Sorry Folks, Another Pet Treat Recall

This as reported on Dogster.com

Hartz Recalls Two Kinds of Chicken Jerky Treats for Dogs

However, the recall is not linked to the ongoing concern over Chinese-made jerky treats

Michael Leaverton  |  Jan 29th 2013  |   0 Contributions

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Two new chicken jerky treat recalls were announced this week, with Hartz Mountain Corp. pulling Hartz Chicken Chews and Hartz Oinkie Pig Skin Twists Wrapped with Chicken from store shelves. The products are being recalled because "they contain trace amounts of unapproved antibiotic residue," according to the company. 

This comes on the heels of two recalls earlier this month over the same issue, with Nestle Purina PetCare recalling its Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch dog treats, and Milo’s Kitchen recalling its Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers Homestyle dog treats.

In both cases, the suspect antibiotics are ones that have been approved for use in China and other countries, including European Union member states, but not for the U.S. market. There have been no reports of illness. At this point, it is unlikely that this unapproved antibiotic is related to the ongoing reports of illness stemming from dog treats made in China.

The following sizes have been recalled: 

Hartz Chicken Chews Soft and Tenders:

• 3.5 oz. package UPC Number 32700-11966
• 8 oz. package UPC Number 32700-11967
• 16 oz package UPC Number 32700-11953
• 24 oz package UPC Number 32700-11954
• 20 oz package UPC Number 32700-51694

Hartz Chicken Chews Soft and Tender Bite Sized:

• 5.7 oz package UPC Number 32700-12856
• 16 oz package UPC Number 32700-12765
• 16 oz package UPC Number 32700-12765

Hartz Oinkies Pig Skin Twists Wrapped with Chicken:

• 20-pack Pig Skin Twist Sticks UPC Number 32700-13472
• 7-pack Mini Pig Skin Twists Wrapped with Chicken UPC Number 32700-03330
• 15-pack Mini Pig Skin Twists Wrapped with Chicken UPC Number 32700-03331
• 5-pack Pig Skin Twists Wrapped with Chicken UPC Number 32700-03354

Contact Hartz Consumer Affairs at 1-800-275-1414 for more information or a refund.

Via the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

What a Morning!

Apparently the connection between the rubber pipe and the hose to the faucet under our bathroom sink decided to come apart this morning. I awoke to Dave cursing up a blue streak. I tried to ask him what the problem was and he kept on swearing. And then...I hear him screaming my name.

The bathroom is our master bath, so it's attached to our bedroom, so I didn't have far to go. I get there and again I was trying to ask him what was wrong and after awhile he finally told me. So, first I ran into the kitchen to get the container we keep the dogs' towels in to soak up the water on the floor. After those were gotten, I got back to the bathroom, threw down some towels,  He then told me that I needed to hold the two parts together while he ran outside to shut off the water. When I grumbled a little, he told me or I could run outside and try to shut the water off myself, something I've never done. I decided to hold the parts, so he told me how to hold them and not to let them come apart while he ran outside to shut off the water to the house. We have shut off valves to each individual faucet, but because that was where the parts came apart, that of course didn't make a difference this time. So, I maneuvered myself under him and grabbed the parts he wanted me to hold and he got the wrench and ran outside.

So...there I was in my pajamas holding the two parts together. Oh, and did I mention that I had to use the bathroom because I hadn't been able to go yet? Thankfully he didn't take very long because he had the wrench to shut the main valve off here in the house and not in his workshop, where it would have disappeared into the vast universe, never to be seen again. That happened to the bottle of glue he had here in the house for the purpose of gluing the two parts together. I'm guessing that either he took it out to his workshop, even though he said that he didn't because he didn't want it to freeze, or it's hiding in plain sight somewhere laughing its top off because neither one of us could find it. He had to run to Walmart to buy some more.

Later I told Dave that I heard dripping in there and he told me that he wished I had told him. Now that I think about it, I'm sure I did, but he said that he hadn't heard anything so it was dismissed, that is until now. And to think that if I could hear it, since my hearing is worse than his, he would have taken me seriously when I told him the first time.

Anyway, all is right in our little part of Iowa again, the pipe is fixed and the water is back on. All is under control, that is until the next disaster strikes. I need to start playing the lottery. Maybe I'll win and we'll be able to buy a new house.

Pet Treat Recall

This from Dogster.com

Purina Jerky Treats Made in China Recalled over Antibiotics

The move is not related to the ongoing jerky-treat scandal. Milo's Kitchen also recalls jerky treats.

Michael Leaverton  |  Jan 11th 2013  |   5 Contributions

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Chicken jerky treats made China are finally being recalled, but not for the reason you might think. Products of two brands are being pulled from store shelves: Nestle Purina PetCare Co.'s Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brand dog treats, and Milo’s Kitchen's Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers home-style dog treats.

They're being pulled because they might contain traces of poultry antibiotics that aren't approved in the U.S. On Wednesday, the companies said the chicken jerky products contain "minute amounts of antibiotic residue," according to the AP. The antibiotics are not necessarily bad for dogs. They've been approved for use in China and the European Union by regulators, but not in the U.S.
The antibiotics include sulfaclozine, tilmicosin, trimethoprim, enrofloxacin, and sulfaquinoxaline, according to NBC News.

The New York State Department of Agriculture detected the antibiotics in samples they tested, using a "new, particularly sensitive test." Joe Morrissey, a department spokesman, said the agency is testing jerky treats because of "growing consumer concerns."

A spokesman for St. Louis-based Nestle Purina, Keith Schopp, was clear that this recall is a separate issue from the ongoing jerky treat mystery, in which Chinese-made jerky pet treats are suspected of sickening thousands of animals since 2007 and killing hundreds of them.

"There is no indication that the trace amounts of antibiotic residue is related to FDA's ongoing investigation," Schopp told NBC News. "Due to regulatory inconsistencies among countries, the presence of antibiotic residue is technically considered an adulteration in the United States."

Even the FDA states that the antibiotics "do not raise health concerns" and that they are "highly unlikely to be related to the reports of illnesses FDA has received related to jerky pet treats."

As for the ongoing investigation of jerky treats from China, the FDA has been unable to find a precise cause for the reported illnesses. But the agency says it's taking the issue seriously and has put up a page on its site warning consumers about them and offering tips for their proper use, such as: "Do not substitute chicken jerky products for a balanced diet. The products are intended to be used occasionally and in small quantities. Owners of small dogs must be especially careful to limit the amount of these products."

A better strategy would be to forgo them.

Consumers with questions about Milo’s Kitchen products can get further information at (877) 228-6493. Consumers with questions about Purina's Wagging Train products can call (800) 982-0704 or go to www.waggintrainbrand.com.

Via NBC News

I Hurt All Over

But I only have myself to blame for it.

David and I started going back to the gym yesterday after our little hiatus. I stayed at the same weight on almost everything but didn't do quite the number of reps I usually do, but I knew I'd still be hurting today and was, so I took some ibuprofen when I got out of bed. It and the hot bath I took helped loosen up the old joints and soothe my aching muscles a little. Not staying stationary for too long also helps. Today's laundry day so that's helping to keeping me moving.

I was shocked yesterday when I put on the capris I took with me to work out in. They were always tight when I would wear them, but yesterday they fit perfectly. I was really happy. It meant that not only did I not gain any weight over my hiatus, I lost some. Yea for me!

Like always, it felt good to get in a workout. My problem is that I just hate getting dressed and having to go. I like going there better than staying home and exercising though. For one they have more equipment than I can ever hope to fit in here, but one of these days, I will have my workout room out in one of the buildings. In the meantime though, I'm at least getting dressed and getting out of the house.

If it weren't for that and taking David to work, I'd probably become a hermit or a crazy dog lady. Speaking of which, I saw a tee shirt in a catalog I'm tempted to get. On the front it says, "I'm the crazy aunt everyone warned you about." I'm really tempted to get it and wear it the next time we go back to Pittsburgh to visit. ☺

Well, yesterday went well, except I wasn't able to find dog vitamins without iodine for Jake. I even looked on line, so I guess it's a lost cause. I'll have to ask the vet what I can give Jake as far as a vitamin goes.

On the way up north, we dropped off the glass I had cleared out of the corner cabinet, some linens, and a small round table at the thrift stuff in town that we donate to.

I called the jeweler's before David and I left, but the shipment hadn't come in yet. It was there by the time we got there though and so was my ring. I was a happy camper.☺

I also got my hair cut and styled. It needed cut really bad and I wasn't in the mood to do it myself so I went to Cost Cutters and had it done. I liked the way she cut it, but not as much as the girl did the last time, but it looked a lot better than it did not being cut. This morning when I woke up, I looked like someone in a 50's horror movie.

I checked the intersections that I went through the yellow on the day before and I couldn't remember one, but if it was the one I think it was there was no camera, the same with the other one. They sure do have a lot of them up there though, especially around the one mall I went to. So if you're ever visiting West Des Moines especially around Jordan Creek Mall, don't go through any red lights because they will get you!

I found out the other day that our neighbor's dog has been missing for two and a half months. I stopped by the shelter to check to see if he might be there, but they were closed for lunch. I forgot on the way home, but did check their website. He wasn't there. I really hope that he wasn't killed but rather picked up by someone thinking he was a stray since he didn't wear a collar. Hopefully he's relaxing in front of a fireplace somewhere.

Boy am I glad that yesterday is over with. Do you ever crave chocolate when things don't go as you wished they did? Yesterday, I could have bought out the store.

Have you ever heard of an insurance company not covering you until a certain date? What the heck is up with that, but it happened to me yesterday. I had a dentist appointment and the day before the receptionist called to confirm my appointment. She neglected before she called, however, to check on the insurance. I had never heard of such a thing before, but now I know. Maybe it had to do with the date of my last appointment, I don't know. Anyway, I couldn't remember if it was for 11:00 or 1:00. It was for 1:00. I live an hour from the dentist office, but I also had other things I needed to do, so I wasn't as upset about it as I otherwise would have been. Anyway, I didn't find out about the insurance thing until I got there, so I had to reschedule for next week. I also rescheduled for the same time, so I wouldn't forget.

So off to my first errand, exchanging a pair of pants I bought for Dave at Penny's on line. Turned out they could only refund the money back into our account because I used my debit card. As I was waiting to get that taken care of, I noticed signs all over the place stating 30% to 60% off of stuff, so I called Dave and told him about the refund and then asked if he wanted me to look for another pair of pants. He said yes, so I did. His is a really hard size to find, so I was thrilled not only to find one pair, but two with one being in navy blue which for some reason I was never able to find before. They were also $30 each, so he said to buy both pair. It turned out that I got two pair for only $14 more than what I spent on the one pair on line.

I also went through two intersections on yellow. I hope that neither had cameras and if they did, they don't count going through a yellow as going through a red light. I have a clean driving record and I want to keep it that way. I know, I should have stopped on the yellow and from now on, I will. In my defense, they both changed while I was half way through the intersection. My mind wasn't on my driving, although I still made an effort to drive safely.

Dave bought me a new engagement ring for Christmas which was supposed to be ready for pick up yesterday, but wasn't. UGH!!! I was really, really disappointed! They said it's supposed to be here today and the girl even called to verify, so when I go to pick it up, I will also get my hair cut. It needs it and tomorrow night is Dave's company's Christmas party.

I'm sitting here trying to be patient and also positive, pushing all negative thoughts out of my mind. Yesterday I got a really strong feeling that the ring wasn't going to be there and today I have a fear that it won't be again. I think I'll go and take a nice hot bath to relax, that usually helps. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. That helps some too.

Happy Birthday to a Dear Friend

I don't know if she reads this, so I did send her an email this morning.

This friend and I and another friend have been friends since high school, the 10th grade to be exact. The other friend introduced us and we soon discovered that we didn't live far from each other, in fact within walking distance.

I remember us kidding her at a New Year's party at her house one year that when all of us would be 21 and able to drink legally, that she would still have to wait one more day. But she took it all in good stride and now she has the last laugh since she's the youngest.

So to my dear friend, I wish you a very Happy Birthday and happiness always.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! 

My wish for you and your families is happiness. May 2013 be for you all that you had wished for 2012 and more.