case -- tracing human sickness to dog food -- was made by Pennsylvania investigators, led by Dr. Stephen Ostroff, director of the bureau of epidemiology at the state Health Department.

He said the state investigation began in mid-June.

"Cases had been occurring every now and then -- once a month or so, for quite a while. ... then, in spring of this year, we started noticing cases occurring of a salmonella strain we don't see very often ... now popping up every week or two," Dr. Ostroff said.

He said many of the sick had told investigators that they had dogs in the home. "Now that's a pretty common finding. But this was fairly consistent [and] prompted investigators to go out to their homes to get samples from the dogs," Dr. Ostroff said, adding that the salmonella strain was found in feces of two dogs.

How did the plant in Everson get targeted?

Dr. Ostroff said the FDA responded in early July to reports from investigators, who canvassed homes that had people with illness and those without illness. "One thing we found, there was a very strong association between illness and having a product made at this plant in Western Pennsylvania," he said. However, he pointed out, "None of the cases in Pennsylvania mentioned either of these brands [now under recall]."

The FDA then collected samples from the plant, but found nothing.

In turn, Dr. Ostroff said, the state health department went back to the plant. "We took swabs from the machinery, the floor all over the plant. We had them tested ... one was positive for this particular organism."

The FDA went back to the plant in late July. In total, according to an FDA report, the agency conducted tests on 10 samples, representing seven product brands from the company. Each sample (with same size and brand) included 15 subsamples, for a total of 150 subsamples. Two samples tested positive for the salmonella strain: one from the Krasdale Gravy dry food and one from Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula dry food.

Mars Petcare was notified, and issued its recall. The FDA has reported that none of the cases of illness has been directly linked to the recalled products.

The CDC reported that investigations are continuing to determine why humans got sick -- especially the 39 percent of victims who were under 1 year old -- from dry dog food.

Speculating on how the salmonella was spread, Dr. Ostroff said, "It could be the way you handle the dog food bowl, the way the dog eats the food, maybe getting it on the floor ... that's what we think is probably happening. This type of scenario is similar to what we've seen in the past, with turtles in the home, reptiles in the homes that have spread salmonella among young children."

People infected with salmonella bacteria get diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. It usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment. Salmonella in pet food and treats can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, but also in people -- particularly children, older people and people with compromised immune systems.

It has yet to be determined how the dog food became contaminated. "The FDA and the company will have to try to find that out," Dr. Ostroff said.

Safe handling of food and pets is recommended. Although the state Health Department says the overall risk of salmonella from dry pet food is low, it reminds consumers that pet food is not sterile and is a potential source of harmful bacteria.

For more information about the recall, see www.marspetcare.com or call 866-298-8332. A Q&A about the recall on the FDA's Web site can be found at: www.fda.gov/cvm/MarsPetCareQnA.htm.

*******************************Metal fragments in dog food prompt recall**********************************
9:54AM Thursday September 06, 2007

A national food distributor is recalling chilled dog food that may be contaminated by metal fragments.

In newspaper advertisements today Auckland-based Mars New Zealand said it was recalling its Pedigree and Optimum brand "dog roll products" as a precaution to protect the health of dogs.

The voluntary recall relates to Pedigree brand beef and liver, lamb and vegetable, beef rice and vegetable, and chicken and rice dog rolls; and Optimum beef, lamb and vegetable, chicken and rice, and selected meats rolls.

All have "best before" dates between October 16 and 19.

The products were sold at grocery and pet food retail outlets through the county.

Consumers are urged not to feed the rolls to their dogs and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

lil Country Paws

Castleberry recall includes Natural Balance Dog Food

Augusta, GA---The Castleberry Food Company is now expanding their recall of possibly contaminated foods to include certain Natural Balance brand pet food products which the company co-packs for the dog food company.

It includes certain types of the 15 ounce cans. The flavors are:

* Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew with Beef

* Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Chinese Take Out with Sauce With Vegetables and Chicken

* Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs HOBO Chili with Chicken and Pasta

* Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Southern Style Dumplings with Chicken and Vegetables

Dr. Thomas Walker with the Highland Animal Hospital says, "The trouble is it's a toxin that's in there not just a bacterial infection, it can cause problems with the nervous system and brain."

While there haven't been any reported outbreaks in the area much like humans, the results could be fatal. "If you have small dogs it'll effect them more severely, like people botulism effects more children than adults because theres more toxin per pound," he said.

According to the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association, symptoms could appear after 12 to 24 hours or as even long as two weeks. Common symptoms to look for include: muscle paralysis
difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing, visual disturbances and generalized weakness.

If you notice any of these abnormalities in your pet you should contact your veterinarian immediately. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the disease has only only been seen occasionally in dogs and has not been reported in cats, but ferrets are highly susceptible to the botulinum toxin.

If you have any questions you can visit Castleberry's Web site at www.castleberrys.com or call toll-free at 1-800-203-4412 or 1-888-203-8446.

lil Country Paws

FDA says food recall URGENT Health Threat

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A recall of canned meat products and dog food made at a Georgia plant due to botulism fears could involve tens of millions of cans that pose an urgent public health threat, U.S. officials said on Monday.

U.S. food regulators appealed to consumers and retailers to find and dispose of the cans.

Two people in Texas and two others in Indiana remain seriously ill and hospitalized with botulism poisoning associated with eating Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce, officials said.

"This is a very big recall," David Elder of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's office of regulatory affairs told reporters, deeming it an "urgent public health matter."

"These products can hurt people. And they have to be off the store shelves. And consumers have to discard any that they have at home," Elder added.

U.S. officials said an outbreak of botulism due to a commercially canned food is extremely rare and has not occurred in the United States in more than three decades.

Castleberry's Food Co. said on Saturday it had voluntarily expanded a recall of hot dog chili sauce and canned meat products originally announced on July 18 due to a risk of botulinum toxin, a bacterium that can cause botulism.

Castleberry's is a unit of Connors Bros. Income Fund's Bumble Bee Foods division.

The recall by Castleberry's originally affected 10 products. The expanded move involves more than 80 types of stew, chili, hash and other products as well as pet food sold under a variety of brand names.

"You're talking about tens of millions of cans that may have been involved. That doesn't mean that's how many are still out on shelves. But that's sort of the scale," added Robert Bracket, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

TRACING SHIPMENTS

U.S. regulators are trying to track down distribution records from the company, Bracket said, adding that officials view this as a nationwide recall.

Botulism is a potentially fatal illness. Symptoms include dizziness, double vision, difficulty in breathing and abdominal problems.

The cans that sickened the four people were produced at the plant on May 7 and May 8, officials said.

Connors Bros. said it will keep the plant in Augusta, Georgia, closed until given the all-clear by health officials.

"Production will not resume until FDA is satisfied that all conditions that resulted in this recall and these dangerous products have been corrected," Elder said, adding that the FDA last inspected the plant in February.

Officials said 16 out of 17 cans that have been tested have turned up positive for the bacterium that causes botulism.

"The decision was made to add an additional layer of protection and to assure the highest margin of safety by recalling all products produced on this line, regardless of the best-by date on the can," said Dave Melbourne, Castleberry's senior vice president.

Consumers with any questions are urged to view Castleberry's Web site www.castleberrys.com. A toll-free hotline is also available at 1-800-203-4412 or 1-888-203-8446.

lil Country Paws

What's Really in Commercial Dog Food? Part 1

Get the Facts: What's Really in Commercial Pet Foods?

Reprinted by permission of the Animal Protection Institute, www.api4animals.org

Plump whole chickens, choice cuts of beef, fresh grains, and all the wholesome nutrition your dog or cat will ever need.

These are the images pet food manufacturers promulgate through the media and advertising. This is what the $11 billion per year U.S. pet food industry wants consumers to believe they are buying when they purchase their products.

This report explores the differences between what consumers think they are buying and what they are actually getting. It focuses in very general terms on the most visible name brands ón the pet food labels that are mass-distributed to supermarkets and discount stores but there are many highly respected brands that may be guilty of the same offenses.

What most consumers don't know is that the pet food industry is an extension of the human food and agriculture industries. Pet food provides a market for slaughterhouse officials, grains considered unfit for human consumption, and similar waste products to be turned into profit. This waste includes intestines, udders, esophagi, and possibly diseased and cancerous animal parts.

Three of the five major pet food companies in the United States are subsidiaries of major multinational companies: Nestle (Alpo, Fancy Feast, Friskies, Mighty Dog, and Ralston Purina products such as Dog Chow, ProPlan, and Purina One), Heinz (9 Lives, Amore, Gravy Train, Kibbles-n-Bits, Nature's Recipe), Colgate-Palmolive (Hill's Science Diet Pet Food). Other leading companies include Procter & Gamble (Eukanuba and Iams), Mars (Kal Kan, Mealtime, Pedigree, Sheba, Waltham's), and Nutro. From a business standpoint, multinational companies owning pet food manufacturing companies is an ideal relationship. The multinationals have increased bulk-purchasing power; those that make human food products have a captive market in which to capitalize on their waste products, and pet food divisions have a more reliable capital base and, in many cases, a convenient source of ingredients.

There are hundreds of different pet foods available in this country. And while many of the foods on the market are similar, not all of the pet food manufacturing companies use poor quality or potentially dangerous ingredients.

Tired of the Pet Food Recalls, find out about Sojo Europa Grain Free Dog Food Mix.

The grain-free alternative to kibble, Europa is a wholesome pre-mix that you combine with raw or cooked meat and water to create a fresh, homemade dog food. Europa works great for dogs with sensitivities to grains, and also as a great fruit and vegetable supplement to our other mixes.

Ingredients: Sweet Potatos, Carrots, Broccoli, Celery, Apples, Whole Egg, Flax Meal, Parsley Leaf, Calcium Carbonate, Carob Powder, Kelp Powder, Alfalfa, Ginger Root, Garlic







Dogs by nature are healthiest on fresh, whole foods. Sojos® Europa is made with simple, honest ingredients like dried sweet potatoes, whole eggs, and apples. No preservatives. Nothing artificial. And because Europa is grain-free, it’s great for sensitive dogs. Simply soak it in water and add raw beef, turkey, or chicken. It’s a great way to give your dog a fresh, home-prepared meal in minutes. Europa is also a great fruit & veggie supplement to our other diets.

Instructions

Combine Europa, meat, and water. Let soak in refrigerator (preferably overnight) and serve. You can mix a four-day batch ahead of time and refrigerate in a sealed container or keep larger batches in the freezer. Shake bag occasionally to keep ingredients mixed. For adult and geriatric dogs we recommend once-a-day feeding. For puppies we recommend twice-a-day feeding. (For twice-a-day feeding, split the amounts below in half.) Measurements are listed in cups.





Starting Out

It is crucial to switch your animal to Europa gradually. We recommend at least a two-week transition (4-6 weeks for older, ill, or finicky animals). Start with just a tiny bit of Europa, raw meat, and water mixed with the food you’re currently using and gradually increase each day as you decrease your pet’s old food.

Adding Variety

We at Sojourner Farms® believe in feeding variety, and thus encourage adding veggies and other healthy foods to Europa, in addition to meat. For small animals mix in a teaspoon of chopped veggies per meal. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup or more for larger animals. Recommended vegetables include chopped greens, carrots, and other natural foods such as cooked rice, yogurt, or eggs. Avoid citrus fruits, onions, and spicy foods. Europa also works as a great supplement to our other dog food mixes!
For animals with special dietary needs, consult a holistic veterinarian. To find a holistic vet in your area, call the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association at (410) 569-0795.

lil Country Paws

All Natural Holistic Pet Food Mixes

Sojos European-Style Cat Food Mix is a wholesome blend of grains, herbs, nuts, and sea vegetables ready-to-mix with meat and veggies to create your own fresh, homemade cat food.

Ingredients: Oat flakes, Rye Flakes, Yellow Corn Meal, Barley Flakes, Ground Pecans, Kelp Powder, Wheat Flakes, Buttermilk Powder, Marjoram Leaf, Parsley Leaf

All Natural Holistic Pet Food Mixes

The grain-free alternative to kibble, Europa is a wholesome pre-mix that you combine with meat and water to create a fresh, homemade dog food. Europa works great for dogs with sensitivities to grains, and also as a great fruit and vegetable supplement to our other mixes.

Ingredients: Sweet Potatos, Carrots, Broccoli, Celery, Apples, Whole Egg, Flax Meal, Parsley Leaf, Calcium Carbonate, Carob Powder, Kelp Powder, Alfalfa, Ginger Root, Garlic